I forced nonchalance into my tone. “It’s been a long time since you were a little girl. You survived the years after your parents’ divorce, when Cooter . . . changed. You moved on. Made a life for yourself. You can’t hold on to that anger any longer, princess. Not if you want to be happy here.” I laid my hand on her chest. Kept it there, nestled between her breasts. “You have to let it go.”
Her hands found my palm and clutched it between them. Her chin trembled and tears spilled from her lower eyelids like floodwaters cresting a dam. She considered her words for several long moments. Would I get the truth, or some whitewashed version of an excuse?
“I came back because I missed Moreover. I missed the people here.” She paused as if she wanted to add something more, then shook her head as if to herself. “I didn’t say good-bye.”
There was my answer. Her hands dropped when I slid my palm from between them and returned it to my lap. I shouldn’t have expected more from her, but if there was any question of what I meant to her, she just answered it. “The town’s been here the whole time, princess. All you had to do was hop on a plane.”
“But Cooter—”
“Every little girl wants to worship her daddy. Unfortunately, it doesn’t always work out that way. You spent far too many years alone with your dad; you knew what he was like. But yeah, Cooter was here waiting the whole time, too.”
Her chin trembled against the tears that were possibly pissed off rather than grief filled now that I had her back against a wall. She wrapped her arms around herself and leveled me with an even stare. I knew her, but right now her emotions were a mystery to me. She could become overly calm, rigid and collected, or she could have a total meltdown. I only had moments to wait before she collapsed sobbing in my arms. “Oh, Daddy!” Her wails filled the cab of my truck. She pummeled my chest and let her tears soak my shirt.
Okay, then. Meltdown, it was.
Mitch mostly had his information correct, in that bingo had been cancelled in the Eastlake Baptist Church basement, but there were still tables and chairs set up throughout the large area. The obligation of the graveside service behind them, attendees crushed throughout to take advantage of the midday fare generously provided by the grieving family, then streamed outside to kibbutz in the shaded afternoon sun. They’d put in the time, after all—a stuffy church service along with the actual burial—and now they expected to be fed. And Olivia Westerbrooke came through in spades. Because her ex-husband had a reputation to uphold.
Whatever.
I found a vacated seat beneath the canopy of a wide branched tree and pretended interest in cold fried chicken and coleslaw. I’d purposefully found a spot with a lone chair so I wasn’t forced to talk to anyone. The church and its yard overflowed with well-wishers—those who’d been lining up to reminisce for hours. I allowed Deke to drive my getaway vehicle after I bolted from Cooter’s service, but I didn’t have the guts to run far. And with each person’s testimony, I got more and more insight into the person my father became once I deserted him.
Someone dragged a metal folding chair up next to me, and I let my scowl drop when I realized it was Beth. She sat and balanced a plate on her lap.
I gave her a closer look. “Your cheeks are pink. Have you been in the sun too long?”
Her eyes gave her away when they darted to the open double doors leading back into the downstairs community room. The doorway where even now Shane McAllister stood propped against the painted jamb, seemingly in conversation with his brother. But his eyes were locked on Beth, and blazing as hell.
“Why’s Shane’s shirt misbuttoned?”
Fork hovering on its way to her mouth, Beth bobbled her divided cardboard plate. Her color heightened until she flushed a flaming crimson, clear into her hairline. “Mmm, have you tried this slaw? It’s delicious. Maybe some of the best I’ve ever had. Who did you say Olivia had cater this shindig? Do you think Ruby’s had a chance to try it?” She levered herself up from her seat. “I think I’ll see if I can find her; get her to taste the salad.”
I laughed. “Oh, no. You’re not avoiding the question that easily.” I shoved her shoulder until she collapsed back into the folding chair. “Besides, it has mayo in the dressing. Ruby’s a purist. She only does vinegar in her coleslaw.”
Beth’s gaze darted to mine and she grinned. Shit, I did it again. I didn’t mean to remember the minutiae that made up life in Moreover. Why hadn’t I forgotten these details after so many years? I gave her a side eye glare. “Shut up.”
“You know you want to stay. Admit it.”
“Come on, Beth. She’d rather lie and say she loves LA rush hour than own up to missing anything we have to offer.” The deep, lazy voice that came from behind triggered a smile before I realized the giddiness that zipped between my heart and the juncture of my thighs was exactly the reason I’d gone looking for a chair off on my own. Deke strolled closer, flanked by Shane and Blake, and I pulled the plug on the high I got from merely being around him. It was crazy and stupid. And dangerous.
I had only hours to come to terms with the death of that intense, wonderful feeling. To own that I was killing it by getting on a plane tonight and winging my way back to the west coast. But I wasn’t meant for Moreover, Tennessee. I. Did not. Belong here. I craved the buzz of Los Angeles, California. With its perpetual sunshine, and beautiful celebrities, and continual stream of athletes who needed my guidance and counsel. It was heady, really, and I’d worked my ass off to get their recognition.
“Yeah, Tink. Not everyone wants you telling them how to run their life.” What the hell? Shane’s shirt buttons had been redone, but his features hadn’t cooled toward her in the least. The fires of hell still burned in his eyes. What I wouldn’t give to know what happened between those two. She’d better believe she’d spill those details before the end of the day.
Ruby hustled across the yard, her arms flapping in the air. “Yoo-hoo!” Ruby’s soprano drew glances as she drew near. “Deputy, I must speak with you, posthaste!”
It looked as if Beth had lost her chance to rave about the slaw. Too bad. She stood and met Ruby as she about skidded to a stop, her monstrous smartphone palmed in one of her large hands. Black chiffon floated and then settled on the breeze she created. Elsie bustled up behind her, her handbag looped over her forearm. Wheezing to catch her breath from the short jog, she straightened with her hands on her hips. The somber propriety of her ebony two-piece dress was ruined by the righteous indignation etched on her features.
“What can I help you with, Miss Ruby?”
“Excuse me, Doc.” With Elsie glued to her side, Ruby nudged Shane out of the way and shoved her phone in Beth’s face. “See this? This here’s a picture of the back of my diner. What do you see there?” The attention she’d drawn when she flew in our direction was now fully upon her, thanks to her high-pitched questioning.
Beth searched the digital photo on the device. “Miss Ruby, I see the concrete deck at your back door, but I don’t see anything else.” Beth beamed as if she were being punked. “Is this a trick question?”
Ruby harrumphed and her massive bosom bounced. Perhaps she needed to rethink her foundation garments. I could hook her up with my contact back in—
Ruby’s jaw dropped. Elsie appeared as if she may burst into tears. “Tomatoes.” She sniffled and then tried again for a full sentence. “We’re working on our secret side dish for Founders’ Day.”
Ruby spoke up to fill in the blanks. “Ernie Rios from down at the farmer’s market delivered red tomatoes—two times, mind you—before he finally understood we needed green tomatoes. This morning he brought a beautiful box of them. We left them right there!” She poked at the screen to indicate the spot. Elsie dug out a hankie from her purse to dry her eyes, and Beth patted her shoulder.
“I’m so sorry for your trouble, ladies.” Beth shrugged, her forehead furrowed in rows deep enough to plant corn. “I’ve searched Moreover high and low, but I can’t find any of the items that hav
e gone missing. They’ve all vanished. And there doesn’t seem to be anyone new in town, either, that might be a suspect.” Poor Beth seemed as near to tears as Elsie as she scanned the crowd that gathered closer and closer. She called out to them, included them. “Does anybody know anything? Have you seen anything suspicious? Seen anyone you don’t recognize?”
She singled out the postman. “Mitch, it’s logical that someone new would need mail delivery. Anyone new on your route?”
Mitch lowered his head and scratched his chin as he gave it some thought. After a pause, he rocked his head back and forth. “Nehp. Nobody new since Clay and Maggie here got hitched back in the spring and moved over to Clover Road.” As one, the crowd nodded as if they remembered the event clearly. And they probably did. They probably all helped the newlyweds move. They’d definitely been part of the shivaree. That was how Moreover rolled.
“I ain’t seen no strangers regular like at the pumps,” Dot Adams chimed in from the midst of the crowd. She and her husband had run the one-stop ever since I could remember. My mama used to say she had too much starch in her spine, but Miss Dot always had a Popsicle for me when my daddy sent me inside to her register to pay for our gas. “Harley, you tell the deputy if you seen any outsiders come ’round the garage!”
Harley seemed smaller these days. Or maybe he’d shrunk after years of Dot yelling at him. He did some thinking of his own, then dragged his head back and forth as if weighted. “Gee, sorry, Deputy. Only stranger I recall is that guy from over to Knoxville last month.” He tilted his chin to where Deke, Blake, and Shane stood in a huddle. “Hey, fellas, you remember the suit who interviewed for the principal job over to the high school?” The three all nodded.
Shane grimaced. “He was appalled—I believe was the word he used—that we had the same coaches for both the football and basketball teams.” Blake and Deke bumped fists. “Then he prissy stepped through the school hallways as though he was afraid something might rub off on his shoes.”
“That’s the guy. Arrogant sombitch! He filled his tank and then spun his wheels getting back on the highway.”
Shane addressed those still milling around. “That was a bit of a disappointment, as he was highly qualified. But the school board’s search for a replacement principal continues, and we are in contact with several more potential candidates. Someone who appreciates our town and all our wonderful, caring people have to offer.” A chorus of murmured approval swept through the crowd. “We appreciate that Mrs. Martin stepped up as interim principal, but we hope to have someone permanent hired within the next couple of months.”
I looked for Beth in the crowd around us. Hopefully she had Ruby calmed down by now. But when I located her, she was focused on Shane in rapt attention. Yep, she had some explaining to do. Ruby had Elsie’s tears under control, but she wasn’t finished stewing over her missing produce.
One by one, those who hadn’t already lost interest in the drama around me wandered off—likely to continue all topics of Moreover scuttlebutt over another glass of sweet tea, or perhaps a can of PBR from the Yeti in the bed of someone’s truck.
Deke sidled up to me and slung his arm loosely over my shoulder. “Sound familiar, Dixie? You in a race to get back on the highway before we rub off on you?” After all we shared over the past few days—the naked, sweaty hours; the fun, playful times; the sober heart-to-hearts—and especially the intimacy of earlier today, his words had my heart spinning and diving. But his whisper sent a delicious, disturbing buzz through my system. The fuse that only needed his voice, his words, the idea of his mouth on my skin, heating my blood—
Oh, hell! I took a long step back. He looked good in his black suit. Almost as good as he did in his tux, but not nearly as good as bare chested with his blue jeans slung low and his ball cap turned back. His arm fell to his side, and I could breathe again. “You can’t say I misled you, Deke. I never planned to stay. I never planned to get as involved as I did.” Jesus, how true that was. Somehow they managed to suck me in before I realized it was happening. What worried me most was the lack of panic that accompanied the notion. That caused more alarm than anything.
Ruby bustled over, wrapped me up within the bulk of her embrace. “Now, now, pretty girl. Ruby knows you’ll make the decision that’s best for you. Here or there, don’t let this rapscallion bully you into anything. You and Deke have been on and off since you were knee high to a gnat. This time when you go back to your fancy life in California maybe you won’t forget all about us.”
“I’d never forget you, Miss Ruby.” I tightened my hold, then wriggled out of her arms. “Did you buy that computer we talked about? You put up an awful fuss.”
She scowled at me. “Told me to do it, didn’t you? Said it was good for my business, right?” I nodded with my tongue stuck in my mouth. “Well then, all I needed to know. Had a coupla big, strong men come in and rearrange those tables the way you said, too. Had to buy five more to take up the empty space.” She grumbled but I saw through the façade. “So this time you’ll call, maybe send us one of those electronic letters on the computer.”
With someone else to fuss over, Ruby’s mood was changed as if a switch had been flipped.
“I will this time. I’ll miss you all, Ruby. But Moreover isn’t the same as Los Angeles. All the people, the constant activity . . .” I opened my mouth to catalog other benefits of the big city, and found the words lodged somewhere in my imagination. “I have clients who count on me. Why, even now—”
Blake shouldered his way past Shane, swept me up in his arms, and gave me a spin. “Oh, hell, Dixie. Methinks the lady doth protest too much. You may not miss anything else about Moreover, but you know you’ll miss me!” He made sure I slid all the way down the length of his solid body before my feet touched land, and Deke growled as he hauled me to his side.
I chuckled. Then I made the mistake of looking into Deke’s eyes and choked out another miserly laugh to clear the wad of emotion building in my throat. I couldn’t let it control me. I couldn’t dwell on how much I would miss these friends of mine—and damn if they all hadn’t become the best friends I could ask for.
Deke
The church ladies were busy cleaning up the basement area once everyone but a few stragglers said their final condolences and left Dixie to her thoughts beneath the wide oak. I handed her a cup of coffee and a plate with a slice of cake. “Try this; it’s amazing.” She folded herself to the ground and reached up to accept the dessert. “Where are our folding chairs?”
She shrugged. “It’s getting late. Gus wanted to get everything put away.”
“You’re leaving soon.” Yes, she warned me. I knew all along she’d leave. I hoped it somehow wouldn’t hurt this fucking much.
I took a seat on the grass beside her. The afternoon sunshine streaked through the dense branches, slashing weak light and shadows all around us. She shifted in the thick lawn of the church yard, and placed her hand on my chest, right up against my pounding heart. “You were always my favorite memory of Moreover. Everything full of hope and promise. I used to dream that one day—after you went off and shared your brilliant mind with the world—you would find me again, wherever I was.”
Her idea sounded at once logical and romanticized. How could I argue? And who was to say I wouldn’t have found her one day if Moreover hadn’t called me back? I was content here, but I’d witnessed the lure of the city to others, too. I loved Dixie, but I wasn’t willing to let her give up her life for me.
“I don’t belong here, Deke. I’ve always known that. But you do. Everything good about it is in you.” Her hand lowered and she started to move away. No! I wasn’t ready to let her go. I grabbed her arm and pulled her back. Let my eyelids drift shut as she pressed against me, smooth skin and soft-scented in the humid afternoon. With a dip of my chin, our lips met in a slow, sensuous mating that almost didn’t feel like good-bye.
I held her tight, and every noble thought I ever had spontaneously disintegrated. This was where Di
xie belonged. I was where she belonged. “I want to say don’t go. I want to make some grand gesture that will make you want to stay.” I tugged her closer until she felt the wild beating in my chest again. “That’s all you, Dixie. You do that to me.”
She laid her forehead against mine. Her palms smoothed the soft whiskers on my cheeks, and then she moved my hand against the thudding in her chest. “Oh, Deke. I feel me in you. I do. The same way my heart is so full of you.”
I’d managed to escape Moreover for the second time in my life. At age eighteen I’d been running toward something. An education. Excitement. A life. This time I was most definitely running away from something. Or someone.
The tires of the landing gear bobbed and then squealed as the airliner made contact with the concrete runway. The flip flop in my belly may have resulted from the natural anxiety that came with air travel, or it may have come from the pile of work I still needed to do for the upcoming Green Earth Coalition fundraiser. Chances were better it was my heart still playing tug-of-war with my brain. I was realistic enough to understand that leaving Moreover behind—leaving Deke behind—was not a unanimous decision.
But it was done. I had returned to real life, and it was time to move on. I inched along the gangway, rolling my carry-on behind me until I spilled into the terminal along with the rest of the passengers, caught up in the throng all the way to the luggage carousel.
LA was mostly as I left it, busy and loud, but hotter and humid now—the city was simmering in a summertime heatwave. The bitch slap as I retrieved my luggage and trudged my way through the automatic doors to my waiting Uber was an annoying surprise. Welcome home.
Twenty-four hours ago, I was rocking on Beth’s pretty front porch, surrounded by pots overflowing with flowering plants, enjoying a cup of flavorful coffee and the antics of the hummingbirds flitting from bush to bush in her front yard.
Heart of Dixie (Moreover #1) Page 18