Page 49 of Silent Partner (Pine Falls 3)

Sheridan smiled at me, seemingly unworried, at least about spilling the beans. Yet, there was a great unease in her eyes.

“Come out here, darling, and let me see you.” She pushed herself up off the fabric ottoman she’d been sitting on and stood, walking toward me through the dressing room—which was more like a fancy living room, with fine furniture and a chandelier with fake cobwebs on it to go with the Halloween decor.

I stepped out, even though I wasn’t zipped up. Sheridan and I had already gotten well acquainted today since a couple of dresses zipped in the back. Which I could have probably done up myself, but she was eager to help. And I liked the way she would smooth my hair and tell me how beautiful I was. This time was no different.

“Turn around and let me zip you up.”

I did as she asked.

She zipped up the dress and once again ran her hand down my hair, which I had styled today in wavy curls. “You are such a gorgeous girl.”

See. I loved her. Even if she was overexaggerating. I needed the ego boost.

She gently turned me around and looked me over. “This dress is perfect.” I wouldn’t call it perfect for what she intended it to be. It looked more like a dress you wore to a nightclub.

“I think you’ve said that about everything I’ve put on today,” I teased her.

“Every time it’s been true.”

“Well, I appreciate it. It’s been fun trying on clothes,” I sort of lied. But it was for a good cause.

“Should I tell Shelby to wrap everything up?”

“No,” I spluttered. I knew she was angling to purchase the clothes for me, but as much as I wanted to make her happy, I didn’t want to feel like a pet project. Besides, I couldn’t afford to get used to clothing this expensive. I had noticed there weren’t price tags on anything I’d tried on, which only spoke to how expensive they must be. No doubt Sheridan had asked Shelby to remove any evidence.

Sheridan’s face fell. “But you looked so lovely in everything.”

I had felt like a million dollars in some of the outfits, especially the pair of hug-me-right jeans with a long red sweater and red leather pumps that cradled my feet like no other shoe ever had. Then there were the dark dress pants and wine-colored button-up she’d picked out for the new restaurant “uniforms.” Despite how wonderful it all was, it wasn’t me. I was a bargain rack at Target kind of girl.

“Sheridan,” I whispered. “I’ve enjoyed spending time with you. I don’t need you to buy me anything. I would feel so guilty about it. I hope you understand.”

She patted my cheek. “More than you know. Which is why I’m not taking no for an answer.”

That wasn’t the response I was expecting. My mouth fell open, and I was at a loss for how to reply.

She responded with such an empathetic look. “Honey, I know a thing or two about hard times. When I grew up, I was lucky to get a new pair of shoes every year. And by new, I mean a pair of hand-me-downs that I sometimes had to stuff newspaper in so they would fit.”

I had actually done the same thing when I was little. But it was hard to imagine this elegant woman, who was always dressed to the nines, ever having to do without. I knew she hadn’t grown up in the lap of luxury she was used to now, but I hadn’t realized she’d been that poor.

“I don’t say this for sympathy,” she continued. “I’m proud of where I come from. As you should be. With that said, darling, I know life hasn’t treated you as kindly as it should have as of late. Please let me do this one small thing for you,” she pleaded. “I need to think about someone else besides myself right now.” Tears welled in her eyes.

Without hesitation, I wrapped my arms around her. She held on to me like a vise. I could feel her shake. So many questions were going through my mind.

“Sheridan, what’s wrong?” I knew it had to be more than being separated from her husband. More and more, I wondered if Grandpa was right. That there was some kind of trouble brewing for Brant.

She let out a soft sigh. “So much . . . too much.”

I had a thought. “Is it because Jill got engaged? You probably miss her.” That made sense, even though it hurt.

Sheridan leaned away, her face tight and her eyes blazing so much I practically felt the heat. I had never seen her look so severe. I didn’t even know she could look that way. It was a bit frightening.

“Jill,” she hissed. “I wish that woman had never come into my son’s life. I rue the day we befriended that family,” her voice wavered with such fury. Then she swallowed hard and looked around, almost as if she were looking for someone.

---