{Author's Note: Well, dear readers, we're winding down to the last few chapters of our story. Let's see where Jessica, Seth, and their friends lead us…}
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{Fearing for his life due to his altruistic plans for a world - changing invention, the brilliant botanist Kendall Ames seeks help from Jessica and Seth.}
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"Kendall!" an astonished Jessica exclaimed. "Has someone threatened you? Should we call the police?"
"No. They couldn't help me. I can't prove anything yet. It's just that I can't shake the feeling that I'm being watched. Not so much here, but at home. I'm worried for Billy - that's one of the reasons I have him working around the estate so much. And last week I'm sure that someone tampered with my computer here in the lab, but there's no way to prove it."
"Who would do that?!" queried Seth with great concern.
"My guess is hired thugs. You see," the botanist explained, "I've developed a grain that's naturally drought, insect, and disease resistant and is encased in an organic shell that prevents too little or too much moisture from getting to the seed, so it doesn't dry out in drought conditions or rot in very wet weather. It could go a long way to ending hunger in the world. It could also be of huge benefit to any single company who held the formula, or disaster to its competitors."
"This has been my life's work. Through the years I've networked with other researchers, so they know what I've been up to, but no one but the partners, and now you Jessica, know that I've completed it. I want to release my work to the scientific community at large so that everyone has access to it and it'd be a boon to all."
"The problem," he continued as he got up and began to pace in front of the table, "is that I developed it while under contract to the estate, so I'm not at liberty to give the information away without approval from at least a majority of the partners."
"And Rob and Evelyn don't agree with your plan?" questioned Jessica insightfully.
"Despite the profits we all enjoyed from the Forever Scarlet magnolia Rob thinks that we should reap at least some personal gain from the formula. Evelyn agrees, but for the sake of the future of the estate. I'm not sure if you're aware of it, but many of the large plantations have had to sell off their assets and land. There are few of the old estates in the South that are still their original size. The Hazlitt Plantation is one of them."
Jessica and Seth looked at each other and they both slightly nodded; the silent understanding acknowledged between them.
"Kendall, I'm guessing that you know we'd agree with you that the formula should be released so that everyone might benefit from your wonderful work. Now, what exactly can we do to help?" asked Seth.
Releasing a sigh of relief, Kendall implored him, "Seth, as a partner, please talk to Rob and Evelyn even though they're still in London at the conference. We need at least one of them to change his or her mind as soon as possible."
"I'll do what I can," agreed Seth. "But I can't make any promises."
"I appreciate it! That means a lot to me. Why not come out in the morning at ten o'clock and let's use the conference phone in my office," offered Kendall. "I'll leave a message for an emergency meeting at their front desk tonight. They can't put us off if we call an emergency partners' meeting."
"I'll be here before ten. That should take care of the time difference and give me a chance to think about what to say."
A short while later Jessica and Seth took their leave and were silent, each with their own thoughts, as they drove away from the lab.
"Seth," Jessica broke the quiet, "we need to replace the pillow we ruined last night. Let's go into Riverton and get a new one."
"All right, let's do that. And later on let's figure out what I'm going to say to change Rob or Evelyn's mind."
The rest of the afternoon was spent wandering about the small town, darting in and out of quaint shops and eventually enjoying a leisurely early dinner.
"That was a good meal," remarked Jessica. "You know, when I was in the area some years ago I remember having a fabulous dinner at McCrady's Tavern in Charleston. We should go there one night."
"That's a splendid idea. I was wondering if you'd like to do a bit of antiquing in the area while we're here. We could have a morning of that and then come back and dress for dinner and maybe dancing - have a night on the town. That is, after I have a talk with Evelyn and Rob tomorrow. How about early on Thursday for antiquing and then dinner in Charleston?"
"Sounds like a date to me. Although, we'd better get a reservation. Why don't you use your superpower of being a doctor and make it. No maitre d' can resist you!" teased Jessica.
"I shall use my power for good, never evil!" vowed Seth, joining in the silly banter. "But right now, how about a walk to work off this meal? Oof, I'm stuffed!"
As they sauntered down the sidewalk Seth looked around and smiled a little. "This town hasn't changed much since I was here last. That's nice to see considering that such a large city like Charleston is so near." He sighed, "I hope Cabot Cove doesn't change much down the road, although I'm afraid it will."
"Things that don't change tend not to last, Seth. Unless it's Brigadoon. But I know what you mean; I'd like to see our town retain its charm in the future, too."
Seth drew her arm snugly through his as they turned about and continued their walk toward the car. "A-yuh, let's hope it does. Well, shall we head back to the cottage, my dear?"
"Yes, let's."
Later that evening Jessica found Seth sitting in the dark on the porch swing with a cup of tea, staring blankly at the moon waxing fat and reflecting a little light over the wavelets of the water below while crickets chirped softy in the bushes.
"Would you like to talk about it, honey?" she gently prompted as she settled next to him.
"I'm just trying to think of how to convince Rob and Evelyn to change their minds," sighed Seth, shaking his head. "I'm at a loss for it. The one thing I do know is that we don't want to lose Kendall. There's no telling what a brilliant mind like his might come up with in the future."
"Well, we know that Evelyn is looking out for the estate. What would be Rob's reason when he now has money?"
"That's just it," surmised Seth. "He has money now. He's always been a hard worker but things never worked out for him. Losing his business is what I think was the last straw and got him drinking too much before he quit it. I suspect that for the first time in his life he actually has some money and something to work at that's thriving."
"Didn't he and Evelyn date some time ago?"
"A-yuh, that was before everything went bad for him. I think that he still carries a torch for her." Turning to Jessica with a raised eyebrow Seth continued, "I wonder if he's doing this to impress Evelyn."
"That could very well be," nodded Jessica. "Men have done stranger things than mindlessly amass money to impress a woman."
"Hmmm," pondered Seth.
Jessica turned to look at him in the dim light from the house and scooted closer, then covered his hand with hers and looked deeply into her husband's warm hazel eyes. "Seth dear, whatever you need to do tomorrow I want you to know that you have my full support."
Seth took a long, deep breath and let it go out slowly. "Thank you, my love. That means the world to me," he said as he leaned in and pressed his lips to hers.
"Now, let's go to bed so you'll be fresh for your call tomorrow," Jessica suggested as she rose and led Seth into the house.
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The next morning's dawn was still obscured by rain clouds although a freshening breeze held promise for a brighter, dryer afternoon.
Seth woke up late and alone and headed directly to the bath. After cleaning up and dressing he went to the kitchen, allured by the delicious smells of breakfast wafting through the air.
"Good morning, honey," greeted Jessica with a small kiss. "Did you sleep well?"
"Good morning," he replied, wrapping his arms around her for a big hug. "I did once I fell asleep. That took some time, though. This call was weighing on my mind."
"I suspected as much. That's why I let you sleep in. Well, breakfast is ready, let's eat so you won't be late."
After breakfast was finished Seth piped up, "Jess, it being a partners' meeting, I understand why it should only be Kendall and me to make this call, as much as I'd like you to be there. But, would you like to come for the ride, maybe walk around the grounds a little?" Seth suggested hopefully.
"Actually, if you don't mind I'd like to stay here. It was kind of my publisher to allow me a delay to complete my book but I really should at least look at my notes to keep things fresh in my mind."
"How close are you to finishing your trilogy?"
Jessica sighed, "Close, but still a million miles away. I'm stuck for a really good ending."
"Ah, well, perhaps the peace and quiet will help. Let me get going, then," and with that Seth kissed her good-bye. "Wish me luck!"
"Luck!" Jessica called as he walked to the car. She watched the sedan roll down the road and then tidied up the breakfast table before setting her story notes on it. Settling in with a fresh cup of coffee Jessica perched her reading glasses on her nose and soon became oblivious to all else but her work.
Seth arrived at the lab at a quarter of ten to find it dark and locked. He could hear the phone ringing inside. This is one of those times when I wish I had a mobile phone like Jess has, he grumbled to himself.
Spying a man walking on the grounds in the distance Seth hailed him with a call and a wave. It turned out to be the supervisor of the maintenance staff. Seth quickly explained his problem and was relieved that Kendall had told the supervisor of his visit. The door was opened for him just as the phone stopped ringing.
"It's strange to be sure that the doc and Billy aren't here yet. They ride in together and come in bright and early. Well, I've got to get going. Be sure to lock up when you leave," said the supervisor.
It was not much after ten o'clock and Seth was just about to call Jessica when the phone rang again. He grabbed it, "Hello?"
"Seth, it's Kendall. I'm still at home. We're okay but we were running late this morning and while I was in the shower and Billy still asleep someone broke into the back and got into my home office. He ran off as soon as he realized we were still home. The police are here now and this is going to take a while. I'm afraid you're going to have to make the emergency partners' call by yourself."
"Don't you worry about it, Kendall. I'll take care of everything," assured Seth with strengthening resolve. "You just take care of yourself and Billy. I'll let you know how things turn out."
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The abrupt ringing of the phone on the counter made Jessica jump in her chair. Goodness, that startled me! Is Seth done already? she wondered as she picked up the phone and said, "Hello?"
"Hello? This is Rob," a rather puzzled voice intoned, "I'm calling for Kendall or Seth, please."
"Oh Rob! Hello, this is Jessica. Seth's not here, he's at the lab with Kendall for the conference call with you and Evelyn."
"Ah, I dialed the wrong last digit. Well, I'm glad to have a chance to talk with you anyway. Congratulations on your marriage. How'd Seth manage to rook a fine woman like you into marrying him?" Rob asked in a voice that was only half kidding.
"We fine women find good, kind men who would do absolutely anything for us totally irresistible. You could call it the Knight in Shining Armor syndrome, I suppose," replied Jessica in the same light tone.
"Oh, like in the legend of King Arthur."
"Exactly!" encouraged Jessica. "Knights bent on doing deeds of great good and honor."
"Oh, uh… well," Rob stuttered. "I'm glad for the both of you. I'd better ring Seth before it gets too late. Best wishes to you both. Good-bye."
After giving her farewell Jessica hung up the phone and thought, I hope that at least gives him something to consider. Good luck, Seth! I did what I could on the spur of the moment."
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Some time later Jessica looked up from her notes on the kitchen table after hearing the crunch of a car's tires on the driveway. A moment later the wood screened door closed with a soft thwack as Seth walked into the kitchen.
"Hi dear, how'd everything go?" asked Jessica as she rose to greet her husband with a hug and a kiss.
Holding her closely against him, with his chin over her shoulder, Seth told her everything that had happened with the break-in.
"Kendall and Billy are all right, but understandably upset. Kendall says that he's releasing the formula regardless of what Evelyn and Rob decide. He says that he won't risk Billy's safety and if he gets sued for breach of contract, so be it. I did my best when I spoke with them - but I don't know. It's up to Evelyn and Rob now. They'll have their decision for us Friday morning." Drawing back he asked, "Say, it's stopped raining and the sun's coming out. How about a walk on the beach?"
"That's a grand idea, I could use the exercise. I've been hunkered over my notes since you left. Except for a phone call from Rob. But, let's go. I'll tell you about it on the way down to the beach."
After changing into shorts, they walked down the narrow boardwalk to the water and Jessica filled Seth in about Rob's mistaken call.
Barefoot, they strolled along the water's edge to avoid the many shells on the beach. Jessica held Seth's hand in hers as the clouds were being chased away by the sun.
"So, what did you tell Rob and Evelyn?"
Seth looked ahead into the distance for a second and then glanced at Jessica before he began. "I told them that we should respect the hard-won scientific gains that Kendall had made and that I felt obligated to gladly share the knowledge since this was a measure that would benefit all, not just us. I reminded them that hunger affects many in this world and its prevention is the right thing to do. If it was an issue of needing more funding to keep the estate intact then I would donate the remainder of my profits from the Forever Scarlet magnolia and give up my monetary share in the partnership with all funds going to the upkeep of the estate."
They walked on for a moment, both deep in thought, when Jessica suddenly stopped them and looked up at Seth with wide eyes.
"Seth!" she exclaimed with the beginning of a huge grin. "You not only volunteered to give up your financial gain from the plantation but you also tried to convince them by using the Hippocratic Oath?!"
"Well, I sort of paraphrased it a bit. I didn't know what else to say and it just popped into my head. But then, I've lived it almost my entire adult life, so…"
The rest of his words weren't heard since Jessica had stepped close in to him and, putting her free hand to his cheek, drew him to her, tilted her head, and kissed him deeply.
After the kiss broke Jessica touched her forehead to his and whispered, "You dear, wonderful man; I'm so proud of you. You truly are my knight in shining armor."
Seth smiled broadly and then wrapped his arms around her and pulled her into a snug embrace for a long moment. "That means everything to me, Jess," he said drawing back slightly, and with that he leaned in for a return kiss.
When they continued walking along the fine sand, still hand in hand, Seth inquired, "So, how'r things going with your final chapter?"
"Horribly. None of my ideas are any good and I can't seem to focus."
"Are you saying I'm a distraction," smiled Seth as he raised her held hand to his lips and planted a buss on the back of it.
Jessica laughed aloud, "Oh yes, and a fabulous one!" giving him a nudge with her arm.
Seth chortled back as the mood lightened and they walked along, sloshing in the shallow water.
Their attention was gained by a small flock of seagulls calling at each other above the low sandy rise inland that marked the start of the gradual decline to the beach.
"You know, I like the warm water here. Lord knows we probably wouldn't be walking or swimming for any length of time in the ocean this early in June at home, but it just seems odd not to have a tall cliff behind us," noted Seth.
Jessica looked from the low rise to the ocean and back to the rise again. An idea began to bud in her mind as she and Seth walked on for some time along the shore, talking about nothing in particular and enjoying the clearing skies.
The end of their long walk found them back at the cottage, just in time to start dinner.
"I've thawed out a couple of steaks, Seth. Let's barbecue our dinner tonight."
"Good idea! I'll get the grill from behind the cottage and get the fire going."
In short order they were dining on grilled filets, baked potatoes, and a crisp Caesar salad; all accompanied by a hearty cabernet sauvignon.
Jessica wriggled out of her sandals while they were eating and stretched her foot out from under the table while giving it a shake.
"Do you have a cramp, or do you just want me to admire your lovely leg?" inquired her husband with a sly smile.
"Ha, ha," chuckled Jessica. "Actually, my feet and calves are a little sore. I guess I'm not used to walking in sand for as long as we did today."
"I have the perfect cure for that, my dear. After dinner I'll get the hot tub going and we'll soak your aches away," Seth promised.
"Ah, the advantages of being married to a doctor. You do that and I'll clean up."
After the dinner dishes were done Jessica and Seth donned their bathing suits and grabbed fresh towels before heading out to the hot tub. Seth had lit a couple of hurricane lamps and placed them along the walkway.
"It'll be getting dark soon, we want to find our way back without stubbing any toes," he explained.
"Good idea, and the low bushes will keep the light from reaching the beach," Jessica said as she dropped her towel, kicked off her thongs and stepped into the spa.
"Mmmm, this feels good," she sighed as she slipped into the hot, bubbling water.
"Ohh, it does. I guess I stiffened up a bit too," agreed Seth as he sidled over closer to her and tickled her toes with his.
A few soft sighs of relief escaped them as the therapeutic waters loosened their sore muscles.
"Oooh. This is wonderful," said a delighted Jessica.
"Woman, you got that right!"
Jessica's eyes twinkled with mischief as she replied, "I'm glad you agree, Sethie."
Seth turned to her with his mouth agape like a guppy, causing Jessica to giggle.
"Ohh, no," he groaned. "You heard my sister call me that, didn't you?"
Still giggling, Jessica admitted, "Yes, I did. And since you have an endearment for me, 'Woman,' I need one for you. I could call you 'Man,' but that sounds odd. So, I think I'll call you 'Sethie.'"
Seth held his head in his hand and shook it with mock exasperation as he groaned again.
He finally heaved a very heavy sigh before looking up and smiling, "If you must, then I suppose you must. But please call me that only when we're in private," he begged.
"Wellll," Jessica pretended to debate the matter with herself, "okay, but it'll cost you a kiss."
"Deal!" exalted Seth as he slipped off of the low submerged bench and then knelt before her in the spumy water. He slipped his arms around her waist and drew her against him.
Jessica gasped with pleasure as her arms came around Seth's neck and they pressed together for a long moment.
Pulling back slightly, Seth looked up into blue eyes again twinkling with mischief. "I love you, Jess," he breathed.
"I love you too, Sethie," smiled Jessica as she lowered her mouth to his for a deep, passionate kiss.
They happily got lost in the kiss for several long minutes, while the waters effervesced around them. After finally coming up for air, Seth, looking over Jessica's left shoulder, noticed a glow in the distance.
"Jess, turn around. You've got to see this."
Jessica moved about and they settled down on the opposite side of the hot tub.
Just as they got comfortable, snuggled up with her arm around his waist and his about her shoulders, the glow in the distance over the ocean brightened and a small, honey colored sliver emerged up over the Sea's edge.
"Ah, we're just in time to watch the moon rise. Not quite full yet, but getting close," said a delighted Seth as the orb continued its rise into the heavens.
Jessica looked over at Seth's face, lit with the soft glow of the quickly rising moon, "And the perfect place to watch it. In the arms of the one we love," she purred, leaning in for another delectable, lingering kiss.