“Leroy was blubbering like a baby when he came to. I knew from the start there was something about that boy I didn’t like.” Nana frowned.

I would’ve rolled my eyes if they didn’t hurt so much. “You and I both, right Nana?”

She nodded in acknowledgment as she gave my hand a big squeeze.

“Oh, honey. I thought you were dead. Well, maybe not dead, but I was so concerned.” Big tears dripped from Nana’s watery blue eyes. “But, we’re in for another long haul.”

“It’s all right, Nana. We’re safe.” I blinked back tears that wanted to flow.

Dee Dee balled her fists and dragged a chair up to sit eye to eye with me. Voice low, she laid out the skinny. “Joyce was screaming circumstantial evidence, and that she knows a heck of a good lawyer. Sheriff will have to go back to the drawing board to prove our story in court.”

“I have a big surprise for Joyce and Leroy. Where are my clothes? Is my sweater here?” I surveyed the room. If Dee Dee had taken any longer to answer I would’ve panicked.

“Sure, they’re in the closet.” Dee Dee pointed to the white door. “But you’re not going anywhere, yet. I’m your private guard until the doctor says you can go.” She looked like she was taking this guard position very seriously.

“I don’t want to wear my sweater. Get it and I’ll show you.”

Someone hesitantly knocked on the door. It opened just enough for a head to poke through.

“Is it all right if I come in?”

“Sure, Sheriff, come on in.” I held my head as high as I could and grasped my sweater from Dee Dee. “You’re just in time.”

Chapter Thirty

How are you feeling? You gave everyone quite a scare.” I swear Sheriff Wheeler winked at Nana.

“I think I’ll live. Thanks for asking.” Did I just thank the enemy? Maybe it was the result of being under the influence of pain meds. Or maybe it was the image of a handsome man in a crisp, form fitting uniform.

I held my breath as I reached into my sweater pocket. Yes! There it was—the tape recorder. I took it out and presented it to Sheriff Wheeler.

“Sheriff, I hope this will help in the case against Joyce and Leroy. I think I got her full confession on tape. It should be enough to put them away for a long time.”

He stared at the recorder as if it were made of gold.

“How about it Sheriff, can we listen to it?”

He nodded and I handed the small unit to my best friend. “Dee Dee, you want to do the honors?”

After all, it was her freedom at stake, plus I was just too dang tired.

She took it from me and switched it on. Silence veiled the room as we listened to Joyce tell her tale of woe. Yes, the Haygoods had been done wrong, but as the saying goes, “Two wrongs don’t make a right.”

Sheriff Wheeler left a happy man. He assured us that with the evidence they had, and now the taped confession, he had enough for the DA. Not only had the murder of John Tatum been solved, but the long ago murder of Donnie Haygood could be put to rest.

I thought nothing could shock me after all that had happened that weekend. I was wrong. The sheriff had one more trick up his sleeve. After thanking me profusely for my help, he walked over and kissed me gently on the forehead. “You did good, Trixie.”

Before I had time to respond, he turned on his heels and made his escape.

Nana and Dee Dee snickered like teenage girls. Since I couldn’t throw anything, I took a play out of Nana’s book and stuck my tongue out at them.

My how I love those two girls!

It was hard to believe a month had passed since that terrible time in Dahlonega.

Remnants of Thanksgiving dinner, turkey and dressing, mashed potatoes with gravy, green beans and all the trimmings, garnered Mama’s table. Mama and Nana were cleaning up the kitchen. I sat on the couch, my leg propped up on pillows. The fall I took on my knee had forced me to undergo surgery at long last. The doctor cleaned it out and repaired what he could. A total knee replacement was delayed, he told me, but not for long.

I heard Beau’s laughter from the kitchen, and my heart rate kicked up a notch. Since returning home, Mama’s handsome neighbor and I had tiptoed into a budding relationship.

“You want some pumpkin pie?” Beau brushed his hand across my chin, and kissed me lightly on the lips.

It felt so good to be home among family and friends. The heat from the fire warmed me on the outside while my family and friends warmed me on the inside.

Beau tucked an afghan over my legs. “Sure you don’t need anything?”

“All I need is right here.” I gave him an appreciative look, a blush rising from his attention—but just under the flush of newfound affection, there lingered that dull ache of loss.

“Well don’t you two look snuggly?” Nana came in carrying a tray of mugs filled with hot chocolate. She didn’t miss a thing.

“Nana, don’t get jealous. You know you’re still my best girlfriend,” Beau shot back. He went over to Nana, bent down, and gave her a kiss on her cheek.

She turned red as a beet, and playfully slapped him on his arm, “Oh, Beau, get outta here.”

My heart melted a little watching him treat Nana with such kindness and caring. Maybe, just maybe, this heart of mine would mend under Beau’s attention.

“You know? I could use a boyfriend, too. You think that Sheriff in Dahlonega might want to take me to the movies?” I couldn’t believe my ears. Dee Dee hadn’t mentioned the idea of a boyfriend since had Gary died.

For better or for worse, the incident in Dahlonega had changed all of us.

Dee Dee and I had gone over the events more than once. Our near death experience had deepened our friendship, and neither of us looked at life the same way.

Joyce and Leroy had decided to take matters into their own hands when life hadn’t gone their way. And for what? Not only were they unable to save their beloved inn, but irony had kicked them in the bum.

I’d just recently received a note from Sueleigh with good news. John Tatum had come through for their daughter after all. Unbeknownst to everyone except his lawyer, he’d changed his will to read that if something should happen to him, she would inherit a large portion of his wealth, including the inn. Joyce and Leroy handed it to her on a silver platter.

Sueleigh’s daughter finally received what she deserved. Not the inn, but recognition from her father. Sueleigh expressed her undying love and told us that if we ever needed a place to stay while visiting Dahlonega, it was on the house. As for me, I didn’t plan on going back anytime soon.

Frank Dalton, Sueleigh’s father, was exonerated on murder charges, but had to stand trial for blackmail. Donnie Haygood’s murderer had long since been dead. But at least Donnie could rest in peace knowing the truth was out in the open.

I wrote the story of a lifetime for Harv. Two murders solved made for a happy editor, but I told him not to expect every story to be so exciting. I was in Harv’s good graces and I had passed my six-month probation period. Life was good!

Thank you, Father.

Questions For Discussion

There was a period of time, after Trixie’s difficult divorce, when she struggled with her faith. Have you ever experienced a time in your life similar to Trixie’s. If so, what are some ways you overcame those feelings?

When Trixie moved home she rekindled a friendship with her long-time friend Dee Dee. She encouraged Trixie to let go of past hurts and move towards a faith-filled future. Do you think it’s important to have friends who will encourage your faith? If so, why?