by Emma Ames
Ridge offered his hand, leaned over and whispered, “I’m not trying to send her to prison. She’s a little upset with me right now.”
Nana motioned him closer and cupped her mouth. “I think she likes you. McAlister women have a thing for lawmen. We think you’re sexy.”
“Thank you, Nana. May I call you Nana?”
“Absolutely. Actually, I may need your help. I can’t find my wristwatch. Someone came into my house and stole it.”
Pattiecake spoke up. “No, you’ve just misplaced it. Saint and I’ll come over this afternoon and help search. This isn’t the first time it’s disappeared, and we always find it. I don’t think we need to get Ridge involved.”
Nana rose and cradled Alexandra. “Excuse me. I need to go to the ladies’ room. Pattiecake, I know you’re trying to help, but someone took the watch. It has diamonds in it.” She strolled away.
Pattiecake shook her head. “Sorry about that. She loses that stupid watch every other day. The last time, Saint found it in the freezer.”
Ridge reclaimed his stool at the counter.
Oleta Harmon waved at Tizzy from across the room. “Have you been to the cemetery lately?”
“Yes, ma’am. I was there this morning, and Herman still hasn’t seen Elvis.”
“Shoot! What about Frank Sinatra?”
“No, ma’am.”
“Dean?”
“No, ma’am.”
“What about John Wayne? Has he seen him?”
“No, ma’am. I’m sorry.”
“Has he seen any movie stars at all?”
“He hasn’t mentioned any.”
“Thanks for checking anyway.” Oleta gave attention to her friend. “Do you think it’s possible they have a Hollywood Heaven where movie stars go? Herman’s been there for over a year and hasn’t seen one yet.”
Fannie Solomon rolled her eyes. “You ever consider all those people you mentioned may not be up there? That would explain why he hasn’t seen any of them.”
“Oh, I hadn’t thought about that. I guess it’s possible.” She craned her neck around Fannie. “But keep checking for me, Tizzy. Okay?”
“Yes, ma’am. I will.”
Tizzy picked up a box and shoved it in front of Ridge.
He snapped his head up. “What’s this?”
She didn’t answer.
He repeated. “What’s this, Tizzy?”
“Your muffins. I’m assuming that’s why you came in.”
“No, it isn’t. I wanted to see you before I left town.”
“You’ve seen me, so now you can go.”
Nana emerged from the ladies’ room. “Hey! Great news, everybody! I found my watch. It was in my girdle!”
The crowd broke into laughter.
Ridge wanted to say more, but Tizzy had disappeared. He laid his money on the counter, then headed for the door.
Pattiecake called after him, “Oh, Ridge? Have a safe trip, and we’ll all look forward to seeing you when you get back.”
From the kitchen, Tizzy yelled. “I heard that, and I wouldn’t bet on it if I were you!”
Chapter Nineteen
As Tizzy helped gather the last of the dirty dishes, Rayann stopped and rested her arms on the counter. “You’ve been quiet today. Got anything to do with Cooper leaving this morning?”
Tizzy started to answer, but the door opened, and Pattiecake and Sugarpie rushed in. “We’re back. I hate you girls missed the funeral. It was quite the show.”
“Tell us all about it. Tizzy needs cheering up. She’s depressed.”
Pattiecake came to her daughter’s side and slipped her arm around her waist. “What’s wrong, sweetie?”
“Nothing.” She shrugged away. “Can’t I have a day when I’m not perky every minute?”
“Sure, you can.” Sugarpie baby talked as she pinched her cheek. “You’ll feel better as soon as Ridge gets back.”
Tizzy stiffened. “I don’t want to talk about him. Tell us about the service.” She cleared Ridge from her mind and listened as Pattiecake and Sugarpie told the story.
“All his kids were there. Marceline, Fayrene, Maudine, Lujean, and Roy Dean. Against their better judgment, they asked John Moody to be a pallbearer. Bless his heart, he has Alzheimer’s, some days are good, and some not so good.”
Pattiecake flopped onto a stool. “The service was going well, but John must have thought it was running a little long. So right about the time Brother McDaniel had Doyce at the pearly gates, John jumped up, waved his hands in the air, and shouted. ‘Preacher, we’ve done all we can do for old Doyce, so let’s throw the dirt on him!’ Lord! Everybody in that church house burst into laughter. Even, Miss Eunice, Doyce’s wife. We hate you girls missed it.”
“Speaking of entertainment, do we have everything ready for the party tomorrow?”
Tizzy nodded. “My list is complete. The tee-shirts are here. The cake is made, and Daddy has all the fixings for the cookout. If the weather cooperates, we’ll be in good shape.” She smiled at Rayann. “Are you excited?”
Rayann’s voice trilled. “Yeah. Dwayne and I won’t swim. I don’t want to mess up my hair.”
“Right. You need to be pretty for the pictures.”
Rayann glanced toward the door. “There’s a delivery truck. Looks like somebody’s getting flowers.”
“Probably for you, from Bubba.”
The bride-to-be went to accept the delivery. “Nope. Card says, Margie Lou.”
Tizzy jerked the envelope away from her and slid the card out. “I hate him.”
Her mother stared at her. “What does it say?”
Rayann grabbed it and smirked. “It says—I’m sorry, and signed, you know who.”
“That’s enough!” Sugarpie cocked her head. “He has groveled—sent you flowers—and saved your life. You’ve got to make up with him. I’m right. Aren’t I, Pattiecake?”
“Absolutely. One hundred percent. Totally. Without a doubt.”
“I get it! You luv Trooper Cooper. You’re all on his side.” Her stomach cramped. Her head throbbed, and her lungs lost their capacity. Why did he have to be so loveable? Why did Gracie like him so much? Why couldn’t Tizzy stop thinking about him?
“That’s not true, sweetie. We would never choose him over you.” Pattiecake slipped her arm around her daughter’s shoulders.
“All of you think Ridge Cooper is the man for me?” Tizzy swallowed hard. Her mouth had gone dry, but she choked out the words. “He isn’t. He’ll only be here for a while, then he’ll go back to his life in Dallas, and I’ll stay here with mine. Besides, I hardly think a shrub and a simple apology qualifies as groveling.”
“C’mon, Tizzy, all we’re saying is a good man is interested in you. He’s crazy about Gracie, and she feels the same way about him. In the hospital, I saw the way you two looked at each other. If you want to admit it or not, you have feelings for him. I’m your mother. You should listen to me.”
“I don’t deny there’s chemistry between us. I’m saying we can’t let it go anywhere. Besides, have you forgotten he thinks I killed Marlene?”
“He doesn’t think that for a minute,” Pattiecake said. “He’s upset because you didn’t tell him everything.”
“Maybe so, but he infuriates me!”
Rayann sat down next to her. “See how fired up you get when you talk about him. Girl, if the mention of his name gets you this excited, imagine what would happen if you—you know. She cut her eyes toward Tizzy’s mom. “Sorry, Pattiecake.”
“Honey, no need to apologize. I’m thinking the same thing.”
“Momma! Since when do you approve of me fornicating? All my life, you’ve said, ‘Tizzy, make those boys keep their hands to themselves, and you keep your hands to yourself,’ and now, you’re encouraging me to break those rules?” She placed fingers to her temples and massaged in circles. “Lord, what is this world coming to? Y’all need to settle down. Stay out of my business and my love life!”
“Listen, s
weetie. Why do you think you have so many jobs?”
Tizzy opened her mouth to answer, but her mother cut her off.
“I’ll tell you. You’re trying to fill a void, and you think work is the answer. Maybe Ridge isn’t the man for you, but it’s time you date again. I know you’re scared. You’ve suffered a great loss at an early age, and you don’t want to risk that kind of heartbreak again, but you can’t live like that. Love always involves risks. Since Boone died, you’ve focused on Gracie, and you’re a good mother, but you’re keeping her from having a daddy. We tease you, but we want you to be happy more than anything.”
Tears pooled in Tizzy’s eyes. Part stress. Part regret. She’d made a terrible mistake. “FYI, I have a date for the party tomorrow, and it’s not with Ridge.”
Rayann’s eyes got as big as marbles. “Oh. My. Lord. Who?”
Tizzy placed her thumb and finger at the top of her nose to stop the tears, then remembered that technique was for nosebleeds. So much for cutting off the waterworks. She wanted Ridge, but what would be the point in pursuing him? He’d be leaving soon, and she couldn’t allow herself to get more interested than she already was. “Jared Medina.”
“What did you do, retain him as your lawyer and ask him out at the same time?”
“Why not? He’s handsome, single, and gainfully employed. I could do worse.”
“It’s a bad decision, that’s all. I’ll be willing to bet the entire time you’re with him. You’ll be thinking about you know who.”
“Amen to that,” Pattiecake said.
“Uh-huh,” Sugarpie agreed.
Tizzy removed her apron, tossed it on the counter, and gathered her purse. “I’m going to get a drink. I have a splitting headache.”
Rayann followed her. “Hey, don’t forget your azalea.” She shoved the pot into Tizzy’s arms.
She zipped across the street to her van. A blast of hot air hit her in the face as she opened the door. She placed the plant on the front seat next to her and laid her head on the steering wheel. Her chest hurt. Her stomach ached. She started the engine, and another gust of scorching air shot out from the air conditioner. She hated all the questions. Advice. Hot weather. Him. But most of all, she hated they were right.
Minutes later, she arrived at the tavern, clutched the pot in one hand, and went inside. Except for two men sitting at a back table, the place was empty. She sank onto a stool and set the plant on the counter. “Hey, Daddy, can I get a shot of tequila?”
He gave his brows a quick lift. “You’re about three hours early for work. What’s wrong, baby-girl? Whatever the problem is, you think a shot will fix it?”
“No, but it’ll make me feel better.”
“Nice plant. Who sent it?”
She clenched her teeth. “You know who.”
“Ah—Cooper.”
“Yeah. But the card was actually signed you know who. He thinks he’s so clever, sending me an azalea, in place of roses. What kind of man apologizes by sending a shrub?”
She stretched her arm out across the bar and laid her head on it.
“I reckon the two of you are still on the outs. Your momma told me you’re mad at him. Do you want to talk about it?”
She rolled her eyes up. “No. I mean, yes. I don’t know.” She waited for him to say something, but he didn’t.
“What Daddy? You’re not full of advice? Momma, Sugarpie, and Rayann are. They think I should forgive, forget, and jump into bed with him.”
“Whoa, whoa, whoa, sweetie. You’ll never hear me tell you to do that with anybody. As for the advice, they just want you to be happy, and you already know what to do about Cooper without any help from us.”
“No, Daddy, I don’t.”
He leaned down, rested his arms on the counter, and clasped her hands in his. “Oh, I think you do. Tell me. Since he came to town, do you think about him a little, a lot, or constantly?”
“Somewhere between a lot and all the time.”
“Uh-huh. When you see him, do you get that little flutter in your stomach?”
She opened her mouth then clamped it shut again.
He chuckled. “Guys get it too. When we see the one we want, we get butterflies the same as you women.” He leaned in close. “That’s a guy secret, so don’t go spreading it around. I still feel that way when I tease your momma about something, and she flashes those eyes at me.”
Tizzy reached across and hugged him. “I love you, Daddy.”
“I love you, too.”
“So I guess they’re right. I should jump in the sack with him.” She laughed.
“Whoa! Too much information. You still need that shot?”
“Naw, I guess not.”
Chapter Twenty
During the two-hour drive to Dallas, Ridge thought of nothing except the argument with Tizzy. He played out a dozen different plans to get back in her good graces. Graces—Gracie—yeah, she’s the ticket. Unscrupulous? Maybe. But he faced the cold hard truth. Regardless of the case and Tizzy’s possible involvement, he had feelings for her. Stronger than he’d ever had for any woman.
Traffic inched bumper to bumper, and he hated the slow pace. Brownsboro had spoiled him. He could get everywhere fast. The downside, there wasn’t much of an everywhere. Without the work assignment, he wondered if he’d tolerate how little the town offered. But then again, there was Tizzy.
He parked his cruiser, removed his bag, and made a quick inspection of the parking lot. He breathed a sigh of relief. He didn’t see Ava’s car. If his luck held out, she’d be booked for flights, and if not— he’d deal with her.
He opened the front door, beelined straight to the thermostat, and adjusted the temperature. He stripped down to his tee-shirt and boxers, then pulled on a pair of running shorts. After a quick trip to the mailbox, he was back inside sorting through advertisements and magazines.
He took a bottle of water from the fridge, sat in his favorite chair, and thumbed through Sports Illustrated. Within a few minutes, he slumped deep into the cushions and rested his head against the back. Jeez, he was tired. All those restless nights caught up with him.
A distant car alarm startled him awake. Disoriented at first, it took him a minute to remember he was in his Dallas apartment and not the old house in Brownsboro. He glanced over at the clock—two a.m., he’d been out longer than he thought.
Stiff from sleeping in the chair, he rolled his neck one way and then the other. He stared into the darkness and thoughts of Tizzy drifted into his brain again. He missed having her right across the lawn. He laughed to himself. So near, yet so far away.
He wondered about her reaction to the azalea. It may have been a stupid idea, but she’d prepared a flower bed for them, and he wanted her to know he’d paid attention. More than anything, he hoped he’d learn something at the hotel to mark Tizzy off the list of suspects for good.
At fifteen minutes past nine, Ridge strode into the Radcliff and approached a clerk who wore a name tag identifying her as Rachel. If Marlene had been having an affair here, she was doing it in style. Marble floors, crystal chandeliers, and in the center of the lobby, a large pool with two black swans, leisurely swimming.
The young woman raised her eyes and spied his badge. “May I help you, officer?”
After introducing himself, he presented a list from Marlene’s credit card statements. “I’d like to speak to the person working reservations on these dates.”
She studied the page, then punched something into her computer. “Check-in was always Friday afternoon, so that would be Allen Nobles. He should be here in about an hour, if you’d like to wait, here’s a complimentary coupon to our brunch. I’ll send for you when he arrives.”
Ridge thanked her for the ticket and went into the dining area, glad he’d skipped breakfast.
A middle-aged waitress with a weathered face and husky voice set his cup upright and poured steaming coffee to the brim. “I’m Fern, and I’ll be your server. You doing okay?”
“Fine tha
nks, and you?”
“Same. Would you like cream or sugar?”
“Just black.”
“Juice, milk, water?”
“A glass of water.”
She poured and recited the brunch choices. “You can go through the buffet or order from the menu.”
Ridge studied the selections for a moment. “What would you recommend?”
“They’re all good, but I like the Southwest Omelet.”
“Well, Fern. I’ll go with your recommendation. You worked here long?”
“Twelve years.”
“Would you mind if I asked you some questions?”
“About what?”
He presented Marlene’s picture. “Have you ever seen this woman?”
“That’s Mrs. Weston. She’s been coming here for a long time. Why? Did something happen to her or her husband?”
“She came with her husband?”
“Yeah. Big tipper.”
Ridge laid out Carl’s photo. “This him?”
She shook her head. “No. Her husband is more handsome than that guy.”
He slid Kyle Richmond’s snapshot next to them. “What about this man?”
“That’s him.”
It didn’t get any better than this. The first person questioned offered exactly what Ridge hoped for. Marlene and the man she really wanted were involved in a long-term relationship. He couldn’t wait to speak to Allen Nobles.
Ridge had just finished his meal when Rachel came and led him to a small office where a thirty-something man waited. Ridge didn’t waste time. After introductions, he started by showing Marlene’s picture. “Did she always arrive alone?”
“Yes, sir. But a man I assumed was her husband joined her later. He’d come on Friday night, but she checked out by herself on Sunday.”
Ridge placed Richmond’s picture in front of him. “Is this the man?”
“Yes, sir.”
“Is he the only person who ever came with her?”
“A young boy and girl usually joined her for Sunday brunch. I assumed they were her children.”
“Do you recognize either of these people?” He dropped Carl and Norma’s photos onto the desk.
“Not him for sure.” He picked up Norma’s and narrowed his eyes. “Her—maybe. She resembles a woman who came a few times, but she had blonde hair, not dark.”
