Chapter 27
CHAPTER 27
M aggie pulled Iris aside and whispered.
“We’ve got to put together a party for Riley, but I don’t know whether to call it an engagement party or a going away party. Has she given you any indication of a wedding date yet?”
“No. She said there’s so much to do with the restaurant, she feels overwhelmed with the idea of putting together a wedding.”
“That makes sense to me. I don’t blame her one bit. They don’t need to get married right away, they should stay engaged and enjoy that time. They can always plan the wedding after they’re settled.”
Iris nodded. “So, how about we just give her a going away party? I’m sure Andrew will be here, and we can have a cake made with their names on it or something.”
“That’s a good idea. It’s going to be hard to keep so many people from stopping by on that day, though. The minute the islanders hear about her leaving Captiva, they’ll all rush to say goodbye.”
“Why don’t we get together with her sister, Grace? She’ll know more than any of us at any given time, because Riley talks to her every day.”
“Sounds good. See if she has time tomorrow. We should go to her. I want to keep this a surprise.”
“Okay, um, Maggie, I’ve been meaning to ask, what are you doing about her replacement? Oh, I hate saying that word. No one can replace Riley.”
“I know what you mean. We need to get a new chef, and I’ve been looking online, but I have no idea who to contact. There are a few names, but they’re so famous there’s no way they’d want to come to Captiva and work at a Bed & Breakfast. I was thinking of talking to either Andrew or Alex for that matter. Since they’re both in the business, they might know of someone.”
“That’s a great idea. We should also ask Grace. I mean, she lives and works on Sanibel Island, she might know of someone. I’ll do my best to run things here on my own, Maggie. Please don’t worry.”
Maggie felt horrible for losing Riley and forcing Iris to go it alone in the new year.
“Don’t worry, I’m sure we’ll get someone, and in the meantime, I can help and Paolo will do all the picking from the garden. You just tell him what you need, and we’ll get it for you.”
“Thanks, Maggie. We’ll be okay. I don’t want Riley to feel bad or guilty, and I know she will if I keep acting sad around her. I’m only sad because she’s leaving, not because I have to cook alone. That’s silly.”
“I’m sure she understands. If the roles were reversed, she might feel the same way. By the way, will you see Alex at Christmas?”
“As it happens, I’m going to New York City and will be staying at the Park Plaza hotel. He’s promising a horse drawn carriage ride through Central Park. I can’t wait.”
“That sounds romantic. I’m sure you’ll have a wonderful time. I better get to the market. I’ve got a few errands to run, and my mother is coming over later. She’s dying to tell me something about her latest hobby. With my mother, that could be anything.”
Kristin put her handbag in her office and returned to the register. She stuffed two hundred dollars into the zippered pouch and was shocked to see her hands shake.
Taking a few deep breaths, she did her best to quiet her nerves. She hadn’t heard from Nick, but every day that went by was another day of anxiety.
It wasn’t Nick that made her nervous, it was trying to hide something from him. After all their years together, Kristin believed Nick could read her mind. Terrified that she would be found out, she couldn’t wait until this mess was over and she could return to living her peaceful life again.
“Good morning, Ms. Wright. That is your name now, isn’t it?” Nick asked as he walked into the shop. “No more Kristin Anna Caruso. I thought it was a lovely name, didn’t you?”
“Hello Nick.”
There were a few people in the store, and with every new person who entered, Nick jumped.
“Nervous? Or are you waiting for someone?” she asked.
He got right to the point. “Do you have any money for me?”
Kristin nodded and went back to her office to get her purse. He followed her and she handed him the two hundred dollars she’d hidden in her handbag.
“That's all I can spare right now,” she said.
He took the money, put it in his pocket, and smiled. As they walked back toward the register, Kristin noticed Maggie Moretti’s mother holding up her phone as if she were taking a picture.
“Put that thing away,” Nick yelled at Grandma Sarah, and then turned his back to her.
“Sorry, I wasn’t filming you, I’m just a tourist taking videos of the area. What a lovely place Captiva is, and this little shop is so cute. You’ve got some great things in here.”
Kristin wanted to smile, but pretended she was just as incensed as Nick.
“Ma’am, you can’t video in here. I’m sorry, if you want to take pictures, you’ll have to do it outside.”
Grandma smiled and winked at Kristin.
“Okay, sorry about that,” she said as she left the shop.
“It’s all right, she’s gone,” she said to Nick, who was visibly shaken.
He turned back to look at her, and Kristin could see that he was pale and sweaty.
“Are you all right?” she asked.
He nodded. “I’m fine. I don’t like people taking my picture.”
“Oh, I’m sure she’s harmless. Sometimes these tourists don’t think before they act. But so what if she took your picture? We weren’t doing anything wrong. I think you’re jittery because you just got out of prison. Not everyone is out to get you, Nick.”
He took a cloth out of his pants pocket and wiped his face. “You’re right. I’m just a little jumpy these days. Anyway, I’ve got to get going.”
“Will you be back?” Kristin asked.
Nick shrugged. “Sure, kid. I’ll be seeing you.”
He was in such a hurry to get out of Kristin’s store, he almost ran into a customer.
Kristin watched as he got into a car waiting for him and wasn’t surprised to see a police car follow it down the street and likely off Captiva Island.
After Nick left, Grandma Sarah returned.
“Are you all right?” she asked Kristin.
“I’m fine. You’re Maggie’s mother, right?”
Grandma nodded. “That’s right. I’m sorry, we haven’t been formally introduced. I’m Sarah Garrison. I live just over the bridge at the Marina Bluff Estates.”
“Nice to meet you. I’m confused. Did Maggie send you?”
Grandma Sarah shook her head. “Oh no, my daughter doesn’t know I’m here. As a matter of fact, if she knew I was anywhere near Nick Caruso, I think she’d have my head.”
“Then, how…why…?”
“My friends, Linda St. James and Millie Brenner, told me they had Thanksgiving at your house, and then, when I saw them at the Christmas Parade, Linda said you’d gone through some rough times. I went on the internet and learned why. I’m getting pretty good with the computer, you know. Anyway, when I read Nick Caruso was going to be released soon, I figured he was going to come bother you again.”
“You mean, you came here to protect me?” Kristin asked.
“Oh heavens no. Have you taken a good look at me? I’m all of five feet, two inches, and I’m old.” She shook her head, “No, not protect, we just wanted to let your ex-husband know that people are watching him.”
“We?” Kristin asked.
“Yeah, I told a few of my friends from my condo, they came with me.”
Grandma turned and pointed to the three other elderly women and two elderly men Kristin thought were shoppers. Sarah held up her iPhone as they waved at Kristin.
Kristin laughed so hard the tears fell from her eyes.
“Thank you all for coming. It was sweet of you, but it could have been dangerous. Weren’t you scared?”
Grandma Sarah smiled. “Bullies don’t scare me. Well, we’ve got to get back. Did I mention that I’m going to be an influencer on the internet?”
Kristin smiled at her new friends and made a note to talk to Maggie Moretti about what a wonderful mother she had.
Several days passed, and Captiva Island seemed to return to a quieter, normal pace. There was some talk of Nick Caruso and another man being arrested somewhere in Florida, but that talk died quickly as the island headed into the most festive time of the year.
Kristin shared her story with many on the island. She told Maggie how impressed she was with Maggie’s mother, and was grateful that she never had to wear a wire after all, thanks to her.
It was time to focus on getting ready for Christmas. Maggie was especially excited, because her son Christopher, and his wife, Becca, would soon return to the island before the rest of the family arrived in time for Christmas.
Everyone was in a good mood. Although sad to see Riley leave the inn after all these years, the joy and celebration for her and Andrew’s engagement was the talk of the island.
“I don’t think I’ve ever had so many parties planned for the month of December. This is a first,” Maggie said to Chelsea, who was putting the finishing touches on her chocolate cake.
“I know what you mean. Christmas is one thing, but this whole month feels like one big celebration. By the way, did you put our next lunch-bunch get-together on your calendar? Rachel is dying to talk about her wedding, and Jane can’t wait to boast about her travels all over the world.”
“Yup, I wrote it down.”
Just then, Sarah came into the kitchen waving a piece of paper. “Mom, I’ve got news!”
“What is it?”
“Emma and Gareth are coming home for Christmas, and guess what? She’s six months pregnant!”
“Let me see that,” Maggie said, grabbing the email printout from Sarah.
“Oh my goodness, she’s not only pregnant, but she’s also coming back to Florida for good.”
Maggie hugged her daughter. Emma was her best friend, and Sarah missed her terribly.
“I’m so happy to hear this. I’m shocked Emma is having a baby, but I’m thrilled.”
Crawford and Ciara, Millie and Linda, Joshua and Jacqui, as well as many islanders, descended upon the Key Lime Garden Inn to wish Riley and Andrew a happy engagement, and to say goodbye to Riley. Their love was evident for all to see, and no one was happier for them than Iris.
THE END