Page 44 of Smuggler’s Cove (Twin Lights #1)

“Could not be better.” Madison smiled with a devilish grin. After dinner, they cleared the table and sat in the living room for a nightcap.

Madison poured everyone a glass of port and asked, “So what about that map?”

“I completely forgot,” Lincoln said, and reached into the back pocket of his jeans. He carefully unfolded it and laid it on the coffee table.

“It looks like a kid’s drawing,” Olivia said, squinting.

“Certainly not official,” Madison added.

Olivia took out her laptop and opened a maps site. She typed in Smuggler’s Cove on the Navesink . “Wow. Check it out.” She turned the laptop so Lincoln and Madison could see it.

“They look similar, except is a rudimentary version,” Olivia added.

Lincoln traced the line from Smuggler’s Cove to the Rahway River.

Madison quickly looked up Captain William Kidd.

“It says that he was a privateer but was eventually considered a pirate and was hanged for murder in London.” She continued to read.

“Legend says that he buried his treasure somewhere along the riverbanks of the Rahway, across from Arthur Kill in Staten Island or along the shores of Long Island.”

“Do you supposed this was the map Mr. Farrell was looking for?” Olivia asked.

“According to Detective Burton, when he questioned Farrell’s associates, they made reference to a map.”

“Wow. And this could be the cause of Farrell’s demise,” Madison said thoughtfully.

“Could very well be, but I am sure there are dozens of legends about a secret treasure map, Captain Kidd, and his band of privateers or pirates, depending on who you ask.”

“We should have it framed and put it in the new shed,” Madison suggested.

“I had a feeling you might say something like that. There are a bunch of maps at the house. The ones that were hanging on the fishing line. I figured you would want to take a look and repurpose them.”

“Ah, you know me well, my brother.” She patted him on the back.

“I’ll take this to the framer next week,” Olivia offered. Lincoln folded it and handed it to her.

“Floating plexiglass,” Madison said. “No frame.”

“Got it,” Olivia replied.

It was after eight, and they decided to call it a day.

Madison trusted she would finally get a good night’s sleep.

But to be sure, she took a long hot shower and popped two ashwagandha gummies into her mouth, a native and ancient remedy for relaxation.

By the time she dried her short bob, she was yawning and ready for bed.

* * *

The following weekend, Irene met them at the ferry. She dropped Lincoln at the marina and then took Madison and Olivia to a car-rental agency, where a red Jeep Grand Cherokee was waiting. Irene handed Olivia a list of stores and their locations.

“I made sure there was GPS in the vehicle,” Olivia said.

“There’s a Target about twenty minutes from here. And if you haven’t been to a Total Wine, you are in for a treat. It’s Disney for grown-ups,” Irene cackled. “Then you can hit Uncle Giuseppe’s afterwards. That, too, is an amusement park for foodies.”

Madison gave Irene a hug. “You have been so helpful. As soon as we are settled, we will have you over for dinner. On the patio, of course.”

“That would be swell.” Irene had taken a liking to these city slickers.

They were very down-to-earth, all things considered.

She, too, had done a little digging about their background.

Unbeknownst to Lincoln, Madison, and Olivia, everyone in town knew about their background, and their climb from drama and humiliation.

Madison and Olivia spent two hours shopping for towels, linens, toiletries, and household cleaners.

The next stop was the liquor store. When they entered, they stopped in their tracks.

“Irene was not kidding. And the place is beautifully appointed with the wood shelves. Rows and rows of them.” Madison looked around in awe.

“It reminds me of a bookstore, but with booze,” Olivia stated.

“This is amazing! Where have I been all this time?”

“Working.” Olivia elbowed her, grabbed a shopping cart, and began to peruse the aisles. A middle-aged gentleman wearing a vest and a headset greeted them.

“Welcome to Total Wine. Is this your first visit?”

“How could you tell?” Madison flashed a big smile.

The man chuckled. “The expression on your face. I’ve seen it before.”

“I’m that obvious, eh?” She continued to smile.

“I’m afraid so, Miss. What can I help you with today?”

Olivia gave the man a list of wines, beer, and alcohol.

“Having a party?”

“Eventually. We are stocking up for our summer rental,” Madison answered.

“Whereabouts?”

“Smuggler’s Cove,” Madison answered.

“Nice little town. Be sure you make it to the seafood festival. Best one along the shore.”

“We will. They’re honoring my uncle this year. He passed away, but he was a local icon.” Madison was surprised at how she spoke about her uncle with such authority. And rightly so. She was beginning to understand and appreciate his value to his friends and the community.

It took about an hour for them to fill their cart, and the gentleman helped them load the car. “Where are you off to now?”

“Uncle Giuseppe’s,” Olivia answered.

“You gals are going to have a ball in there. They play some of my favorite music, too. Frank Sinatra, Dean Martin. Old school.” He grinned. “Nice meeting you ladies. Enjoy the rest of your day. Keep in mind, we deliver.”

“Thanks. You’ve been a great help.”

Olivia was behind the wheel as Madison turned to look at their packages. “Do you think we can fit anything else in here?”

“I am sure we will do our best!” Olivia grinned, typed in the address, and exited the parking lot.

When they arrived at Uncle Giuseppe’s, they had a similar reaction as they had at Total Wine.

To one side was a long case filled with prepared food, from chicken marsala to zucchini muffins, eggplant rollatini to stuffed mushrooms. Dozens upon dozens of olives lined the shelves on the opposite side.

“I had no idea there were that many types of olives!” Madison declared.

Olivia knew her friend might go overboard purchasing the food. “Let’s get only what we need this weekend, as far as produce and meat.”

Madison sighed. “You’re right. I’ll try not to get carried away.

” She wheeled the cart toward the back of the store.

“But we must get a ball of that fresh mozzarella.” She watched as a man behind a glass window swirled the cheese in water and then into a ball.

Olivia tapped her shoulder. Behind the next window were people making fresh pasta.

Across the aisle was someone making fresh pizza, and in front were a dozen baskets of freshly baked bread including focaccia, ciabatta, ciriola, and pane Pugliese.

“Oh, my goodness. I am going to be in a carbohydrate coma,” Madison sighed.

They carefully chose a few items for dinner and breakfast, although it was difficult to leave without purchasing several pounds of cheese.

By three o’clock, they were back at the house and putting their supplies in place. “By the way, we never discussed sleeping arrangements,” Madison said. “You and Lincoln will have the master bedroom. I hope you already knew that.”

Olivia smiled. “I did not make any assumptions.”

“Well, there’s no need for a discussion. It’s yours. Case closed!” Madison declared.

By the time they were finished, Charlie and Lincoln pulled into the driveway. “Hey there! How was your day?” Lincoln gave Olivia an affectionate kiss.

“Very productive,” Olivia answered. “We found two fabulous places.” Olivia described their experience at the two stores.

Olivia knew Lincoln would not be up for playing grill master that night, so they bought some of the prepared food.

All they had to do was heat it up, toss a salad, and plate some mozzarella with tomatoes and fresh basil to start.

“Charlie, would you like to have dinner with us?” Madison asked.

“Aw, thanks. I appreciate it, but Saturday nights are for me and Hannah. Unless there is some kind of special thing goin’ on.”

“Next time, we will invite both of you,” Madison offered.

“That’s mighty nice of you, but we don’t want to intrude,” Charlie said modestly.

“Not an intrusion at all,” Lincoln voiced his opinion. “Once we get settled, we will have you and Hannah and Crusty over.”

“That would be nice. I know Hannah’s gotten fond of all of you.”

“Likewise,” Madison replied. And she meant it. She was finding a lot to like in this little town.