Page 45 of Heart of Dixie
Whatever.
I found a vacated seat beneath the canopy of a wide branched tree and pretended interest in cold fried chicken and coleslaw. I’d purposefully found a spot with a lone chair so I wasn’t forced to talk to anyone. The church and its yard overflowed with well-wishers—those who’d been lining up to reminisce for hours. I allowed Deke to drive my getaway vehicle after I bolted fromCooter’s service, but I didn’t have the guts to run far. And with each person’s testimony, I got more and more insight into the person my father became once I deserted him.
Someone dragged a metal folding chair up next to me, and I let my scowl drop when I realized it was Beth. She sat and balanced a plate on her lap.
I gave her a closer look. “Your cheeks are pink. Have you been in the sun too long?”
Her eyes gave her away when they darted to the open double doors leading back into the downstairs community room. The doorway where even now Shane McAllister stood propped against the painted jamb, seemingly in conversation with his brother. But his eyes were locked on Beth, and blazing as hell.
“Why’s Shane’s shirt misbuttoned?”
Fork hovering on its way to her mouth, Beth bobbled her divided cardboard plate. Her color heightened until she flushed a flaming crimson, clear into her hairline. “Mmm, have you tried this slaw? It’s delicious. Maybe some of the best I’ve ever had. Who did you say Olivia had cater this shindig? Do you think Ruby’s had a chance to try it?” She levered herself up from her seat. “I think I’ll see if I can find her; get her to taste the salad.”
I laughed. “Oh, no. You’re not avoiding the question that easily.” I shoved her shoulder until she collapsed back into the folding chair. “Besides, it has mayo in the dressing. Ruby’s a purist. She only does vinegar in her coleslaw.”
Beth’s gaze darted to mine and she grinned.Shit, I did it again. I didn’t mean to remember the minutiae that made up life in Kissing Creek. Why hadn’t I forgotten these details after so many years? I gave her a side eye glare. “Shut up.”
“You know you want to stay. Admit it.”
“Come on, Beth. She’d rather lie and say she loves LA rush hour than own up to missing anything we have to offer.” The deep, lazyvoice that came from behind triggered a smile beforeI realized the giddiness that zipped between my heart and the juncture of my thighs was exactly the reason I’d gone looking for a chair off on my own. Deke strolled closer, flanked by Shane and Blake, and I pulled the plug on the high I got from merely being around him. It was crazy and stupid.And dangerous.
I had only hours to come to terms with the death of that intense, wonderful feeling. To own that I was killing it by getting on a plane tonight and winging my way back to the west coast. But I wasn’t meant for Kissing Creek, Tennessee.I. Did not. Belong here.I craved the buzz of Los Angeles, California. With its perpetual sunshine, and beautiful celebrities, and continual stream of athletes who needed my guidance and counsel. It was heady, really, and I’d worked my ass off to get their recognition.
“Yeah, Tink. Not everyone wants you telling them how to run their life.”What the hell?Shane’s shirt buttons had been redone, but his features hadn’t cooled toward her in the least. The fires of hell still burned in his eyes. What I wouldn’t give to know what happened between those two. She’d better believe she’d spill those details before the end of the day.
Ruby hustled across the yard, her arms flapping in the air. “Yoo-hoo!” Ruby’s soprano drew glances as she drew near. “Deputy, I must speak with you, posthaste!”
It looked as if Beth had lost her chance to rave about the slaw.Too bad.She stood and met Ruby as she about skidded to a stop, her monstrous smartphone palmed in one of her large hands. Black chiffon floated and then settled on the breeze she created. Elsie bustled up behind her, her handbag looped over her forearm. Wheezing to catch her breath from the short jog, she straightened with her hands on her hips. The somber propriety of her ebony two-piece dress was ruined by the righteous indignation etched on her features.
“What can I help you with, Miss Ruby?”
“Excuse me, Doc.” With Elsie glued to her side, Ruby nudged Shane out of the way and shoved her phone in Beth’s face. “See this? This here’s a picture of the back of my diner. What do you see there?” The attention she’d drawn when she flew in our direction was now fully upon her, thanks to her high-pitched questioning.
Beth searched the digital photo on the device. “Miss Ruby, I see the concrete deck at your back door, but I don’t see anything else.” Beth beamed as if she were being punked. “Is this a trick question?”
Ruby harrumphed and her massive bosom bounced. Perhaps she needed to rethink her foundation garments. I could hook her up with my contact back in—
Ruby’s jaw dropped. Elsie appeared as if she may burst into tears. “Tomatoes.” She sniffled and then tried again for a full sentence. “We’re working on our secret side dish for Founders’ Day.”
Ruby spoke up to fill in the blanks. “Ernie Rios from down at the farmer’s market delivered red tomatoes—two times, mind you—before he finally understood we neededgreentomatoes. This morning he brought a beautiful box of them. We left them right there!” She poked at the screen to indicate the spot. Elsie dug out a hankie from her purse to dry her eyes, and Beth patted her shoulder.
“I’m so sorry for your trouble, ladies.” Beth shrugged, her forehead furrowed in rows deep enough to plant corn. “I’ve searched Kissing Creek high and low, but I can’t find any of the items that have gone missing. They’ve all vanished. And there doesn’t seem to be anyone new in town, either, that might be a suspect.” Poor Beth seemed as near to tears as Elsie as she scanned the crowd that gathered closer and closer. She called out to them, included them. “Does anybody know anything?Have you seen anything suspicious? Seen anyone you don’t recognize?”
She singled out the postman. “Mitch, it’s logical that someone new would need mail delivery. Anyone new on your route?”
Mitch lowered his head and scratched his chin as he gave it some thought. After a pause, he rocked his head back and forth. “Nehp. Nobody new since Clay and Maggie here got hitched back in the spring and moved over to Clover Road.” As one, the crowd nodded as if they remembered the event clearly. And they probably did. They probably all helped the newlyweds move. They’d definitely been part of the shivaree. That was how Kissing Creek rolled.
“I ain’t seen no strangers regular like at the pumps,” Dot Adams chimed in from the midst of the crowd. She and her husband had run the one-stop ever since I could remember. My mama used to say she had too much starch in her spine, but Miss Dot always had a Popsicle for me when my daddy sent me inside to her register to pay for our gas. “Harley, you tell the deputy if you seen any outsiders come ’round the garage!”
Harley seemed smaller these days. Or maybe he’d shrunk after years of Dot yelling at him. He did some thinking of his own, then dragged his head back and forth as if weighted. “Gee, sorry, Deputy. Only stranger I recall is that guy from over to Knoxville last month.” He tilted his chin to where Deke, Blake, and Shane stood in a huddle. “Hey, fellas, you remember the suit who interviewed for the principal job over to the high school?” The three all nodded.
Shane grimaced. “He wasappalled—I believe was the word he used—that we had the same coaches for both the football and basketball teams.” Blake and Deke bumped fists. “Then he prissy stepped through the school hallways as though he was afraid something might rub off on his shoes.”
“That’s the guy. Arrogant sombitch! He filled his tank and then spun his wheels getting back on the highway.”
Shane addressed those still milling around. “That was a bit of a disappointment, as he was highly qualified. But the school board’s search for a replacement principal continues, and we are in contact with several more potential candidates. Someone who appreciates our town and all our wonderful, caring people have to offer.” A chorus of murmured approval swept through the crowd. “We appreciate that Mrs. Martin stepped up as interim principal, but we hope to have someone permanent hired within the next couple of months.”
I looked for Beth in the crowd around us. Hopefully she had Ruby calmed down by now. But when I located her, she was focused on Shane in rapt attention. Yep, she had some explaining to do. Ruby had Elsie’s tears under control, but she wasn’t finished stewing over her missing produce.
