Cranberry Point (Cedar Cove #4)(44)

"Marion."

The woman nodded. "We do need to go. Thank you so much..."

Maryellen nodded and returned to her desk once the couple had left. It occurred to her a moment later that she recognized the woman's name—Marion. That, combined with the pointed questions about Jon, convinced her they had to be Jon's parents. The ones she'd written shortly before her wedding. Marion and Joseph Bowman. She'd asked that they not answer her letter and they'd abided by her wishes.

Instead they'd come to Cedar Cove. Maryellen's heart leapt into her throat. She could only imagine what Jon would say if he ever found out what she'd done.

Twenty-Two

Roy McAfee was intensely curious about the news that Hannah Russell was living with the Beldons. He wasn't a man who paid attention to idle gossip, but in this instance, he knew and trusted the source—his wife.

The last time Roy had talked to Hannah, she'd been on the road in search of a fresh start. Apparently she'd found what she was looking for right here in Cedar Cove.

Deciding to look into the matter himself, Roy drove out to the Thyme and Tide. Roy didn't have many close friends—a few cops and former cops, all still in Seattle— but over the last couple of years he'd taken a liking to Bob Beldon. Corrie got along well with Peggy, too. It was rare that they found a couple whose company they both enjoyed.

Peggy had the front door open by the time Roy climbed out of the car. She was waiting for him, her smile wide.

"This is a pleasant surprise," she said as she held the screen door. "Bob's golfing with Pastor Dave this afternoon." Checking her watch, she added, "He won't be much longer, though, if you can wait."

"I should have phoned."

"Can I help you?" Peggy asked, leading the way into the kitchen. Without asking, she opened the refrigerator and brought out a big pitcher of lemonade, lemon slices floating on top.

"You might be able to do just that." Roy pulled out a chair and sat down at the round oak table. He wasn't opposed to a glass of Peggy's lemonade, especially since she made it fresh every day.

"What do you need to know?" Peggy filled two glasses and sat across from him.

Roy stretched out his arms, folding his hands on the table. "Corrie told me Hannah Russell's living with you these days."

Peggy nodded. "She came in the middle of that lightning storm we had a couple of weeks back." She shook her head. "Nearly frightened us out often years, arriving half-drowned on our front porch. You should've seen her when she first showed up, Roy. She was exactly like a lost kitten in search of a home."

"Where is she now?"

"At work."

Apparently Hannah was more than a visitor. Roy reached inside his shirt pocket for a pad and pen. "She has a job?"

Peggy nodded again. "This is her first day, and she was really worried about it. She's washing dishes at the PancakePalace." Peggy frowned slightly. "I'd hoped for something better, but she was quite certain this job suited her. Unfortunately, she doesn't have much self-confidence."

Roy recalled his phone conversation with Hannah and remembered how timid her voice had been.

"She's due back any time. I'm curious as to how her first day went."

"I'd like to ask her a couple more questions if you don't mind?"

"Not at all, although Bob's going to be disappointed if he misses you." Peggy picked up her glass of lemonade and took a drink. "Did he mention he got the lead in Chicago? He's pretty pleased with himself, so if he has a swelled head when you see him, that's why." She smiled as she said it.

"Good for him," he murmured. Peggy looked proud of her husband, Roy thought, as well she should. "I saw him in A Christmas Carol last December and I was really impressed."

"He played four roles in that, including Marley with the clanking chains. The costumes were so good I didn't recognize him at first."

Roy chuckled and noticed a battered blue Honda pulling into the driveway.

"That's Hannah now," Peggy told him. She stood and walked over to the door off the kitchen.

When the girl came into the house, her eyes immediately went to Roy. She offered him a brief smile.

"How was work?" Peggy asked her. She gently placed one arm around Hannah's shoulders.

Hannah shrugged. "All right, I guess."

"Do you remember Mr. McAfee?" she asked.

Hannah's brow furrowed slightly. "You're the private investigator who called me, aren't you?"

"I am, and I have a few more questions for you. Is that all right?"

She shrugged a second time. "I suppose so, although I'm pretty tired at the moment."

Peggy got a fresh glass, filled it with lemonade and set it on the table. "I'll leave you two alone to talk. If you need anything, just give a holler. I'll be out in my garden."

It looked as if Hannah was about to ask Peggy to stay, but she seemed to find sufficient resolve in herself to face Roy on her own. She sat at the table, resting her clasped hands on the place mat. With her lank hair drawn into a ponytail and her eyes lowered, she resembled a shy schoolgirl.

"What would you like to ask me?" she mumbled.

Roy's question had to do with Samuels. Some of the facts didn't fit together in his mind. "I was wondering if you know anything about Colonel Samuels visiting California."