44 Cranberry Point

“Do you think the judge will let us bring our knitting needles into jail?” Laura asked. “If you want the truth, I have several Christmas projects I’d like to start and frankly I could make good use of the downtime.”

Just as Charlotte began to reply, Sharon Castor strolled up to Ben. “This is everyone?” she asked.

Ben nodded.

“Ben’s hired us legal representation,” Charlotte whispered to her friends. “He seems to think all the judge will do is fine us.”

“That’s all?” Laura sounded disappointed. “I was looking forward to prison.”

In contrast, Bess folded her hands together and raised her eyes toward heaven. “God bless Ben.”

Charlotte had to admit she was grateful not to have this entire matter fall upon her shoulders. She was the one who’d led her friends into trouble, and she felt responsible for whatever befell them as a result.

“We’re up next,” Sharon Castor announced. “Let’s go into the courtroom together.”

Charlotte adjusted her hat. Ben took her hand and the small party walked into the courtroom. Sharon was in the lead, with Bess, Helen and Laura marching right behind her, and Charlotte and Ben bringing up the rear.

To Charlotte’s astonishment, the courtroom was packed-standing room only. The first people to catch her attention were Bob and Peggy Beldon from the Thyme and Tide bed-and-breakfast.

“We’re with you, Charlotte,” Peggy called out.

Justine and her husband, Seth, were there, too. Seth held on to Leif, who was almost two years old. The toddler squirmed in his father’s arms, but stilled when he saw Charlotte. Justine waved, and Charlotte’s eyes blurred with tears, which she furiously blinked back. It seemed half the town had shown up to offer them support.

Enjoying their celebrity status, Bess and Helen waved as if they were prom queens walking in a Fourth of July parade.

“Did you know about this?” Charlotte asked, glancing up at Ben who stood a full head taller than her five foot three.

“Not at all,” he confessed, looking around. “Even Troy Davis is here.”

The sheriff who’d arrested them had turned up in court to support their efforts now. Charlotte had always been fond of Troy and was willing to forgive his error in judgment. Then again, the dear boy had no choice but to arrest them when they’d declined to break up their demonstration and disperse. He’d sworn to uphold the law, whether he agreed with it or not. His presence this afternoon made his personal feelings very clear.

“Roy and Corrie McAfee are here, too,” Ben whispered.

The McAfees were recent additions to the Cedar Cove community. Roy was a former Seattle police detective who’d retired in Cedar Cove and opened his own agency as a private investigator.

Grace Sherman stepped up to Charlotte and gave her a hug. “Olivia asked me to stop by this afternoon,” Grace said close to Charlotte’s ear. “I didn’t think you’d mind if I invited a few library patrons to give you their support.”

Charlotte squeezed Grace’s hand. Grace and Olivia had been best friends nearly their entire lives. How like Olivia to ask Grace to fill in for her this afternoon, since she couldn’t be in court herself. For a very good reason, mind you, one Charlotte fully approved of. Olivia and Jack were in Hawaii on their honeymoon.

The door at the back of the courtroom opened and in walked Maryellen Sherman, who found a seat next to her mother. Jon Bowman was with her, Katie balanced on his hip. Charlotte had taken a liking to the photographer and was pleased to hear those two would soon be married. High time, in her opinion, not that anyone had asked.

“The court will come to order,” the bailiff announced. “Judge Robson presiding.”

The judge emerged from his chambers and took his seat at the front of the courtroom.

Despite Ben’s reassurances, Charlotte’s pulse fluctuated wildly before taking up a steady beat again. This might not be pretty. Until she was asked to stand with her friends while the charges were being read, Charlotte didn’t realize how frightened she was. Between Bess practicing her karate moves and Laura looking forward to knitting in jail, Charlotte wasn’t sure what to expect.

Sharon Castor handled the situation in a most professional manner, Charlotte thought, her estimation of the attorney rising considerably.

“Your Honor,” she said, moving halfway to the bench. “Look at this group of law-breakers and tell me what you see.”

“Ms. Castor,” Judge Robson said. He continued to scan the charges. “Unlawful assembly, refusing to disband-”

“Yes, Your Honor, but my clients were making a statement-a statement they felt could only be made in this manner. They feel Cedar Cove needs a health clinic and I, for one, agree with them.”

“Then they should have approached the council.”

“Which I did, Your Honor.” Charlotte spoke before she could stop herself. “I beg your pardon, Judge Robson,” she said, feeling she couldn’t let her nerve fail her now. “Both Mr. Rhodes and I attended several council meetings, but to no avail. Mayor Benson said there are no funds to establish a health clinic, but-”

“This isn’t the time to discuss the merits of a medical clinic in Cedar Cove.”

“Yes, Your Honor,” Charlotte murmured, properly chastised. Ben gave her an encouraging smile.

The prosecutor in the case seemed disinclined to send them to jail, Charlotte noted gratefully. He made a few comments and sat back down. Sharon Castor was on her feet again.

“You can save your breath, Ms. Castor. I’ve made my decision.”

The attorney slowly sat down.

“It appears to me that the five of you were trying to make public your case for a health clinic.”

Charlotte nodded and noticed the others did, too.

“Your plan has apparently worked. Half the town is here to support you. If anyone from council is in attendance, I sincerely hope they are taking detailed notes. I don’t see that anything useful will be served by fining five senior citizens who were on a mission to make Cedar Cove a better place. If I could have your word of honor that you will not assemble again without the necessary permit, then I’d be willing to dismiss all charges.”

Charlotte and the others were quick to comply.

As soon as the charges were dismissed, the courtroom erupted into applause. As they walked out, Charlotte and her friends were given a heroes’ reception. They were free, one and all.

Before they left the courthouse, Charlotte and Ben personally thanked Sharon and every person who’d come to their support. She was astonished their case had generated so much interest in the community. All this time Charlotte hadn’t spoken about her court date because she didn’t want to bother her family or friends with her problems. It was a strong affirmation of the community’s affection and respect that so many people were there today.

Ben drove her back to the house. “I had no idea all those people knew about this,” she told him as he held the car door for her.

“I didn’t, either,” Ben said.

“I suspect it was Grace who rallied everyone on our behalf.”

“The next time I’m in the library, I’m going to thank her all over again.”

“I will, too.” Charlotte had every intention of letting Olivia know what a wonderful job Grace had done.

“You are much loved in this community, Charlotte Jefferson,” Ben said as they mounted her front-porch steps. He carried her small suitcase, which he’d remembered to remove from the trunk.

“I am honored so many of my friends took time out of their busy days and came to court,” she murmured, still a little overwhelmed.

“There’s someone else you should include on the list of people who love you,” Ben said. He sat down on the porch swing while she rummaged in her large purse, searching for the house keys.

“And who would that be?” she asked, thinking she might have stuck the key chain in her overnight bag.