Chapter 22
“It’s a nice day, one of the last we’ll have until spring, so I thought we could fire up those fancy new patio heaters we bought and enjoy a light meal in our new gazebo.”
Liz’s heart skipped a beat. “You came home to eat with me?”
“I couldn’t think of a better way to spend my time than with the love of my life.” Floyd lifted the picnic basket. “These past few weeks…few months have been stressful for both of us and I figured it was time to enjoy the fruits of our labor.”
“We have a folding table and chairs around here somewhere.” He held out the basket. “You take this. I’ll grab the table and chairs and meet you at the gazebo.”
“It’s a deal.” Liz reached for the handle, and Floyd playfully pulled the basket back. “No peeking.”
“I promise, I won’t look.” Liz balanced it on her arm and called Duchess, who had wandered off to investigate one of the splatted tomatoes still on the ground. “The thing is nasty. Don’t touch it.”
Duchess promptly did an about-face and trotted after Liz. Not only had Floyd added an airy gazebo but he’d also hired a company to install beautiful brick pavers connecting the structure to their house.
Stepping inside, she set the picnic basket on the built-in wooden bench and waited for Floyd to join her.
Their pup, curious to find out what was in the basket, tentatively sniffed the side. “I’m sure there’s something in there for you.”
Floyd appeared, struggling to carry a folding table and two chairs. Liz rushed over to help. “This seems like a lot of work.”
“Not if it means I get to spend time with my sugar lips.”
Although Liz had initially been annoyed by the nickname he’d picked out for her, partly because she’d been subjected to her sister’s unmerciful teasing, it was growing on her and she no longer minded his term of endearment.
He unfolded the table’s legs and placed the chairs next to each other. “It’s not fancy. I’m sure you have grander plans for the gazebo than a card table and folding chairs.”
“It’s perfect,” Liz beamed. “I love you, Floyd.”
“I love you too.” He rubbed his palms together. “It’s a touch chilly in here. Let’s fire up our heater.”
The gas heater worked its magic, transforming their cozy dining spot into a warm and inviting oasis, warm enough for Liz to remove her jacket.
“All of this lugging and carrying has worked up my appetite.” Whistling a snappy tune, Floyd opened the picnic basket, removed a crisp white tablecloth, and placed it on top of the card table.
Next, he removed bottles of sparkling water and two place settings, along with neatly folded linen napkins.
“Look at how romantic all of this is?” Liz sighed. “You’re going to spoil me rotten.”
“That’s the plan, to spoil and pamper you for the rest of our lives.”
She watched as he filled an empty cutting board with Italian salami, gouda cheese, sea salt crackers, roasted almonds, dried fruit, olives packed in oil and raspberry cookies. There was even a package of caramel corn.
“This is so pretty.” Liz waited for him to finish removing the last of the tasty treats. “I want to take a picture before we dig in.” She squeezed in next to her husband and snapped a selfie.
“Duchess photobombed us,” Liz laughed. “See her in the corner?”
Floyd patted the pup’s head. “She’s a stinker. I didn’t want to leave her out and brought her some treats.” He removed a bag of doggie treats, her favorites, and fed her one.
Duchess rewarded him by daintily licking his hand, her eyes begging for one more. “Who can resist those puppy dog eyes?” He fed her a second treat before settling in next to Liz.
She filled their glasses with sparkling water and lifted hers. “I propose a toast.”
“A toast.” Floyd lifted his glass.
“To our happily ever after.”
“For many years to come.” He clinked glasses with her and took a sip. “What do you think about Echo and Treece?”
“Do you mean our tenant and your son dating?”
“Yeah. He’s been dropping hints he’s thinking about taking their relationship to the next level.”
Liz lifted a brow. “As in…”
Floyd tapped his ring finger.
“Engaged?” Liz’s eyes lit. “I think it’s wonderful.”
“Now, you can’t tell anyone.”
She made a zipping motion across her lips. “My lips are sealed. They make such a cute couple.”
“And she would make a mighty fine daughter-in-law.”
“This deserves another toast.” Liz lifted her glass again. “To Treece and Echo.”
While they ate, the couple chatted about their upcoming party. Finally, the subject turned to the plane crash, with both of them throwing out theories about who was behind it.
“It’s possible Keller hired someone.”
“But…”
“Hear me out,” Liz said. “He files an insurance claim and collects money from the damaged plane. Secondly, he could try to pin it on us and sue.”
“And three…he could drag our name through the mud,” Floyd said.
“Exactly.” She reached for a cracker. “Ivan Gregware could have done it. Christi could have pulled the trigger, but she doesn’t strike me as someone who would shoot at a plane, although she’s not being completely honest.”
“How so?”
“She told me Darren wasn’t home at the time of the shooting, but he was.” Liz told him she’d seen his truck pulling in around the time Keller’s plane was shot. “I also saw him by his barns around the time of the shooting AND I saw him running out toward the field.”
Floyd made a choking sound. “Where Keller’s plane went down?”
“No. In the other direction,” Liz said. “Which means he was home, AND he was outside.”
“Christi was also the one who told you about the flight app.”
“Yes, she did.” Liz placed a thick slice of salami on top of her cracker and took a big bite. “She knows I contacted the township and started a petition to try to get Keller to stop.”
“Was he tossing tomatoes at their place?”
“I’m not sure. I can’t remember if we talked about it.” Liz made a mental note to check with her. “Obviously, you saw the plane and heard the gun go off. Did you hear or see anything else?”
Floyd popped a dried date in his mouth, chewing thoughtfully. “I’ve been thinking about it. All I can remember is seeing the plane fly over. I went into the barn to get some food for Piper and Pepper. When I came back out, it was gone.”
“But you heard the shot,” Liz said.
“Yeah. I guess I didn’t pay too much attention.” Floyd reminded his wife it was deer hunting season. “It’s not uncommon to hear a gunshot, especially early in the morning.”
“There are plenty of deer stands in the area.” Liz toyed with her food. “Darren could have thought the same, that the shot was from a local hunter.”
Floyd changed the subject. “Were you able to track down the special delivery for Gloria and her friends?”
“They’re on the way.” Liz, with her husband’s input, had picked out a special gift for Gloria, Margaret, Lucy, Ruth, Dot, Andrea, and even Rose, a token of their appreciation for helping clear Echo’s name and Liz’s after the death of a former adversary. “I hope they like them.”
“Like them?” Floyd leaned back. “They’re gonna love them.”
“Their recognition is long overdue, at least in my opinion.”
All too soon, the romantic meal for two ended. Liz reluctantly packed up the leftovers while Floyd carried the table and chairs back to the house.
She turned the heat lamp off and lingered in the doorway, a small smile playing on her lips. It had been a nice surprise, quiet moments spent with her husband, who had swept her off her feet and loved her unconditionally, despite her countless flaws.
Floyd returned and helped carry the basket to the kitchen. “I’m glad I caught you at home. I know how you like to pop in and out.”
“I’m glad I was home too.” Liz grasped his hand, gazing up at him lovingly. “It was the best surprise I’ve had in a very long time.”
The couple strolled down the driveway to his pickup. She waited for Floyd to climb in and blew him a kiss, her heart bursting with love.
Duchess patiently stood by Liz’s side while Floyd backed out of the driveway. She reached down and patted the pup’s head. “I have the best husband in the whole world, Duchess. Let’s grab the mail.”
A gust of strong wind whipped around the corner, and Liz could see winter clouds starting to gather. Their romantic meal ended not a moment too soon.
Turning left, she picked up the pace and hurried to the end of the driveway.
She grabbed the mail and began sifting through it on her way back to the house when the sound of tires crunching on gravel caught her attention. At first, Liz thought Floyd had forgotten something. But it wasn’t her husband. It was a four-door sedan pulling into the driveway.
A tall man, thin and in his fifties, if she had to guess, climbed out. Liz’s scalp tingled when the man greeted her and flashed a gold and black badge.
The “big guns” had arrived.