Serenity's Deception (Texas Sorority Sisters Book 1)

by Janice Olson

  “All right. I don’t want anyone else is to know that you four will be on guard duty. I want the men to think business as usual with extra vigilance.”

  “Will do.” The foreman turned to leave.

  “And Mateo?”

  Mateo looked back.

  “Everyone carries. The rifles are to have one in the chamber at all times. And give fair warning before you fire. Hopefully, you can catch these snakes. Because if I do, I’ll kill them.”

  Chapter 40

  Okay, what was so stinkin’ urgent that I had to drop everything and waste a couple of good vacation days on a trip to this dink-water town?”

  Bent over her light table with her back to the office door, BJ swung around in time to watch Miranda Sue Walker a/k/a Randi swagger into the room. She could tell Randi was trying to keep the smile from her face, but it was a lost cause.

  BJ propped her hands on her hip. “Me! That’s what.”

  She raced to meet Randi halfway, enveloping her into a tight squeeze, only to release her and step back. As though she hadn’t seen her in years and not just three months ago, her eyes took in the beauty of her old Heritage House roommate and partner in crime.

  “Well, look at you, all dolled up. If I didn’t know better I’d think you were on your way to meet your latest conquest.”

  “Who’s to say I’m not.” Randi crossed her arm over her waist, elbow resting on her wrist, index finger resting on her cheek. “Hmm. Doesn’t Robby Greene still live somewhere in this little pit stop? I might meet up with my old high school beau.”

  “As if he’d still have you.”

  Peals of laughter rent the room.

  BJ gave her friend an endearing smile. “You haven’t changed one bit. Just as irreverent as ever.”

  “I aim to please.” Randi’s emerald eyes sparkled and her dimples pierced her cheeks. Wisps of auburn fanned her face and caught fire by the light coming through the window.

  Several inches taller than BJ, Randi was clad in dark blue jeans, high heeled boots, and a green knit top that hugged her thighs and accentuated the slinky curves of her model-like shape. Her clothes made BJ’s jeans and top look like yesterday’s throwaways.

  Randi shifted her head causing the thick, heavy waves to shimmer as the strands moved and spilled midway down her back. BJ could remember how Randi would rant and rave vehemently about the ugly color. She tried to tell her friend how much the boys were attracted by the flame, but as often as not, they got singed by Randi’s sharp tongue.

  “Have a seat and I’ll tell you what’s so urgent.” BJ motioned to one of the two overstuffed chintz chairs. She moved to the other and sat down.

  “Excuse me, Ms. BJ.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry, Sidney. I didn’t notice you there.”

  Sidney shifted uncomfortably in his black suit as his fingers sought to straighten his already perfectly aligned tie. “Shall I serve dinner on the veranda or in the dining room?”

  “I think the veranda would be nice. What do you say?” She glanced at Randi. “You didn’t eat before you got here, did you?”

  “Who? Me?” She winked, her cherry red lips turned up into a grin. “No way. I’m here strictly as a freeloader and a guest. I’m not about to spend my own dough when you’re rich.”

  Already Randi’s bubbly, free spirit was cheering up BJ.

  “Good.” BJ looked at Sidney. “Veranda it is. At six please, if that works for Martha.”

  Sidney nodded his head. “Very well. Shall I take Ms. Walker’s bags upstairs to her room?”

  Randi smothered a laugh, raising a comical, haughty brow almost causing BJ to lose it all together.

  “Thank you, Sidney. That would be nice.”

  BJ and Randi waited until the door shut. Randi let loose peals of laughter.

  “My. Hoity-toity. Ms. BJ … I do believe you have arrived. What’s Sidney, your butler?”

  “No ninny. He’s my steward.”

  “A ste-e-ward?” Another laugh sputtered out. “How many people does it take to run this mausoleum and to answer your beck and call? This is certainly a far cry from the prison we broke out of. Wow.”

  Ignoring her friend’s reference to the mausoleum, BJ settled into the soft cushion back, pulling her legs up and under her.

  “Okay. I’ll hold off teasing you for now. But spill the beans.” With her curiosity stretched to the limits, Randi practically levitated off the chair. Her avid curiosity generally led her into trouble. “I want to hear everything. I want every juicy detail down to the last morsel. The house. Why you’re here. Why, I’m here. All of it.”

  BJ explained about the inheritance, Jace being married and living in the mansion, but didn’t mention about all the bad stuff that had happened, or that she was almost certain someone was watching her. She was to the point of why she’d asked Randi to come to Serenity when the clock struck six. BJ motioned. “Come on. Dinner is ready.”

  “Lead the way, your highness.” Randi gave her a comedic curtsey.

  “Act your age, or I may reconsider my proposition.”

  “What proposition? Come on. Don’t leave me hanging.” Randi tugged on BJ’s hand.

  BJ didn’t try to hide the sparkle in her eye, nor the sly grin playing about her lips. “I’ll tell you over dinner.”

  “You’re bad.”

  “I know.”

  Walking out onto the veranda , BJ noticed they had company. Robby Greene and Jason were stepping through the other open doors on the opposite end and hadn’t seen Randi and BJ yet. She stopped, ready to tell Sidney she’d changed her mind about the veranda, when Randi bumped into her, glancing in the men’s direction.

  Randi pulled BJ’s sleeve. “Is that who I think that is?”

  BJ couldn’t have their dinner moved back to the dining room. It would look childish, and anyway, there was plenty of room for both parties to enjoy dinner outside without intruding.

  “Yes. I’m afraid so. And it looks like they had the same idea as we did, but at the opposite end of the terrace. But that’s okay. We can—”

  “Why, Jason O’Connell and Robby Greene, is that you?” Randi locked arms BJ and swung her around, stepping out onto the veranda, dragging BJ along.

  BJ wanted to slap a hand over her friend’s mouth, but it was too late.

  “Wellll, hellow ladies.” Robby advanced on them. Jason lagged behind. “I’d recognize that halo of fire engine red anywhere. What are you doing here, Miranda Sue?”

  BJ didn’t have to look to know that steam was rising out of the top of Randi’s head.

  “Why, honey.” Randi’s made-up deep southern drawl brought a smile to Robby’s lips and a grin from Jason. “You must be color blind. I’ll have you know my hair’s a luscious auburn to match my sweet and zesty disposition.” Randi’s deep throaty laugh wasn’t wasted on either man. They both joined in.

  Randi gave each man a hug and quick peck on the cheek.

  “Are you two having dinner out here too?”

  BJ groaned inwardly and would have liked to punch her friend in the arm for entering into conversation and practically asking the men to join them for dinner.

  “We are.” Robby looked at the two place settings as Jason stood by. “And it seems you lovely ladies are too. Why don’t we join you and play catch up.”

  “That’s fine with me.” Randi gave a demure smile looking at Jason. “Jason, how are you doing?” She slid her long slender arm in the crook of Jason’s as they exchanged pleasantries. Without missing a beat, she locked arms with Robby also. One man on each side. A queen bee holding court.

  Randi flirted shamelessly with both Robby and Jason. And by the looks of them, BJ noticed they ate it up like starving refugees.

  “Shall I move the place settings down here?”

  BJ realized Sidney was still standing by. She wanted to tell him no, keep everything as it is, but couldn’t do it. She wouldn’t spoil Randi’s fun.

  “Yes, thank you, Sidney.”

  When BJ loo
ked in Jason’s direction she couldn’t tell what he thought about the arrangement. They all moved around the table and sat down.

  “What’s it been eight-ten years?” Robby watched Randi with curious intent. BJ noticed a glint that hadn’t been present the day he reconnected with her.

  “No. Try thirteen, but who’s counting. I believe the last time we talked was when I left for UT the fall of our graduation. You remember. We both said we’d keep in touch and you didn’t.”

  There was no mistaking the snide tone in Randi’s voice, nor the flash of fire in her eyes.

  Randi turned her attention on Jason, leaving Robby a little stunned. “How have you been, Jason? Don’t you have a wife or something? Where is she? Out for the evening?”

  This must be a night for combustion, because Jason looked like he was holding the lid on tight to keep from exploding. BJ tried to kick Randi with her toe, only to receive a frown and a kick back. Why hadn’t she ordered dinner in her studio, if she had this wouldn’t have happened.

  “I’m not married.”

  “What? I thought you—” Heat rushed to BJ’s cheeks for uttering her thoughts.

  “I said I’m not married.” He looked BJ square in the eye. “She died five years ago in a car accident.”

  He must have loved her very much to still be so affected. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know.” She placed a compassionate hand over his balled fist. When he gave her a look of loathing, she withdrew, placing both hands on her lap.

  “A drunk driver hit her head-on and she died in the hospital. She had just left to be with her lover.”

  Chapter 41

  No one at the table spoke. The stunned silence hung heavy and awkward, surrounding the small group of four.

  Jason stared down at the table.

  Randi gave BJ a horrified questioning look.

  Robby just shook his head.

  BJ didn’t know what to think or where to look. Fortunately, Sidney chose that moment to deliver dinner. Nothing more was said about Jason’s wife or the fact that he’d led BJ to believe he was a married man, or had he? He just never corrected her misconception.

  Not knowing whether to cry or rejoice, BJ felt relieved knowing she hadn’t lusted after another woman’s husband, freeing her of guilt. All this time she’d battled the attraction and felt remorse over her wayward thoughts. Where Jason was concerned, she still had a battle to wage. Knowing he was free would be harder than ever to not succumb to her feelings for him.

  “Well, shall we eat? I’m famished.” Randi picked up her fork and dove into the baked chicken and stuffing like a starving refugee. “Mmm, this is really good. You have a wonderful cook.”

  BJ knew her friend was working hard to bring a little normalcy to an otherwise charged and uncomfortable situation. Jason, silent as a monk, didn’t acknowledge Randi’s comment.

  “Martha came with the house, sort of.” BJ glanced at Jason. “I’m not certain how long she has worked here. Do you know?”

  By the baffled look on Jason’s face, he didn’t have a clue what they were talking about. “Sorry?”

  “How long has Martha worked for your aunt?”

  “Not sure. Probably thirty-five years or better. She was hired before I arrived on the scene. Sidney’s the one to ask.” Jason looked thoughtful. “He was hired by my Uncle Victor, Madelyne’s husband. And Uncle Victor died two years before I was born.”

  “Well, all I’ve got to say is Martha has my vote for cook of the year.” Randi closed her bright, red lips around a bite of stuffing, shutting her eyelids for a moment to savor the taste. “This is food to die for.”

  Robby, like a salivating puppy begging for a scrap, and unable to get his fill of Randi, watched her every move.

  She ignored him.

  “What prompted you to come to town? Just passing through?” For once Robby’s notable charms didn’t affect Randi.

  “Don’t know.” Randi looked pointedly at BJ. “Why don’t I let BJ tell us. Why am I here?”

  “It can wait ’til later when we’re alone.” BJ gave her a pointed look to drop it.

  Randi glanced around the table. “We’re among friends. I’m sure they’re as anxious to know why as much as I am.”

  This wasn’t exactly the venue BJ wanted to disclose her plans. But since Jason was on the board, she’d receive his reaction firsthand this way. “I had thought to ask you privately. However, since you seem bent on including one of our town’s finest in uniform and Jace in on my plans …” BJ smiled at both men and then at her friend. “How ’bout moving back to Serenity to become head of placement for Heritage House?”

  Chapter 42

  BJ’s bedroom door swung open, hitting the doorstop. She flinched, snatched her pistol from the nightstand drawer, pivoted, gun raised.

  Randi, stormed inside BJ’s room, stopped a few feet away with a look of horror and hands in front of her in defense. “BJ. Whoa. It’s me, Randi.”

  “I can see who it is.” BJ lowered the gun, replacing it inside the drawer.

  Randi studied her looking for answers. “What’s going on? Why the gun?”

  “Bounding into my room like some demented person caused my knee-jerk reaction. Sorry. Maybe knock next time.”

  “What’s happened to make you so skittish?” Randi landed on BJ’s bed in typical Randi fashion—sprawled, belly down, across the bed, pillow shoved under her chin, looking up at BJ.

  Acting nonchalant BJ answered, “A break-in the first night. So I thought it wise to have it by my bedside while I’m sleeping. And you slamming into my room caused a knee-jerk reaction, that’s all.”

  “Hmm.” Randi studied her for several seconds. “About that bombshell you dropped at dinner. Why didn’t you tell me when I first got here? Now how will it look to Robby and Jason if I refuse? Sour grapes is how.”

  “Were you planning on refusing?” BJ raised her brow in question.

  “No, but …” She shrugged.

  Seeing Randi’s multicolored polka-dot PJs and the sprigs of flyaway hair that had escaped her sagging ponytail, BJ smiled. Randi had a comical, but loveable, deranged look.

  She knew if she laughed it would only exasperate Randi more, BJ sat down on the bed beside her friend. “I was going to talk to you about it over dinner. But you insisted on having dinner partners and including them in on my surprise. What else could I do? And what’s the harm anyway?”

  Randi huffed. “Plenty.” She bounced over to the edge of the bed to sit next to BJ, glancing down at her floppy-eared bunny slippers. “I don’t want Robby knowing my business. And furthermore, I left this town to get away from that asylum, not to come back and be the placement manager.” She turned toward BJ. “What were you thinking?”

  The cinders in Randi’s eyes had dampened considerably.

  “What was I thinking? Do you have to ask?” She held Randi’s hand. “I want my closest and dearest friend, who knows the inside-out of the placement business, to come live with me for at least a year and do what she does best. Place children with loving families. How ’bout it?”

  She watched Randi soften. “You’ve been saying for the last couple of years you needed a change. Here’s your opportunity. Give your notice and work with me. Or you could take a leave of absence for a month, give it a try, and see if the job fits. If it doesn’t, I’m sure I could find you a position elsewhere or DHR would take you back in an instant.”

  Randi looked down at her well-manicured nails.

  “To sweeten the pot, you move in here with me, all expenses paid. I’ll even give you a hefty salary, more than you’re probably worth.” BJ smiled at Randi when she saw her brows inch up and the combative look in her eyes. “Which, of course, will be negotiable. In fact, you name the figure. I’ll pay.”

  “Working with children who are already waiting for adoption would be a whole lot easier than working to get children free from their abusive parents. I wouldn’t have to jump through hoops to set up the adoption for the Heritage kids.”
>
  BJ wanted to shout for joy, but knew better. She had hooked her. Or at least Randi sounded like she was wavering on the fence and about to fall on her side. She’d have to play it cool, or Randi just might show her obstinate side and walk.

  “You would have free reign with the children. No hassles. Just qualifying and interviewing perspective parents. The legal paperwork would be handled through Mr. Hampton’s office, so you would have none of that, except the preliminary documents. But at first, I want you to go over the books, make sure everything is running smoothly—no padded expenses, all the papers in order. And I would even agree to hiring help if you need someone.”

  “Sounds like a job made in heaven.”

  “I wouldn’t go that far. You haven’t met the headmistress yet.”

  “That bad, huh?”

  “Well, a little. I think she’ll be okay. But if not, I leave that up to you. You have full run of the operation. I want you to have people you can trust to do what you tell them to do.”

  “I’ll do it, but on my terms. Temporary at first. If it works for me, I’ll stay.”

  BJ hugged her friend. “Oh, thank you. When can you start?”

  Chapter 43

  BJ decided that work would be better than tossing in bed. She headed down the stairs to her studio. When she passed the door to Madelyne’s old office she hesitated. Until now, she hadn’t desired to explore the woman’s personal office. However, at this moment she had an unexplainable urge to go inside and investigate the madam’s domain.

  Sidney had explained from the first that Madelyne had left strict instructions before her death to keep the room clean but under no circumstances was the room to be disturbed. She wanted the new owner, BJ, to be the one to say what was to be done to the room’s contents.

  BJ still couldn’t quite grasp the concept that this huge estate belonged solely to her. What was the woman thinking when she made out her will? Daft most likely.