Chapter 14
CHAPTER 14
L inda pushed her shopping cart down the aisle at Jerry’s Market. She’d already bought her turkey, but she needed a few more items for her Thanksgiving dinner with Millie Brenner. Since Linda was all alone, she was grateful for the company.
Maggie Moretti had invited Linda to dinner with her and her family, but she already had a large crowd to feed, and Linda didn’t feel comfortable intruding on their holiday.
Millie and Linda had formed a bond shortly after their first meeting, which was unusual given Linda was not a particularly friendly person. She assumed it was because they were both single, in their 60s, and were treated by others on the island in much the same way.
Linda expected it was because most found her unafraid to say what was on her mind no matter the subject. She understood it was off-putting, but that didn’t really matter to her. Most people don’t want to hear the truth, she thought.
More than once, Linda had angered a few people on the island. She didn’t give those people another thought. She didn’t care if they liked her or not and was surprised when Millie seemed to like her. Linda wasn’t one to join groups or participate in most Captiva Island events. She was used to not being including. Several times she heard people say she was a busybody, a gossip, and had no business sticking her nose where it didn’t belong.
Millie didn’t seem to mind anything Linda did or said. That was until recently, when Linda started investigating Kristin Anna Wright’s past. It was the first time Millie disagreed with Linda about anything. They didn’t fight because Millie was too sweet to be combative. However, Linda felt an argument was just around the corner. Mostly because she had no intention of stopping her pursuit of the truth.
Millie had asked her why Kristin's life was any of Linda’s business. Linda didn’t give Millie the details she had on the woman’s past, because she felt there was danger in knowing too much. What Linda had uncovered about Kristin’s ex-husband was serious enough to warrant such hypervigilance. In time, Linda would have to explain everything to Millie, but right now there was no reason to frighten her.
“Linda!” Kristin called out. “Isn’t it crazy in here?”
Linda nodded. “What can we expect the day before Thanksgiving? I see by what’s in your cart you’re getting in some last-minute Thanksgiving shopping?”
Kristin laughed. “Yes, as it turns out, my sister and niece were supposed to have Thanksgiving at their house, but she had some disaster with her oven. So, it looks like I’m going to be the cook this year.”
“Oh my goodness, to find out only the day before that it falls to you can be a problem. You’re lucky they still had turkeys. Does your sister live close?”
Kristin nodded. “Yes, Claire recently moved to Sanibel Island, and my niece Katie has moved back home to live with her mother. They’ve bought a beautiful home, and unfortunately the new oven wasn’t delivered in time.”
Linda laughed. “That is an oven disaster for sure.”
“Are you and your family having Thanksgiving at your place?” Kristin asked.
Linda looked down at her cart, letting a sadness appear on her face. “No, I don’t have anyone, it’s just me…and, well… me and my friend Millie. She’s alone too.”
Kristin, clearly upset at this news, responded, “That’s awful. You and Millie must come spend the day with me and my sister.”
Letting Kristin pity her situation, Linda continued to act forlorn. “How sweet, but no I couldn’t possibly. After all, I’ve already bought a turkey, what would I do with it?”
“Let’s combine groceries. It will be so much fun, please join us.”
“Well… If you feel it’s not an imposition, and of course I’ll need to check with Millie.”
“Of course. Why don’t you text Millie and let her know your new plans? You can follow me back to my house, and you can leave whatever groceries you want with me.”
Linda was tickled pink. This new development was better than anything she could have planned. She quickly sent a text to Millie, who responded immediately.
Millie: I can’t believe you, leave Kristin alone.
Linda: I had nothing to do with this. We met at Jerry’s Market and she invited us.
Millie: Fine. I guess we don’t have a choice now.
Linda smiled. She couldn’t believe her luck. The more she thought about it, the more she believed that running into Kristin at the market was no accident. She always believed there were no coincidences, and she was certain this finally proved it.
They stopped at Linda’s place on the way to Kristin’s to get her turkey.
“I’ll only be a minute,” Linda said as she rushed inside. Within a few minutes, she placed the turkey and several items she’d bought the day before into the trunk of her car.
Linda followed Kristin to her house, which was on the Sanibel/Captiva line. She knew the street and often marveled at the beautiful homes there. She pulled her car behind Kristin’s and waited for the garage to open.
“Your house is beautiful, Kristin,” Linda said, admiring the landscaping. “I don’t have a green thumb, never have. Maggie’s mother, Sarah Garrison, grows the most beautiful rosebush on her property, and you should see Paolo Moretti’s garden at the Key Lime Garden Inn.”
“I’ve walked by that place several times, but I’ve never gone inside,” Kristen responded. “I hear her husband owns Sanibellia. Most of my landscaping plants have come from there.”
It took several trips to carry all the groceries inside, and when they were done, Kristin offered Linda a glass of iced tea.
“Thank you, yes, I’d love a glass. Do you need any help?”
“No, I’ve got it.”
“Do you mind if I look around the living room? You’ve got some beautiful paintings here.”
“Thanks. I’ve been a collector for many years. I noticed the new gallery that opened up in the adjacent space from you. I’d like to go there one of these days to see if there’s anything I might want to buy. I’m a big believer in supporting local artists, and I understand Chelsea Marsden has a few paintings there.”
“Yes, Jacqui Hutchins is the owner of the gallery. She’s an artist, and although I’m not a lover of contemporary art, some of her paintings are very nice.”
Linda slowly walked around the large living room admiring the paintings and photographs, and her eyes scanned the books on the bookshelf. “I see you’re a fan of the classics.”
Kristin joined Linda in the living room. “Yes, there was a time when I didn’t have a spare moment to read, but now that I’m living on Captiva Island, I have so much free time. I love Jane Austen's books, and secretly wish I’d lived during that period.”
Linda smiled. “Everyone says that, or at least everyone says they’d like to live in a different time. But they would probably never actually go if they invented a time machine.”
“Here’s your iced tea,” Kristen said. “Would you like anything else? Are you hungry?”
“No, thank you. You have a lot of photos. I take it you have a big family?” Linda asked.
Kristin shook her head. “No, not really. Many of these photos are friends I’ve met along the way. As far as family goes, both my parents are gone. It's just my sister, my niece and me now. That’s why I'm so glad they’ve recently moved down here. We talked about wanting to move here a couple of years ago. Moving to an island is not an easy decision. We finally decided to do it. I’m so fortunate to have purchased the store. I love living and working on Captiva.”
Linda nodded. “Does Claire work?”
“Actually, she does. She works from home, which means she can live anywhere. Katie however graduated with a degree in hospitality; she’s now a big shot working for Marriott International. It really doesn’t matter where Katie lives, she's constantly traveling around the globe. Having her mother’s place as her home base, I think is for stability. I have no idea how the young lady will ever get married and settle down. It’s impossible in her line of work. I guess I shouldn’t say impossible, more unlikely.”
“Is this her?” Linda asked, pointing to a photo on the mantel.
“Yes, that’s Katie.”
“She’s beautiful. The woman beside her is that your sister?”
“Yes. They will both be here for Thanksgiving, so you get to meet them. I’m glad Millie agreed to join us. The truth is I don’t know many people in the area and my sister doesn’t know anyone either.”
Linda took a sip of her iced tea and then smiled at Kristin. “Well then, consider Millie and I your official welcoming committee.”
“I will. Thank you.”
“I best get home and finish the rest of my errands. Getting to the market this morning was only the first on my to-do list. What time should Millie and I be here tomorrow?”
“We’re eating at one o’clock. I hope that works for you?”
“It works just fine and thank you again for including Millie and me in your holiday celebration. I can’t get over how kind you’ve been. As someone who lives alone, it’s not always easy during the holidays. You’ve just made it so much better for us.”
Kristin walked Linda to the front door. “I’m happy to do it. I look forward to seeing you and Millie tomorrow. I hope your to-do list isn’t too long.”
Linda shook her head. “Nope. Not long at all. Bye now,” she said and waved as she walked to her car.
As she backed out of the driveway, Linda beamed from ear to ear and couldn’t wait to update Millie. Thinking about the photos in Kristin’s living room, Linda was certain one of the pictures was of Claire’s daughter Katie with an older man. Was it Kristin’s husband in the photo or someone else? Kristin never mentioned if Claire was married.
Linda drove back to her place to write everything she knew in her notebook. It wasn’t easy to remember every detail. Keeping a record of it all in her notebook made the most sense.
She didn’t tell Millie that she kept a record of events, nor did she reveal to anyone the secret she had uncovered: Kristin’s ex-husband, Nick Caruso, was about to be released from prison.
It wasn’t possible Kristin didn’t know. Most likely, the police had informed her, but Linda, always the nosy busybody, had pieced it together herself. She worried he might come to Captiva to find her new friend. Linda was determined to watch out for Kristin. The more she thought about it, the more certain she was that Kristin was in good hands.
I’ll have to tell Millie, and maybe even Chelsea and Maggie and Maggie’s mother, Sarah Garrison. Heaven help the man if he shows up here. He might be used to tough guys, but he’s never come up against strong, opinionated women like us.