Page 78 of The Cottage on Plum Island
An idea took root in Jennifer’s mind. “Or…” She smiled at Harley. “While I’m talking to Andrew,youask James. That way, we get out of here a lot faster, and I can fill you in with the rest of this mystery.“ Another idea struck her. “Oooh, I know Caroline is looking for some plots for season three of The Cobble Cove Mysteries, and I think this will be great!”
“Can you do that?” Harley asked her with a frown. “Don’t you have to get everyone involved with the mystery’s permission or something like that?”
“Nope!” Jennifer shook her head. “Obviously, we’re going to changea few things.”
Excitement flooded her. Jennifer remembered helping Caroline plot the first few mysteries for a series of Caroline’s books and how much she’d loved putting it all together. While Jennifer wasn’t much of a writer, she did love mysteries, and when she watched them, she always tried to solve them before the show’s end.
Last year, Jennifer had lived a real mystery with Caroline on Plum Island. While it wasn’t the birthday she’d planned, which was to spend the day with Harriet seeing…
“Oh no! Harriet!” Jennifer breathed.
“Harriet?” Harley turned to see if she was there.
“I’m supposed to meet her at the Langham in…” Jennifer looked at the time on the large clock on the wall. “An hour.”
“Why is Harriet in Boston?” Harley looked at her curiously.
“We’re supposed to spend the day doing touristy things around Boston,” Jennifer told him, feeling slightly embarrassed by the absurdity of it. She practically lived on Boston’s doorstep. “It’s my favorite city; I’ve always wanted to see it like a tourist.”
Harley gaped at her. “You planned to do that with Harriet?”
“Yes.” Jennifer felt slightly offended by how he stared at her like she was weird. “I know it’s silly. I was born here, and I’ve driven through Boston more times than I can remember, but I’ve never taken the time tosee it.”
“No, I get it!” Harley assured her, pursed his lips, and ran a hand through his hair. “I was supposed to do that with you today—that was your birthday surprise from your family and friends.”
Now Jennifer was gaping at Harley. “Are you kidding me?” She couldn’t believe it, and a smile split her lips. “That’s so sweet of everyone.”
“Obviously, none of us knew you’d planned to do that with Harriet,” Harley told her. “We’d even booked an extra night at the Langham so I could take you around Boston to end the evening with dinner and a show of your choice.”
“No way!” Jennifer’s smile broadened. “Now I’m disappointed about the turn this trip took.” A thought struck her. “But we could still do the last part. Maybe not the show but dinner at my choice of restaurant.”
“Really?” Harley smiled. “How about we do lunch as well? I’m starving.”
“I am, too,” Jennifer admitted. “But before we do that, we have an hour to get to Chestnut Hill, get our stuff, and collect Harriet from the Langham.” She paused and pulled a face. “I’m sorry, but she may have to join us for dinner.”
“Sure.” Harley nodded and turned when Andrew approached them. He whispered, “You talk to Andrew. I’ll go speak to James.”
Jennifer nodded as Harley excused himself and headed toward James.
“Thank you for waiting,” Andrew said, looking awkward. “First, I wanted to say happy birthday, Jennifer.” He gave her a tight smile. He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a small box with a gold wrapper and a small blue bow. “This is for you. I’ve had it since…” His eyes darkened with a flash of pain as he cleared his throat. “Since the day before your mother passed away.”
Jennifer’s brows shot up in shock at his words. “What is it?”
“It’s a gift your mother and I picked out for you,” Andrew told her.
“I don’t understand,” Jennifer’s brows knitted together. “When did you and my mother pick a gift for me?”
“There is so much I have to tell you.” Andrew sighed resignedly. “I was finally free to do so a year ago, but Molly got sick, and time passed quickly until we found ourselves at this point.”
“This seems like it’s going to be alongconversation. I don’t have time orwantto hear it.“ Jennifer knew she was being rude. “I really have to go, as a friend is waiting for me at the Langham.”
She had given Andrew a free pass since he’d come through for her the previous night. But that was one night, helping out a friend of hers. It didn’t make up for forty years of complete radio silence. She didn’tcare if she had him to thank for not having college debt. Jennifer and Liam needed their father, but he wasn’t there for them.
Anything Andrew had to say now wouldn’t change or make up for the past. Not even a brightly wrapped square box that Jennifer was sure was jewelry would make her want to hear anything Andrew had to say. Although the part he’d thrown in about choosing whatever was in that box with Jennifer’s mother before she’d died had intrigued her.
“Of course!” Andrew gave her a tight smile and dug an envelope from his pocket. “It comes with this.”
Jennifer took the items hesitantly, feeling like a fish about to take some juicy-looking bait even though she could see the huge hook sticking out the other end. But she couldn’t resist the temptation and knew as soon as she had the items in her hand that she was being reeled in.
