Pepper, the Highlander & the Dead Guy

My mom was right. I’m a snoop like my dad, though it’s his job. My mom isn’t, but I had to ask, “You never asked Aunt Effie about it?”

“I was young. It wasn’t my place to say anything. If she had wanted to tell me through the years, she would have. Besides, your great aunt may have regaled people with stories of her career, but she kept her private life private. And I intend to honor that.”

“Do you think it was a short or long affair, any idea?” I dared asked.

My mom shook her head again. “A kiss sneaked in the woods does not confirm an affair.”

“But a hot kiss in the woods does. I wonder when the affair started and how long it lasted. When did Aunt Effie meet Max?”

“A couple of years after World War II in Paris when she was modeling. He was a journalist then and already married.”

“Do you think that’s why Aunt Effie sold Willow Lake Lodge to Max—to keep him close?” I asked.

“The lodge had been a pet project of your aunt’s ever since she bought the property. She wanted people to share in the beauty of the area. Her many travels made it difficult to oversee the building and maintenance such a project would require. Max arrived one day and as he always said he made Effie an offer for the property that she couldn’t refuse.”

The word slipped without thought from my lips. “Love.”

“It’s a powerful emotion that has tumbled empires, ruined powerful men, and damaged endless women. Still, we all hunger for love. The trick is finding the right one—the one meant for you and only you.”

I grinned. “Like you and dad.”

She laughed. “I sometimes think your dad would disagree.”

“Never,” I said confidently. “Dad is crazy in love with you or as he teasingly says, ‘I have to be crazy to love her.’”

“That he does and I’m glad he’s crazy enough to love me.” My mom shook her head. “I don’t condone or condemn Aunt Effie for what she did. It was her life and her choice. I feel sad she never truly got to be with the man she loved and who from what I saw that day loved her with all his heart. I also feel sad for Trudy, for I wonder if she knew and chose to stay in her marriage because at that time divorce was not as acceptable as it is today.”

“I appreciate you telling me, Mom,” I said, glad she had confided in me.

“Effie told me she was leaving you her sole heir because she wanted you to get a head start in a world that was finally beginning to change for women. She invested wisely, knowing her modeling career wouldn’t last forever, though she lasted longer than most. She would be proud to see what you have achieved for yourself.”

“I’m grateful to Aunt Effie. I only wish I had gotten to know her better, though the times I did spend with her were memorable,” I said, recalling the woman who was in her sixties when I was born.

“Max and Effie kept the secret all those years and I don’t feel it’s fair mentioning it now when neither Max nor Effie are here to defend themselves.”

“I understand, Mom, but you never know if it might be relevant to the murder,” I said, thinking my dad would want to know and I really wanted to tell Ian and know what he thought about it.

“I never gave that a thought. It was so long ago. What relevance could it hold now?” She shook her head as if giving it second thought. “I suppose I should mention it to your dad.” She held her hand out to me. “All done pinning. I’ll take it home to sew.”

“Have you decided on costumes for you and Dad yet?” I asked, taking her hand and stepping off the stool.

She laughed.

“Don’t tell me he wants to go as… the sheriff?”

She laughed again. “You know your dad well.”

“And you also, which makes me think you already have costumes planned for you both.”

She grinned. “I’m not telling, though I doubt you’ll be surprised.”

“But Dad will,” I said with a chuckle.

My cell rang right after my mom left and I saw it was Ian. I tapped to answer, anxious to talk with him. “I’ve got news.”

“Good news, I hope. I’ve missed you,” he said.

I groaned, thinking I hadn’t improved when it came to relationship stuff. “That should have been my first words to you since I did miss you, more than I expected,” —another groan— “a surprise to me, which means I like you more than I’ll admit.” I was glad his laughter cut through my rattling tongue and silenced me.

“You steal my heart more and more each day, Pep,” Ian said. “The news must be about the murders to have you this excited. It’s a gorgeous, warm autumn day. Why don’t I scoop you up for lunch at Treetop and you can tell me all about it?”