The Spring At Moss Hill

“I keep thinking we need to come up with a name for the meeting space,” Jess said. “‘Meeting space’ is too bland. I’m looking forward to Daphne’s class. I know zip about costume design, so I won’t be one of the students and experts in attendance.”

“We want to make sure we have at least fifty people,” Ruby said. “Ava thinks we’ll get closer to seventy.”

Mark shook his head. “It won’t be that many.”

He was a cut-to-the-chase type, Kylie knew from previous encounters with him. From what she’d seen of Russ Colton so far, she suspected the two of them would get along well. She’d always had the feeling that Mark and Jess looked out for her, alone up the road in her rented house and now at Moss Hill.

The waitress arrived at their table, and they put in their orders—turkey clubs for Mark and Russ, the tuna melt for Ruby and the house-made broccoli-cheddar soup for both Jess and Kylie. Kylie didn’t trust herself to dive into a club sandwich, given how self-conscious and keyed up she was. It wasn’t just having a private investigator at Moss Hill or the unusual lunch. It was being around this many people at all. She was out of practice.

“Ava will be here on Friday,” Ruby said. “She’s as excited as I am, but she couldn’t get away from school. A bunch of her theater friends are coming up from New York to see Daphne. Same with my friends in Boston.”

“Are they staying in the area?” Russ asked.

“Some. Not many options here in town, but plenty within an easy drive. But we timed the class so people could make it a day trip from New York or Boston. A longer one from New York, obviously, but doable.” Ruby seemed unable to sit still, a bundle of raw energy and nerves. “We are thrilled to have Daphne here. We loved getting to know her better over the winter. I’m dying to see Hollywood and where she lives. She says Ava and I have a standing invitation to visit, but I don’t know if she’s just being polite.”

“If she said it, she meant it,” Russ said, nothing casual about him as he watched Ruby fidget and squirm.

Ruby turned to Mark. “How’s everything at Moss Hill?”

“Fine. Why?”

But she swung around to Russ. “No problems with your apartment?”

His eyes narrowed on her. “None.”

“That’s good,” Ruby said half under her breath. “Good, good.”

Jess, seated at the far end of the table, leaned forward. “Is something on your mind, Ruby?”

She didn’t respond at once. She took a breath and fixed her gaze on Russ. “We could have a situation brewing with Saturday.”

Kylie went still. Was this why she was invited to lunch? She felt a subtle change in Russ as he studied Ruby. “What kind of situation?” he asked.

“Problems with codes, permits, fire extinguishers. I don’t know. Not my area of expertise.”

“Problems at Moss Hill, you mean?” Jess asked, clearly shocked.

Ruby nodded. “My mother says someone is spreading rumors around town about possible safety violations and cut corners.”

Mark bristled visibly. “There are no problems at Moss Hill.”

Jess gasped. “Who is spreading these rumors? Has anyone said anything directly to your mother?”

“You know Mom,” Ruby said. “If a blade of grass has a complaint about a lawn mower, she’ll hear about it. She’s tuned in to town gossip. This will be the first event at the mill. All we need is some crank causing trouble. Ava and I aren’t professional meeting planners, but we’ve done everything possible to dot every i and cross every t. Mark, are you sure—”

“I’m sure,” he said stiffly. “You have nothing to worry about.”

“What if a contractor cut a corner you don’t know about?”

Jess touched Ruby’s shoulder. “You’re getting spooled up.”

“I know. I am. I’ve been stewing since Mom told me about the rumors last night. I’m worried someone’s trying to sabotage us.”

“Why would anyone want to do that?” Jess asked.

“Because people can be jerks,” Ruby snapped.

Kylie said nothing. Russ Colton hadn’t said a word since his initial question to Ruby, either. The meals arrived. Ruby looked as if she regretted ordering a sandwich. Jess snatched two fries off Mark’s plate before trying her soup. Kylie hadn’t expected the conversation to turn to news of unpleasant rumors. Was that why Ruby had invited her to lunch? But Kylie couldn’t see how she could help unravel what, if anything, was going on.

Ruby stared at her sandwich. “What if someone doesn’t want Daphne here—or just doesn’t want Moss Hill to host events?”

Mark lifted a triangle of his club sandwich. “A mixed-purpose space was always in the plans for Moss Hill. It’s no surprise to anyone we’ll be hosting a variety of events there. As far as I can see, people are excited about having that kind of space in town. There have been no problems or complaints.”

“Not everyone is excited, obviously,” Ruby said. “My mother says she has no idea who is behind the rumors.”

“Is this sort of talk unusual around here?” Russ asked.

“Knights Bridge is a small town,” Mark said. “People talk. They have their grudges. But nasty rumors like this? I’d say it’s unusual.”

Ruby seemed to make an effort to try a small bite of her sandwich. “I haven’t lived here full-time since I started college, but I can’t think of anyone who would want to sabotage a class by a Hollywood icon who’s donating her time...” She put down her sandwich and sank against the back of her chair, crossing her arms over her chest. “I didn’t sleep at all last night. I’m steamed, obviously, but I’m also this close to totally freaking out.”

“Just because something is annoying doesn’t mean it’s problematic,” Jess said.

Mark nodded. “I promise you, Ruby. These rumors are completely unfounded.”

Kylie tried her soup. It was thick, creamy and cheesy, with chunks of fresh broccoli. She understood now why Ruby’s text had struck her as off. Ruby had arranged lunch to reassure herself nothing was wrong at Moss Hill that could jeopardize Daphne Stewart’s appearance in Knights Bridge. Kylie lived there. It made sense to invite her to lunch in case she’d heard or seen anything that might indicate trouble for Saturday.

Russ finished a triangle of his sandwich and wiped his fingers on a napkin as he studied Ruby. “Do the rumors include Daphne or just Moss Hill?”

“Concern about Daphne and the people attending the master class.”

“What kind of concern?” Russ asked.

Ruby sniffled, calmer. “That there’ll be an accident, and people will get hurt because of the cut corners or bought-off contractors or inspectors. Whatever.”

Mark sucked in a breath. He seemed to take her high emotions in stride but clearly wasn’t pleased with this development. His wife of less than a year was pensive. “Who’s on your short list of possible jerks who could spread such a stupid rumor?” Jess asked.

“No one,” Ruby said. “I haven’t heard anything negative about Daphne’s class. I don’t want these rumors to take on a life of their own. I hope I’m not making things worse by mentioning them.”

“I’d rather have you speak up than keep this to yourself,” Mark said.

“Christopher Sloan said he’d stop by Moss Hill and talk to you.”

“Anytime.” Mark turned to Russ. “Feel free to join us.”

Russ gave a curt nod. “Thanks.”

“I just need reassurance,” Ruby said. “I know ten-to-one this is small-town grumping and griping, creating drama where there is none—someone looking for attention. You know, the arsonist who sets a fire and then sits back and watches the flames.”