“Of course not.”
“I tried to explain the special circumstances about how I landed in jail and how the gun was more of a prop, but my son refused to listen. He said he’d call me after he sends the movers.”
“He’s not coming here to personally handle this?”
“Nope. Too busy ‘lawyering’ in the big city.” She snorted. “I wonder if he’s throwing other old people out of their homes in the big city this week. I wish I could fight back. But even Pearl doesn’t think warning off the moving guys with a loaded shotgun is the way to do it.”
“I agree with Pearl. No guns.” He squinted at her. “Promise me no guns, Garnet.”
She waved her hands in the air. “Fine, fine, fine. No guns. I wish Tilda’s dog hadn’t died. I coulda sicced him on ’em. He was one hairy scary.”
Tobin scrubbed his hand over his face.
Before he spoke, Garnet said, “How long does it take them performance-enhancing drugs to kick in? I could be pretty intimidating if I had ’roid rage.” She jumped to her feet and struck a Hulk-like pose, complete with gritted teeth and crazy eyes. “How’s this?”
He kept his features schooled. “I don’t know that taking steroids is a good option either.”
She flopped back down into the chair, dejected. “Dadgummit. I need someone bigger, stronger and scarier than me living here to tell them moving guys to take a hike when they show up.” Garnet blinked at him. “Would you consider moving in to help me fight off a coup?”
Don’t do it. Do not get involved.
“It’d be temporary,” she added hastily, “since I know you’re moving on. You wouldn’t have to worry I’m trying to trick you into staying here with me forever because I’ll miss you so durn much.”
Such a sweet soul. “We both know the forever thing wouldn’t work out because you play your music too loud for my taste, rappin’ granny.”
Garnet’s smile was there and gone.
“You’re not worried what everyone will say? Even though it’s short-term, rumors might get nasty.”
“Would it ruin your reputation as a stud if you’re babysitting an old fart like me?”
Tobin laughed. “I don’t have a reputation to ruin, Miz G.”
“Me neither.” She snapped her fingers. “Hey! We could tell everyone you’re my bodyguard!”
“You wouldn’t prefer having your Mud Lilies pals holed up here with you? You ladies have most folks in the county running scared anyway.”
She shot a look over Tobin’s shoulder. “Between us? I think there’s a mole in the Mud Lilies.”
“Why?”
“Because how else would my son have known about all of this stuff?” she whispered. “I didn’t tell him nothin’. So someone close to me had to have tattled to him. It’s not like they let any of the stuff we do make the papers.”
She had a good point. “You think you know who it is? Or why they’re doin’ it?”
“Not yet. But I’ve laid a few traps.” She leaned forward. “So are you in?”
The earnestness on her face sucker-punched him. As far as he could tell—and he knew Garnet pretty well—she was just fine living on her own. In fact, it was when she was out and about that she stirred up trouble. “Three weeks is all I can give you, Miz G. Then I’m gone.”
“Where are you going?”
“There’s a job in New Mexico.”
Her eyes narrowed. “You’ve really been holding out on me, sonny.”
He didn’t tell her it wasn’t a done deal. Nor did he mention that even if he drove all the way down there and didn’t get the job, he wasn’t coming back to Muddy Gap.
“Where’d you go to get those champagne glasses, Pearl? Timbuktu?” Garnet yelled.
“Quit yelling!” Pearl stormed into the kitchen. “I got the glasses. Bernice texted me back about your hair mask.”
“Lordy, lordy, the things I do to keep up my youthful appearance.” She sighed and whipped off the do-rag. “I ain’t sure whether it’s even worth it.”
Beneath the do-rag, Garnet wore a plastic cap, covering what appeared to be mashed strawberries smeared all over her head.
Don’t ask.
“Tobin, get the champagne. And be quick about it because Garnet’s gotta rinse the goop outta her hair. The juice is acidic. Let’s hope the strawberries haven’t eaten into her brain or given her a bald spot.”
“That’s a cheery thought, Pearl. Especially when we’re celebrating good news for a change.”
Pearl’s birdlike eyes sharpened. “What good news?”
“Tobin agreed to stay here as my bodyguard to keep the moving van people from packing me away.”
“Just for three weeks,” Tobin reminded her.
“That makes strategic sense. Having this place be a transitional space. You’ll cut personal ties with livin’ at the Split Rock so it’ll just be about your working hours.” Pearl waited until Garnet turned away before saying in a conspiratorial tone, “If you need to come up with a battle plan, remember, I’m familiar with both sparkler bombs and trip wires.”
He raised a brow because, frankly, what else could he say to that?
“My head itches,” Garnet complained. “Let’s drink.”
Tobin peeled the foil back and popped the cork, managing to pour the champagne without spilling.
Garnet raised her glass for a toast. “To friends who come through no matter what.”
They touched glasses and he knocked back a big gulp.
Holy crap. Tobin gave his glass a double take. That didn’t taste like any champagne he’d ever had.
Garnet bumped him with her bony hip. “Told ya that was the good stuff. I’m only using a little bit in each batch of preserves, because I’m drinking the rest.”
“What is this?”
“Cristal.”
“Cristal?” he repeated. “The stuff that costs hundreds of bucks a bottle? The kind that rappers are always going on and on about?”
She shrugged. “Now you know there’s a reason why they’re writing songs about it.”
Pearl said, “True dat.”
About the Author
Lorelei James is the New York Times and USA Today bestselling author of contemporary erotic romances set in the modern-day Wild West, as well as the bestselling Need You Now and Mastered series.
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