It’s as if that conversation we had regarding what Craig’s brother said hits us both at the very same time.
He mentioned that Craig was over-investing—took out a bad loan and wanted out. Craig’s brother said something along the lines of that investment in questionable places having dark underpinnings. He said those were Craig’s exact words, and that he wanted to get out from under it.
Shep nods my way as if he just pried into my thoughts.
He leans in. “Why don’t you head over to the hall and load up on enough tacos for the both of us? I’ve got a quick call to make to Nora.”
I nod as he takes off and it’s just Hilary and me, save for Lloyd and a few people standing near the casket.
Hilary huffs my way. “A man like that can be hard to hold onto. I’d watch my back if I were you.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’m not letting him slip through my fingers the way you did.” I’m about to take off when a wave of guilt takes over. I’ve been in Hilary’s shoes before—chasing a man I think I can’t breathe without, only to be left empty-handed. I pivot and turn her way. “Hilary, do yourself a favor and move on. If Shep was still interested in you, he wouldn’t hesitate whether or not I was in the picture. I’m not saying he would cheat on me, but he hasn’t exactly bowed out of our relationship either.” In fact, he’s fabricated it. But I keep that little fun piece of fiction to myself. “Go on and get out there. That hall is brimming full of handsome, eligible men. Or wait for someone new to come along. But don’t waste your time chasing after a man who isn’t interested. Shep Wexler is your past. You deserve a future.”
She gasps and her mouth hangs open as if she were about to put me in my place. But she closes her eyes a moment instead.
“You’re right.” She sighs as she holds out her arms. “I wasn’t even thinking about Craig when I picked this out. I was thinking about Shep. I’ve spent the last few weeks dreaming we would ride off into the sunset together, and he’s just too stubborn to go along with my plans.” She offers a mournful smile. “I’m sorry if I’ve caused you any pain.”
I shake my head. “You haven’t.” I spot Oliver in the foyer. “Go and eat your fill of tacos. Not only do you deserve two or twenty, but I’m sure Craig would love for you to have your fill as well.”
She gives a little laugh. “You’re right.” She nods in that direction. “Are you coming?”
“I’ll be there in just a minute. Go on ahead.”
I wait until she takes off before heading to the empty foyer where I see Oliver from behind, his thick cap of gray hair leaning in as he speaks to someone partially hidden by foliage. Their conversation seems to be animated as their murmured voices rise ever so higher.
“You don’t get to tell me what to do,” a female voice calls out.
“How about we both keep our mouths shut? I’m not in the mood to go down for this.” He looks to his left, and as soon as he spots me, his affect brightens on a dime. “Well, look who’s here.”
I suck in a quick breath.
My vision! It’s just come true, and here I’m stuck in the middle of it.
A woman steps from behind the silk ficus tree. It’s Kadie Beaumont with her dark hair slicked into a French knot, her lips a bright shade of fuchsia.
“Oh, it’s you.” She waves me off. “Anyway.” She makes a face at Oliver. “My lips are sealed.” She nods knowingly at him before taking off back into the sanctuary.
“Hey.” I shrug. “Everything okay? That looked pretty heated.”
“Yeah.” He scratches the back of his neck. “It’s as okay as it’s going to get. I guess we should head next door.”
“Actually.” I step in front of him. “Can I ask you a question?”
“Sure.” He offers an affable smile while his icy blue eyes look into mine. “Shoot.”
“Shep and I didn’t realize that Lloyd and Craig both owned the Dirty Habit. Was that new?”
He takes a deep breath as he frowns just past me. “They went in about a year ago. Craig was over extending himself. He wanted out.”
A thought comes to me.
“I bet it was more than just the financial situation that made him want out.” I lean in. “Just between you and me, that night I was there I thought it was a brothel.”
He barks out a laugh, his entire body animating at the thought.
“Well, I have to hand it to you”—he shakes his head wistfully—“you’re intuitive, I’ll give you that much.”
My insides seize.
Knew it!
There is something fifty shades of shady happening at that dive bar. No wonder Craig wanted out of it. I’m shocked Lloyd doesn’t want out of it considering he’s running for sheriff.
Something Skip said to me crops up in my mind, and I freeze solid.
He said he felt better about leaving Kadie and the kids while he was out of town because James and his partner were coming around all the time.
“Oliver? Who is James’ partner down at the sheriff’s department?”
“It’s Lloyd Jackson.” He takes a step toward the exit. “Are you coming to the hall?”
“I’ll be there in the minute.”
He takes off, and I step back toward the mouth of the sanctuary.
There they are. The exact
