The Lilac Code

by Becki Willis

  Focused on food, the teen wasn’t bothered by the weather or the playful insults. He tapped the side of his blond head, following the scent of pepperoni and sausage. “Don’t want to crowd all these smarts,” he claimed. “Gotta give the brain plenty of room to grow. Hey, didn’t you bring pizza for everyone? There’s only two boxes here.”

  Brash cast a suspicious eye at his daughter. “I thought you weren’t leaving school until after lunch.”

  Behind stylish specks, Megan rolled her eyes. She wore her turquoise frames today, to match her plaid shirt. In honor of the ranch house they decorated, she and Bethani went with western ensembles today, complete with custom-made cowboy boots, signed by Cutter’s very own grandfather. “We didn’t.” She emphasized the word. “You know your future stepson is a bottomless pit.” She stepped around the boy and snagged a slice of pizza while she had the chance. “Come on, Beth, get some while you can. You, too, Cutter.”

  “Use napkins,” he warned. “I want this to be a good surprise for Genny, not a greasy mess.”

  “Geesh, you, too?” Blake bemoaned. “Mr. de read us our rights this morning before school. We have to keep the house clean, the trash cans empty, the laundry folded, the homework done.” He reached for his second slice of pizza. “He’s worse than Mom.”

  “When was the last time your mother took a vacation?” Brash asked.

  Before the teen could answer, Cutter broke in, “And last fall’s trip to the coast doesn’t count. That wasn’t a pleasure trip. That was to help Genny deal with losing her house and almost losing her life.”

  Blake wore a thoughtful expression. “I don’t remember her ever going anywhere without us,” he admitted.

  “No, wait. She and Daddy went away for their anniversary a couple of times,” Bethani corrected. “But that was… before. Like, ages ago.”

  “So, we all agree your mom really needs this time away,” Brash rationalized. “Not only because she’s helping Genny celebrate a special time in her life, but because your mother deserves a little rest and relaxation, too. Agreed?”

  Bethani bobbed her blond ponytail. “Definitely.”

  “Agreed.” Blake spoke around his third slice of pizza, now disappearing into his mouth.

  “So we don’t want her worrying about what’s happening back here at home. We want her to know we have things under control, right?”

  “Right,” Bethani agreed.

  Blake nodded as he chewed.

  “So the least we can do is keep the house clean, the trash cans empty, and the laundry folded, correct?”

  “Don’t forget the homework,” Megan pitched in sweetly. “You never let me forget mine.”

  “And the homework done,” her father added. “We want Maddy to be proud of us, and how well we can handle things in her absence. We want her to know what a good job she’s done, grooming you to become responsible adults and grooming us to become a family. A family that works together to keep the household running, even when she’s not there to remind us. We want to make her proud of us,” he reiterated. “Right, guys?”

  Bethani swallowed the sudden lump in her throat as she murmured in agreement. Even Blake slowed down on his pizza intake. Megan’s eyes turned misty.

  Cutter broke the sentimental moment with his trademark rakish grin. “Heck, after that speech, you make me want to come over and do a load of laundry—and I don’t even live there!”

  Brash laughed it off. “I’m just saying Maddy deserves this trip. Genny, too. This is the least we can do for them. No worries from our end, so they can enjoy a peaceful, stress-free vacation.”

  Chapter 4

  “Would you look at this place!” Granny Bert gave a low whistle of appreciation as they pulled into the walled estate. “It’s even bigger than the Big House. Fancier, too.”

  “Can you imagine living here?” Madison said. “Annette likes to think her Ivy Hall is impressive. I should send her pictures.”

  “Now that you’re on speaking terms again, don’t rock the boat,” Genny advised. “Remember, your former mother-in-law is taking the kids skiing during your honeymoon.”

  “Oh, that’s right. I definitely don’t want to alienate her now.” Just thinking of being alone with Brash for the first time made her skin tingle. It was a long six weeks yet to come.

  “How cute. You’re actually blushing,” Genny teased.

  Madison made a shooing motion with her fingers. “Don’t worry about me. You have your own honeymoon coming up.”

  “Don’t I know it!” Genny said dreamily. Hearts were breaking all around The Sisters, knowing Cutter Montgomery was off the market, but the truth was, he had fallen in love with Genny the moment she first came back to town. It had taken over a year for her to admit her attraction to a man eight years her junior, and to give their relationship a chance.

  “Knock off the mushy stuff and take a look at those cars in the parking lot,” Granny Bert instructed. “That’s a mint-condition ’66 Mustang Convertible, just like the one your father used to drive.”

  “They must have kept that baby in a garage for the past five decades,” Genny agreed. “It looks brand new.”

  “Blake was telling me about a place down in Florida that recreates exact replicas of classic cars. Dear son that he is,” Madison’s voice dripped with sarcasm, “he thought I might want to know, in case I wanted to give him a copy of a ’57 Chevy truck for Christmas.”

  “Sure, if you have an extra million or so lying around!”

  In the understatement of the year, Madison shook her head. “Not this Christmas, I’m afraid.”

  Her grandmother had already crawled from the backseat. “Let’s see what the inside of this snazzy joint looks like.”

  Madison offered her hand, but the older woman shook it away as she took the steps up the front porch. Genny opened glass-paned double doors leading into the opulent foyer.

  With a crystal chandelier above them and Italian tile beneath their feet, Genny’s dimpled smile deepened. “I love it already!” she whispered.

  “Wow, look at that fireplace in there,” Madison murmured, gazing beyond the staircase with its impressive landing. Steps spilled from either side, flanking a curved, cushioned bench against the railings. The fireplace itself stretched as high as the eye could see.

  “Welcome to The Columbia Inn at Peralynna!” A friendly voice broke into their awestruck musings. “We’re so glad you’ve joined us.”

  Check-in was quick and painless. As the receptionist handed them the keycard to their room, she shared a few helpful details.

  “Percy will show you to your room and help with your luggage. We have you in the third-floor penthouse suite. We’re hosting a private cocktail party this evening for the intel community, but you’re welcome to mingle in the great room for wine and cheese. Our innkeeper will be on hand to visit with you and answer any questions you may have about your stay.”

  A jacketed man appeared behind them. “Let me take that for you,” he said, taking Granny Bert’s suitcase. Although Genny was no conventional beauty, he took one look into her sparkling blue eyes and dimpled smile and tripped over his own tongue. “Let me gets yours, too, ma’am. Miss. I’ll be happy to show you around the inn, if you like.” As an afterthought, he glanced back at Madison, left to trudge her own suitcase up all three flights of stairs. “I can come back for yours,” he offered.

  “There’s no elevator?”

  “Not yet.”

  “Never mind. I’ve got it.” It shouldn’t be much different than carrying laundry up to Bethani’s third-floor bedroom, although her suitcase was heavier than she remembered. So much for packing light.

  “As Chloe said, you ladies will be in the penthouse. It’s my favorite, by the way,” he said, his eyes dancing with intrigue. “You may not know it, but this home was patterned after a spy house in Germany during the Cold War. In the original house, operatives used this suite to watch the great room down below. It has mysterious spaces,” he confided in a loud
whisper.

  When they reached the second floor, crossed through a cozy library, and started for the second staircase, Genny turned and took the suitcase from her friend. “Let me,” she insisted. One tug, and she grunted. “Good grief, what did you pack in here?”

  “I thought I was packing light,” Madison said sheepishly. “I guess not.”

  “You may have to get behind me and push.”

  “Please,” Percy interjected, “leave it and I’ll bring it the rest of the way.” He looked at Granny Bert. “Are you handling the stairs all right? We might have something available on a lower floor, although it won’t be as large.”

  “Stand aside. I’ll jog the rest of the way,” the older woman said. Her huffed words had nothing to do with shortness of breath, but everything to do with injured pride.

  “No offense, ma’am.”

  “None taken,” she sniffed. “If you’re through taking a breather, let’s go.”

  Percy bit back a smile and led the women up the final flight of stairs, to the double doors just off the landing. “Your suite, ladies. Allow me.” He reached for Genny’s key card, allowing his fingers to brush against hers. With a flourishing hand movement, he threw open the doors and ushered them inside.

  “This suite is almost as big as my entire house,” Granny Bert exclaimed. “I may have to sleep in the hall to be closer to the bathroom.”

  The younger man laughed, not quite understanding the grain of truth behind her words. He pointed out a few highlights of the room and excused himself, but not before once again offering Genny a tour of the inn.

  When he was gone, Madison placed her hand over her heart and made a less-than-solemn vow. “I promise not to tell Cutter about your not-so-secret admirer. What happens at Peralynna stays at Peralynna.”

  Genny picked up a throw pillow from the sofa and lodged it at her friend. “Very funny.”

  “Hey, girls, get a load of these closets,” Granny Bert said, wandering into the large space.

  “There’s supposed to be a loft in here somewhere,” Genny said, wandering into the hall. She returned a few moments later to make her report. “There’s another private deck out that way, and a narrow set of stairs that leads to a cozy little bedroom.”

  “I can take that one, if you like,” Madison offered.

  “Nah, I need the exercise more than you. Oh, and there’s a half bath up there, too.”

  “There’s a swimming pool in this bathroom,” Granny Bert exaggerated. “These people must be in great physical shape, because there’s more steps leading up to the tub. When you get up there, you can sink down and soak away the aches and pains of getting there.” She shook her head with the irony.

  “Why don’t you two start unpacking while I check in with the contest organizers?” Genny suggested. “Then we can all go down and do some exploring.”

  Madison lifted their suitcases onto the proffered stands, grunting under the effort of her own bag. “I must have packed in my sleep, because I swear, I don’t remember this being so heavy this morning,” she muttered. She unzipped the basic black rolling bag and gasped. She rifled through the contents, not recognizing a single item. Most of it was folders, books, and ledgers. No wonder it was so heavy!

  “I have someone else’s luggage!” she stated with delayed realization.

  “What are you mumbling about in here?” Granny Bert asked, returning from the bathroom.

  “I have the wrong suitcase! This isn’t mine.”

  “How in tarnation did that happen?”

  “I have no idea. Wait. The attendant stowed my luggage for me,” she recalled. “I was one of the last people off the plane, which means that someone else mistook my luggage for theirs.” She sank onto the side of the bed with a horrified sigh. “That means that they have mine, and I don’t have a thing to wear!”

  “Look on the bright side. You’ve needed a new wardrobe. Derron found you a few new pieces, but you still need a major update.”

  “Not like this, I don’t! I don’t even have a pair of underwear to change into.”

  “Relax, they have stores up here. There was a mall near the restaurant where we ate.”

  Madison continued to bemoan her troubles. “This is terrible, just terrible. My favorite boots were in that bag!”

  “So, call the airport, explain the mix-up, and see if the other person has already returned your bag. I’ll bet it’s there waiting on you.”

  “You’re right. I should call the airport.”

  Her grandmother clicked her tongue. “What would you do without me? All this time, I thought I was the beauty and you were the brains, but maybe I was wrong. Maybe I’ve been both, all along.”

  In no mood for her grandmother’s shenanigans, Madison already had her phone in her hand.

  Three calls and an hour later, the news wasn’t good. No one reported a missing suitcase, nor had they returned a piece of mistaken luggage. Without any identification on the bag in Madison’s possession, they advised that she hang onto it until someone claimed it. Returning it to the airport could result in permanent loss.

  “This is crazy. I can’t believe they told me to just keep someone else’s luggage!” Madison fumed.

  “For all the good it does you. Nothing but a bunch of papers, from what I can tell. What little I read didn’t even make sense,” Granny Bert groused.

  “I’m sure they told the other person to just keep mine, as well!” she continued to rant. “This is ridiculous.”

  “Let’s find a store and buy you some new clothes, at least something for tonight and tomorrow,” Genny suggested. “We’ll come back, have a glass of wine, and call it a night. You can call the airport again in the morning. Even if no one has returned your suitcase, at least someone on the morning shift may be more helpful.”

  “They certainly can’t be any more inept than the idiots working the phones this evening!”

  “Calm down, Maddy. It’s going to be fine.” Genny stroked her friend’s arms in a comforting gesture.

  “You were right, you know. Something bad did happen.” Madison threw her hands up in exasperation. “I lost all my underwear!”

  Granny Bert snickered. “Somehow, I don’t think Genny had a premonition about you losing your underwear.”

  “Go ahead. Laugh. Make a joke. It’s fine for you. You have something to sleep in tonight.”

  “I know how you feel, you know,” Genny said quietly. “I felt the same way when my house burned down. It’s a terrible feeling, knowing you don’t even own a fresh pair of panties or a toothbrush.”

  The comparison immediately quietened her friend. Maddy bit her lip in shame. “I’m sorry, Genny. Here I am, going on and on about a few lost items, things I packed for just a few days, when you lost literally everything. I should be ashamed for being so insensitive, and for overreacting the way I did.”

  “I didn’t mean—”

  “Of course you didn’t,” she broke in, silencing her friend with a hug. “It did me good to hear it, all the same. So. Let’s go find a store and buy me some new threads.” She slapped her hands together and grabbed her purse, which she knew was light on cash. She winced and added, “I may just have to shop at the dollar store. Things have been a little lean since Christmas.” Not to mention since Gray died and left me with all that debt, and hardly a dime to my name.

  “Nonsense. This will be my treat.”

  “Absolutely not!”

  “I invited you along on this trip, and I’m the one who made us late this morning in the first place. It’s my fault you lost your luggage.”

  “You had nothing to do with that major wreck on the interstate, or the fact my luggage has a twin and someone else took it by mistake.”

  “Still, I insist on buying, and I don’t want to hear another word about it.”

  “No, Gen—”

  “Nope, not another word. Think of it as an early trousseau present.”

  “I didn’t buy you a trousseau present,” Madison pointed out d
ryly.

  With a giggle, Genny grabbed her own purse. “In that case, I’ll buy my own. In fact, I’ll treat us all three to a new outfit! Come on, ladies, let’s go shopping!”

  They returned with a half-dozen shopping bags.

  Madison needed a little of everything. Other than a tube of lipstick and a comb she carried in her purse, she had no makeup, no hair products, and no change of clothes. The shoes she wore would do, even though their soles were slick on the icy pavement. Temperatures were typically colder here in Maryland than they were in Texas, and recent snowfall had melted and refrozen as a fine glaze of ice.

  Though she might seldom wear it once she returned home, Madison chose a nice cable knit sweater in a rich moss green. The color looked good with her complexion and brought out tiny green flecks within her hazel eyes. The black slacks coordinated with the sweater and the second blouse Genny insisted on, a silky top of brilliant blue.

  “I’ll pay you back,” Madison promised.

  “Nonsense. I’ve been living with you since the fire, and you won’t let me pay a dime for rent. Think of this as partial repayment for housing me all this time.”

  “Are you kidding? You do most of the cooking, not to mention the grocery shopping. It’s better than having a live-in cook. You know Blake will go through withdrawals when you move out and he’s stuck with my mediocre cooking again.”

  “I’ll run these bags up and meet you back down here in a jiffy,” Genny offered. “Like I said, I need the exercise.”

  “I can take them, or at least go with you.”

  “You stay and keep Granny Bert company.” She flashed her dimpled smile and added, “Which we all know is code for keeping her out of trouble.”

  “I can hear you, you know,” the older woman huffed.

  Genny tossed a wink over her shoulder. “I know.”

  Madison and her grandmother wandered into the great room, where they found the wine and cheese bar. Helping themselves to the snacks and a glass of Chablis, they waited for Genny’s return.

  “All done?” Madison smiled when she saw her friend. “Thanks for taking that up.”