This story is purely a work of fiction. Any resemblance to person's Living or dead, or to events that may have occurred, is purely Coincidental.
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Mark Stevens
I would like to welcome my previous as well as hopefully new readers back to enjoy this story. However, should you have not read any of the Porterville books before, you should do so
- Porterville 2. Murder in Porterville 3. Silver Candlesticks 4. No Regrets
All three stories are stand alone, however, a lot of the same characters from the first book return for more adventures.
To my old readers: Welcome back. To my new ones, welcome aboard.
Please feel free to write me with any thought you might have. Please keep comments positive. I already have an editor that keeps me walking the line. Ha ha. You can email me at:
jetdesk2@yahoo.com
Chapter Two
"I want to run something by you, Dev," Britt said Sunday morning. The two of them were sitting at the kitchen table having breakfast. They gave Wallace and Edna Sunday mornings off, so Britt had prepared scrambled eggs and toast for Devon and himself.
Devon took a sip from his coffee cup and said, "I'm listening."
Britt pushed his empty plate to the side. He looked across the table at Devon and said, "I've been playing something over in my mind, Dev. It concerns Larry Owens and how firmly he stands behind his decision to marry us."
"He is a good loyal friend," Devon agreed.
Britt paused and then said, "What would you think about us attending church this morning?"
"Really?"
"I think it would show our appreciation," Britt said.
"I thought you weren't much into the church scene. At least that was the feeling I got from you."
Britt smiled. "Perhaps we should make a change. Maybe I should make a change," he corrected. "When I returned to Porterville you were attending regularly."
"I was, but an awful lot has happened since then," Devon reminded.
Britt shrugged his shoulders and said, "It has. What do you say? Care to accompany me to church this morning?"
Devon drained his coffee cup and pushed away from the table. Standing up he said, "Let's go to church." He looked at the clock on the wall. "The service starts in an hour. We'd better get on the move if you don't want to arrive late."
They placed their dishes in the sink and hurried upstairs to dress. Half an hour later, with Britt behind the wheel, they were on their way to church. When they arrived in town, Britt drove to the church building and pulled into a parking place.
As they were entering the building, Devon said, "Your mother is going to be in for a surprise."
Britt grinned. "She'll decide that her little boy is not so bad after all."
They hurried down the aisle to the pew where Catherine Williams was sitting next to Brian and Alice.
When Britt's mother saw them, a big smile appeared on her face. "Well, hello," she greeted warmly. "This is a surprise," she added softly.
"Told you," Devon said giving Britt a punch on the shoulder.
Britt placed an arm around his mother. "What can I say, Mom? I'm always good for a surprise."
Alice smiled at them and Brian offered a wave and a grin.
The service began then and all talking came to a halt. Britt actually enjoyed the music. That was the one thing he had liked about attending services when he was growing up. He thought the world of Larry Owens and would never do or say anything to hurt the man's feelings, but Britt had to admit that he was ready for everything to end when Larry's sermon was over.
"Well, this is a very nice surprise," Larry greeted first Britt and then Devon as they were in the process of leaving.
Britt grinned and said, "As I told Mom, I'm always good for a surprise or two."
"We'll see you and Bonnie for dinner this evening," Alice reminded the minister.
"Looking forward to it," Larry smiled.
As they were all walking to their cars, Alice said, "Guys, I want to thank you for letting me borrow Wallace and Edna this evening."
Devon gave his sister a hug. Two years later, and he continued to be amazed that he had a sister. It still made him sad when he thought about all of the years that he didn't even know that he had a sibling, let alone a twin. "Glad to help, Sis," he said.
"They should be over around two o'clock," Britt added. "We're having sandwiches for lunch so Edna won't be overworked."
"That's mighty kind of you," Brian Poteet said giving both men a big grin.
"We're very kind," Britt threw back.
"You home is lovely," Bonnie Owens praised as she returned to the living room where the other guests were.
"It is indeed," her husband added. "We're so happy for you and Brian.
The minister and his wife had been the last to arrive for dinner. The other guests, Marty Wilcox and Ron James and Catherine, Britt's mother, had arrived earlier. Ron was head of accounting at McKenzie Textile, Devon's family owned business, and Doctor Marty Wilcox was Chief of Staff at Porterville Hospital. Marty and Ron were a couple and had been together for several years.
"We've had a lot of help and support, which made all of this to happen," Brian said as he looked around the room. "It wouldn't have been possible without help from Devon and Britt."
"They are good people," Marty said.
"They certainly are," Ron James put in. "Devon hired me when I lost my job at the bank."
"Your job went away because of what you did for me," Britt reminded. "For both Devon and me," he added.
When Britt had begun discovering things about his home town, and especially the McKenzie family, Ron had unearthed some information that ended up costing him his job at the bank. The woman that Devon believed to be his mother was a very powerful citizen of Porterville. Her great grandfather, Samson Porter, had settled in the area and created the town of Porterville in 1900. When Elaine had discovered that Ron had given Britt some incriminating information concerning her, she had ordered the president of the bank to terminate Ron's employment.
"It was the right thing to do," Devon said. "My mother, rather the woman I thought was my mother, was not a very nice person. Offering Ron a job with my company was something that I needed to do. And I haven't been sorry for making that decision." Devon smiled warmly at Ron.
Wallace suddenly appeared in the living room and announced that dinner was ready. Alice led the way and invited her guests to have a seat around the table. "Anywhere you like," she said.
The Poteet's dinner party went off without a hitch. The delicious food Edna had prepared, as well as the professional serving of it by Wallace, contributed to its success. Nothing was mentioned during the meal about the warning that Britt had received at the book signing. Conversation was kept light and focused mainly on Alice and Brian's new home and Britt and Devon's wedding.
"How are the wedding plans coming along?" Catherine asked
"Going well, I believe," Devon answered.
"The Event Center and catering have been reserved as well," Britt told his mother.
"Sounds like everything is working out," Ron said.
"Is Kathy Applebee doing your catering?" Marty asked.
"She is," Devon answered. "She did an awesome job at Brian and Alice's reception."
"She certainly did," Alice agreed. "I would recommend her to anyone. She's very professional in every way."
"She's such a lovely lady," Catherine complimented.
"Alice, don't you have some news for our guests?" Brian asked his wife.
Alice looked around the table at her guests and smiled. "I'm going back to work. Part time at the newspaper," she explained.
"That's wonderful," Catherine said. "I'm sure that Sam will be glad to have you back."
Upon returning to Porterville, Britt had discovered Alice working for the Beacon newspaper. She had been a great help to him as he searched through old files looking for anything that might make an interesting plot for his book.
"Sam's a lucky rascal," Britt declared.
At the conclusion of dinner, they returned to the living room where Brian took drink orders. The next two hours passed by quickly. Marty and Ron were the first to leave.
"I have an early meeting at the hospital," Marty explained.
Brian and Alice walked with the couple to the door and bid them goodnight.
"We're so glad that you came," Alice told them.
"Yes, thanks for coming," Brian added.
When they returned to the living room, they discovered the rest of their guests also in the process of leaving.
"What's your hurry?" Brian asked.
It had been an enjoyable evening for everyone, and they assured their hosts of the fact.
"It was a swell party," Catherine praised.
"Mom, would you like for me to follow you home?" Britt asked.
His mother gave him one of her special looks. "I will have you know that I am very capable of driving myself home."
"I know that you are," Britt said as his face turned slightly red.
Brian looked at the woman and smiled. "I'm sure your son knows how capable you are, Catherine. After what happened at the book signing, it would do all of you good to be cautious."
"I agree about being cautious," Catherine said. "Still, I can manage, thank you very much." Looking at her son, she asked, "Would it suffice if I call you when I get home?"
"That would be fine, Mom." Britt gave his mother a hug. "I just worry about you, and I won't apologize either."
"I appreciate that. Goodbye, everyone."
"Your mother is a card," Brian said as they stood and watched Catherine Williams drive away.
"She's wonderful," Alice remarked.
"She is, and I—we all love her very much," Devon declared.
"Catherine is easy to love," Bonnie said as she followed her husband to their car.
"Goodnight, folks," Larry called as he opened the car door for his wife.
"Are you ready to head home?" Britt asked Devon.
"I am. We have such a long way to drive," Devon said with a grin.
"You guys be careful," Brian called.
Alice gave her brother a hug and then turned to Britt and said, "You take care of each other."
Making a promise, they got into their car, and Britt drove the short distance to their home. When he pulled into the drive, he asked, "Did you leave lights on?"
"I left the light in the entry hall on, but that was all. I definitely didn't leave the house in full blaze."
When Britt reached the door, he exclaimed, "What the hell!"
Light was showing through a crack in the doorway. When he examined the door closer, Britt discovered it had been jimmied open. He pushed the door back and was about to step inside when Devon stopped him.
"Wait," Devon spoke up. "Whoever did this could still be inside."
"If they are, we need to check. Wallace and Edna have been home for an hour or better. I hope they're alright."
Britt stepped inside with Devon following right behind him. Standing at the foot of the stairs, Britt stopped and listened. Nothing but silence greeted him. Looking upstairs, he was met by darkness.
As he was turning away from the staircase, Devon called out, "You need to come in here, Britt."
When Britt walked into the living room he found Devon standing before the fireplace holding a sheet of paper.
"This was taped to the mantle," Devon said handing it to Britt.
The words Britt read created a chill that went through his entire body.
IS THE WEDDING STILL TAKING PLACE? IT WOULD BE IN YOUR BEST INTEREST TO PUT A STOP TO IT BEFORE IT'S TOO LATE. THE SIN OF YOUR WEDDING MUST NOT TAKE PLACE.