Chapter Nine
Back at the Holbrook home, Maggie set her purse on the counter and glanced at Audrey. “What do you think about dinner? I could make us something quick.”
Audrey shook her head, grabbing a spoon from the drawer.
“Thanks, Nana, but I’m meeting Isabella for drinks at the hotel bar. She’s got this thing for the new waiter. Supposedly, he’s from Greece. You know how she’s obsessed with dark and swarthy. She’s very excited.”
Maggie smirked. “Sounds riveting.”
“Oh, it is,” Audrey replied sarcastically, pouring herself a bowl of cereal. “She’s planning to wear a cocktail dress, flirt with him, and post selfies on Instagram for her dozens of followers.”
Maggie shook her head. “It’s always nice to have a goal.”
Maggie climbed the stairs to her room, already thinking about the book she’d started the night before. But as she reached her bedroom door, she stopped short. Phoebe Barker was just stepping out of her room.
Phoebe jumped at the sight of Maggie. “Oh! Maggie, I didn’t hear you come in.”
Maggie’s eyes narrowed. “What were you doing in my room?”
Phoebe’s smile wavered. “I—I was downstairs, Cord and I dropped by for a visit, and I was waiting in the kitchen, but I had to use the bathroom and came up here and got all turned around. I must’ve wandered in by mistake.”
“Where is Cord?”
“He, uh, he went out to the garage to take a look at your car. You mentioned it was making a strange noise when we were over for dinner last Sunday?”
“Yes, I did,” Maggie said evenly, still staring at Phoebe, in a way designed to make her extremely uncomfortable. Then Maggie forced a tight smile. “The bathroom’s that way,” she said, pointing down the hall.
Phoebe nodded quickly. “Of course. Thank you.” She hurried off, leaving Maggie staring after her.
Inside her room, Maggie’s eyes scanned for anything amiss.
Nothing seemed out of place, but her jewelry drawer was slightly ajar.
She opened it, carefully checking its contents.
Everything appeared to be accounted for, but the unsettling feeling lingered.
Was Phoebe just poking around? Perhaps trying to see what someday might be hers?
Maggie didn’t trust her as far as she could throw her.
Back in the kitchen, Audrey was perched on a stool, shoveling cereal into her mouth, as Maggie returned from her room and leaned on the counter. “Is that your dinner?”
Audrey shrugged. “They have a great bar menu at the hotel, but Isabella doesn’t want the bartender to see her eating. Makes her self-conscious.”
Maggie shook her head with a chuckle. She lowered her voice. “Phoebe’s here.”
Audrey froze, spoon halfway to her mouth. “Where?”
“Upstairs,” Maggie replied.
Audrey’s brow furrowed. “What’s she doing upstairs?”
“Looking for the bathroom.”
“She didn’t see the two we have down here?” Audrey’s skepticism mirrored Maggie’s.
Maggie shrugged. “Apparently not.”
Audrey’s expression turned serious. “What do you really think about Cord marrying Phoebe?”
Before Maggie could answer, Cord strode in, brushing his hands on his jeans. “Your car’s all set, Ma. It was just a loose belt. I tightened it up.”
Maggie smiled. “Thank you, Cord. That noise was driving me crazy.”
“No problem,” Cord said. “Phoebe and I actually came by to talk wedding plans.”
Maggie managed a polite smile. “What are you thinking?”
Phoebe reappeared, her enthusiasm evident. “We were hoping to have the wedding here, at the Holbrook house. The grounds are so beautiful with the ocean view and the islands in the distance. It’s picture-perfect, and it’s where Cord grew up. It would mean so much to him.”
Maggie turned to Cord. “I didn’t know you were such a romantic.”
Cord shrugged, his face indifferent. “It’s whatever Phoebe wants. I just want to make her happy.”
Audrey rolled her eyes, tossing her empty bowl into the dishwasher. “I’m heading upstairs to change,” she said, brushing past them.
Phoebe then launched into a detailed monologue, her hands gesturing animatedly.
“I’m envisioning a soft, romantic palette—pale pinks, creamy whites, maybe a touch of lavender.
The flowers would cascade down the trellis, and we could line the aisle with lanterns.
For the seating arrangements, I’m thinking long farmhouse tables under a canopy of string lights.
It would be so elegant, but still have that cozy, intimate feel. ”
Maggie nodded politely, but she couldn’t help noticing how Phoebe’s plans seemed more about aesthetics than sentiment. “It sounds lovely,” she said, her tone neutral.
As Phoebe started to describe her dream wedding cake in painstaking detail, Sandy walked in, his clothes streaked with dirt. His sudden appearance made Phoebe falter mid-sentence, her words trailing off as her eyes fixed on him.
“What have you been up to?” Maggie asked, raising an eyebrow.
“In the garden, pulling those weeds you’ve been complaining about,” Sandy replied.
“I could’ve hired someone to do that,” Maggie said.
“I figured if I’m moving back in, I should pull my weight.”
Maggie blinked. “Moving back in?”
Sandy nodded. “Cord and I share a house, but now that he’s engaged, he needs his own place. I’ll stay here until I figure something out, if that’s okay with you.”
Maggie’s face lit up, thrilled. “Of course it’s okay!”
Phoebe chimed in, her tone almost too friendly.
“Hate to break up the dynamic duo. You’re more than welcome to stay with us, Sandy.
For as long as you want.” Her gaze lingered on him, and her cheeks flushed as he peeled off his dirty shirt, revealing his muscular chest. Maggie caught the look and felt her unease deepen.
“I’m going to toss this in the washer,” Sandy said, ambling out, apparently made a little uncomfortable by Phoebe’s longing expression.
Cord, oblivious, added, “Phoebe and I also wanted to talk about keeping the wedding small.”
“Yes, I always dreamed of having a big wedding, but unfortunately my parents have been going through a tough time lately financially, so I don’t want to burden them.”
Cord gently rubbed her back. “I told you, honey, don’t worry about the cost. We’ll handle it, right, Ma?”
Maggie cleared her throat. “Yes, I’m sure we can work something out.”
Phoebe shook her head. “No, my dad would never hear of it. He’s too proud. He said it’s the tradition that the bride’s parents pay for the wedding, and that’s how it’s going to be. He’s told me, ‘I won’t accept a handout.’”
In Maggie’s opinion, Phoebe appeared annoyed that her father was sticking to his guns, his sense of duty.
“You want me to talk to him, sweetheart?” Cord asked, taking her hand.
She kissed his hand softly. “No, it won’t do any good. You’ve met him. You know how stubborn he can be.”
Maggie’s curiosity was piqued. “I thought your dad retired with a nice pension and your mom still worked at the bank?”
Phoebe hesitated, but Cord answered for her. “They’ve been in a legal battle with Chips Hogan over a disputed piece of land. It’s been going on for years, and recently, Chips decided to sue them. The legal fees have drained their savings.”
Maggie’s mind raced. “Really? I had no idea. That sounds … stressful.”
Phoebe nodded tightly. “It’s been hard on them.” She paused, and then, with a renewed sense of hope, added, “Maybe now that Chips … Well, now that he’s no longer in the picture, maybe things will finally settle down.”
As the conversation shifted back to wedding details, Maggie couldn’t shake her suspicions. The land dispute with Chips added another layer to the mystery, and she couldn’t help but wonder if Phoebe’s family had a motive for murder.