Sandpiper Way (Cedar Cove #8)(72)

“I want you to.”

“Gloria and Mack, as well as your parents,” he said. “I’ve heard so much about all of them. Seeing that I hope to be part of this family one day, I feel it’s time to meet them.”

Linnette’s eyes widened and she could feel the wariness in her expression.

Pete must have read her stricken look because he was quick to add, “I don’t intend to rush you. All I ask is that you let me know when you’re ready. Until then, I’m willing to wait. Like I told you before, I’m a patient man.”

Twenty-Five

Just when it seemed Dave Flemming’s life was back on an even keel, he noticed that something else was bothering his wife. Emily hadn’t been herself for a few days. At first he’d assumed it was because of her new job, but that didn’t appear to be the case. In fact, anytime she talked about the store, her face lit up.

Dave hadn’t questioned her, hoping that whatever was wrong would take care of itself. He was busy doing two jobs, preparing for all the Christmas events at the church, including the live Nativity scene, plus his other pastoral duties. He didn’t have the energy to deal with a moody wife.

Any other time of year he would have asked, but right now the demands on him were too consuming. He figured that sooner or later, Emily would approach him and they’d talk about her problem, whatever it was. If that hadn’t happened by New Year’s, he’d definitely ask her.

Thursday afternoon Emily arrived at the church just as he was about to leave.

“I need to talk to you,” she announced. Entering his office, she closed the door behind her.

“I’ve got a meeting in ten minutes with the choir director and—”

His wife cut him off. “Then you’re going to be late.” Her authoritative tone shocked him.

“All right,” he said in a resigned voice. He sat back down, hoping this wouldn’t take long.

Emily sat across from his desk, clutching her purse with both hands. Her eyes darted every which way.

Dave waited patiently for several minutes. “Em?” he finally prodded.

A sigh shuddered through her. “I went to Allan Harris’s office Tuesday morning,” she said abruptly.

All kinds of crazy thoughts flew through his head. Was she in legal trouble? Did she want—God forbid—a divorce? Did she—

“I asked to see Martha Evans’s last will and testament.”

Dave stared at her. “Whatever for?” Besides, he knew very well that it would be unethical to reveal a document like that to anyone other than family. “Emily, they can’t—”

“I know,” she said, cutting him off again. “The nice young man was kind enough to allow me a peek. He could lose his job over this, so I’m asking you not to say anything.”

“Of course not.” At the mention of Allan Harris’s assistant, Dave remembered that he needed to set up another marriage counseling session with the couple. Geoff had canceled the first one.

Tears filled his wife’s eyes. “Emily, what is it?” he asked urgently. “What’s wrong?”

“There’s nothing in the will that says Martha wanted you to have her husband’s gold watch.”

Instantly Dave was on his feet. “There has to be.”

“I’m telling you, Dave, there isn’t. I read the will and I didn’t see one single word about it.”

He felt suddenly queasy. He couldn’t believe his wife had checked up on him—or that Martha hadn’t done what she’d said. But she had; he knew that without a doubt. “It has to be there. Martha showed it to me herself.”

“The will?”

“No, the letter she wrote for Allan Harris. It said she’d voluntarily given me the watch that had belonged to her husband. Since she didn’t have sons to pass it to, it was her wish that I wear it in good health.”

“What about her sons-in-law?” Emily asked.

Dave shrugged uneasily. “The older daughter’s divorced. And I gather Martha never saw eye to eye with her younger daughter’s husband.” He shook his head. “That watch meant a lot to her, and I was really honored that she gave it to me.”

“She didn’t have grandsons?”

“No.” Dave couldn’t understand why his wife was questioning him this way. Her obvious lack of trust offended him—and wounded him.

Emily continued to study him. “Don’t you realize how bad this looks?”

The queasiness intensified. “You’re right. I’ll return the watch immediately.” He should never have taken it, only Martha had been so insistent. And as he’d told Emily, he’d appreciated the old woman’s gesture in presenting him with a gift that meant so much to her.

Dave stood up and started to pace the small office. This whole mess was a big misunderstanding. He’d call Harris and ask about the letter. He hadn’t actually seen Martha hand it over, but she’d had an appointment with Allan that very day.

Dave’s last conversation with the attorney had been awkward. Unpleasant. Allan had drilled him with questions about the day he’d found Martha’s body. He’d been irritated by the man’s tone; Harris had practically implied that Dave was responsible for the missing jewelry. Because of that, Dave had acted defensively. Otherwise, it would’ve occurred to him to have Allan check the will to make sure the matter of the watch was settled.