Jessica came awake in the middle of the night thanks to a pesky thought that just would not let her sleep. Looking past Seth's inert form she saw the clock; it read 2:05 a.m.
This is crazy, she thought. It's far too early to get up. I'm just going to lay here and fall back asleep. Now look at Seth; he has the right idea. Stay in dreamland until the sun comes up.
Jessica focused on Seth's countenance as moonlight filtered through the upper window onto his face. He looks sooo relaxed. He deserves a good rest after the day he had, what with worrying about Kendall and saying the right thing to persuade Evelyn or Rob to change their mind about releasing the grain formula. It might help so many people. My Lord, she silently prayed, help them see the light and do what's best. And while I'm at it, thank You again for this man next to me and to have blessed me with two wonderful husbands in this life. My gratitude knows no bounds for it. I am so very, very thankful...
A few quiet moments Jessica looked at the clock again; it now read 2:15 a.m. Oh, there's no use for it! I may as well get up and write this idea down so it'll leave me alone for the rest of the night, she resignedly thought.
After slipping quietly out of bed and into her slippers and robe, Jessica moved silently across the floor and closed the bedroom door behind her before making her way to the kitchen and the story notes that she had been working on earlier. Turning on a light, and then dimming it to low, she sat down at the table with her work, put on her glasses, and began to write down her ideas. The pen flew across the pages as her thoughts coalesced into an ending for her latest book. And to think I didn't bring my laptop so I wouldn't be tempted to write on our honeymoon. How ironic...
Finally, Jessica put down her pen and took off her glasses to rub the bridge of her nose. Looking up at the clock on the stove she sighed when she read 3:43 a.m. Well, I'm done for tonight. It's time to go back to bed, she sleepily decided. And with that she evened up her notes before placing her glasses on top of the pile, turned off the light and went back into the bedroom. After doffing her wrap and slippers she eased back into bed next to her softly snoring husband.
Seth opened his eyes just at day break to find the early morning sunlight gently illuminating the room. He rolled onto his side and looked at Jessica, curled up next to him and deeply asleep. Her light cover had slipped off of her and Seth gently pulled it back up and draped it over her shoulder. She took in a deep, slow breath and released it, never moving from her spot.
He lay there and gazed at Jessica's face alight in the mellow glow of the early morning dawn. Dear God, she's so amazing and she's mine, he thought. I don't know what I did to deserve having such grace bestowed upon me again in this life but I just want You to know that I thank You and I'll cherish her until the day I die. He bent his head slightly for a long moment and then mouthed, "Amen."
Seth got out of bed as quietly as he could and went to the kitchen to make coffee. That's when he noticed that Jessica's story notes had been moved since the previous night. Ah! That explains why she's so dead tired; she was up early and working. I'll just let her sleep a little longer and spiffy up in the beach shower.
Smelling fresh, shaved, and dressed in a lightweight short sleeved shirt and casual slacks Seth quietly came back into the kitchen and snuck over to the bedroom to peek in and found Jessica still asleep. I know what'll get her up. Sausage and eggs with fresh biscuits. That'd wake the dead! he chuckled to himself.
Soon, tantalizing smells invaded Jessica's dreams, forcing her to open her eyes. "Yum, breakfast!" she mumbled as her feet found her slippers and she then stumbled into the kitchen while running a hand through her tousled curls.
"Good morning, sleepyhead!" greeted Seth as he handed her his cup of coffee and stepped in close for a kiss.
"Morning," was the nearly unintelligible reply until the groggy author took a big sip of the black liquid. "Ahh, that's better! Good morning dear, and thanks for the coffee. I think I'm starting to feel human again."
"So, I see you thought up the ending to your book."
Jessica looked at him with mild astonishment. "Yes, but how did you know that?"
"I noticed your glasses and story notes were in a different place this morning as I set the table of breakfast. Your sleuthing abilities seem to be rubbing off on me," Seth said with a grin. "So, how does it end?"
"I, uh, well... I can't tell you that, yet," stuttered Jessica. "You see, I've just jotted down the outline and detailed my notes. I never completely divulge the plot until I've actually written it. I don't want to jinx myself and develop writer's block again," confessed a somewhat embarrassed Jessica.
"Oho, you're superstitious!" teased Seth. "I would never have guessed that of you," he smiled at her. "I'll just have to wait until it's done, then. In the meantime, c'mon, let's eat before it gets cold."
During breakfast they planned their morning of antiquing. "That guide we picked up in Riverton will come in handy. I wish I had thought to buy a paper, too," mentioned Seth with some regret.
"You want to catch up on the local news?"
"Sort of. I actually really miss the comics. I just can't start my day off right without the funny pages to read after breakfast."
"Gee, Seth. I never know that about you. We're finding out all sorts of important things about each other since we've been living together for this last week," Jessica chuckled.
"It has been just a week since we admitted we loved each other," Seth murmured softly.
"Oh Seth," Jessica responded, her eyes shining, "to think I could have lost you. I just..." The lump in her throat prevented her from saying more.
Seth came around the table and pulled her into his arms. "Shhhh, now. Don't think of that. Think on us actually getting married and the wonderful week we've had."
She buried her face in his shoulder and took a small, shuddering breath. After a silent moment she whispered, "It has been wonderful. But it would be better still if I had more coffee..."
"You're terrible," gaily admonished Seth. "I've heard about you writers and your caffeine addictions. Do I need to do an intervention? Hmmm?"
"I can quit whenever I want to," Jessica played along. "Just after I have one more cup..."
After drinking another dose of apparently life - giving black coffee and then finishing Seth's scrumptious breakfast, Jessica declared herself fit to be among people and eager to start on their antiquing excursion.
... ... ... ... ...
While they trundled down the road toward Riverton to begin their spree Seth noted, "This car gets worse mileage than my station wagon. We'd better stop at the gas station in town and get some."
As they pulled up to the full service pump the attendant came to the driver's side window and received instructions to "Fill 'er up."
"Seth, I'll just run in and get the local paper," offered Jessica as she opened the door and stepped over to the convenience section of the gas station.
The gas tank was filled and the windshield cleaned and still Jessica hadn't returned. Seth pulled over to a parking spot just as she exited the store and returned to the car, paper in hand, and a strange smile on her face.
"What's wrong, dear?" asked Seth with some concern.
"Oh nothing really," an abashed Jessica replied, handing the paper over to Seth. "It's just that we've made the front page."
Seth opened the paper and gawked at the headline, Physician with Riverton Ties Weds Famous Author. The story began, Dr. Seth Hazlitt of Cabot Cove, Maine wed Jessica Fletcher, the best selling mystery writer and also from Cabot Cove, last Saturday in a private ceremony. Dr. Hazlitt is a partner in the Hazlitt Plantation at Riverton Gardens and cousin to the previous owner, the late Buford Hazlitt.
A fairly large picture of them dancing cheek to cheek in their wedding attire accompanied the story. "I see they used Jonathan Bryce's picture and gave him credit for it, too," wryly observed Seth.
"And it's 'above the crease,' giving Jonathan even greater exposure. Oh Seth, this will probably make the society section of the Charleston papers. We may be recognized when we go to dinner. You're not used to this like I am and, well, keep in mind that people may be intrusive, even though they mean no offense," explained Jessica.
"Not to worry, Jess. I'm actually going to enjoy this," replied Seth with barely concealed mirth.
"Uh-huh, and why would that be?" suspiciously countered Jessica.
"Because I am quite sure that this will be the last time I'll ever get top billing over you!" chortled Seth triumphantly.
"You are soo bad," said Jessica as she poked him in the arm and joined in the chuckles.
The rest of the sunny morning was spent visiting various shops on the antique trail and chatting amicably with the various merchants, several of whom looked intently at the newlyweds, as if trying to recall where they had seen them before.
Their final stop was in at a small barn covered in faded red paint and a with a still fainter advertisement for tobacco adorning its side. The interior of the barn was clean and cool and a welcome respite from the bright sun outside. Jessica and Seth were greeted by a sprite of a woman whose welcoming smile belied her considerable age and made her seem timeless.
"What a lovely collection you have here," effused Jessica, taking in the eclectic array of antique home furnishings, old farming implements, clocks, crystal, and general bric-a-brac neatly arranged about the place.
The elder smoothed a non - existent wrinkle out of her cotton dress from a bygone era and replied, "Why thank you, young lady."
Now there's something I haven't been called in a very long time, smiled Jessica to herself.
"How did you come by so many exquisite pieces?" asked Seth as he fingered a pipe with a carved ebony bowl.
"They just sort of collected around me. But then, when you're an antique yourself, like I am at 101 years old, that's not hard to do!" chuckled the elderly merchant.
Seth and Jessica decried the possibility of the woman being that old, to her small delight. "What is your secret to being so spry?" inquired Jessica.
"Good genes mostly," declared the elder. "I also think it's because I've just been too darn busy to get around to dying. I try to keep up with the times so I read a lot. My granddaughters run this shop but I like to spell them so they can get some dinner and I get to talk to interesting folks from all over. That keeps me young!"
After chatting politely for a few more minutes Jessica noticed some books on a corner shelf and took her leave to wander over to them while Seth excused himself to look more closely at the antique farming implements.
While Jessica was busy perusing the old tomes Seth noticed a small ladies desk with various letter openers, old style nibbed pens, ink wells, and other writer's paraphernalia set out on it. The golden gleam of a two inch square, flat, thin, flanged page marker caught his eye through its plastic security wrapper.
Jess would just love this, reflected Seth. He looked up and caught the proprietress' eye and nodded to her. She quietly came over and peered over the top of her wire rimmed glasses intently at him for a moment, then down at the gold marker in his hand and smiled knowingly.
"I'd like to buy this as a present for my wife," Seth whispered.
"That'd be a fine gift," whispered the woman back conspiratorially as she removed the security wrapper and handed it back to Seth. There's also a story that goes with it that you may be interested in. I recognized you and your new wife from today's paper, Dr. Hazlitt. This page marker was a gift to my sister Violet from Buford Hazlitt's granddaddy when they were courting way back in the day. They wound up marrying other people, but she always had kind words for him. Of course, he would also have been your grandaddy."
"Wow!" Seth gasped. "He died when I was young and I never got to meet him. This is so special..." said the doctor with awe as he turned the gold square over. "Say, there's an inscription on the other side." After buffing it up Seth read quietly, "Though you be lost in your books may your heart always find its way back to me. S.H."
"My sister was a librarian and took her work very seriously. Too much so, I think," explained the merchant.
"And grandfather's name was Spencer," added Seth shaking his head in disbelief. "What a coincidence!"
"There are no coincidences in life, son," chuckled the wise old woman. "Some things are just meant to be and this is meant to go with you. Let me wrap it up quickly before your wife comes over here. And by the way, congratulations! You make a fine looking couple, if I do say so myself," she complimented before moving to complete her mission.
His prize paid for and now carefully concealed in his wallet, Seth went over to Jessica. She looked up from a book as he drew near.
"Oh, Seth! I'm sorry. I just get so absorbed in books. Look at this old cookbook I found from 1901, A Woman's Guide to Southern Cookery. I can't resist - I'm going to buy it."
"Mmm, sound like a delicious find. Are there hush puppies in my future, by any chance?" Seth asked, smacking his lips in mock anticipation.
"We'll see. Oh, look at the time. This has been grand but we really should be getting back to the cottage and start getting ready for dinner."
Seth was in full agreement and after settling up the debt for Jessica's acquisition they turned towards the door to leave. Seth hung back for a moment and, turning to the elder behind the counter, gave her a smile and a big wink, which she promptly returned.
Jessica was waiting for Seth outside the barn. "Oh, there you are. Did you forget something?"
"No, I was just thanking the owner again for having such an interesting shop. Well, shall we head home, my dear? We don't want to be late for our evening of dinner and dancing In Charleston."
"Certainly not!" enthusiastically agreed Jessica as they headed down the road back to their honeymoon cottage.
