Room for Murder - Tim Myers [62]
“Are you and Mor still intent on having a bachelor party tonight?”
Alex said, “It’s almost a crime to call it that, but yes, Mor and Les and I are having it out here tonight. Les just got back into town, sporting a suntan and a peeling red nose. How about Emma? What’s she going to do while we’re chewing over old times?”
Elise said, “We’re going to be at her cottage this evening working on the birdseed throwaways instead of rice. That should keep us busy until late.”
Alex nodded. “The guys are coming out here around seven, and I can’t imagine it lasting past ten. Since Mor’s staying out here tonight, I’m putting him in Number 7 as soon as I get it cleaned up.”
That was Lenora’s room. “She was an interesting woman, wasn’t she?” Elise asked.
“Once I got over the shock of being her model, I really got to like her. She was pretty closemouthed about what she was sketching, though. I asked her half a dozen times to let me see her work, but she always turned me down.”
Elise said, “You know how artists can be about their creations.” She paused, then said, “I’ve got a light load this morning. Why don’t I help you clean your rooms today?”
“That sounds great. To be honest with you, I’d be glad for your company. I’ve missed working side by side with you.”
She nodded. “Good. Let’s do it then.”
When they got to Number 7, Alex and Elise were surprised to find something taped to the mirror.
It was a charcoal sketch of Alex, with the lighthouse in the background.
Elise studied it, then said, “She really is quite good, isn’t she?”
Alex replied, “That’s the first thing of hers I’ve seen. The whole time she was drawing me, I wasn’t allowed to even peek.”
Elise studied the drawing another full minute, then said, “You’ve really got to have this framed.”
“Why would anybody want to have a drawing of me on their wall?”
“I think it’s perfect for the lobby, Alex. If you won’t frame it yourself, I’ll have Mor do it.”
Alex shook his head. “That’s all I need, my best friend thinking I’ve lost my mind plastering the inn with my own picture.”
“Well, someone needs to frame it.”
Alex reluctantly said, “If you really think it belongs here, I’ll do it myself.”
Elise found a folded note on the dresser and handed it to Alex. “Here, this is for you, too.”
He opened it and read aloud, “A small gift for all you’ve given me. Lenora.”
Elise said, “Well, she was certainly fond of you.”
“It’s the inn. You know how it affects some people that way.”
After they finished cleaning the room, Elise carefully removed the tape holding the sketch and carried it gingerly to her room. Alex wasn’t sure how he felt about having his own portrait hanging in the lobby, but from the look in Elise’s eyes, he knew it was useless to argue.
Soon enough it would be just one more part of Hatteras West, blending in with everything else, a hodgepodge that had somehow become a tapestry of his heritage.
Lenora had made sure that she’d always be a part of the inn.
Mor and Les came out to Hatteras West together a little before seven. Since Emma didn’t believe in wedding rehearsals, there was no need for a rehearsal dinner, freeing Mor the night before the wedding. Les, grinning broadly by his side, had a six-pack of beer in one hand and a bottle of champagne in the other.
“Wow, you broke out the good stuff,” Alex said.
Les said, “I swore to myself on the day we became partners that if this hound dog ever settled down, I’d give him a bon voyage. So where should we have this little party?”
Alex said, “Mor, it’s your call. The place is just about empty, so wherever you want is fine.”
“How about the top of the lighthouse?” he asked with a grin.
Les said, “You know, I haven’t been up there in donkey years. Lead on.”
Mor looked startled. “I was only half-kidding. I’m not sure those steps and your alcohol are the best combination.”
Les said, “Come on, man, where’s your sense of adventure?”
Alex grabbed some glasses from inside his room and met the two men at the top of the lighthouse.