Sit, Stay, Slay

by V. M. Burns

  “Woohoo!” Dixie cheered, and we all toasted and drank, to Stephanie’s assessment.

  “I can’t wait to tell Beau.” Dixie rose. “Thank you, all. I hate to celebrate and run, but I think I’m going to have the first really good night’s sleep I’ve had in nearly a week.” She turned to me. “Do you want me to pick you up tomorrow?”

  I nodded.

  “We’ll go take a look at the building and go to the wake, and then it’ll be time for your final walk-through.” She bid everyone good-bye and then hurried on her way.

  Not long after Dixie left, David left to take Madison home. Joe had been unusually quiet, but he asked Stephanie and Lucky if they wanted to go for a ride downtown. So they left, leaving Red and me alone.

  “So it looks like I’m going to meet one of your sisters tomorrow.”

  “Which one?”

  “Barbara.” I explained about the doggie day care and the possibility that Dixie might buy the building. “I wish I had the time to get my hair and nails done.”

  He chuckled. “You look beautiful, and I’m sure Barbara will love you as much as I do.”

  I smiled. “I doubt that. You’re her baby brother, and I’m sure no woman will be good enough for you in the eyes of your mother and sisters.”

  He took my hand. “Stop it. I’m the one who’s lucky.” He leaned over and kissed me. “I’m not one of those romantic men who will walk around spouting poetry, and I’m not going to open my chest and start baring my soul. I’m pretty basic.” He paused. “Even before the war, I wasn’t someone who talked about their feelings, but that doesn’t mean I don’t care.”

  “I know.” I reached out a hand and ran it along the scar on the side of his face. “I know you went through a lot that you don’t want to talk about or relive, but one day I hope you will feel like you can trust me enough to share the burden of those memories.”

  “I trust you with my life . . . and my heart, but there are things that no one should have to endure. There are evil people in this world. Not just bad or mean, but pure evil. I don’t talk about what happened when I was a POW and tortured, because there are demons I’m not ready to face yet.”

  “When you are, I’m here.”

  We kissed until Aggie hopped up on my lap and wiggled her way in between us.

  “If I didn’t know better, I’d say Aggie was jealous of the attention you were giving me.”

  I laughed. “She definitely needs to be the center of attention.”

  Red stood up. “I better go.”

  I walked him to the door and spent more time saying good night. When he finally left, I felt breathless, and my heart was racing.

  Experience told me that regardless of the amount of time they’d spent outside, Rex and Aggie would need a formal potty break before bed. So I let them outside one last time, and they quickly took care of business.

  Inside, I let the poodles get into bed, while I took a shower and got ready for sleep. When I was done, I spent some time checking my e-mails. I had one from the agent at my mortgage company saying that, as far as she was concerned, I was good to go for my Friday closing. Before putting away my laptop, I logged into my bank to review the instructions for requesting a wire transfer so I would be set to initiate that tomorrow.

  Once I had signed in to my account, I was shocked when I looked at my balance. There was more money than I expected. Significantly more. Reviewing the transaction history, I saw that a large deposit was made just two days ago. The information available online was brief and cryptic. I would need to find out where the money came from and why it was in my account.

  Chapter 24

  Early Thursday morning, I got up and went through my morning routine. By the time David and Stephanie joined me on the back deck for coffee, I had been awake for a couple of hours.

  David stumbled into his chair, careful not to spill his coffee as he flopped down. He downed a few ounces before attempting to talk. “Aren’t you off today? Why are you dressed so early?”

  “I am off from work, but I’m going to meet Dixie to check out a building. We’re going to Naomi Keller’s visitation, and then I have the final inspection, plus I still have to wire the money to the title company and—”

  David held up his hand. “You’re making my head spin. Sounds like you’ve got a busy day.”

  “And I’m going to meet one of Red’s sisters. So I’ve been up most of the night stressing about that.”

  David smiled as he sipped his coffee. “I think meeting Red’s family is merely a formality. He really cares about you. I’m sure they will too.”

  “What if they don’t?”

  “Red’s a grown man. He’s capable of making his own decisions. He isn’t going to break up with you simply because his sisters don’t like you.”

  “I know, but I know what it’s like to be . . . involved with someone whose family doesn’t like you.”

  Stephanie had been quiet up until now. “You’re thinking about Nonna Conti.”

  Nonna Conti was Albert’s mother. She’d hated me from the moment I’d married her son. I tried never to speak ill of her, especially in front of David and Stephanie. Regardless of my feelings, she was still their nonna, their grandmother. However, Camilia Conti had no qualms about speaking ill of me in their presence. I couldn’t say that her feelings had played a factor in the dissolution of our marriage, but it had certainly added stress.

  Stephanie reached out a hand of comfort, and it was then that I noticed the large diamond that now graced her ring finger.

  “Oh my god! You’re engaged!” I grabbed her face and stared into her eyes. The happiness that greeted me let me know all that I needed to know. My daughter was engaged, and she was happy. We hugged and cried and hugged while we cried, and then we laughed and cried.

  David was a bit slower to respond, but he eventually reached over and gave Stephanie a hug. “I’m really happy for you, sis. Joe’s a good man.”

  Stephanie cried some more, and Lucky, unsure what to make of all of this, stood by ready to provide comfort if needed.

  Stephanie reached down and hugged her dog. “It’s okay, boy. These are tears of joy.”

  “I’m assuming all of this happened last night, but how did he propose? Had you two talked about it?”

  Stephanie sat up. “Last night, he took me down by the Tennessee River. There’s a place near the water with a bench. We sat and watched the water. Then he got down on one knee. He told me he loved me and wanted to spend the rest of his life with me. He said if that meant he had to move to Chicago, then so be it. He asked if I’d marry him.”

  “How romantic.” I started to tear up again and had to wipe my eyes.

  “I didn’t even think twice. I just knew that I wanted to marry him, and I said yes.”

  “I don’t suppose you’ve had time to think about a date yet?”

  “Not yet. We have some important details to work through first.”

  “Like who quits their job and moves?” David said.

  Something in David’s voice made me wonder if that question was strictly for Stephanie and Joe or if he was thinking similar thoughts about him and Madison, but I decided to let that question wait.

  The alarm on my cell phone went off, and I remembered that I needed to call the bank. So I quickly dialed that number. Despite the fact that the branch had just opened, I was still placed in a queue. Thankfully, my wait was brief. I asked about the deposit, and the teller confirmed the conclusion I’d come to in the early hours of the morning. I arranged for the wire transfer and hung up.

  “I don’t think I’ve ever heard anyone question their bank because they have too much money,” David said.

  “Apparently, the police and the courts have finished investigating your father. Remember the million dollars he had in that offshore bank? Well, they’ve released the money to me.” I stared
at them. “I don’t want the money, and I’m thinking I’d like to set up trusts for the two of you.”

  Stephanie and David exchanged glances.

  “What’s wrong? I expected you two would be at least a little excited.” I turned to Stephanie. “You and Joe can use the money to have the wedding of your dreams or use it for a down payment on a new house. Honeymoon in Italy. Or you can use it as a nest egg for my future grandchildren’s college funds.”

  Stephanie rolled her eyes. “Can you really imagine Joe Harrison wearing a tuxedo in some big fancy wedding?” She glanced out over the yard. “I love him too much to ask that of him. I’d be content to get married here, in your gazebo surrounded by my family.”

  I fought back tears.

  Stephanie grinned. “Maybe you and Red will want to throw a big elaborate wedding.”

  I laughed. “I have an easier time imagining Joe in a tux than imagining Red wearing one.”

  I turned to David. “Well, what about you? New York is an expensive place to live, and you could get a bigger, nicer apartment or travel the world.”

  David glanced at Stephanie and then cleared his throat. “We both talked about this, and we decided that rather than splitting the money two ways, we want to split it three ways.” He pointed to all of us. I started to object, but he hurried on. “Mom, you’ve sacrificed so much for us over the years, and you’re always putting others first. It’s time that you . . . lived a little. You could pay cash for this house. Renovate it however you want. Travel the world.”

  Stephanie gazed at me. “Isn’t there something you’ve always dreamed of doing, but never had the money?”

  I thought for a few moments. “Well, there’s one thing.”

  Both of them sat up and leaned forward eagerly.

  “Yesterday, when I was walking around that building with Dixie, I thought it might be nice to be a partner or an investor.”

  Stephanie bounced in her chair. “I think that’s a great idea. You could take care of the accounting for the business.”

  I glanced at David. “What do you think, and be honest, I can take it.”

  “I think it’s a great idea, too. You won’t need anything as fancy as that Pet Haven Spa where Madison used to work, but I’m sure she’d want to help out too.”

  We chatted about the business until Dixie arrived. I cautioned the children that nothing was confirmed yet. We were just looking at the building, and even if Dixie decided to move forward, I wasn’t sure she’d want a partner.

  On the drive downtown, I thought of how to broach the subject with Dixie but never found a good opening. Before I realized it, we were at the Greyhound rescue. Monica Jill called and said she was going to be late and for us to go ahead without her.

  We parked in the same spot we had the previous night. The rescue wasn’t open yet, but there was a black luxury SUV parked in front. A woman with thick, curly dark hair and a big smile greeted us. She wore blue jeans and a top I’d seen in one of my favorite shops, which I loved, though I knew it was outside of my price range. She introduced herself.

  “Hello, I’m Barbara Westfield.”

  Dixie shook her hand. “I’m Scarlet Jefferson, but please call me Dixie.” She turned to me. “This is my best friend in the entire world, Lilly Ann Echosby.”

  I saw the name recognition reflected in her eyes. “Lilly Ann Echosby? Are you… I mean, you’re the Lilly Echosby who’s dating my brother, Red?”

  I nodded and extended my hand.

  Barbara Westfield ignored my hand, reached out, and pulled me into a warm hug. “I can’t believe I’m finally getting to meet you.” She released me and smiled. “I had no idea you were coming too. My sisters are going to be so jealous when I tell them I got to meet you.” She smiled and leaned forward and whispered, “My brother is crazy about you.”

  I laughed. “Well, I’m pretty crazy about him too.”

  She reached out and hugged me again. “I’m sorry, but I’m a hugger, and I just can’t tell you how excited we are.” She released me. “Okay, I’ll try not to do that again.”

  “It’s okay.” I chuckled. “I’ve been nervous about meeting Red’s family, so it’ll be nice to know that I have a friend.”

  She stopped and put her hand on her hip. “Nervous? Honey, you have no reason to be nervous. We are thrilled.” She stared a few moments longer and then remembered why we were all here. “I’m sorry. Let me get the door open. I can show you around, and then we can chat more.”

  Barbara showed us the building and pointed out every feature, both good and bad. She kept up a steady string of conversation the entire time, and when we’d seen everything, she returned us to the office space. By that time, Monica Jill had arrived, and she sat in the office and waited.

  Monica Jill was excited to meet Barbara Westfield, but she wasn’t her normally bubbly self and didn’t say much.

  Barbara looked at us and then down at her jeans. “You three look really nice. I feel like I should have dressed up.”

  “We’re going to a wake later,” Dixie said.

  “I’m sorry. It wouldn’t be for Naomi Keller, would it?”

  We nodded.

  Barbara didn’t say a word, but I could feel the temperature decrease.

  “Did you know Naomi Keller?” I asked.

  “Not well, but I’d had some . . . dealings with her.”

  “Sounds like you didn’t like her,” Monica Jill said.

  She hesitated for a few moments. “I don’t like to speak ill of the dead, but Naomi Keller was a . . . difficult woman.”

  “How so?” I asked. “And, before you get your guard up, I think you should know that we weren’t friends with Naomi Keller.”

  Barbara glanced at each of us. “None of you were?”

  “Good Lord, no,” Monica Jill said.

  “Well, why are you going to the visitation?”

  “Because the police think I might have killed her,” Dixie said, “and we’re hoping to find the real killer so we can get them off my back.”

  Barbara’s face showed that she hadn’t expected that response. After a moment of shocked surprise, she said, “Wow! They really think you killed her?”

  “Your brother is helping us, but he took me in for questioning.”

  She put her hand on her hip again. “No way. Well, you just tell him there’s probably a long line of people who would have liked to have killed Naomi Keller.”

  Something in her face made me ask, “I don’t suppose you know any of those people?”

  She thought for a few moments before making up her mind. “Well, Brittney Keller would be at the top of my list, if I had to name someone.”

  “Why’s that?” Monica Jill asked.

  “For some reason I’ll never understand, Brittney was head over heels for Dixon Vannover. She was devastated when he dropped her like a bad habit about two months ago. You should have heard the wailing and cursing she did.” Barbara shook her head at the thought. “I told her she was better off without that loser, but she wouldn’t hear anything against him.” She clutched her chest. “She was in love.”

  “So Brittney talked about the fact that her lover and her stepmother were . . . an item?” I asked.

  “Frankly, I’d have taken that to my grave, but she told anyone dumb enough to stand still and listen. I made the mistake of coming to have a look around the building, and she trapped me, and I heard about the whole sordid mess.”

  “You know she came to the dog show the day Naomi Keller was killed and staged a protest in which she actually flung syrup on her stepmother,” Monica Jill said.

  “I told her she should have flung that syrup at Dixon Vannover.” Barbara folded her arms across her chest. “That two-timing womanizer had the nerve to try and get her back after Naomi was dead.”

  “What?” we all said.

 
“Oh yeah, he came here the other night and practically begged her to forgive him and take him back. I had come to take pictures of the building. Well, I guess she finally either got fed up or saw him for the lowlife that he is . . . was, because she called him every name in the book. She screamed some obscenities that made me blush, and I spend a good amount of time around construction workers.”

  “When was this fight?” I asked.

  “I think it was Tuesday night.” She thought. “It was Tuesday, because that’s the night he died, and I remember telling my husband that Brittney had been mad enough to kill.”

  We asked a few more questions, but Barbara didn’t have any other information about Naomi Keller or Dixon Vannover. Eventually, our attention returned to the building.

  “I don’t know how you feel about this office area, but I absolutely hate it. I wanted to open it up, but the Greyhound rescue didn’t have the money for more renovations, and my husband had already discounted their rent so much that he positively refused to do anything else.”

  “So you and your husband own the building and leased the space to the rescue?” Dixie asked.

  “We bought up a lot of these old buildings. Since he’s a contractor, he can renovate them and either sell them or lease them. He wasn’t crazy about making these customized changes because he said we’d never get our money back from a nonprofit and it would just make the building harder to sell.” She smiled. “I hope you decide to buy this place, if for no other reason than it will allow me to rub his nose in it.”

  Dixie said she needed to think about it, so we prepared to go. Barbara Westfield said her good-byes to Monica Jill and Dixie. She hugged me again and whispered, “Thank you.”

  “For what?”

  “You’ve made my brother so happy. He’s almost back to the way he was before he went . . . before the military.” She choked up. “I don’t know if he’ll ever get back completely, but he’s interested in life again, and he laughs and plays with that goofy dog. It’s just wonderful.”

  I could feel the heat rise up my neck, and I reached out and hugged Barbara. “Thank you.”