Chapter 13
G ordon cupped his hands around his face and pressed them against the plate-glass window.
“They’ve papered over the inside of the window,” Anita said. “You won’t be able to see anything.”
“I know,” Gordon murmured. He didn’t move. “There’s a tiny tear in the paper, and I was hoping to get a glimpse inside—but it’s too dark.”
They stepped to the edge of the sidewalk and looked up at the building formerly occupied by Candy Alley.
“It’s a handsome old facade,” Gordon said. “With a thorough cleaning, repairs to the window trim, and a fresh coat of paint on the front door, this building will be beautiful. I understand why you’d want to open your museum here.”
“I’m happy you agree,” Anita said. “Ican’t waitto get inside and see what shape it’s in, now that it’s been vacant for so many years.”
“I’m sure Tim will contact the owners after the holidays,” Gordon replied.
“I don’t want to wait that long,” Anita said with a sigh. “IwishTim would call me.”
The phone in her purse rang before she’d even finished speaking. She retrieved it and swiped to answer the call.
“Tim!” she exclaimed, pivoting to face Gordon as a grin erupted across her face like last night’s fireworks.
“Oh my gosh,” Anita said, laughing. “Gordon and I are standing in front of the building! I was just saying how anxious I am to take a look.”
She listened for a beat, then tapped the screen to place the call on speaker.
“That’s right,” she continued. “Gordon came in on New Year’s Eve to surprise me. Tell us—how did you get in touch with the owner so quickly?”
“I’m in Rotary with the attorney handling Charlotte’s estate,” Tim explained.
“I called him on New Year’s Eve, right after I saw you.
He said he’d contact his client before he left for the day.
Turns out, the owners got back to him first thing this morning.
He called me straight away. I knew you’d be happy to hear the news.
Our kids and grandkids are coming over soon to celebrate Nancy’s birthday, but I had time to let you know first.”
“I’mglad you did,” Anita said. “Thank you so much.”
“I’ll have the keys in hand first thing tomorrow morning,” Tim continued. “The fact that the owners got back to their attorney so quickly tells me they’re motivated sellers. This could be good for you.”
“I need to open the shop at ten tomorrow morning,” Anita replied. “I’m available any time after ten thirty.”
“Let’s meet in front of Candy Alley at eleven,” Tim said. “Will you both be there?”
“Gordon has to leave first thing in the morning—” Anita began.
“I’ll change my flight,” Gordon interrupted. He looked directly at Anita. “That is—if you’d like me to be there. I don’t want to intrude.”
“Are you kidding?” Anita said, eyes shining. “I’d love for you to see the place with me. I value your opinion. Without your encouragement, I wouldn’t have even thought of opening a sewing machine museum.”
In the background, the sound of barking dogs rose from Tim’s end of the call.
“That’s our family,” he said with a chuckle. “I’d better go. I’ll see you tomorrow at eleven.”
“Thank you, Tim,” Anita said warmly. “And wish Nancy a very happy birthday from us.”
Gordon swung his rental car onto the long, sweeping driveway leading to Rosemont.
“It’s awfully nice of Maggie and John to invite us to stop by for dinner,” he said. “How in the world did they know I was in town? I didn’t tell them.”
“There’s no such thing as a secret in Westbury,” Anita replied. “Someone must’ve seen us at The Mill last night.”
“But today’s a sleepy holiday,” Gordon said. “Nobody’s been out and about to spread the word.”
“In these days of social media and text messages, sweetheart, news spreads like wildfire. Unlike many places, I thinkgoodnews spreads fastest here.”
He pulled to a stop in front of Rosemont’s imposing stone facade.
Leaning forward, he gazed out the windshield.
“Every time I see this place, it takes my breath away,” he said.
“The chimneys, the gabled roofline, all those mullioned windows … they’re perfectly proportioned. The architect created a masterpiece.”
“I couldn’t agree more,” Anita said. “But for all the grandeur of those three stories, my favorite thing about this house is the arched mahogany front door. It’s massive and impressive—but it’s also homey and welcoming. Just like the people living there.”
“I agree with that too,” Gordon said. He got out of the car and walked around it to open her door.
“I wish we had something to bring them,” Anita murmured. “My mother and grandmother would be furious if they knew I was going to dinner without a hostess gift.”
“I grew up the same way,” Gordon said.
Anita looked up at him, her lips pressed into a thoughtful line. Then her eyes lit up. “I’ve got it,” she said. “I’ll offer to give them a private guided tour of the new museum before it opens.”
“They’ll both love that,” Gordon replied. “More than any flowers or bottle of wine we could bring. That’s an excellentidea.”
They exchanged a smile and climbed the wide steps to the front door.
Gordon struck the brass door knocker against the plate, sending a crispwhackinto the quiet afternoon.
They heard a momentary outburst of barking that was quickly silenced. The door swung open, and John ushered them inside. Eve and Roman waited patiently to be released.
Maggie crossed the living room toward them, untying a festive holiday apron and pulling it over her head.
“Hello, you two!” she said, throwing her arms wide and hugging Anita, then Gordon.
“Happy New Year,” Anita said warmly.
“The same to you both,” John said, shaking Gordon’s hand with a smile.
Maggie turned to Gordon, arching an eyebrow. “What’s with sneaking into town without telling me? Have I done something wrong? Are you trying to avoid us?”
Gordon flushed. “Nothing of the kind. I made a snap decision to ring in the New Year with Anita. Everything happened so fast, I didn’t have time to tell anyone. Since I had initially planned to go home tomorrow, I figured there was no point.”
“You were going to go home tomorrow?” Maggie asked, intrigued. “I’d like to hear more about that. Come into the library—I’ve set out a few nibbles before dinner.”
They followed her into the generous room, its wood-paneled walls glowing in the firelight. Late afternoon sunshine filtered in through the French doors, casting a golden hue across the polished floors.
John released Eva and Roman from their stays. After a warm greeting for the guests, the dogs settled into their beds by the hearth.
John gestured toward an open bottle of chardonnay on a tray. “We’ve also got red, if you prefer.”
Anita and Gordon both pointed to the chardonnay and nodded their approval.
Maggie motioned them to chairs flanking a low coffee table. A charcuterie board filled with cheeses, crackers, mixed nuts, and seedless red grapes sat at the center. She handed each of them a small plate and cocktail napkin.
“What’s keeping you here another day?” she asked Gordon.
Gordon looked at Anita. “I think it’s your story to tell, honey.”
He helped himself to a cracker and a cube of aged sharp cheddar.
“I plan to open a small sewing machine museum,” Anita began, “with the beautiful antique machines that have been gathering dust in the basement of Archer’s Bridal.”
Maggie nodded. “I had heard that.”
“I’d like it to be located on the square,” Anita continued. “Being close to Archer’s Bridal would be convenient for me, and Tim Knudsen thinks it would be a tourist attraction.”
“I agree with him,” John said. “It’d be something unique for Westbury.”
“Tim suggested the old building that housed Candy Alley. He contacted the owners, and they’re interested in selling. He’s arranged for me to view it tomorrow morning. Gordon was kind enough to postpone his flight so he could check it out with me.”
“I’m as excited to get inside that place as she is,” Gordon said. “It was boarded up before I ever came to Westbury.”
“I spent most of my paper route money in Candy Alley when I was a boy,” John said with a grin. “I have a lot of happy memories of that place—just like you do, Anita. It’s exciting to think you might be the new owner.”
“I was only in it once, before Charlotte passed away,” Maggie said.
“That was the year I moved into Rosemont. I was posting notices for the Easter carnival. I can’t say I remember anything about the place.
” She clapped her hands together. “This is so exciting! You’ll have to let us know theminuteyou open escrow. ”
“We haven’t signed a contract yet,” Anita said. “I’m trying not to get my hopes up.”
“I have a feeling it’s going to work out for you,” John said. “This will be another chapter in the building’s colorful history.”
“What do you mean?” Anita asked.
“I’m not really sure,” John admitted. “It was before my time, but Ithinkthat building had a shady past.” He narrowed his eyes in thought, then shook his head. “I really can’t remember any specifics.”
“My goodness,” Anita said. “I’ll have to look into that.” She selected a small bunch of grapes and began plucking them off one by one.
“Who knows what secrets you’ll find buried there,” Maggie chimed in. “Rosemont’s attic has been full of surprises—and Judy found the ornaments in the Olsson House that led her to Jeff.”
“Now that you mention it,” Gordon said, “I recall a rusty filing cabinet in the corner of the attic upstairs under Rosemont’s eaves.
I took a quick look months ago when I was assessing the furniture stored there.
If I remember correctly, it’s full of newspaper clippings from the ’20s through the ’70s.
That might be a good place to start our research. ”
Maggie and John exchanged a knowing glance at his use of the word“our.”
A buzzer sounded from the kitchen.
Maggie picked up her wineglass. “That’s me.
We’re having lemon lasagna. It’s a recipe from this morning’s paper.
Meatless, and supposed to be lighter fare for the new year.
” She smiled from Gordon to Anita. “Ishould’vetold you when I invited you—you’re going to be my guinea pigs.
There’s also a green salad and garlic bread.
If the lasagna is horrible, we’ll order a pizza. ”
“It smells delicious,” Anita said.
“I’ve never known you to make anything thatisn’tfabulous,” John added.
“I love you for saying that, John,” Maggie replied. “But you know that’s not true.”
She turned toward the kitchen. “At any rate, I’m headed in to finish up. You three stay here and enjoy your wine. I’ll let you know as soon as everything’s ready. We’re eating in the kitchen, family style—because both of you are like family to us.”