Chapter 1
Velma filled an inflatable palm tree using a hand pump and arranged it in the middle of a wooden sandbox, which Anna had set up by the front window in the dining room of her ice cream shop, Bella’s Dream.
“I can’t believe how many people purchased tickets,” Anna said. “We are sold to capacity. One more person and we’d be violating fire code.”
“Wherever did you come up with the idea for a tropical beach ice cream party in the middle of February?” Velma asked.
“I thought Seagull Cove could use an event to help beat the winter blues and bring some business into the shop. February is such a slow month for a seaside ice cream shop.”
“I think it’s going to be a smashing success,” Velma said. “We should make it an annual event.”
Anna and Velma laughed out loud when Olivia, Jack, and Ethan – Anna’s three high school employees – arrived dressed in the spirit of the evening. Jack sported blue and white swim trunks and a blue t-shirt under his long winter coat, and was carrying a red floatie, which he promptly put around his waist.
Ethan pulled back his coat to reveal his lime green and white Bermuda shorts, explaining that he found them in the back of one of his father’s bureau drawers, beneath some other ‘old man’ clothes.
Olivia wore a bright sundress over a long-sleeved t-shirt and yoga pants with a red plastic Hawaiian lei around her neck.
“You kids look fantastic,” Velma said.
Along with Velma, Kathy and Mary were already helping Anna to set up the shop. It was all hands on deck for tonight’s party.
Anna pulled her employees together for an impromptu staff meeting. “I have plenty of tropical flavored ice cream, especially mango. We’ll need some of you to work behind the counter, a couple to collect tickets, and the rest can mill about and keep the dining room clean. I included all the ice cream you can eat in the price of the ticket, so I expect that the counter will be busy.” Anna winked at Jack. “We’ll let Jack focus on becoming famous with his band.”
“My friends should be here any minute to set up. Thanks for giving us a chance to perform tonight. We’ve been rehearsing all week.” Anna had hired Jack’s friends, who had formed a garage band, to play beach-themed music.
“This is going to be so much fun,” Olivia said. “I can’t wait for everyone to arrive.”
Jack scanned the shop. “The store looks awesome. And thanks for turning up the heat. It makes it a lot easier to wear shorts in February.”
In addition to the sandbox and inflatable palm tree by the window, bright folding beach chairs were scattered among some of the regular chairs, and each table had a few pairs of sunglasses that people could use to get into the spirit. Velma had found miniature paper umbrellas, which were meant for cocktails, to stick in the ice cream for added festivity.
“It looks like we’re ready for customers,” Anna said.
Soon after, Jack’s friends arrived to set up, and Olivia led them over to their designated spot.
“Judging from the way Olivia blushed when the band arrived, I’d say she has a crush on one of them,” Velma whispered in Anna’s ear.
Anna smiled as they watched the teens interact. “Ah, young love. I wonder which one she likes.”
“Let’s go find out,” Velma said, pulling Anna to the stage area with a mischievous smile.
“Anna, I’d like you to meet Aiden, Rob, and Owen,” Olivia said.
The three boys politely shook Anna’s hand. “Thanks for letting us perform,” Aiden said. “We won’t let you down.”
“You boys are going to be great,” Velma said.
“I wish Caroline could be here,” Aiden said to Olivia.
“She felt badly that she couldn’t come, but she already had plans with her aunt and cousins.” Olivia tapped her pocket. “But I promised I’d record a few songs and text them to her.”
Aiden smiled broadly. “Thanks, Olivia.”
Olivia’s eyes met Rob’s, and she looked down and blushed.
“We’ll let you get to it,” Anna said. “People will be arriving in fifteen minutes.”
“We’ll be ready,” Jack said.
“I guess we know which boy Olivia is crushing on,” Anna whispered after they walked away.
“Definitely Rob.”
Anna was so wrapped up in setting up the shop that she almost missed a phone call from an old friend from graduate school, Mary Beth. The two had studied counseling together back in the day.
She pulled her phone from her pocket. “Mary Beth! Are you and your friend coming tonight?”
“I hope so,” Mary Beth said. “But I’m not sure that I would call her a friend, exactly. She started off as a patient, but I am taking her under my wing until her situation resolves itself. You’ll understand more when you meet her. I’d really love to come so the two of you can talk, but it will depend on how Heather is feeling.”
“Fingers crossed,” Anna said.
Guests began to arrive right at 6:00. Ethan and Olivia worked the front door, since they were best dressed for the occasion. They set up the ticket collection table a little off to the side, so they wouldn’t be in the direct path of the wintery cold air as people entered the shop.
Joe Wiggins, wearing khaki shorts and flip flops, was one of the first to arrive, and his mood was as bright as his yellow shirt. After he had chatted with the staff and a few guests, he headed straight to the ice cream counter. “I’ll have two scoops of the mango ice cream,” Anna heard him say as she welcomed guests.
A half hour later, there was still no sign of Mary Beth and her mysterious friend, but Anna was thrilled when three of her besties in town, Sonja, Ruthie, and Rosie, arrived.
Jeremy Russo came in right behind them. “Are you ready for our meeting with Sid Crenshaw on Monday?” he whispered when Anna went over to greet him.
Last month, Anna had finally been reunited with her Irish twin sister, Bella, who staged her own death five-and-a-half years ago. After nearly a year of searching, and with the help of Jeremy and Joe, they learned that Bella had witnessed a crime. She saw what she believed to be a man dumping the body of a young nurse, Rebecca Crenshaw. The killer had terrified Bella by stalking her and threatening to kill her and her loved ones if she went to the police. To escape her stalker and protect her family, Bella faked her death and relocated to Camden, Maine. Jeremy, who was a reporter at the Seagull Cove Chronicle, arranged a meeting for the three of them to speak with Rebecca’s father, Sid Crenshaw. That meeting was scheduled for Monday, only four days away.
“I’m anxious to get this investigation underway,” Anna said. “The sooner Rebecca Crenshaw’s killer is behind bars, the sooner Bella can come home. But I have to admit, I’m equally excited to see Bella again at Camden Manor in two weeks.”
Anna turned around after feeling a tug on her arm. It was Jack, who was taking a mango ice cream break between sets, standing next to a short, stocky man with a receding grey hairline. “Principal Ingersoll wanted to meet you,” Jack said.
“Please, call me Larry.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” Anna said.
“A few members of the staff from the high school are here tonight.” Larry pointed to a woman wearing blue jeans and a baby blue sweatshirt that said ‘Hampton Beach.’ “That’s Gayle Thompson. She teaches history. And over there is Melissa Potter, our newest math teacher. And Beverly Nordstrom, who teaches ninth and tenth grade English, is standing next to Gayle.” The two were deep in a conversation that included a few animated hand gestures, and Gayle was shaking her head and rolling her eyes.
“They came to support the band,” Jack said proudly.
“Olivia, Ethan, and the boys in the band have been talking up this party at school for the past few weeks, so we wanted to come out to show our support. What a great event to get people out of their house this time of year,” Larry said.
“I’m so happy you came,” Anna said.
Anna started walking over to thank the teachers for coming, but the conversation still seemed intense, so she changed course and went to compliment the band on their stellar performance. “Be sure to get some ice cream before you start playing again,” Anna said to the boys.
Olivia popped over and smiled at Rob. She gestured for them to follow her. “Come on. I’ll get your orders.”
While Anna watched them make their way to the ice cream counter, the front door opened. It was Mary Beth. Another woman hesitantly entered behind Mary Beth. Anna studied her for a moment. Her gold highlighted hair fell just above her shoulders, and her large brown eyes reticently scanned the room. When Mary Beth spotted Anna, she put a hand on the woman’s shoulders and gently guided her in Anna’s direction.
“It’s wonderful to see you,” Anna said, giving her old friend a warm hug.
“You, as well. I’d like you to meet Heather.”
Anna extended her hand. The woman seemed fragile as she smiled and politely shook Anna’s hand.
“Anna and I went to graduate school together,” Mary Beth said. “Anna and her sister had a private counseling practice in Boston for many years. Since we happened to be in the area, I thought it might be nice for the two of you to chat.”
“This party will be over at 8:00,” Anna said. “We’ll be able to talk privately then.”
Anna looked into Heather’s vacant eyes as the woman forced a skeptical smile. “Thank you. I know you haven’t seen each other in a long time. I think I’ll get some ice cream and give the two of you a chance to catch up.”
Before Anna or Mary Beth could respond, Heather was on her way to the ice cream counter.
“Do you want to fill me in on the situation, or would you prefer to let Heather do that?” Anna asked.
“It’s a story that will require your full attention, and you have your hands full right now. Why don’t we fill you in after the party? Besides, I want to make sure Heather doesn’t get too overwhelmed.”
“Okay. Things look to be winding down here, anyway. I have my entire staff here, so cleanup will be a snap. Then we’ll have the rest of the evening to talk.”
Anna rejoined her customers in the dining room. The band had come up for one last song and the crowd was cheering them on, especially those who came from the high school.
When the band finished their final song, Anna thanked everyone for coming.
“Should we make this party an annual event?” she asked the crowd.
Her guests responded with enthusiastic applause.
“It’s settled then. I’ll see you all next year, at the Second Annual Tropical Beach Ice Cream Party.”
After the guests trickled out, Anna and her staff made quick work of cleaning up the shop. As she deflated the palm tree, Anna spotted Casper sitting on the empty sidewalk and peering into the store. “That’s Casper,” Anna explained to Mary Beth and Heather. “He’s a feral cat who belongs to everyone in town and to nobody in particular at the same time. He’s probably looking for his nightly snack. With all the excitement, I forgot to give it to him tonight.”
She opened the front door and beckoned him inside, but he didn’t move. Anna shrugged her shoulders. “You can sulk all you want, but it’s your loss, little guy.”
Before Anna closed the door, Heather darted out and bent down to give the cat a little love. He purred and let her scratch his head. When she came back inside, he dashed away.
“Casper likes you,” Anna said. “Maybe he was just looking for a little attention.” It was the first genuine smile she had seen on Heather’s face all night.
After her employees left, Anna brewed some coffee, and the three women sat at a table in the middle of the dining room.
“Mary Beth didn’t tell me anything about why she thought it would be a good idea for us to talk,” Anna said to Heather. “She just mentioned that you had been through something traumatic. How are you doing?”
Heather shrugged her shoulders. “I guess I’m doing okay, considering I have no idea who I am.”
