“It’s now an emergency situation,” Autumn admitted, stress simmering inside her as she and Ben walked out of the clinic, with the clock on the wall showing eight-thirty a.m. Watching the clock was scary when she thought that every second brought Willow closer to being in serious trouble.
“We need to reason with Willow. Surely we can do that?” Ben said hopefully.
The hospital had refused to release her last night, insisting on keeping her for observation. It was only now that she’d been cleared to go home. Ben had been there, with a buggy booked, and also with a change of clothes that Jasmine had packed, so she didn’t have to totter out of the hospital in her high heels and evening dress.
Now she was walking out in comfortable jeans, boots with a sheepskin lining, and a deep green down jacket that was one of her favorite winter staples.
“Reason with Willow?” Autumn rolled her eyes at the mere thought. She’d spent her entire life with Willow. She knew her sister better than anyone. There was no way, no way at all, that Willow would back down. Nobody was more stubborn than her younger sister, when she was set on a disastrous course of action. “That won’t be possible,” she explained.
Ben sighed as they headed over to the waiting buggy. “My brother is the same. If they’re twin souls, then I get you. But what are we going to do in that case? She’ll be putting herself in danger, Autumn. From the time she starts asking questions, whoever got to you is going to target her.”
“Yup,” Autumn said, climbing in. “But she won’t care about that. Willow can be recklessly brave, especially when she’s protecting her family. I think having lost our parents and our brother has made her even more protective of me.”
She felt so much better this morning. Those extra few hours of sleep in the hospital bed had cemented her recovery. Her throat was less sore, her head less achy, and she felt ready for whatever the day might bring, grim and cloudy as it was.
However, she had to admit she wasn’t in the mood for coffee. Today might end up being a herbal tea day. That would probably be wisest.
"Down to Harbor View please," she told the driver, a gray haired man that she knew fairly well. He was one of those that believed a quiet trip was a good trip. He wouldn't start a conversation, but right now, Autumn felt nervous about anyone listening. Who knew who the killer was, or how word might get back to them.
“On our way.” The driver clucked to the horse, who set off at an energetic trot, tossing its head, glad to be moving on this brisk, chilly morning.
“So, what are we going to do?” Ben murmured.
“There is only one solution I can think of,” Autumn said, keeping her voice low enough that the buggy driver couldn’t hear it, over the creaks of the wheels and chassis, and the clopping of hooves.
“And that is?” She and Ben were sitting close together, and Autumn slid her arm around his waist. His own wrapped around her shoulders. The physical contact felt reassuring, and more than that. It felt like a spark was there. Like she wanted to turn and kiss him, passionately, as they headed down the hillside. That was good, because Autumn had to admit, last night, the drugs she’d been fed had ruined the moment when Ben had chivalrously grabbed her as she’d slumped to the ground.
“We have to find the killer before Odds and Ends closes,” Autumn said.
“Before the shop closes? What time is that?”
“It closes at two p.m. on a Sunday,” Autumn said, her stomach twisting. That really didn’t give them much time. There were only a few hours. How could they possibly find an elusive killer in just a few hours?
“She won’t be able to get out of work any earlier?” Ben asked, sounding practical.
“No. She doesn’t have student help today.”
“And you? Aren’t you busy? Jasmine is going to be at her kiosk at the festival again.”
“She is,” Autumn said. “But all my guests are staying overnight tonight. I guess they wanted one last night on the island, and at the festival, before going home. I don’t have anyone checking out today, and the cleaner who helps me always works weekends. So even though I feel like I should be at Harbor View all day, the truth is that I can get out and investigate.”
“Right. Well, apart from emergency calls, my practice is closed today,” Ben said.
“That should give us time.” There was a narrow window they could use. Autumn was thinking of it as a window of hope, but it felt more like a window that would avert certain disaster.
“So, we’re going back to the festival?”
“We have to,” Autumn said.
“Are you sure you feel ready for this? You should rest today.”
“How can I possibly rest, with Willow going to get into trouble as soon as her shop closes?”
Ben sighed. “I know. Well, we’ll just have to take it easy. You can sit down a lot. And I will watch your drink if you go anywhere. I still think it would be a better idea not to do this, but I also couldn’t forgive myself if anything happened to Willow.”
“I’ll see you at what time, then? Shall we say ten?”
“Ten, it is.”
The buggy stopped, and they both climbed out, Autumn carrying the gym bag which now contained her evening dress and shoes.
Ben leaned forward and kissed her.
Then, they turned their separate ways, Autumn going into the bed and breakfast, and Ben climbing back into the buggy for the last leg of the trip, up the road to where he lived.
As she walked in, Autumn was floating on a cloud of mixed emotions. Firstly, desire for Ben. The events of last night had brought them so much closer. Then, gratitude. How lucky was she to have him, and to have Jasmine looking after things, and to have Willow, misguidedly yet passionately fighting on her side.
And lastly, she couldn’t help a chill of fear, because the killer was still out there, and now, she knew they were watching her movements.
Opening the door of Harbor View brought a rich, sweet smell of baking wafting out, together with an undertone of coffee.
Max rushed through to meet Autumn, his tail waving wildly, yelping in delight that she was back after her long absence.
Kneeling down, Autumn hugged her dog, loving the way his entire body wiggled when he was happy, burying her face in his soft fur. There was nothing like a narrow escape from death to make you appreciate the love and happiness of life.
Then, she and Max went through to the kitchen, Autumn at a walk, and Max at a trot.
Jasmine had everything done. Autumn couldn’t believe it. With all the prep she’d had to do for her kiosk today, she had somehow, also, managed to prepare an immaculate breakfast service. There were scrambled eggs and hard boiled eggs and she’d even made a quiche. How had she possibly managed that? It was nothing short of miraculous. There were croissants in the oven and muffins baking, fresh bread waiting for the toaster, fruit and cheese and cold cuts arranged on a platter. She shouldn’t have done any of this. How?
Turning to her, Autumn saw to her concern that Jasmine’s face was drawn in worry.
“I’m so glad to see you!” she blurted out. Rushing forward, she hugged Autumn hard. “I couldn’t believe what happened, what you’ve been through. This is the most terrible thing. I’m so glad you’re alive.”
“I’m glad I’m alive, too,” Autumn said. “But Jasmine, this breakfast. What about your kiosk?”
“My kiosk is all done.” For the first time, Autumn noticed her assistant’s reddened eyes. “I heard the news from someone at the festival. My phone started buzzing at midnight, and I was still up doing prep for today. I was almost done, so I came straight here. I got a few hours’ sleep, and then started here at seven.”
“I can never thank you enough for this,” Autumn said. “But now, please go. See to your kiosk. Thank you so much for this.”
Jasmine took off her apron and headed out, and Autumn took over the breakfast prep, not that there was much left to do. The kitchen felt warm and homey. The creaks of the floor from upstairs told her that the guests would be down in a few minutes. Everything was ready, she was safe, and she couldn’t feel more thankful.
Now, all that remained was to steer her sister away from the catastrophic course of action that would endanger her life.