Thirty-Three and a Half Shenanigans

by Denise Grover Swank

  He grinned. “Since when do you do safe and easy?”

  “I’d like to give it a chance.”

  He studied me again, and a war waged in his eyes before he nodded. “Safe and easy it is, Rose. But when you’re willing to start gambling again, let me know.” As he gathered up the paperwork, I couldn’t help thinking that safe and easy was a pipe dream.

  Chapter Eight

  I left the nursery later than planned, so I texted Mason to let him know I’d signed the papers with Joe, and then called Bruce Wayne to check on the situation at the office.

  “The phones and Wi-Fi have been set up without a problem. Now all we need is a working fuse box.”

  “I’m going to go help Mason’s mom unpack. Let me know if you need anything.”

  “I might need medical attention after breathing in the fumes from that mess in the plastic tub on your desk. The place stank to high heaven when I walked in after you left. I spent five minutes searching for Muffy, ’cause she’s the only thing I know that stinks that much.”

  “Oh dear. Neely Kate left the gourmet food there, didn’t she?”

  “It’s gone now. I tried to feed it to a stray dog out back, but he got close enough to sniff it and took off running. You know something’s bad when even starving dogs won’t eat it.” He laughed. “You’re gonna have to tell ’er, Rose. That or risk food poisoning.”

  “I know,” I grumbled. “I’ll figure something out.”

  I got to Violet’s house at right about the time Ashley came home from school. Violet had spent more time at home than at work over the last couple of weeks, and she genuinely did seem happier. She greeted me at the door with a bright smile. “Hi, Rose.”

  “Hi,” I said, still wary.

  “Ashley is so excited to spend the afternoon with you. Thank you so much for thinking of it.”

  “Of course. I love her.” I paused. “I thought you should know that Joe and I signed the business papers today.” I handed her the folder tucked under my arm. “I brought them for you to sign too.”

  “Oh.” She looked surprised.

  I lowered my voice so Ashley wouldn’t hear. “I know you’re upset that you only have ten percent ownership now, but you still have a say in things, Violet.”

  Tears filled her eyes. “It was my dream, Rose.”

  A lump filled my throat, but I couldn’t back down. “I know, Vi, and I’m sorry.”

  She nodded and turned, her face breaking out into a bright smile when Ashley emerged from her room. “All ready to go with Aunt Rose?”

  Ashley nodded and gave us a wide grin.

  Violet dropped to her knees and pulled Ashley into a hug, stroking the back of her head for several seconds before pulling back to stare into her daughter’s face. “Now you be a good girl for Aunt Rose and mind your manners with Miss Maeve.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” Ashley’s head bobbed.

  Violet gave her a kiss on the cheek. “You have fun now.”

  “Do you want me to go over the papers with you?” I asked as Violet stood.

  She shook her head, tears shining in her eyes. “No. I know what’s in there.”

  “Okay.” But I felt bad that I was just dumping them off after Joe and I had signed them together. I didn’t want her to think she was some kind of afterthought. “I can pick them up after I bring Ashley home.”

  She nodded and disappeared into the kids’ room without another word.

  As I drove Ashley to Maeve’s new house, I couldn’t shake the thought that something was going on with my sister.

  The moving men had come and gone by the time Ashley and I arrived. We spent the next two hours helping Maeve unpack the kitchen. Maeve asked Ashley her opinion on where to store everything from her bakeware to her spices. Thankfully the little girl had inherited her mother’s organizational skills, so she was a help rather than a hindrance.

  The sun set, and we turned on the lamps we’d unpacked, filling the small house with a cozy glow, even though we were surrounded by boxes and piles of bubble wrap and packing peanuts. Mason showed up at around six with two pizza boxes. “Who’s hungry?” he called out as he made his way through the maze of empty boxes.

  “Me!” Ashley shouted.

  We cleared off the dining room table, and Maeve disappeared into the kitchen to look for a roll of paper towels for us to use as plates while Ashley washed her hands in the bathroom.

  Mason pulled me into a hug and gave me a kiss. “I was worried about you today,” he murmured in my ear. “Did you have any problems?”

  “I had a weird vision, but I’m not sure what to make of it.”

  He leaned back, worry in his eyes.

  “I’m ready to eat, Aunt Rose,” Ashley said as she came down the hall. “I washed my hands really good.”

  I started to break loose, but Mason’s arm stayed behind my back. “Did it have something to do with our run-in with Malcolm this morning?”

  “No.” I patted Mason’s chest. “It was probably nothing, but I’ll tell you all about it later. I told the chief deputy sheriff when I saw him earlier.”

  He tensed. “It must have been something if you told Joe. Was he concerned?”

  “No,” I prevaricated.

  “Not even after our run-in with Malcolm this morning?”

  “Mason,” I sighed, hoping he didn’t realize I was glossing over the fact that I hadn’t told Joe about Skeeter. “That was nothing. I’m fine.”

  He didn’t look convinced.

  I looked over my shoulder. “Maeve, I need to talk to Mason in private. It will only take a few minutes.”

  “Take your time.”

  I smiled at Ashley. “You go ahead and start eating, and we’ll be back inside in a minute.”

  Her head bobbed. “Okay, Aunt Rose.”

  I led him out to the front porch and pulled him close to help keep both of us warm. I told him pretty much exactly what I’d told Joe—about the vision today, recognizing Eric from church a few weeks ago, and the fact that Mick was responsible for Mr. Sullivan’s death. As I’d done with Joe, I led Mason to believe that today’s recent vision had jogged that particular realization loose.

  I could see the disappointment in his eyes. “Why didn’t you tell me weeks ago?” Hurt filled his voice.

  “I’m sorry, Mason. Truly, I am.”

  He was silent.

  “What do you think my vision meant? Before now, I’ve never felt bad after one before, and the sensation hung on for several minutes.”

  “I don’t know, but I think you need to stay away from the Burger Shack.”

  “Okay.”

  “I’m going to talk to Joe about checking up on that manager to be on the safe side, as well as digging more into the vet.”

  “But that’s just it, Mason. Nothing bad happened in my vision.”

  “Maybe not, but it’s affected you all the same, and that has to mean something.” His voice hardened. “In the meantime, promise me you’ll stay away.”

  “I promise.”

  He hugged me and held me tight. “You scare me to death, the things you get into. Maybe I should quit my job so I can follow you around all day and keep you out of trouble.”

  “You’re presuming I’m in the market for a bodyguard.”

  He nibbled my ear. “It would come with perks.”

  “I thought, as your potential employer, it was my job to offer the perks.”

  “I am definitely open to negotiation. What kind of benefits package are you offering?”

  Laughing, I broke free and grabbed his hand. “We’ll save the negotiations for later.”

  After we ate, we helped Maeve for another hour, making a lot of progress between the four of us. Around eight, I realized I needed to get Ashley home, since it was a school night. As I bundled her up in her coat, my phone rang. I breathed a sigh of relief that it was my best friend and not the largest current thorn in my side.

  “Hey, Neely Kate,” I answered in surprise. She typically took her gran
dma to bingo on Tuesday nights. “What’s up?”

  “Dolly Parton’s still missing.”

  “Oh,” I said, standing up and grabbing my own jacket.

  “I was wondering how your day looked tomorrow. Do you think you can go with me on my lunch break to talk to her best friend?”

  “Can’t you just call her?” I asked as Mason picked up his coat and gave me an inquisitive look.

  “Tabitha and I don’t get along lately,” she said with a tight edge to her voice. “She wouldn’t answer my call. Trust me.”

  “Do you think she’ll talk to you in person?”

  “I’m hopin’ she’ll talk to you in person.” She paused. “Will you help?”

  “Of course, I will. What time do you want to go?”

  “She tends to sleep late, so I’m thinking around noon. Lunchtime will work. Can we take your truck? She’ll know my car.”

  Whatever had happened between the two women must have been fairly recent. Neely Kate had replaced her beat-up clunker with a used Toyota in August, right after her wedding to Ronnie. “Sure. Just come over to my office, and we’ll leave from there,” I said before I hung up, hoping this meant I could get out of eating more of Neely Kate’s gourmet messes.

  “What’s going on?” Mason asked, concern in his voice as he helped me with my coat while Maeve said goodbye to Ashley.

  I knew how disappointed Mason was about everything I’d been keeping from him—not to mention the whole Lady in Black secret, which he still didn’t know . . . and hopefully never would—so I wanted to be on the up-and-up with him. But now I was worried about what he’d think of our mission to find Dolly Parton.

  “Neely Kate’s cousin is missing.” His eyes widened in alarm, but before he could say anything, I added, “It’s not the first time. According to Joe, this is apparently a common thing with her. She takes off for a few days, her momma files a missing persons report, and then she turns up again. Neely Kate’s aunt called to file the latest report last night, but the sheriff’s office isn’t going to follow up on it just yet.”

  Mason nodded. “It makes sense, but I take it Neely Kate’s not content to sit and wait for her to come back?”

  “No. She wants to go ask Dolly Parton’s best friend if she knows anything.”

  Surprise washed over his face. “Did you say, ‘Dolly Parton’? As in the singer?”

  “It’s a family thing.” I waved my hand in dismissal. “Her brothers are Alan Jackson and Tommy Lee.”

  Mason watched me for a second, as though deciding what to say. He gave a little shake of his head. “Does Neely Kate have any idea where she is?”

  “She had me drive her to see Dolly’s boyfriend—ex-boyfriend, I guess. He said they had a fight, and Dolly drove off with a bartender from where she works.”

  “Sounds like maybe she’s pissed at her boyfriend and took off.”

  “I think that’s what Joe thinks.”

  “Talk to her friend, but just be careful, okay?”

  I gave him a smile. “Okay.”

  We decided to ride home together and loaded a sleepy Ashley into my truck. After we dropped her off and I picked up the paperwork from Violet, I confessed to Mason how guilty I felt about only giving my sister ten percent of the business.

  “You’re well within your rights, Rose. She’s put nothing down.”

  “But it was her dream, Mason. I feel like I’m stealing it from her.”

  “It may have been her dream in the beginning, but she wouldn’t have gotten anywhere if you hadn’t financed it. And she nearly lost the business for both of you after making decisions she had no right to make without you.” He took my hand and squeezed it. “I think it’s more than generous of you to give her anything at all.”

  “I gave Bruce Wayne fifty percent ownership of RBW, and he didn’t put anything down.”

  “Sweetheart, if it’ll make you feel better to give her more control of the shop, then do it. But just remember, Joe already owns thirty-five percent. How much more of your fifty-five percent are you willing to give up?” He paused. “I know you didn’t ask, but I’m going to give you my opinion anyway. Keep at least fifty-one percent. That way you’ll still control the business, no matter what happens.”

  I hadn’t considered that. “Okay. Thank you.”

  “Who knows?” He gave me a grin. “Maybe Joe will sell his shares to Violet one day.”

  At this point, I wasn’t sure what to hope for.

  Chapter Nine

  The next morning Mason and I sat at the kitchen table eating breakfast before he left for the courthouse.

  “There’s less than two weeks until Christmas,” Mason said while buttering a piece of toast. “When do you want to put up a Christmas tree?”

  I took a sip of my coffee. “I guess we need to get a tree first.”

  “Lucky for you, you’ve still got a bunch outside the store.” Mason winked.

  “Those Christmas trees were so much trouble, I’m not sure I want one in my house,” I grumbled.

  “Do you have an artificial tree you put up with your mother?” he asked, then stopped with his fork mid-air, his smile falling. “I’m sure your memories of Christmas with your mother weren’t all that pleasant. I’m sorry, Rose. I wasn’t thinking.”

  I grabbed his hand. “You didn’t do anything wrong. It’s a perfectly normal question. It’s not your fault that my family was dysfunctional.”

  He squeezed my hand and grinned. “Everybody’s family is dysfunctional to some degree. Yours was just a touch more so.”

  “A touch more so.” I laughed. “That’s like calling the pope a little Catholic.” I leaned forward. “I want to wipe the slate clean of all my past Christmases. Are there any traditions you have that you’d like to do? Like put up stockings or bake cookies?”

  He lifted his eyebrows mischievously. “I can assure you that you do not want me baking you cookies.”

  “We could make them together.”

  “Do you want to bake cookies?” he asked, sounding surprised.

  I released a wistful sigh. “Ever since I was a little girl, I’ve always dreamed of decorating sugar cookies with my family. I’m not sure why. It just feels homey.” I shrugged, feeling embarrassed. “What about you? What do you like to do for Christmas?”

  “My father used to read The Night Before Christmas to Savannah and me on Christmas Eve before we hung our stockings and left cookies and milk out for Santa. I’d like to do that with my own kids someday.”

  I leaned over the table and kissed him. “I love you, Mason.”

  “I love you too.” He gave me another kiss and pushed his chair back, pulling me to my feet. “I have to go to work now. I’d love to finish this conversation tonight, but I have a very important question for you before I leave.” His eyes twinkled.

  “And what question could that be?” I asked, giving him a sly grin.

  “Turkey or ham for Christmas dinner?” I started to answer, but he put his finger on my lips. “Think carefully before you answer. The future of our entire relationship could hinge on this very moment.”

  I kissed the tip of his finger and pulled it down, laughing. “You’re putting far too much pressure on me for this early in the day. But I already know my answer: neither.”

  His eyebrows lifted in amusement. “Neither?”

  “Momma always made one or the other. I want to start my own tradition by having something else. With you.”

  His eyes softened. “I’ll make sure this is the best Christmas you’ve ever had, Rose. I promise.”

  I stood on my tiptoes and kissed him. “It already is.”

  “One more question,” he said as he grabbed his coat off the hall tree. “Real or artificial tree?”

  “Real, of course,” I said. “I love the smell of Christmas trees.”

  Mason left for work, and I started some laundry and cleaned up the kitchen, Muffy fast on my heels all the while. I needed to leave her at home while I was out with Neely Kate, and
she could clearly sense it and followed me around, as if to complain about her impending abandonment.

  Since I had nothing pressing to do at the office, I called Bruce Wayne to tell him I was going to stay home with Muffy for a while and take her for a long walk.

  “Take your time, Rose. There’s nothing to hurry in for. There’s still no word from Mr. Darby.”

  “What about from Skeeter’s brother?”

  “He says Skeeter’s under a lot of pressure right now, but he doesn’t know any details other than that Skeeter’s dealing with some new people in his organization. But he insisted it wasn’t a big problem. Just some smoothing over. I didn’t bring up your name. I figured the less there is to tie you to him, the better.”

  I released a sigh. He was right. “Thanks, Bruce Wayne.”

  After I took Muffy out the front door, I considered heading south on my farmland, but the last time I’d gone that way, I’d found a dead body on my neighbor’s property. The fact that Joe was about to move in there was an even bigger deterrent. Instead, we headed north, following the road that bordered the fields. Muffy chased several squirrels and romped around for a half hour. My cell phone rang when we were on our way home, and I pulled it out and answered it without checking the number.

  “Hello?”

  “Hello, Lady,” Skeeter said, sounding amused. “I need you to meet me in thirty minutes.”

  “Remember what I said. I can’t be seen talking to you, Skeeter. Especially after yesterday with Mason.” I took a quick breath. “What on earth was that about?”

  He laughed. “I was just messin’ with him. It’s easier to push his buttons now that you’re in the picture.”

  “Do you really think threatening me in front of my Assistant DA boyfriend is going to make me more compelled to help you out?” I shook my head even if he couldn’t see me. “Even if I felt inclined to help you—and I don’t—I can’t risk being seen with you.”

  “No offense, Lady, but I have no intention of being seen with you either. Meet me at the old abandoned Sinclair gas station on County Road 110. The one with the giant dinosaur statue next to the building. You know which one I’m talking about?”