Corvin Hasseldorf and his wife, Susan, were new to Cabot Cove. They moved into town in November but between trying to get settled in, the holidays, going back to their former hometown for the birth of their third grandchild, and two feet of snow that fell last week, they hadn't met too many people.
Their neighbors greeted them with welcoming gifts of pies, muffins, and some sound advice but it would take time to get to know people. They made a good start by attending church services and greeting members at the potlucks held weekly. Susan's contribution of her famous apple crumble was a huge hit too.
Now he was taking his morning constitutional of a two mile walk/jog with the sole purpose of stopping to speak with Jessica Fletcher, the town's most famous person. She only lived two blocks away which was surprising. He thought she would live in a big old fancy house like rich folk do.
Corvin had met Jessica at their first town hall meeting when she spoke for the literacy campaign the library was putting on. They were introduced afterward and she was very pleasant, very down to earth, and he appreciated it.
They met again at the post office the following week. His completed works of Sherlock Holmes had arrived and when she mentioned it must be a prized package he was hugging to himself. He laughed and told her what it contained. He told her he was looking forward to a pleasant winter of nightly reading while his wife came up with ideas of new furniture, draperies, and linens to purchase.
He hoped it wasn't too soon to ask for a huge favor, one he would gladly return if she needed one in exchange.
He walked up to the front door and rang the bell. It was exactly nine in the morning so it wasn't too early and hopefully she wasn't working yet.
"Good morning, Corvin."
Corvin smiled and greeted her. "I was hoping I could speak with you for a moment."
Jessica opened the door wider. "Of course, come on in."
She closed the door and offered him a seat in her living room but he opted to stand. She offered him coffee which he declined.
"I know we just met but I wanted to ask a huge favor from you." He made direct eye contact before dropping his eyes to the floor. "My wife and I are really liking Cabot Cove and retiring here feels right but there have been unforeseen issues, well for me at least."
Jessica waited.
"I was told that you have always been really neighborly and kind to newcomers. Some of the longtimers look at me like I'm planning to run off with the silverware."
Jessica laughed. "It does take a little time for some people to thaw but they're good at heart, just protective until they know you."
"The thing is, well, uh, you see, I haven't danced with my wife since our wedding forty two years ago. We took classes and I was mighty horrible at it. In fact, it took weeks for me to just learn the steps to the first dance as a married couple." He looked at her briefly. "I saw the recording of you and Doctor Hazlitt dancing at the Christmas party and it was amazing."
Jessica smiled. "Seth and I have danced together for years. You weren't at the party?"
"My daughter gave us a grandson my wife had to see immediately so we missed it." He beamed proudly. "Our third grandchild and hopefully not the last."
"Well congratulations!"
"The thing is, this town has a lot of activities and my wife loves to get out and be involved. I'd be happy reading and doing a little woodworking out back but you know women.." His eyes widened. "I mean…uh"
Jessica saved him. "Yes, I know some women have a lot of community spirit."
"I want to support my wife. You see, for our entire married life I have worked to raise our four children, to keep a home. When my oldest son wanted to go to law school, I took a second job. I worked six days a week for years. Worth every minute too. I have four children that make me proud.I pounded how important education was and all four graduated college. I barely got out of high school and always worked with my hands. I love reading though. I sure do."
Jessica waited again. Corvin seemed to have a problem getting to the favor part of this conversation.
"My wife usually went to the PTA meetings alone, in fact, she did most things alone, including raising our family, and now we have time to be together again. It's wonderful to have peace and quiet in the house and time to actually talk to each other."
Jessica wondered if he would be offended if she came out and asked what the favor he needed was.
"There's a dance called the Spring Bring?"
"Oh yes, we have it every March, snow, rain, or shine. It's a huge fundraiser for the town. There's no admission charge but you must bring an item of value, around twenty dollars or so, and they auction them off. Everything is displayed on the tables and you can browse and the bidding is held between the dancing." She laughed lightly. "Several people bid on their own items so they can take them back home."
Corvin smiled briefly and shifted his stance. "I thought it would be a good surprise for my wife. It will be on our anniversary."
"To take her there? Of course! Everyone is welcome."
"No, I mean, if I could dance with her." He looked at her with a little pleading in his eyes. "I don't want to shame her in front of everyone, especially her new friends. I wondered if you could teach me a dance that I could do with her?"
Jessica was surprised. It was a simple enough request though.
"Corvin, of course, why don't I get Seth to come and help out so you get both sides of things?"
"Oh no, ma'am." He shook his head. "I want this to be a surprise and once three people know a secret, everyone knows." He looked at the floor. "Oh, I forgot."
"Forgot what?" she asked.
"You're single and it doesn't look good to do anything in secret, especially with a married man. Sorry, I didn't think it through." His face was red and Jessica took pity on him.
"There isn't anything wrong with being neighborly and hopefully good friends. Now, we have about six weeks before the dance so how do you want to do it?"
Jessica smiled at the joy in his eyes. "You'll help me? Thanks so much!" He shook her hand up and down vigorously. "I walk every morning so my wife can have a few minutes of me getting out of her way. Whatever time is fine with me."
Jessica frowned. "Well, mornings are difficult for me. I'm usually working by now. Could you come early tomorrow? Say about seven in the morning? We can try a session and I'll see how you do so I have an idea how often we'll need to meet and then we'll figure out a time."
"Seven o'clock is fine. I usually cook breakfast so I'll tell Susan I'm running to the store for something. Thanks again."
He left a few minutes later and Jessica sat down at her table and got to work, dismissing him and his favor almost immediately from her mind.
Seth Hazlitt wasn't a suspicious person. Okay, he was but he didn't like to admit it. Jessica had been unavailable more than usual while she was working on her book. Their Friday night dinners had been canceled twice and he was having a hard time pinning her down to even have a chess match. She didn't seem to be having a difficult time with her book but phone calls went unanswered more than they normally would.
He usually ignored the titterings of his nurse, Beverly, when she was gossiping on the phone. She and that gang at Loretta's beauty parlor were always making something out of nothing but lately she had been giving him pitying looks. He hoped it wasn't due to Valentine's Day approaching. One woman had his heart even if she didn't know it.
He called Jessica to see if she wanted to go to the diner for breakfast but she didn't answer. Odd, it was already seven thirty and she was usually awake. Maybe she was in the shower. He would drive by her house and see if she wanted to go.
Seth had driven to her house so many times he felt he could do it with his eyes closed. His car automatically turned down her street. He slowed as he approached because there cars parked out front and he passed her house intending to turn around and park across the street. As he approached from the other direction he saw Corvin Hasseldorf walking down her drive and started jogging down the street. What was he doing at her house so early? Maybe he picked up her morning paper and put it on her porch?
He got out of the car and went to her kitchen door. With a perfunctory knock on her door he called out to her before entering.
"Good morning, Seth!" she greeted.
Seth took in her flushed face and noticed she was breathing heavier than usual.
"Something wrong, Jess?" He went over and took her pulse. It was rather rapid. "Are you feeling ill?"
"Seth, I feel fine." She turned toward the stove. "Would you like coffee?"
"I'll get it. You have a seat." He walked over to the coffee pot and picked it up. There was only about a cup left in the pot. He grabbed a mug and emptied the carafe. Was her heart rate up from drinking too much coffee? No, her kettle was on the stove and her teacup on the counter.
"I dropped by to see if you wanted breakfast at the diner."
"Thanks but not today. I'm already behind schedule with work today." Jessica dropped her eyes to the table.
Seth's suspicious nature kicked in. Rapid pulse, flushed face, Corvin Hasseldorf leaving her house. He was obviously inside her house at some point. Doing what? Just having coffee? She didn't volunteer any information about company coming by this morning.
"Well, I won't hold you up. What about tomorrow morning?" He rinsed his mug and put it on the drainer. "About seven?"
"Oh, um," She looked uncomfortable for a moment. "I'll call you later and let you know."
With a wave of his hand, he let himself out of the house and returned to his car. She was keeping something from him so now he had to find out what it was. His birthday was months away and that's usually the only time she got secretive. He was so lost in his thoughts he forgot about the diner.
Beverly's message that Jessica called and had to cancel breakfast was almost expected. The frown on her face however concerned him.
"What's the frown for, Beverly?"
"Nothing, doctor." But the frown remained.
He walked away. She would tell him eventually.
It took a few days but he was beginning to notice that people stopped talking when he entered the room or looked their way. He was being greeted too heartily and men patted his shoulder as they walked by. What was going on?
Seth was sitting in the reception room, as Beverly liked to call it, when she returned from lunch.
"Beverly, can you tell me what's going on and why people are looking at me with looks of pity?"
"Oh doctor, I don't think it's anything serious." Beverly wasn't looking him in the eye though. "You know, when women go through the change some of them start doing strange things, things they normally wouldn't."
"Spit it out, Beverly." Seth's legendary grumpiness was coming out.
"Well, it seems Jessica has taken up with the new couple, the man at least, Corvin Hasseldorf, I mean." The way she waggled her eyebrows told Seth exactly what she was implying.
"What? Are you insane? Beverly, I've heard gossip before but this is Jessica!" Seth stood and began pacing. She wouldn't have an affair with a married man. He was positive. Practically certain.
Beverly began to inform him about the early morning trysts and the late night clandestine meetings between Jessica and Corvin but Seth knew better. That night he thought about it and shook his head. It was nonsense. They took a grain of sand and blew it into an eight piece set of crystal glasses.
Seth's dreams that night kept him tossing and turning. They involved the canceled dinners and missed phone calls between him and Jessica.
He crawled out of bed at five am, giving up on sleep, and went to shower. He couldn't help comparing himself to Corvin. The other man was an inch or two taller and certainly twenty or more pounds lighter. But he had more hair, was better educated, and shared a variety of interests with her. Perhaps so, but has she ever made a pass at him? He should have at least tried once over the years but he wanted to keep her friendship.
Jessica woke up tired. Corvin was correct. He was a terrible dancer that couldn't keep rhythm to anything. His movements were wooden and even though Jessica counted out the steps every single time. He couldn't keep track. Finally, last night she had a brilliant idea. She took the male role and led him around. He was a much better follower. She videotaped them so he could see and it cheered him immensely. He had been getting depressed over his inability to dance effectively.
She had begged for a morning off to spare her sore toes and he had agreed. She decided to see if Seth wanted to go to the diner. She had been neglecting him lately.
Seth couldn't let it go. He had to know what was going on with Jessica so he drove over as soon as he was dressed and thought she might be awake. He didn't want to call her and give her a chance to make an excuse.
He knocked and entered as usual. Jessica was coming down the stairs, yawning.
"Morning, Seth."
"Are you awake?" He looked her over carefully. She looked exhausted but her eyes were clear and bright, as usual. "Is it your book?"
She was shaking her head. "No, it's coming along. I just need a break. I think I'll take today off."
"Well, I was coming hoping you'd want to go to the diner with me," he asked hopefully. "It feels like I haven't seen you in forever."
"Forever and a day," agreed Jessica. "It's my treat for neglecting you shamefully. Let's go."
The diner was busy as usual but they were able to grab a table and put in their order quickly. The welcoming din was comfortable and relaxing. The normal volume in the diner lowered and Seth looked up to see why.
Corvin and Susan Hasseldorf had just entered and were headed their way. Seth stared at Corvin and saw the secret smile when the man looked at Jessica. He turned to look at Jessica and she had her head down but her cheeks were red and was that a guilty smile on her face also? Is this why she agreed so readily to come? The couple passed them and sat at a table near the window.
"Jess, why is your face red?" he decided to ask.
"It's just warm inside, Seth," she stammered.
He arched his eyebrow at her and waited her out. When she told a fib she had to keep talking. It was one of her giveaways that he never mentioned to her.
"You know at my age a person sometimes gets warm." She looked up to see him staring at her. "Maybe I should think about those supplements you were telling me about."
He decided to change the subject. "If you're taking the day off, why don't we spend the afternoon away. I have to go to the hospital for a couple of hours but I'll be free after."
"Let's see, mmm," she glanced up and looked over at the Hasseldorf table. "I think it would be lovely."
Seth noticed the noisy din in the room increased to normal once the other couple passed them by but now everyone was watching Corvin as he headed to the men's room, passing their table again.
Their food arrived and they dug in. Moments later however, Jessica excused herself. Seth turned to look over to the Hasseldorf's table and noticed Corvin hadn't returned. He continued to eat and Jessica returned shortly, followed by Corvin less than a minute later. Seth noticed everyone paying attention.
"Is something the matter, Jess?' he asked. He noticed she had only eaten a few bites and now she was pushing her food around on her plate.
"I guess my eyes were bigger than my stomach." She put her fork down and picked up her coffee mug. "Do you want any of this?"
Seth declined even as he snagged a piece of bacon. "Why don't I drop you home and pick you up at ten?"
Seth refused to get distracted and focused on his work. A rare chance to spend time with Jessica forced him to ignore the idle chatter of the hospital staff. Maybe antiquing would be something nice to do or going to the maritime museum in Duncan Hollow. They hadn't gone there yet.
Things were normal as he drove them away from Cabot Cove. Jessica discussed her various relatives with him and mentioned the nursery in town would have bedding plants available in two weeks. It was like old times, laughter and teasing, and almost constant conversation. Seth confirmed that he was taking her to the Spring Bring and they laughed over the items they were donating for the auction. She didn't mention the Hasseldorfs at all and wondered if he should. He finally asked if she had taken over cookies or something but she told him she did that the day they arrived. Obviously, it was just an ugly rumor and the gossip hounds were blowing things out of proportion.
Small towns have peculiar quirks. Once the rumors about Jessica and Corvin were making the rounds, those spreading tales made sure that neither Jessica or Corvin heard about them, not to mention Susan and Seth. Everyone just watched their every move waiting for something to happen.
A week passed with no new information or gossip but the rumors didn't die down as Seth had hoped. He would have mentioned it to Jessica but he wasn't sure if he could do so without sounding accusatory or jealous.
The night of the Spring Bring was chilly, just the kind of night to warm up dancing with friends. Seth and Jessica arrived and placed their items on a table to be sorted by volunteers before the auction.
Vendors were selling a variety of foods to purchase as well as drinks, nonalcoholic, since no one had a license to sell. They surveyed the dozens of citizens milling around and went to speak with several friends.
Jessica was looking around for Corvin and Susan and finally spotted them having a whispered disagreement in a corner. Susan looked furious. She went over to speak with them but Susan walked off before she reached them.
"Corvin?"
She heard him sigh before he turned to look at her. "Susan is upset with me. She overheard someone say I've been sneaking over to your house for weeks." He looked dejected. "It seems my plans backfired."
Jessica noticed they were getting a lot of stares and people were noticeably paying attention to the two of them. She turned to look at Seth. He was watching as well. She turned away and closed her eyes. Even now, after all these years, people were willing to believe the worst. It was obvious she had been on the wrong side of the gossip and even Seth knew and didn't tell her.
"I'll fix this, Corvin. You just take deep breaths the way I showed you." She marched over to the DJ and spoke to him for several minutes. Then she marched over to speak with the mayor.
"Attention! Attention!" called Mayor Sam Booth. "It's time for the music to begin but first a few words." There were not so silent groans before Jessica stepped to the mike.
"Friends, it isn't often that we allow ourselves to let others see the best in us and truly welcome new citizens to our town." The hall had fallen silent at her words. "Forty-two years ago, tonight, Corvin and Susan Hasseldorf were married. Corvin came to me weeks ago to tell me how proud he was of his four children, three grandchildren, and his lovely wife. A wife that danced with him only once, for their first dance at their wedding, and hasn't done so since."
Someone spotted the couple and pushed them forward, onto the stage where Jessica stood. "Despite working two jobs at times to feed, clothe, and house his family, he couldn't think of one thing that he had done over the years to make his wife proud of him. He so wanted to make her feel special on their anniversary, just as he had done at their wedding."
Jessica smiled at the couple. "The only problem was he had two left feet and couldn't dance at all. I just want to say I have sore toes to prove he has come a long way in a few weeks. Like any proud teacher when a student has mastered a subject, I'd like my prized pupil to open the dance. Let's hear it for the happy couple."
People applauded and the spotlight was on the dance floor. Music began and the first notes of Frank Sinatra's "Fly Me To The Moon" crooned out as the Hasseldorfs walked onto the floor. Jessica read Corvin's lips telling his wife to lead and they were off. She smiled as they moved around the floor, mostly gracefully.
She kept a proud smile on her face but deep inside she was disappointed. She had been so involved in her book and with the dancing lessons that she hadn't been aware of the gossip, news that her friends seemed only too happy to spread.
Seth sheepishly stood next to Jessica silently.
"Really Seth, you couldn't tell me what people were saying?" She turned to look at him and her face fell. "Oh, you believed it," she added flatly. She turned back to watch the dance.
The first number ended amid applause and more dancers joined the couple on the dance floor. Corvin and Susan were full of smiles as people wished them a happy anniversary or complimented Corvin's footwork. Jessica's attention was called away by the mayor and she walked off with him.
Seth admitted to himself that he should have known better. He knew Jessica. He knew her better than nearly everyone. Now he needed to grovel and beg her forgiveness.
At first he avoided her by dancing with a number of other women. Duty dances like with Beverly, one of the hospital administrators, and several patients that would be upset if he didn't dance at least once with them.
Finally he was able to lead Jessica onto the dance floor. He pulled her into his arms and held her loosely.
"Jess, I didn't believe you were having an affair with Corvin," he began.
"I know, Seth. I'm just surprised you didn't mention it to me." He felt her sigh on his neck as she moved closer. "Sometimes the gossip gets old to me. It's so nice when I'm in New York and don't have to pay attention to any of it."
Seth felt a small frisson of fear envelop him. Would she start spending more time in that city? He moved his hand soothingly on her back.
She smiled somewhat sadly at him when the song ended. "Thanks Seth. I'm going to take a break." She moved off the floor toward the main door and he was waylaid by another person wanting to dance. At least he was taking Jessica home.
Corvin and Susan stopped her just before she reached the door.
"Jessica, thank you so much! I've wanted to dance with Corvin for years." Susan was positively beaming and Jessica knew she would do it all over again, gossip or not. "He's always been ashamed to dance publicly but he told me he feels comfortable about it now. Everyone has been so kind."
Jessica smiled happily at them. "We do have some wonderful people here. I'm sure if you keep it up, especially at home, you'll get even better."
Susan reached for her and gave her a huge hug. "I heard about the rumors today and I'm sorry you were mentioned," whispered Susan in her ear.
"It's the price you pay to live in a small town. Everyone watches what you do and no one is immune from it," she said a little bitterly. "Your good friends know better and most people don't even believe the gossip, they just like to spread it."
Jessica noticed Mort and Maureen Metzger probably overheard her. Their back was to them but Jessica hadn't lowered her voice. She felt more than saw Seth approaching from behind.
"The auction is about to begin," he said softly. He guided her by the arm to seats that were set up in the room.
The bidding was swift and fun. Several men got into a bidding war over Dustin Lowell's lucky fishing pole but Dustin was able to win it back. The fact that he donated it every year had become something of a ritual and was usually the opening item up for bid. It loosened everyone up, and their pockets.
A bidding war began over the inexpensive tea set Jessica donated. It was a gift from a colleague in New York for breaking one of her teacups at the University. Jessica figured it cost 19.99 or 29.99 since it was in the city. As the bidding crept up, dollar by dollar, Jessica began to realize they weren't bidding on the tea set. They were apologizing for spreading rumors about her and Corvin. She had a forgiving nature and truly loved the townsfolk and her disappointment vanished.
When the price reached sixty dollars she was shaking her head with a smile on her face. At seventy dollars she actually began to feel overwhelmed with the outpouring of support. Yankee thriftiness was an established fact and her friends and neighbors showed no signs of stopping. Would it rise higher than the hundred dollars Dustin's fishing rod garnered?
"One hundred and fifty dollars!' called out Seth. Jessica's head jerked up in surprise. Seth hadn't bid on anything yet. Seth was the epitome of cheap too. The auctioneer closed the bidding and Seth went up to pay for the tea set avoiding Jessica's eyes.
Dancing began again and Jessica was very popular. Several men mentioned they never believed for a moment that she was involved in anything so scandalous and told their wives and girlfriends they had it wrong.
Seth appeared when the last dance was announced and Jessica gratefully slipped into his arms. They danced so often that she found comfort in knowing his moves. There was no bumping or jostling, just two bodies used to maneuvering around each other.
Seth savored having Jessica in his arms. She was being very pleasant and gracious but he knew when he took her home she would have plenty to say. Better to enjoy it now.
And he was correct. The drive home only took a few minutes and she made few remarks but once she offered him coffee and led him inside, she turned those blue eyes to him and asked him one question followed by more.
"Why, Seth? How? How could you believe that of me?"
"Jess, I didn't believe you were having an affair! I just wasn't sure how to bring it up?" he pleaded.
"You've always spoken your mind to me. Why not now?" she asked. She set the coffee brewing and turned to get mugs down. "You're my closest friend. Do I have to assume you keep things from me that I should know?"
Seth remained silent. There was really only one thing he kept from her.
Jessica pulled out cream from the refrigerator and set sugar on the table. She turned to face him and the hurt on her face was visible. "I see. I can't say I'm not hurt," she said softly.
"Jess, I'm sorry. I don't like to tell you things that might hurt you," he mumbled.
"Baloney, Seth. You give it to me straight whether it hurts or not." She fired back at him. She rubbed a hand across her face. "I'll be back."
She went upstairs, slipped off her shoes, and removed her dress. She hung it in her closet and put on a sweatshirt and pants. Dressed comfortably, she returned to the kitchen. Seth was pouring coffee into mugs and took a few cookies from the cookie jar.
They drank silently for a moment.
"What are you keeping from me, Seth? Am I wrong to ask? Do I have the right to know?"
Seth closed his eyes briefly. If she thought he was holding back on her, she would be hurt, she might even lose a bit of faith in him. He couldn't bear that but he didn't want to lose her friendship either. Of course, he might lose it by keeping quiet as well.
He opened his eyes to find her eyes looking directly into his. Shiny blue eyes blinking away tears threatening to fall. She pushed back from the table, ready to flee because she wasn't going to shed a tear in front of him.
"No, Jess!" He grabbed for her hand before she could get away.
"Let me go," she said in a wobbly voice, pulling away. She turned her face from his but not before he saw the first tear fall.
"I love you! I didn't want to tell you and lose you! You mean too much to me!" he implored.
"You think I didn't know? You jackass!"
Seth looked at her in shock. "You knew? You knew and didn't say anything? Just had a good laugh at me?"
"I wasn't laughing at you! I kept you near, closer to me than anyone. You aren't the only one afraid to lose what we have!" she fired back at him.
Seth pulled her into his arms and hugged her tight to his chest. "Well, we both know so what are we going to do about it?"
Jessica wrapped her arms around his waist and laid her head on his chest. "We're doing it, Seth."
He kissed the top of her head, content to just hold her and sway gently in the kitchen. He wondered how long she knew but thought it best not to ask. The important thing was she didn't seem to mind at all.