by Stacey Wilk
“When you’re ready to list, you give me a holler. You must be about ready to get on home. We’ll get that place sold in no time. As a matter of fact, I heard Betty Sue tell Harlan at church her daughter was wanting to move back to Heritage River with her new husband and baby girl. That house would suit them perfect, and who better to have for a neighbor than Blaise Savage?”
Grace hoped her cheeks wouldn’t flush at the sound of Blaise’s name and give her away. Dixie had someone in mind for the house already? Grace didn’t think it would happen before she was even done with the work. What if they weren’t the right people? Blaise deserved to have good neighbors, especially when he was out of town. Maybe even someone who could look in on Cash.
“There’s no rush,” she found herself saying.
“We’re growing on her, Arlene.”
Arlene just smiled and checked out Dixie’s book.
“Grace, just the person I wanted to see.” Savannah had appeared like magic, taking Grace off guard. Her smile was on her face, but it didn’t reach her gray eyes.
“I wanted to work on the ad journal layout. I hope now is a good time.”
“I’m right in the middle of a hundred things, so I won’t be able to help you, but I did want to talk to you about something.” Savannah’s tone suggested Grace might be a teenager caught doing something wrong.
“Sure.”
Savannah stepped away from the desk and into the doorway of her office. They weren’t completely out of earshot from Dixie and Arlene. The two women stopped their conversation, probably getting ready to listen. Who wouldn’t after how Savannah sounded?
“I like to know everything that goes on in my library.”
Grace noticed the use of the word my and the turn of Dixie’s head. “Maybe we should discuss this someplace else.”
“Here’s fine. This will only take a second.”
Maybe it had to do with the details for the fundraiser. They hadn’t coordinated the chair rentals for the show. The church across the street was going to allow them to borrow their chairs and tables, but the rate at which the tickets to see Blaise were selling, a lot of people would be standing even with the rentals. Rentals Grace hoped would be donated, but she hadn’t worked on that the way she should have—she’d been so preoccupied with trying to find out who sold the house to her gift giver.
“I’m sorry I haven’t finalized the chair rental. I can do that today. There’s just been a lot going on with the house.”
Savannah put up a hand to stop her. “It’s not about the rentals. I’ve taken care of that. I spent most of last night on the phone with David, and he agreed to give us a discount on the rental if I’d let him in to see the show. It was hard to argue. We’re still ahead in my book.”
One extra person wasn’t going to make much of a difference, especially if the chairs cost less. “You could’ve waited for me to do it.” Grace’s back was up. She didn’t like being micromanaged. “I’ve dealt with plenty of vendors. I’m sorry you felt you couldn’t leave it to me.”
“It’s not you, really. It’s just been my experience if I want something done, it’s best to do it myself. One of my mother’s lessons.”
“I would’ve handled it. Please don’t feel like you can’t count on me for this event.”
Savannah leaned against the doorjamb. Dixie and Arlene had their heads together, deep in conversation. Probably about what was happening only yards from them. Grace had tried to keep her voice down, but Savannah didn’t feel the need to do the same.
“I hope you’ll still show up on the day of. We’re going to need all the help we can get, but as for the ad journal, I’ve got that covered too. I thought I would need extra help, but it looks like I don’t.”
The words felt like a knife in her back. Who fired a volunteer? That was unheard of. “I don’t understand. Did I do something?” A web was forming around her. Had Dixie and Arlene heard the last part? She was too embarrassed to turn her head and find them looking, so she kept her head straight and hoped her cheeks weren’t too flushed.
“Why were you looking up Claire Phillips on the computer?” Before Grace could answer, Savannah kept talking. “I wondered how you would even know Claire existed.”
There was no easy way out of Savannah’s interrogation. They were headed down a dangerous path. She had no explanation for the search of someone she couldn’t possibly know, but was tied to her house. Sweat popped out on Grace’s upper lip. She forced her hands to stay at her sides and not swipe at it.
“I found some papers when we tore out the cabinets. I was curious.” She looked away and waved her hand in the air, as if she couldn’t care less about Claire Phillips.
“That makes sense.”
Grace let out the breath she was holding and risked a glance at the circulation desk. The ladies were still deep in conversation. When would Dixie leave? How long did it take to check out a book here?
Savannah crossed her arms over her chest. The look on her face shifted from smooth to stern. Here it comes. Grace braced herself.
“Why were you searching my son on the internet?”
Someone gasped from a few yards away. Gee, who could that be? That little tidbit would be all over Heritage River before noon. She would look like some kind of stalker at best and some kind of child molester at worst. She might as well go back to Jersey now.
She cleared her throat. “I wanted to know why someone like Jud, with the whole world at his fingers, keeps picking on Cash.”
“My son is doing no such thing.” Savannah leaned in and lowered her voice.
Now she lowers her voice. “Have you ever asked him?”
Savannah stood to her full height. “What kind of a mother do you think I am? Of course, I asked him. I don’t know why I’m explaining myself to you. My family is none of your business. Stay away from us. And I have the right mind to tell my brother to stay away from you too, but he’ll do what he wants, like he always does.”
“I’m sorry I was searching out information about Jud and I understand the need to protect your child, but I’m telling you, Savannah, he’s antagonizing Cash. You need to stop it before something bad happens.”
“Go home, Grace. Or go back where you came from. I have work to do.”
There wasn’t anything left to say. Savannah was convinced, and what mother in her position wouldn’t be? Who wants to believe her child is making bad choices? Especially a child who seems to have the world on a string? What other kids had been on the receiving end of Jud’s taunts? She didn’t want to think about it.
Grace turned, keeping her head up and feeling the heat come off her skin in waves. She stopped short. Dixie and Arlene were gone. When had they left? Arlene could be anywhere in the library, but Dixie?
Grace hurried to the parking lot. Only three cars remained in the lot. She recognized the one Savanah drove. The other must be Arlene’s. Dixie’s was gone. Could she hope Dixie would keep what she heard to herself? Why didn’t she insist Savannah close the door?
Because Grace was guilty. Wrongdoers had to pay, didn’t they?
She was out of time. Word would spread Savannah set her loose. Dixie had people who wanted the house. Grace needed to find Claire Phillips today. She needed to find out who cared enough about her to give her this gift. Because by the end of the week, she could be on her way back to Silverside.
She didn’t have time to waste. Still parked in the library lot, she pulled out her cell and dialed Blaise’s number. The sun beat down on the car. She turned the engine over and kicked on the air conditioner. She melted from both the heat of the day and the heat of embarrassment.
The phone rang and rang. She was afraid it would go to voice mail, but at the last second she heard his smooth, deep voice.
“Hey. I was just thinking about you.”
How nice that sounded. She could curl up inside that voice of his, and maybe in another life they would’ve had the chance. “Hey. Are you free now?”
“I might be.
Depends on what it is.” The insinuation filled his voice.
“I need to find Claire Phillips today. I think Dixie overheard your sister and me arguing. I’m not sure she won’t tell on me.”
“You had a fight with my sister? That was brave.”
She had to swallow. “Yes. I’m sorry. I’ll explain later.”
He laughed. “I had a fight with her today too. I went to her and said what you said about Jud. She doesn’t believe it’s possible. What did you fight about?”
“The same thing. Now I really understand why she doesn’t want my help with the fundraiser anymore.”
“That’s crazy. I’ll talk to her.”
“No, don’t. It’s okay. There’s no point. You have to live with her. I’ll be gone soon, and she can forget about me.”
“You’re definitely leaving?”
Was that tension in his voice? “I have to, Blaise. I have to go back to Jersey, find a job, buy a house, start over.” She thought she would be ready to go back after taking on the Disaster House and proving to everyone she could handle a risk, but she didn’t feel ready to return. She’d done more than anyone thought possible, but she hadn’t found the peace she was hoping for. Not yet.
“You have a house. Drop the search, Grace. Stay in Heritage River. You can find a job down here. I like knowing my neighbors.” There was that insinuation again. Oh, how she wanted to know him better too, but he was leaving and soon. He would forget about her once a younger, more beautiful woman starting waving her underwear at him. Or could she be foolish enough to hope he was asking her to wait for him?
“Will you help me with Claire Phillips?”
He let out a long breath. “Okay.”
“Great. Can you meet me some place and bring your laptop? Mine is back at the house, and I don’t want to stop there. Oh, did Cash go over and talk to Beau?”
“I hope so. I’m not home. I’m heading there now. Where do you want me to meet you?”
She hadn’t thought about it. Was there any place they could go that someone wouldn’t see them with their heads bent together? “Does Jake’s have Wi-Fi?”
“I doubt it, but my phone can act as the signal.”
Her phone buzzed. “Hold on. I’m getting a call.” She pulled the phone away to look. “It’s Beau. Hang on.” She swapped calls. “Hi, Beau.”
“Where are you?” His voice was gruff. His face was probably bright red.
“Did something happen to the kids or the house?”
“You’re not out looking in places you shouldn’t be, are you? I warned you, Miss Grace. Don’t go digging.”
Her heart jumped into her throat. She had to swallow the lump back down. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. I’m leaving the library and running a few errands.” Dixie had told him. What else could it be? She was in on the agreement. Hoke had arranged for the realtor and the contractor. Everyone who would keep the secret. Why was this person so determined to stay hidden?
“I have to go, Beau. I’ll be back soon.” She flipped back before he could say more. “Blaise, are you still there?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“He knows.”
“Beau? How?”
“Dixie. I told you. She ratted me out. How fast can you meet me at Jake’s?”
“I’m pulling into the driveway now. I’ll be there in ten.”
She tapped the screen and leaned her head against the seat rest. She should let this go. Go back to the house and work with Beau and the kids. What would knowing change? It might change who she had in her life. No one would be left after Chloe went to college. Didn’t she deserve some family?
She pulled out into traffic. It would only take her seconds to get to Jake’s, but she didn’t want to stay in the parking lot any longer for fear Savannah would come out and yell at her more.
Blaise was right. She could live in the house, maybe find a job. She liked the town and most of the people she’d met. Savannah’s protection of her son was understandable. Grace didn’t take that personally. They might even be able to become friends if things worked out between the boys. Dixie had been lovely until she tattled, but why shouldn’t her loyalties lie with Hoke? And she even liked Hoke. He was only doing what he’d been hired to do. She was the one rocking the boat.
“It’s about damn time,” she said and parked the car.
Her phone buzzed. It was Beau again. She let it go to voice mail. Blaise pulled into the spot next to her. He waved and she hopped out. “Thanks for coming.” He looked good in his blue T-shirt and cargo shorts. He skipped shaving, and she liked that too. How would that rough chin feel against her skin?
He leaned in and kissed her on the cheek. Scruffy. Yeah, she liked that.
“Have you had lunch? I’m starving. Let’s get some food while we search.” He stopped and raked his gaze over her. “You look great, by the way.”
She ran a hand through her hair. “Thanks.” Her phone buzzed again, and she yanked it out of her purse. She held it up for Blaise to see. “Hoke Carter is calling me.”
“He knows too.”
“He does.” Her heart sank. “Let’s get lunch.” The call went to voice mail.
****
Over turkey sandwiches—Grace’s without mayo—they searched for Claire Phillips.
“Did you ever meet her?” Grace covered her mouth while she spoke.
“A few times when I was a lot younger. She would visit Nancy and John. They were very close to her because they didn’t have any children of their own.” Mayonnaise stuck to Blaise’s chin.
Grace resisted the urge to wipe it off, but she did signal with her finger.
“Oh.” He grabbed a napkin. “Something for later.”
Grace groaned.
“What? That wasn’t funny?” He winked. “I suppose you never get mayonnaise on your face. You’re probably the neatest eater on the planet, right?” He moved her plate. “Not even a crumb on the table.” He moved his own plate to reveal a ring of crumbs and bits of lettuce in a circle. “Do you have your sponge in your purse?”
“You’re incorrigible.” She yanked her plate back with a smile on her face. “So which Claire Phillips is she?”
They had the Facebook search page up. Blaise clicked on the picture of the woman with long white hair flowing around her shoulders and a floral print scarf around her neck. She laughed with her head tilted back, as if she had heard a great joke. She was lovely.
Grace grabbed his hand hovering over the touch pad. “Are you sure?” Her heart picked up speed.
“That’s her.”
Claire’s privacy settings were secure. Obviously, she wouldn’t let just anyone look at her photos or her posts. Her timeline was void of all personal information too. Grace liked her instantly. She didn’t understand why anyone posted their addresses, just as she didn’t understand why people announced they were on vacation. They were giving a personal invitation to the burglars to come right in and rob them.
“If I send her a message, it’s going to look like it’s from you. She may not answer right away.” Blaise finished the last of his sandwich and wiped his hands.
They had logged in to her account. Blaise didn’t have any personal social media accounts. The band had some, but they couldn’t send a message from Savage.
“I don’t know how much time I have left.” Beau had called again while they were ordering, but she ignored it. What could she say to him? She’d deal with him when she got back.
Blaise’s phone buzzed. “It’s Colton. I’ll call him back.” He turned the phone screen side down on the table. “You want to message her?”
She nodded.
He jotted a short message, explaining it was him and Grace was a friend. He wanted to speak to Claire and could he call her? “Now we wait.”
She couldn’t sit still any longer. “Let’s get out of here.” She reached for the check, but he swiped it up before she could grab it. “Oh no, let me pay. You did me a favor.” She lunged for the paper, bu
t he held it out of her reach.
“Nope. This one’s on me.”
“That’s not necessary. Let me give you half.”
“If I pay for this one, then you will feel obligated to eat with me again just so you can pay.”
Heat filled her cheeks. “I’m that obvious?”
“Kind of, but I like it.” Blaise pulled money from his wallet and dropped it on the table.
“Why?” They headed out into the hot day. She had to shield her eyes to look up at him.
“Why do I like you?”
“Well, not why do you like me, all of me. Why do you like that I’m so transparent?”
He took her hand in his. “Because I know where I stand with you. You mean what you say, and you say what you mean. You didn’t like me at first.”
“Sorry about that. I was wrong.” She never liked surprises, and he had been quite the surprise.
“Doesn’t matter. You like me now.” He winked. “I could tell by the way you kissed me and by the way your neck is turning red because I mentioned it. That means I’m probably a good kisser, right?”
He wagged his eyebrows at her, and she laughed. He was indeed.
He looked up and down the street, then back at her. “This probably isn’t the best place to tell you this, but—”
His phone interrupted them. “It’s Cash.”
“Get it.” She pulled her hand away. Her phone rang too. She dragged it out of her purse. Chloe.
“Hey, bud,” he said into his phone.
Grace tried swiping at her screen, but the button wouldn’t slide.
Blaise’s face darkened as he listened to Cash. Her finger slipped, and the phone tumbled between her hands, nearly hitting the ground.
“Are you sure?” he said.
Chloe’s call went to voice mail. Grace tried to call her back. Her call went to voice mail too.
“When? When?” He shouted that time. “Okay, we’ll be right there.” He ended the call. “Put your phone away. We have to go home. There’s a problem.”
Chapter Thirty-One
Grace tried to reach Chloe on the ride back to the house, but she wouldn’t pick up. She followed Blaise as he sped around corners and made sharp turns. Something was wrong. Did someone get hurt? He wouldn’t answer her frantic questions.