Page 52 of So in Love
“It burned down in 1902, and they uncovered information that points to a KKK group as the responsible party.”
Dylan’s eyes widened.“No shit?”He lifted his elbows from the counter and straightened.“I keep waiting for you to mention where your mom figures into this, and now I’m kind of afraid to ask.”
Jamie pressed his lips together.“One of her ancestors was the mayor of Ribbon Ridge—and the leader of that KKK group.”
Dylan winced.“Yikes.”
“She went through the family memorabilia and found some letters.They confirm that the KKK group—led by her ancestor—set the brothel on fire and in the process killed a woman.”
“Was this woman of color?”
Jamie shook his head.“No.It’s the farmer’s wife that Crystal—and the others—are researching.We don’t know why they burned the brothel.We do know that one of the family members married a black woman, but we don’t know what that has to do with the fire, if anything.Needless to say, Mom is mortified by all this and doesn’t want anyone to know that her family was in the KKK.”
“Can’t say that I blame her.”
“She’s asked me not to tell Cam and Luke.”
Dylan’s eyes lit with understanding.“Because they’ll tell Brooke and Kelsey.”He slowly nodded.“I get it.And I see why you’re looking for advice.Unfortunately, I’ve got nothing.Except to talk to Dad.He’s always been a great mediator—at least for me.”
“Not just for you.Mom’s high-strung.We’ve all needed Dad’s backup from time to time.”
“Amen.”Dylan held his bottle out, and Jamie tapped his against it.
Jamie took another drink.“All right.I’ll see what Dad says.I hate keeping this a secret.It’s a big deal.And while it’s shameful,wedon’t need to feel ashamed.History is history, even if it’s ugly.”
“Agreed.How shocking to think the KKK was active in Ribbon Ridge.”
“I know.”
“Hey, one other idea,” Dylan said.“What about talking to your uncle?He’s pretty cool.Maybe he can help.It’s his family too.”
“That’s a great idea.Thanks.”Jamie lifted his bottle in silent toast.“See, youaregood at this.”
Dylan snorted.“I’m going to turn the Blazer game on.”He went in search of the remote as Jamie turned on the stool.
“Hey, there’s Alaina,” Jamie said, gesturing toward the TV.
Dylan stopped and looked up.“Oh yeah.Some movie premier last night.I forgot that Sara’s recording this.She usually hates these entertainment shows, but she always looks for Alaina.”
“Evan’s not with her?”Jamie asked.
“Not on the red carpet.He hardly ever does that—only important awards shows.”
Jamie wasn’t surprised.Evan Archer was on the autism spectrum, and he hated the spotlight.His marriage to one of the highest-profile celebrities in the world was the height of irony.
Standing off to the side of Alaina was Crystal.Jamie rose from the stool and took a few steps toward the TV, pausing behind the couch.She wore a formfitting bright blue gown that plunged well past her breasts, showing just enough flesh to make his mouth water.It was sleeveless and displayed her sculpted arms to perfection.Her blonde hair was pulled back into some sort of fancy ponytail.Long diamond earrings sparkled from her ears, and a matching pendant nestled between her breasts.Damn, she was gorgeous.
Suddenly, she wasn’t alone.An actor whose name totally escaped Jamie slipped his arm around her waist and whispered in her ear.She laughed, her eyes crinkling in that way he loved.She splayed her palm against his chest.Her nails were impeccably manicured, and a jeweled ring curled around most of her middle finger.He couldn’t stop staring at her hand and the way it touched the man’s chest.It smacked of intimacy.
Especially when the actor’s hand didn’t leave her waist.
They moved along the carpet, and then the channel turned.
Dylan looked at him.“You weren’t watching that, were you?”
It took Jamie a second to answer.He blinked, wishing he could unsee what he’d seen.“No.”
The basketball game filled the screen, and Dylan tossed the remote onto the coffee table.He whipped his phone out of his back pocket.“Sara needs a hand real quick.Be right back.”
