by Rebecca Deel
“Clarice seems the type to have lawyers on speed dial,” Mason said.
“Don’t worry about the money, sweetheart.” Trent’s hand squeezed hers. “You’re a newly-minted millionaire, as is Nicole. She can pay for her own bail.”
“I’ll believe the money is mine when my bank balance looks healthier.”
“Same here,” Nicole said. “If the Bowens can find a way to divert the payout, they will.”
Mason pressed his finger against the doorbell. A moment later, a red-haired woman opened the door, smiled. “Hello. I’m Judy Randall, Simon’s wife. Please, come in.” She stepped back. “Simon, Devin, and Clarice are in the living room to your right.”
Judy closed the door. “This way.” She preceded them into a large room with leather furniture, and wooden coffee and accent tables. The Bowens sat on one of the couches while Mr. Randall occupied a recliner.
The lawyer stood. “I’m glad you could make it this evening.”
Clarice’s lip curled though she remained silent.
Maybe they’d survive the evening without another scene. “Thank you for inviting us,” Grace said.
“Is there anything we can help you with, Mrs. Randall?” Nicole asked.
“Judy, please. Everything is ready although I’d appreciate help carrying food and drinks to the table.”
“We’ll be happy to pitch in. I’m Grace. This is Trent, Nicole, and Mason.”
“Nice to meet all of you. Ladies, the kitchen is this way.” Judy led them to the other room. She stacked china plates and the three of them plated the food. Judy shrugged. “I thought serving the food this way was easier than passing dishes around the table.”
“Good idea.” Grace eyed the glasses. “What about the drinks? Do you want to handle them the same way?”
“I do. I made unsweetened iced tea and placed sweetener on the table.”
When the glasses were filled, the three of them carried food and drinks into the dining room to the gleaming cherry table. Judy lit the candles and stepped back with a smile.
“The table is gorgeous,” Nicole said.
“Thank you, dear. I’ll tell the others we’re ready. I appreciate your help.” She hurried to the living room.
“She and Simon are so hospitable,” Grace said. “I’m glad we came.”
Nicole studied the table a moment. “There are too many places set. Do you think Judy miscounted?”
Before Grace replied, the doorbell pealed. “Guess the final person has arrived.”
“Wonder if this one will be more pleasant than Devin’s wife?” Nicole whispered.
They didn’t need more antagonism around the table. Grace was positive Clarice would make her and Nicole as uncomfortable as possible without causing strife with Judy and Simon. Not a wise idea to antagonize the lawyer handling the Bowen estate.
She followed her sister into the living room. A tall, dark-haired man spoke in animated tones to Clarice. The lady smiled and laughed, laying her hand on top of his arm. Wow. Who knew Devin’s wife had a charming side to her.
Simon clapped the other guest on the shoulder. “Ron, I’d like you to meet Grace Rutledge and Nicole Copeland. These ladies are Gayle Bowen’s biological daughters.”
“That’s not been established,” Clarice said.
Grace’s lips curved. Hmm. Guess Mrs. Bowen’s charming side was reserved for Ron.
“Enough, honey,” Devin said. “This isn’t the place.”
“I’m sorry you feel that way, my dear.” Simon patted Clarice’s shoulder. “Gayle had DNA tests run to prove as much before the girls were adopted.”
Ron Satterfield crossed the room to shake Grace’s hand. He pressed her hand between both of his. “I’m so pleased to make your acquaintance, Ms. Rutledge. How long will you be in town?”
“If our paperwork is finished, we’ll leave tomorrow morning. I have to work Wednesday.”
“I hope you’ll stay over another day at least. I’d love a chance to show you around Dumas. It’s a great city with many things we can do together.”
Amusement swirled through Grace when she felt Trent’s hand pressed against her lower back, staking his claim. “I appreciate the offer, Mr. Satterfield, but we need to return to Otter Creek.”
“Please, call me Ron.” He shook hands with Trent and Mason, then turned his attention on Nicole. “Welcome to Dumas, Ms. Copeland.”
“Time to eat, everyone,” Judy announced. “The food is growing cold.”
At the table, Trent sat beside Grace with Nicole and Mason on her other side. Grace had to give Clarice credit. She was a charming guest with everyone at the table except her and Nic. She ignored them, a much better alternative than they’d faced at the restaurant. Besides, where Clarice ignored them, Ron Satterfield made an extra effort to draw them into the conversation. Judy, on the other hand, cast puzzled looks at Clarice.
“Would anyone like refills?” Judy smiled. “Save room for dessert. I made strawberry shortcake.”
Grace rose when several people indicated they needed more tea and waved Judy to her seat. “I’ll do refills. You’ve been on your feet making this fantastic meal.”
“Thank you, dear. I’ll keep the conversation going until you return.”
“I’ll help you, baby.” Trent gathered glasses with Grace and followed her to the kitchen. “Interesting party,” he murmured.
“Understatement.”
He replenished ice and passed glasses to Grace. “Ron seemed interested in showing you around.”
Grace shrugged. “I’d rather spend time with you.”
Trent leaned down and kissed her. “I feel the same,” he said against her lips.
Judy walked in followed by Ron. “Everyone is ready for shortcake.”
“Sounds great, but I’m not sure I have room.”
“Try a bite or two, Grace. The recipe is new and I’d love your opinion.”
“I’ll have to jog a few extra miles.” She wrinkled her nose. “What I can run.”
“Why can’t you run?” Ron asked. “You injured?”
“Grace was in an accident a few days ago.” Trent poured tea into the glasses. “She has stitches in her leg.”
“What happened, Grace?”
Grace loaded one tray with refilled glasses. “A truck forced me off the highway and into a ditch.”
“Oh, Grace.” Judy’s eyes widened. “Are you all right?”
“I will be. The stitches come out next week and the bruises are fading.”
“What about your car?” Ron leaned back against the counter. “How did it fare?”
“Totaled.”
He grimaced. “Sounds like you were lucky.”
She shook her head. “Not luck. Good friends on speed dial.”
Ron captured her hand and kissed her knuckles. “I’ll take care of the tea. Judy told us how you and your sister helped her. You should be resting.” He sent a pointed glare Trent’s direction.
The implied insult to her boyfriend sparked her temper. “I’m not an invalid and Trent takes great care of me.”
“No offense intended, Grace. I simply meant you did your part before I arrived. Now it’s my turn to earn my meal.”
“The glasses are arranged in order of the seating arrangements.”
“Got it.” Ron finished the task. “Go sit down with your friend. I’ll bring the tea with the shortcake.”
Moments later, Ron distributed the tea and resumed his seat across from Grace. Judy brought in a large tray loaded with strawberry shortcake. By the time everyone finished devouring the dessert and visited a few minutes, Grace noticed Devin looked pale. “Devin, are you all right?” she asked.
He swallowed hard. “I…don’t know. I’m not feeling well.”
“Dev?” Clarice looked worried. “Should I take you home?”
Devin folded his arms around his middle and groaned. “I don’t think I’ll make it home before…” His face lost all trace of color.
Grace glanced at Jud
y. “Restroom?”
“I’ll show you.”
Trent and Mason hustled Devin from the room in their hostess’s wake with Grace close behind. By the time they reached the bathroom, Devin was already heaving.
“I need a couple washcloths,” Grace said to Judy. The woman hurried off.
“What do you want me to do, baby?” Trent asked as he kept Devin upright while he vomited repeatedly.
“Exactly what you’re doing right now.”
“Do you need me for anything?” Mason eyed Grace’s half brother with sympathy. “I’m afraid I’ll be in your way.”
The bathroom was only a half bath and, although beautiful, too small to handle Trent, Mason, Devin, and her. “Check the kitchen for a carbonated drink.”
He left as Judy returned with two washcloths, and a wrapped toothbrush and toothpaste. “I thought Devin might need these.” She handed everything to Grace, worry in her gaze. “I hope it’s not food poisoning or an allergic reaction to something I served.”
“Wrong symptoms for a food allergy. I doubt it’s food poisoning because all of us ate the same thing and no one else is sick.” She dampened the cloths with cold water and, after wringing them out, placed one against the back of Devin’s neck. The other cloth she held to his forehead.
He sagged against Trent and moaned. “I’m going to die.”
“Were you feeling bad before you came?” Grace asked.
Devin shook his head.
“Did you eat anything new at dinner tonight, something you haven’t had before?”
“No.” His teeth chattered. “So cold.” He shuddered as Trent closed the commode lid and helped Devin sit.
Grace glanced at Judy who stood in the doorway. “We need a blanket.”
Mason returned with a bottle of Coke. “Will this work?”
“Perfect. Thanks, Mason.”
“What should I tell his wife? Clarice is upset.”
“Everything upsets her.” Devin leaned his head against the wall, eyes closed. “I’d love that drink.”
“Only a couple sips.” Grace broke the seal and held out the bottle. It took Devin a few tries to grip the bottle.
Grace frowned. “How is your vision?”
“Blurred.”
Judy hurried in, carrying a blanket. Trent wrapped the cover around Devin.
Within a couple minutes, Devin’s breathing became labored. Alarmed, Grace knelt beside him. “Devin, look at me.”
He frowned, blinked. “What’s wrong with me?”
“Grace?” Trent laid his hand on her shoulder.
“We need to take him to the hospital.”
Judy gasped. “Oh, no.”
Trent dug his keys from his pocket and tossed them to Mason. “Crank up the heat in the SUV.”
The construction worker raced from the room. A minute later, Clarice pushed her way into the bathroom. “What’s going on?”
“He needs to go to the hospital.” Trent’s tone brooked no argument. “Mason is warming up the SUV.”
“I’m not letting you take him. I don’t know any of you. Besides, it’s a virus or something. He’ll be fine.”
“Grace is a nurse. She’s the best qualified of any of us to judge how much danger he’s in. If she says he needs to go to the hospital, you’d be wise to listen to her.”
The woman glared at Grace. “I can take him myself.”
“No, you can’t.” Devin’s voice was faint. “You’d kill us both.”
“My driving is not that bad.”
“The cops don’t agree. You’re not driving my car, Cee.”
“Clarice, I’ll drive you in Dev’s car,” Ron said from the hall. “You’re too upset to drive safely. Come on, you know I’m right.”
Trent lifted Devin to his feet. “We need to get moving.”
“Need help with him?” Ron asked.
“I’ve got him. You just take care of Mrs. Bowen.”
Ron clasped Clarice’s arm and urged her from the house.
“What else can I do?” Judy asked.
“A plastic bag would be handy.” Grace grabbed the soda and left the bathroom to give Trent room. Judy and Nicole met Grace at the front door. Judy pressed a bag into her hand and a cold pack. Nicole had the jackets for the four of them and the purses.
“We’ll be a few minutes behind you,” Simon Randall said.
“What’s the closest hospital?” Grace asked.
“There’s only one. Dumas Medical Center. Take a right at the end of the block. Go straight for five miles. The hospital will be on the right. You can’t miss it.”
Grace hurried to the SUV and climbed in the back seat with Devin and Trent. As soon as she shut her door, Mason put the vehicle in gear. “Right at the end of the block, Mason. Straight ahead for five miles. Hospital is on the right.”
She shook the chemical cold pack to activate it, then pressed the pack to the back of Devin’s neck. He moaned, shivering. “I’m sorry. The cold helps with nausea.” If they were lucky, they’d get her half brother to the hospital before he threw up again.
“Any idea what’s wrong with him?” Trent asked.
“I’m not sure.” It was possible he’d come down with a virus, but she had a feeling someone poisoned Devin Bowen.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Trent and Mason practically carried Devin Bowen into the emergency room entrance of the Dumas Medical Center. Medical personnel hurried to assist Devin into an examination room.
Grace stopped one of the nurses and spoke to her for a moment. After a nod, the woman walked in behind the doctor. A moment later, the nurse opened the door and motioned for Grace.
“Why is she allowed in there?” Anger filled Clarice’s eyes. “It should be me, not her.”
“Grace is a medical professional,” Ron said. “If we were allowed in the room, we’d be in the doctor’s way. You want Dev treated as soon as possible.”
“It’s a virus and I don’t want her in there. She and her sister don’t want my Dev to get well.”
Trent eyed the woman, disgusted at her attitude. “Grace will be in there long enough to tell the doctor Devin’s symptoms. It’s important he has the information as soon as possible.”
Grace hadn’t said anything in front of Devin. She didn’t have to. Trent knew her well enough to realize she suspected something besides a virus. This was more serious. A couple minutes passed and she still hadn’t returned. “We should sit down. All we can do now is wait.”
“She’s not telling them anything I couldn’t,” Clarice said. “I want her out of there.”
“We’ll be in the way if we stand outside his room, waiting for word that might not come for a long while.”
“He’s right.” Ron turned Clarice and nudged her forward. “It will take time to figure out what’s wrong with Dev. Would you like some coffee, hon? I’m sure I can find some for you.” He flashed her a quick smile. “It might even be drinkable.”
Devin’s wife beamed at the lawyer. “That’s so thoughtful. Thank you, Ron. I’d love coffee.”
In the waiting room, Mason and Nicole were seated along the far wall. Perfect. Trent didn’t want his back to the room, especially considering the animosity from Clarice. Truthfully, he didn’t trust any of the players in this drama except Grace, Mason, and Nicole. He dropped into a seat beside Mason.
“Where’s Grace?” Nicole asked.
“With the doctor. She’ll be here soon.”
Ron seated Clarice a couple seats away.
Trent’s lips twitched. The lawyer couldn’t seat her too far because the waiting room was nearly full. Within a few minutes, Grace returned.
“What did the doctor say?” Clarice demanded.
“Dr. Prescott doesn’t know anything yet. He’s still evaluating Devin.”
“What does that mean?”
“I reported his symptoms. The doctor makes a diagnosis.”
“If you’ve cost us hundreds of dollars for a simple stomach bug, I’m sending you the
bill.”
“Clarice, don’t be unkind.” Ron sat next to her and handed Clarice a cup of coffee. “Two sugars and one cream, just as you like it.”
“Sit down, babe.” Trent clasped Grace’s hand and gently tugged. As she had crossed the waiting room, she’d been limping. “You hurting?”
“A little.”
Trent frowned. Grace never complained. If she admitted that much, his girlfriend needed some pain meds. “Do you have anything to take for it?” When she shook her head, Trent turned to Grace’s sister. “Nicole, do you have ibuprofen?”
Nicole unzipped her purse and pulled out a small white bottle. “Here.”
Trent shook out a couple of pills and handed them to his girlfriend. “I’ll be back in a minute with a drink.” He looked at Mason, got a slight nod in return. Satisfied Mase would keep an eye on Grace, he searched for a vending machine. Though she would prefer water, Trent bought her a bottle of soda, figuring the carbonation would dissolve the pills and send relief into her system sooner. He wasn’t a doctor, but he’d dealt with his share of pain. Black ops wasn’t exactly a safe, comfortable job.
He popped the tab on the can before handing it to Grace. Trent smiled at her grimace. “Drink it anyway, sweetheart.”
She downed the pills and chased them with several sips of the fizzy drink.
Thirty minutes later, Judy and Simon arrived. “Any news?” he asked.
“The doc’s with Devin now,” Ron said. “We’ve been waiting for almost an hour.”
“What’s taking so long?” Clarice stood. “I’m going to the desk and demanding an update.”
“The nurse won’t know anything,” Grace said.
“She better go ask someone for information.”
“She can’t leave the desk, Mrs. Bowen.”
Devin’s wife scowled. “What kind of hospital is this?”
“A busy one.” Trent’s phone chirped, signaling a text. “Excuse me.” He left the waiting room and walked outside. Seconds later, Zane answered his call. “Working late again, Z? You’re still a newlywed, my friend.”
“I’m at home. Claire fell asleep while we were watching a movie. She’s using my shoulder as a pillow.”