He didn’t even know her real name.
“Everything okay?” Clancey asked, giving her a concerned look.
She forced a smile. “Never better.”
She needed to call her mother to let her know about Bo, but if she waited until her lunch break in fifteen minutes, she could deliver the news in person. It would be nice to see her mother smile again.
A few minutes later, Marcus and Emory left, probably to find Porter and Kendall, Alicia mused. Shelby made her way over to the counter. “Okay if I sit?”
“Of course,” Alicia said with a smile.
Shelby nodded to the table where Emily Armstrong and Dr. Maxwell were deep in conversation. “I thought I’d let them catch up.” She lowered herself onto a stool and sighed.
“Would you like something to eat?”
She pointed to the dessert case. “I don’t usually like sweets, but that cheesecake looks good.”
“Good choice—it’s homemade.” She sliced a piece from the cheesecake Clancey had made, then set it in front of Shelby, along with a fork. “You must be excited about the ceremony tomorrow.”
“It was Emory’s idea,” Shelby said.
But something in the precise way the woman cut and ate the first bite of the cheesecake made Alicia think something was amiss. “That’s very romantic of him,” she offered.
“Yes,” Shelby agreed. “He’s trying to make me happy.”
“That’s a good thing.”
The blonde nodded, then her eyes clouded. “It’s because we can’t get pregnant.”
“I’m sorry.”
“It’s okay,” Shelby said, taking another bite. “We’ve tried all the shots, the treatments, in vitro—it’s just not meant to happen.” She stabbed at the cheesecake. “Emory wants to get a dog when we go back home to Florida.”
“I’m more of a cat person,” Alicia said lightly.
Shelby smiled. “You know, it’s probably for the best that we haven’t had children. They wouldn’t have had a childhood like mine and Emory’s.”
“I take it you liked growing up here.”
“Yeah. It was special. Everyone knew everyone and family was everything. Most places aren’t like that now.”
Alicia nodded agreement. “Everyone around here is excited about your ceremony tomorrow.”
Shelby carefully ate another bite. “So I guess I would disappoint a lot of people if I called it off?”
Alicia studied the woman, trying to assess how serious she was. “Probably. Are you having second thoughts?”
The woman heaved a sigh. “I love Emory, but I hate our life. We both work long hours to afford a house that’s too big for two people. We don’t even know our neighbors. The only person we socialize with is his father. After ten years of marriage, we’re officially in a rut.”
“I hear that happens,” Alicia remarked.
“The thing is, I think Emory is as bored of us as I am. He believes the ceremony tomorrow will give us a new spark.”
“Perhaps it will.”
“What if it doesn’t?”
“But what if it does?”
Shelby looked down, then took another bite, chewing slowly.
“Maybe you just need a change of scenery,” Alicia suggested. “Have you considered moving back to Sweetness?”
“We could never move back,” Shelby said, shaking her head. “Not after what we went through during the tornado. My father and I and dozens of other people were trapped in the basement of the grocery my father owned. Emory and Porter dug us out with their bare hands. An experience like that changes a person.”
Alicia nodded, unable to fathom such a horrific incident. “Listen, I don’t know you very well, but you and Emory both seem like nice people who really care about each other. That’s a lot…maybe that’s even enough.”
Shelby set down her fork and covered her face with her hands. Her shoulders began to shake and Alicia panicked, thinking she was crying. But when Shelby uncovered her face, she was laughing. “You’re right—Emory is a wonderful man and I love him dearly. And that is enough.” She lifted her hands. “Thank you, Alicia, for reminding me.”
Alicia fought a smile. The woman must truly love her husband. Otherwise, her “revelation” wouldn’t have been so close to the surface. A little pang of envy wormed its way through her chest. “Glad to help.”
As sad as the woman had been a few minutes earlier, now she was effervescent. “Will you come to our ceremony tomorrow?”
“I’d love to—thank you for inviting me.” Then she glanced at the clock and reached around to untie her apron. “It was wonderful to meet you, but I need to deliver a message in person.” She smiled. “I’ll see you tomorrow.”
Shelby nodded, then made a face and touched her stomach. “Ugh—that cheesecake tasted good, but it’s not sitting well in my stomach.” She covered her mouth. “Oh, God—I’m going to be sick.”
Alicia managed to get a trash can under her before she threw up. Dr. Maxwell was alarmed and at her side instantly.
“It’s just an upset stomach,” Shelby protested. “I’ll be fine.”
“The pharmacy will have something to make you feel better,” Alicia suggested.
“I’ll take you,” Dr. Maxwell offered.
“I’m leaving, so I can walk with you,” Alicia offered. “It’s not far.”
Shelby nodded. “Stay, pops, and visit with Mrs. Armstrong.”
He relented, and Alicia walked with Shelby the short distance to the clinic. Along the way, people waved and shouted hello to Alicia. She waved and shouted back. Shelby asked questions about the new buildings and some of the events going on over the weekend.
“How long have you and Marcus been dating?” Shelby asked.
Alicia balked. “We’re not…anything.”
“Really? I thought I saw something between you two. How long have you lived in Sweetness?”
“A little more than a month.”
“Wow, I would’ve guessed much longer. You seem to know everybody and everything that’s going on.”
“It’s from working at the diner,” she said lightly as they reached the parking lot of the clinic. “Would you like for me to walk inside with you?”
Shelby gave a dismissive wave. “No…I’ll just get some antacids.”
“May I suggest something?”
Shelby shrugged. “Sure.”
“A pregnancy test.” The fact that the woman was experiencing food cravings, mood swings and nausea seemed too coincidental.
Shelby’s face reflected she hadn’t even considered the possibility—proof she’d long ago given up hope of conceiving. “I will.”
“Good luck.”
Alicia waved, then turned to look up and down the street at the new “skyline” of Sweetness. From this vantage point, she could see the new city hall building. An Atlanta P.D. car sat in front of the building and while she watched, Bo Dixon was led out in handcuffs by a uniformed officer and deposited into the backseat of the cruiser. A third man emerged from the building—Marcus. She’d know that tall silhouette anywhere. He shook hands with the officer, and when the police car pulled away, he watched it until it was gone.
That was the kind of man he was, Alicia realized—looking out for the people in this town. Protecting them…
From people like her.
She swallowed hard, then hurried toward the boardinghouse to give her mother the good news.
28
“It looks like rain,” Candace said, standing at the window where she’d been parked for the past hour, scanning for Robert’s car among the stream of other cars arriving in town for the Friday festivities.
Alicia stood in front of the mirror, perusing her outfit. “Isn’t rain on a person’s wedding day supposed to be good luck?”
“It rained on my wedding day,” Candace said, “and that didn’t exactly pan out.”
Alicia bit her tongue—there was a conversation she didn’t want to rehash. “Maybe it’s not the same
if you’re renewing your vows. I hope it doesn’t rain all weekend. That’ll put a damper on some of the events.”
“They’re setting up tents for the artists’ market tomorrow.”
“You’re still planning to have a booth?”
“Robert said the earliest I would need to be back in Atlanta would be Monday, and since I made so many pieces of jewelry while I was holed up in my room, I thought I might as well try to sell them.”
Alicia felt another pang for her lost bracelet. Tomorrow she would visit her mother’s table and fess up to losing it, then buy a new one. It wouldn’t be the same, but the important thing was to support her mother’s new venture. Alicia patted her hair and sighed. “How do I look?”
Candace turned toward her and gasped, then came over to clasp Alicia’s hands. “You will positively out-shine the bride.”
Alicia scoffed a little laugh. “That’s such a motherly thing to say.”
“Compliments are one of the motherly duties that I’m good at,” Candace said. “As far as the rest of it…” She looked down, and when she lifted her head, her eyes shimmered. “I haven’t been a good mother to you, Alicia, and I’m sorry.”
She automatically opened her mouth to deny her mother’s statement, then changed her mind. She squeezed her mother’s hands. “You loved me, and you did the best you could do. You have nothing to apologize for. I’m healthy and I’m happy.”
Candace angled her head. “Are you happy?”
Alicia frowned. “Of course. I have a great job and a great apartment in the most exciting city in the world. I’m living my dream life.”
“Alone,” Candace added.
Alicia released her mother’s hands and turned back to the mirror. “I like it that way. Now, be honest. Is this dress too much?” From the trunk of the rental car her mother had driven up, she’d retrieved one of her own dresses, a fitted turquoise shift with a silver beaded collar.
“The dress is perfect. Will Marcus be at the ceremony?”
She ignored the sly note in her mother’s voice. “I have no idea.”
“You two make a beautiful couple.”
“We’re not a couple.”
“I’ve seen the way he looks at you.”
She sighed. “Mom—don’t. In a few days, Marcus Armstrong will learn the fate of this town. No matter which way it turns out, I’m packing my bags and I’m going back to New York.”
“If they don’t get the grant, maybe he’ll go back to New York with you.”
“Right, I saw that movie.” She shook her head, then pointed to the window. “You’re going to miss Robert’s car.”
Candace hurried back to the window, reinforcing Alicia’s suspicions that her mother had pinned a lot of hope on this reunion.
Alicia worried her lip. She hated to see her mother get hurt again.
“I think I see the car he said he’d be driving.” Candace leaned closer to the window and smiled. “Yes, that’s Robert!” She turned. “Now me. How do I look?”
Alicia appraised the wheat-colored pantsuit she’d loaned to her mother. Honestly, Candace looked stunningly elegant—she was still a very beautiful woman. But Alicia didn’t want to put a romantic spin on the meeting. “You look sympathetic and convincing.”
“Good. Maybe the D.A. will go easy on me.”
“They want Bo, not you.”
“Right. Robert said this man would only ask a few questions today, that he’s more interested in getting his hands on the evidence.”
“Do you have the combination to the safe Marcus let you use?”
“Yes.” Candace’s face lit up. “It’ll be so good to see Robert again.”
“Mom,” Alicia admonished lightly, “exhale. And remember—no one can know Robert is my father. I don’t want anyone connecting me to the last name Randall.”
“Got it.”
“I’m ready. I’ll walk down with you and say hello.”
“Don’t forget your umbrella.”
Alicia tucked an umbrella under her arm and followed Candace out of the room and down the stairs to exit the front door. A brisk wind blew up Main Street, setting the rocking chairs on the porch of the boardinghouse into motion and wrecking Alicia’s carefully styled hair. She gritted her teeth. She’d had to surrender her entire grooming routine since she’d arrived.
Throughout the town, it looked as if the population of Sweetness had doubled. They waited in front of the boardinghouse until they saw Robert and another suited man heading their way on the busy sidewalks. Candace waved, and Robert waved back. Alicia waved, too, but she realized when her father walked up, he only had eyes for Candace.
Alicia sighed in relief.
“Hi, sweetie,” he said finally, and gave Alicia a big hug. He introduced the assistant district attorney, who seemed affable enough. Just as Robert had indicated, the man seemed most interested in the whereabouts of the evidence, and if Candace could give him the name of possible co-conspirators. She couldn’t. But a few minutes later while Candace and Robert were engrossed in their own conversation, Alicia suggested to the man he might look for someone named Pam, and told him about the underwear and the address book she’d found in Bo’s truck. Then she handed him the keys and told him where it was parked.
The sound of church bells pealing filled the air. Alicia smiled—it was the first time the bells had rung. She said her goodbyes, then headed toward the church, ducking her head into the whipping wind. Dark clouds were gathering overhead, but she knew storm clouds didn’t always mean a storm. Still, she hurried toward the church lest she get caught in a rain shower.
The church was a picturesque white clapboard building, tall and narrow, with a soaring white steeple and a set of wide, neat steps leading up to the double-door entrance. Nobody would ever guess it was a pre-fabricated building, but she’d seen the pieces arrive herself, like a model kit on a tractor-trailer flatbed truck.
She joined the stream of people walking into the church, most of whom she recognized. Rachel Hutchins was there with Dr. Devine…Emily Armstrong and Dr. Maxwell…Porter and Nikki…Kendall and Amy. When she didn’t see Marcus, her heart sunk a little, but she reasoned the man had too much on his plate to indulge in frivolity.
Everyone was smartly dressed, which made her feel good about what she’d chosen to wear, and she was embarrassed that she’d assumed people would dress casually just because the daily uniform here was work clothes and spare, lightweight fabrics.
But some of the clothing here would rival anything she’d seen in the windows in New York.
At the top of the steps, Michael Mason wore a minister’s robe and greeted everyone with a wide smile. “H-hello…g-good m-morning…h-hi there…n-nice t-to see you…w-welcome.”
Alicia returned his smile and his greeting, then walked into the gleaming sanctuary. She gasped in pleasure. On either side of a red-carpeted center aisle sat two rows of long wood pews, handmade and rubbed to a spectacular finish, adorned with white swag ribbons. White calla lilies enveloped the altar, and solar candles burned in every cathedral-shaped window. It was simple and lovely and…perfect.
Just what she’d want if she ever—
Alicia stopped the thought before it fully materialized.
Nikki and Amy invited her to sit with them, and she happily agreed. She conceded that she would miss the women when she left—they were smart and grounded and forward-thinking. She wondered if the couples would stay in Sweetness if the town failed to receive the grant. The image of Porter’s and Kendall’s lots on Clover Ridge came to her. They hadn’t yet broken ground. Were Marcus’s brothers also waiting to see if he could pull off a miracle?
Her heart lurched at the amount of strain the man must be suffering. The trajectory of so many lives hinged on the pass or fail of the town’s inspection, and despite his claims that the accomplishments were a team effort, she knew he felt singularly responsible.
To her surprise, Dr. Jay Cross walked to the front of the church carrying an acoustic guitar.
He sat on a stool and began to play a beautiful melodic tune. The acoustics in the sanctuary were startling, sending the music flowing to them in all directions. Alicia noticed Dr. Cross looking in Rachel Hutchins’s direction more than once, but the woman was oblivious to him and playing wedding coordinator, fluttering around the church, disappearing at will, then reappearing. Alicia felt for the young man who was so obviously hung up on a woman who wouldn’t give him the time of day.
A reminder that love failed more often than it succeeded.
At the feel of a body settling in next to her, Alicia turned her head to see Marcus, breathtakingly handsome in a gray suit, snowy white shirt, and a blue striped tie that echoed the hue of his amazing eyes.
“Okay if I sit here?” he asked.
Instead of pointing out he was already sitting, she nodded mutely.
“Nice dress,” he murmured.
She smiled down to her toes. “Thank you. Nice tie.”
He smiled. “Thank you.” He leaned forward to quietly address his brothers, who were sitting farther down the pew. “The D.O.E. team just arrived. They’re touring the recycling plant.”
“Should one of us be there?” Kendall asked.
“Richardson said it was best if we weren’t, but he said he’d call me if he needed anything.” He sat back.
“Are you worried?” Alicia whispered.
A muscle worked in his jaw. “It’s out of my hands now.”
Dr. Cross ended a song, then paused as the minister and Emory Maxwell entered through a side door in the front and made their way to the altar. Emory looked happy and handsome in a dark suit. Michael Mason nodded to Dr. Cross, who began to play the wedding march. Everyone turned to see Shelby appear at the back of the church on the arm of Dr. Maxwell.
She was exquisite in a pale pink dress and short jacket, the perfect foil for her light hair and complexion. In her left hand, she carried a single calla lily.
Everyone stood in her honor, and she began her walk down the aisle toward her groom.
Alicia noticed that today Shelby seemed to emanate an inner glow—a far cry from the sad woman sitting at the counter yesterday contemplating ending her marriage. And when Shelby caught her gaze and mouthed, “You were right,” Alicia knew why. She smiled back, filled with happiness for the couple.
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