Page 83 of The Secret of Emerald Cottage

Chapter Forty-Five

“Oh, to be that young again ...” A wistful sigh drifted from Marla Murray’s mouth as she turned the page in one of Brec’s father’s albums in Miss Lilly’s great room, where only a few people remained after Pete’s memorial luncheon. The sad smile lining her scarlet lips made Molly think the woman would be so much prettier without the air of malaise that settled around her like her expensive perfume.

“Oh, to have that much hair again,” Pastor Dave mimicked with a chuckle, ruffling the top of his bald head as he studied the photo album, sitting on Marla’s right while her husband, Alan, sat on her left.

“Tell me about it.” Alan made a grand show of tousling his own thick dark hair, nicely enhanced by a touch of silver at the temples. A ridge puckered at the bridge of his nose when Marla reached for another cookie, which he promptly removed from her hand. “Just helping you be accountable to your diet, sweetheart,” he said quietly before taking a bite and returning to his prior conversation. “If this receding hairline gets any worse, I’m going to have to wear a bag.”

“Plastic, I hope,” Molly heard Marla mutter under her breath when she refilled their coffee, Marla’s smile so cool, it didn’t resemble one at all.

Alan ignored her as he pointed to one of the pictures. “Hey, Dave, who’s party was this, do you remember?”

Pastor Dave moved closer to squint at the picture. “That was Mort Wagner’s graduation party, I think.”

Marla turned to needle her husband with a sharp look. “You know, sweetheart, the one where you made out with Clare Wood?”

Alan scooped an arm to Marla’s waist to give her a side hug. “But I married you, now didn’t I, sweetheart?”

“Unfortunately,” his wife muttered again, almost too low for anyone to hear.

But loud enough for Molly as she raised the fresh pot of coffee, her smile abnormally bright. “Refills, anyone?”

Alan pushed his empty cup forward with a flash of white teeth that boasted the confidence of a man who was aging well. “Right here, Molly, please.” She felt his scrutiny as she poured, and her cheeks warmed. “And I’d love another of those cookies you made if it’s no trouble.” He winked, a hint of flirtation in his grin. “I have a weakness for sweets.”

“Among other things.” Mouth pursed in a scowl, Marla turned another page in the album, her gibe barely audible once again.

Except to Molly as she leaned close to refill Marla’s cup. Avoiding Alan’s gaze, she topped off Pastor Dave’s as well. “More snickerdoodles coming right up,” she said lightly, hurrying over to where Miss Lilly and Brec were chatting with Cat and Chase, who each held a sleeping baby in their arms. “More coffee over here anyone, or cookies?”

Chase stood to his feet while Cat followed suit. “Not us, Molly. We need to get these two munchkins down for their naps in their own beds, I’m afraid, but thanks to you, Brec, and Miss Lilly for putting on this luncheon for Pete. I know he would have appreciated it.”

“Especially Molly’s snickerdoodles,” Miss Lilly said with a sad smile, “one of Pete’s favorites, I believe.”

“Yes, they were …” Molly’s voice trailed off.

Miss Lilly rose to give both Chase and Cat a quick hug, babies and all. “Thanks for your help before the luncheon, you two.”

“Our pleasure, Miss Lilly.” Cat gave Molly a side hug before heading toward the front door with Chase. The two of them called out their goodbyes while they helped each other don coats, bundle the babies in blankets, and gather their belongings.

Pastor Dave looked up. “And my thanks to you all for planning and hosting this lovely luncheon, especially you, Miss Lilly.” A sheen of tears glazed his eyes before he quickly looked away, giving a nod toward the albums stacked on the coffee table. “Pete would have loved it, I’m sure, particularly reminiscing over these old albums.”

“I believe he would have,” Miss Lilly said with a misty nod of her own as she quietly closed the door behind Cat and Chase. “But it was my honor to do it, Pastor, and you certainly had enough on your plate preparing for the memorial service this morning. Couldn’t have been easy for you.”

“No, it wasn’t.” Slapping two palms on his thighs, he rose with a valiant thrust of his chin. “But Pete and I were close, so it was truly a labor of love. I think I’m going to shove off now too. It’s been a long day.”

“That it has.” Placing his coffee cup back onto his saucer, Alan stood as well. “Miss Lilly, we can’t thank you enough for a wonderful afternoon honoring Pete. I think it’s brought us all much-needed closure.”

“Amen to that.” Pastor Dave extended a hand to Marla in rising from the sofa. “Marla, Alan, I’m so grateful you were able to come in on such short notice.”

“Wouldn’t have missed it, Dave.” Alan offered Pastor Dave his hand, his smile grim despite a hearty handshake. “It’s just the two of us now.”

Pastor Dave hooked an arm over Marla’s shoulder. “The three of us, you mean, since Marla’s always been part of our group, right?”

Marla smiled and patted Pastor Dave’s face with a perfectly manicured hand. “I should have married you, David, as sweet as you’ve always been to me.”

A ruddy blush bled up the back of Pastor Dave’s neck, the sound of his chuckle awkward to Molly’s ears. “Now, Marla, we both know a pastor’s salary couldn’t have given you all you deserve.” He made a beeline to Miss Lilly for a fast hug before heading for the door. “Goodbye, all. Alan, I’ll meet you and Marla for dinner tonight as planned at Rocks on the Roof?”

“You bet, seven sharp. We’ll be there,” Alan said, moving to give Miss Lilly a hug before he said his goodbyes to them on his way out, Marla trailing quietly behind. “Good night, all.”

“Is it just me,” Molly asked after shutting the door behind them, “or do Alan and Marla seem to have a rocky marriage?”