Page 10 of Nick
Jill held out the box, practically shoving it into her hands, and shimmied past her into the apartment, the other two slipping past her as well. She wasn’t going to be able to get rid of them easily. And if she was honest, she could use the company, help her get her bearings. She was still shocked by the news about Jeremy. She’d stupidly thought moving away from San Antonio to Shiloh Springs, and starting over with a new name, a new identity, would be enough. He shouldn’t be getting parole, either, but apparently the universe felt differently.Stupid universe.
“Jill made an extra batch of donuts especially for you. Espresso maple bacon, your favorite.” Tessa grinned. “And before you ask, yes, we heard everything this morning and we want to help.” She gestured to the other ladies. “Not just us, either. When the other women find out you need help, they’ll all be on board too.”
The lump in Gracie’s throat kept her from speaking, and all she could do was nod. Her apartment wasn’t big, and the living room and kitchen opened onto each other. A small square table with four chairs sat against the far wall, and the women made a beeline for it. Camilla grabbed the napkin holder, a cute little red fox with big eyes and a fluffy tail, and pulled a handful of napkins free. Her mysterious grin assured Gracie she was in for some teasing about the funny fox. It didn’t help that her salt and pepper shakers were also red foxes, as was the trivet sitting on the kitchen counter.
“Foxes?”
Gracie shrugged and handed the bakery box to Tessa. “Why not? They’re cute and many cultures consider them good luck.”
And I can use all the good luck I can get.
“Well, I think they’re cute.” Jill picked up the salt shaker and studied the fox closely. “Do you only collect red ones?”
Gracie nodded. “I like the red ones. The color matched everything else in my kitchen, so I figured why not?”
“Ladies, ladies, less talking, more eating.” Camilla took the top off the box, and Gracie quickly counted a dozen of the beautifully glazed donuts with lovely chunks of bacon decorating the top. Snatching one of the napkins from Camilla’s hand, she picked up one and took a big bite, closing her eyes as she savored the salty, sweet sensations exploding on her taste buds.
Swallowing down the bite, she motioned for the women to sit, and then walked to the refrigerator.
“I can offer you diet soda,” she started to say, opening the refrigerator door before adding, “or diet soda. Or I can make coffee.”
“Diet soda’s fine with me,” Tessa replied. “Them, too,” she gestured to Camilla and Jill. “Any more caffeine and I’ll be bouncing off the walls.”
“You do know diet soda contains caffeine, right?” Camilla slapped Tessa’s hand when she reached for another donut to join the one already sitting atop her napkin. “That one’s mine.”
Jill simply smiled and took the can of soda Gracie held out. “Thanks. And ignore these two, they’re like this all the time. You’d think they were sisters.”
“We are,” they both answered in unison and then burst out laughing and did a high five.
Gracie finished passing out the sodas and took the last empty chair. They ate in silence for a few moments. She had two donuts, feeling stuffed by the time she finished. She knew what their game was—to get her full of sugar—and then pummel her with questions until she spilled all her secrets.
It felt kind of nice, having people who cared about her. It had been a long time since anybody but her parents cared. She’d lost what few friends she had when she’d been with Jeremy. He’d slowly but surely isolated her, kept her totally focused on him and his needs, until there wasn’t anybody in her life except him. She’d even distanced herself from her parents, the people who loved her, all for a man who’d used and manipulated her until she hadn’t recognized herself anymore.
“Now that we’ve stuffed ourselves with sugar and way more calories than I need, it’s time to talk.” Camilla patted her flat stomach, and Gracie felt a moment of guilt. She’d been trying to lose those last fifteen pounds she’d put on since moving to Shiloh Springs. All the stress she’d felt once she’d broken free of Jeremy’s control had her eating her feelings.
“I know you heard what Rafe said.” Two of the three heads nodded. “Joaquim Alvarez is a Texas Ranger, somebody I know from…before I moved to Shiloh Springs. He’s a friend. I—got into trouble. I was stupid. Young and naïve, I fell hard for somebody I thought I knew. Turns out he wasn’t my knight in shining armor. He was the devil in an Armani suit.”
“He’s in prison? That’s what I gleaned from Rafe’s part of the conversation.” Tessa grabbed Gracie’s hand, squeezing it tight. “This Jeremy person, he was somebody you cared about?”
“I adored him. He was the first person other than my parents who made me feel special. Cherished. When you’re eighteen, you believe in the fairy tale of happily ever after, of a handsome prince coming into your life and changing your whole world. That’s what I thought I had until everything went sideways, and he turned into somebody I hated. Somebody who did horrible things. Hurt people. And because I loved him, I hurt people, too. Innocent people who didn’t deserve…” Her voice trailed off as she fought back tears.
“Um, I’ll admit, I’m nosy. Guess it’s part of being a writer, I can’t stand not knowing something. After we left your shop this morning, I did a bit of research on Jeremy Brewster. Guy’s a real piece of work, isn’t he?”
Gracie’s gave a soft chuckle at Camilla’s confession. “Yeah, you could say that.”
“And he got a fifteen-year sentence from what I read. How’s he even up for parole? It’s far too early in his sentence.”
“My guess?” Gracie shrugged. “Probably Mommy Dearest. The whole family has got more money than they could spend in three lifetimes, and she’s not opposed to paying his high-priced lawyers a wheelbarrow full of cash to get her baby boy out of prison. She blames me for everything anyway. I led her poor innocent son down the path of sin and debauchery, at least to hear her tell it.”
Tessa, Camilla, and Jill looked at her in stunned silence before they started laughing. The laughter grew until they were gasping for air. Gracie felt the corners of her lips curving upward and she fought to keep from joining in.
“You’re kidding, right?” Jill’s eyes shone bright in the overhead light. “You and debauchery in the same sentence? It’s like an oxymoron. You practically live like a nun. You rarely date, even though I’ve tried to fix you up with several guys. Mommy Dearest is obviously delusional.”
“Exactly. Total nutjob, and her son obviously didn’t fall far from the crazy tree.” Tessa tossed her hair over her shoulder. “Believe me, I know the type. My sister was married to somebody just like him. Funny, he’s in prison too.”
“Beth’s lucky. Her second time around, she picked a winner in Brody.” Gracie loved that Beth had bounced back from a horrible relationship with a man who’d treated her like dirt, had even kidnapped their child to extort a ransom demand from the Boudreaus, and had landed on her feet. She was happily married to Brody Boudreau and had recently given birth to their son.
“We’re getting off track, ladies.” Camilla winked at Gracie before pulling off a hunk of her donut and popping it into her mouth.
