The rest of the evening flew by as I talked to the people dearest to me and dined on delicious food. Soon we were finishing off our meal with crème brûlée and coffee. Julia, Randy, and their kids came over to say good night and tell us they looked forward to our big day tomorrow.

  “When you become Mrs. Avery, Cousin Carrie,” Tacey added.

  I hugged her tight.

  “Too bad Miss Evelyn can’t come to your wedding,” she whispered.

  “Too bad is right,” I whispered back.

  For some reason, we both burst out laughing. I knew that Tacey was going to have fun visiting Dylan and me at our new house, where she could play with the little girl ghosts.

  Thinking of Abigail and Lucy gave me an idea. When the last of our guests bid us good night, I turned to Dylan. “How do you feel about stopping by our new house? Remember, I happen to have the key.”

  Chapter Twenty-Three

  After a flurry of goodbyes that seemed to go on for hours, we drove off. I put my head on Dylan’s shoulder as we headed to our new home.

  “I thought tonight went very well,” Dylan said.

  “I did too. Everyone seemed to have a good time. And the food was delicious, as always.”

  Dylan turned on the radio, and an old love song came on. We rode along without speaking. When the song ended, he said, “Tomorrow at this time we’ll be married.”

  “Husband and wife,” I said.

  “Part of an age-old tradition.”

  “I’m kind of surprised we haven’t heard from Tino. We told him the dinner would be over by ten o’clock, and it’s ten thirty now.”

  “He might still call tonight. Better yet, in the morning.” Dylan rested his hand on mine. “We have enough excitement in our lives without worrying about Tino Valdez. And if we don’t hear from him by noon, we’ll fill John in on what we know.”

  “Good plan,” I said.

  There were streetlamps along Old Willows Road, something I hadn’t noticed on previous rides because we’d always driven here in daylight. They shed an inviting glow on the road, which wasn’t a busy thoroughfare. Lights from the houses we passed shone as friendly beacons.

  “I feel like the neighborhood is welcoming us,” I said.

  “Funny—I just had the same thought,” Dylan said.

  I turned to him. “Good thing I’m marrying you. Who else would think that?”

  He squeezed my hand. “Who else indeed?”

  The heavy foliage on the front lawn gave the house a dark, mysterious air. It cast shadows on the driveway and the path leading to the front door. One of our first projects would be to have the trees pruned and lights installed along the walk, I decided as we parked on the driveway. I unlocked the front door and we stepped inside. As soon as I switched on the light, the house emitted the cozy, warm ambiance I’d felt on my earlier visits.

  It seemed natural to wander into the kitchen, which I considered the heart of our new home. The two little ghost girls manifested almost immediately.

  “Welcome back, Carrie and Dylan,” Abigail, the older sister, said. “We were wondering when you would return.”

  “Hey, Abigail and Lucy,” Dylan said.

  “Hello.” I smiled at them. “Did you see us yesterday? We brought my father and his wife to show them our new house.”

  “We don’t like to appear when there are too many people,” Lucy said.

  “I totally get that,” Dylan said.

  “When are you coming to live here with us?” Lucy asked.

  “Not for a while,” I said.

  “How long is a while?” Abigail asked.

  Dylan and I exchanged glances. “Most likely in a few months. Soon after the summer ends,” he said.

  “That’s such a long time to wait.” Lucy’s face scrunched up as if she was about to cry.

  “It’s not really that that long,” I said quickly. “Did you know Dylan and I are getting married tomorrow night?”

  “Really?” Lucy squealed.

  “Are you wearing a white gown?” Abigail asked, her eyes large as saucers.

  “Of course.”

  “And then we’re going on our honeymoon,” Dylan said.

  “Where?” Abigail asked.

  Dylan and I spent the next half hour telling them about our wedding plans, and promised to bring photos the next time we came.

  “And the two of you will take good care of our home until then, right?” I asked.

  “Of course we will,” Abigail assured us.

  Lucy clapped her hands. “I can’t wait for you to move in!”

  “We’re looking forward to that too,” Dylan said.

  * * *

  When we arrived back at the cottage, I realized I was thoroughly exhausted. It had been a long and exciting day. Tomorrow would be even longer and more thrilling. Our wedding was an event we’d been looking forward to for a very long time. I got undressed and put on my nightgown, washed my face, and brushed my teeth.

  “I’m going to sleep,” I called out to Dylan, who was in the living room.

  He looked up from checking messages on his cell phone. “Good idea. I’ll be in soon.”

  “We haven’t heard from Tino,” I said as I got into bed.

  “That’s okay. He’ll probably call in the morning.”

  “I wonder if he found the money.”

  “We’ll find out tomorrow.”

  “It’s practically tomorrow already.”

  I crept under the covers. Smoky Joe jumped into the bed and plopped down beside me. A minute later, I was sound asleep.

  * * *

  When I woke up, the sun was shining brightly—a perfect June morning, just as the weather forecaster had predicted. A perfect day for a wedding. Our wedding! I gazed down at my soon-to-be husband snoring gently in a deep sleep. Smoky Joe looked up at me from the floor and meowed.

  “I’m coming,” I said softly as I followed him into the kitchen.

  “I hope you’re not going to get spooked by the little girl ghosts in our new home,” I told him as I dished out his food and put down a bowl of fresh water. “You’ve gotten less jumpy in the library when Evelyn appears, so hopefully you’ll do the same with Abigail and Lucy.”

  Smoky Joe stopped eating suddenly and looked up at me. Was it possible that he’d understood what I was saying? Time would tell, I decided as he went back to his meal. It was interesting to think that Dylan and I were starting out our married life in our new home with two ghost children and a cat. And more children and pets hopefully to come!

  I’d just finished my breakfast of toast and coffee when Dylan came into the kitchen, rubbing his eyes. “Has Tino called?” he asked.

  I shook my head. “No, but it’s only a quarter to nine.”

  “I don’t like this. He said he’d call last night or early this morning.”

  “Maybe he went to that place and didn’t find the money there,” I said.

  “He promised to let us know either way. We should bring him to the precinct before the deadline that guy gave him. I want to do it this morning. I’m not letting Tino’s problems interfere with our wedding.”

  “Of course not,” I said, managing to sound calmer than I felt. “But we don’t have any obligations until four this afternoon, when my hair and makeup people get to work on Angela, Tacey, Julia, and me at Victor’s house.”

  “Right after that we have photos, and then the ceremony at six,” Dylan said. “If we’re going to help Tino, it has to be soon.”

  “Of course,” I said. “Sit down and I’ll make you something to eat.”

  “Just coffee would be great. I want to finish packing.”

  I was a bit shaken to see Dylan stressed. He rarely got agitated, and not hearing from Tino wasn’t a reason for him to be tense. But maybe it was pre-wedding jitters, I told myself. After all, grooms as well as brides were entitled to feel nervous before their big day.

  Angela called to ask how I was doing. We chatted a bit, and I no sooner hung up than my mother called, wanting to know if I’d like her to come over for moral support.

  Moral support? “Thanks, Mom. I’m fine.”

  Jim called a minute later. “How are you feeling, Caro? This is such an exciting day! I’m walking my daughter down the aisle.”

  “I’m great, Dad.” Why does everyone want to know how I’m feeling? I glanced at Dylan, who was pacing, something I’d never seen him do before. “Want to speak to the groom?”

  “Sure, honey, if you’re busy.”

  “See you later.”

  “Of course you will.”

  I handed Dylan my cell phone. A few minutes later he was laughing and shooting the breeze with my father. Relieved, I took my shower and got dressed, prepared to start the day.

  “Harriet called,” Dylan said on his way to the shower. “She didn’t say to call back. I told her you were fine. And that I’m fine.”

  “Why is everyone checking up on us?” I asked. “Are they afraid we’re going to run off and elope? Or worse, cancel the big day?”

  “Our big day,” Dylan called from the bathroom.

  Now the landline phone was ringing. It was Victor telling us the tent people had arrived and were setting up the tent. I thanked him and found myself on edge. There was nothing that required my attention. Even our flight to Greece tomorrow evening had been confirmed, along with our hotel reservations.

  Smoky Joe came over and butted his head against my leg. I picked him up and kissed his forehead. I had cans of his food and a few of his toys ready for Marion when she came to pick him up later this morning. The thought of being away from my furry feline for such a long time made me sad. Though I knew that Marion would take good care of him, this was the first time we’d be apart since that day, almost two years ago, when he’d wandered onto the cottage lawn from the farm on the other side of the trees, and I’d ended up bringing him to the library with me.

  Marion called to say she was on her way, and a few minutes later I put Smoky Joe in his carrier.

  “Marion is going to take good care of you,” I told him.

  “Meow” was his reply.

  Marion rang the doorbell five minutes later. I carried Smoky Joe out to her car while she grabbed the bag with his food and toys. She knew how hard this was for me, so she didn’t stay to chat.

  “He’ll be fine,” she said.

  I nodded. “I know. Thank you for taking him.”

  “See you later,” she called out the window as she drove off.

  I watched the car ride down Avery Road until it disappeared from sight.

  Now that Smoky Joe was gone, I wished there was something that needed my attention, but the only thing that Dylan and I had planned until later that afternoon was to wait to hear from Tino and escort him to the station. I’d called him twice so far, but both calls had gone straight to voicemail. It was beginning to look like, despite his promise yesterday, he didn’t want our help after all.

  I wondered if he’d found the money and decided to run off. Or maybe he hadn’t found the money but had decided to run off anyway because he was terrified that the Boss—whoever he was—meant what he said and was going to kill him.

  I reached for my cell phone to call John. But what would I tell him? That Tino Valdez was searching for the stolen money, but I had no idea where? That someone Tino had never met had threatened to murder him?

  I glanced at the clock. It was almost eleven. Tino might still call. As soon as Dylan finished packing, we would decide what to do next.

  I was so deep in thought that I jumped when my cell phone rang.

  “Hello, Carrie.” It was Albi. He sounded agitated.

  “Yes, Albi. Where are you? Where’s Tino?”

  “I’m at a diner. Please listen. Tino’s in the bathroom, so I don’t have much time.”

  “Sure. Go on.”

  “He found the money yesterday, and he’s going back there to get it.”

  “Where is it?”

  “I don’t know exactly. Luke’s family has a cabin on a small lake outside of town. Mr. Rizzo likes to fish on weekends. He sometimes brought Luke and Tino along when they were in high school—not that they were big on fishing. Anyway, Tino figured if Luke didn’t hide the money in his parents’ shed, it was probably stashed away in the cabin. So he went there yesterday and found the two duffel bags of money. He’s going back for them now. Then he’s taking off.”

  “Tino’s leaving town? But that’s the worst thing he can do.”

  “I know, and I’ve been arguing with him all morning, trying to change his mind. He figures his best bet is to grab the money and get as far from Clover Ridge as he can. Start a new life somewhere else. But”—Albi’s voice broke—“Tino can’t manage on his own. I did my best to convince him to do what you guys arranged, but he’s scared that dude plans to kill him, whether he gives him the money or not.”

  A real possibility, I thought.

  “Carrie, you and Dylan gotta stop him.”

  Of course we do. “Can you keep him at the diner until we get there?”

  “I don’t know. He’s stressed out. When he gets like this, he has to keep moving.”

  I sighed. This wasn’t what we’d signed on for, but we couldn’t let Tino carry out his crazy plan. “Are you going to the cabin with him?”

  “No, but first he’s dropping me off at home and picking up a suitcase and box of stuff he already packed. I’ll stall him as long as I can, then hop in my car and follow him. I’ll give you directions as we drive. You gotta talk some sense into him.”

  “Where are you now?”

  He named a diner about fifteen minutes away. “Gotta go. Tino’s coming back to the table.”

  “Give me your home address. We’ll get there as soon as we can.”

  “We’re at 435 Sycamore.”

  I disconnected and went to find Dylan. He was on the phone with my father. When he caught my expression, he said a hasty goodbye.

  “You heard from Tino?”

  “Albi just called. Tino found the money and he’s pulling a runner as soon as he goes back there to collect it. But first he’s stopping by his home for his things. Albi’s going to lead us to the place so we can try to talk some sense into Tino.”

  “Let’s go.”

  Minutes later, we were in Dylan’s BMW, speeding toward Tino and Albi’s home. I called Albi. He didn’t answer, so I figured he was still in his brother’s car, heading for home and not able to talk. He called me back a few minutes later, sounding miserable.

  “I’m in my bedroom, waiting for Tino to leave. Mom just came home. She carried on about him not coming to my graduation yesterday, then started crying when she saw him putting his suitcase in his car. Now she’s trying to convince him not to leave.”

  “Why don’t we talk to your brother while he’s still at the house,” Dylan said. “We’re only a few minutes away.”

  “Too late! Tino just stormed out the front door with a box of his possessions. I’ll give him a good lead, then follow and let you know where he’s heading. The cabin must be north of here.”

  A few minutes later, Albi called again. “Tino just turned onto Route 77. I’ll give him a head start then follow. I don’t want him to see my car.”

  “I hope you don’t lose him. What’s Tino driving?”

  “A gray 2010 Toyota Camry with a dent in the passenger’s door.” Albi laughed. “Don’t worry, Carrie. There’s no way I can lose him. When I bought my car a few months ago, we linked up on an app so we can track each other. Tino must have forgotten, but I have him on my GPS.”

  “If Tino found the money yesterday, why didn’t he take off then?” Dylan asked.

  “Good question. I thought it was because he’d decided to stay for my graduation yesterday afternoon. Only he never showed. He apologized for missing it and said he had to see a few people before he left. I’m thinking there’s a girl he likes, but I don’t know her name.”

  Or maybe he delayed taking off because he’s not sure about leaving, I thought. “I hope we can convince Tino to turn himself in, along with the money from the bank robbery.”

  “It would go a long way to shortening his prison sentence,” Dylan said. “Especially if he had no part in killing his two friends.”

  “He didn’t,” Albi said.

  We drove past a few small towns. The road narrowed as we drove through a rural area with farms and woods on both sides. At one point a huge tractor slowed us down. I began to grow anxious. “We’ve been driving for twenty minutes,” I said to Dylan.

  “Call Albi,” Dylan said.

  He answered immediately. “I think we’re getting close. Tino just stopped at a general store. Probably to buy supplies.” His voice grew shaky. “He really means to go through with his stupid plan.”

  “We’re stopping,” I said as Dylan pulled over to the side of the road.

  “Yeah, I did too.”

  I got out of the car. The sun was strong now, and the air carried the scent of wildflowers growing in the undergrowth of bushes and trees that edged the road. There was very little traffic here, and the vehicles that passed us were old trucks and even older cars.

  I called Albi. “Did Tino ever say where he planned to go?”

  “He mentioned Canada. When I asked which part, he said he didn’t know. Then he said maybe Maine would be far enough away to make his escape. We have cousins who live in Maine, but we haven’t seen them in years.”

  “So he doesn’t have a definite plan in mind,” I said.

  “Are you kidding?” Albi sniffled, and I was pretty sure that he was crying. “It’s no surprise. My brother can’t make a plan to save himself. He even …”

  “Yes?”

  “He asked me if I’d go with him. I told him I couldn’t. I’m starting college in two months. Tino apologized for asking and said he didn’t want to ruin my life too.” Albi gulped. “Now I feel bad. He’s my older brother, but as long as I can remember, I’ve been looking out for him.”

  “Try not to feel guilty, Albi,” I said. “Tino’s right. You have to lead your own life. And right now you’re helping him do what’s best for him.”