Lemon Pies and Little White Lies (23 page)

Her mother began to hum. The notes danced in the air like dandelion seeds, and the tune was hauntingly familiar to Ella Mae. The music spoke to something deep inside her—a slumbering part of her being that had once been linked to the rest of world. Shutting her eyes, she saw the sun rise over an endless ocean, veils of glistening snow draped over tall mountain peaks, herds of deer leaping through primeval forests, and brilliant rainbows springing from majestic waterfalls.

The song was an invitation to remember another time. It was a reminder that magic was everywhere. It was the force that united their kind with the earth. That bound them to every element.

Ella Mae gazed at the small company seated around the tree. “If you could choose only one word to describe the feeling this melody evokes, what would it be?”

No one spoke. It was clear that each and every person was trying to put a finger on which word captured such a wide range of sensations and emotions.

Finally, one of the visiting Elders, a small man with a neat moustache and round spectacles, cleared his throat. “Home. It speaks of a home I’ve never known, but yearn to see. I feel foolish saying that out loud, but the song still echoes inside me. It is full of regret for what we have lost and hope for what we might rediscover.”

“That’s exactly how I feel,” said one of the Havenwood Elders, a lady physician. She turned to Ella Mae with a quizzical expression. “Why didn’t you share that song when we first entered the grove tonight? Those who left might have decided to join us if they’d heard it.”

Ella Mae shook her head. “I wanted them to exercise free will. The song tugs at something deep within us, and I didn’t want to manipulate them. However, I plan to use the melody to convince as many others of our kind as I can that we have the power to reclaim the past and reshape our future.”

Alfonso threw out his arms. “What an evening! And here I thought you’d called us together to talk about pie.” Laughing, he bowed once again and trotted down the hill.

•   •   •

An hour later, only Ella Mae and her family remained in the grove.

“I think that was
very
successful,” Aunt Sissy said. “You are
full
of surprises, you clever girl.”

Her mother tapped her watch. “You should rest while you can. This is going to be a very long and lively week.”

“You and Aunt Sissy go ahead. I’ll be along in a minute.”

When they were gone, Reba stared at Ella Mae in confusion. “A little birdie told me that Hugh’s back in town, so why aren’t you in a rush to be with your man?”

Ella Mae removed her crown. She turned the thin circlet, which was made of hundreds of silver strands woven together, around in her fingers. Entwined among the strands were tiny gold clovers and butterflies.

“When I first moved back to Havenwood, you warned me that Hugh and I weren’t a good match.” Ella Mae placed the crown on the closest limb of the ash tree. A network of branches immediately closed around it, while Ella Mae ran her fingers through her hair, releasing it from the chignon. “You said that he and I would cause each other pain. And we have. We’ve cut to the quick. Inflicted wounds that can’t be healed. We’ve become strangers to each other. And possibly—though I still can’t wrap my head around it—enemies.”

Reba’s face grew pinched with worry. “Let’s get you home. I’ll fix my special mac and cheese. I used to make it when you’d had a rough day at school.”

“I remember. It was the ultimate comfort food.” Ella Mae managed a ghost of a smile. “You had me put on my pajamas before supper, and when we were done eating, we’d curl up on the sofa and watch TV with big bowls of ice cream on our laps. By the time I went to bed, I’d forgotten my troubles.”

“I’ll stop at the grocery store on the way home. It sounds like we’re gonna need at least three pints: double chocolate chunk, peanut butter cup, and cookie dough.” Reba hooked Ella Mae’s arm in her own. “While I’m cookin’, you can
pour yourself a glass of wine and tell me what happened. You’ll feel better if you let it all out.”

Ella Mae plucked at the sleeve of her jeweled gown. “I’ll feel better when I have my pajamas on. This is like wearing an entire Tiffany store’s inventory.”

“Fit for a queen, Your High and Magnificent Royalness.” Reba performed an exaggerated curtsy and Ella Mae laughed.

Arm in arm, the women crossed the meadow and vanished into the silver shadows.

•   •   •

The next day, Verena appeared in the kitchen of The Charmed Pie Shoppe and settled her formidable rump onto a stool. She wore a white skirt covered with black roses, a black suit jacket, and heels the color of ripe mangos. Once she was comfortable, she slapped the worktable with her palms and announced, “Leslie Conrad is not a criminal. She didn’t kill Joyce Mercer or start the fire. She’s furious with you because she thinks you’re to blame for the change in Hugh’s demeanor. She believes you drove him from Havenwood months ago and that you’ve made him even more wretched following his return.”

“Is she in love with him?” Ella Mae felt an instant surge of anger at the thought, but then she remembered that she shouldn’t care who loved Hugh. He was no longer hers. There was a chance that he never had been.

“Leslie’s gift is that she’s able to tame wild animals, especially dogs,” Verena explained. “The woman has a pack mentality. In her eyes, you hurt the alpha of her pack. She wants to avenge his wounded pride and restore the harmony that once existed at Canine to Five. Since Hugh came back, he’s shown zero interest in his business and barely speaks to his staff.”

At that moment, the oven timer beeped and Ella Mae turned to transfer two trays of tarts to the cooling racks. Verena watched her hungrily. “My, my! What tasty treat do you have there?”

“Peach blackberry tarts with a shortbread crust.” Seeing the gleam in her aunt’s eyes, Ella Mae pushed two miniature tarts onto a plate with the edge of her pot holder. “Give them a few minutes. You’ll burn your tongue if you eat them right now.”

“I’m sure a generous scoop of vanilla ice cream would speed the cooling process!” Verena declared and spread a clean dish towel over her skirt.

“Why didn’t I think of that?” Ella Mae grinned and retrieved the ice cream from the freezer. After dropping a plump scoop on top of each tart, she watched the ice cream melt until it puddled on the plate. The solid lumps resting on top of the tarts looked like a pair of abstract doves. The shapes made Ella Mae think of Dee and Kyran’s metal birds. “How did Leslie end up with that bird?” she asked. “And why did she bring it to the grove?”

Verena poked her fork into a tart and its ice cream dove collapsed. “A select group of Canine to Five staff members is tending Dee’s animals. Leslie is one of them. Despite her hostile behavior last night, she’s given those cats and dogs her very best care. She swore those animals would be kept happy and healthy until Dee returns and she meant it.” Verena put a forkful of tart into her mouth, chewed, and moaned in ecstasy. “What kind of enchantment did you add to this divine dish?”

“None,” Ella Mae said, pleased that the tarts were so good that her aunt assumed they were tinged with magic. “It’s the freshness of the fruit, the buttermilk in the filling, and the shortbread crust. Can we get back to Leslie and why she had that bird?”

“Of course.” Verena loaded her next forkful. “Leslie was in Dee’s kitchen because one of the cats requires a daily dose of antibiotics and the medicine must be kept refrigerated. And before you ask, none of the kittens are sick. Another staff member has been bottle-feeding them, and they’re all flourishing.” She stole a bite of tart while Ella Mae took in the good news. “Dee had stuck a prototype of the bird on a shelf next to her cookbooks and teapots, and when Leslie noticed it, she decided to borrow it for a while.”

Ella Mae scowled. “How did she know the bird would upset me?”

“Sweetheart, there was a front-page photo of a partially melted bird in the paper! That fire was big news. And I realize you’ve been far too busy reading other things to enjoy a Sunday morning drinking coffee and perusing the paper.” Verena gave her a sympathetic look. “Anyway, Leslie knew the barn had been full of those sculptures, and when she realized that the only remaining bird might be the one in Dee’s kitchen, she grabbed it.” Verena glanced around. “I shouldn’t have mentioned coffee, because now I want a cup.”

“Finish telling me about Leslie and I’ll ask Jenny to brew a fresh pot,” Ella Mae said, folding her arms across her chest in a show of stubbornness.

“Unyielding, eh? Good!” Verena nodded in approval. “The long and the short of it is that Leslie wanted you to suffer. She liked the idea of upsetting you in front of hundreds of people, so she brought the bird into the grove and waited for just the right moment to reveal it.”

Ella Mae held up a closed fist. “She certainly succeeded in upsetting me. If my abilities included shooting lightning bolts out of my fingers, the woman would be a pile of cinders and charred bone by now.”

“Leslie’s indiscretion may also prove useful.” Verena’s
expression turned smug. “I was able to convince her that Nimue is the real reason Hugh isn’t himself these days. Leslie was quick to redirect her anger and vowed to pass on any information she can glean from Hugh, his computer, or his cell phone. In fact, she was so grateful to be released from police custody that she’s already shared something.”

Jenny entered the kitchen balancing a tray of dirty dishes on her shoulder. She set the tray near the sink, greeted Verena, and gestured at the remains of her dessert. “Would you like a nice cappuccino to go with that tart?”

“I most certainly would!” Verena exclaimed. “You’re a gem, Jenny.”

After loading the dishwasher, Jenny returned to the dining room to make Verena’s drink, and Ella Mae cut one of the peach blackberry tarts into even slices. “What did Leslie share?”

“Hugh said that Nimue wants to meet you, Ella Mae. Sooner rather than later.”

Ella Mae scowled. “He mentioned that to me as well. I hope she does come to Havenwood. I’d give her a welcome she’d never forget.”

Just then, Reba pushed through the swing door and cheerfully slapped three new order tickets on the counter. She then perched on the stool next to Verena and bit into a licorice stick. “How’s Dee?”

Ella Mae groaned. “What’s the matter with me? I was so caught up with Leslie Conrad that I didn’t even ask.”

“You have so much on your mind, darling. Give yourself a break,” Verena said. “But to answer your question, Reba, the doctors are pleased with Dee’s progress. However, her healing is only physical at this point. She’s not saying much. The nurse said that she’s probably suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder.”

“Who could blame her? She nearly died,” Reba said angrily. “So you don’t know who was in the barn with her?”

“As soon as I spoke Kyran’s name, I knew it was him.” Verena sighed heavily. “Dee’s eyes filled with tears and she turned away from me. She wouldn’t turn back for the rest of my visit.”

Ella Mae hated the fact that her gentle aunt was suffering so acutely. “Can’t we do anything to help her?”

“No magic can cure grief,” Verena said. “Dee knows that better than most. She’s spent her whole life creating art to ease the pain of loss, but its power is stronger than ours. What she needs now is for someone to show her an unfailing amount of quiet and selfless kindness. Someone who’ll sit with her, read to her, and talk to her without expecting anything in return. Luckily, we’re all very fond of a man who fits that bill.”

“August Templeton!” Ella Mae nearly shouted their family attorney’s name. “Of course. He’s been in love with Dee forever.”

“Yes, he has,” Verena agreed. “August has taken a leave of absence from his practice, rented an apartment near the burn center, and collected a trove of stories and music to bring to Dee each day.”

Reba wound a fresh licorice twist around her finger. “It sounds good for Dee, but what about August? He’ll play Florence Nightingale and end up with nothin’ to show for it. He’s been tryin’ to win her heart for years and never succeeded. Is it right to ask this of him?”

“He insisted.” Verena’s mouth curved into an enigmatic smile. “Besides, I have a feeling that she’ll finally come to view August in a different light. He’s no looker, but he has a kind and generous spirit. I think Dee will see that he’s not unlike the strays she takes care of. They might be lost and lonely, but that doesn’t mean they aren’t worth loving.”

Just then, Jenny stepped back into the kitchen. “My cousin Tyson is coming for a visit! He’s putting on the fireworks show at a huge Kentucky Derby pre-party this Friday, and when it’s over, he’ll load up his pyrotechnic goodies and drive to Havenwood. He should be here in time for our May Day celebration.”

“Your cousin does fireworks displays?” Reba grinned. “He sounds like someone I’d like to meet. Does he have a special talent?”

“He said he could create any shape you could imagine.”

Reba pointed at the cooling rack. “How about a pie in the sky?”

“You can ask him yourself,” Jenny said. “And speaking of pie, that order for table four is probably ice cold by now.”

Pushing her uneaten licorice into her pocket, Reba hopped off the stool, collected the loaded tray, and rushed into the dining room.

Verena got to her feet. “I need to get going myself. I want to check on Opal Gaynor. She told Sissy and Adelaide that she hasn’t heard from Loralyn, but I need to make sure she’s telling the truth.”

“Wait a sec.” Ella Mae placed a few tarts in a pink bakery box and handed the box to her aunt. “Please give her my best.”

Alone in the kitchen, Ella Mae stared at the cooling rack and thought about Opal.
She’s
hurting, but she won’t show it. She’ll lock her pain away and only acknowledge it in private. For the first time in my life, I need to follow her lead. I need to act like a Gaynor.

•   •   •

After its eventful first day, the History of the Baking Festival looked like it had the makings of being a great success. People bustled between Lake Havenwood Resort, the public
library, and the community park to attend panel discussions and participate in tasting sessions and contests.