Page 86 of Let Sleeping Dogs Lie

“Don’t be silly,” Belinda said with a soft shake of her head. “You two need to head back. Besides, doesn’t Southern Belles have a big catering job tomorrow? Tilly will be fit to be tied if you’re not there to help.”

Colt’s brow furrowed, obviously not pleased that Belinda was planning to stay behind.

Belinda got to her feet and laughed. “You two look like you’re about to go to a funeral. I’m a grown woman perfectly capable of driving home by myself. I’ll head back in the morning and make it back in plenty of time for my appointment with my client.”

“She’ll be in good hands,” Dixie said, getting out of her chair and looping her arm through Belinda’s. “You two lovebirds head home, and Belinda, Summer, and I will have a girls’ night out.” She aimed a devilish grin at Colt. “No boys allowed.”

Magnolia still looked torn, but Belinda marched past her and out the front door. Magnolia and Colt got up and followed her, while Dixie and I trailed behind.

Belinda opened the trunk of her car and pulled out a navy-blue suitcase, setting it on the sidewalk. “Colt, come grab this. Magnolia, why don’t you get your stuff out of the car?”

Magnolia released a short laugh. “Why do I feel like I’m being evicted?”

“Don’t be silly,” Belinda said, shutting the trunk lid and putting her hands on her hips. “I’m gifting you with a long drive with your boyfriend.”

“She’s totally evictin’ her,” Dixie whispered into my ear.

I was getting the same vibe.

Magnolia threw her arms around Belinda, giving her a tight hug. Once Magnolia released her, Colt hugged her next, whispering something into her ear. Belinda nodded slightly and gave Colt a tight smile. “You two go on, now. I love you both.”

“We love you too,” Magnolia and Colt said in unison, then reluctantly gathered Magnolia’s things out of Belinda’s car. They carried everything to Colt’s sedan, then waved before they got in and pulled away.

Belinda stood on the sidewalk watching them leave, then turned to Dixie and me. “I’m not stayin’ in that flea trap on the edge of town, so what other motels do you recommend?”

Dixie’s mouth parted, probably as shocked as I was that the soft-spoken Belinda had been so direct. “I have a feelin’ you won’t be driving after we leave the Jackhammer, so why don’t you stay in Summer’s room? She can stay with Luke tonight.”

I considered protesting that she was shipping me off to Luke’s without consulting me first, but I could see that Dixie was probably right. Belinda had the look of a woman who needed a couple of stiff drinks. I wasn’t sure what was going on, but I was curious enough to want to stick around, and Dixie had gone into mother hen mode, even though Belinda was at least five years older than her.

“I don’t want to put you out,” Belinda protested, but there wasn’t much heat behind it.

“Don’t be silly,” Dixie said. “Meemaw loves company.”

I snorted. “I’ll say. She prefers it to her family.”

A look of shock spread over Belinda’s face, but then she laughed. “She sounds a lot like Lila. I think we’ll get along just fine.”

“Okay, then,” Dixie said, beaming since she’d gotten her way without much of a fuss. “Why don’t you follow Summer and me back to our farm? We’ll drop your car off there, and if we have too much to drink, we can get Luke or my brother Teddy to bring us home.”

Belinda lifted an eyebrow. “Let’s get goin’.”

Belinda followed us to the farm. We left her car parked out in front of the house without going inside and telling Meemaw what was going on. But I could see her peering out the front window, a scowl on her face. We’d get an earful later.

Belinda climbed into the backseat of my car and Dixie asked questions about her wedding planning business. Belinda told her the joys of her job—watching couples marry their soul mates in front of families and friends—and the pitfalls—bridezillas and their mothers. By the time we’d pulled into the parking lot, she’d offered to let Dixie come to one of her weddings, and Dixie seemed to be seriously considering it.

Since it wasn’t even five o’clock yet on a Sunday, there weren’t many people at the Jackhammer, which meant we didn’t have any trouble getting a table. Dixie and Belinda sat on one side, facing the ragtag group on the stage who seemed to be setting up their musical instruments to perform. I sat on the opposite side, facing the bar and the entrance.

Brandy, one of the bartenders, walked over and gave us a cheesy grin, then smiled when she saw Belinda. “Whereabouts are you from?”

Belinda’s eyes widened. “You know I’m not from around here?”

Brandy laughed and gestured to Belinda’s silky blouse. “You’re much too dressed up to be coming to the Jackhammer on a Sunday afternoon. And I’ve never seen your face, which means you’re not likely from around here.” She turned her attention to Dixie. “Found yourself a new friend, huh?”

“Sure did,” Dixie said, bumping her shoulder into Belinda’s. “She’s from Tennessee, so let’s show her some Alabama hospitality.”

“Well, welcome to the Jackhammer,” Brandy said. “What’ll it be?”

Belinda didn’t waste any time ordering. “A whiskey sour.”

---