Killing the Blues - Michael Brandman [57]
“You think?”
“I know,” she said.
“Tell me about the old roll in the hay again,” he said.
“No.”
“No?”
“The doctor told me not to get excited.”
“What about tomorrow?”
“We’ll cross that bridge when we come to it.”
“We?”
“For now,” she said, and closed her eyes.
59
Jesse had never thrown a party.
Daisy’s had been hired to cater it. All of her servers were on hand to work it.
A bar had been set up on the front lawn, and one of Daisy’s people was behind it, pouring drinks.
Two immense barbecues were across from the bar. Chicken, ribs, and burgers all sizzled over the hot coals. Massive trays of potato salad, coleslaw, and condiments stood at the ready.
A dessert bar offered different flavors of ice cream, as well as cupcakes, donuts, and pies. Platters of fresh fruit flanked the end of the table.
It was a glorious day. The weather couldn’t have been more accommodating.
This is why we live in Paradise, Jesse thought.
The party was Jesse’s way of saying thank you to everyone who had contributed to the restoration of his home.
It only seemed as if every resident of Paradise had shown up. Jesse made every effort to be a gracious host. Molly had come early and had been there to greet the guests and point them in the direction of the food and drink. Once things were running smoothly, she came over and stood beside Jesse.
“Nice,” she said.
“Better than nice,” Jesse said.
“Have you tried the shrimp thingies?”
“Not yet.”
“Try them. I’m working on a scheme to squirrel dozens of them out of here without anyone noticing,” she said.
“Good luck with that,” Jesse said.
They stood, watching the crowd for a while.
“How’s Alexis,” she said.
“Good now. The bandages are off, and she appears to be healing nicely.”
“Will she be here?”
“Doctor still wants her to rest.”
“Too bad. How are you,” she said.
“Better since I gave up hope.”
“Haven’t I heard that line before,” she said.
“Are you suggesting that I’m repeating myself ?”
“Whatever gave you that idea,” she said.
Jesse didn’t say anything.
“I hope you’ll excuse me,” Molly said. “I gotta go see a man about some shrimp.”
She winked at him and made tracks for the food.
Jesse smiled.
The party was still going when it got dark. Jesse had grown tired of it.
He went inside to lie down, but the din of the party disturbed him. He phoned the station.
“Paradise Police Department,” the voice answered.
Jesse recognized it as belonging to Rich Bauer.
“There’s too much noise coming from the Jesse Stone party,” Jesse said. “Can you send someone out to quiet things down?”
After a long moment, Bauer spoke.
“Jesse,” he said. “Is this you?”
Grinning, Jesse hung up the phone.
60
The sky was heavy on the Fourth of July. Rain threatened, but as the day wore on, the threat diminished. The festival went on as planned.
People kept pouring into the stadium. By late afternoon, there were close to twelve hundred people watching and listening to the music. People of all ages were there. Teenagers experiencing their first daylong concert. Sixty-somethings reliving their youth. Lots of tweeners.
Dancing was de rigueur.
Business at the concession stands was booming. Beer and wine were selling briskly.
Alexis was in her element. Fully recovered, she kept the show going with the brisk efficiency of a field marshal. Her team had been well prepared, and the concert went off with military precision.
She spotted Jesse standing amid a group of his officers. She wandered over and pulled him aside.
“This is amazing,” she said.
Jesse smiled.
“We even stand to make a fair sum of money. Uncle Carter is ecstatic.”
“You’ve done a good job. You should be proud,” Jesse said.
“Thank you, Jesse. Will I see you later?”
“Not likely. Suitcase is in charge. I’m gonna hang around a bit longer, then it’s sayonara for me.”
“I’ll call you,” she said.
She kissed his cheek and disappeared into the crowd.
Jesse strolled the grounds for a while. Summer was in full swing. The drama of spring was over. The