“Thank you,” I said in genuine shock. What game was he playing?
Bill turned to Gemma, who was still standing in the hallway. “Be sure to schedule a dinner for me and Magnolia this week before she goes.”
She nodded. “Yes, sir.”
Yes, sir? Were they into some kind of dom-sub thing? The thought of Bill James as a dom . . . disgusting.
“Which night would work better for you, Magnolia?” Gemma asked as Bill went up the staircase.
“Uh . . . I’m not sure,” I said honestly. “My mother’s in the hospital.”
She gave me a worried look. “Can I pencil you in for Thursday? You can cancel if need be. He told me to schedule a dinner, and if I don’t . . .”
“Yeah,” I said in attempt to calm her. “That’s fine.”
“Thank you.” She hid her face, looking embarrassed.
Was she in an abusive relationship like Belinda? That might explain the whole taking Roy under his wing thing. “How long have you and Bill been dating?”
Her face jerked up, her mouth open in surprise. “Oh. We’re not dating. I’m his personal assistant.”
“Oh,” I said, scrunching my brow. “I thought he had a girlfriend.” When she shook her head, I added, “I could swear Roy told me he was on a date Wednesday. It sounded like things were getting serious.” So I had changed Roy for Brady . . .
“Oh, no,” Gemma said. “Bill hasn’t dated for months.”
Gemma seemed clueless about maintaining his alibi. Who was the woman who claimed to have slept in Bill’s bed? If it weren’t true, he might not have an alibi at all.
Or was Brady lying? I wasn’t sure I could entertain this idea, yet it burrowed in my brain anyway.
As soon as I got into the car, I pulled out my phone, turned off the recorder, and texted Colt.
I’m fine. False alarm.
He called within seconds.
“What the hell, Magnolia? I looked up that address. You went to see Bill James. What were you thinking?”
“It turns out Bill James had an alibi the night Emily died—well, maybe—so I figured there’d be no harm. I needed answers only he could give.”
“What kind of answers?”
“About my father.”
He was quiet for a moment. “What did he tell you?”
“Who are you working for?” I countered.
“Dammit, Magnolia.”
“There you go.” I looked out the window at Bill’s house and noticed a figure in the window. It stepped back into the room, but not before I recognized Bill’s face. He wasn’t on a phone call. “I have to get back to Momma and figure out a dress. But I’ll be there, eight thirty. We’ll find out who wants the gold and then figure out where to go from there.” I pulled away from the curb.
“You don’t have to worry about that part, Maggie. I’ve got it covered. Just stay safe. We can’t be the most beautiful couple in Williamson County if you get killed before you show up tonight.”
I smiled at his statement; then I hung up, giving myself plenty of time to mull over everything I’d learned in the last hour and a half. I had more information than ever, but I had a feeling that I still didn’t know what really happened fourteen years ago.
A half hour later, I was back in my mother’s room, but she wasn’t alone. Belinda sat in the chair next to the bed, reading out loud. It took me five seconds of eavesdropping to figure out she was reading Tina Fey’s memoir. I couldn’t help smiling. Momma would have hated it if Belinda had been reading a classic like Pride and Prejudice.
“Hey,” I said softly when I walked into the room.
Belinda glanced over her shoulder. A frown tipped her mouth as she bent over and picked up her purse.
“You don’t have to go because of me,” I said, hating this new distance between us.
“It’s okay,” Belinda said as she stood. “I need to get ready. Are you still going tonight?”
I cast a worried glance at my mother, suddenly having second thoughts. “I’ve been gone for a few hours. I think I should stay.”
“You’re going,” Momma said with her eyes still closed. “I want to see pictures of you two girls together.”
Relief washed through me that she was awake. That she was still here with us.
“But I don’t have a dress.”
“I brought you one,” Belinda said, gesturing to the long garment bag hanging in the corner. She gave me a half-smile. “And also a pair of shoes. I guess I got to pick it out after all.”
“Belinda . . .” I reached for her, but she took a step back.
“I just need a little more time, okay?” But she didn’t just look hurt. She looked nervous. Maybe she thought she was pushing me away too much to get back to being friends.
I nodded, grateful she wasn’t writing me off forever. “Okay.”
She kissed Momma on the cheek. “You stay strong, Lila.”
“You girls need each other,” Momma said, her eyes narrowed to slits as she turned her head to face us. “Magnolia, will you please give us a moment?”
I blinked in surprise. “Okay.” But right or wrong, after I walked into the hall, I pressed my ear to the crack.
“Belinda,” Momma said. “Give up whatever silly feud the two of you have going on. I know Roy hasn’t treated you right, and I should have stepped in.”
Belinda gasped and I heard horror in her voice. “Lila, you . . .”
Momma continued, sounding stronger than she had for the past couple of days. “I only have so much energy, so I’m not gonna waste it arguing with you over the facts. I’m a wise old woman, although some might question the wise part, but sometimes I actually know things. I know this: Roy isn’t right for you, but Magnolia is. She’s goin’ to need you when I’m gone, Belinda. Can I count on you to be there for my girl?”
My mother was guilt-tripping my sister-in-law into babysitting me? I was beyond humiliated. But then it hit me: this was my mother’s way of telling Belinda goodbye.
My eyes began to sting, so I pried them wide open. I had to keep it together.
“It’s not that easy,” Belinda said.
“Bullshit. Do you love Roy?”
“Of course I do,” Belinda said, but she sounded unconvincing.
“We both know that’s a lie, and I don’t have time for lies right now, Belinda. You don’t love him. It started out that way, but something happened a couple of years ago. He turned mean and you lost part of yourself. You’ve been biding your time, although for the life of me, I still haven’t figured out why. I know it’s not money. Gold diggin’ is beneath you.”
Belinda released a short laugh. “Thank you . . . I think.”
“I love you, girl,” Momma said in a rough voice. “You brought joy back into my life, and when you welcomed Magnolia, despite knowing Roy would punish you for it, you gave me a gift I could never repay.”
“I didn’t do it for you, Lila. I did it for me. I wanted a friend. Magnolia has been that.”
“She’s more than a friend, she’s an ally, and you’re gonna need her when you leave that fool son of mine.”
“Lila . . .”
“Supposedly, dying women get to make requests, so here’s mine for you: leave Roy.”
“Lila.”
“You know I’m right. You can count on Magnolia. She’s stronger than I ever gave her credit for. I know you’ve got your feelings hurt over something, but things are about to get tough, so you need to get over it quick, do you hear me?”
I heard Belinda sniffle. “I hear you.”
“I love you like a daughter, girl. You are the very best thing Roy ever gave me.” Momma coughed. “Now send Magnolia back in here before I take another twelve-hour nap.”
I heard footsteps and I moved away from the door, pretending to be staring down the hall.
Belinda walked out the door with her purse hanging from the crook of her arm, swiping a tear from her cheek with the back of her free hand. She stopped and stared at me for a moment.
“I love you, Magnolia. I just need more time.”
My throat burned. “I know.”
“Your mother is saying her goodbyes.” Two fat tears rolled down her cheeks. “I just thought I should warn you.” Then she turned around and walked toward the elevator.
I took several deep breaths before walking back into Momma’s room.
“You changed from what you had on earlier,” Momma said. “You look like you went to a business meeting.”
“Yeah, of sorts.” I stopped next to her bed, resting my hand on the metal rail. “I called Tilly earlier and offered to work in your place tonight, but she said they were doing just fine.”
“She would never let you work tonight. Tilly’s a romantic at heart. For what it’s worth, she prefers Colt to that Brody, but she’s always had a soft spot for the boy.”
I grinned and moved next to her bed. “It’s Brady. And which one do you prefer?”
Her eyes opened. “The one who makes you happy. The one who makes you laugh and cry.”
“You think I should date a guy who makes me cry?”
“If you don’t cry when you have a fight, then he’s not worth stickin’ around for. You don’t love him enough.”
“Enough for what?”
“Enough to make it work when times get tough, because Magnolia, they’ll get tough, no matter how strong your love is.”
All I could think about was my father cheating with that terrible woman. Obviously his love hadn’t been strong enough.
“Oh.” Momma’s voice was heavy with disappointment. “You found out.”
She couldn’t possibly guess what I’d learned. “Found out what?”
“That your father had an affair.”
I tried to hide my reaction. “People only think he slept with Shannon Morrissey. They were rumors, Momma. We both know they weren’t true.”
“Not her,” Momma said. “The other one.”
“What other one?”
“Don’t play stupid, Magnolia,” Momma said, sounding irritated. “I know you were listening in when I talked to Belinda.” My eyes widened, but she shook. It was a small movement—barely an inch either way—yet there was no denying it. “I know you, my girl. I’m not angry. I was counting on it. But since you were listening, don’t waste what little time I have left with lies and half-truths.” She paused and some of her fire faded. “You know damn good and well there was another woman. Rowena Rogers.”
“You knew?”
“Of course I knew. I’m not stupid either.”
“But Daddy didn’t think you knew.”
“And where did you hear that? Let me guess, Bill James.” Understanding filled her eyes. “So that’s where you went, huh? You always did like to play with fire.” She took several breaths before continuing. “Your father was a smart man, but stupid at relationships. He knows I nearly kicked him out, and I’m sure he never cheated again. Not even with that Morrissey woman.”
“Why didn’t you kick him out?” I asked. “How could you stay with him after that?”
“Oh, Magnolia, you’re still so young and idealistic. I stayed because I still loved him. I stayed because you worshipped him. I stayed because I liked our house and our lives and it would have ripped everything apart to leave. So maybe I was strong to stay . . . maybe I was weak. But I warned him there would be no second chances.”
“I had no idea.”
“And your father and I wanted to keep it that way, but I should have known better. No secret stays buried forever.” She took several breaths. “Your father loved you. It’s important you know that. I suspect he loved you more than me, but that’s okay, because I channeled my love into Roy . . .” Her voice faded and her eyes closed. “One mistake . . . one mistake can lead to another and another until you’re buried under an avalanche of them. I’m suffocating under my mistakes, Magnolia. I’m so damned tired of trying to climb out.”
I picked up her hand and held tight. “You don’t have to climb out, Momma,” I said in a broken voice. “I brought a great big bulldozer and cleared out a path.”
Her eyes squinted open and tears escaped from the corners, rolling down into her pillow. “And I love you for that.” Her voice barely a whisper, she asked, “Do you remember the dress you wore to your senior prom?”
“Of course,” I said with a laugh while I brushed away my tears. “But I’m surprised you do. You were working that night.”
“I know, and I’ve regretted it for most of my life. It was so important to you, and I just dismissed it.”
I smiled through my tears. “It’s okay. Remember that bulldozer?”
She fumbled for the remote on her bed, then pushed the call button.
“Momma?” I asked, trying not to panic. “Are you okay?”
“I’m about to be.”
Ten seconds later, a nurse walked in and stood in the doorway. “Do you need something, Mrs. Steele?”
Momma turned her head to face her. “I’ve changed my mind. Let’s start that antibiotic.”
The nurse broke into a big smile. “Yes, ma’am. I’ll be right back to hang the bag.”
Tears clogged my throat. “You said you were done. What made you change your mind?”
“You may have bulldozed my mistakes away, but I’ve got plenty of makin’ up to do, starting with tonight. I know you’re probably still thinking about skipping that ball, but I want you to go. I want to see you all dressed up like the night I missed your prom, but I know you’ll never go if you’re worryin’ about me. If I start that antibiotic, it’s one less worry for you,” she said. “At least for tonight.”
Chapter 28
As soon as I opened the garment bag, I understood why Belinda had insisted on choosing my dress. Not that it wasn’t beautiful—it was the most gorgeous dress I had ever seen—but the quality of the fabric told me it had cost Belinda as much as a wedding dress.
The champagne-colored sleeveless dress had a fitted top with a plunging neckline that wasn’t too deep and an open back that stopped at my waist. (Thank goodness it had built-in cups because there was no way to wear a bra.) The skirt fell in long chiffon folds, and Belinda had sent a rhinestone belt and champagne-colored, iridescent heels to add more sparkle. I planned on taking it back to her first thing in the morning. But tonight I would wear it and love every minute of it. I might even wear the gold masquerade mask she’d included. It was the small tiara that I balked at.
“Belinda insisted you wear it all. Tiara included,” Momma said, as if reading my mind. “It’s a masquerade ball. The one place you can get away with it.”
One of the nurses had a curling iron in her locker, so I curled my hair, and another nurse styled it in an elaborate updo to showcase the tiara. When I stepped out of the bathroom, I had to admit that I felt like a princess, which was utterly ridiculous since I was far too old to play the part.
But my mother oohed and ahhed—and even insisted the nurses take photos of me with her phone. I asked her if the IV antibiotic had made her high, but she just laughed, a sound it felt immeasurably good to hear, and told me to get used to it.
A month ago, I would have run from this. Now I reveled in it.
But at eight thirty, as I stepped out of the Uber with my mask in my hand, I was a mess of nerves. Colt and I had a purpose for coming to this ball, and I had no idea how it would end.
I scanned the sidewalk outside Savannah House, the only true house in Franklin big enough to hold an event of this size. But all thoughts of murders and gold flew out of my head the moment I saw him.
Colt Austin was a good-looking man, but tonight he looked like a Greek god in his form-fitting black tux. His blond hair was freshly cut, though God only knew when he’d had the time, and his blue eyes sparkled when he saw me. I finally understood what people meant when they talked about seeing someone across a crowded room and the whole world disappearing.
I stopped in my tracks, but Colt continued his path toward me. When he reached me, a smile lit up his entire fac
e. “You’re beautiful.”
“It’s Belinda’s dress,” I said, feeling an uncharacteristic blush rising on my cheeks. “I think it turns into a pumpkin at midnight.”
“It’s not the dress.” Then his smile changed into a sexy grin. “But as long as I’m the only one there to watch the transformation, I’m good.”
I laughed. “I had no idea you had a pumpkin fetish, Colt Austin.”
He leaned over and kissed me with a mixture of tenderness and possessiveness, a kiss that matched the man who gave it to me. “I had no idea you would be so perfect.”
I narrowed my eyes. “What does that mean?”
His bad-boy grin was back. “I’ve heard about you since the first day I walked into Southern Belles Catering. I expected a diva, which is definitely not what you turned out to be.”
“I’m going to take that as a compliment,” I said in a mock-offended tone.
He laughed, but then the humor slipped away. “You make me believe everything will work out.”
I turned serious too. “It has to. I’ll accept nothing less.”
“Do or die,” he said. I expected him to grin like he was teasing, but he didn’t.
“Colt,” I said, fear snaking in my gut. “Where’s the gold?”
He scanned the crowd, avoiding eye contact. “Hidden.”
“What’s your plan?”
Looping his arm through mine, he led me to the entrance. “We’re denying a whole room full of people the chance to see the most beautiful woman in the world. I’ll perform this one act of selflessness and share you for a few hours.” He shot me a sexy grin. “But when this dress turns into a pumpkin, fair warning—I plan to take advantage of your naked body.”
I gave him a demure grin, but my eyes were full of mischief. “You’re just full of promises tonight.”
His hand tightened over mine. “And I intend to keep every one of them.”
We joined the line of people entering the building, and I noticed several women eyeing Colt with looks of appreciation and lust. There were whispers of my name. Of his.
“Where’s your mask?” I asked him.
He grinned. “In my jacket pocket. I’m in no hurry to put it on.”
Call Back: Magnolia Steel Mystery #3 (Magnolia Steele Mystery) Page 31