Thursday, December 15, 2022

MEET ME IN MAINE – Let’s Read A Chapter Together


Chapter 9

Elizabeth’s first date with David goes differently than expected.

I spun in front of the full-length mirror hanging from my closet door, eyeing my black dress and high heels. My hands trembled as I smoothed the silky fabric against my thighs.

Scarlett came through the doorway, wearing a tight red dress. “Sexy.”

“Is it too short?” I turned to her. “I can change.”

“Don’t change. You look hot.” She grinned. “It’s not as short as my dress.”

“You’re comfortable in too-revealing clothing while I’m not.”

“Are you calling me a slut?” Her eyebrows arched.

“If the shoe fits.” 

Scarlett stalked across the room, a shoe dangling from her hand.

I stepped back, shaking my head. “You wouldn’t.”

The doorbell rang.

“Now, you’ll never know.” She slipped her foot into the pump and winked before rushing from the room.

“Lizzie. It’s for you,” Scarlett called from the living room.

Why was David early? I raced for my bag and coat. My heart was pounding as I came to a stop. I must act cool and collected. I took a deep breath and sauntered through the doorway.

He came to his feet. “Hello, Elizabeth.”

My gaze drifted from his cleft chin to chiseled cheekbones, coming to rest on dazzling blue eyes. I opened my mouth, but no sound escaped.

“I hope you’re happy to see me.” He shifted closer, lifting his hand to stroke my cheek.

“I am.” I closed my eyes as his touch sent shivers through my body.

“Okay, lovers.” Scarlett pushed between us. “You’ll miss your reservation, and my date will be here soon.”

David took my hand. “We can take a hint.” I followed him from the apartment, but not before I stuck my tongue at Scarlett behind his back.

* * *

After clicking the remote to unlock the black Jaguar parked at the curb, David opened the passenger door, and I sank into the beige leather seats. Once the car was humming, he seat-belted himself and faced me. “Are you comfortable?”

I nodded. “It’s a gorgeous car.”

“Air-conditioning or sunroof?” David grinned, giving me an enticing glimpse of dimples.

I thought of the wind messing my hair. “Air-conditioner, please.”

We drove in silence until I asked, “Is there any news?” When he didn’t respond, I added, “We don’t have to mention the explosion or –”

“Pick any topic.” He glanced at me. “I want us to relax and enjoy the evening.”

I lowered my face and smoothed the black fabric bunched beneath the seatbelt. 

He placed his hand on my arm, and I lifted my face to the glittering blue eyes seeking mine. “Don’t worry. We’ll find the ones responsible for the explosion.” David pulled the car in front of a one-storied teal blue building, its windows and door strung with twinkling lights. “We’re here.” 

Valets rushed to open our doors. I took David’s arm as we headed inside behind the couples filing through the doorway. Soft music accompanied the hushed conversation in the darkened room. A fire sizzled in the fireplace, nestled in the far left corner. The maître d led us to a table set for two overlooking the water.

After the maître d seated us, a server filled our water glasses and handed us menus. I glanced through the pages, amazed at the steep prices.

“Don’t look at the prices.”

I raised my face and stared at the handsome man sitting across from me, grinning. “I wasn’t.”

“You were.” David chuckled. “Your arched brows tell the complete story.” When I blushed, he continued, “Don’t worry. You have lovely eyes and brows.” As heat suffused my face, he laughed. “I have the money, so spend it.”

I shook my head.

He reached for my hand, which rested on the table, covering it with his. “Order what your heart desires.”

“I’m not familiar with most of these dishes.” As I perused the menu, my gaze drifted to the tables closest to us. Well-dressed couples drank wine and ate, smiling at each other, laughing, and holding hands. His finger stroked the inside of my wrist, and I shivered.

“Are you cold?”

I met his gaze. “I’m fine. Can I order the same dish as you?”

A smile deepened his dimples. “I was going to order steak and home fries.”

“A steak-and-potatoes man.” I smiled. “I’ll have the same.”

The server took our orders and David’s choice of wine. I turned to the window where the moon stroked the dark water with shimmering silver streaks. The soft music and murmur of conversation helped to soothe my frayed nerves.

“Are you upset?”

I caught his concerned expression. “No. Why do you think I’m upset?”

He leaned forward, giving me a lopsided grin. “I was hoping you weren’t angry from last night.”

“Last night?”

His jaw tightened. “The way Logan interrogated you, I should have stopped him. The chief allows him to take control.”

“It wasn’t your fault.” I twirled the wine glass in my hand, watching the dark burgundy liquid catch the votive candle’s flickering light. “Why does the chief allow Logan to intervene?”

“Logan is wealthy and has influential contacts.” He leaned back in his chair. “The chief needs his help to solve the recent crime wave.”

“Is it a crime wave?”

David took a sip of wine, his unhurried gaze following the contours of my face. “A few incidents have occurred in the past six months.”

“Murders?” My stomach plummeted as if I’d consumed a lump of coal.

“Yes.” David shifted in his seat. “Chief Lively has requested my help.”

“Why you? Aren’t you a lawyer?”

“Yes. I’m a mere lawyer.” His eyes darkened to midnight blue as they met mine. “But the chief claims to enjoy my keen mind; he told me I chose the wrong profession.”

“I can see you as a detective.” I busied myself with sipping wine instead of witnessing his woeful expression.

David laughed out loud. “I’m not hurt.” Heads turned from neighboring tables. “I’ve been an officer of the law.”

“As a marine?”

“You’ve heard.” He winked. “Major David Hunt, at your service, ma’am.”

“Nice.” His uneven smirk captivated me as I struggled to compose myself. I didn’t hear the server arrive and place our dishes on the table.

I came to realize I loved to watch David eat. He cut his steak with precision, chewing with his mouth closed, his Adam’s apple bopping along his tan neck. My gaze lingered at the juncture of his white shirt and blue-striped tie. I noticed he had stopped eating, and I raised my face. 

“Hi.” Dimples appeared in the light stubble on his cheeks.

“I enjoy watching you eat.” Blood rushed to my face, and I glanced away. Why did I say that?

David took my hand. “And I love watching you.” His face shifted closer to mine, and I shut my eyes. “Lizzie.”

I opened my eyes.

“You’ve mesmerized me as no other woman has for a long time.” He sat forward, his hungry gaze devouring me until I trembled from its intensity.

“There you are.” A shout rang across the room, followed by the husky figure of Chief Lively. 

David shot to his feet, facing Lively with an annoyed expression. “What’s wrong now?”

“There has been another death.” The chief halted beside our table, his dark glare landing on me.

“I can’t help you; we’re having dinner.” His face ashen, David sat, replacing his fallen napkin on his lap.

“I need you,” Lively replied, his voice sharpening. “They took Logan to the hospital.”

“What happened?” David threw me a concerned look before hurrying to his feet and leading the chief to an isolated spot beside the window.

“Logan will be okay. A woman is dead.”

“A woman, this time?” David glanced over the chief’s shoulder at me. “I’ll drive Elizabeth home.”

“No. We don’t have time.” Lively stepped in front of me, his heated gaze meeting mine. “You’ll have to come with us.”

I nodded.

David said to the chief, “I’ll meet you.” He then turned to me. “I’m sorry.”

Attempting a smile, I said, “I’m fine. I might even help.”

His eyebrows rose in disbelief as he escorted me from the restaurant. And so began my journey into Blue Harbor’s secrets, known only to the select few, which now included me.

Tuesday, December 6, 2022

MEET ME IN MAINE – Sneak A Peek


CHAPTER 8

Were Elizabeth and Scarlett ready to buy an inn and settle in Maine? Scarlett wasn’t so sure of the answer.

Scarlett’s car bumped along the winding road, farmhouses peeking at us from behind thick clusters of trees and bushes, the afternoon sun warming the inside of the vehicle with its hazy glow.

“Are you sure you know the way?” I asked. “I thought the inn was in Blue Harbor.”

“It is.” Scarlett squinted at me. “Not everyone lives near the main harbor.”

Ten minutes later, she said, “We’re here.”

A red-bricked building appeared between two thick groves of maple trees. A lush green lawn and white picket fence fronted the house. Four wide steps led to the wrap-around porch, dotted with white wicker chairs and tables. A chubby, middle-aged woman stood on the top step between two white pillars supporting the steep overhang.

“That’s Lucy Green.” Scarlett parked on the graveled driveway to the right of the house.

Lucy descended the steps, wiping her hands on the yellow frilled apron tied around her waist. “I’m happy you could meet with me today, considering the recent excitement.” Her short, brown curls fluttered in the cool breeze as she crossed the blue paving stones to the driveway.

“We were at the ice cream parlor when the guy ran inside bleeding.” Scarlett halted in front of her. “The customers ran from the place screaming and yelling.”

“How awful.” Lucy wrung her hands. “I hope you’re still interested in my inn.”

I drew alongside Scarlett. “We’re rethinking our move to Blue Harbor.” I ignored Scarlett’s sidelong glare. If Lucy believed we were reconsidering, she might lower the price. I grew up in New York City and couldn’t help my big city frame of mind.

Lucy pursed her lips. “Chief Lively will clean the riffraff from Blue Harbor, he’s done it before, and our town will be peaceful again.” She motioned for us to follow her into the house. The warm glow from the Victorian lamps, sitting on small end tables, lit the spacious room dotted with comfortable-looking couches and chairs. We followed her through an open archway to the right. Leather couches and chairs faced a red-bricked fireplace. Across the room, a set of glass doors overlooked a side garden bursting with red and yellow rose bushes. When she swung open the doors, a rose-scented breeze drifted toward us.

“Lovely,” I said.

She gave a sweet smile before shutting the glass doors. We trailed her from the den and the front room to the dining room, where glasses and silverware sparkled on the five tables set with white linen. The doorway on the back wall led us to an industrial-sized kitchen with a white marble island dead-center, surrounded by yellow stools. The view from the picture window took my breath away. Rose bushes lined the pebbled path through the green landscape to a lake filled with floating Canada geese.

“Nice,” Scarlett said.

“Thank you.” Lucy hovered behind us. “Are you ready to see the guest rooms?”

“Sure,” Scarlett replied.

A narrow door in the kitchen, wedged between the double wall ovens and built-in refrigerator, led back to the front room. We climbed the carpeted stairs between the curving wood banisters as Lucy regaled us with tales of the house’s vibrant history. On the second floor, doors stood open on either side of the hallway, revealing canopied beds and flat-screen TVs. At the end of the hall, we stepped into the owner’s apartment. The two bedrooms, eat-in kitchen, and sitting room offered impressive views of the lawn and sparkling blue lake.

“Iced tea and pastries in the sunroom?” Lucy asked as we descended the staircase.

“Sounds good. I’m thirsty,” Scarlett replied.

Lucy led us through the den to the bookshelves spanning the left wall, where she tilted a group of books forward. The bookcase shifted, and a hidden door creaked open.

“Neat,” Scarlett said as the door of bookshelves shut behind us.

I asked, “Does the house have hidden passageways?”

“There might be.” Shirley’s round face wrinkled into an eager grin. “This is an old house. A hundred years old next year.”

The sun shone through the picture window on the far wall, throwing bright squares of light across the mint-green couches and chairs. A pitcher of iced tea and a tray of pastries waited on the glass coffee table. We took seats as Lucy poured the tea into tall glasses.

“Are you still interested in purchasing the inn?” Lucy asked, handing a glass to Scarlett.

“We are.” Scarlett glanced at me. “But I’m confused.”

Lucy’s chocolate brown eyes widened.

Scarlett continued, “You have tables set in the dining room, but I didn’t see any preparations in the kitchen. Where are your guests and staff?”

“The guests aren’t arriving until Friday.” Lucy’s eyes twinkled. “And the staff have left for the day.”

I asked, “How large is your staff?”

“I have a maid, chef, and waitress.”

“Do they work every day?” Scarlett asked.

“The cook and waitress work when we have guests, and the maid cleans twice a week, even if we don’t have guests. This past year, we began offering dinner twice weekly, and the chef and waitress have increased their hours.”

“Once you sell the inn, will they be willing to continue working here?” I asked.

“They love the bed-and-breakfast. I have a contract ready to be signed.” Lucy huffed to her feet. “Relax and finish your tea and pastries.” She grinned before hurrying from the room.

“We have decisions to make.” Scarlett bit into a red velvet cupcake.

“I’m not ready to make them today.”

“Me neither.”

Lucy returned with a stack of papers. For the next hour, we discussed the price and conditions of the contract. We departed with a promise to call her in the next few days. Scarlett needed to show the paperwork to her lawyer, who will now be our lawyer. Even though the price was within our budget, we needed time to decide whether Blue Harbor was right for us.