Ryan snorted. “Don’t be. I can’t wait for some peace and quiet. I spend all my time in a noisy bar. The lake is relaxing.”
“How can you consider the lake relaxing on the Fourth of July? Between all the other boats and the fireworks, it’s loud as hell.”
“Yeah, it is during the fireworks, but right after, everyone else pulls their boats in. Then it’s exceptionally quiet.”
“Do you often spend the—” Bailey stopped when she read the return name and address on the next letter she’d picked up.
It was another from Uncle Pat. She pulled out the stationery and stared at the words, not sure how to react. Ryan stepped up behind her, blocking the sun from the window.
Dear Helen,
You’ve had years to enjoy with your family. Don’t throw it away on a dying conscience. Take a moment, take a year, take a lifetime to think it over, then let the secret die with you. No good can come from your plan. You’ll only hurt the ones you love the most.
We both have people to protect, and maybe you don’t take this threat seriously, but I do. Not knowing who is making the threats doesn’t change the content. Please, please, don’t follow through with your plan.
Patrick
“Wow…what on earth?”
Bailey looked up and met his eyes. “This one’s dated before the other letter. What do you think this is about?”
Apparently, someone threatened them, but why? And who? ” Ryan took the paper and stared at it. “This is dated only three months ago.”
“I can’t imagine. My mother didn’t have any enemies. Everyone loved her.” She took the letter back from Ryan and placed it in the top drawer with the other one she found. She didn’t want to lose them or have them get confused with all the other paperwork. Maybe if she found more, she could put the pieces together and solve the puzzle.
CHAPTER EIGHT
Bailey pulled out her new dress and looked it over, hoping it would help her decide on which shoes to wear on her date with Dex. The dress was a wee bit shorter than she would normally wear, but she had the legs to pull it off.
It was a black one-shoulder with satin ribbon straps in electric blue that tied over her right shoulder. The fit was loose with a drop-banded waist and a flirty, short skirt. It was the quintessential little black dress, but with the blue trim and fuchsia color blocks dotting the top, it also had some serious color. She decided on sexy, high-heel, strappy sandals. Mae’s jewelry completed the look, perfect for a night out with Dex.
She finished her hair, pulling the last roller out and twisting the wide curl down over her shoulder. Then she carefully tied the dress into place. Before grabbing a black, sheer wrap, she looked herself over in the mirror. It’s good enough. She might even look better if she could do away with the dark circles under her eyes. She hoped her lack of a good night’s sleep wouldn’t be obvious to anyone else.
Dex planned to meet her at the El Lago dock bar. She had arranged to hitch a ride to Harrah’s on one of their water taxis so they could drink and not worry about driving. When the night was over, they could take Lyft from El Lago to her apartment.
Bailey had a lot riding on tonight. She hoped for the two of them to get back on track. She and Dex were out of sync; their relationship was strained, and she feared if she couldn’t get them back on the same page soon, things would never be the same. With these thoughts in mind, she’d decided to make this date a do or die. Life was too short to waste it on people who wouldn’t commit to her in any official way.
She arrived ten minutes early, so she ordered a drink. As the dock bartender, Dennis, put the whiskey and Coke down in front of her, someone slid onto the barstool next to her.
“Damn, woman, who’re you out to kill tonight?” Wade handed a bag of cash over to Dennis, whistling as he looked her up and down.
She lifted a bare leg out and smiled back at him. “Do I get a passing grade?”
“Hell, yeah.” Wade jumped when a hand clamped his shoulder. They both looked up at Ryan. “Jesus, man, you scared the hell out of me. Don’t sneak up on me when I’m delivering a cash order.”
“Don’t get distracted, and you won’t have to worry.” Ryan released him and sat on Bailey’s other side.
Wade’s frown turned up when he looked back at Bailey. “Have a good time tonight, babe.” He glared at Ryan one more time then turned to leave.
“Thanks, I’ll come in for a drink when we get back.”
“Okay, see you then.” He waved over his shoulder as he stepped back into El Lago.
Bailey turned to Ryan. “Why are you two fighting so much these days?”
He nodded toward El Lago. “He’s a jerk.”
“He’s also your partner. It can’t be good for business to fight with him. You two must be driving Lucas crazy.”
“Nah, we’re fine. We fight like brothers, meaning we might kill each other, but we’d never throw each other out of the family.”
She rolled her eyes. “Great…”
He chuckled at her expression. “He’s right, though. You’re going to give some old guy a heart attack in that dress.” He whistled as he scanned her up and down.
“Thank you. It’s one of Madelyn’s new designs. She sent this one to the shop just for me.”
He tugged on the skirt hem. “She could’ve made it longer.”
She let out a loud, open-mouthed laugh. “Stop. It’s not too short.”
“Hm…I don’t know.” He bent over as if to look at her from underneath.
“Stop.” She snickered and held the bottom of her dress down.
When her phone rang, both their smiles faded. She pulled it out and saw Dex’s number on the
