Previous chapters of the River Road story:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8

How should the story continue? Voting is open on the current chapter!

Last time, Mia Duomo very politely dealt with her very rude first client, Edie Merrill. Despite Edie’s insulting behavior, Mia kept her cool and gently told Miss Merrill that if they were to work together, they would have to treat one another with respect. Mia took Edie to her offices on the floor above the DeLorca’s gallery while Mr. DeLorca explained that Eben and Nancy had found another mysterious bouquet of roses and had gone to Trellis’ Flowers and Gifts to look for clues. Mrs. DeLorca, who had just accepted the job of museum curator, was concerned about the strange gifts of flowers and hoped that Eben and Nancy would be safe during their investigation. Mr. and Mrs. DeLorca wondered if they should try to help their son and their young friend. What did they do? Here’s what you decided.

Chapter 6: Cold House Flower
by Joseph Crisalli

“That’s strange about those roses.” Mrs. DeLorca shook her head. “I hope Eben and Nancy don’t have any trouble looking for clues.”

“I’m sure they’ll be fine. Our son is over thirty, after all. Besides, he’s got Nancy with him. Even though she’s only in the fourth grade, she’s no stranger to looking for clues.” Mr. DeLorca said between bites of his cookie.

“True.” Mrs. DeLorca nodded. “I just have a bad feeling about this whole thing.”

“Well, then.” Mr. DeLorca stood up. “Perhaps we should help in some way. I’m sure Shakuntala is up for another mystery. What do you say?”

“Are you talking to me or the pelican?” Mrs. DeLorca asked.

“Both of you. And such…” Mr. DeLorca responded. “What shall we do?”

“I know that Eben is capable of looking for clues, especially with a super-sleuth like Nancy with him, but I think I’d feel better if we went along, too.” Mrs. DeLorca smiled.

“Well, then, I say, let’s follow them to the florist. I could do with a walk anyway, and, certainly, Shakuntala would welcome a chance to stretch her wings.” Mr. DeLorca said.

“It will be hard to go unnoticed if we bring Shakuntala with us. After all, one doesn’t see many pelicans in Vista Falls.” Mrs. DeLorca responded.

“True, but, my dear, it’s not as though we’d go unnoticed anyway.” Mr. DeLorca smiled.

“You’re right.” Mrs. DeLorca laughed. “You’re the only man in town who wears orange shoes made out of sweet potatoes.”

“Thus far, my dear. Give it time. In a few months everyone we know will be wearing sweet potato shoes. And, then, I say, we’ll have all the pies we can eat.” Mr. DeLorca answered brightly.

“I’m not sure how the two things are related, but we already have all the pies we can eat.” Mrs. DeLorca nodded, getting her shawl.

“Oh, well, then. We’ll have extra pies that we can share with friends and loved ones. I say, we could have pie-themed parties like we did back in Londonderry. Yes, yes, I could dress up as an enormous pie with a jaunty little hat made of blueberries. I could call myself the Mayor of Pie Junction. I say, have we done that yet? Did we design a town around pies?”

“Not in the United States, no. But, we did just cut the ribbon on Pancake Town. Remember? So, let’s tackle one bake-good themed subdivision at a time. Meanwhile, why don’t we try to catch up with Eben and Nancy?”

“Jolly good idea and so on.” Mr. DeLorca said, getting his jacket. “Come on, Shakuntala. Let’s say we go for a nice fly around town.”

Shakuntala flapped her wings and flew to Mr. DeLorca’s shoulder where she perched heavily.

“Oh, I say. Lazy today? Very well, you may ride on my shoulder.” Mr. DeLorca grunted.

After locking the gallery doors and taping a note on the window where Mia would see it when she finished with Edie Merrill, Mr. and Mrs. DeLorca headed out toward Trellis’ Flowers and Gifts to find their son and Nancy.

At that very moment, Nancy and Eben had already arrived at the Trellis’ florist shop. The bell on the door jingled when they entered. They were greeted by the sweet scent of flowers and Miss Trellis’ pleasant welcome.

“Hello!” Miss Trellis said cheerfully. “May I help you?” Then, she spotted Nancy and smiled. “Well, Nancy, it’s so nice to see you. How’s your grandmother? I haven’t seen her in a month.”

“Grandmother’s fine.” Nancy nodded. “She and Grandfather are visiting China right now.”

“Oh, how lovely.” Miss Trellis smiled. “And, may I ask, who is this?”

“I’m Eben DeLorca.” Eben introduced himself.

“Of course, the jeweler.” Miss Trellis grinned.

“Well, I suppose I’m a jeweler of sorts.” Eben explained. “I deal in antique and estate jewelry.”

“That must be fun.” Miss Trellis said. “Your parents are the famous DeLorcas—Joel and Joan?”

“That’s right.” Eben blushed.

“Well, we’re so glad that you’ve settled here in Vista Falls.” Miss Trellis responded merrily. “So, what can I do for you?”

“We’re just looking around.” Eben smiled.

“For what?” Miss Trellis narrowed her eyes. “Something for the wedding tomorrow? A flower for your button hole perhaps or a nice corsage for the young girl?”

“That’s not a bad idea.” Eben nodded.

“But, that’s not why you’re here?” Miss Trellis asked.

“Well, I’ve heard such good things about your shop.” Eben said slowly. “Our friend Mia received a bouquet of roses from this shop earlier today. And, then I noticed an identical bouquet had been left on the steps outside of my store.”

“I already told Mia Duomo on the phone that I don’t know how those flowers got there. I have no idea who bought them or why they were left there!” Miss Trellis snapped, suddenly no longer friendly.

“Yes, I understand that.” Eben answered.

“So, then, why are you here?” Bette Trellis said coldly.

What should Eben answer?

Go to next chapter!

Voting results for how the story continues:

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River Road Ch. 6: What should Eben answer? Tell the truth and say they’re looking for clues? 70.5% Accuse Bette Trellis of lying about not knowing who sent the flowers? 18.2% Say that he was hoping to get some flowers for his mother? 11.4%   Version 2.03