Page 20 of Seductive Nights

Stepping out to the bar he continued to formulate his argument for the town council meeting.

12

Aknock sounded on the front door. Margo stared at herself in the full-length mirror in her bedroom. White slacks and a flowing white sleeveless top with tiny blue flowers on it were what she'd chosen this morning. More due to the heat than anything. She turned to answer the door, but her sister Carley rushed out of the spare bedroom.

"I'll get it."

Margo halted and decided to dig through the safe at the back of her closet. That's where they kept all of their important documents. The business incorporation papers, estate planning, deed to the house and business. All of it was in there for fire and theft protection.

She dug to the back of the safe and found the deep blue folder where her estate planning documents were safely tucked inside. She opened it to confirm the contents. Margo Elizabeth Price was typed in bold letters. She knelt to reach further to the back. The other deep blue folder containing Logan's estate documents was not in there. A pit grew in her stomach. She had a feeling this was not going to be a good day for her again. Another crap to be taken on the top of Margo, just as the past two weeks had done to her. She stepped from the bedroom, hugging the blue folder to her body, and heard Carley speaking to another woman.

As she entered the living room, she saw Hanna Valentine. She hadn't seen Hanna in years.

"Hi, Hanna, how are you?"

"I'm good, Margo. I came to, well, bring you these."

Hanna held out a little pink box in front of her. "I made these cinnamon rolls. I'm not sure if you're aware, but I'm back in town and running my grandmother's bakery. Mom retired. But I revived grandma's cinnamon roll recipe and they've been a hit in town, so I thought I'd bring you some as an offer of condolences and friendship."

Margo's heartbeat increased. Here was sweet Hanna Valentine offering her gifts of condolences, and all Margo wanted to do was kick Logan in the balls. "Well, thank you, Hanna. That's very nice of you."

"I know this can be a hard time. But I wanted to offer you a shoulder, if you needed one, although it looks like..." Hanna turned to Carley. "You have a great one right here. But if you ever need someone to speak with, I just wanted to let you know I'm here. My friend Grace, also." Hanna smiled, then rushed to continue. "Which, by the way, I'm not sure if you're interested, but tonight my fiancée, Quinn Kurtz, from Kurtz Construction Company..."

Margo smiled, "Yes, I know Quinn. I just helped him with the barracks deal."

"Yes, that's right." Poor Hanna seemed frazzled or nervous. "Well, Quinn and his friend, Sid, who owns Miracle Garage on Main Street, will be at the Legion with area veterans, and Sid's wife Grace and I are going to the Sandbar to enjoy a couple of drinks. There's a band playing. Anyway, I'd like to extend the offer to you and Carley. Please join us. It's nothing formal. Casual dress. It's going to be a beautiful evening. The temperature is supposed to cool down to the mid- seventies which will be perfect for sitting out on the beach and listening to some music."

Carley rushed. "Oh my God, that sounds like so much fun. Margo we've got to go. We need to get out of the house. Please let's go out."

Margo hesitated. She wasn't sure she'd be good company after whatever was about to happen at Grant Park's office.

Did it look right? So soon after Logan's death, did it look right for her to be out?

"I don't know if it would be right, so soon after Logan's death, doesn't it look like I'm out scouting the town?"

Carley shook her head. "You're single. Logan's been dead almost a week. The old rules don't apply these days and you are still alive. And having a drink with lady friends and listening to music isn't scouting. At least not the last time I checked."

She hesitated and bit her bottom lip. She wasn't ready to let the town know what Logan had been up to. It was embarrassing.

Hanna shrugged, "Well, I mean, I don't want to put pressure on you, but I wanted you to know that Grace and I will be there, and we will hold the table open for you, too. If you care to join us. I hope to see you there."

She turned to leave, and Carley nudged Margo. "Let's go, Margo. Let's go."

Margo swallowed. "We'll see you there tonight, Hanna. Thank you for the invitation."

Hanna smiled brightly. "That's great. We're happy to have you join us. Seven o'clock."

"We'll be there."

"Jace. He's a friend of Quinn and Sid's. He saves us a table up near the stage. It's not right in front, so the music isn't too loud. It's off to the side, but we have a great view. Plus, we're close to the water. It's perfect."

At the mention of Jace's name, Margo flinched.

Carley seemed incredibly excited and rushed in. "Oh my gosh, that is so fun. Thank you so much for the invitation. We'll be there for sure. Right, Margo?"

She grabbed Margo's arm and squeezed tightly. Margo nodded woodenly. Maybe it would be fun.

"Yes, we'll be there at seven. Thank you for the invitation."

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