Heavenly Corners Read online

  Clark’s laughter filled the house and for the first time all day, I truly relaxed.

  After dinner, we sat in the living room. Clark said he enjoyed dinner, but from the way he ate I knew that before he said anything.

  He sat next to me and turned me so my back was to him and began to massage my shoulders. I had no idea how tense I was or how relaxed a simple massage could make me feel.

  When Clark stopped massaging my shoulders, he kissed my neck sending shivers—good ones—down my spine and said, “Time for dessert.”

  My mind raced trying to think of what to say when I turned and looked at him. He smiled and said, “What’s wrong? You look like a deer caught in my headlights.” He laughed as he stood and walked to the kitchen.

  “Don’t come in here,” Clark called from the kitchen. I could hear plates and glasses clinking. He returned with a plate of mini chocolate éclairs, a bottle of amber liquid and two liqueur glasses. He set the plates and glasses on the coffee table.

  “Betsy at the Bake Shop told me these are your favorite dessert and this is my favorite dessert liqueur.” He poured the golden liquid into a small glass and handed it to me.

  I bit into my favorite éclairs and took a sip of the liqueur. It slipped down my throat like honey. I expected it to burn, but it was smooth as silk. I took a longer sip and another bite of éclair.

  “This is delicious. It’s exactly what I needed after my harrowing day. I expected to have a bologna sandwich for dinner tonight.” I giggled. “I don’t like bologna.”

  Clark laughed and refilled my glass.

  #######

  I opened my eyes, and the sun was shining in my bedroom window.

  Annie, never mix éclairs and liqueur again. I don’t remember coming upstairs and why is Yummy still asleep? He usually wakes me before this. Oh, he must still be with Aunt Irene. If he is, who or what do I hear breathing?

  I felt the bed move and an arm dropped across my waist. I screamed and sat upright.

  Clark yelled and jumped off the bed. “Annie, what’s wrong?”

  “Umm look around. You, me, us, my bedroom.” I dropped my head into my hands.

  Clark nodded and smiled. “You don’t remember.”

  “Remember what?” I asked not sure I wanted to hear the answer.

  “You were a bit tipsy last night and needed help getting up the stairs,” Clark began. “I helped you settle under your quilt and you grabbed my hand and asked me not to leave. You were afraid the police were coming back.”

  “Uh huh,” I mumbled.

  “You wouldn’t let go of my hand. I slipped off my shoes, pulled out my belt so I could lie down, and climbed over you to get to the other side of the bed while you gripped my hand.” He was smiling again.

  “Okay,” I whispered. I think I’m going to have a headache. I’m embarrassed. I don’t remember.

  “Annie,” Clark said softly. “Look at us. You’re still wearing your sweats and are under the quilt. I’m still dressed and slept on top of the quilt.”

  I looked around, and he was right. Now, I’m more embarrassed. I looked at him and tried to talk. “Umm, we’re adults. I mean I’m not a child. When umm if … I just don’t want to be drunk and not remember. I need coffee, and I have to get Yummy from Aunt Irene’s” I hopped off the bed and headed for the bathroom.

  I could hear Clark chuckle as I closed the door.

  Chapter Thirteen

  When I walked into the kitchen, Clark was wearing his shoes and belt. A pot of coffee was about ready, and the toaster popped up revealing four nicely toasted frozen waffles.

  “Sorry for the simple breakfast, but it was all I could find. You need to shop. We could shop together at the mega-market after our dinner.” He pulled the waffles out and placed them on a warm plate.

  “The market is over twenty minutes from here. Won’t you be tired after dinner not to mention it’ll be a bit late for shopping?” I said as I spread soft butter across a waffle.

  “Nope, they’re open twenty-four hours and we’ll already be out.” He smiled a knowing smile. He’s up to something.

  “We will?” I wondered out loud.

  “I usually buy a lady dinner before we sleep together, but this time I have to do it in reverse. We’ll find a nice spot for dinner out of town where we’ll be away from prying eyes.” He sat down and stared at me.

  “We did not sleep together,” I stammered.

  His eyebrows raised. He smiled and winked.

  “Okay, we slept together but we didn’t “sleep” together.” I gulped half my orange juice at one time. “There’s a difference.”

  “Details, details,” Clark grinned. “I like the hole you’re digging for yourself there. Slept. Sleep. Is there a difference? Besides how much fun is sleeping?” He winked again.

  My face turned red. I could feel my cheeks beginning to burn. I looked at my plate and kept eating. “Goodness gracious, stop teasing me.”

  Clark said, “You say that at least once a day. Is it your favorite saying?” He grinned at me.

  “Yup, I have been saying it since the summer I was twelve. My dad’s parents owned a farm outside town. I spent summers with them. When I got bored, grandma would sent me across the road to help Mrs. Prang. She had ten kids, two sets of twins, and she wasn’t even thirty yet. Can you imagine? It was her favorite saying. She never said a cross word. When she was upset she said goodness gracious. It reminded her that no matter what was wrong there was a good side to it, if a person looked. Regardless of the situation, one should always be gracious. It stuck and I say it for good things or bad. Laci has never heard me utter a swear word. My dad says I am his perfect child.” I grinned a smug grin at Clark.

  Clark’s contagious laughter filled the house, and I couldn’t help myself. I laughed, too.

  Aunt Inga knocked at the patio door. She was holding Yummy in her arms. They both looked quite content.

  “Good morning, Annie. Do you mind if Yummy stays with me today? We have such a good time.” My petite aunt smiled up at me.

  “Not at all. Clark and I have dinner plans, and then we’re going to the mega-market to shop for groceries. I’m running low on nearly everything. I was going to ask you to watch him. Have you ever thought about getting a pet? They have a lot of unwanted pets at the shelter. We could go together this week and find one that’s perfect for you.” I smiled back and scratched Yummy behind his ears.

  “I’d love to find a pet for myself. Let me know when we can go.” She hugged Yummy and turned to leave. She turned back and added, “They make fabulous chocolate pecan brittle at the mega-market. If they have it, would you bring me a pound?”

  “I sure will.” I waved. I believe I inherited my love of chocolate and pecans from my aunt.

  #######

  I opened the back door of the bookstore and hung the clothing bag and my jacket on the coat rack. I brought a pair of brown dress slacks and an ivory silk blouse to wear when Clark picked me up after work. Wherever we end up having dinner, I’d be dressed appropriately. Before I had a chance to turn on the main store lights or turn the door sign to “open,” my phone rang. It was Georgie.

  I explained my embarrassing night, and I could hear her laughter when I held the phone away from my ear.

  “It isn’t funny. I woke and thought we…”

  “I don’t understand why you didn’t,” Georgie interrupted.

  “I’m not ready and surely not when I’m tipsy.” I sat back and crossed my arms, but I couldn’t hear her talk to me. I held the phone to my ear again.

  “Okay, take your time, but you’ll be sorry for all the time you wasted. I spoke to Dot. She heard that Mags is going to make it. It’s good news because if Berg goes off the deep end again, he’ll only arrest you for one murder.”

  “Is that supposed to be funny? I don’t think so. What makes you think you’re so funny?” I was glad we were on the phone so she couldn’t see me smile.

  “Paul thinks I’m hilarious.” Georgi
e retorted.

  “He has to; it’s written in the small print of the wedding vows,” I began to laugh, and Georgie realized I was joking. We enjoyed a good laugh before I heard Paul’s voice calling her in the background.

  “Speak of the devil. Gotta run. I’ll try and call this afternoon. If not, have a great date, and we’ll talk tomorrow.” Georgie ended the call.

  #######

  The day passed quickly with a slow, but steady stream of customers. Clark texted me a few minutes before five and said their evening employee came in a bit early and if I was ready we could leave anytime. I asked for ten minutes, turned the door sign to closed, hit the switch that darkened the main part of the bookstore, and slipped into the back room to change clothes. I kept toothpaste and a toothbrush in the tiny bathroom and brushed my teeth. I fluffed up my hair trying to keep the curls from becoming a wild mess and smiled at my reflection. I was ready for my date, and I didn’t shy away from the word this time.

  Clark was right on time. I climbed into his SUV and said, “I can pick up my car later or tomorrow. It has been in the lot overnight before tonight. Heavenly Corners is one of the safest places on earth at least until Inga was murdered.”

  “We’re not talking about any of that tonight. This evening is just for us.” He reached out and squeezed my hand when he stopped at the stop sign before pulling onto Main Street.

  I noticed Detective Berg was standing outside the bookstore trying to peer in the window. “What do you suppose he wants now? Should I ask?”

  “Nope,” Clark said as he pulled onto the street. “He’s not part of our date and whatever he wants can wait. Do you really want to talk to him?” He glanced at me.

  I shook my head and answered, “If I never have to speak with him again, it will be fine with me.”

  Clark headed toward the highway and out of town. I was looking forward to a quiet dinner away from prying eyes especially Claudine’s.

  “Penny for your thoughts,” Clark said.

  “I remembered how Claudine tried to ruin our last night out.”

  “Never mind.” Clark laughed. “I want my penny back.”

  #######

  Dinner was enjoyable. Clark ordered shrimp. I hope he didn’t see me shudder. I’m not a seafood person. Deep fried cod that tastes good, but doesn’t smell like fish is as close to fish as I want to get. Okay, I will eat white albacore tuna, but that’s it.

  “You love chicken,” Clark said when I ordered the Chicken Parmesan.

  “Yes, I do and pasta. You can’t go wrong with either.” I picked up a piece of the warm bread from the basket the waitress set on the table. I slathered it with soft butter and took a bite.

  Clark grinned at me.

  “What?” I asked.

  “Nothing, I just enjoy watching you. Do you have a secret to eating butter and umm staying healthy?” His face turned a bit red.

  Good save, Clark. Were you going to mention my weight? Saying thin instead of healthy. He’s squirming a bit; this is cute.

  “Walking,” I said when I took another bite of my buttered bread. “When the weather is nice, I like to walk to and from the store. It’s an easy twelve to fifteen minute stroll. I like to make it in seven or eight. I also love to swim at the high school pool. It’ll be back open after repairs. I’m hoping soon. I like to go three nights a week. For cold weather, I have a treadmill in the guest room.”

  “It’s working,” Clark said. “You look very healthy.”

  We both laughed and then I felt the laughter leave me when I remembered Detective Berg looking in my store windows.

  Clark reached over and took my hand. “No sad or worrisome thoughts. Remember. Only two of us are on this date. Berg and Claudine are somewhere in nasty land.”

  I giggled, “Nasty land. Is that a real place?”

  “If it were, I would buy them both a ticket,” Clark said as our meals arrived.

  I agreed and did my best to enjoy the meal. A few times my mind wandered, and I think it showed on my face. Each time Clark would say something funny to pull me out of my momentary glum mood.

  #######

  Grocery shopping was an eye opening experience. It is amazing what you can learn about a person when you shop together.

  Clark frowned at me when I put several red delicious apples in a bag as he was filling one with Granny Smith. We repeated the process while I looked over the bananas, and he put several plums in a bag. I like extra chunky peanut butter and Clark prefers creamy. I grabbed a jar of strawberry preserves, and he picked up one of apple jelly.

  I looked into the cart and then at Clark. “Well, so far I’m surprised we can eat the same meal ever. Also, do you intend to eat all your meals at my house?”

  He laughed. “I already eat dinner and breakfast. I might as well take a lunch along from your house. My tiny apartment above the hardware store only has a mini-fridge.”

  An elderly lady shopping next to us stared, shook her head, turned her cart, and headed in the opposite direction.

  “Gee, Clark. You scared off a customer.” I frowned at him.

  He laughed so hard he had to hang onto the grocery cart to keep from falling over.

  I whispered, “I don’t think I can take you anywhere.”

  He laughed harder, and I tried to stifle a laugh, but it didn’t work. There we were laughing like two kids in the peanut butter section.

  Finally under control, we were able to continue shopping. We were doing fine until we saw the little lady again in the frozen foods aisle, and she glared at us. Clark broke out laughing again. It took us over an hour to shop, but I can’t remember ever having this much fun in a grocery store.

  As we waited for our turn at check-out with an overflowing basket, I looked at Clark and shook my head. “Look at all this food, I never buy this much.”

  “That’s because it’s for both of us. I’ll pay for half since I’m there to eat all the time.” He countered.

  We heard a quiet “tsk” coming from behind us. It was the little lady with only a few items in her cart.

  Clark smiled his most endearing smile at her and asked, “Would you like to go ahead of us? You don’t have much.”

  She glared daggers at him and moved to another check-out lane.

  He shrugged, and I held my hand over my mouth to keep from laughing again.

  Clark loaded our grocery haul into the back of his SUV, and we began our trek home. We saw a gas station/convenience store offering homemade ice cream.

  “Would you like a cone?” Clark asked.

  “Yes.”

  He pulled in and we entered looking for ice cream. A cute teenager asked what flavor we would like. I chose chocolate and vanilla and Clark chose strawberry.

  Once in the car I asked him. “You don’t like strawberry preserves, but you like strawberry ice cream. You confuse me.”

  He replied, “I don’t see you eating strawberry ice cream, and you love the preserves.”

  “I don’t like strawberry ice cream,” I answered.

  “There you have it,” Clark said. “The reason we get along so well. We’re both odd.”

  We laughed and talked the rest of the way to my house. I was in a wonderful mood until we pulled onto my street, and I saw a police car in front of my house.

  “They’re going to arrest me this time,” I stammered trying not to cry.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Clark pulled into my drive, and I looked over my shoulder to see Officer Bill Todorov leave his vehicle and walk over to my side of the vehicle.

  “I’m glad you’re home,” Bill said as he handed me some papers. “This is a search warrant for your house, the bookstore, and the Explorer. Detective Berg and another officer will search your store and vehicle since it is parked behind the store. Chief Elroy is on his way over to search the house with me. I’m sorry, Annie.”

  Clark unloaded the groceries by the time I spoke with Bill. “Annie, you need to stay here and I’ll go to your store. You need to be repr
esented. I don’t want Berg destroying the store in the process. I’ll call Lucas. Go inside and sit down.” He kissed my cheek and was on his way.

  I invited Bill inside and told him I had to put my groceries away. He suggested I wait because empty cabinets would be easier to search. He agreed that I should put away the cold food in the fridge and freezer and then leave the bags on the table.

  The doorbell rang, and I expected Chief Elroy. Bill opened the door, and Georgie ran inside.

  “Clark called me. This is insane.” She spun and looked at Bill. “What’s the matter with you? You think Laci will ever speak to you again when she finds out what you did to her mom. You can’t believe she’s guilty of anything.”

  Bill’s face flushed. “No ma’am, I don’t believe Annie is guilty of anything, but Detective Berg sent me here to wait and serve her as soon as she came home. I was doing my job.” He shuffled from foot to foot.

  I slipped my arm into Georgie’s. “C’mon sit with me and wait. Bill’s right. It’s his job, and we have to let him do it. Let’s sit and see if we can figure out who really committed these crimes.”

  I grabbed a legal pad of paper and a pen and handed them to Georgie. “You write. My hands are shaking. Let’s make a list of anyone who might have something against Inga or me. I know this has something to do with the inheritance. Whoever has Yummy inherits. I could still lose him in a court battle.”

  Georgie added, “We should also consider anyone who might benefit from you inheriting all the money. If you sold the lake property to the developers for condo construction, you would benefit as well as them.”

  I nodded.

  Georgie began her list with the developers and quickly added Mags, Douglas, Roland, and Craig. She jotted down the mayor and councilman Philipps because both wanted the lake for the city. When she added Clark’s name, my breath caught.

  I whispered, “Why Clark? Are you crazy?”

  She whispered back, “He showed an interest in you as soon as you inherited Yummy.”

  “Yeah, but I went to the hardware store first, and no one knew about the total inheritance then.” I crossed my arms and stared at her.