The click of heels against the vinyl tile floor provided brief warning before a familiar voice cut into their conversation. It was as loud and shrill as it had been eight years ago, and just as annoying. “Okay, this is it.”
When Jessica turned, Carolyn Platt approached with a third bolt of fabric. Penciled-on eyebrows disappeared beneath bleached, starched bangs, and her eyes filled with interest. “Jessica? I figured you’d be coming back. I wouldn’t have recognized you otherwise.” She dropped the bolt on the counter. “Three yards of this one, too.”
Jessica nodded a greeting. Carolyn prided herself on knowing everyone’s business and being Harmony Grove’s official source of information. Over the years, the Parkers had been the subject of quite a bit of her gossip.
Jessica leaned against the counter. “Everyone’s in shock, myself most of all. How could this happen?” If there was information floating around, Carolyn would have it. And she was always happy to share.
While BethAnn cut the fabric, Carolyn radiated an eagerness she didn’t even try to hide. “The news was shocking. But I can’t say it was totally unexpected. Priscilla had some issues. I heard she was seeing Dr. Stonington.” She looked around, as if afraid someone might overhear, then lowered her voice. “He’s a psychiatrist.”
Jessica suppressed a wry smile. She’d known it would be easy to get Carolyn started. “Any idea why?”
“No, but I bet Autumn would know something. They’ve been best friends for years.”
Yeah, since second grade. Autumn was sweet, like Priscilla. But with Autumn, it wasn’t an act.
“Thanks. I’ll try to talk to her.”
BethAnn moved to the adjacent side of the U-shaped countertop to stand in front of the cash register, and Carolyn put a hand on Jessica’s arm. “That’s not all. A few months ago, she got a new boyfriend, and after that, she seemed…I don’t know, different.”
“Different, like how?”
“Oh, not as friendly anymore. Like she was too good for the rest of us. She started showing up around town with fancy new clothes, you know, designer stuff. I guess Hammy was buying it for her.”
“Hammy?”
“Driggers.”
Yeah, she knew exactly who Hammy was, but why had he been buying Prissy expensive clothes?
Carolyn continued without being prompted. “He’s the one who bought her that expensive sports car. His father died a year ago, so Hammy’s half owner of Driggers Porcelain now. He can afford whatever he wants to buy.”
“Priscilla was dating Hammy Driggers?” If there was a more unlikely match, Jessica hadn’t seen it.
Carolyn bobbed her head. “Seemed strange to me, too. That boy’s always in trouble.”
That boy would be twenty-eight now. And yes, he was trouble, always had been.
“Well,” Carolyn said, “I think she’s ready to check me out.”
Jessica waited for Carolyn to pay for her purchase and leave. There was one more thing she wanted to ask BethAnn, and it had nothing to do with Priscilla. The door swung shut, leaving them alone.
“You wouldn’t happen to be looking for help, would you?”
“Actually, I am. I’ve got an ad in the paper and have it posted several places online, too. I can guarantee at least thirty hours a week, likely more. Are you interested?”
“Very much so.”
When Jessica walked out twenty minutes later, it was with instructions to be there at nine Monday morning. Securing a job had been easier than expected, especially with her reputation in Harmony Grove. But BethAnn was quick to forgive past wrongs. And those last three jobs she’d hated had given her the experience she needed. Luck was with her for a change. It was almost like divine intervention.
Yeah right. God didn’t acknowledge her, and she didn’t acknowledge Him.
She headed down the sidewalk bordering Main. It was almost lunchtime. Not only did she have herself to think about, the dog was probably getting hungry, too. And he would need to go out. So far, he hadn’t made any messes in the house, but she’d been diligent about not making him wait longer than three or four hours.
Starting next week, it was going to get a whole lot harder. Every day she’d have to run home at lunchtime. At least it was temporary. Eventually, she’d find Buttons a home and get her life back.
As soon as she slid her key into the lock, barking erupted inside.
“I’m getting there. Hold your horses.” She twisted the key then unlocked the deadbolt. When she swung open the door, the dog quivered with excitement.
“Yeah, I’m happy to see you, too.” Well, sort of. Sometimes. “Let’s go out. Then you can eat.”
When she put down the filled bowl ten minutes later, the dog eyeballed the food but didn’t approach.
“Come on, Buttons.” Unlike before, she couldn’t pass it off on someone having already fed him. “You need to eat.”
She put a hand on each side of him to guide him toward his dish, but he flopped over on his side and whined. Oh, no. Not a sick dog. An emergency trip to the vet wasn’t in her schedule or her budget. She picked him up and carried him into the living room. After sitting on the couch and settling him on his back in her lap, she probed his belly. He didn’t seem to be in pain.
Maybe he had a fever. She put her hand on his head, which told her nothing. She had no idea how to check a dog’s temperature. Well, actually, she did, but she wasn’t going to go there. Maybe his nose. When she moved her hand lower, he tilted his head back to lick her palm.
“Ew.” She wiped her hand on her jeans. The dog didn’t appear to be in any kind of distress. In fact, his tail swished back and forth against her stomach.
Maybe there was nothing wrong with him, at least physically. Maybe he was just sad and lonely. She rested both hands on the sides of his face
