Beautiful Maids All in a Row
Page 32
“Hungry.”
“Glad to know he misses me,” I chuckled.
“Of course he misses you. We all miss you. When you comin’ home?”
“Soon. Probably the day after tomorrow. I’m gonna rent a car, drive back down. Spend the night in DC.”
“Spend the night in DC, huh?” she asked with an air of mischief. “Are you plannin’ on seein’ a certain hunky federal agent while you’re there?”
A month ago if I even mentioned the name Luke Hudson to Carol she’d sneer and roll her eyes, but now she practically has a hot flash. I was sure it had something to do with the fact that he almost died trying to save my life. That would have certainly done it. Okay, I was blushing again. Just the thought of going on a date made me flush. If I was right in front of him he’d think I had a sunburn.
“Actually, that’s why I’m calling,” I admitted. “I just got off the phone with him and…” I couldn’t say it.
“And what?” she asked impatiently. “Did you two get into another fight?”
“No! Nothing like that. In fact, he…” I just couldn’t say it.
“Girl, spit it out!”
“He asked me out to dinner and the symphony and I said yes,” I blurted out.
There was that squeal again. “Y’all are going on a date!”
“It’s not a date,” I clarified. “It’s a…it’s a date?”
“Isn’t it?”
“I don’t know.”
“Well, do you want it to be?” she asked.
That was the question. Did I want Luke? Just the question made my stomach lurch. “I don’t know,” I replied in a hollow voice. “I mean, he’s one of my best friends. We have such…history. I…” I sighed. “I don’t know if I’m ready to be in a relationship with anyone, let alone Luke Hudson.”
“Hon,” she said sympathetically, “it’s been over two years since Hayden died. That’s long enough. He’d want you to move on. Be happy.”
“With the man I cheated on him with? Even Hayden had his limits.” I looked down and noticed I’d been playing with my wedding ring, spinning the gold band round and round on my finger with my thumb. “I still miss him, you know.”
“I know. He’d be so proud of you, you know.”
“I hope so.” I stopped playing with the ring.
“As for the date thing, just…go with the flow. If it’s right, it’s right. You’ll know.”
“I guess.”
“Oh, and I forgot to tell you. Your mother called.”
“My mother?”
“Yeah. Not ten minutes ago. She was looking for ya. Said it was real important and that she didn’t have your new number.”
That couldn’t be good. My mother never called me, except on holidays and my birthday, and even then the conversations never lasted more than a few minutes. “Okay, thanks Carol.”
“Hope everything’s alright. She sounded mighty upset.”
“I’m sure everything’s fine. I’ll see you in a couple days, okay?”
“Yeah. Or longer. Just go with the flow.”
“Not funny,” I said sternly. “Hug Patrick and Gus for me. Bye.”
I hung up the phone, and after a sigh, I called my mother. She picked up on the first ring. “Hello?” Mom asked.
“Hi, Mom, it’s Iris.”
“Oh, my good Lord, Iris!” she said breathlessly, sounding utterly relieved like I’d just told her the cancer was benign. “Thank you, God! I’ve been trying to reach you all day! Nobody had your number!”
“Yeah, I had to get a new phone. I forgot to send you the new number. So, what’s up?”
“Oh, Iris, I…” She began to weep softly. “I’m so glad you called. I can’t, I—” She started really sobbing. I sat straight up like someone had just stuck a rod in my back. She hadn’t cried like that since she sat by my bedside and told me my husband was dead. “Mom, what is it?” I practically shouted. “What is the matter?” She couldn’t stop crying long enough to form words. My anxiety grew with each sob. “Mommy, what is it?” I asked desperately. “What’s the matter?”
“It-It’s your brother. Billy,” she finally managed to say after a few deep breaths. “You need to come home. Right now.”
Every great mystery needs an Alibi
eOriginal mystery and suspense from Random House
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