We found two full bathrooms, a half-bath off the kitchen, and a maid’s quarters. The room and bath were completely furnished, but all the personal items were removed.
Georgie mused, “Wonder if she left on her own or if Douglas and Mags kicked her out the day Inga died.”
“I know she was here the morning Douglas brought Yummy to the store. He said the maid told him about Inga’s letter that morning. I wonder where she went. She might know something.” I looked out the window when I heard thunder.
“Georgie, did you hear the thunder? It’s getting dark out. Let’s leave and come back after church on Sunday. We’ll have more time. I don’t think there is much else to see on this floor, but upstairs may prove interesting.” She agreed, and we hurried out to her car just as the first raindrops began to fall.
Chapter Nineteen
The storm raged outside my sliding glass doors as Yummy did his best to crawl under my shirt. Peanut was doing the best to imitate Yummy while sitting on Aunt Irene’s lap. The vertical blinds did little to keep the flashes of lightening from brightening the room. I turned on all the lights, but that didn’t seem to help. The thunder sent Yummy into fits of whining. Peanut burrowed deeper into Aunt Irene’s shirt, if that was possible. When the lights began to flicker, I prayed they wouldn’t go out.
“Maybe you should light a couple of candles before the lights go out, Annie. You know how you are in the dark.” She smiled while petting Peanut’s back leg which was the only part of her not hidden in my aunt’s lap.
“Good idea.” I stood holding Yummy in one hand while trying to light candles with the other. I have a terrible fear of the dark. Aunt Irene is here so it won’t be too bad if the lights go out.
The only thing that kept me from needing sedation in the dark shed was that Georgie had been with me. I shuddered at the memory and jumped when my cell vibrated in my pocket.
A text from Georgie:
“You ok?”
I texted back:
“Yup, Aunt Irene is here.”
She set back a smiley face. Storms are my number two fear. Storms at night are a double threat to my sanity.
The lights flickered again, and someone pounded on the front door.
“Stay put, Aunt Irene. I’ll go,” I told her.
Peeking out the peephole, I saw a soaking wet Clark on my porch. I laughed and decided to let him stand there, but he banged on the door again.
I flung the door open and yelled, “What?”
“I was worried. I know you hate storms and the dark.” He smiled at me.
He has some nerve. He’s a snake. I told him too much about me. How dare he smile at me?
“I’m fine. Aunt Irene is here.” I slammed the door and did my best to be sure I made as much noise as possible locking the door. I hope he takes the hint. I heard a car door slam and an engine start. I peeked out the peephole again and saw his car backing out of my driveway.
I nodded feeling smug and carried Yummy back to the living room.
When I sat down, Aunt Irene said, “I still think you're too hard on that boy.”
I took a deep breath and answered. “I believe he’s a bad guy. I think he and the Kellehers are out to get Yummy away from me and might be behind the death threats. I’m not going to take a chance with my life.”
Aunt Irene sighed. “Well, just keep an open mind, dear.”
I nodded and added. “I have to open the bookstore tomorrow. I wish Laci hadn’t talked me into a red car. Clark can see it from the back door of the hardware store.” I pulled Yummy away from my neck as he tried to hide his head in my shirt again.
“Even if your car wasn’t red, men know about cars. He’d recognize it. Would you like to take mine?” She glanced at me with a twinkle in her eye that always meant she had a good idea.
“That would be wonderful if I were going somewhere other than the bookstore. Your lime green bug is more conspicuous than my red Sport.” I sighed.
We both laughed for quite a while about whose car would be the better car if we were going to try and be incognito. The dogs had scampered off our laps and settled down next to each other on the middle couch cushion. The storm was over. I could only see a few raindrops falling on my patio. We waited a while longer to be sure the rain stopped. Aunt Irene and Peanut walked home. I watched her go home safely while I walked Yummy on his leash. I’m not in the mood to wash off muddy paws.
#######
Yummy barked in my ear to let me know my alarm was going off. I slept hard and could sleep longer, but I have a busy day. After Detective Berg searched the store and my nearly getting arrested for being locked in my own shed, I’m sure I’m the subject of the rumor mill this morning. I might as well face the music. Perhaps I can stop it before the town blows everything out of proportion.
With Yummy’s carrier in one hand and a travel mug full of orange spice tea and an apple cereal bar in the other, I headed to the bookstore. It might be an interesting day. I could be mobbed by half the population of Heavenly Corners asking questions, or it could be as quiet as a snowflake
