Page 47

Chapter Forty-Seven

We had a full house for our pizza supper on Friday since I invited Clare and Liz, in addition to our family. That morning, I’d bought a birthday cake and tub of ice cream at the grocery store while Alan worked a half day for the county police. It felt good to have things back to normal.

As Lydia and I closed the garden shop at five o’clock, I noticed Clare and Liz crossing Church Street, which reminded me to pick out a potted plant as a birthday gift. “Don’t forget,” I said, “You have the entire weekend free, and I’ll catch up here.”

Lydia smiled enthusiastically. “I’m so glad your case has come to an end and everything turned out all right.”

“Me, too.” I fiddled with the plant’s bow before saying, “You know, I learned an important lesson.”

“What’s that?” she asked.

“I misinterpreted clues and falsely judged someone. Then, because I reported her to the police, she had to experience hours of interrogation. I’m really sorry about that.”

“I imagine that happens in any investigation. ”

“Perhaps, but I shouldn’t have been so quick to judge without all of the facts. It’s just strange how easy it was to believe something not true.”

“Right,” Lydia agreed, following me out the side door. “I suppose it’s why my grandmother would remind me to ‘keep my counsel.’ I didn’t know what she meant until I mentioned something one of my friends told me about a girl at school. Later, I learned that I’d believed a lie.”

I locked the door. “Then, you know what I mean.”

She nodded. “I do.”

After our farewells, we parted ways, then I caught up with Clare and Liz at our front stoop. “Perfect timing,” I said with a welcoming smile. “Come in and make yourselves at home.”

Sophie gleefully greeted both of them and, given all of her sniffing, must have recognized Buddy’s scent on Liz. To my surprise, she scurried to the sunroom and returned with the scarf she’d pilfered.

I couldn’t help laughing. “Sophie took this from your house,” I explained, “but I’ll buy you a new one.”

“That’s probably how she found me in the root cellar,” Liz said, rubbing Sophie’s ears.

“I think so,” I agreed.

Liz smiled. “Then, she should keep the scarf as her reward.” My dog must have understood because she pranced around the living room with it hanging from her mouth.

Alan walked in carrying three pizza boxes. “Good to see you, ladies. I trust you’ve had a good day.”

“The best I’ve had in almost two weeks,” Clare said. “We slept in, then had lunch at River Mill. I even practiced hitting a golf ball, although I wasn’t very good at it.”

“I have a feeling your sister will instruct you,” he said, placing the pizzas on the kitchen island. “Did you have a chance to visit Damien today?”

“We did, and he’s doing remarkably well. Liz tried to convince him to stay with us for a few weeks when he’s discharged from the hospital, but he wants to go home. I don’t blame him, since he’s lived on Sterling Lane his whole life.”

Alan nodded, giving Clare an extended gaze. “What about you? Are you pining to return to the missions?”

She gave him a quirky grin. “I think I’m starting a new phase of my life, but time will tell.”

“What’s that mean?” he asked.

“Liz and I want some time together, so I’m planning to stay with her for a few weeks. Then, I’ll see what’s next.”

That seemed to satisfy Alan’s curiosity, and Liz looked pleased with Clare’s response. I knew how she felt because Laura, my sister, had accepted my invitation to come for a visit, and we’d meet her at the Scranton airport in less than a week. I could hardly wait.

Sean, wearing his baseball cap backward, appeared at the kitchen door and called for Sophie to play. Before I could grab the scarf, she ran outside with it. I didn’t bother to chase after her because I knew she’d eventually lose interest.

Ryan and Jessica arrived, then Judy and Tom. Alan introduced them to Liz, while I put out the napkins, paper plates, and beverages. “Come and get it,” I called.

Given the crowd, most of us took seats at the dining room table, then Judy and Tom moved two kitchen stools close to us. “We’re so glad you’re safe,” Judy told Liz. “I heard Sophie found you.”

“Yes, and my brother-in-law’s dog, Buddy, identified the person responsible. ”

“Who was that?” Tom asked.

“My neighbor, Lindsey Wiley.” She didn’t elaborate.

“What’s going to happen to her?” Ryan queried.

“I’m not sure, though she’ll have to go to trial for shooting Damien. Luckily, he’s going to be fine.”

“He’ll always have a bum leg,” Alan groused.

On that note, Sean came inside with Sophie. “Hey! No one told me it was time to eat.”

“You know what we do on Friday nights,” Jess replied. “Go wash your hands, then you can pick out your slice of pizza.” He stood on his tiptoes, reaching for the faucet at the kitchen sink.

“Wow!” I exclaimed. “You’re getting tall.”

He rolled his eyes. “I’m eight years old, G-G.”

“That’s what I meant. You’re growing up before my eyes.”

I thought that satisfied him, until he said, “Then, can I have a soda?”

Typically, our answer would be “no.” This time, though, Ryan gave his approval, which elicited great cheers from the munchkin as he scooted up to a stool at the island.

The rest of our guests continued discussing Liz’s case. “I don’t understand why you didn’t contact the police,” Tom said.

“I was afraid,” she replied simply.

Judy nodded. “I get it. Someday, I’ll tell you my story, but it’s not pretty.”

“I suppose we all have our challenges,” Liz said. “Mine is trying to pay back money my husband owed to the people who’d trusted him.”

Alan scooted out to the sunroom and returned with an envelope he handed Liz. “Sue and I want you to have the money Clare used to pay our retainer.” Clare gasped and stared at him.

“No,” Liz said, pushing it away. “You earned it.”

He pushed it back. “We came together as neighbors and, if it weren’t for your disappearance, we might never have met the folks who live across our busy street. Besides, Jim Withers left that money to help you get back on your feet.”

“Are you sure about that?” she asked.

“Yes, although he’d rather you think of it as an anonymous gift from J.W.”

“All that time, I thought it came from Joe Wiley. He, by the way, stopped by to apologize for his wife’s behavior.”

Alan nodded. “That’s good. Sue and I paid Janice Walker a visit last night and told her how sorry we were for misjudging her. She had only gone to Sterling Lane to ask if you’d ever arrived with Damien’s groceries.”

“She could have done that days ago,” Clare said.

“We live busy lives and don’t always think to check on our loved ones,” Alan replied. “Interestingly, after our initial questions to Janice when we stopped at her house ten days ago, she called Lindsey Wiley to ask if she’d seen Liz.”

“Lindsey knew everyone was looking for you,” Jess noted.

“Right,” Alan agreed. “And Lindsey had followed Liz when she took the groceries to Damien, so she told Janice about seeing her at the gas station, which Janice eventually relayed to us as an anonymous tip.”

Ryan frowned. “Lindsey Wiley must have known all along where Liz was.”

“Not entirely,” Alan said. “She’d knocked Liz out, then dumped her on Sterling Lane. Damien was smart not to divulge where he was hiding her. ”

“And he got shot for that,” Ryan said. “Did he ever get his groceries?”

Liz nodded. “She left the bags on the ground, so I suppose she had to get rid of any connection with me. I’m just glad it’s over and Damien will be okay.”

“Details are still coming in,” Alan noted, “but you sure do have a lot of J.W.s in your life.”

“Gosh,” Jessica directed to Ryan, “maybe Willow isn’t a good middle name for Jolene.”

We laughed, which caught Sean’s attention. “What’s so funny? I like that name because it sounds like a tree.”

“It is cool,” I agreed. “Would you help me find the birthday candles to put on the cake?”

“Sure, but who’s birthday?”

“Mrs. Sterling’s,” I said, pointing to Liz.

He stared at her before whispering, “I don’t think we have enough candles.”

I stifled a chuckle. “We’ll use eight, since that’s how old you are.”

“Okay,” he agreed.

^^^

Later, when everyone had gone home and we’d tidied the kitchen, Alan and I sat close to each other on the sofa while Sophie dozed on the floor. I leaned my head on his shoulder, basking in the comfort of his arm around my waist. “All’s well that ends well,” I said softly.

He nodded. “Thank heavens, and we made new friends.”

“I’m glad Clare’s going to stay with Liz for awhile. ”

“I think it’ll be good for both of them.”

He reached for my hand. “I thought Judy and Tom might have announced their wedding date tonight.”

“They will when they’re ready,” I said.

“They’re right for each other, aren’t they?”

I smiled. “He’s her perfect match, so don’t jinx it.”

He laughed before his lips found mine. After his kiss, he said, “They belong together just like we do.”

I totally agreed.