Page 61 of Spilling the Tea

Chapter Nineteen

Felicia Laverne stared at Bessie. “What are you saying?” Her daughter-in-law had come into her bedroom to see if she intended to go to church today and, if so, see if she needed help getting dressed.

“I’m saying that Carrie called this morning with great news. It seems that Chance has finally decided to live again, and we might owe it all to Zoey Pritchard.”

Felicia Laverne eased down in the chair near her bed. “What do you mean?”

Bessie’s smile widened. “Luke and Mac went out with Slade, Blade, Reese, and their wives last night. They met up with Corbin and Zoey Pritchard at Vance’s Tavern. Well, Chance showed up, and according to Carrie, her youngest grandson not only hung out with everybody dancing way after midnight, but he also shocked everyone when he invited Zoey to dinner at his ranch today. It seems he’s sweet on her. Can you believe that?”

No, she couldn’t. “That is hard to believe.”

“Well, honestly, I was hoping that something would develop between Zoey and Corbin, especially after meeting her andseeing how nice she was, and noting that you liked her, too. But Chance did meet her first, so I can see him being smitten. She’s such a pretty girl. And another thing: Ravena was at Vance’s Tavern last night as well.”

“She was?”

“Yes, and she saw Chance and Zoey dancing together. Luke told Carrie that he kept an eye on Ravena. Although the look on her face was furious and, at times, even enraged, she didn’t make a scene or anything. Probably because there were so many Madarises there who she knows don’t like her. The nerve of her getting jealous after how she treated Chance…”

Felicia Laverne didn’t say anything for a long moment. Her mind was consuming everything her daughter-in-law had said. She agreed that Ravena had no right to get jealous seeing Chancellor with someone else. Obviously, she believed that foolishness that Chancellor had been pining for her all those years since he hadn’t been seriously involved with anyone. Seeing him with Zoey had undoubtedly painted a different picture.

She couldn’t help but wonder if perhaps that had been an intentional move on Chancellor’s part. She knew that great-grandson better than anyone, and she wasn’t buying Bessie’s take on things that Chance had decided to “live again.”

When Bessie left the room, Felicia Laverne picked up her cell phone to make a call. It didn’t matter to her that it wasn’t yet seven in the morning.

“Mama Laverne?” a groggy voice said. “Is everything okay?”

“I’m not sure, Chancellor. I need to talk to you.”

“You need to talk to me? Now? It’s not even seven in the morning.”

“I know what time it is. And yes, I need to talk to you. In person. This morning.”

“This morning? Aren’t you going to church?”

She had planned on going, but meeting with him was more important. “Not today. I will expect you at ten. Goodbye.”

“Hello?” Zoey asked drowsily, not bothering to open her eyes after grabbing her cell phone off the nightstand. Who would be calling her at this hour?

“Zoey? Zoey Pritchard?” a feminine voice asked.

She forced open her eyes, not recognizing the caller’s voice. “Yes, this is Zoey Pritchard. Who is this?” The clock on the nightstand indicated it wasn’t even seven in the morning.

“Oh my God! I can’t believe it! I truly can’t believe it!” the feminine voice said.

Zoey asked again. “Who is this?”

“This is Sharon Newberry. I was your mother’s best friend.”

The woman’s words had Zoey quickly sitting up in bed. “Doctor Newberry?”

“Yes, and I apologize for calling so early. I’m presently in New Zealand, and was told one of my former colleagues, Dr. Kemmic, was trying to contact me. We finally connected and he told me everything. I can’t believe it. I’d tried reaching out to you for years. Your aunt Paulina refused to let me connect with you.”

“What! Why?”

“I was your mother’s best friend, and she knew it. All I wanted was to keep in touch with you. To make sure you were okay. That’s something I knew Micky would have wanted me to do.”

“Micky?”

“Yes. That was your mother’s nickname in college.”

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