The Man She Married

by Ann DeFee

  “Let’s do the Varsity.” Maizie almost licked her lips in anticipation of a chili dog with onions and a peach fried pie. It wasn’t traditional date food, but she did have a stash of mints in her purse.

  “That sounds really good.” Clay fired up the engine and pointed the truck toward the Varsity.

  THEY TALKED, HELD HANDS and acted like kids in love. Maizie couldn’t wait to get her husband home and out of that suit. So when Clay stopped in front of the house without bothering to pull into the drive, she was confused. Where did he think he was going?

  Her motto had always been when in doubt, ask. “Aren’t you staying here?”

  He didn’t answer. “Don’t move a muscle. I’m coming around to open your door.” He hadn’t done that since they were teenagers and he was still trying to impress her.

  Clay helped Maizie out of the truck and walked her to the front door. “I had a lot of fun tonight.”

  “I did, too. We need to do this more often.” She leaned forward expecting a kiss—the wetter and hotter the better.

  “I did, too. And believe me, I plan for us to have more date nights,” Clay said, but instead of pulling her into his arms, he took her hand and shook it. Then the jerk turned and walked back down the sidewalk.

  “Clayton Walker, where do you think you’re going?” she hollered, not giving a flying fig what the neighbors thought.

  He looked over his shoulder. His grin was a killer. “I plan to get in my truck and drive around the block. Then I’m going to sneak in the back door and hide out in Hannah’s room, right after I have a long cold shower.”

  Maizie stomped down the stairs to confront her husband. “Why are you doing that?”

  “Because I don’t think we should kiss on our first date.” And with that silly announcement, he kissed her on the end of her nose.

  Maizie wanted to whack him upside the head. “So you’re really not planning to come back to our bed?” She managed to lower her voice so at least not all the neighbors would hear their conversation.

  “Not until we’ve dated awhile. I wouldn’t want you to think I’m easy.” His grin got even bigger, if that was possible. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

  He strolled down the sidewalk, got in the truck and drove away.

  Chapter Twenty-Six

  “So how was your date?” Liza asked. It was their traditional Tuesday morning southern comfort breakfast at Daisy’s Dining Spot. With its cracked vinyl seats and 1950s chrome tables, the diner’s ambiance was iffy but the food was excellent.

  “You remember how I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off trying to find the perfect outfit for a fancy dinner? And how I went online and discovered the restaurant offered a five-hundred-dollar bottle of wine?”

  “Don’t tell me you guys bought that.” Liza didn’t bother to apologize for interrupting.

  “Not even close. We ended up having chili dogs at the Varsity.”

  Liza choked on her grits. “The Varsity? As in the Varsity.”

  “Yep.”

  “This I have to hear.”

  Maizie told her the whole story including the fact that Clay shook her hand, kissed her on the nose and drove around the block before coming in the back door and heading straight to Hannah’s room. He didn’t pass Go, he didn’t collect his nookie, nothing.

  “He wasn’t kidding about dating you.”

  “It appears that way. And it’s nice having him around even this much. I just wish he’d talk to me about his work. I know there’s still something bothering him.”

  “So ask him. He’s not a mind reader. He’s a guy.” Liza pointed her fork at Maizie. “You two have never kept secrets before. Why start now?”

  “I know.” Maizie’s shoulders sagged. “But I want him to come to me.”

  “We don’t always get what we want. In this case I think you might have to bite the bullet and go to him. Everything’s gonna be okay. I promise, and when have I ever broken a pledge?” Liza picked up her orange juice glass in preparation for a toast.

  “To clueless husbands everywhere.”

  Maizie clinked her glass to her sister’s. “To brainless husbands. We can’t live with them and we certainly don’t plan to live without them.”

  The twins got a laugh from that. Then Maizie quickly sobered. “I think someone’s been in my house.”

  Liza chewed on her bottom lip. “What makes you think that?”

  “Nothing specific. It’s just one of those creepy feelings. I bought some imported beer for Clay and I’m almost positive he hasn’t had any, but two are missing. A bag of chips is gone and there were crumbs on the family room floor. If Hannah was home I wouldn’t think anything of it, but I didn’t eat the chips and I don’t think Clay did, either. Then there’s my underwear drawer.”

  Liza dropped her fork. “Underwear drawer?”

  “I’d bet money someone has been rummaging about in my skivvies. You know how I am about my girly things.”

  Maizie’s obsession with her lingerie was a running joke with the sisters. Everything had to be pristine and in its right place.

  “The pinks are on top of the blues.”

  “Oh, no,” Liza gasped in mock consternation. “Not the pinks on top of the blues.”

  Maizie smacked her sister’s arm. “It’s not funny. Just the thought of someone putting their hands on my panties gives me chills.”

  It was Liza’s turn to get serious. “I’ll let Zack know. I’m sure he’ll want to take a look around. Do you mind?”

  “I’d appreciate it.” Why was someone targeting their house, especially since Clay had moved back home.

  “Have you told Clay?”

  “Not yet, you’re the first. He’s going to freak. And if it’s only my imagination, I hate to worry him.”

  CLAY AND HARVEY WERE across town at the DeLite Diner. There was a long-standing debate raging about which establishment had the best grits. As far as Clay was concerned the DeLite won, hands down.

  “What’s your take on the meeting they had in Atlanta?” Harvey was buttering his biscuit.

  “I’m hoping we’ve finally gotten a break.” Most of the trouble they’d been having was due to the uncooperative Department of Transportation planner, and rumor had it there was about to be a shake-up in that office. Apparently it had become obvious to his boss that he was an obstructionist. “If we luck out and get someone reasonable who can work with the construction company, I think we might have a chance. The head honchos at the state want this road built as much as we do. So if luck is on our side, they’ll move him to another project. You know how the state feels about firing anyone”

  “Yeah, he’ll probably get promoted. Whatever, as long as we don’t have to deal with him.” Harvey wiped his brow. “I pity the poor sucker who gets stuck with him.

  “Me, too,” Clay replied.

  “So what’s the latest on the Savannah bid?” Clay asked.

  Harvey was taking the lead on preparing a proposal for a highway project in southern Georgia.

  “I need to go down there next week and work with our prospective client. I’ll be gone three or four days.”

  “Don’t worry about a thing. I can hold down the fort around here.”

  “Have you told Maizie what we’re up against?”

  Clay knew his friend was asking out of concern. “Sort of. That’s what our big fight was all about. She was upset that I didn’t trust her.” He thought about their blow-up at the country club. “Actually I’d trust her with my life—I just didn’t want to worry her. That was a huge mistake.”

  Harvey clapped him on the back. “You got that one right. Don’t keep anything from your wife. If you do, you’re gonna regret it.”

  Unfortunately that was a lesson that had come home to roost in a big way.

  DINNER WAS ANOTHER take-out special—easy and disposable. After cleaning up, Clay and Maizie went to sit on the front porch swing.

  It was a cool crisp evening that brought to mind p
umpkin pies and falling leaves. “I love this time of year.” Maizie pushed the swing back and forth with her foot.

  “I love you.” Clay leaned over and kissed her. It was as playful as a young crush and a sweet confirmation of a lifelong relationship.

  “I know you’re mad that I didn’t tell you about our problems at work. If I promise to be better will you forgive me?”

  He gently rubbed the back of her hand.

  “I’m not mad anymore. Really I’m not. My feelings were hurt.” She didn’t know what else to say.

  Clay looked uncomfortable, but what guy wouldn’t when stumbling through a heart-to-heart chat. “Since I’m being completely honest, here goes. I think we may be over the worst of this mess.” He explained the potential change of leadership at the state level.

  Maizie snuggled in closer. “I pray that’s the case. But if it isn’t, don’t worry, we’ll make it.” She kissed his palm. “All we have to do is stick together.”

  She was ready to share her suspicion about an intruder when Clay grinned and she was transported back to a time when they were young and desperately in love. Maizie could tell he was about to kiss her, to heck with the nosy neighbors. Then a police car pulled up in front of their house.

  Not now!

  That irritation dissipated when she saw who was driving the cruiser. Zack Maynard didn’t normally stop by when he was on duty. This couldn’t be good.

  “Hey guys.” Zack walked up on the porch with his hat in hand, literally. “I thought I should come by and talk to you in person.” He looked as uneasy as a preacher in a bawdy house.

  Clay obviously picked up on the bad vibe. “Let’s go inside. From the look on your face, I suspect I’m going to need a drink. Would you like one, Zack?”

  “Afraid I can’t, not while I’m driving that thing.” He pointed at the Crown Vic parked at the curb.

  Maizie followed the men inside. “Go on into the kitchen. I’ll get us some refreshments.”

  Zack and Clay sat down at the table while Maizie poured the iced tea and rummaged through the cabinet until she unearthed a package of Oreos. Store-bought cookies weren’t company fare, and Mama would be appalled at her pathetic hostess skills, but Maizie suspected this wasn’t a social visit.

  She placed a glass in front of each man and then took a seat next to her husband. “What’s going on, Zack?” Maizie was scared to death she already knew.

  “You remember I said I’d come by this morning to give your house a once over. See if there was any sign of someone tampering with a door or whatever.”

  “Yeah,” Maizie said. Her bad feeling was getting even worse.

  “There’s no easy way to say this, but it appears someone jimmied one of your basement windows.”

  Maizie’s blood ran cold. Someone really had been in her house rummaging through her undies. It hadn’t just been her imagination.

  Clay didn’t say a word. He didn’t have to.

  “I crawled in and inspected your basement,” Zack said. “Have either of you been down there lately?”

  “No.” Clay’s response was clipped.

  “How about you?” Zack asked Maizie.

  “Not in a couple of weeks.” Maizie wondered where he was going with this.

  “There are some muddy footprints leading from that window to the stairs. From there I think he took his shoes off.”

  “Oh, my God!” Maizie’s stomach decided to do a barrel roll. “Someone was in this house. Clay, go down and nail all those windows shut.” She knew that was like locking the barn door after the horse disappeared, but she was too freaked out to care.

  “Why were you checking our windows?” Clay asked. Maizie knew he wouldn’t stay quiet long. Not when it was obvious he didn’t have all the information.

  Zack gave Maizie a curious look. “I think maybe you’d better tell him.”

  “I suspected someone had been in the house, maybe more than once. Liza said she’d ask Zack to drop by and take a look. I should have told you sooner, but I was afraid it was my imagination. I’m sorry.”

  Clay was gulping like a fish out of water. “You thought someone had broken in and didn’t tell me?” he asked.

  Another miscommunication. And this one was entirely her fault. “I didn’t want to worry you.”

  “Worry me! You thought some lunatic had been in our house and you didn’t want to worry me!”

  Two wrongs didn’t make a right, she knew that, but in this case it was poetic justice. At least that’s what she told herself. She took Clay’s hand, hoping to keep him from jumping out of his skin.

  “I’m sorry. I won’t keep any secrets from you again.” She managed a lopsided grin. “The worst thing is, I think he rifled around in my lingerie.”

  “He touched your underwear?” Clay appeared incapable of saying anything without shouting.

  Okay, clearly this wasn’t the time for jokes.

  Zack stood. More than likely he wanted to get the hell away from the two crazy people. “If you want, I can come back tomorrow to do a complete inspection and help you secure the place.” He didn’t wait for an answer before bolting for the door.

  “I’m so sorry, Clay. I should’ve told you as soon as I thought something was off. From now on, no more secrets.” Maizie stuck out her hand. “Deal?”

  Clay pulled her into his arms. “Deal.”

  Were they on the way to healing their marriage and making it even stronger?

  “There’s something else I need to tell you.” Since they were coming clean this was as good a time as any.

  Clay stepped away from her and leaned back against the counter.

  “What?” he asked, rubbing his forehead.

  Maizie chewed on her bottom lip. “You remember when I bought the tennis duds and started taking lessons?”

  “Oh, yeah. Vividly.”

  “There was a little more to it than wanting to get a tan.”

  Clay didn’t say a word.

  “I know it was silly, but I thought if you knew someone else found me attractive you’d be jealous. And considering the male population of Magnolia Bluffs, Trip Fitzgerald was the perfect candidate.”

  Silence.

  “It didn’t take long to realize that it was one of the most idiotic ideas I’d ever had.”

  More silence.

  “Say something!”

  Clay didn’t move from his spot against the counter—as far from Maizie as he could get. “What would you like me to say?”

  “I don’t know. That’s funny. What a cute idea. I love you. Any or all of the above.” Maizie threw her hands in the air.

  To his credit Clay didn’t stomp off. He didn’t yell, or scream or cuss. He simply rolled his eyes, and that was eloquent enough.

  Chapter Twenty-Seven

  Liza stopped by Miss Scarlett’s Boudoir to see Maizie the next afternoon. “Do you have time to go for coffee?”

  Considering folks weren’t knocking down the door to spend money Maizie could easily get away.

  “Let me tell PJ where I’m going and grab my purse. Check out the new wool slacks. You’d look absolutely darling in them.”

  “Do you think I could accessorize them with my pearls?”

  “Don’t you think that would be a mite pretentious?” Maizie asked with a grin.

  “Oh, I don’t know. Of course I’d have to also wear my tiara.”

  Maizie’s reign as beauty pageant royalty had left her ripe for untold teasing.

  “Screw you. Let’s get going.”

  It wasn’t until they were walking into the bakery that Liza got to the heart of the matter. “Zack told me you really did have an intruder. Do you have any idea who it might be?”

  “Not a clue. Carol and Tim said they saw someone in the woods behind my house. They thought he might be a transient. But in that case, wouldn’t he be rummaging through the food rather than my personal things? Though it would explain the chips and beer.”

  “That sounds logical to me. Can you think o
f anyone else?”

  “Afraid not.”

  Liza shook her head. “Please, please tell me you’re taking precautions.”

  “I’m being as careful as possible.” Maizie patted her purse. “I have my pepper spray with me at all times. Zack and Clay are planning to go through the house with a fine-tooth comb. Hopefully they’ll be able to secure the place.”

  “That’s good. You should get an alarm system. I got mine when I was having problems with that homicidal fruitcake and it gave me such peace of mind.”

  Who could forget the lunatic county council person who had targeted both Liza and Zack?

  “Zack has all the information you’d need.”

  “If I know Clay Walker—and I certainly do—he’ll have one ordered before I get home tonight,” Maizie said, then paused. “Do you think I should get some protection that’s more…” She shrugged, trying to come up with a PC description of a .44 Dirty Harry–type Magnum. “Shall we say, more lethal than a can of pepper spray.”

  “Do you know how to shoot?” Liza asked, not bothering to disguise her chuckle.

  “No.”

  “Then leave that to the professionals.”

  “I certainly hope you’re not talking about Deputy Bubba.”

  Liza almost gagged on her chocolate-frosted doughnut. “No, definitely not Bubba.”

  Maizie didn’t tell Liza that she was seriously considering asking Daddy if she could borrow his shotgun. He always said if you aimed that sucker anywhere near a bad guy, you could do some major damage. “So you wouldn’t trust me with a gun, huh?”

  “That’s a trick question if I ever heard one, and I’m too smart to answer. Here, share my goodie.” Liza shoved her half-eaten pastry across the table.

  MAIZIE WAS STILL PONDERING security options when Clay walked in the door. She’d cooked him a homemade meal, not that she was buttering him up or anything like that. Considering he hadn’t said a word about Trip, she figured good food couldn’t hurt.