Thirty-Three and a Half Shenanigans

by Denise Grover Swank

  “Vi, please,” I pleaded. “Come inside, and I’ll tell you what I’ve been up to with the landscaping office.”

  Indecision flickered in her eyes, so I gave one more pull. Her shoulders sank. “Okay. But only for a few minutes.”

  With Muffy in tow, we walked past a huge Dumpster overflowing with debris from the vandalism the Gardner Sisters Nursery had suffered right before Thanksgiving, nearly three weeks ago. Joe had hired a company to clean the place and repair it, but I’d refused to hire anyone to reassemble the shelves and handle the restock. We’d done it all ourselves last time, and I wasn’t about to let him pour even more money into the business. If we needed help, I knew Bruce Wayne and Mason would be more than willing. If there was ever a time it worked in our favor to shut down, December was it. Besides Christmas trees, there weren’t too many plants that had their heyday at this time of year.

  I walked through the doors and gasped. The walls were freshly painted, and new shelves had been put together. The place was spotless. A few boxes were stacked in the corner, and Violet noticed when my gaze landed on them.

  “We’re just starting to get new shipments,” Violet said. “Since everything was almost a total loss, we had to reorder almost everything. But I think it will all be here by the end of the week, and we’ll be ready to start putting the store back together.”

  Muffy ran to the back room, probably checking to see if her bed was still there.

  “I thought the repairs weren’t getting done for another few days.”

  “Joe decided to do them himself instead.”

  I wasn’t all that surprised. Joe had always loved doing repairs on my house when we were together, both because he enjoyed it, and it saved me money.

  “Mike helped too.”

  That one did surprise me. I whipped my head around to gape at her. “Mike?”

  She shrugged. “He offered, plus he and Joe have been friends since you guys dated. I think he likes hanging out with him.”

  I nodded, trying to decipher the uneasy feeling in the pit of my stomach. I wasn’t sure it was jealousy, but it certainly wasn’t pleasant. Still, I was glad that Joe had someone, even if it was Violet’s estranged husband. “I suppose if Joe ever needed a friend, it’s now. Did you know Hilary has moved to Henryetta?”

  Violet’s eyes darkened. “No, but I’m not surprised. Joe says she’s like a leech. She pestered him mercilessly to marry her next weekend, but she finally had to cancel it. He swears he’s done with her now.”

  I narrowed my eyes. “He’s said that before. It’s gonna take more than a few weeks of holding firm to convince me otherwise.” I took several steps into the shop and walked around a display case. “Besides, it’s not technically my problem anymore.”

  “Joe still needs you as a friend, Rose. He needs all of us.”

  “And I plan to be one, but I have to consider Mason’s feelings.”

  “Why?” She took a step toward me. “When you and Mason were hanging out as friends, you never really took Joe’s feelings into consideration.”

  Anger filled my chest, but she held up her hands in surrender.

  “I’m not trying to be belligerent, Rose, I promise. I’m just pointing out the truth, and you know it.”

  I released a frustrated sigh. “That was different.”

  “You didn’t worry about Joe because you knew he could handle your friendship with Mason, but you don’t think the opposite is true.”

  My jaw clenched. “Violet—”

  She rushed toward me and pulled me into a hug. “I’ll stop. I just want you to be happy. And safe.”

  I broke loose, groaning. “Not that again.”

  Violet grabbed my upper arms and stared into my eyes. “I’ve spent nearly twenty-five of my twenty-seven years worrying about you, Rose Anne Gardner. Don’t think I can just stop now. It’s not fair of you to ask.” Tears glistened in her eyes.

  “Violet.” My voice softened, and I gave her a tiny smile. “I promise you that I’m completely safe with Mason. He would sooner die than hurt me. Look what he did to protect me from Daniel Crocker.” I wiped a tear from her cheek. “I know it’s not easy for you, but you’ve got to stop worryin’.”

  Violet started to cry in earnest. “You must think I’m a big baby.”

  “No, I think you’re my overprotective big sister,” I offered, but part of me held back. I loved Violet with all my heart, but we’d been through a lot over the last several months. Just like it was going to take time for Joe to convince me he was done with Hilary, it would take more than a few tears to convince me that Violet was done with all the backbiting she’d stooped to recently.

  She wiped her face. “Ashley misses you. Do you think you can stop by and see her this week?”

  “Mason’s mom is moving into her new house tomorrow.”

  Violet cringed. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have asked—”

  “Violet,” I interrupted. “What I was going to say is that I’m going to help her unpack some boxes in the afternoon. I can pick Ashley up after school and bring her over to work with us. I know how much she likes to organize things.” I winked. “Just like someone else we know.”

  To my surprise, my sister burst into sobs.

  “Violet?” I pulled her into a hug. “Why are you still crying?”

  “I was so scared I lost you,” she pushed through her tears. “I was so awful to you. I wouldn’t blame you if you turned your back on me. After all, we’re not real sisters—”

  I pulled away, and my eyes narrowed in anger. “Don’t you ever say that again. We couldn’t be truer sisters than if we were identical twins. Even if we didn’t share a father—or heck, even a single drop of blood—everything we’ve been through together would make us sisters.” I grabbed her hand and clasped it tight. “I owe you more than I could ever repay, Vi. A few months of fighting isn’t gonna make me forget that.”

  “Thank you,” she said through tears.

  “Oh, Vi. I love you. You could never lose me, no matter what. I couldn’t have survived without you when we were kids. And that’s something I will never forget.”

  “But I know how terrible I’ve been.” She searched my face. “How can you forgive me?”

  “I’m not going to lie. It’s not easy. But we’re off to a good start, don’t you think? Let’s just take it a day at a time.”

  She nodded. “Okay.”

  My phone dinged with a text, and I dug it out of my pocket, trying not to cringe when I read it.

  If you don’t come see me, I’ll find you.

  Crappy doodles.

  I stuffed my phone into my coat pocket. “Vi, I have to go. I’ll call you tomorrow about picking up Ashley.”

  Her gaze landed on my pocket, then rose to my face. “Is everything okay?”

  I forced a smile. “Of course. I just remembered that I need to stop by the store to pick up something for dinner. Maeve’s spending the night. She did all the cooking last time she stayed with us, so I want to make sure she takes it easy.”

  Violet looked suspicious. “I thought you were still banned from the Piggly Wiggly.”

  I scowled at the reminder. “Mason’s working that out.”

  “Then how are you going to shop there today? And what about Muffy?”

  At the sound of her name, Muffy came running out from the back room and sat at Violet’s feet.

  I bent down and scooped her up. “Maybe I’ll order take-out from that new Mexican restaurant. Jonah took his secretary there a couple of days ago.”

  “Jonah Pruitt’s dating his secretary?”

  I shook my head. “You’re slipping, Vi. I told you that days ago.” I gave her a quick hug and moved toward the door, Muffy following. She’d eagerly sniffed every last corner of the store. “Now I really have to go.”

  “Be careful, Rose.”

  I was sure gonna try.

  Chapter Four

  Skeeter Malcolm was not a patient man. I wasn’t sure why that irritated me so m
uch. It wasn’t like it came as a surprise. He couldn’t expect me to drop everything and come running, but after his last text, I couldn’t very well continue to ignore him. I wouldn’t put it past him to show up at my front door during dinner, asking me to set an extra plate.

  I started my truck and drove out of the parking lot while I called him back.

  He answered on the first ring and laughed. “I figured that would get your attention.”

  “What do you want, Skeeter?”

  “I need your help.”

  “I already gave you my help and almost got caught!”

  “But you didn’t. I made damn sure of that.”

  “I helped you before because I needed my money back. I don’t need anything from you this time.”

  He paused. “Are you sure about that?”

  Something in his voice gave me pause. What was he talking about?

  “What do you want, Skeeter?” I repeated, not feeling as cocky as before.

  “I need you to read someone.”

  “Excuse me?” I pulled up to a stop sign. “What does that mean?”

  “You know,” he fumbled. “I need you to tell me if somebody did something.”

  “I’m not a living lie detector, Skeeter Malcolm. I see visions of the future, not the past. I have no idea how I’d go about doing something like that, even if I wanted to. Which I don’t.”

  “Well, I need you anyway, so figure something out.”

  “I can’t. I have to get home to make dinner.”

  “What is it with you and making dinner?” he asked in disbelief. “What are you? Julia Crocker or something?”

  I groaned. “It’s Julia Child and Betty Crocker. And no, I’m just a normal person going home to make dinner like most normal people do.”

  “Baby, there’s nothin’ normal about you. Get over to the pool hall in ten minutes.”

  “Skeeter!” I protested, but he hung up. Damn him.

  A car behind me honked, and I realized I was still at the stop sign. I drove through the intersection and pulled into the parking lot of the Burger Shack, going over my options.

  First, I could ignore him, but I was certain he’d send someone for me or even come himself. How would I explain that? Which of course was what he was hoping would drive me to my second option: go to him and do as he asked. But if I jumped as soon as he called, I’d be setting a bad precedent. Maybe we could figure out some sort of compromise. I had Muffy with me right now, and I really didn’t want to expose my poor dog to the seedy underbelly of Henryetta. She’d already endured enough.

  Instead, I sent a text. I’ll meet you tomorrow morning. But not at the pool hall. I can’t be seen there after what happened on Thanksgiving. Pick a place where no one will know me or my truck.

  He took so long to answer, I was sure I was gonna turn up dead in a ditch, just like Mr. Sullivan from the bank. Instead, he texted me back five minutes later as I was pulling into the Mexican restaurant’s parking lot.

  Fine. I’ll let you know when and where.

  My mouth stretched into a smug grin. Round one: Rose 1, Skeeter 0.

  But my smile fell just as quickly. I was a fool if I thought I could best Skeeter Malcolm. Not that I had any desire to. I just wanted to stay off his radar, but I suspected that was a pipe dream.

  Maeve hadn’t arrived yet, so I took the aluminum pan of enchiladas into the kitchen and put them into the oven to keep warm. Then I went back outside with Muffy, shivering in the cold northern wind, thinking about Violet. Could I trust her? Over the past several months, she’d manipulated me and turned on me time and again . . . Part of me yearned to have my sister back in my life, but I knew I had to be careful.

  Mason’s car turned down my gravel drive, catching me by surprise. It was barely five o’clock. Butterflies took flight in my stomach, and I wondered if that feeling would ever go away. I sure hoped not.

  He got out of his car, and I walked toward him, surprised when he swept me into his arms and kissed me with abandon.

  “What are you doin’ home so early?” I asked when I regained my senses.

  “I wanted to celebrate getting the leg brace off before my mother showed up.” He kissed me again before lifting his mouth inches from mine.

  “You’re definitely off to a good start.”

  Without another word, he bent down and scooped me into his arms.

  “Mason! What are you doin’?” I shrieked as he took a step forward.

  “Now that I officially live here, I’m carrying you across the threshold. Something I couldn’t do with that damn leg brace on.”

  Muffy heard my cry and came running over, then stood barking at Mason’s feet.

  “I don’t think Muffy approves,” Mason said.

  I giggled as he climbed the porch steps, still holding me fast. “She’s worried that you’re going to ravish me.”

  “Then Muffy has cause to worry.” His mouth lowered to mine, and he kissed me again. Muffy’s bark changed, though, and it was accompanied by the sound of a car crunching on gravel. Mason stiffened and looked over his shoulder before setting me down on the porch.

  I glanced around him to see a sheriff car coming down the drive. “That can’t be good,” I murmured.

  “No. I suspect it’s not.”

  The car pulled to a stop, and a female deputy I didn’t recognize got out of it. She was short and a bit stocky, with unruly red hair that she’d tried to tame with a messy bun. “Mr. Deveraux,” she said. “There’s been a development you should know about.”

  Mason gave her a quick nod, then turned back to me. “I’m sorry, Rose. I have to go deal with this.”

  “What’s it about?” I asked, anxiety churning in my stomach.

  “Official business. Nothing for you to worry about.”

  Only he looked so serious I couldn’t help but be anxious. He started toward the steps, and I grabbed his arm to stop him. “Mason?”

  He pulled me to him for a gentle kiss. “Sweetheart, don’t look so worried. Everything’s fine. Why don’t you take Muffy inside? I’ll be there in a minute.”

  Muffy was yipping at the woman who didn’t appear to appreciate her watchdog behavior. Maybe Muffy had an aversion to redheads after all of Hilary’s nonsense.

  The deputy turned to look at me, making me uncomfortable with her piercing stare.

  “Muffy. Come on,” I hollered toward her.

  She stopped barking and sulked as she crawled up the steps.

  “That’s got to be one of the mangiest dogs I’ve ever seen,” the deputy said in a disgusted tone. “Are you sure she’s caught up on her shots?”

  Mason’s back stiffened. “Deputy Hoffstetter, do you have a purpose for being here other than to insult our family pet?” He sounded furious, and I felt like cheering.

  The deputy’s face reddened, and she shot me a glare before muttering something too low for me to hear. If it was an apology, it was a poor one.

  Mason nodded, then shot me a sympathetic look. “Rose, this should only take a minute.”

  “Okay,” I grumbled, irritated that Deputy Crankypants had successfully ruined my quality time with Mason. I took Muffy inside and peered through the curtains. I watched them for several moments, although there wasn’t much to see. Mason leaned with his forearm across the top of the open car door, and the deputy stood next to him talking. Finally, the deputy nodded at something Mason said and moved to get into the car.

  I dropped the edge of the curtain and ran into the kitchen to grab a bowl for the tortilla chips the restaurant had given me. Muffy stopped next to her dog bowl and started crunching her dry dog food.

  Moments later, Mason came up behind me and grabbed my hips as his mouth lowered to my earlobe. “Have you added lip reading to your list of skills?”

  I froze, my hand in mid-air, before I recovered and pulled the bowl down from the shelf. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

  He turned me around, a sly grin lighting up his eyes. “I know you
better than you think I do, Rose Gardner.”

  With everything I’d been up to lately, I sure hoped not.

  “We could save a lot of time and effort if you would just tell me what you were talking about.” I lifted my eyebrows as encouragement.

  He laughed. “Sorry, sweetheart. Not this time.”

  “But you tell me everything.”

  He gave me a kiss. “Not this time.”

  I wasn’t sure what to think about that. I knew that Mason dealt with official, confidential Fenton County business all the time, and usually I didn’t care. But I had a gut feeling that this mystery news somehow involved me. Or rather the Lady in Black. “Is it about that big auction on Thanksgiving Day?”

  He cocked his head with an ornery grin. “Good try.” He slid his hand around my back and pulled me to his chest. “Where were we when we got interrupted?”

  Mason was doing a good job of reminding me when Muffy started barking again.

  “Hello!” Maeve called out from the living room. “Is anyone home?”

  “Your momma’s here,” I said, breathless as I pushed him away and straightened my shirt. “She’s early.”

  Mason groaned. “The universe is conspiring against me.”

  It was conspiring against both of us.

  We found Maeve in the living room squatted down next to her overnight bag so she could pet Muffy. She smiled at us. “I wondered where you two were hidden.” Picking up on the teasing tone in her voice, I blushed.

  “You’re here early, Mom,” Mason said, putting his arm around my back.

  “The movers finished a couple hours ahead of schedule.”

  “Well, we’re so glad you’re here!” I said. “You must be exhausted.” I pulled her into a hug, then steered her toward the sofa in the living room so she could take a seat. “You don’t have to worry about a thing. I have dinner taken care of.”

  Maeve’s eyes lit up. “You can go back to the Piggly Wiggly now?”

  I heaved out a sigh of frustration. “No. Mason’s still working on that.”

  Mason laughed. “It’s taken some impressive negotiating on my part, but I think we’re close to an agreement.” His face lit up with a mischievous gleam. “Did you get Neely Kate to go shopping for you?”