“No, stay put. I had to do it, Gran. It’s part of the strategy to keep Sally out of jail. She was going to have to be on suicide watch anyway. Did you want that to be in the jail? How closely do you think they could watch her there? The place is notoriously overcrowded.” Billy helped his grandmother into her recliner. Her lipstick was bitten off and she looked pale. There were dark circles under her eyes that some kind of white makeup hadn’t been able to hide. Damn it, Gran looked older than she had even a few weeks ago. Sally and her drunk driving had done this. If it wouldn’t kill his grandmother, he’d let his aunt rot in jail.
“They won’t let me see her, Billy. She’s locked in. Like a crazy person.” Gran pulled out a wad of tissues and pressed them to her eyes. “I hate this!”
“I had no choice. I’m trying to get her help. You saw how depressed she was. She needed to be evaluated. I called it a strategy but I think—” Billy hated to say it, “Hell, she may really be sick. Might try to kill herself again. She’s not thinking straight.” Shannon’s hand slipped into his and he held on.
“You’re right. I saw it. She doesn’t care about anything. Just lays there. Won’t talk, eat, nothing.” Gran wiped her eyes. “I have to trust you on this. You’re trying. That’s all I can ask.” She pushed herself out of her chair. “Now let me look at you two. My, oh, my but you make a handsome couple.” She picked up her phone. “Show me again, Billy, how to take a picture with this fancy thing.”
“It’s easy.” Billy punched it on. “See? The icon that looks like a little camera? Touch it to turn it on. Then a button appears on the bottom. When you want to show your friends the picture, you just hit photos next to the camera icon.”
“So complicated. What’s wrong with using a real camera?” She aimed her phone at them, pressing it to her eye. “I can’t see a dadgummed thing.”
“Hold it out a little, Gran. Then you can see us.” Billy tried not to laugh at her. “A real camera uses film and then you’d have to make a trip to the drugstore, get it developed. How long would that take? Now you’ll have the picture instantly.”
“All right. Let me try.” She stabbed her phone with a fingernail. “You moved. Let me do it again.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t hit it so hard, Gran.” Shannon bit her lip, also holding back a laugh. “And warn us when you’re going to take it. So we can pose, put on our best smiles.” She slipped her arm around Billy’s waist. “Can we stand somewhere else? I don’t like those bars behind me. Like I’m in jail.”
“Oh, child.” Gran’s voice quavered. “Yes, move. In front of the drapes.” She waved them over. “That’s better. If I ever get to see Sally, I’ll want to show her. Not with you looking like jailbirds either.” She aimed the phone, gently poking the glass several times. “Billy, come show me what I’ve got now. If the pictures took.”
“They took. But they might be blurry.” He stood behind her. “Hey, these are all right. I’m sending them to my phone. I’ll get Mai to make some prints for you. You’d like that, wouldn’t you?”
“Yes!” Gran smiled when he scrolled through the photos with her. “Shannon, come see. You two look so pretty. A perfect couple.”
Shannon looked over her shoulder. “I’d like a copy too, Billy.” She smiled up at him. “I’ll put one on my desk at the office.”
“Consider it done.” He put his phone away. “We’d better go.” He kissed Gran on the cheek. “I’ll let you know how things move along with Sally. She has to stay in the hospital for a while. She’ll see a psychiatrist, maybe be put on some medication, whatever they recommend. If we’re lucky, it’ll be enough to convince a judge that rehab is a better option than jail. At the least, she’ll have time to heal, in mind and body.”
“It’s just so hard.” Gran followed them to the door. “But I know we have no choice.” She managed a smile when she saw the limo. “Look at that. Showing off for your girl, Billy?” She stepped out on the porch. “You young’uns move along now. Scoot!” She waved her hands at the group of teens who’d gathered around the front of the car.
Billy saw Stan talking to them, apparently not bothered by the crowd of boys and girls who waved at Gran. The boys bowed and tipped their ball caps before they all strolled back toward their usual corner.
“You’ve got them trained.” Billy gave her a hug. Damn it, she felt fragile, bony.
“I told you. I feel sorry for them. A couple of them used to live in those apartments down the street. Some developer bought them and the warehouse next door. Evicted every family. Now they’re either homeless or doubling up in the rent houses while they try to find something else.” She shook her head. “I slip them cookies and a few dollars now and then.”
“Gran, that’s not a good idea.” Billy frowned as an expensive black SUV drove slowly down the street. The tinted windows kept whoever was inside hidden, but it had all the trappings—fancy hubcaps, sound system that vibrated the pavement—that the kids on the corner admired. It wasn’t the first of its type he’d seen in the neighborhood. The teens tried to get it to stop, waving and shouting at it, but it turned the corner and sped away. That was a relief at least. Drug dealer? Pimp? Or just a local kid who’d made good? Any of those was a possibility.
“Leave me alone, Billy. I’ll do what I please. You two run along.” She waved them away this time. “I guess there will be dancing. A ball, you said.”
“Yes, Gran. Billy’s a good dancer.” Shannon held onto his arm.
“He is. Runs in the family. His granddad could cut quite a rug. We loved to go out on a Saturday night.” She looked wistful. “Big band music. That was our favorite. Can’t find it anymore. No partner anyway with his grandpa gone.”
“So what are you going to do tonight, Gran?” Billy felt guilty, leaving her alone in this sketchy neighborhood.
“Don’t worry about me. Fran is coming over, bringing a pot of her famous spaghetti and a couple of DVDs. Girls’ night.” Gran shook her head. “Didn’t I say run along?” She stepped back inside the house and locked the burglar bars. “Have fun. Make him dance every dance, Shannon.”
“I will.” She pulled him down the steps. “We’re going to be late if we don’t get moving. There’s the dinner first and they’ll put us at a table near the front. The chairman should invite us to the podium to say a few words. Don’t worry, I’ll handle it. You can just stand and be acknowledged as a sponsor.”
“I’m sure you will handle it. Rubber chicken, I guess.” He thanked Stan when he held the door for them to get in the limo. “Kids bother you?”
“Naw. I remember what it was like growing up here. They’re bored. Need something to do and a way to make money that’s legal. I told them to get back in school. Not that they’ll listen to a geezer like me.” Stan laughed. He and Billy were the same age. “You know how it is. When you’re sixteen, you know everything.”
“Yeah. Until some shithead comes along and proves that you don’t.” He and Stan bumped fists before the driver slammed the door shut. “This area needs a community center, someplace for those kids to hang out. Outreach and job training too.” He turned to Shannon. “Maybe we can work on that together.”
Her eyes lit up. “I’d love that.”
Billy sat back and listened to her talk. She’d worked for years as a volunteer helping others and was full of ideas on how to provide options for these kids and the neighborhood. Maybe that developer would consider donating a unit that could be turned into a rec room for the cause. He’d get Albert on it. Find out who’d purchased the property. Convince them that helping the community could be a win-win, improving the area along with property values and maybe get a tax write-off.
Shannon had a good heart. It was great to see more evidence of that. Instead of worrying about Gran in this place, he should start doing something to make it better. They pulled out from the curb and Billy asked Stan to stop next to the kids. He ran down his wind
ow.
“Hey, thanks for looking out for my grandmother.”
One of the boys, the obvious leader, hitched up his jeans and walked over. “She’s cool.”
“Yeah, she is. My man Stan says you guys might be looking for work.”
“Oh, yeah? Well, he be wrong.” The kid sniffed. “We got plenty to do. Right here.”
“Oh, I get it. Neighborhood Watch.” Billy pulled out his card. “Well, I know things can change. So if you decide you want to do something that pays a little better, call me. I might be able to hook you up.”
“What are you? Some kind of do-gooder?” The kid leaned in. “A rich one for sure. Pretty lady wid ya.”
“Yes, she is. She likes to help people. So maybe I want to do some good.” Billy smiled. “Makes me look good to her, know what I mean?”
The kid cackled. “Hell, yeah.” He glanced back at one of the girls who wore shorts so tiny they should have been illegal. “I sure do.” He glanced down at the card. “If you’re throwin’ money around, maybe I’ll check this out.”
“You do that.” Billy felt Shannon’s tug on his sleeve. “Got to go. Keep those eyes open, Watchman.” He pressed a large bill into the boy’s hand. “Call me if anyone hassles my grandma. Got it?”
“Uh-huh. We’ll be on the job, rich guy.”
The last thing Billy saw as he buzzed up the window was the tip of the boy’s cap.
“Neighborhood Watch?” Shannon smiled at him.
“Hey, it’s a start. Can’t hurt to have them on my side.” Billy frowned. “I didn’t like the looks of that SUV that drove past. Did you notice it?”
“No.” She’d pulled out her lipstick and compact. “I’m thinking about the ball. This will be our first public outing as a couple. Will you mind if we get publicity? The gossip columnist for the newspaper will link us, take a picture.”
“Great. I want to put the other men in town on notice.” He slung his arm around her shoulders. “Shannon Calhoun is mine.” He laughed when she pursed her lips. But he couldn’t help himself. He glanced back. Was that the same black SUV behind them? Stan merged them into the downtown traffic. Now there were so many cars, so many dark SUVs for that matter, he couldn’t tell. Maybe he was getting paranoid. Like those crazy Exiles. But he was glad he’d put the word out to watch Gran. He just hoped those kids took him seriously and called before anything went down.
* * * *
Shannon remembered why she’d looked forward to the ball as soon as they walked into the enormous ballroom in the luxurious downtown hotel. The committee had outdone itself with the decorations. This year’s theme was taken from one of the ballet’s most popular offerings, Swan Lake. The ballroom had been turned into a pink, silver, and white fairyland. There were swans everywhere. Table decorations were white and silver with mirrored “lakes” and miniature swans floating across them. Some members of the ballet corps wore their feathered costumes and directed guests toward the silent auction items along one wall. The ball was obviously a sellout, judging by the size of the crowd.
Before dinner was served, a popular band played. Shannon and Billy went straight to the dance floor. They fit together so perfectly that she couldn’t resist letting him hold her too close. They swayed to the music, moving as one. Their relationship was certainly out in the open now. Anyone who saw them dancing like that would be able to tell they were more than lawyer and client. She was glad. In her own way, she was claiming Billy Pagan.
Dinner was accompanied by full wine glasses. No rubber chicken for this well-heeled crowd. Not when tables cost five figures. Tender medallions of beef, roasted vegetables, and a chocolate soufflé were delicious. A hovering waiter was eager to keep the wine flowing, but Shannon just sipped and shook her head when offered a refill even though it was a decent red. She was having a wonderful time and didn’t need the buzz.
Ethan and his date sat on one side of them. When Shannon found out that the beautiful woman was his boss at Calhoun, she was tempted to razz him about it. But it was a relief to see her little brother with an intelligent woman for a change. Didn’t matter that Amanda was almost Shannon’s age. Ethan could use the steadying influence.
Mason and Cassidy were on their other side. They’d arrived just as dinner was served and were full of plans. The Christmas Eve wedding was going on, despite some pushback from the church where Mason’s family had been members for decades. They had to work around holiday services. Shannon liked how the two glowed with happiness. When Billy’s hand reached for hers, she turned to look at him. Was he wondering if she was ready for something like that? A dream wedding? She touched his lip, wiping away a bit of chocolate, and he smiled. Her breath caught. There was nothing she wanted more at this moment than to spend the rest of her life with him.
The clang of spoons hitting water glasses broke the spell. The chairwoman of the event, Mindy Foster, glowing in a vivid pink and silver designer gown, stood at the head table. She paused dramatically to scan the room before thanking the crowd for their generosity. She reminded them to hit the silent auction while the band played again after dinner for their dancing pleasure. Then she focused on the Calhoun table.
“Underwriting the expenses of the evening allows us to support the arts even more generously. When the price of oil dropped, we were worried we’d lose our sponsors, but, here they are again, dipping into their wallets for the cause. How about some applause for the Calhoun family from Calhoun Petroleum and their new friend, attorney William P. Pagan? Thanks to them, we can truthfully say that every dollar we raise here tonight will go to the programs the ballet will be putting on in the coming year. Isn’t that wonderful?” Mindy waved toward their table.
Shannon and Billy, along with Ethan and Cassidy, stood to wild applause and waved to the crowd. Then Mindy invited everyone to enjoy the dancing as the band began to play.
Wait. What? Where was the invitation to speak to the crowd? Shannon had prepared remarks and had been ready to drag Billy toward the podium. But it was clear that was all they were getting. That wave. At the very least there should have been a gracious speech about the many good works Calhoun Petroleum did for the city of Houston. And, damn it, accolades for Billy as the leading criminal lawyer in Houston.
Shannon couldn’t believe Mindy had let her personal feelings influence the way she’d handled their sponsorship. But then why should she be surprised? Mindy had taken what used to be a close friendship and decided Shannon was her bitter enemy years ago. Their rivalry went back to their days as young debutantes, both eager to lead the pack in Houston society. When Shannon had resigned from the chairmanship, she was sure Mindy had felt like she’d won the volunteer lottery as she’d stepped in to take charge of the ball. Well, she’d done a great job, no surprise there. Mindy was a ruthless perfectionist, everyone who’d ever worked with her knew that.
As soon as the band started again and everyone left the dinner tables to dance or hit the silent auction, she saw Mindy, flushed with success, accepting congratulations on what had proved to be a wonderful evening. If she got the chance, she would compliment Mindy too.
“So no speech after all.” Billy smiled as he led her toward the silent auction items.
“No.” Shannon wasn’t about to whine about it. But she might let Mindy know what she thought if she got the chance.
“What do you think?” Billy was eyeing the offerings at the auction table. “A guided hiking trip up Machu Picchu? Or a luxury cruise on a private yacht in the Mediterranean?”
“What?” Shannon watched him sign his name on one of the bid sheets.
“For a honeymoon.” He grinned when her mouth dropped open.
“If that was a proposal, I think you’d better try again, Pagan. In a much more romantic setting than a crowded ballroom with, oh, about nine hundred people around us. And it had better not have been the hike you bid on. My feet still hurt from the last one.” She stumb
led when someone bumped into her on their way to check a bid sheet. Billy caught her and pulled her close.
“I’ll take that as a yes.” He kissed her, breaking it off when she gave him a gentle shove.
“There you are. A little late, weren’t you? I noticed that you didn’t arrive until cocktail hour was almost over. I was shocked, Shannon. That was always your favorite part of any party.” Mindy Foster stared down at the sheet on the table. “Goodness. You must really want that cruise, Mr. Pagan.”
“Billy.” He held out his hand. “Mrs. Foster. I hear you organized this shindig. Everything looks great. Makes me proud to be a co-sponsor with Calhoun Petroleum.”
“Why, thank you.” She smiled and looked pointedly to where he still had his arms around Shannon. “Are you two an item? Is this co-sponsor thing more than just a business arrangement?”
“The room looks beautiful, Mindy. Good job.” Shannon put a few inches between herself and Billy. “Yes, Billy and I are dating. But Billy decided to be generous to the ballet and some other good causes Calhoun supports because he believes in them too. It would have been nice to have the opportunity to tell the crowd that.”
“You know no one wants to hear boring speeches after dinner, Shannon.” Mindy scanned the room. “Besides, starting tomorrow everyone will know why Calhoun Petroleum hired a criminal attorney to represent it.”
“What do you mean?” Shannon didn’t like Mindy’s smirk.
“I’ll tell you in a minute.” Mindy waved an elegant hand at a man across the room. “I bet you know my date, Billy. Rand Pierce? Of Phester, Meinie, and Pierce. Top oil and gas attorneys in the state.” She smiled. “Oh, good. He’s coming over.” She smoothed her low-cut bodice, the silver beading sparkling under the lights. “Too bad you dropped off the committee, Shannon. Did you notice? We’re all wearing shades of pink tonight. So pretty with the theme. Your red? Unfortunate.”
“Shannon looks beautiful in red. And of course, I know Rand.” Billy wore his alligator smile. “The fact that I’m a criminal lawyer is immaterial. I represent Calhoun because I’m a friend of the family.”
Texas Pride Page 23
