Duck Disaster Read online

  Table of Contents

  Title Page

  Copyright

  Chapter One

  Chapter Two

  Chapter Three

  Chapter Four

  Chapter Five

  Chapter Six

  Chapter Seven

  Chapter Eight

  Chapter Nine

  Chapter Ten

  Chapter Eleven

  Chapter Twelve

  Chapter Thirteen

  Chapter Fourteen

  Chapter Fifteen

  Chapter Sixteen

  Chapter Seventeen

  From the Author

  Duck Disaster

  A

  BACKYARD FARMING

  MYSTERY

  MOREWELLSON, LTD

  Duck Disaster

  Copyright © 2022 Vikki Walton

  All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed, or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording, or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other non-commercial uses permitted by copyright law. For permission requests, write to the publisher, addressed “Attention: Permissions Coordinator,” at the address below.

  Morewellson, Ltd.

  P.O. Box 49726

  Colorado Springs, CO 80949

  ISBN:

  978-1- 950452-35-4 (e-pub)

  978-1- 950452-36-1 (standard edition print)

  978-1- 950452-37-8 (large print edition)

  This is a work of fiction. Names characters, places and incidents either are the product of the author’s imagination or are used fictitiously, and any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, business establishments, events, or locales is entirely coincidental. In order to provide a sense of place for the story, business establishment names have been included under the aspect of “nominative fair use” of products or services. No establishment noted in this fictional account has provided any incentive or endorsement of said account.

  Front cover illustration: DLR Cover Designs Donna Rogers

  Publishing/design services: Wild seas formatting

  Editing: Polaris Editing

  Chapter One

  Anne and Hope were bent over a spreadsheet when Kandi pushed through the door, slamming it behind her.

  “Whoa, what’s put a bee in your bonnet?” Anne asked. “Your face is as red as your hair.”

  Kandi plopped into a chair across from the pair, crossing her arms.

  “It’s the Coles again. She practically screamed at me in front of everyone. They are not happy to hear about the wedding. She said the bed-and-breakfast alone had ruined the neighborhood and now this is going too far. She, well, she threatened that they wouldn’t stand for it and to watch out.”

  Anne laid down her pen and sat back in her chair. “Whoa. I wonder what brought that on.”

  “They have a point,” Hope said.

  “What? You’re supposed to be on our side,” Kandi said.

  “I’m not on any side. I’m just saying that we weren’t very thoughtful when we decided to start this up. Remember how it was going to be something small? And now it seems to have taken on a life of its own. Between the herbal shop, visiting mom in the nursing home, and all the work at the Inn, I’m—well, I’m just going to say it. I’m burned out.” Tears floated in her eyes.

  “Oh, Hope. I’m so sorry.” Kandi popped up from her chair and rushed over to envelop Hope in a hug.

  Anne reached out to Hope. “Why haven’t you said anything? I thought with the staff we’d hired, that things were better. I’m sorry, too. I’ve been pretty oblivious about all this, and I should have known better than to not check with the neighbors before I accepted this event. I know we have some maintenance things coming up with the Inn—new paint, possible new roof, and I think at some point, we’re going to have to address the windows, which are giving us some problems too.”

  Hope shook her head. “It’s not just that. I’m feeling out of sorts. I feel like my entire life is spent working—and for what? It’s not like I’m money-driven. And now we’ve upset the neighbors who purchased their home years ago, envisioning a quiet cul-de-sac, not cars going in and out all the time.”

  Anne glanced over to Kandi, who nodded. “Yes, that’s why the May family left and sold their house. Now it’s been broken up into four apartments. I hate seeing these beautiful old homes changed into apartments.”

  Anne rose and crossed the floor. Pouring water into the kettle, she pulled out cups from the nearby cabinet. “It’s not like we have control over what someone does after they buy a house.”

  Hope replied, “That’s not really true. We started it by converting this place into a bed-and-breakfast.”

  “I thought we’d all agreed it was a good idea. Now you’re saying you don’t think it is?” Anne asked.

  Hope didn’t respond. Anne grabbed a jar of Darjeeling tea, spooning it into a large muslin tea bag before turning back to Hope and Kandi. “Anyway, now we have this wedding. I don’t think we can cancel at this late of a date.”

  “No, we can’t. I…well, I’m having second thoughts about the whole wedding event thing. It’s a lot more work, especially on Kandi doing all the food. And it’s also a lot more risk. We’ve already committed to this one, but I want us to rethink hosting anything like this in the future.”

  Kandi’s ponytail bounced as she clapped her hands, always exhibiting an exuberance and joy even now in her twenties. “I’m, like, so excited. I’ve been reading the papers—”

  “You mean the gossip rags—” Anne said. She also noted Kandi’s habit of slipping in the extra word whenever she became excited. At least it wasn’t as much as it had been when they first met. Though sometimes, the likes in her speech seemed to take on a life of their own.

  “Whatever. Anyway, from what I’ve read, Rayne Phillips from Denver News met her fiancé through a charity event they were covering. His family is from the UK, so he’s English—”

  “You mean British?”

  Kandi knit her brows together. “What?”

  “Never mind. I think it’s all to do with where they live. But don’t quote me on that. I’m not an expert on it.” Anne busied herself with setting the cups on the table.

  “Anyway, he’s got one of those fancy names. Let me see if I remember.” Kandi tapped her chin with her finger. “Oh, yeah. Richard Albert Lawrence Redmond-Burley. Fancy, right?”

  Hope sighed. “What difference does it make to us? We’ve committed to doing this wedding, but after it’s over, let’s have a sit-down to discuss how we want to move forward and about this place.”

  Anne set the sugar bowl, along with a jar of honey and the teapot with the tea steeping, on the table. “Technically, this is still yours, Hope. I’d say it’s up to you what you do with the house. It’s your inheritance.”

  “I’m aware, but I also know we agreed to start it, and I want us all to come together—”

  “Oh, no. Are you thinking about shutting it down?” Kandi pulled out a pitcher of milk from the fridge and went back to her seat.

  “I’m not sure. But for now, let’s focus on this event. Okay?” Hope responded.

  “Agreed. From what I understand, the wedding party is going to be tiny. Intimate is how Rayne Phillips described it. So, we’ll only have to include about fifty chairs. The evening before, we’ll host the rehearsal dinner. How’s that coming along, Kandi?” Anne asked.

  “Good. I’ve spoken to Rayne’s assistant, Ivy, who gave me a list of approved items and a longer list of items that are off limits. Geez, these people are so picky. And get this. She wants ten courses. Primarily for photos is what I’m
guessing.”

  “Good grief. Are you sure you can manage that?” Anne removed the tea bag from the pot before pouring the fragrant tea into the cups.

  Kandi popped up and went over to the countertop, where a covered dish held an assortment of tiny desserts. “Here, you can be my guinea pigs for these.”

  Hope took one from the offered tray. “They look lovely.” She took a bite, “Oh, wow. Yummy, too.” She set it on the small plate Anne placed in front of her and added some milk to her cup.

  “It’s lemon curd cake. I tried to combine some American and English foods.”

  Anne popped the entire petit four in her mouth, cooing over the tart lemon and the sweetness of the white cake.

  “So, is there anything we can do to help with the food or the service that evening?”

  Kandi shook her head. “Nope. I’ve roped Stewart and Molly into being servers, along with some of their friends from college. I’ll have them dressed in black pants, crisp white shirts, and brocade vests under jackets.”

  Anne picked up her cup before replying. “That seems like a lot with the vests.”

  “It’s because of the photos. It sounds like they’re wanting to ensure good photography shots. They’re paying for the jackets and the vests.”

  “All show. Remember when newscasters were journalists first? Now they’re all celebrities spouting off opinions, and you can barely tell them apart. Look at the two women from their station—both with long blonde hair, makeup that must take an hour to apply, and they all wear these tight-fitting, spandex-looking dresses in solid colors. Barbie doll broadcasters,” Hope said.

  Anne set her cup down as she laughed at Hope, who ran her fingers through her cropped brown hair and face free of any makeup. In others, Anne would have thought Hope was showing jealousy, but she knew Hope to be a confident woman who couldn’t care less about other opinions. Anne admired Hope, who had been the sole care-giver of her elderly mother until her mother’s habits of escaping their home had forced Hope to place her in a protective environment. She also ran Carolan Springs local herbal shoppe and, as a licensed physician, had a thriving practice for locals. Maybe Hope was simply going through that time in middle-age when you started questioning your life and wondering what the future held.

  After having been jolted from her seemingly perfect life, Anne’s move to Carolan Springs had been perfect for healing. A divorce, a total lifestyle overhaul, friends who had become family members, and now, her engagement to Carson. She fiddled with the ring on her finger, lost in her thoughts.

  “Anne, did you hear me?” Hope asked.

  “What? Oh, sorry. I was in my own little world for a while.”

  While Anne was in her thoughts, Hope had retrieved a spreadsheet printout which now sat in front of her on the table.

  “I said that they’ve reserved the Inn for an entire week. Their production people will show up first, and they’ll be staying over in your upstairs apartment.” Anne had finally finished the third-floor rooms, similar to the attic apartment in the Brandywine Inn, though she had divided it up into a few separate bedrooms for those who wanted a bit of privacy from their companions. It was a self-contained apartment that could be rented out and was accessed through a back entrance, so there was no need to enter her part of the home. It would come in handy for people vacationing in Colorado in the summer and for holiday tourists, bringing in some extra funds which would help with the old Victorian’s upkeep.

  “Got it. I’ve already heard from them—they’ll be arriving in a few days.”

  Hope looked back at her spreadsheet. “The primary guests will start arriving on Thursday, though most will come up on Friday. This includes the bride and groom and the maid-of honor, Casey Hudson.”

  “The other newscaster?”

  “Yes,” Hope responded.

  “They look like they could be sisters. Both same height and frame with that long blonde hair.” Kandi pulled up a picture of them on her phone.

  Hope and Anne glanced at the picture of the two statuesque women in similar bandage-style dresses, white, perfect teeth smiling at the camera. The graphic underneath noted, “Award-winning team at WFGH of Rayne Phillips and Casey Hudson.”

  “Let me see that.” Anne reached for Kandi’s phone before making the picture larger. She laughed. “Look at this guy in the back. He doesn’t look too happy.” She turned the phone around so Hope and Kandi could see the photo. Just barely in the camera range, a portly man with a rumpled olive shirt and scruffy beard scowled toward the pair.

  “Oh, that’s the cameraman. He came out here a few days ago, checking location spots and asking about lighting.”

  Anne held the phone so Hope could see the picture.

  “Well, whoever he is, he doesn’t look thrilled at the pair in that picture. Probably tired of doing all the heavy lifting—literally—while the people on-screen get all the credit.”

  Anne handed Kandi her phone back before standing up. “Whew, that tea went right through me. I’m off to the bathroom. Back in a jiff.”

  Kandi, lost on scrolling through her phone, didn’t say anything as Hope nodded and went back to work on the spreadsheet, ensuring nothing fell through the cracks. Anne walked out of the kitchen and into the back office. “Kandi!”

  Kandi and Hope appeared in the doorway to the bathroom.

  Anne sighed. “Can you explain to me why there are ducklings in the bathtub?”

  Hope bent down and ran a finger over a duck’s back. “Oh, they’re darling.”

  “Darling or no, what are they doing here?” Anne asked.

  Kandi shrugged. “I needed to put them somewhere where I could take them in and out on nice days. Duck eggs are wonderful and rich for baking, but I can’t put them in with my chickens. They’re already so territorial. It’s not like we use this tub, so I brought them here. I can still get my work done and check on them through the day.”

  “I can’t believe you. What am I saying—of course, I’m not surprised. But this is our bathroom.”

  “If you’re afraid they’re going to watch you, you could pull the shower curtain.”

  “Um, no, I’m not worried about ducks that tiny paying any attention to me, but won’t they fly out? And we don’t even have a shower curtain in here since we don’t use this tub.” The old cook’s quarters had been converted to the Inn’s office and a bathroom installed in a smaller room, for their personal use.

  “No, they won’t. And I put down rubber mats so I can keep the tub clean, and they won’t slip. But it’s nice and warm in here for them.”

  Anne shook her head. “I never know what to expect with you, but I guess it keeps me on my toes. Now you all go on out of here so I can have some privacy. Or what there is of it.”

  Hope and Kandi left the bathroom, and Anne closed the door behind them. A duck looked up at her. “Don’t be looking at me, or I’ll make sure your name is L’Orange.”

  The rest of the day passed fairly quickly as the team went over the rest of the preparations for the upcoming events. Hope supervised the housekeeping staff while Anne spent her time arranging flowers for the guest rooms. She wrapped peony buds in the newspaper, stashing them on a refrigerator shelf next to others she’d done earlier. These would adorn the tables for the rehearsal dinner. She’d tried to find bluebells to incorporate the English theme, but they wouldn’t have lasted, so she’d scrapped the idea.

  That night, she arrived home tired and ready to soak in a hot bath before vegging on some mindless television before bed. The phone rang just as she had shucked into some leggings and an oversized pajama top. It was Carson.

  “Hello, you,” Anne said.

  “Hello you too. Good day?”

  “Yes, pretty much all caught up with the main items for the wedding events.”

  “Listen, after this is over, how about you and I go off somewhere? Spend a month or two traveling.”

  “What do you mean?” Anne asked.

  “I mean what are we waiting for? L
et’s get married and start our life together. Neither of us care about a big wedding. Let’s have a honeymoon that kicks off our retirement.”

  Anne adjusted the phone. “Retirement. What are you talking about?”

  “I shouldn’t have broached it over the phone. The election for sheriff is coming up again. I’m thinking of supporting and endorsing Ruiz for the position.”

  “But you love your work.”

  “I did. But I’m tired of it. I don’t want to waste my good years working. I want to spend more time with you. Let’s figure out what we want to do—together.”

  Anne fell silent.

  “Anne?”

  “Yes, I’m here. I just, well, this is sudden. I need some time to think about it. I have the Inn and my gardening consulting is growing.”

  “I’m not saying you can’t do that. I’m just saying, let’s take some time to figure out what we both want.”

  “Sure. Of course.”

  “Why do I hear a ‘but’ in there?” Carson asked.

  “You don’t. I’m tired, that’s all. My brain’s not firing on all cylinders. Can we talk about this when you come over for dinner tomorrow?”

  “Of course. Sweet dreams. I love you.”

  “I love you too.”

  “Do you?”

  “What kind of question is that?”

  “Just wondering, that’s all.”

  “Well, stop your wondering. You know I love you. We seem to keep having this same argument.” She pulled her legs up to her chest.

  “No arguments. But we have decisions to make on what the rest of our lives looks like. And it’s always put on the back burner. For later.”

  Anne didn’t know what to say.

  “See you tomorrow,” he said.

  The line went dead, and Anne stared at the phone. Her cold feet about getting married for a second time continued to cause friction between the pair. She knew Carson was nothing like her first husband, but being in charge of her own life now was something she didn’t want to give up. Would her need for control cause her to lose out on his love? He certainly wouldn’t wait on her forever.

  She reached for the remote control and flipped through the channels. Casey Hudson was filling in for Rayne Phillips, though you could barely tell the pair apart. She was effortless in her delivery of the day’s news, signing off with her trademark line, “I’m Casey Hudson, bringing you news you can use.”