“We already picked it up,” Rainey said. “Thank you. We’re on our way to the airport now. But Sophia has something she’d like to say to both of you before we leave.”
Sophia hung her head and stared down at her feet. “Sorry,” she mumbled.
Jamie flinched. “Nothing against you, Mr. Rainey. We’ve only just met. But after what your daughter put us through, her apology means nothing to me.”
An expression Sam interpreted as approval crossed Rainey’s handsome face. “I understand, young man. You have every right to feel that way.” He tapped his daughter on the shoulder. “Go wait for me in the car.”
Shoulders slumped and head bowed, she exited through the front door.
“Is there somewhere we can speak in private?” Rainey asked.
Sam cast a quick glance at the checkout counter, stopping short when she came upon her mother’s prying eyes peering at them over the cash register. “Let’s go in the back.” Sam led Rainey and Jamie through the kitchen to the office. She did not offer him a seat. “I have only a minute.”
“I understand.” Rainey inhaled a deep breath. “I’m hoping you can shed some light on my daughter’s situation. You”—he nodded at Jamie—“more than your mother. Needless to say, I’m concerned about the charges. I haven’t seen any evidence of drug abuse. I’m aware of her recreational use. She came home so high on something over Thanksgiving we took away her car and grounded her. But I haven’t seen any signs of addiction. Her grades aren’t suffering and her spending habits haven’t changed.”
“If you’re asking me if I think Sophia should go to rehab, the answer is no,” Jamie said. “I think she’s bored and looking for a thrill.”
“Or attention,” Sam added.
“Or both,” Oliver Rainey said in a resigned tone. “In the grand scheme of things, that’s the best answer I could hope for.” He held his hand out to them in turn. “I apologize for any inconvenience my daughter has caused you. If there’s any way I can make amends.”
When he reached for his wallet, Sam held her hand up. “Thanks, but no. Take your daughter home. Get her some help. She may not need rehab for drug addiction, but she sure as hell needs to rehab her attitude.”
“I admire your spunk, Ms. Sweeney. Not many people would have the courage to speak their minds to me the way you did last night and today. Believe me when I tell you, I heard every word.”
Lovie cornered Sam behind the fish counter the first opportunity she found. “What’s going on? Was that Sophia’s father? Did something happen to make her leave? Jamie didn’t do anything to hurt her, did he?”
“Geez, Mom. You know your grandson better than that. Sophia got herself into trouble. We were forced to call her parents. Jamie and Sophia are no longer dating. And that’s all I’m going to say on the matter.” Sam spun on her heels and went back to work.
Customers were lined up three deep at the counter when Sam’s second visitor marched in around four. “I need a word with you, Samantha Sweeney.” Donna Bennett stood before her with her arms crossed.
“I’m sorry, but you’ll have to wait your turn.” Sam took her time in finishing up with her customers.
“Give her hell, Sammie,” Faith whispered as Sam walked from behind the counter to greet Donna.
“Let’s talk outside.” Taking her by the arm, Sam dragged Donna out the front door.
On the sidewalk out front, Donna said, “But it’s cold out here,” and wrapped her cashmere cape tighter around her ample body.
“Good! We’ll keep the conversation short. In fact, let’s talk while I walk you to your car.” Sam took off toward the parking lot.
Trailing behind her, Donna called out a string of expletives, but the wind carried them off before they reached Sam’s ears. Sam turned to face her when they arrived at Donna’s Mercedes sedan. “Go ahead, Donna. Speak your piece.”
Donna towered over Sam, pinning her against the car. “I’m holding your son responsible for everything that happened at my house last night. Did you know that my son nearly died? My son,” she repeated, particles of spit spewing from her lips.
Sam pushed the woman off her. “For the record, I’m glad Charlie is okay,” she said, wiping the spit from her face with the corner of her apron. “But I don’t see how you can blame Jamie for what happened at your house last night. He wasn’t even there. He was at home—”
“I know. I heard. He was at home with you playing Monopoly. Mamby pamby mama’s boy that he is.” Donna jabbed a finger at Sam’s nose. “But that doesn’t make him any less responsible. It’s not fair that he gets off scot-free when my daughter might have to go to jail. Bottom line, he’s responsible for bringing that piece of garbage to our quiet little town. If not for Sophia . . . ”
Sam stiffened her spine, lifting herself to her full height. “You are way out of line, Donna Bennett. Sophia is Rachel’s sorority sister. They were friends long before Jamie arrived on the scene. Your daughter drove Sophia to Charleston yesterday where, according to my sources, they purchased drugs from yet another one of their sorority sisters who lives there. Jamie had no part in any of that. He was working here all day. If you want someone to blame, look in the mirror. You were asking for trouble by leaving your underage children at home alone during Christmas break. I understand the police called you after they busted the party at your house on Saturday night. If you had come home then, this whole ugly mess could have been avoided.”
“Why should I have to cut my trip short? I had front row seats to see the Rockettes.”
Sam’s eyebrows shot up. “So that’s where you were, in New York?”
“My husband and I go every year during the week before Christmas, as if it’s any of your business,” Donna said, the sagging skin on her chin waggling as she bobbed her head.
Sam palmed her forehead. “Excuse the hell out of me for wondering why you wouldn’t take your children with you to see the Rockettes at Radio City Music Hall.” Sam didn’t wait for Donna’s response. She turned her back on her and marched back inside.
NINETEEN
Heidi called Sam early Thursday morning and requested a meeting to finalize the details of the wedding luncheon. “Would four o’clock this afternoon work for you?”
“That should be fine.” Sam wasn’t keen on leaving the market short-staffed, but she wanted to make certain everything was in order for the reception. “Why don’t we meet at the Island Bakery across the street?”
“Perfect. And bring Annie along if you can. She’s an important factor in making your reception a success.”
“Don’t you think you’re giving her too much credit? I agree, she’s talented, but she’s only sixteen years old.”
“Not at all. I am truly in awe of her creativity. I’ve found her ideas fresh and unique. And that’s high praise coming from me. I’ve been planning parties for a long time.”
“In that case, I’ll make sure she comes with me.”
The market was slammed all day, but business had slacked off some when Sam and Annie left a few minutes before four. “We won’t be gone long. Thirty minutes tops,” she said to Lovie and Faith. “Call Jamie out from the back if you need him. And we’re right across the street if you get swamped.” She wrapped her wool scarf around her neck and pulled her knit hat down over her head. She opened the door to a gush of frozen air. “Come on, let’s hurry.” She took Annie by the hand and they dashed across the street to the bakery.
Jackie and Heidi were waiting for them in a corner booth near the window with four frothy mugs of hot cocoa on the table in front of them. Annie slid in next to Heidi and Sam joined her sister on the opposite side.
“Jackie and I were just talking about the weather,” Heidi said. “I had hoped to build fires in the pits on the terrace during the luncheon, but I doubt anyone will want to be outside as cold as it is.”
“Especially not on Saturday,” Annie said.
Sam frowned. “Why? Is it supposed to rain? I haven’t seen the forecast.”
“That’s just great.” Sam collapsed against the bench. “My wedding is ruined. We don’t have snowplows in the Lowcountry. No one will be able to come.”
Jackie gave Annie a warning look. “Don’t worry, honey.” She reached for Sam’s hand and squeezed it. “They’re only calling for snow showers. And yes, we do have snowplows in the Lowcountry.”
“Besides, everyone we know owns a four-wheel drive,” Annie added.
“True. And there’s nothing I can do about the weather anyway.” Sam shook off her concern. “A little snow might even make the day more festive.” She removed a set of keys from her bag. “I stopped by the bungalow after work last night. It took me ten minutes to figure out which key unlocks the front door. This is the one that works. I marked it with electrical tape.” She showed Heidi the marked key before dropping it into the palm of her outstretched hand.
Heidi placed the keys in her bag and opened the folder on the table in front of her. “Our plans for the reception are coming together nicely. I hope you’ll be pleased.”
Sam clasped her hands together. “I can hardly wait.”
“Do you still want us to surprise you?” Annie asked. “I would feel better if you approved the menu. I know how particular you are about food.”
Jackie winked at Annie. “I believe ‘fussy’ is the word you used earlier.”
Annie’s hue deepened to a shade of red the color of Santa’s suit.
Sam leered at her sister over the brim of her cocoa mug. “Leave Annie alone. It pays to be fussy in our line of work, doesn’t it, Annie?”
Annie shook her head up and down, her honey-colored pony tail rebounding off her shoulders.
“I’m with Annie on this,” Heidi said. “I would feel better if you looked at the menu. If there’s anything you don’t like, we still have time to make changes.” She held out a sheet of rectangular card stock to Sam. “We had a menu printed for each place setting.”
Sam started to reach for the menu, and then immediately snatched her hand back. “Nope. I don’t need to see it. I trust Annie. She understands my likes and dislikes when it comes to food. I’m marrying my man on Saturday morning. As long as I have my family with me to celebrate, you can feed me rotten eel and I won’t know the difference.”
“Okay then. Rotten eel it is.” Heidi smiled and placed the menu back in her folder. She consulted the notepad in her file. “Flowers are next on the list. I’ve ordered a few stems from a local florist, a delightful older gentleman by the name of Felipe Marsh at Waterside Flowers. He told me you ordered the poinsettias for the church from him. I talked him into giving you the wholesale price, by the way.” Heidi paused, clearing her throat. “We know how busy you are at work. Would you like for us to take the poinsettias to the church for you?”
“We can arrange them on the altar, and make them look pretty,” Jackie added.
Sam shifted her gaze back and forth between Jackie and Heidi. “The two of you are up to something. I can tell by the stupid grins on your faces. Do whatever you’d like to the altar. All I ask is that you keep it simple.”
“Simple is my middle name,” Jackie said.
Sam nearly choked on her cocoa. “You’re about as simple as I am sophisticated.” She set her mug down and wiped her mouth. “Seriously, though, I appreciate all your efforts. All three of you.” She looked at each of them in turn. “You have carte blanche to do whatever you’d like as long as you stick as close as possible to the budget.”
“Hmm.” Jackie pursed her lips. “Carte blanche on a budget? That’s a new one for me.”
Annie slid closer to Heidi, peering over her shoulder at the file. “You know, I’ve been thinking. Maybe we should take this off the menu and add . . .” She whispered something in Heidi’s ear.
Jackie leaned into Sam. “I’m just teasing you about the budget. Everything is going to be beautiful. I promise. I’ve recommended Heidi to several of my clients, and they’ve all been pleased with every aspect of her event planning.”
Sam considered the unlikely friends across the table, one young and one old, their heads close together, lost in their own private conversation. “Annie certainly seems to approve of her. She talks about her nonstop.”
“Annie will learn a lot from Heidi.”
Sam smiled. “And vice versa.”
Jackie nudged Sam with her elbow. “I hear things didn’t work out so well with Sophia. I hope Jamie isn’t heartbroken.”
“News travels fast in this town.”
“News can travel from here to China in seconds, Sammie. Or haven’t you noticed?”
“Actually, I haven’t. I do my best to avoid all avenues of social media.” Sam narrowed her eyes as she looked through the window at the market across the street, checking to make certain a line hadn’t formed out the front door. “I think mostly Jamie is relieved. I’m not sure he ever truly cared about Sophia. She is popular and beautiful, and he was flattered when she set her sights on him. He learned a lot from the experience. We both did.”
“Like I tell my boys—the lessons we learn the hardest are the ones that teach us the most.”
TWENTY
Little product remained on the shelves at Sweeney’s by closing time on Friday. The line of customers waiting to pick up their special orders for their holiday feasts had stretched around the building for most of the day. The loyal patrons did not complain about having to wait in the cold. They were grateful for the services Sweeney’s provided, even more so when Sam was able to satisfy their last-minute requests—a pint of oysters or pound of crabmeat they’d suddenly realized they needed. Her projections had been spot-on. The Christmas season at Captain Sweeney’s was deemed a success. The staff left with healthy bonuses in their pockets and a weekend off to enjoy the holiday with their families before returning bright and early Monday morning to do it all over again for New Year’s.
Sam drove straight home, luxuriated in a hot shower until her fingers and toes wrinkled, and dressed in her warmest flannel pajamas. She heated up a container of chicken noodle soup and brewed a cup of Twinings Pure Peppermint tea. No sooner had she settled into a holiday movie on Lifetime than her doorbell rang. She slurped down another spoonful of soup before going to answer the door.
“What are you doing here?” she said, when she saw Faith shivering on her front porch.
“I have a gift for you.” Faith thrust a shirt-size box wrapped in white paper with a silver ribbon at her. “It’s personal. I didn’t want to give it to you at work with everyone else around.”
Sam took the gift from her with one hand and pulled her sister through the door with the other. “Get in here. It’s freezing out there. Your lips are turning blue.”
Sam took the present back to the sofa. “Can I get you something, some tea maybe?”
“No, I’m fine. I didn’t mean to interrupt your dinner,” Faith said, when she saw the soup bowl on the coffee table. “I can’t stay long anyway. Mike is cooking steaks on the grill.”
“In this weather? I call that dedication.”
Faith removed her coat and planted herself in the chair next to the sofa. “You should see him! All dressed up like an Eskimo in his parka with gloves on his hands and muffs on his ears and a cherry-red scarf around his neck that matches his face.”
Sam laughed out loud. “I can totally picture it. He’s such a dear man.” She settled back against the cushions with the gift on her lap. “Tell me, Faith. Are you happy?”
Faith hugged herself, a dreamy expression appearing on her face. “I never thought it possible to be this happy. And you will be happy too with Eli.” She tilted her head to the side. “You’re not having doubts, are you?”
Sam straightened. “Not a one. I’ve never been so sure about anything in my life.” She ripped the wrapping paper off the present and lifted the lid. “Ooh . . . This is pretty.” She removed a
sheer lacy negligee and matching robe.
“Every bride needs something special for her wedding night. And I know you. This is the last thing you would ever buy for yourself.”
“You’re right about that.” Sam sprang to her feet and waltzed around the room with the negligee gripped to her torso. “I’ve never owned anything so feminine. I love the way it flows.”
“You’re gonna make a beautiful bride, Sammie. You deserve all the happiness in the world.”
“Thank you so much for the sexy gift.” She leaned down and kissed her sister’s cheek. “You made my night. And you will make Eli’s night too—tomorrow night.” She folded the negligee and placed it back in the box. “I’ve been sitting here feeling sorry for myself because I’m alone on the night before my wedding. Eli and Jamie are off somewhere, doing lord knows what, and Jackie is at the bungalow with Heidi and Annie getting ready for the reception.”
“You are exactly where you need to be tonight, resting up for your big day tomorrow.” Faith eyed her soup. “Now eat your dinner before it gets cold.”
Sam picked up the bowl and lifted the spoon.
“Speaking of the bungalow, I’ve just come from there. Jackie has the whole family working, including Mama and the twins. She made me swear I wouldn’t give anything away, but I think it’s safe to say it’s gorgeous—a winter wonderland reception.”
A wide smile spread across Sam’s face. “I just got that funny feeling in my tummy. What did we use to call them when we were little?”
“Tummy tingles. Just wait until tomorrow. Those tingles will become tremors.” Faith rested her hands in her lap and twiddled her thumbs. “I’m concerned about Annie, that her current infatuation is getting out of hand.”
Sam gazed at her sister over her soup spoon. “You mean with Cooper?”
“Not Cooper. Don’t get me wrong. She’s totally smitten with him. Their relationship is sweet, both of them so innocent. But that’s normal. He’s her boyfriend. I’m talking about Heidi. Annie has gone gaga over that woman.”
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