by Dylann Crush
“I don’t know.” He didn’t want to try to guess what Colin might do. He’d been wrong so many times in the past when he’d tried to anticipate his older brother’s moves. “I’ve got a little time. Maybe I’ll swing through Swynton and see if I can spot him. What was he driving?”
“A truck. A big black Chevy with a gun rack in the window. You sure you don’t want to talk to Deputy Phillips or the sheriff? They’re better equipped to handle him.”
“No.” Maybe if he’d made the decision to turn Colin in years ago, it would make sense to call the police. But how could he get them involved now without implicating himself? Having his parents believe Colin left because of a fight between brothers was a hell of a lot easier than letting them know what had really happened. He’d only confessed things to Suzy when she’d overheard him threatening his brother. But he’d sworn her to silence and would continue to handle it on his own. If Colin had the balls to come back to town, it could only mean one thing. He wanted something.
“I don’t feel right about this,” Suzy said.
Jasper cleared his throat and swallowed the regret he’d carried with him for bringing his aunt into his confidence in the first place. “Everything will be fine. Thanks for letting me know. I’ll check it out and get back to you.”
“While you’re over there, why don’t you have a chat with your old girlfriend? Rumor has it she’s been making waves about Swynton being disqualified from that contest.” Suzy clucked her tongue. “Never did figure out what you saw in that girl.”
He never really knew what he saw in Adeline Monroe either. But back in high school, when she was head of the cheerleading squad and he was the starting quarterback, it had seemed so much more cut-and-dried. They were supposed to go together, everyone said so, and he convinced himself everyone was right. At least until they left for college and she forgot about the promises they’d made each other and came home with a fiancé. Truth was, she’d done him a huge favor, but it sure hadn’t felt that way at the time.
“I’ll talk to her.”
“Be careful there, too. I’m not sure who’s more dangerous—your brother or Adeline with a chip on her shoulder.”
He broke the tension with a chuckle. “I can handle Adeline.”
“For your sake, I sure hope so. Take care now.”
“You too, Suzy.” He disconnected and swung the truck around in a wide U-turn. If Colin was over in Swynton, he needed to know.
* * *
* * *
An hour later he’d gone up and down the main streets with a dozen sightings of a black Chevy with a gun rack. He’d figured it would be a lost cause based on the generic description but had to see for himself. With time running out before he had to go pick up Lacey, he decided to swing by Adeline’s place before he headed back across the river.
She didn’t look a bit surprised to find him standing on the other side of her front door. As his gaze drifted over her, his aunt’s words rattled through his head. What exactly had he seen in Adeline? Whatever it was, it was long gone now.
“Jasper Taylor. To what do I owe this honor?” She stuck her head through the crack in the door, not bothering to invite him inside.
“What’s going on? Rumor has it you’ve been spouting off all over about how Ido doesn’t have a right to be competing in the state tourism board contest.”
She rolled her eyes. “Don’t believe everything you hear. But in this case, it’s true. Y’all don’t deserve it. Swynton won fair and square.”
“And then cheated. It’s not our fault you got yourselves disqualified.”
“I didn’t know anything about anyone cheating. Somebody did that on their own. Daddy doesn’t condone that kind of behavior and never would have asked someone to reach out on Swynton’s behalf.” With her hand clamped to her hip and a fire burning in her eyes, he almost believed her.
“What’s done is done. If you’ve got a problem with the contest, take it up with the committee.”
“I tried. They didn’t care. And now we’re paying the price.” Her lower lip stuck out, a move he’d actually found cute at one point in his misguided youth.
“It’s a silly contest, Adeline. Let it go.”
“I can’t. You know better than anyone that Swynton is a more romantic place. That’s why we spent all of our time on this side of the river when we used to go out. You do remember that, don’t you?” She flashed a grin.
“As I recall, didn’t you try to get married over in Ido last year? Speaking of, is your husband home? I haven’t had the pleasure of actually meeting the man yet.”
Adeline’s smile flipped upside down into a nasty frown. “I only tried to get married there to help them. But now Swynton has its own wedding venue. And sooner or later the state tourism board will realize their mistake.”
“I don’t know what you’re thinking about doing, but whatever it is, don’t.”
“Or what? You don’t scare me, Jasper. I know you’re nothing but a big ol’ pussycat under all that brawn.” She pushed her finger into his chest.
“Consider yourself warned.” He backed away and tipped his hat. “Have a good day, Mrs. Hawk.”
Her eyes narrowed and she opened her mouth like she wanted to say something, but slammed the door instead.
Jasper wasn’t sure whether he should consider the visit a success or not. But she’d been warned twice now. If she didn’t back off, he’d be willing to take things to the next level. He had to win that title. It was the only way to fix things, to make things right for his family.
Eager to get back across the river, he pressed on the gas, happy to put some distance between him and Swynton.
By the time he got back to Lacey’s, Delilah was sitting on the porch, a big glass of sweet tea in her hand. His mouth watered at the sight, so when Lacey asked if he’d like to set a spell and stay for a glass of tea, he didn’t hesitate to accept.
“How did it go?” He lowered himself into a chair as his gaze drifted over Delilah’s long legs. She’d propped them up on a footstool next to him.
“It was fun. Brunch was delicious and I enjoyed getting to know some of the ladies of Ido.” She turned a weary smile his way.
“You ever get tired of smiling?” he asked.
A furrow creased the area between her brows. “Why do you ask?”
“Just seems like it would be hard to always be ‘on’ like that. No matter what’s going on, you just smile and wave.”
“Are you saying I don’t have feelings?”
“No, that’s not what I mean at all. I’m sure you have feelings.” He didn’t mean to offend the woman, just wondered how she did it. “I’m just curious about how you can bury your own feelings and pretend like everything’s okay all the time. Don’t you ever feel like frowning?”
She let out a laugh. “My mother says it takes more muscles to frown than it does to smile.”
“Is that true?” He leaned forward, resting his forearms on his thighs.
“I don’t know. She’s always telling me things like that. Doesn’t want me to get any premature wrinkles.” She bit her lower lip with her teeth like she’d just divulged a state secret.
“I think you’d look just as pretty with a wrinkle or two.” Where did that come from? Now he was the one who wanted to clamp his mouth shut.
But she grinned. “Why, Mr. Taylor, you say the nicest things.”
He couldn’t help but laugh. “Yeah, right. Telling ladies how great they’d look with wrinkles has always been one of my best pickup lines.”
“What’s your best pickup line?” Lacey asked as she came out onto the porch.
“Nothing. I’m just putting my foot in my mouth like always.” Jasper reached for the tea Lacey handed him. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I had a call from Mrs. Winegate while I was in the house. She wanted to tell me how much
she enjoyed meeting you this morning.” Lacey smiled at Delilah. “I hope she didn’t pester you too much about her daughter.”
“She was lovely.” Delilah took a sip of tea.
“What happened?” Jasper asked.
“She’s interested in getting her daughter into some pageants.” Lacey set her glass down on the table. “She’s not the only one, either. I heard at least half a dozen women asking about how to get their daughters started.”
“I don’t mind.” Delilah’s lips curved up at the edges and Jasper found himself captivated by the different types of smiles she had at her disposal. With a simple tilt of her mouth, her whole face changed. “I’ve thought about starting a program for girls who want to get into pageants. I was lucky enough to find a mentor early on, but most girls aren’t as fortunate.”
“Maybe you could chat with them while you’re here in town,” Lacey suggested.
Delilah’s eyes took on a bit of a shine. “I’d love that.”
Jasper sat mesmerized, studying the contours of Delilah’s face . . . the way her cheeks flushed when she was happy, the spark that lit up her eyes at Lacey’s suggestion.
“Jasper?” Lacey toed him in the shin.
“Huh?” He swung his head to meet her gaze.
“I asked if you’d be willing to set something up? You can use the Phillips House as a meeting location. Maybe week after next? I’ve got that big wedding this weekend and another one the next, but we’ve got openings after that.”
“Sure.”
“Great, it’s settled then.” Lacey nodded.
“Wait, what am I setting up?”
“Pageant lessons for the local girls.”
He glanced back and forth from Delilah to Lacey to Delilah again. How did he miss that? He’d started off by saying he’d help Lacey with the contest and somehow found himself in charge. Now he’d agreed to coordinate pageant training? If his brothers found out, they’d definitely demand he hand over his man card.
But the look on Delilah’s face might make it worth the sacrifice. Her lips had split into the biggest smile he’d seen from her yet. One that showed off all her teeth. The kind of grin that would leave his cheeks aching. So, he did what any hot-blooded man would do at the sight of something so lovely. He beamed back at her and swallowed his pride.
“Great. I’m looking forward to it.”
eight
Delilah groaned and rubbed her hand over her belly. What she wouldn’t give for a sunken bathtub right now. She’d stuffed herself full of delicious food at the dinner at the Mexican restaurant in town and was paying the price. That’s what happened when she trained her stomach not to expect more than a few bites at a time and then blew it all by gorging on the buffet. But how could she resist? The veggie fajitas had been so tasty, the deep-fried ice cream, divine. If her mother could see her now . . .
As if Stella could sense her misbehavior, her phone pinged with an incoming text.
You still up?
Of course.
Her mother knew she never fell asleep before midnight, no matter how hard she tried. Within moments, the phone rang. Delilah rolled over and answered.
“Hello?”
“I had a sense you’d still be awake. How’s Miss Lovin’ Texas doing?” Stella’s voice rang out, the cheerfulness making Delilah’s stomach pangs worsen.
“I’m fine. What are you still doing awake?”
“I’m too excited to sleep. Monique and I met with the cosmetics rep this morning and they had some amazing new ideas for us. I think you’re going to be pleased.” Nothing got Stella excited like the prospect of making money.
“I’m sure they’re great.”
“The publicity firm wants to do a photo shoot. I went ahead and scheduled it week after next in Ido.”
“Oh, I can’t do that.”
“Why not? They gave me some new samples. I’ll drive them down myself. Franco said he’d be willing to travel, just for you. We’ll be in and out in two days, three tops.”
“I don’t think that’s such a good idea.” The thought of having to squeeze into anything beyond a loose nightshirt made her stomach cramp.
Stella tsked. “Of course it’s a good idea. We’ve got no time to waste. If we want to soft launch before the holiday season, we’ve got to get the marketing materials done.”
She was right. “Fine. Just let me know when and where. I’ll be there.”
“That’s my girl.”
Her girl. Seemed like she was only her mother’s “girl” when she agreed to do everything Stella wanted. Delilah reached behind her to plump her pillow as her mother prattled on about the level of shimmer in the new blush. As she settled her head against the pillow, something crawled over her hand. She shrieked, leaping off the narrow bed and hitting her head on the cabinet above as she jumped to her feet.
“Delilah?” Her mother’s voice came from where the phone had landed, facedown on the floor, next to a giant cricket that stood rubbing its gangly legs together.
She shook off the shivers racing up and down her limbs. Just a cricket. No big deal. Crickets didn’t even bite. She’d just grab something to scoot her phone away from it, then shoo it out the door.
Fumbling, she managed to make her way to the kitchen area, where she whipped open the narrow drawer that held a small assortment of kitchen utensils. A dozen, maybe two dozen, crickets crawled over the spatulas and silverware. Delilah screamed and slammed the drawer shut.
“What’s going on?” Stella’s muffled voice came from the floor.
“Hold on a sec. There’s a bug.” Delilah knew it was irrational, but she’d always had a fear of creepy-crawly things. Up to that point she hadn’t had any trouble with the trailer beyond a random ant or mosquito. She opened the closet door and grappled for the broom. It clattered against the countertop but, thankfully, was cricket-free.
Delilah tiptoed closer to where her phone had landed. If she stretched, she might be able to reach it with the broom and sweep it close enough that she could grab it without having to get close to the cricket. The bug in question sat on the ground, rubbing its front legs together in all of its dark, glossy glory. She shrieked as she pulled the broom back, causing her phone to skitter across the floor of the trailer and disappear under the table.
Bending down, she reached a hand under the table to retrieve her phone, only to touch something undeniably crickety instead. She let out a scream that probably could have woken the dead in at least four surrounding counties, and exploded out of the trailer into the parking lot.
It was empty, thankfully. Smoker Saturday had ended several hours ago, although the scent of fish lingered in the air. The neon lights from the Burger Bonanza sign burned bright although the windows were dark. Helmut and the staff had gone home hours ago. Which meant she was standing in a deserted parking lot.
In her nightgown.
Alone.
She glanced down at her bare feet. It’s not like she’d be able to walk somewhere to get help. What was she going to say? “I’m too chicken to enter my trailer because it’s full of crickets”?
Embarrassed at her own ridiculousness, she poked her head back into the trailer. “Stella?”
No answer.
Either her mother had hung up or the call had been disconnected when her phone flew across the floor. She could do this. It was just a few bugs. Bugs that didn’t even bite.
She waited a few minutes, letting her pulse slow. Then, grabbing the handle on the outside of the trailer, she lifted a bare foot to the step. Those crickets were more scared of her than she was of them. That’s what her dad used to tell her. Her eyes teared up at the memory of her dad. She could still picture the humor in his eyes and see the whisper of a smile as he used to toss her into the air and catch her over and over again. He wouldn’t be afraid of a few harmless crickets.
Emboldened, she entered the trailer. The broom rested against the counter and she reached for the handle. She’d just sweep those helpless crickets out into the fresh air. No problem. She lifted the broom, preparing to do just that, when something landed on her shoulder.
All thoughts of peacefully coexisting shattered. She whipped around and raced down the steps, flinging herself through the door and right into a hard, broad chest.
“You okay?” Jasper wrapped his arms around her, drawing her tight against him, her breasts smashed against his pecs.
She wasn’t sure what to be more mortified about . . . her irrational fear of some harmless crickets or the fact she was standing half-naked and braless in the very public parking lot of the Burger Bonanza, chest to chest with Jasper Taylor.
“I’m fine. What are you doing here?” She pulled back, thought better of letting him see her in her skimpy nightgown, and crossed her arms over her chest.
“Your manager called. Said it was an emergency and you were being attacked.” Jasper’s gaze flicked over her like he was checking her for injuries. His hair stuck out in all directions, and he looked like he’d just woken up.
“I’m sorry. I was on the phone with my mom when a cricket attacked me.”
His brow furrowed and the edge of his mouth ticked up. “You were attacked by a cricket?”
“Not just one. There’s a whole army of them in there.” She pointed to the door of the trailer.
“An army of crickets attacked you?”
“Well, not really attacked. I mean, I’m sure it wasn’t a premeditated move on their part.” She kept her palms over her breasts, aware of how absolutely ridiculous she sounded.
“Do you mind if I take a look?” He bit back a smile.
“By all means, please.” She nudged her chin toward the door. “But be careful. They’re everywhere.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.” He disappeared through the small door and she waited for some confirmation that she hadn’t overreacted, that her trailer hadn’t been caught up in some cricket swarm of biblical proportions.