Sweet Tea and Secrets

by Nancy Naigle

  “Aren’t you just the regular lady of the house?”

  “Weird, huh? If I’d never gone on that job interview, never met Bradley, I’d probably be the lady of this house right now and none of this would’ve happened.”

  “You don’t know that. Don’t do that to yourself.” Carolanne followed Jill into the bedroom and they quickly stripped the bed and remade it.

  “You sure you don’t mind staying here?”

  “Not a bit. Now go get Garrett.”

  Jill promised to check in with Carolanne later to see what she’d been able to find on the internet about the treasure. Daydreaming and praying for answers, she arrived at the hospital in no time.

  At seven o’clock in the morning, Jill walked through the automatic doors at the hospital. She wasn’t surprised to find Garrett already dressed and sitting in the chair, one knee bobbing impatiently, chomping at the bit to get home.

  She kissed him three times on the mouth, like they always used to, and then hugged him. “I’m so thankful you’re okay.”

  “I’m fine.” His voice was calm and strong.

  “Garrett. I’m so sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault. We don’t know that Bradley was behind this, you know.” He reached for her hand.

  “I know it was him. I should have told you my suspicions. He’s so jealous of you.”

  He pulled her close. “Even if you had told me, it wouldn’t have changed anything. Who would have thought someone would poison a fruit basket?”

  “You could have died.”

  “But I didn’t. I’m fine, and I’ve got you.”

  “Yes. You do.” She’d only been fooling herself since she’d left town. Garrett was everything she’d always thought he was. How she wished now she hadn’t believed all the things Bradley had said to make her lose faith. But he’d been so convincing at the time.

  The doctor released Garrett with a list of instructions. When the nurse insisted he be taken downstairs in a wheelchair, he was not happy, but the nurse wasn’t about to give in.

  “Hospital policy,” she said, sternly patting the back of the wheelchair. Amazing how much power a blue-haired nurse could wield over a man.

  The nurse helped Garrett into the passenger’s seat of the truck. Jill jumped behind the wheel and started the engine. “You’re a sucker for old ladies, aren’t you Malloy?”

  “Want to be my old lady?” He rolled his lips around his teeth and pretended to talk like an old man, winking wildly.

  “You look like a pervert.”

  He wiggled his eyebrows playfully. “You like it? This could be your future, baby.” Suddenly he straightened, dropping the playfulness. “What happened to your cheek?” He reached toward her.

  She’d done her best to camouflage the purplish swelling, but the sunlight streaming through the windshield blew her cover. “You don’t want to know.”

  “What happened?”

  A flicker of apprehension coursed through her. “Bradley came by. He wants the Pacini Pearls.”

  “He hit you? I’ll kill him. Are you okay?” He reached for her cheek again.

  “I’m fine. It barely hurts.” She brushed his hand away. “I tried to give him the ring, but apparently that’s not the treasure he’s looking for.”

  “That’s all we found. If that’s not the treasure, what is?” he asked.

  “I have no idea. I’ve gone back through the notes I found in the attic. I can’t figure it out, but he’s threatened to hurt you if I don’t hand over the pearls.”

  “I’ll kick his ass, let him—”

  “Stop it, Garrett. This is no time to be macho. He’s dangerous. He all but admitted, almost bragged, that he’d gotten to you once. He was responsible for the break-ins at Pearl’s. Somehow he got you to buy Clyde. Oh my gosh, there’s so much to tell you. He’s a master of deception.”

  “I’ll kill him.” Garrett balled his fist and punched the dashboard.

  “Calm down. Scott doesn’t think he’ll come back around. He has an alert out for Bradley’s car just in case, though.”

  “You just passed my turn,” Garrett said.

  “I’m taking you home with me, where I can be sure you follow the doctor’s orders.”

  “I knew you wanted me.”

  “Don’t push your luck, Malloy.” She tried to hold back the grin as she pulled in front of Pearl’s house. She ran to the other side of the car to help Garrett, but he was already out and heading for the porch.

  Garrett moved a kitchen chair outside so he could watch as she played with Clyde in the backyard. Clyde limped a little, but his scorched paw wasn’t slowing him down much. She tossed the ball and he took off like a jet to get it. He ran in a circle around the whole perimeter of the backyard before bringing the ball back and setting it at her feet, eager to do it all again.

  Jill noticed Garrett fidgeting, getting restless. She tossed the ball one last time and headed over to join him. Garrett stood and gave Jill a friendly peck on the forehead as he grabbed his keys off the counter. “I’m going to run by my office.”

  “Let Elsie handle things,” Jill said. “You just got out of the hospital.”

  “I’ve been in bed for two days. I’ve got a company to run.”

  “Will you let me drive you?” she asked.

  “I can drive.”

  She watched him as he moved toward the door.

  “I won’t be long. I just can’t sit here.”

  “You should really take it easy.”

  “I’ll be fine. Keep your phone handy and you call me first, then Scott, if that Kase nut shows up. I’m just a few minutes away.”

  Garrett was definitely on the road to recovery—the same old hardworking Garrett she’d always known.

  As she watched his truck motor down the lane, her heart swelled with a feeling that she’d thought she’d lost for him. But she knew now she’d never lost that love. Being with Garrett was what made her whole. She’d even admitted to Carolanne that there might be an ounce or two of reality to those paperback love stories. Maybe the fairy tale was out there if she didn’t interrupt it by trying too hard.

  Jill tugged on the old freezer door to see what she could find to whip up for dinner. She decided that she’d bake a couple of Spratt’s pork chops, cut an inch-and-a-quarter thick, like Pearl had always requested. The hard frozen package clonked when she set it on the counter.

  Cooking for Garrett was good for her ego. He gobbled up everything she cooked like she was his own personal Paula Deen. Jill picked out a tomato pudding recipe from the recipe box. A perfect choice since Pearl had planted so many tomato bushes and the tomatoes had all ripened at one time. Tomato pudding and some macaroni ‘n cheese would make for a colorful entrée.

  For dessert, she decided to whip up one of Pearl’s famous chocolate pecan pies.

  After a quick run to the store, Jill went to work on the pie. While the pie baked, she worked on the other recipes. Her timing was perfect. Everything was ready to go into the oven when the pie timer buzzed. The crust had browned just right. She took in a big whiff of chocolate as she set it on the counter to cool. Pearl would be proud.

  She tossed her apron over one of the kitchen chairs, then put on her tennis shoes to spend some time with Clyde in the yard. Clyde loved it when she weeded. He’d either roll in the discarded greens, or grab a mouthful and run around the yard. He had endless energy and was always at her side. Jill and Clyde had built a quick bond and the huge dog was great company.

  After a couple of hours of weeding, Jill decided to quit. Tired, but feeling a sense of accomplishment, she hit the shower.

  Jill relaxed under the shower stream until she depleted the hot water supply. She shut off the water and grabbed a thick thirsty towel from the towel bar outside the shower, but paused at the sound of someone humming.

  A knot formed in her stomach, until she realized she recognized the tune. Every Rose Has Its Thorn had always been one of her favorite songs. She held the towel to cover
herself and ripped back the shower curtain.

  Garrett stood there with a big old grin holding out a towel for her. Clyde sat by his side.

  “Who do you think you are?” Jill snatched the towel from his hands.

  He gave her an exaggerated pout. “We were just tryin’ to help.”

  “You’re my thorn, trouble maker.” She popped him on the butt and shooshed them both out of the bathroom. “You two get lost. You’re in my private space.”

  “What are you going to do about it, big shot?” Garrett pulled her close.

  She squirmed, trying to wriggle from his arms. “That’s not fair.”

  “All’s fair in love and pie.”

  She grinned and settled into his grasp. “You saw the pie.”

  He kissed her neck. “I did. Chocolate pecan pie, my favorite. Did you make it, or was it left over from Pearl’s funeral.”

  “Like there’d be any leftovers?”

  “That’s what I thought when I made it,” he said.

  She arched back to look him in the eye. “You made a chocolate pecan pie for Pearl’s funeral?”

  He nodded.

  “So did I,” she admitted. She gave him a sidelong glance of disbelief. “Really? You made a pie?”

  “Don’t look so surprised. I spent a lot of time with Pearl and she couldn’t do everything she used to. There were some benefits to helping her cook. I learned a lot.”

  “And ate a lot, I bet.” She patted his tight tummy.

  “Like I said. Spending time with Pearl had its benefits.”

  “Well, I made the pie for tonight, and I’m sure you’ll find it scrumptious.”

  He leaned close and ran his tongue up her neck, then circled her earlobe. “As scrumptious as you?”

  Jill shrugged her shoulder in response to the tantalizing chills that melted her like butter in his hands. “Stop.”

  He wiggled his eyebrows. “I’ve got to work fast. Don’t want to give you a chance to change your mind and go back to old what’s his name.”

  She pulled the hand towel off the towel bar and snapped it at him with a pop. “You’re feeling better.”

  Garrett scrambled out of the bathroom calling Clyde to follow.

  She dried her hair then went to join Garrett in the kitchen. The dining room table was set, candles flickering, and Garrett had already dished up the meal she’d prepared.

  “Nice work, Malloy,” said Jill.

  He stepped out of the kitchen with a beer in his hand and handed her a glass of wine.

  She took the wine from him and sipped from the glass, her eyes never leaving his. “Cheers.” She lifted her glass to him. “The table looks lovely.”

  “Clyde did it.”

  She leaned over and held the big dog’s chin in her free hand. “You’re a smart boy.”

  Clyde rewarded her with a single kiss on the cheek.

  “He loves me,” she said smugly as she stood then took another swig of the wine.

  “I hear that’s going around.”

  She clinked his glass. “Good wine.”

  “You should like it. You bought it about three years ago when we were at that little vineyard.”

  “The one where they bottled by hand?”

  “That’s the one.”

  She remembered that wonderful trip. She and Garrett had picked the perfect weekend for a mountain escape. The fall leaves had put on an incredible show. They’d hiked a trail to a magnificent waterfall and sat on the rocks until it nearly got too dark to hike back. The powerful surge of water crashing down from hundreds of feet above had been deafening and peaceful at the same time. They’d pitched dozens of coins into the churning water, wishing on every dream they’d ever had.

  “We made a lot of good memories, didn’t we?” she said.

  He held her chair out for her and she sat.

  “Here’s to many more.”

  They ate in near silence, until Garrett got up for a second helping of macaroni ‘n cheese.

  “Is Carolanne coming by tonight?”

  “Unh-uh, she’s going out with Connor.”

  “Wow, Pearl works fast. I thought he was still seeing that Chicago girl.”

  “Yeah. He is. Carolanne ran into him at Spratt’s Market. He’s taking her out to dinner. Just friends.” Jill air-quoted the just friends.

  “That’s what they think. No one can escape Pearl’s power of love.” Garrett pointed his fork at Jill.

  “Seems that way, doesn’t it?”

  “Where are they going?” Garrett asked.

  “He’s taking her to Roanoke Rapids to the new dinner theater. Have you been yet?”

  “No, but I heard it’s great.”

  “I would love to have Carolanne back in Adams Grove.”

  “Now who’s making a bigger deal of the date?” he teased.

  She lifted her shoulders sheepishly. “You never know.”

  “It doesn’t sound like just a friendly night out to me either.”

  “Stop getting my hopes up. But Pearl’s never wrong, is she?”

  Garrett tipped his beer toward Jill, his eyes sparkling in the candlelight. “I hope not.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  The next morning, Jill padded into the living room, to find Garrett sitting in the living room floor surrounded by blueprints and note paper. He balanced a near empty coffee cup on one knee in the middle of it all.

  Jill stooped next to him. “Whatcha’ doin?”

  “Good morning, sleepyhead. I didn’t hear you come in.”

  “Want more coffee?” Jill asked.

  He gulped the last sip and handed his cup to her. “Thanks.”

  She came back with two steaming mugs and sat on the floor next to him, peering over his shoulder. “Are those the plans for Bridle Path Estates?”

  “Yep.” His eyebrows drew together.

  “Problem?” Jill scooched closer to him.

  “No. I was just thinking that maybe we could still do the Artisan Center. You know, like we’d originally planned.”

  She perked up. “Are you serious?”

  “It was a great idea. I mean, if you want to stick around. Running the Artisan Center would give you something to do, and it would be great for the community. No pressure.”

  She squealed. “Are you kidding me? I’d love that.”

  “Look at the barn area over here.” Garrett pointed to one of the blueprints. “I think we can move the playground to the back side of the pastures, closer to this cul-de-sac.” He scribbled on the plans, trying to translate his vision for her. “Then, if I turn the barn to face west and run the pastures this way, it would leave this space open, adjacent to the road.”

  She traced her finger where he’d just pointed. “Right here? Facing North?”

  “Instead of pastures at the entrance, we’d have the Artisan Center.” He leaned closer to her. “Do you think it would work?”

  His face was so close to hers that she caught her breath. “Would what work?” She said not wanting to take her eyes from his.

  “The plan,” he said.

  “Yeah.” She looked back down at the papers, concentrating on the drawing. “Yes. With the pasture behind it here, right?” Jill swiveled to get a closer look, examining the changes.

  “Right. We could build a small livestock area in that space if we wanted to. Better yet, we could have a 4-H meeting area. The county could use a spot for that.”

  “That would be cool. We could do watercolor and pen-and-ink workshops back there.”

  “I like the idea.” He nodded. “The Artisan Center would be almost diagonal from Penny’s so it would help her business, too.”

  “I think it’s perfect.” She sipped her coffee. “Are you bribing me?”

  “Is it working?” He held her gaze for a moment.

  She shrugged her shoulders, but held his gaze. “Maybe I’m looking for a reason to stay.”

  He took her hand in his. “I think we should do this no matter what. I don’t want to bribe
or buy you. The Artisan Center is good for the community, whether we’re a couple or not. If you come back to me, I want it to be because that’s where you want to be.”

  That just made her feel even more confident that she was right where she should be. “Count me in. I even know who I want to be the first artist to display her work in the center.”

  “Who would that be?”

  “Mary Claire. I’ll let her know so she can start thinking about what she’d like to show, but I definitely want that portrait of Pearl on display.”

  “She really captured Pearl’s sparkle, didn’t she?”

  “Yes, she did.” They shared a moment of silence thinking about Pearl.

  “We have a deal?” Garrett extended his hand for Jill to shake.

  She didn’t hesitate. “Deal.” And they meant it, because in Adams Grove, a handshake was more binding than a written contract.

  Garrett didn’t let go of her hand. Instead, he tugged her close gently dropping a quick kiss on the tip of her nose.

  Jill smiled at the familiar gesture. It was one of those little things she used to love about him. She got up from the floor and sat on the couch.

  He rolled up the plans, snapping a rubber band around them. “So what are you and Carolanne up to today?” Garrett popped her playfully on the head with the rolled-up tube.

  “Don’t start something you can’t finish, Malloy.” She grabbed the other end of the tube and tugged it, then blew through the end, making a loud trumpet sound. Rhoooowoooo.

  “Don’t get me started,” he warned.

  Over the years, she and Garrett had battled with watermelon seeds, popcorn, marshmallows, and blueprint tubes were fair game, too. Deciding to avoid the challenge, she answered his question about Carolanne. “We’re going to take Aunt Milly to Rocky Mount to check out some yarn, and then to Shoney’s for an early supper.”

  “Milly will love that. But if you have any pull with her, would you please make sure she doesn’t knit me another sweater vest this year.”

  “A sweater vest?” Picturing him in a sweater vest made her laugh.

  “Quit laughing. It wasn’t funny. For Christmas last year, she knitted me a red sweater vest.”

  “Get the heck out of here.”