Sweet Tea and Secrets

by Nancy Naigle

  Jill was surprised at how fast Carolanne had moved. She knew that Bradley was going to be mad when he got served, but Carolanne had insisted she get the restraining order as a matter of record in case the breakup got ugly. Since Bradley held possession of everything she owned and her job, Jill had finally agreed. “Our relationship is over. What does it matter to you?”

  “Then we don’t need a lawyer. You could have just called me?”

  “I’d rather not.”

  “We can work this out. And what about the Foundation? I need you, the Foundation needs you.”

  “About that. I got a copy of the newspaper article. How did the newspaper get the wrong numbers?”

  “You saw that? Well, if you’d been here that wouldn’t have happened. You can’t just walk out on all that hard work. We’re not done here. I am going to come and get you.”

  “I’ll press charges if you do. Just leave me alone.” She did hate to let down the Foundation, but she’d completed her commitment. “You’re ruining a perfectly good day for me. Is there anything else you want? If not, I’m hanging up.”

  “Don’t hang up on me. Listen to me carefully. I have no intention of losing what I want to Malloy or anyone else. I said we’re not done, and until we are, you will listen to what I have to say. Besides, I still own you nine-to-five.”

  “Then I quit.”

  “You can quit a job, but you can’t quit me. So listen up.”

  Jill’s breath caught. “Are you threatening me?”

  “No.” Bradley laughed and then there was a brief pause. “I’m threatening Malloy. He’s putting crazy thoughts in your head.”

  Jill could only imagine how much madder he’d be if he knew Garrett had been spending the better part of the last week around the house. Thank goodness she hadn’t gotten around to telling him about that before the night in Savannah.

  “Leave us alone,” she yelled into the phone. “Go play with Annie, she’s more your type anyway.”

  “Don’t push me, Jill—”

  Jill snapped her phone shut. She wasn’t about to listen to his threats. Carolanne was right to encourage her to get the protection order. He was nuts.

  She went to the back door and watched Clyde sniffing along the fence in excitement, probably after a bunny or a mouse, maybe even just a cricket. All was fair game, and in spite of his size, he was still very much a puppy. If she told Garrett about Bradley’s call, he’d be mad, and probably for nothing. She felt bad for not telling Garrett, but what were the odds that Bradley would carry out a threat? She doubted it, because she knew he’d rather wear Armani than jailhouse orange.

  If Bradley called back again, she promised herself she would tell Garrett, but no sense getting him riled up for nothing.

  She got the electric skillet from the pantry and rinsed it off, and then used the step stool to get a basket off the wooden peg over the sink. Pearl kept baskets hanging upside down to keep the dust out of them. As decorative as they were when not in use, they were handy for picking vegetables, serving bread or any quick little chore that could use a carry-all.

  Clyde knew the routine with the baskets, because he ran straight to the garden when he saw Jill clear the door carrying one. Jill plucked the last of the perfect yellow summer squash from the vines, then deadheaded the flowers that bordered the garden. She spent the rest of the afternoon mixing, chopping, slicing and then frying until Garrett came home.

  “What smells so good?” Garrett called into the kitchen as soon as he pushed open the door.

  Jill poked her head around the corner from the kitchen. “It’s a surprise. Hope you’re hungry.”

  “I’m awake, aren’t I?” Garrett rubbed his stomach, following the smells toward the kitchen. The kitchen table was set for two. He peered over her shoulder as she worked her spatula in the hot grease of the electric skillet. “Please tell me that’s FryPan Meatloaf.”

  “You’re right. It’s FryPan Meatloaf.”

  “I’ve died and gone to heaven, and you,” he said, kissing her neck, “are my angel.”

  Clyde lifted a paw to Jill’s leg. “And Clyde’s angel too, apparently.”

  “You two are easy as long as there is food around. Sit. It’s almost ready.”

  She put Clyde out with his dinner, served up the southern meal then sat across from Garrett.

  This was exactly how she’d envisioned cooking for a man, and neither Garrett nor Clyde let her down. Garrett went back for seconds, and Clyde was thrilled when Garrett let him back inside to clean up the last fried tidbits and barbecue glaze from the plates.

  Like any young boy, Clyde twisted away when Jill tried to clean his gravy laden muzzle with the kitchen towel. “Come on boy, cooperate.”

  Garrett pretended to pant with his hands up like paws. “Do me next.”

  “You’re impossible.” She swirled the dish towel and snapped it in his direction.

  “Whoa,” he flinched back. “Looks like you think you’re still the towel snapping champion of the county.” He reached back and pulled the towel from the oven handle.

  “Ohh-hhh, no you don’t.” She swirled her towel over head and popped it toward him, nipping him on the elbow as he twisted away.

  He whipped his towel in a circular motion and belted out a wicked laugh. “You shouldn’t start something you can’t finish. I don’t think angels are allowed to be towel snappers.”

  She backed toward the kitchen door and then lunged forward. Snap! She tagged him right on the hip. “Take that, puddin’ boy.”

  “Them’s fightin’ words, country girl.” He snapped the towel toward her butt.

  “Yow!” she squealed.

  “Easy target,” he snickered.

  “Talk about fightin’ words!” She snapped her towel toward him twice, but didn’t connect.

  He chased her around the dining room table and into the living room.

  “Bwahaha!” Jill crouched into a boxer’s stance and laughed so hard she could barely breathe.

  Garrett jumped onto the opposite end of the couch and lifted one leg up like the karate kid. “Ooowhaaahhh.” He swung the towel under his arm and across his chest like a Nunchuk.

  “Good golly, you’re whacko. Okay, I give,” she shouted, jumping to the floor.

  When she hit the ground, Clyde leaped in the air, grabbed Garrett’s towel and ran down the hall with it.

  Jill didn’t miss the chance to take advantage of Garrett. “Who...just...lost...his weapon?” She snapped the towel with each word.

  Garrett leaped to the floor and swept her into his arms and right off her feet, spinning her around.

  “Who’s your daddy?” Garrett taunted her.

  “No one.”

  He nuzzled her neck and lifted her higher, causing her to squeal.

  “Who’s the towel snapping champ?”

  “Me,” she shrieked.

  “Oh, I don’t think so. Say ‘I’m Garrett’s angel.’” He ran down the hall towards the bedroom with her in his arms, her squealing the whole way. “Say it,” he teased.

  “I’m Garrett’s…an-gel,” she grunted out between breaths and giggles.

  “And he’s the towel snapping king.”

  “Oh no. Never.” She squealed as she tried to wriggle free.

  “You sure?”

  “Okay, okay, you’re the towel snapping king.”

  “Aaah-hah.” He tossed her up and onto the bed, then belly-flopped beside her.

  “Whew. We’re too old for that kind of action.”

  “Speak for yourself, girl,” he said, panting.

  “Come on, we need to finish cleaning up the kitchen.” She tried to catch her breath.

  He held her close. “Let’s just call it a night.” He kissed her softly on the neck, and she relaxed against him.

  “It’s a night,” she agreed. The adrenaline and spunky battle had burned off the edgy anxiety that had niggled constantly at her since she got the news about Pearl.

  ***

  The n
ext morning, Garrett hadn’t been gone ten minutes when Jill heard the sound of a vehicle coming up the lane. She glanced out the window and saw Macy step out of the limo carrying a huge basket wrapped in colorful cellophane.

  Jill went outside on the front porch. “Now that’s a delivery in style,” she said.

  “You got that right.” Macy met Jill at the steps and handed her the basket. “Amazing what people will pay you to do these days.”

  “It’s beautiful.”

  “Sure is, and heavy. I gotta’ run. I’m doing a make-up thing at the B&B today.”

  Jill took the basket from Macy. “You’re not kidding. This sucker is heavy. Well, thanks.” Jill carried the basket inside and set it on the dining room table. The cellophane crinkled as she slid it back to reveal apples in all colors, oranges, grapes and bananas. She plucked one of the perfect red apples from the pile, and, out of habit, rubbed it on her shirt. It didn’t need shining. The apple was already so glossy that she could almost see herself in it. She bit into it, and caught the juice running down her chin with her hand. It was way too early in the season to be a locally grown apple, but this one was good just the same.

  Jill tugged the card from the center of the fruit display. As she read the note, she dropped the apple and it rolled across the floor.

  Clyde pounced on it and ran off with it in his mouth, his tail wagging.

  Jill lunged for her cell phone, banging into the edge of the dining room table in the process. She screamed at the impact, but more out of surprise than pain. Her heart pounded erratically. She pushed speed dial for Carolanne.

  “Answer, answer. Please answer,” she pleaded.

  Carolanne finally answered.

  “Thank God, you’re there.”

  “Jill? Is that you. What’s the matter?”

  “I just got the oddest card.”

  “From who?”

  “I don’t know. That’s just it. No signature. You lose. The card didn’t....” Her voice rose an octave. “It just said that.”

  “Slow down. I don’t know what you’re trying to tell me. Take a breath.” Carolanne spoke slowly. “Now, what kind of card? What did it say that upset you?”

  Jill grunted. “It could have been Bradley. It just says, ‘You Lose’ in this real crappy handwriting. Don’t you think that’s weird?”

  “Did it come in the mail? Is there a postmark?”

  “It was on a fruit basket that was just delivered.”

  “Well, your grandmother did just die. Maybe it was a computer glitch, and it was supposed to say ‘Sorry for your loss,’” Carolanne reasoned. “Call and see if they can tell you who ordered the fruit basket.”

  “It is a sympathy card. You know, one of those pre-printed business-card-size kind. With deepest sympathy, but then—‘You Lose.’” She stammered a little. “Bradley’s really ticked about the restraining order. He called yesterday and threatened to hurt Garrett if I don’t come back to Savannah.”

  “That was probably right after I talked to him. I pushed a few of his buttons. That’s why we have the restraining order, and I took the liberty of calling Scott Calvin to give him a heads up, too.”

  “Thanks, but I can only imagine how mad he’d be if he knew how much time Garrett’s been spending around here. He’d come completely unglued.”

  “I’d keep that quiet if I were you. But logistically, I don’t think Bradley could get a delivery on your doorstep this quick. Not in Adams Grove, anyway. Hardy just doesn’t work that fast, and I’m not sure he would even do a fruit basket. Not his gig.”

  “Maybe you’re right.”

  “A fruit basket isn’t usually a threat. Well, unless you’re Snow White and you piss off the wicked witch.”

  “Real funny.” Jill mindlessly scratched the nail polish off her finger and let out a heavy sigh. “What if it was from Bradley, and he does something crazy? I’d die if anything happened to Garrett because of me.”

  “You didn’t tell Garrett?”

  “I didn’t want him to worry.”

  “Well, you need to let him know. I don’t think that basket means anything, but Bradley was pretty mad when I talked to him yesterday. I hate to rub it in, but the last time you didn’t talk things through with Garrett, it didn’t work out so well for you. I don’t think you should keep this from him.”

  She knew Carolanne was right, but she didn’t want to upset Garrett either. Bradley was such a sore subject. “Why does everything have to be so complicated?”

  “Do you want me to come back and stay with you for a few days?”

  “There’s nothing you can do.”

  “I have vacation time. Sometimes having a friend around helps, I want to be there for you.”

  “I feel like everything’s falling apart around me,” Jill admitted.

  “I’m coming. Don’t argue with me.”

  Carolanne would be a comfort. Jill took another apple out of the basket. Clyde trotted back in the room, thinking he might get to play catch with this one, too.

  “I’ll be there tomorrow. Hang tight, girl.”

  “Thanks.” Relieved just knowing she wouldn’t have to deal with this alone, Jill tucked the card in the back pocket of her jeans. Clyde carried his apple in his mouth, and Jill took him out to the front yard. She ate her apple while Clyde gnawed on his, slobbering the whole time.

  Like clockwork, Garrett pulled his truck up to the front of the house.

  Jill’s pulse quickened.

  He stepped out of the truck with smoothies from Penny’s in each hand. “Perfect for the hot day,” Garrett said, holding them in front of him.

  Guilt stabbed her heart for not telling Garrett, but she couldn’t come up with an easy way to start, so she accepted a smoothie with a smile and sipped through the tall striped straw to keep the conversation to a minimum.

  “Strawberry,” he grinned. “Your favorite.”

  “My hero,” she exaggerated.

  “You’re easy.”

  “Oh, that’s just a nasty rumor.”

  “Darn. I had my hopes up.”

  She sucked on the straw, and gave him a flirty wink. “You never used to give up so easy.”

  “You’re in a great mood this afternoon.”

  “I just talked to Carolanne. She’s going to come back for a few days.”

  “She can stay at my place,” he offered.

  “She can stay here.”

  “You kickin’ me out?”

  “Well…”

  Garrett put his arm across Jill’s shoulder. “I don’t think so. Besides, you know how Carolanne stays up to all hours of the night. She’d be more comfortable at my place, not tippy-toeing around you sleeping.”

  They walked inside. “Hey, who sent the fruit basket?” Garrett asked.

  Jill hesitated, then the white lie rolled right off her lips. “No signature. Take it to your place, for Carolanne. I’d only eat the apples anyway. The rest of the fruit would go bad.” She’d be glad to get the basket out of her sight. No sense putting more pressure on Garrett to protect her with one more incident that might just be her overactive imagination. If he’d sleep in her yard for a week, what would he do next? Set up an armed guard? A cannon? Dig a moat?

  “So you’re not kicking me out.”

  “Guess not.” She planted a kiss on his cheek. “Carolanne and I will be together all day, and you’re right. She does like her alone time. Maybe she’ll realize how much she loves this town and move back. I hate having her so far off in New York.”

  “Good plan. I can share. I’ll share you and the fruit basket with her. You’d just make me eat all the bananas anyway.”

  That was true. Jill hated bananas. She got queasy just thinking about them.

  “I’ll run it over to the house. I have to pick up the paint sprayer and get it back over to the shop for the guys. They’ll need it in the morning. Then, I’ll stop by and pick you up. We’ll go out for supper tonight.”

  “Sounds good. I’ll be ready.”


  He left and she got ready, then called the office to straighten out the misprints from the articles on the Foundation event. Josh answered after the second ring.

  “Josh. It’s Jill. I’m so glad you answered the phone. Is Bradley around?”

  “Hey. He hasn’t been around since I got back from vacation, but he did just call and boy was he in a mood. It’s been like a tomb around here until this morning. When will you be back?”

  She loved that job, and Josh had been such a trooper over the past year. She’d miss them both, but not Bradley. “I won’t be coming back. Long story, and I’m not sure if I quit or got fired, but there were a couple things I wanted to be sure to straighten out.”

  “No wonder Bradley was in a mood. You’re the only reason I stay on here. You can color me gone if you’re not coming back. No offense, but your boyfriend is an ass.”

  Now you say something. I must’ve been the only one who hadn’t noticed before. “Oh, Josh, don’t do something hasty. It’s a good job. That aside, the kids benefit from our dedication. It’s work to be proud of.”

  “Bradley was totally pissed about the account you set up. That’s what he called about earlier. He was at the bank, and he didn’t know we couldn’t move that money without your signature.”

  “I told him I was setting up that account since those funds were earmarked for certain projects in our campaign. Sorry if he blasted you.”

  “Yeah, yeah. Don’t sweat it. I’m here for the paycheck. He doesn’t bother me. So, what did you need?”

  “The newspaper misprinted our numbers.”

  “I know. Tried to take care of that the other day. Got the slam down from your boyfriend on that, too.”

  “He’s not my boyfriend anymore either.”

  “Sorry. Got the slam down from Bradley. He gave the newspaper those numbers. He said it had nothing to do with balancing the books. That the misreported numbers were all about marketing. Saying we didn’t meet our goal may bring in more donations.”

  A feeling of dread swirled in the pit of her stomach. Melanie’s mention of dodgy business deals came to mind. Jill sure hoped he wasn’t going to put the Kase Foundation’s good work at risk.

  Clyde barked from the back yard, but his bark sounded different this time. More urgent. Instinct drew her toward the back door. The heavy smell of smoke seeped into the room.