Page 85 of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

Rachel smiled sheepishly. “That was all me. I had friends in those places—pen pals—and asked them to put them in the mail. Told them it was part of a practical joke. They never questioned me, not once. Nobody else did either. But Lila? She couldn’t live with the guilt. And she felt so betrayed by Bethany. I think that ate at her more than the guilt over killin’ Chuck. She couldn’t get away fast enough. We were supposed to leave this place together after graduation, but in the end, she didn’t want me to come along with her. She said I reminded her of all the terrible things that’d happened to her in her life. Because I can guarantee you this,” Rachel said, her voice hard, “plenty other bad things happened to her long before I showed up in town.”

“Why’d you stay here?” I asked. “Why didn’t you move if you hated it here so much?”

“Because I made a promise to your mother,” Rachel said. “I promised her I would watch over Chuck’s grave and make sure no one disturbed it. She promised not to sell it, and I would make sure her secret stayed safe. And we both kept up our ends of the bargain.”

I was pretty sure Rachel got a raw deal inthatagreement.

“Did you ever talk to her again?” I asked.

“A few times,” Rachel said with a soft smile. “We met once in Atlanta, but we mostly kept in touch with phone calls and letters. Although we never, ever spoke of Chuck or Bethany again, and in the end, it drove us apart. Still…I’m not sorry. Maybe I should be, but I’m not. People like Chuck Petty are cruel and spiteful, and they don’t grow out of being mean boys like people claim they do. They just grow up and continue to terrorize the meek and mild. Chuck Petty would have crushed people everywhere he went. Maybe even gone on to become mayor, God forbid.”

She blew out a breath. “I’ve lived a good life, and I married a good man. He wasn’t the love of my life, but he understood my limitations and we were good companions. We loved each other in our own way. But if you decide that you need to tell the truth, I’ll accept it, and I’ll go to prison for the part I played in all of it. But I won’t, not for a moment, be sorry that Lila killed him.”

Her lack of remorse worried me, but I also understood wanting someone dead. I hadn’t killed my tormentor and torturer—Colt had—but not for one minute was I sorry he was gone.

“No,” I said. “My mother was the one who killed him, and you did what you thought you needed to do to protect her. I’m grateful for that.” I paused a beat. “But Iamselling my mother’s land. And if Chuck’s body appears one day, then feel free to claim you don’t know anything. I know I will.”

Rachel looked over at Summer.

Summer cleared her throat and sat up straighter. “It sounds like justice was served. But Iwillsay I’m struggling with the fact the Pettys don’t have closure. His brother would like to know what happened to him.”

“Would he, though?” Dixie asked quietly. “Would he want to know that his brother died blackmailing a girl and fought over a gun, possibly with the intent to kill her?”

“Maybe he’d like to know that he finally loved someone more than himself,” Summer said gently. “Once he was shot, he could have turned his anger on Lila, but instead, he mourned her sister. He died crying over her dead body.”

Rachel got to her feet. “I’ll let you all decide what you think is best. My part in this is done.”

Then without another word, she walked out the door.

Chapter Thirty-One

Summer

Something had shifted in Magnolia’s eyes. There was a resolve that hadn’t been there before, like hearing her mother’s story had made her stronger.

She squeezed Colt’s hand and gave him a reassuring smile. “Let’s go home, Colt.”

“You don’t have to tell me twice,” he said as he leaned over and gave her a soft kiss.

Magnolia offered Dixie an apologetic smile. “I think we’re going to take a rain check on that drink.”

“Don’t you worry,” Dixie said with a wave of her hand. “You take your handsome boyfriend home.”

Magnolia swiveled in her seat to face Belinda. She started to say something, but Belinda held up a hand.

“Magnolia, I think you should ride home with Colt. You two have a lot to discuss.”

“But this was supposed to be a girls’ weekend,” Magnolia said with a frown. “I’ll be deserting you.”

“Ithasbeen a girls’ weekend,” Belinda said, placing a reassuring hand on Magnolia’s arm. “And now it’s done.” A sly look lit up her eyes. “Besides,Iwant to take Dixie up on her offer to go out for a drink.”

“What?” Magnolia gasped. “Why?”

Belinda shot Dixie a grin. “Because Idowant to get a drink, and I don’t feel like driving home tonight. I’ll head back tomorrow.”

Magnolia looked horrified. “Then we’ll stay too.” She glanced over her shoulder at Colt, seeking confirmation.

“Of course,” he insisted, looking worriedly at Belinda. “We’ll stick around.” He had to be wonderingwhyshe wanted to stay for a drink. I know I sure did.

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