“There’s nothing to it. I’ll teach you everything you need to know. Your experience as a hostess will serve us both well.”
“In that case, count me in.” Working longer hours would save her from the loneliness at home and distract her from the breakup of her marriage. “A new challenge is just what I need right now.” Maybe she would sell the house and buy a waterfront condo.
“You’ll no longer be working the floor except when we’re short-staffed. Will that be a problem for you? I know you enjoy the customers. Although you’ll have plenty of interaction with our catering clients.”
“I’m fine with it. Truly, I am.” Georgia was more than fine with it. She was thrilled with the opportunity to take more of a leading role in the company. “By the way, Lisa, one of our part-time workers, is filling in for me next week when we go to Atlanta. I got the impression she’d like more hours. Should I see if she’s interested in going full-time?”
“Which one is Lisa? I get them confused.” Georgia had hired two part-time workers to fill in during their busiest hours on the weekends, one a college student and the other a middle-aged mother of two.
“She’s the more mature of the two,” Georgia said with a smile. “Her girls are in high school, which anchors her to home without requiring her to be there every waking hour.”
“Then, by all means, let’s see if she’s interested. While you’re at it, do you mind giving Lula a call? We’ve sold out of our bouquets. We’ll need a fresh bunch before the weekend.”
“Sure,” Georgia said, although she had no intention of calling Lula. She had no intention of ever speaking to her again after she neglected to inform her of her husband’s affair. But business was business. She would text her instead.
“After last night, I hope Lula’s not ill.”
As mad as she was at her friend, Georgia was curious about Lula’s absence at the party. “I left right after dinner. Did she ever come out of her room?”
Shaking her head, Heidi said, “I saw her when we first got there, but I never laid eyes on her once the party started. I’m crazy about Lizbet, but I sensed strange vibes from the other daughter. What’s her name? I never even met her.”
“Brooke. By nature, she’s the more reserved of the sisters. I never had the opportunity to speak to her last night, either, but I got the impression she was upset about something.” Georgia suspected that whatever was bothering Brooke was the reason for Lula’s absence at the party. She reminded herself that whatever it was, it no longer concerned her. Not only was she losing her husband, she had lost her two best friends. The staff at Tasty had become her new family.
She’d confessed to her husband on the way home from the party that she was having a difficult time coming to terms with his adultery. “I need some time alone to sort things out. I think you should move out.”
“Don’t do this to us, Georgie,” he’d begged. “I can’t fight my addiction alone.”
“I’m sorry, Langdon. But groping Sharon Parker’s ass is not trying to fight it.”
At least he’d had the decency to blush.
“Have you called any of the therapists on the list I made for you?”
“I haven’t had time,” he said. “Things have been crazy at work.”
“That’s what I thought. I want you out of the house, Langdon. Tomorrow.” Once he was out of the house she planned to change the locks and never let him back in.
He’d pleaded with her to have a nightcap with him once they got home. “Can’t we sit down and talk about whatever it is that’s bothering you?”
She hated the way he turned everything on her, as though she was to blame for the problems in their marriage. “You need to sleep in the guest bedroom tonight. And I don’t want you here when I get home from work tomorrow.”
She’d been adamant he move out, which is why she was surprised and angry as hell to find Langdon’s car parked in front of their house when she arrived home from work that evening. She marched inside ready to give him a piece of her mind. Searching the downstairs, she found him at the breakfast room table with a cup of coffee in front of him. “What’re you doing here? I thought I made it clear. I want you out of the house.”
He rose halfway out of his chair and motioned at the seat opposite him. “Georgie, please, sit down. We need to talk.”
“We have talked, Langdon. There’s nothing left to say.” She went to the refrigerator, removed a bottle of pinot grigio, and poured herself a glass.
He sank back down to his chair. “This is serious, honey. And it has nothing to do with you and me. Lula has a brain tumor. Most likely an inoperable one, although we won’t know for sure until we do the biopsy tomorrow.”
She looked at him as though he’d lost his mind. “What’re you talking about?” But even as the words left her lips, she knew he was telling the truth. Her mind flashed back a few weeks to their last teatime when she and Midge had found Lula passed out on her kitchen floor. All the times she’d seen her since then, Lula had seemed distracted, not quite herself. And she hadn’t looked well—her complexion pasty and dark circles under her eyes. What did any of it have to do with Brooke and the striking girl who’d never left her side during the party last night? Was it all just a coincidence? Brooke’s sudden return home after three long years. The Fourth of July party Lula insisted on having even though she hadn’t hosted one in years. Did she expect it to be her last? “When did she find out?”
“This morning. She had a fall at the beach house. They brought her to MUSC in an ambulance. Your friend is a very ill woman, sweetheart. I’ve never been close to Phillip and Lula, but I don’t envy them what they are facing now. And those poor daughters of theirs. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.”
Wineglass in hand, she dropped to the chair across from him. “She has options, doesn’t she, if surgery isn’t one of them?”
He shrugged. “We may try radiation to shrink the tumor enough to surgically remove it. But that’s a long shot.” When he reached for Georgia’s hand, she jerked it away. “I understand you’re upset. I’ll do anything I can for Lula and her family. But I’m skeptical as to a positive outcome.”
Georgia stared across the table at her husband. She’d questioned everything she thought she knew about him in recent days, but never his profession. His skills as a surgeon and his reputation as being one of the top neurologists in the state were indisputable. He performed miracles every single day. He fancied himself a god for saving all those lives. Why then, if he loved her as much as he claimed, wouldn’t he save the one life that mattered the most? “This is Lula we’re talking about. She’s one of my oldest, dearest friends. I don’t care what it takes. You have to find a way to save her life.”
“I’ll try.” He hung his head, staring down into his coffee as though it held the answers. “But there’s only so much I can do.”
She left the table and took her glass of wine to the window. She saw Lizbet and Brooke next door moving about inside the Florida room. An hour ago she’d vowed never to speak to Lula again. But none of that mattered now. All that mattered was finding a way to save Lula’s life.
She set her glass of wine on the counter and went to the back door.
“Where are you going?” Langdon asked without looking up.
“Next door. To a family who needs me.”
CHAPTER TWENTY-THREE
Midge
Midge stretched out beneath the sheets, basking in the warm glow from hours of lovemaking. She’d finally set aside her inhibitions about sex and let Bennett have his way with her. With a tenderness she didn’t know he possessed, he’d made love to her in ways she didn’t think possible. On Wednesday evening, the night after Lula’s party, he’d taken her out on a sunset cruise in his parents’ new boat. They sipped champagne and nibbled on brie and bread as they watched the orange ball disappear over the horizon. They talked again about her suspicions, and he convinced her he wasn’t all bad. He made love to her while they were out on the water, ag
ain when they docked at the marina, and all night long once they returned to her house—in the kitchen, the TV room, and her bed. She wanted to lounge in bed awhile longer, but she needed to get on with her day.
Careful not to disturb Bennett, she slipped out of bed and went downstairs. After retrieving the paper from the front porch, she brewed herself a cup of coffee while skimming the headlines. She then added cream and sweetener to hers, brewed a cup for Bennett, and took it upstairs to him.
He grabbed her by the wrist and pulled her down on the bed next to him. “What’re you doing up? Come back to bed.”
She pushed away from him. “I can’t. I need to get in the shower. I’m meeting a new client at nine.”
“It’s probably just as well. I don’t think I can perform right now anyway. You wore me out.”
She blushed. “I’m the one who’s worn out.”
He fingered her cheek. “Look at you turning red. I can’t believe that, after all we did last night, you’re still shy about having sex with me.”
“I’m getting there. I just need a little more time.” She sensed a deeper bond developing between them. She only hoped that this Bennett, the one she’d initially fallen in love with, was here to stay.
He sat up in bed and reached for his coffee. “I’m going to cook dinner for you tonight. Something simple. I’m in the mood for seafood. Tuna steaks maybe. I’ll pick up a bottle of that rosé you like so much, and we’ll sip wine, cook on the grill, and start making plans for our business. We can build our powerhouse, Midge. We’ll be the cutting edge in real estate. Did I tell you my parents agreed to invest in the start-up of our boutique agency?” When a skeptical look crossed her face, he added, “And no, I didn’t ask them. They offered.”
“That’s great news, honey.” Being the sole investor in a firm with a man she didn’t entirely trust had given her pause. But going in as equal equity partners, a far more attractive option, put her at ease about proceeding with their plans.
“I told you my mom believes in me. She always has. I’m gonna make you believe in me, too. Just you wait.” He touched the tip of his finger to the tip of her nose. “You’re the real reason they’re willing to invest. My parents love you. They want to throw a party for us at their house. Whatever we decide—a small wedding reception if you’ll ever agree to marry me, or a business reception to announce the opening of our new agency. You’ll have a whole new clientele once my parents introduce you to the owners of the prime downtown real estate.”
“That’s incredibly generous of them. Do they really like me?” Midge hadn’t realized how important it was to her to have his parents’ approval.
“They love you. What’s not to love?” He took another sip of his coffee and sat it down on the table. “Now, what do you think about Calhoun Properties for the name of our firm? We just need to make it official. Say the word, and we’ll fly off to Jamaica for our destination wedding.”
“I need a little more time, Bennett.” She rose from the bed and walked across the room to her closet. “I don’t want to rush into anything—either marriage or the business.”
“I won’t force you into anything you’re not ready for. But if we want to see this thing happen during our lifetime, we need to start making plans. We’re not getting any younger, you know. I’m thinking we’ll only need one admin person to get started, but the location of our office is key. We want to pick the spot that sets the right tone. East Bay Street would be ideal, but I doubt we can afford the rent.”
He was still talking when she went into the bathroom to shower but was gone when she got out. He left a note beside his coffee mug on the bedside table. Take all the time you need. I’m not going anywhere. I love you. Bennett.
Midge dressed in a gray silk sleeveless blouse and a black pencil skirt that showed off a good portion of her shapely legs. She noticed her flushed cheeks as she was putting on her makeup. She had the appearance of a woman well loved. And she felt well loved. If only she could be guaranteed it would last.
Midge was hurrying out to her car when she saw Lizbet on the front porch next door. She stopped and waved. “The party was a success, despite the weather,” she called to her. “I’m sorry I never got a chance to speak to your mother. I hope she’s feeling all right.” An expression crossed Lizbet’s face, but she couldn’t read it from the distance. She walked down the sidewalk toward her. “Is something wrong, honey?”
Lizbet left the porch and met her halfway. “Mom fell down the back steps yesterday morning at the beach and split her head open on the sidewalk. They did a CT scan at the hospital and discovered that she has a brain tumor. We won’t know for sure until after the biopsy today, but it looks like cancer.”
Midge raised a trembling hand to her mouth. “But how can that be? She seemed fine—” The image of Lula lying unconscious on her kitchen floor prevented her from finishing her sentence. Surely that was unrelated. Anyone would have passed out considering how hot it had been in her house that day.
“I’m sorry I didn’t call you,” Lizbet said. “I assumed Georgia would tell you.”
Georgia? After the party on Tuesday, Midge had sent Georgia a continuous stream of texts apologizing and asking for her forgiveness and begging for a chance to explain. She’d also left her a voice message—admitting that she made a very bad error in judgment in keeping Lang’s affair from her and offering no excuses as to why, except to say she didn’t want to see Georgia hurt. She hadn’t heard back from Georgia. Hadn’t really expected to. But, no matter how bad things were between them, wouldn’t she have called to tell her their best friend had been diagnosed with a brain tumor?
“Georgia and I had a little falling-out. Nothing for you to worry about.” She studied Lizbet’s face, noticing for the first time her swollen, red-rimmed eyes. “Bless your heart. You must be beside yourself.”
Lizbet sucked on her quivering lip. “It helps to have my sister here. Her girlfriend is in medical school. She’s been helpful in explaining the things we don’t understand.” She recognized Midge’s confusion. “I guess you don’t know if you haven’t talked to Mom. We just found out Brooke is gay.”
Midge nodded. “Georgia and I suspected something was up at the party. I don’t imagine your mother took the news well.”
“I’m not sure which has upset her more: finding out she has a brain tumor or discovering her daughter is gay.”
Frown lines developed on Midge’s forehead. “Poor Lula. She has an awful lot on her plate. What can I do to help your family? Can I make phone calls or run any errands for you? Do you need any food?”
“We’re good for now. We have a lot of leftovers from the party, and Georgia is bringing dinner tonight from Tasty.”
“Then count on me to bring dinner tomorrow night.” She needed to help, if even in this small way. “You mentioned a biopsy. Will they have the results today?”
“I’m not sure. Dr. Murdaugh is her doctor, so I imagine he’ll let us know as soon as he knows.”
“Will you call me when you find out? Let me give you my number.”
Lizbet removed her phone from her pocket. As Midge recited the number, she keyed it into her contacts.
“Call or text me anytime.” She pinched the girl’s chin. “Try to keep up your spirits. Your mama is one of the strongest women I know. She’s gonna beat this. She has family and friends who love her and will see her through.”
Lizbet nodded, her eyes filling with tears. “Thanks,” she mumbled, and turned to go.
Midge watched the girl walk barefoot across the grass to the front porch. She’d known both girls since birth. They’d become lovely young women. Good for Brooke for dating a medical student. It was hard to say, never having been a parent, what Midge would do in Lula’s shoes. She wanted to believe she’d love her child just the same. Considering Lula’s traditional values, accepting her daughter was gay would be harder for Lula than it would be for most mothers. She would need both her daughters in the days and months ahead. Midge s
aid a silent prayer that Lula didn’t turn them away.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
Lizbet
Lizbet waited with her father and sister in her mother’s hospital room while the orderlies rolled Lula off to some remote part of the hospital for the biopsy. The threesome watched one morning show after another on TV, although they could barely hear it and none of them cared enough to turn the volume up. She noticed her father sneaking glances at his eldest daughter, as though trying to find something of the girl he remembered in the young woman she’d become.
Finally, around eleven, he spoke the first words he’d spoken all morning to Brooke. “I’m not sure how your mother’s gonna feel about you being here.” Lizbet had stayed with her parents at the hospital all afternoon yesterday. Lula had not mentioned her brain tumor, but she had carried on and on about Brooke and Sawyer. Her father had said very little in Brooke’s defense.
“That’s too bad, because I’m not leaving,” Brooke said, her chin set in defiance.
“What’re you doing here?” Lula said to Brooke when they wheeled her back into the room.
“Why do you think I’m here, Mom? I’m concerned about you.”
Lula glared at Brooke. “You’re not concerned about me. If you cared about me at all, you wouldn’t have gotten yourself gay.”
Brooke and Lizbet exchanged a look. “Gotten myself gay?” Brooke mouthed, an eyebrow arched in question.
“Is it normal for Mom to be acting out of character?” Brooke asked Dr. Dog when he entered the room a few minutes later.
“What do you know about my character?” Lula snapped. “You haven’t been home in three years.”
“Why don’t we step out in the hall and let Lula get some rest,” Dr. Dog said, motioning them to the door.
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