Page 43 of Handling Skylar
“We’re having a special meeting of the Belles and you’re invited. River has already mentioned to me that she’s sponsoring you. I think that is a splendid idea. It’s going to be this afternoon at three. Can you come?”
“I’m not exactly the right kind of person to be joining.”
“Right kind of person? Are you a snob, Sky?”
“What? No,” I said quickly. It’s just that I don’t exactly run in the country club circle.”
“The Belles aren’t about society, they’re about community.” She met my eyes in the mirror. Her matter-of-fact gaze filled with her warmth put me at ease. She wasn’t my mom, but she had qualities that I admired. “You’re part of the community, correct?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Are you intimidated by Anna Kate?”
I stiffened. “No rooting tooting way. I don’t want to disturb your meeting with drama.”
“Sky, darlin’, you have more class in your little finger than Anna Kate Montgomery has in her whole body. If there is going to be drama, it will come from her. Believe me. Neither I, nor any of the other Belles will sit still for those kind of attacks. You’re as welcome as she is.”
I clipped away at her ash blonde hair. After a moment, feeling it was important I mention what happened between us Saturday night at Outlaws, I said, “Mrs. Sutton—”
“Amy, please.”
“Amy,” I started again. “Anna Kate will be there, I presume.”
“Yes, she will be running the meeting.”
“I’m sure you’ve already heard that she and I—”
“Wrestled a bit in a mud puddle?”
“Yes, that would be the incident I was going to mention. I don’t believe she’s going to be a great supporter of my joining the Belles.”
“I heard she started it and that you finished it.”
I laughed softly.
“I would have paid admission to see that nasty, egotistical, self-centered little snipe covered in dirt. As for not supporting you, she’ll be outnumbered, and if there’s one thing I know about Anna Kate, she won’t want to lose her position as head Belle, bless her heart. But, River can be very persuasive.”
Amused that Amy had just bestowed a “bless her heart” on Anna Kate, I groaned with dismay at having to deal with Anna Kate’s snottiness. “I’ll attend,” I said with a smile. I would have to reschedule my client appointment, but I knew this kind of thing was important to not only Jake’s momma and sister, but to Jake, as well. I wanted to participate in the community, especially the Harvest Festival since it was my idea, and make it the best it could be. After a blow dry and a generous tip, she smiled warmly at me.
“Thank you for being kind to my boy and for making him the happiest I’ve ever seen him. We’ll see you at three. There will be light refreshments.”
“I’ll be there,” I promised.
As I left my shop and headed over to the town hall, I wasn’t sure how this meeting was going to go, but I would stand tough. I wouldn’t let Anna Kate intimidate me. I was the mud wrestling queen.
When I walked in, all the Belles were there, including Anna Kate who looked cool and collected at the front of the room. She gave me a smug look that put me immediately on guard. She had something planned. I could feel it in my gut.
When she turned her face, I could see the bruise I’d left on her chin. My eye was slightly discolored as she’d only gotten in a glancing blow.
I settled next to River Pearl and her momma, Verity on the other side of me, my flanking guards I thought with a smile.
“The meeting of the Suttontowne Belles will come to order,” Anna Kate, said and the murmur in the room quieted down. “We have before us an application from Skylar Bransom for admission into the Belles.” She glanced at River Pearl, something akin to fear in her eyes. River had always been kind-hearted to me, but I could imagine she could be a formidable foe if crossed. “We have approved your application, Miss Bransom.” That gleam in her eyes was making me sweat. “Please rise.”
I stood up and River was watching Anna Kate closely. “As is written in our Bylaws, it’s my decision to levy an initiation to any Belle who cares to join our establishment. Good Southern stock, or as in your case, heartyTexasstock, will have to perform an initiation process.”
There was an eruption of conversation in the room when River rose and said, “Anna Kate…”
She pulled an innocent face. “It is my right as the head of the Belles. Is that correct?”
