Chapter 17
“To the Crimson Heart!” Adeline raised her glass.
“To the Crimson Heart!” the bakery echoed.
In the two days since Tempi and her friends had discovered the Crimson Heart, so much had happened.
Between the newspaper interview with Miss Moody, the multiple meetings with Lucinda Toweck and the Moonlight Bay Museum, and keeping up with her property rentals, Tempi was exhausted.
But it was a good exhausted. Now she was ready to relax and celebrate with her close family and friends.
“To Ronin and Tempi!” Emory shouted.
“To Ronin and Tempi!” the bakery echoed.
Tempi stood near the front window with Ronin’s arm around her waist and took it all in.
The bakery was standing-room only, and Adeline and Emory were in their element passing out their latest creations focused around the Crimson Heart.
Adeline’s Crimson Heart Cupcakes—a red velvet cupcake with a shimmering frosting that changed colors when you turned it in the light—was flying out of the display case.
And on Emory’s side of the coffee shop, she was busy making a drink she called the Wind Talker—a sweet cream cold brew with a swirl of crimson syrup that settled like a jewel at the bottom of the biodegradable clear cup.
Herschel and his poker buddies had claimed their usual table and were arguing over what they could get on the supernatural dark web for the Crimson Heart if they stole it and sold it.
This wasn’t going over well with Mason, who stood over them in his Chief of Police uniform, arms over his chest, and a scowl on his face.
Old Man Stanton was busy showing everyone the book he’d inherited from his great-grandfather that helped them find the hidden pirate cemetery and ultimately the stone. Miss Moody had her camera out and was photographing everything, declaring each shot, “Front-page material, for true.”
Grandma Draven, Granny Edna, and Mrs. Abernathy had shown up in their pirate costumes again.
All three women were holding glasses of Wind Talker and looking extremely pleased with themselves.
Tempi thought it had more to do with the spiced rum she saw them tipping into the drinks, but she wasn’t going to say that aloud.
“We would have found it first,” Mrs. Abernathy announced to anyone within earshot, “if someone hadn’t sent us to the wrong cemetery.”
“Nobody sent us to the wrong cemetery,” Granny Edna said. “We read the map wrong.” She took a sip of her spiked Wind Talker. “It probably didn’t help we were a little sauced.”
“You can’t have a treasure hunt without rum,” Grandma Draven argued.
“Hey, you two,” Lucinda Toweck said as she sidled up next to Tempi and Ronin. “I just came from the Moonlight Bay Museum. The Crimson Heart is in the display case.”
“That’s great news,” Tempi said. “And I’m so glad you agreed to oversee the exhibit and historical documentation.”
“I’ll be amending the family records,” Lucinda said.
“DuBois wasn’t a full vampire like we always believed.
Thanks to what you told us, we now know the truth.
Plus, I’m adding in Eleanora, and making sure people realize that DuBois had three loves in his life…
the sea, the Crimson Heart, and most importantly, his First Mate and wife. ”
“That’s beautiful,” Tempi said.
Ronin took a drink from his cup. “I just wish we knew what happened to DuBois’ ship.”
“I like to think it’s still out there somewhere,” Lucinda said. “Sailing along on its own, waiting for its next big adventure.”
Ronin nodded his head. “Tempi and I will stop by and see the exhibit in a couple days.”
Lucinda smiled. “Perfect.” She held up her empty cup. “I think I’m going to grab another Wind Talker. See you guys later.”
As Lucinda walked away, Ronin pulled her closer to him. “I spoke to my sister earlier. She’s thinking of coming to Moonlight Bay for a visit.”
“That would be nice. I’d love to meet her.”
“And my brother finally texted me,” Ronin said. “Guess he’s back to talking to me.” He kissed her temple. “So, are you ready for our next adventure?”
She furrowed her brow. “What adventure?”
“Our business one. I know we talked about promoting each other’s rentals, but I was thinking we could do package deals for tourists as well. A whole land and sea experience. I think DuBois and Eleanora would love the idea.”
She waggled her finger at him. “Equal partners.”
“Equal partners.”
“Deal,” she said, laughing when they shook on it.
Across the bakery, Thora and Charles sat at a table with Lexi and Alden.
Charles had his arm around the back of Thora’s chair, and their hands were linked on the table between them.
They were talking quietly, and when Thora said something that made Charles laugh, he leaned over and kissed her cheek.
Tempi smiled as she watched her sister and brother-in-law interact. She and Thora had talked twice since Saturday night...real conversations, not the polite check-ins they’d been doing for years.
Alden spotted Tempi looking and jumped out of his chair. “Aunt Tempi! Did you tell everyone about my help?”
“I told everyone,” she promised when he skidded to a stop in front of her.
“I helped solve the mystery,” Alden announced to the bakery at large. He pulled the fake ruby from his pocket. “If it wasn’t for my science experiment, nobody would have figured out the waterfall clue.”
“That’s debatable,” Princess Muffin Top said from the counter.
“I’m a hero,” Alden said to Princess Muffin Top.
“You’re eight,” the cat said dryly.
“Eight-year-old heroes exist.”
Princess Muffin Top cocked her head and studied Alden. “I’ll allow it.”
“I’m a hero!” Alden cried as he turned and darted between Mrs. Abernathy and Granny Edna.
Shaking her head, Tempi stepped away from Ronin to grab another Wind Talker. She stopped when she noticed Emory and Cassie standing together near the back wall, watching her and Ronin.
“What?” Tempi mused as she strolled over to them.
“Nothing,” Emory said quickly. “We were just saying how cute you two are.” She shrugged. “The four of you, really. You and Ronin, Adeline and Mason.”
“Disgusting, really,” Cassie added. “But in a good way.”
Emory grimaced. “Yeah, I admit I’m a little jealous.”
“Me too,” Cassie said.
They all watched as Mason grabbed Adeline around the waist and kissed her before she hurried away, a tray of cupcakes hovering next to her.
“I love my job,” Cassie said. “I love this town. But some nights, the house is pretty lonely.”
Emory took a sip of her drink. “I thought I had what you guys have. Years ago.” She gave a short laugh. “But we all know how that turned out.”
Tempi ran her hand up Emory’s arm. Her friend had been so young when she’d fallen for the dashing Jack Blackstone. While Emory had been planning their future together…Jack had been dreaming of bigger and better things than Moonlight Bay.
Emory laughed and shook her head. “Let’s not talk about Jack Blackstone. This is a day for happy thoughts.”
Tempi put her arm around Emory and squeezed. Cassie did the same from the other side. The three of them stood there for a moment, watching their friends celebrate inside the bakery.
“You know what?” Cassie said brightly. “If a three-hundred-year-old pirate can find love and peace, there’s hope for the rest of us.”
“There’s always hope,” Tempi said.
Emory nodded. “You’re right.” She held up her empty glass. “Who wants refills?”
“Me!” Cassie and Tempi said simultaneously.
“Sounds like you girls are having fun,” Mayor Huntington said as he stopped in front of them.
“We are,” Emory said. “The Crimson Heart should bring in a lot of tourism for Moonlight Bay.”
Mayor Huntington nodded. “And with Jack Blackstone and his crew coming in two weeks, I suspect we’ll have even more tourists.” He waggled a finger at Emory. “You and Adeline will be cleaning up, I’m sure.”
“What?” Emory squeaked. “What did you say?”
Mayor Huntington frowned. “About you guys cleaning up?”
“No,” Tempi said, “about Jack Blackstone.”
“Oh,” Mayor Huntington smiled. “Isn’t it great news! He’s filming his next action adventure here. He and his crew will be here in two weeks.”
Emory grabbed hold of Tempi’s arm. “Are you serious?”
Mayor Huntington frowned. “Yes. Is that a problem?”
“No problem, Mayor,” Cassie quickly said when Emory didn’t say anything. “We’re just shocked is all. Especially me. I’d have thought for safety reasons the police department would have a heads-up on this.”
Mayor Huntington waved his hand in the air. “Oh, I just found out this morning that we were the town chosen. I told Chief Wolfe just a few minutes ago, so he’s aware.”
“Great,” Cassie said. “That’s just…great.”
“Well, keep having fun.” Mayor Huntington waved and sauntered off to talk with Herschel.
“What is going on?” Emory demanded. “When did this happen?”
“Sounds like it just happened,” Tempi said. “Are you going to be okay, Emory?”
Tears filled Emory’s eyes. “I guess I’ll have to be, right?” She snorted. “Think I can avoid him while he’s here?”
Tempi shook her head. “I don’t think so.”
“C’mon,” Emory said. “Let’s get a drink. I have some rum behind my counter.”
After taking a shot of rum and promising Emory they’d be there for her, Tempi wandered back over to Ronin, slipping her hand in his. He gave her hand a squeeze and then brushed his lips across hers. “Hey, partner.”
She smiled up at him. “Hey, partner.”
Princess Muffin Top jumped up onto the counter by the cash register. “I still maintain that the Crimson Heart would look exceptional on my collar. It’s the perfect size, and red is my color.”
“No!” everyone shouted.
Mason shook his head. “Nobody is putting a priceless ruby on your collar.”
Princess Muffin Top scowled. “This isn’t over, Wolf Boy!”
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