Read Lethal Lily (A Peggy Lee Garden Mystery) Online
Authors: joyce Lavene,Jim Lavene
Tags: #Mystery
Lethal Lily (A Peggy Lee Garden Mystery) (26 page)
“What are we going to put the baby in when she’s born?” Mai moaned. “This place is filthy. Why am I having her
now
?”
“I don’t have answers for all of that. But I’ll take off my shirt, and we can catch the baby and wrap her in it. She won’t touch the ground. I promise.”
Peggy tried to help Mai squat to finish her labor, but it was difficult in the tight surroundings. Mai got into a sitting position, and then fell over as another contraction hit her. Peggy took off her shirt and got ready.
“Are you okay?” Steve asked. “You’ve been quiet for a minute or two.”
“She’s going to have the baby in here. Any progress out there?”
“They have a forklift that’s going to move the bulk of the material that’s over you. As soon as it gets here, I’ll let you know so you can protect your heads. It’s almost over, Peggy. Hang on.”
Peggy made herself face facts—she was going to deliver Mai’s baby. She helped Mai lie down again, and parted the girl’s legs to check on her progress. With the flashlight app on her cell phone, she checked how far along Mai was.
“I can see her head,” she yelled to Mai, and everyone else listening. “Now’s the time to push. Push hard, Mai. Your baby is coming.”
Vietnamese mingled with shouts of joy and instructions from the paramedics who had arrived at the scene. Peggy helped Mai sit up and push with each contraction. English words became Vietnamese as Mai growled, cried, and screamed.
Peggy held her shirt in place so that the baby would come into her covered hands. She couldn’t hold the cell phone at the same time, so she waited in the darkness until she felt the weight of the child.
“Why isn’t she crying?” Mai demanded breathlessly. “She’s
supposed
to cry.”
Peggy lifted her new granddaughter and used her finger to clear the mucus from her nose and mouth. That was all it took. Mai and Paul’s daughter let out a healthy wail that set up a cheer from everyone working outside. Peggy cried as she wrapped the shirt around the baby and carefully handed the tiny body to Mai.
“Okay, you two,” Steve warned. “They’re going to move some of the debris. Look out.”
Peggy held her head down and arched her body across Mai’s and the baby’s. The forklift was loud and grating. The entire pile of wood and metal shifted as the long blades sank into it. As it moved back with its load, the forklift opened a hole right above their heads. The blades had barely cleared when rescue workers from the fire department snatched Peggy, Mai, and the baby out.
The night sky had never looked so beautiful to Peggy. A whiff of honeysuckle washed over her. She knew it wasn’t possible—honeysuckle flowers were long gone for the season. Maybe it was her heart, feeling as light as spring.
She snuggled her face into Steve’s neck as he held her close to him.
“Nice look.” He put his jacket around her bare shoulders. “Are you okay?”
“Better than okay.” She grinned. “I’m a grandma.”
* * *
Paul rode in the ambulance with Mai and their baby. Peggy allowed the paramedics who were there to check her, but she knew she wasn’t hurt. She refused a ride to the hospital for further testing.
Ann and her gang had survived the accident and been rounded up by Al to take them to the county jail. There were a few words between Steve and Al about jurisdiction, but everyone was feeling too good to let that get in the way. Peggy had promised them both a detailed account of everything that had happened before the scaffolding had fallen.
She and Steve were the last to arrive at the hospital. It wasn’t easy, but Steve convinced Peggy to go home, take a shower, and get dressed. By the time they reached the maternity floor, Mai’s parents, and Peggy’s parents, were already admiring the new addition to their families through the large natal window.
Peggy’s mother stared at her. “I can’t believe all of us got here to see your granddaughter before
you
. What in the world have you been doing that was so much more important?”
Steve put his arm around Peggy. She smiled, grateful to see her granddaughter’s rosy little face through the window.
“Just messing around, as usual, Mom.” Peggy wiped tears from her green eyes. “You know how I am.”
Epilogue
Peggy had gone to bed at a little past midnight, but she couldn’t sleep. Steve had left to work out the details of the gang’s arrest with Al. She thought that would probably take most of the night.
Shakespeare stayed with her as she went downstairs. The plants in the basement beckoned, as always, but there was something else she wanted to see for herself.
She and Walter had put the boxes into the library that they’d taken from the storage unit. She thought about Arnie as she wandered into the room and switched on the light.
Before leaving the hospital, she’d seen him. His doctor said that he believed Arnie was going to pull through, though it had been touch and go for him. He was on a respirator, unconscious, but she’d squeezed his hand and kissed his cheek.
The boxes were dusty and crammed with pens, pencils, newspaper clippings, and old notes. She was searching for the files that Paul said he’d seen when he’d stolen everything from the mini-storage. It was silly, but she wanted to read them. Whatever they said was part of her past—part of her life with John.
She found the files that were filled with documents describing Ann’s ‘death’ and Harry’s investigation, but there were no files about John.
Puzzled, she searched more carefully through the boxes, pulling everything out. The files Paul had found had disappeared. She paused and thought a moment.
Where could they have gone?
She looked a third time, but the files simply weren’t in the boxes she’d brought home.
A noise at the door startled her.
It was Steve. “Aren’t you asleep yet?” He smiled and took her hand. “I thought you wouldn’t wake up until morning after everything you’ve been through.”
“You know I’m not the greatest sleeper.” She got to her feet. “I can’t find the files Harry said were in here about John.”
“Maybe he was lying,” Steve said. “Maybe he never had them in the first place.”
“I don’t think so—” She didn’t want to tell him about Paul’s actions.
He tugged at her hand. “Come on. Let’s go to bed. We can figure it out tomorrow.”
Peggy switched off the light, and went with him. Paul had copies of those files, she reminded herself. She could read those.
But what had happened to the originals?
She got in bed with Steve, and he put his arm around her. “You know, it might be for the best that Harry didn’t have those files about John,” he said. “It couldn’t make much difference now. You should move past it, Peggy.”
She didn’t answer, but long after Steve’s breathing had slowed as he slept, she was awake, wondering.
Peggy’s Garden Journal
Fall is an important time in the garden. Not only is it a good time for planting trees, shrubs, and spring bulbs—it’s a good time to take stock of your yard and make plans for the year.
Frequently, gardeners are too busy in spring and summer to really form a plan on what they’d like to do with what they have. Not having a plan can cost you in plant mistakes such as the bushes you put by the front windows that are too large now to see out.
Consider making a map of your garden. Fill in every plant you have, along with their heights and growth cycles. Remember that you’d like to have something colorful or blooming, even in the winter.
Always take this with you when you shop for plants so you can refer to it before you buy anything. A good garden plan will save you time and money, and you’ll be happier with your yard!
Happy Gardening!
Peggy
My favorite recipe for onion soup
8 servings
The key to great onion soup is to cook the onions thoroughly, but slowly. They should be sweet, dark, and soft when finished. I use a vegetable broth instead of chicken stock. Garnish with cheese, and serve with toasted French bread.
3 Tbs. butter
1 Tbs. vegetable oil
7 to 8 cups thinly sliced (or chopped if you like) onions
Salt to taste
2 Tbs. all-purpose flour
6 cups low-sodium vegetable broth (6 cubes of stock with 6 cups of hot water)
1 tsp. chopped fresh thyme or ½ tsp. dried
¼ tsp. freshly ground pepper
10 to 12 oz. shredded Gruyere cheese
In large, heavy pot, melt 2 tablespoons butter with oil over medium heat. Stir in onions, and seasonings. Cook 1 minute, stirring constantly. Reduce heat, cover and cook 10 minutes. Remove lid and cook 15 minutes more, stirring occasionally. Add remaining butter to pot. Cook, stirring occasionally, until onions are caramelized and very soft, about 15 minutes.
Stir in flour and cook 3 to 4 minutes. Stir in broth. Cover and simmer 15 minutes.
Ladle soup into an ovenproof crock or bowl. Sprinkle with cheese. Broil until cheese is bubbly and golden. Serve hot.
Edible plants in your garden
Many gardeners are replacing flowering plants with edible ones. Tomatoes, peppers, garlic, and onions are all popular annual replacement plants.
But did you know that you probably already have edible plants in your yard?
Bachelor’s button flowers are edible. So are bee balms, marigold, and carnations. Dandelions are delicious greens and nasturtium flowers add spice. You can also eat rose petals and violets. Crushed in drinks or served with food, they can add color and unique flavor to your meals.
One caution: NEVER eat flowers from plants you don’t know, or pick flowers from forests or alongside the road. Grow the plants yourself to be sure what you’re getting.
Botanical poisons can be deadly!
About the Authors
Joyce and Jim Lavene write bestselling mystery together. They have written and published more than 70 novels for Harlequin, Berkley and Gallery Books along with hundreds of non-fiction articles for national and regional publications.
Pseudonyms include J.J. Cook, Ellie Grant, Joye Ames and Elyssa Henry
They live in rural North Carolina with their family, their rescue animals, Quincy - cat, Stan Lee - cat and Rudi - dog. They enjoy photography, watercolor, gardening and long drives
Visit them at
www.joyceandjimlavene.com
www.Facebook.com/JoyceandJimLavene
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/AuthorJLavene
Amazon Author Central Page:
http://amazon.com/author/jlavene
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