“What changed?”
“His adoptive parents died. The Radcliffs were so proud of their adopted son. So proud Britt made something of himself. I couldn’t diminish their bond in any way, but once they both passed, I decided to take action. Bud helped me cut through the red tape. I discovered the truth a few months ago.”
“Does Britt know?”
“Yes. Bud and I visited him and Melissa one Sunday afternoon and showed them the papers. I asked him to keep quiet about it until I told you.”
“You knew for months?”
“Well, we have been busy,” Mama said. “Between the puppies, the crime solving, teenaged girls, and everything else, there’s hardly been a moment to spare.”
And with both of us trying to find time to be with the men in our lives, that didn’t leave any spare time for the two of us to chat about long-lost relatives.
Britt Radcliff.
My cousin.
No wonder he’d acted like a big brother to me for so many years. He must have suspected the truth long before Mama tumbled onto it.
“Forgive me?” Mama asked. “I know how you feel about secrets, but I wanted to wait for the right moment.”
I barked out a laugh. “You waited until the night I confronted an armed serial killer? How is that the right time?”
“It just is.” After a moment, Mama spoke again. “There’s more.”
“I don’t think I can handle too much more tonight.”
“You can handle this. I forgive you for the house.”
“The house?” I didn’t have to fake my confusion.
“Stealing the house out from under me.”
I groaned at the topic. There was no way I could win this argument. She’d won it every time she’d brought it up after Daddy’s funeral. It had gotten to the point where I wished Daddy had left the house to Mama.
“I can see how unstable I must have looked to Joe,” Mama said. “I was such a mess in those days, it’s a wonder he didn’t divorce me.”
“He loved you. He wouldn’t divorce you.”
“I’m grateful to Joe for his love and trust, and I’m trying to say that now I realize he was acting in my best interest when he deeded the house to you. I’m not mad about it anymore. I don’t think you tried to swindle me out of something that was mine. I know he trusted you to keep it safe for me.”
“That house will always be your home, Mama. I’ve told you that repeatedly over the years. Do you finally believe me?”
“I believe you, but it doesn’t matter. I’m moving out. Bud and I will live in his house.”
“You’re full of surprises tonight. Anything else I should know about? Did Charla elope? Did Prince Charming wander in off the streets? Did the dog start passing gold-plated poop?”
“None of that stuff. What secrets I have left are mine and mine alone.”
Secrets. I hated them. But for once I felt grateful that I didn’t know everything. My eyelids drifted shut, and I stopped fighting exhaustion.
Sometimes a gal’s gotta go with the flow.
CHAPTER 42
* * *
The beaming bride and groom twirled past, she in an elegant froth of blush chiffon, he adorned with a bow tie the same shade and a dapper charcoal gray suit. The love they felt for each other filled the entire parish hall.
Truthfully, I felt relieved to have a moment to relax. The ordeal about a killer on the loose was over. Rafe had reconciled with his family.
Francine and Muriel, Mama’s longtime friends, waltzed by with small trays of appetizers. Rafe and I both settled on the mini apple tarts. My mouth watered at the first bite. These ladies were onto something when they talked about a catering business. Once word got out, they might be able to buy back the deed to their home. I vowed to do everything I could to help them become profitable.
“Yum,” Rafe said, looking at me.
I’d splurged on a new dress for the wedding. New spiky heels too. I couldn’t complain about the cost because how often could a daughter dance at her mother’s wedding? It was a reasonable expense given the circumstance.
“You’re feeling better?” I asked hopefully.
“I still have a headache, but overall I’m starting to feel better. You look amazing in that dress.”
His roughened voice gave me very nice chills. I preened. “That’s me, Miz Amazing.”
He took my hand. “Walk with me?”
We slipped out of the noisy room and eased onto the loveseat in the empty counseling room. “Much better,” Rafe said, drawing me close for a kiss.
I gave myself to the moment, but despite both of our intentions, I didn’t melt in his arms. I was disappointed and hoped he couldn’t tell the difference in my response.
“I’ve got something to tell you,” he began.
“Oh?” Given the revelations of the last few days, I expected something monumental. The president was an alien, or Mary was a secret opera singer, or he had three wives in Morocco. Whatever it was, I was certain it would be unsettling. I clutched my hands together and summoned a vague smile.
“The DNA results are in.”
I couldn’t breathe. “And?”
“I’m not Kylie’s father.”
Air eased from my lungs. I nodded. “You said as much all along. I believed you.”
“The thing is, they were able to determine parentage based on our similar DNA profiles. You were right in saying the child is a Golden.”
“Is Hill the father?”
“That’s what I thought. We know Hill slept with Starr. But the child isn’t his.”
“The suspense is killing me. Who is Kylie’s dad?”
His expression hardened. “My father.”
I blinked. And blinked some more. My instincts had been lousy with this case. I’d assumed Mary was the killer and Hill was the sperm donor. Both assumptions had been wrong.
Wait. This wasn’t about me. It must be tearing Rafe apart that his former girlfriend slept with his brother and his father. Ick.
“You okay?” I asked.
“I was upset at first. Mad at Starr. Mad at my father. But then I thought about that little kid. Cleo, I have another chance at being a big brother. Kylie’s my new baby sister.”
“Will your dad seek custody?”
“Yes. He’s had the firm’s lawyers on the matter ever since yesterday morning when the results came back. My mother’s furious, naturally. My father confessed he and Starr had casual sex a few times. He wasn’t as conscientious about condoms as he should have been, hence, the unexpected offspring.”
Inside, I deflated. The news had come in yesterday, and he didn’t tell me until now? I edged back in my seat. “Hill must be relieved.”
“Yes and no. Having another Golden in the family involves slicing the company into another segment. Dad wants Kylie to be a full member of the family.”
“Starr’s sister may object. Jenny planned to raise Kylie.”
“We’re working that out. Dad’s going to build them a cottage behind the big house, so Kylie’s address will be Potomac instead of a Madeira trailer park.”
“Has anyone told her yet?”
“Soon. Florie is delighted at the thought of having a little one underfoot again. She loves kids.”
“Kylie is in good hands, then. I’m glad.” And I was. Kylie deserved to be loved by both sides of her family.
The reception hall doors opened and shut. Lexy and her photographer friend walked out, each with cameras around their necks, deep in conversation. She grinned at me. “Hi, Mom. Mr. Golden, have you met my friend John Paul Delong?”
Rafe stood and shook the gawky boy’s hand. “My pleasure.”
“Can we take your picture?” Lexy asked.
“Sure.” Rafe sat down beside me, his arm draped casually along the back of the loveseat. The kids snapped picture after picture until I called a halt. “Enough! Go hound Mama and Bud. This is their shindig.”
Lexy and John Paul exhanged a sheepish glance.
>
My maternal radar pinged. “What?”
“You said hound. Did you know about the dogs?”
She had my attention now. “What dogs?”
“Charla and her girlfriends smuggled the puppies into the reception. They were sleeping in the kitchen, but now they’re running around the parish hall.”
“Oh, dear!” I bolted into the reception room, Rafe following. Puppies were scampering underfoot. The sixty-somethings were nimbly stepping over them and dancing the afternoon away. Jonette sat on the floor, a vibrant pool of blue with a squirming Arnold in her arms. Her Moore for Mayor sash looked as if it had been chewed in half. With a few weeks to go before the election, she had time to order another sash.
“Charlie was right,” I said.
“About what?” Rafe asked.
“The puppies. He knew Jonette would choose Arnold.”
As I watched, Dean leaned down to hug them both. The puppy licked his face, and the deal was sealed. Arnold belonged to Jonette and Dean. Now I needed good homes for Moses and Ariel.
I caught sight of Charla dancing with her friends and hurried to intercept her. “The puppies don’t belong here.”
She didn’t look the least bit repentant. “They wanted to come. They’re part of our family.”
“They’re going to have new families, Charla,” I said gently. “You need to get used to that.”
“I don’t want to think about it.”
“Round the puppies up, except Arnold. Jonette’s taking Arnold home with her. I don’t think you could pry him out of her arms with a crowbar.”
“Oh, Mom. You’re no fun at all.” Charla stomped off, her red curls bouncing with outrage. Oh, to be fifteen again and to have so much passion.
“Wanna dance?” Rafe said.
I did. The slow number suited us both. I tried to let the music take me away, but I couldn’t relax. Rafe and I weren’t on the same sheet of music relationship-wise. I’d risked my life to save his neck, but he couldn’t pick up the phone to call me yesterday about the DNA test? Something wasn’t right. Our level of give and take wasn’t equitable. The debits outweighed the credits.
I trusted and believed in him. Why didn’t he reciprocate?
At the end of the number, he gave me a squeeze and a peck on the cheek. “My headache isn’t going away. I need to go home to peace and quiet. Do you mind?”
“No. I understand.”
“You could surprise me later. In your birthday suit. Or that black nightie I missed out on the other night.”
“We’ll see,” I hedged, not sure if I wanted to jump in the sack with him. What I wanted was a heart-to-heart talk about the speed bumps we were experiencing.
Rafe left, and, perversely, my mood improved. I walked over to talk to Britt’s wife, Melissa.
“You know!” Melissa said.
I nodded.
“I’ve been wanting to hug you ever since I heard the news about Britt’s biological mother.” Melissa threw her arms around me and held on tight. She nodded toward the dance floor where Britt danced with his daughter in his arms. “He’s so proud and happy to have family again.”
“I’m happy about the news. Britt’s a good guy. He already feels like family. It’s awesome news.”
She nodded. “The best. And thanks for helping my sister. Zoe never would have known to look for a life insurance policy if you hadn’t cued her. She said you’re her new accountant.”
“I’m glad she’s doing okay and happy to have her as a paying client.”
I continued around the room, talking to folks, hugging old friends, and ending up in the corner where my ex-husband sat. I plunked down next to him. “How’s it going?” I asked.
“Great, now that you’re here,” he said.
I searched his blue eyes to see if he was telling the truth. For most of our married life, I’d been able to read him. As I gazed into his eyes now, I felt the sincerity of his emotions. He wanted me more than anything. No doubt about that.
He smiled, the freckles on his nose scrunching up as his entire face beamed with happiness. With elegant ease, he rose and bowed. “Mrs. Jones, may I have the honor of this dance?”
It would be in my long-term best interest to keep Charlie Jones at arm’s length. I didn’t want to give him the slightest impression that I was softening in my stance toward him. That old saw echoed in my ears: fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me.
That’s what I thought, but my hand found his. “Of course, Mr. Jones. I’d be delighted to dance with you.”
As the slow dance progressed, I closed my eyes and relaxed in his arms. What did the future hold for me? Would Rafe and I work out our communication issues? Would I give Charlie another chance?
Dime if I knew.
Rather than answer these hard questions, I counted my blessings. I’d solved another complex case, found a cousin, enjoyed a good relationship with my kids, gained a stepdad, and settled my differences with Mama about the house.
In all the ways that counted, I was truly rich.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
* * *
A scientist by training, a romantic at heart, Maggie Toussaint loves to solve puzzles. Whether it’s the puzzle of a relationship or a whodunit, she tackles them with equal aplomb and wonder. Maggie’s previous cozy mysteries from Five Star are In for a Penny, On the Nickel, and Death, Island Style. Her other published works are romantic suspense books, one of which won Best Romantic Suspense in the 2007 National Readers Choice Awards. She freelances for a weekly newspaper. Visit her at www.maggietoussaint.com.
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