Raised to be a gentleman, he remained courteous when their faces fell.
“He’s the one who stole the shop from you? Lily, Rose, and Chrissy told me about what you did. Couldn’t you have opened your place somewhere else?” Brooke flung her hair from her face in a fight against the wind.
Jake raised a brow. Everyone acted as if he should have known he was in competition for the place. He hadn’t a clue they were interested in the shop. Did his client? No matter. He still would have signed the rental agreement. Pleasing his client was essential.
Lily intervened. “I know we told you what happened, but Jake was unaware of how much we wanted Old Man Reilly’s place. Besides, he’s here right now as sort of my . . . friend.” She gave him a warning look as if to say don’t reveal he was really more like a bodyguard.
“Friend? Why would you be friends with the man who cheated you out of your dream?” Mary Beth scowled, placing her hands on her hips.
Lily sighed, then scrunched her nose. “Tell you what. Help us get these boxes inside and I’ll try to explain. We don’t have much time. I have to reach Giselle before she shows up at the shop. Denis is on his way. He can make the rest of the phone calls.”
Jake hung back in the living room while the women went to the rear of the house. Jake and Leo settled on the couch. To pass the time, Jake used his phone to check his email and do a quick search on this Denis guy. First, Jake perused the dress shop’s website. Nothing about any of her employees. Lots of pictures of dresses, brides, grooms. Wedding stuff.
What seemed like an eternity, but in reality was twenty minutes later, Lily came back and then sat in a wing chair.
She spoke in a whisper, her words trapped in her throat. “Giselle cried when I told her she wouldn’t be able to see the dress. Her mother and grandmother both screamed at me and threatened to sue. They’re on their way. And they are royally pissed.”
Chapter 6
“I couldn’t even tell them why she can’t try on the gown.” Lily wrung her hands together, almost pleading with him for help.
“I bet if she knew a dead guy wore her gown, she would pass on the idea.”
She wrinkled her forehead. “The chief said I have to keep quiet until he releases a statement. Only Denis knows the extent of it. Even the seamstresses think we simply had a break in. What am I supposed to say to them when they get here?”
“Give me a sec. I’ll think of something.” He wanted to help her and he was good at concealing the truth. Some called his talent lying, he called the ability a necessary part of his job. She acknowledged him with a nod but said nothing. Another woman might have pressed the issue, but Lily trusted his judgement. With her unquestioning faith in him, he had to do right by her.
A minute later, he heard the women come down the hall. Brooke led the pack with a swish.
She showed Lily something on a dress and Jillian held the bottom off the floor. He knew from the dozens of wedding dresses his sister tried on, that part of the gown was the train. Being her only sibling, he had gone with his mother, father, grandmother, two aunts, and all the bridesmaids for the first two dress hunting excursions. Then his sister had kindly excused him from future shopping extravaganzas, appreciating his efforts.
The seamstresses said something about a sweetheart neckline, more about loose beading on a bodice, whatever that was. Jake grimaced inwardly. This was going to be a long day. Somewhere in the house, a phone rang. Lily ran toward the sound.
When she returned, she held another dress in her arms. “That was Denis. He’s at the station with the chief. He’ll get here as soon as he can.” She placed her cell phone on a side table.
“Giselle will love this fit and flare,” Brooke said, taking the dress from Lily as a phone rang again, this time in the kitchen.
“She still has a house phone?” Jake asked, but no one paid any attention to him, except the dog. As Jake sat and rubbed Leo’s belly, the ladies chatted. The conversation revolved around the dress being from the same designer, the same collection, whatever that meant. A few awkward moments later, Lily rushed in flustered.
Jake bolted up and earned a bark from Leo who was miffed that he lost Jake’s attention. “What’s wrong?”
“That was Aunt Bee. The pilot light is out on her stove again and she’s trying to make another pot of tea. I can’t leave now to help her.”
“I’ll do it!” Jake volunteered, earning himself a grateful look from all the women. “I’m in the way here, and Lily, I’ll be right next door if you need me.”
Lily blew out a long breath. “Oh, thanks, Jake. And don’t worry. I’ll be fine.” She graced him with a weak, but beautiful smile.
He swallowed. “Sure. No problem. Be back in a flash.”
Gravel crunched under his feet as he crossed Lily’s front yard. Mrs. Bailey stood on her porch, braced on a cane for support. “Where’s Lily?” she demanded.
He came up the stairs slowly, trying not to spook her. She didn’t flinch. He didn’t figure much scared the old lady.
“She’s knee-deep in wedding business. I hope you don’t mind that I offered to help instead. Her staff is with her.”
She eyed him like a hawk studying its prey. She didn’t actually move but encircled him with her judgmental glare.
“Talked to the chief about you. He gave you the thumbs-up. I guess it’d be all right. Come on in.”
He followed her inside, bumping into an end table jutting out in the tight entrance way. With lightning speed, he snared a lamp before the porcelain base crashed onto the floor.
“Careful, boy.” Under her breath, she said, “Bull in a china shop.”
He hesitated as his brain registered the cluttered home. Mrs. Bailey took a left and inched her way around furniture, neat piles of newspapers and magazines, scratched a cat, which sat atop a waist-high bookcase, and led him into her cramped, but clean kitchen. Everywhere he looked, he spotted decorative teapots and fancy plates on shelving and on top of the cabinets. Ceramic cats covered the countertop, along with a toaster, blender, and other appliances. Heaps of newspapers stacked near the back door concerned him. He’d seen this type of home before.
She settled into a kitchen chair. A plastic cloth and plastic flower arrangement covered the table. He broke out in a sweat as he looked at the ancient mustard-yellow stove. A fire hazard for sure.
She pointed to a box of matches and a barbeque lighter. “Dang arthritis. Can’t get these old fingers to use either of those things.”
He nodded, then chose the long lighter and hoped the stove didn’t blow when he flicked the switch.
“What happened at the bridal shop? Chief was being real closemouthed about it.” She pointed to the teakettle when the burner went ablaze. “Some kind of break-in was it?”
“I’m sure the chief will be releasing a statement soon, Mrs. Bailey.”
Jake placed the kettle on the stove. He wanted to know more about the dead fiancé and why he left Lily standing at the altar. Obviously, Mrs. Bailey cared about Lily and he didn’t want to raise suspicion. He’d have to be discreet.
“Lily must have a thriving business, if she and her sisters were planning on expanding. Does she have much time for a social life? Have a lot of friends?”
She grinned. “I see right through you, boy. You want to know if she has a boyfriend, don’t you? Well, not since that imbecile, Sam. Broke her heart, left her at the altar. Scandalous.”
“So she hasn’t been seeing anyone the past year?”
“Nope. She would have told me. Every Wednesday night, she or one of her sisters comes for a visit. They take turns keeping me company ever since their mom died.”
“What about going on dates? There must have been someone, even casual?”
“Not that she ever said. Lily’s the worrier of those girls. She’s
too busy working on the business, keeping on top of the house maintenance, making sure her sisters are happy. Rose, the middle one, she’s the serious one, runs the money part of the business. And Chrissy, that girl, always going out. Likes to have fun.”
Not that he minded hearing about the sisters, but he changed the subject, wanting to focus on Lily and her relationship with Sam. “Before Sam jilted Lily, did you like him?”
“Nah,” she scoffed. “I didn’t trust him. Neither did Lily’s mother. He was too nice, too perfect. Syrupy. You know?”
“I think so.”
“He latched on to my Lily. And why not? She’s beautiful, kind, and smart. Not to mention part owner of a thriving business. He had nothing.”
“Nothing?”
“No steady job, no family or friends that we knew of, but he had charisma. He caught her at a weak moment and mesmerized her. No man worthy of Lily would sink to using his charms to earn her love. Lily needs someone honest.”
Jake stared down at his feet, avoiding her direct stare. The old lady was right. Lily deserved someone who was completely forthright. When he was around her, much to his surprise, he hated lying. Relief washed over him when someone knocked on the door and entered the house. Jake stood at attention.
Lily appeared in the doorway. “Giselle called and said she needed a moment before coming over. She’ll text me when she’s on her way. When Denis and Haley showed up, I thought I’d come over and check on you two.”
The kettle started to whistle, but Jake ignored the piercing screech. “That was quick. Guess the chief was done taking Haley’s statement.”
Lily shrugged and brushed past him to turn off the boiling water. “I’m glad for their help.”
He handed her a teacup.
After Lily fixed the tea, she placed the cup on the table.
Jake glanced over at the old woman who watched the exchange with intense interest.
“You two go on,” Mrs. Bailey said. “I know you’re busy. Thanks for your help.” She lifted her tea, using both hands to keep the cup steady.
Lily nodded and turned to leave. “I’ll come by later. After I’m finished with Giselle.” Lily darted out of the kitchen.
“Keep an eye on our girl there, Jake.” Mrs. Bailey gave him a wink and toasted him with her wobbling teacup.
Out on the porch Jake stopped Lily. “Why did you ask Haley to close your shop last night if she was unreliable?”
“It was Wednesday night, our turn to visit Aunt Bee, and both my sisters are in Europe.”
“I don’t get it. Couldn’t you skip your turn since you had no one dependable to close up?”
“I hired an assistant because our business is expanding, and we knew for months that my sisters were taking the trip and I would need extra help. She came with glowing references. How was I to know she’d be incompetent? Actually, that’s not fair to say. She’s been pretty good at everything else except setting the alarm.”
He touched her elbow, without thought, as if they had known each other forever. “Let’s go back. I’d like to talk more with Haley.” He halted when Lily gave him an odd look. Once again, he nearly forgot his cover. “Maybe she’ll open up to me, and I can pass any new information to the chief.”
Lily nodded in agreement and moved closer to him. “I hated not telling Aunt Bee about Sam,” she whispered.
“Don’t worry.” He squeezed her elbow to reassure her. “She’ll find out soon enough.
Her phone pinged in her hand.
Lily turned white as she peered at the screen. “Giselle’s on her way.”
Chapter 7
Minutes later, back at Lily’s house, Giselle, her mother, and her grandmother charged through the front door.
“What is the meaning of this? You said you have the dress. You got my sweet grandbaby’s hopes up. I demand an explanation.” Giselle’s grandmother shook the point of an umbrella at Lily.
With her hands shaking, Lily moved closer to the angry trio. Brave. Jake shifted closer too, blocking Lily from a frontal umbrella attack.
“Please. Let’s sit down and I’ll explain.” Lily stretched her arms out and directed them to the dining room chairs.
Giselle’s mother shifted her pocketbook to the crook of her arm as she placed her free arm on feisty Grandma. “Momma, I want to hear them out.”
Grandma lowered the umbrella’s spikey end to a more neutral position. Her tone, directed at Lily, cut as sharp as the tool in her hand. “Pam, they’re trying the old bait and switch trick. They never had the dress. She wanted our business and doesn’t give a hoot that she broke my Giselle’s heart. We flew here for nothing.”
“That’s not true! We have the sample dress. In white like you wanted, but there’s a problem.” Lily’s protest stirred the ladies into a frenzy.
Giselle started whimpering. Jake decided to turn on the charm. He needed to end their brutal squawking.
“Ladies, please, you’ve had a long trip and should rest. Allow me to take your coats.” He approached Grandma first, gave her a dazzling smile, and with a wink, lifted the umbrella from her grasp, rescuing Lily from further abuse.
The seamstresses rushed to assist, gathering the ladies’ things. While Jake escorted Grandma to the table, pulling out her chair, he heard a man talking to the seamstresses as they went down the hall.
Jake knew Haley and Denis were in the house somewhere. Didn’t they recognize their boss needed help with these difficult customers?
“You’ve got two minutes to convince us not to call our lawyer and sue you for fraud. And report you to the Better Business Bureau. My baby’s getting married in two weeks and you said you could help us.” Pam reached into her pocketbook and gave Giselle another tissue along with a tiny mirror.
“Here, baby. Your mascara’s running. You should have used waterproof.” She took the mangled one Giselle had been using away. Then she held up the tissue. “Trash can?”
Lily jumped up and took the dirty tissue. “Be right back.” She smiled, touched the used tissue as if Pam had handed her a gift, and then left to dispose of the treasure.
Disgusted with these snooty women, Jake ignored their condescending behavior and masked his true feelings. He mustered up his energy and dug deep. He had to lure these ladies to his side. Lily’s side. “Georgia, huh? Been there once. Good peaches, whatcha call those nuts?”
“Pecans?” Giselle drew out the word, her southern drawl strong. As she dabbed tears from under her eyes, a bit of a smile played at the corner of her lips.
“Yes, that’s them. Pecans.” Jake smiled back. Got one in the bag. The other two would fall as easily, if he had his way. He needed to get this appointment finished sooner than later. These ladies were already taking up too much of Lily’s time and causing her more stress. The woman suffered enough trauma today.
Although she could have had something to do with Sam’s death, he doubted she was capable of murder. After knowing her a short time, common sense told him even if she could shoot her ex-fiancé, she would never purposely ruin one of her prized wedding gowns as she committed the act of murder.
“Who are you?” Feisty Grandma sneered across the table and poked her finger into the shiny wood.
He chuckled, a sincere reaction. “Sorry, how rude of me.” He stood up and reached across the table with an outstretched hand. “Jake Ward. I rented the shop next to Lily’s bridal store. She and I are becoming fast friends. Giselle, you’re getting married in two weeks? Wow, congratulations! When my sister got married she had looked for a dress, like, for a whole year ahead.”
“I did too! I would never wait until last minute. Lily didn’t tell you what happened? When I went for my first fitting in an exclusive shop in Georgia, they had ordered the wrong color. Ivory. I wanted white. The place I bought my wedding dress from ad
mitted their mistake. Their sample was in ivory and the salesperson believed that’s the color I wanted even though I told her a hundred times that I wanted white. Anyway, there’s no time to order the right one. Lily had the same dress, in white. I didn’t care that it was a sample. I want that dress!”
“Tea?” A man waltzed in carrying a tray with cups and saucers.
Haley came from behind him with another tray. “Muffins to go along with the tea. Denis stopped at the best bakery in town.”
A slow grateful smile graced Lily’s lips. She introduced Denis and Haley to the ladies from Georgia. Then she introduced Denis to Jake. A flash of emotion zipped across Denis’s face. Anger? Composure covered his expression in an instant and he once again became the perfect host as he shook Jake’s hand.
“Refreshments aren’t going to change our mind, young lady. You may pour me some tea, and I’ll take that apple crumb muffin since we didn’t have a chance for breakfast after getting your call.” Feisty Grandma held out a hand and accepted a plate from Haley while Denis poured tea from a pot.
“A dash of milk. Thank you. Now let’s get on with this.” Pam stirred her tea slowly, clinking the spoon against the china cup as she gave Lily a hard stare.
“As I told you on the phone there was a break-in at the shop this morning. The chief wouldn’t allow me to take anything from the shop.”
“For how long?” Pam asked. “We can stay a few days, can’t we, Momma? We can still get the dress.”
Lily drew in a long breath and peered up at Denis who stood off to the side ready to pour more tea. Haley went gray.
“I’m sorry. The dress—”
Jake cut her off. “The investigation could take days, Giselle. Several items from the shop could become evidence, including the dresses. Some items wind up in boxes and get stored away indefinitely.” He made sure not to mention that particular dress would absolutely become part of the inquiry.
Forever Hold Your Piece (The Becker Sisters Bridal Series Book 1) Page 6
