PRAISE FOR SUSAN REISS
“Letters in Time is like a wonderful meal with a delicious balance of engaging characters (both sweet and bitter), a fascinating peek at history, a captivating community, and a slow-burning romance for dessert.”
—Donna Weaver
USA Today Best-Selling Author
“Susan Reiss captures the magic, mystery and charm of that quintessential Eastern Shore town – St. Michaels. Secrets lay hidden for generations among the stunningly beautiful estates along the Miles River. Can’t wait for her next …”
—Kathy Harig, Proprietor,
Mystery Loves Company Bookstore
“[Susan Reiss] will transport you to the Eastern Shore of Maryland, but will remind you of whatever town has a special place in your heart… It leaves me wondering what other secrets this quaint little Eastern Shore town is hiding and I’m waiting for Susan Reiss to tell us.”
—Barbara Viniar, Retired President
Chesapeake College, Maryland
PRAISE FOR ST. MICHAELS SILVER MYSTERIES
“The main characters are compelling. Foiled Silver has everything: humor, mystery, even a little romance. You keep reading as the excitement builds to a smashing and surprising conclusion!”
—Dana Newman, Executive Director,
Talbot County Free Library
“Tarnished Silver is a fabulous debut novel! Abby Strickland is someone I can relate to, my kind of heroine. I admire the way she rises to the challenges thrown in her path. She’s a brave and loyal person whom I would love to call a friend (if she were real, of course). Susan Reiss is a great storyteller, and I’m really looking forward to more stories in the Silver Mystery Series.
—Kassandra Lamb, author,
Kate Huntington Mystery Series
“Silver, art and murder lead to an exciting read!”
—S. Jennifer Sugarman, artist
“This is a series that captures the local flavor of our area – St. Michaels, the food and the quirky characters who live here and visit. The descriptions of all the real places make me feel like I’m there. The mystery kept me turning the page. This is a series I recommend to my library patrons… and to you.
—Shauna Beulah, Branch Manager,
St. Michaels Library
INK & IMAGINATION PRESS
an imprint of Blue Lily Publishers
Copyright © 2021 by Susan Reiss
All rights reserved.
ISBN 978-1-949-8764-7-5
No part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording or otherwise, without the prior written permission of the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.
This is a work of fiction.
Any resemblance to a person, living or dead, is unintentional and accidental.
Cover Design by Rachael Ritchey, RR Publishing
Interior Design: Jennifer Jensen
Website: www.SusanReiss.com
Instagram: AuthorSusanReiss
Twitter: @SusanReiss
Bookbub: Susan Reiss
Goodreads.com: Susan Reiss
Facebook: Susan Reiss
Dedicated to
Elizabeth Dorbin
For your patience in answering countless questions
For your captivating family stories and historical tidbits
For your inspiration and steadfast support
This one is for you.
Chapter One
“I hope the symbolism of the butterfly of renewal and courage works for me here at the Cottage.” —Emma’s Journal
They sat me down in an antique dining chair and parked me in the middle of the gravel driveway leading to the Cottage. Inside, I’d take up space as the movers wrestled things in and out. Sitting here under the towering pine trees, I was out of the way. Sidelined with my crutches. Away from the action. The way I’d been since the accident that almost took my leg and my life.
At least, I reminded myself, I’m still alive.
But my rightful place was in the thick of things, whether surrounded by exuberant children in a kindergarten class, counseling their parents, or supervising the painting of a hallway mural. I was always dashing around on the playground or running classroom activities in the school environment I loved. My husband—my ex—said I was happiest around children and that I preferred them to adults. Maybe he was right, but things had changed.
Now, my job was telling the moving men where to put my belongings—and which of Uncle Jack’s things they should remove from the Cottage.
A puff of air blew off the saltwater creek. It brought a moment of relief from the August humidity and the heat of my frustration, but the tears of impatience, yearning, and self-pity threatened to come once again.
No, this was not the time or place to cry. I decided to come to the Eastern Shore, to live in Uncle Jack’s Cottage that was now mine, to make this big step in taking back control of my life. It was better than staying in my city condo where my past life haunted me—when I could do what I wanted, whenever I wanted.
I took in a deep breath and wiggled my body around so I could sit up straighter in the antique armchair that belonged inside as I did. Now, all I wanted was to be independent. Since I was a little girl, the Cottage was the place where exceptional things happened. In the silence of my heart, I whispered, I hope it will again.
Thankfully, I had myself under control by the time I heard the crunch of footsteps on the gravel. Boss, as he was called, was the big, burly man who owned the moving truck. He lumbered toward me, wiping his forehead with a red print bandana. The thick beard that covered the lower half of his face glistened with sweat.
“Miss Chase,” he called out. “I’m sorry, but I gotta tell ya, this ain’t gonna work. There’s not enough room in that small house for everything.”
A moment ago, I wanted something to do, a problem to solve. But I didn’t want this one. “I thought if we took out—"
“Yes, ma’am. We already took out the furniture going to charity, but that place is packed. There’s no room for you to get around on those crutches.”
I pushed at those instruments of torture that labeled me an invalid, at least in my own mind. My chest tightened.
