Page 111 of Deception

Madison hesitated. It would push her to come back to the house, but she understood Bri’s need to see Dani. “Sure.”

The girl was still staring at Vivian Hawkins as they walked out together. Madison understood Bri’s feelings—there was something off about Vivian. Or maybe it was the sadness that emanated from her ... with good reason. It was plain she still grieved for the man she was supposed to marry.

Vivian stopped at her RAV4. “I wasn’t at whatever restaurant the young lady thought she saw me, but I do eat out occasionally, especially lunch. Perhaps we can get together for a sandwich sometime before you leave town. I could even give you a tour of the Old Jail.”

“Perhaps we can.” Maybe the woman was just lonely.

A text chimed on her phone, and she checked it. Clayton. Why was he coming to the house? She hadn’t seen him since he drove them to the hospital to see Dani Saturday morning. And she wasn’t sure she wanted to see him now. Cancel that. She was sure she didn’t want to see him. She’d spent way too much time every night remembering his kisses instead of sleeping.

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Clayton pulled into Judge Anderson’s drive, blocking Madison’s Impala just as a RAV4 drove away. She climbed out of her car, and he met her halfway.

“Why are you blocking me?”

“How are you?”

They’d both spoken at the same time. “You go first,” he said.

“I need you to let me out. I have an appointment with Grandfather’s lawyer and I’m running behind.”

“I’ll take you.”

“Do you really think that’s necessary?”

“Whoever wrote the note left at the hospital is not stable.” Surely she hadn’t forgotten what the note said.“Revenge is mine, not the Lord’s.” “The person could change their focus from your family to you at any time. You are wearing body armor?”

“It’s become a second skin,” she said dryly.

Clayton opened the passenger door of his SUV. “Your carriage awaits, milady.”

“Oh, all right.”

After he climbed in on the driver’s side and fastened his seat belt, she gave him the lawyer’s address that turned out to be right downtown. He parked out front and turned to her. “Are you okay? I know this isn’t easy.”

“I’m fine.”

She didn’t sound fine.

Madison took a deep breath and blew it out. “Growing up with a bipolar mother taught me how to compartmentalize, put my emotions on ice, at least until I get everything taken care of.”

“I don’t know if that’s healthy.”

“Healthy or not, it’s the way I deal with things.” She opened her door.

“Hold up.”

“You’re not going in with me.”

“Just to the waiting area.”

An hour later, Madison returned to the lobby, and he escorted her to the SUV. “How’d it go?” he asked once he pulled away from the office.

“All right, I suppose. Grandfather made me executor of his will, which was no surprise. That means I’ll be in and out of Natchez for the next few months taking care of everything.”

He couldn’t stop the smile that spread across his face or the way the news lifted his heart. “Where to now?”

“Back to the house to get dressed, then Bri and I are going to check on Dani. After that, I’ll drop her off before I drive to the church by twelve.”

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