“Thanks, Dee.”

“You’re welcome. Whose address were you talking about?”

“George’s address. I can’t put my finger on it, but there’s something about him that bothers me. Did you hear Edna ask him about going in to John Porter’s room this morning? I don’t believe his explanation. We need to wheedle an address, at least get his license plate number. Beau said he could run a background check on him.”

“That shouldn’t be too hard. We’ll work it into the conversation somehow.” She patted my hand. “Hey, want to go downtown and check out the shops? We could stop by the fast food place where Mary Sue works and ask her some questions.”

I sat up. “Let’s check out the Seaside Sisters gift shop while we’re out. Mary Kay Andrews leases a section in the store. She sells antiques and gifts.”

“Oh, I just love Mary Kay’s books. She’s so funny.”

“Did you notice the glass painting in the bathroom? Nancy Smith, one of the shop’s founders, painted it. They’re her specialty. I’d love to purchase one for my apartment.”

Dee Dee nodded and shot me a grin. “Or maybe for your new house?”

I returned her smile and grabbed her arm. “Come on. Let’s go participate in some retail therapy.”

While I tied the laces on my Keds, my mind worked overtime coming up with a way to find out more about the mysterious George. And what exactly were his intentions toward Nana?

CHAPTER THIRTEEN

Tybee Island was a grand total of two and a half square miles of land. Located on Highway 80, the drive to Seaside Sisters didn’t take long. The gift shop, housed in a small, older home, sat close to the road. Hand-made mobiles, flower pots, lawn ornaments, and even garden gnomes, decorated the outside. Dee Dee parked in the sandy yard of the little white and blue shop. We hopped out of the car and followed excited shoppers into the boutique.

“Oh, look, Trixie. Aren’t these cute?” Dee Dee picked up a pint-sized canning jar, attached to a glass stem, and held up the drinking apparatus. “This is called Hillbilly Stemware.” Other shoppers within earshot of Dee Dee’s announcement smiled at the unique object.

I told Dee Dee she could find me in Mary Kay Andrew’s corner, and headed straight for her space. Blindsided by some colorful jewelry, I stopped to sift through the fascinating trinkets, and picked out one for Mama and one for Nana. I wasn’t disappointed when I finally found Mary Kay’s area. I’d read about her love of antiquing and I knew she wove her adventures into her books.

The instant I spotted the cute little section filled with books, candles, and of course, antique furniture, I knew Dee Dee would adore it. She could choose from plenty of goodies to take back for her own emporium, Antiques Galore.

A middle-aged lady dressed in Dee Dee-like clothes struck up a conversation. “Are you from around here or just visiting?” She picked up a beautiful hand-made quilt and passed her hand back and forth over the lovely material.

“I’m from Vans Valley, a small town in north Georgia. My name’s Trixie Montgomery.” I picked up an outdoor mobile crafted from discarded kitchen utensils. Mama’s yard would make a great home for the decoration. Or maybe my yard?

“Hi, I’m Ruth. Are you staying in one of the hotels on the beach or in Savannah?” She studied the price tag on the throw and quickly replaced it. She bestowed a couple of pats on the beautiful covering as if to say good-bye.

“Neither one. We’re staying at Seaside Cottage.”

Her eyes grew large and her jaw dropped. “Oh. I heard about Grace Watkins’ death. Isn’t it a shame they’ve arrested poor Laura for the murder?” I started to correct her, but she chattered without taking a breath. “I’m not surprised something like that happened to Grace. I’m a member of the Save the Turtles Association and she consistently rubbed someone the wrong way. Now that she’s gone, I wonder if Jasmine will come back to the meetings. She’d never attend while Grace was alive.”

My investigative antennas shot straight up. I wanted to ask more questions, but this wasn’t the place. Too many people milled around.

Dee Dee walked up and eyed the mobile I held, tinkling above my head. “Hey, Trix. Did you find something to buy?”

“Yeah. Don’t you think this is interesting?” She nodded. I turned toward my new acquaintance. “This is Ruth and we were discussing Grace Watkins.”

Dee Dee’s eyebrows lifted. “Oh?”

“Ruth, I’d love to hear more about the Grace and Jasmine situation. Could we meet later and talk?” I grabbed Dee Dee’s arm and pulled her beside me. “We’re trying to help Laura.”

“Sure. I haven’t eaten yet. Would you like to meet for lunch? There’s a great little place right down the road. The Tybee Sandwich and Ice Cream Shop.”

“Okay, as soon as we finish here we’ll meet you. How about forty-five minutes?” We said our good-byes and I made it my mission to find the painted glass. I discovered several delightfully framed stained glass windows covered with brightly colored fish. I easily pictured one of these in my apartment.

“Look, Dee. Wouldn’t this be great in my bathroom?” I held it up so Dee Dee could see the sun shining through the brightly painted windowpanes.

“Your apartment, or your new home with Beau?” Dee Dee stepped back a little like I might hit her. “Never mind. It’ll look great in either one.” Her beautiful smile was infectious. I smiled back.

We browsed the treasure trove a few more minutes and then paid for our purchases. My mind wandered while Dee Dee stored her packages in the back. I imagined being Beau’s wife. He’d been nothing but good to me and I knew he loved the Lord. He’d endured similar circumstances in his first marriage as I had in mine. We’d both felt the brain-numbing effects of betrayal. Could we get past those feelings and build a trusting and loving marriage? God, please help me make the right decision.

“Hey, Trixie! Are you going to start the car?” She twisted around to straighten the items we’d bought.

Dee Dee’s inquiry and her body leaning on my shoulder brought me back to earth. “Hold on to your pantaloons, girl.” I said a silent prayer of thanks when my new car started on the first try.

As I drove through town, I noticed the shops on each side of the street. It was tourist heaven. Antique shops, gift shops, bakeries, and enough restaurants to please any palate lined both sides. And if you decided on a tattoo to commemorate your visit, The Pirate’s Cove Tattoo Parlor would be glad to ink you up. I tried to imagine a pirate’s skull or perhaps a turtle drawn on my old-lady ankle, but giggled to myself. What would Beau think?

“Stop!” Dee Dee yelled at the top of her lungs.

I slammed on the brakes and shot a glance in the rear view to see if the car behind us stopped. I stuck my finger in my ear, sure I’d be deaf the rest of my life.

“What? Are you trying to get us killed?” Another look in my review mirror alerted me a long line of cars followed us. Thank God the person behind us had quick reflexes.

“Over there. See it? A pirate.” Dee Dee pointed out her side window.

Sure enough, a buccaneer stood on the sidewalk. Or rather, someone dressed like a water bandit. He wore an eye patch and a live parrot sat on his shoulder. I must admit he made a striking figure. A car horn blared a warning.

“Oh, good grief.” Dee Dee turned around. I assumed she made a face at the offending culprit. “We’re moving already.”

“Well, are you happy now? You just about got us killed.” I drove on down the street looking for the road Ruth told us to turn on.

“Pooh. We weren’t in danger. You just over-reacted. Hey, do you think the peg leg was real?”

I gave Dee Dee a quick look. “You’re kidding, right?” I worried about that girl sometimes. “I have to admit though, I was impressed. For a fake pirate, he looked authentic.” I was wondering why he was dressed like a run-a-way from Treasure Island when Dee Dee supplied me with the answer.