Down Home and Deadly (29 page)

“Psst.”
Amelia jogged my arm. “Just forget it.”

“Forget what she was wearing? I thought we were trying to remember.” I tapped my pencil against my teeth
t
hen threw a guilty look at
M
ama
. She always hated when I did that.

“Forget about finding out about Ricky,” she whispered as she wrote a couple of things on her paper. I’ve decided we don’t need to know.” I sneaked a pe
e
k over her shoulder. Oh yeah. Yellow sweater.
I remembered now. Blue skirt. Surprising that Amelia had paid so much attention.

“She’s going to marry him anyway,” she said out of the side of her mouth. “So I’m butting out.” She wrote several more items down. I resisted the urge to copy them onto my sheet.

“Okay. If you’re sure.” I’d exhausted all my resources anyway. Seth and John.

I quickly wrote Ricky Richards down on my paper. At least I had one answer.

After Tiffany was called back into the room and we went over the answers, I realized that all the guests, even Carly
,
had listed more information than I had. And Amelia, who got every answer correct, was the lucky winner of the bow-covered paper plate hat.

As I helped carry things to the car with Marge, Tiffany, and Amelia, Marge congratulated Amelia on having the most correct answers. “Well, she is my daughter,” Amelia said dryly. “I probably know her better than most people.” She glanced at Tiffany as she put a pile of gifts in the trunk of the Prius. “I’m aware of those little tricks she thinks she is pulling on me.”

Tiffany turned to stare at her. “What tricks?”

Amelia continued to address Marge and me. “Dressing frumpy and wearing no makeup. But I’ve seen pictures of her dressed to the nines and beautiful.”

Tiffany reddened. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Mother.”

“Of course you do, darling.” Amelia drawled. “I even understand why you do it.”

“Really?” Tiffany widened her eyes. “Why don’t you explain it then?”

“You resent the fact that I sent you away to boarding school.” Amelia glanced at Marge. “And that I nag you all the time about your clothes, your weight, everything.” She smiled. “That about sum it up?”

I could see the emotions flit across Tiffany’s face. Surprise, anger, sadness
,
and finally resignation. “Yeah, I guess it does.”

“Someday after you have children, I’ll explain it all to you. Although by that time you may understand.” She looked at Tiffany. “No, you’re stronger than I ever was. You won’t ever get it.”

Marge looked at her sister and niece then at my face, which I could tell was red. “It’s nice to see you two finally clearing the air, but maybe we should continue this at home?”

That idea definitely had my vote.

*****

Midafternoon, I’d just gotten to the athletic club when Bob walked in, still in his rumpled clothes from the night before. “Jenna? I need to see you in the office.”

I dropped the stack of towels I was putting away and hurried to the office on his heels.

“I have something I want to ask you.” He shut the door.

“Is it Lisa?” I blurted out.

“Is what Lisa? Where?” Bob cast a confused look around the office as if he expected his jailed daughter to pop up from behind the file cabinet or crawl from under the ratty rug.

“What did you want to ask me?”

“Oh. Have a seat.” Uh-oh. This wasn’t sounding too good.

I sank into a chair in front of the desk.

He cleared his throat. “I’ve decided to sell you the club.
”

*****

*****

Could’ve
talked all day and not said that
.

If you want it, I’ll start the paperwork immediately. We agreed on a price three years ago
,
and I’ll honor that. I know I promised to finance, but I’m in a bind, so you’ll have to find your own financing.”

My heart pounded. Now that I knew about Lisa’s gambling problem, everything made sense.
And I couldn’t take advantage of Bob by buying his business at a time like
this
Even though I’d been waiting forever for Bob to
actually
come through with the sale, it bothered me that he was doing it under duress
.

He continued, “Any bank in town knows the Lake View Athletic Club is a solid business, so you shouldn’t have any trouble getting backing. The books are in order, and I’ll send them to whatever bank or S & L you want me to.”

I just sat there. I didn’t know what to say. My turn for throat clearing. “I appreciate the offer,” I finally choked out. “But I need to think it over. Can I get back to you on it?”

“I need a decision by tonight. This is a one
-
time chance, Jenna. I’ve got other potential buyers
,
but I promised you first shot, so I’m giving it to you.”

My eyes widened. He was going to sell the business. And quickly. To me or to someone else. “Can’t I have until Monday?”

He shook his head. “I have to know by tonight.”

“In that case, I’ll need the rest of the afternoon off.”

He nodded. “I understand.”

I stood, grabbed my purse from the filing cabinet drawer, and walked out to my car. My mind whirled as I drove away.

When I got to the edge of town, I pulled my cell
phone out and punched in Alex’s number.
He had gotten home during the shower this afternoon.
Straight to voice
mail. I left a message and pulled into the Stafford Cabins’ drive like a homing pigeon.

For a while, I walked the banks of the lake, mindlessly skipping stones until my phone rang.

“Hi, honey, I got your message.”

My heart warmed just hearing his voice. I still hadn’t fully realized the fact that I d
idn’t
have to make big decisions alone anymore. “
Welcome home. I’m sorry, I know you’re tired from your trip, but a
re you free for a few minutes?”

“I’m always free for you. What do you need?”

“An ear. You got one?”

“Hey, you’re in luck! I’ve got two. Where are you?”

I told him
,
and ten minutes later he was there, pulling me into his arms and kissing me soundly. “Oh wait,” he said as he released me. “It was my ears you wanted. I got confused.”

I laughed, amazed by how much lighter my heart was already. Whatever we decided together, God would work it out.

He took my hand
,
and we walked along the lakeshore. He glanced over at me. “So what’s on your mind?”

I frowned. “Bob wants to sell me the
c
lub.”

“So how come you’re acting like he sold it out from under you?”

I tugged him to a stop. “Well, for one thing, he’s not financing it, which was part of the promise. For another, I have to let him know tonight. And he threatened me. Sort of. He mentioned that he has other people interested in buying.”

“So what do you think is going on?”

“I think Lisa’s been arrested and has a gambling problem
,
and he needs money.”

He turned me to face him. “And why does that make this decision difficult?”

“I don’t know. I feel guilty I guess, like a vulture circling
its
prey.” Even though no one was in sight, I instinctively lowered my voice. “I
am
the one who turned in the cell phone that gave John the motive to arrest her.”

He brushed my hair back with his free hand. “Did you do that to hurt Lisa? Or because it was the right thing to do?”

“Because it was the right thing to do.”

“So that has nothing to do with this. From the way I understand what you’re telling me, Bob is going to sell the club. With or without you. Right?”

I nodded.

“Let me ask you something. If Bob had made this offer before you knew about Lisa’s problem and before she got arrested, what would you have done?”

“Jumped on it with both feet.”

“Well, then, get on your jumping shoes, water girl. If it was a good deal then, it’s
a good deal
now
.”

“What about all the paperwork?”

He dropped a kiss on my forehead. “Lucky for you, you’re looking at the king of paperwork. Let’s go find a banker who wants to get rid of some money.”

“At this hour on a Saturday?”

He grinned. “I’m also the king of connections.”

“Who knew I was marrying royalty?” I held up one finger. “Just a sec.” I palmed my phone, flipped it open, and punched in a phone number. “Hello, Bob? It’s Jenna. I’ve made my decision. Start the paperwork
,
and I’ll start the financing process.”

When I hung up, I looked at Alex. “I can’t believe it’s really happening.” I grinned.

He put his arms around me. “You’re not going to get so busy with your new business that you
’ll
want to postpone our wedding, are you?”

I smirked. “And give up my chance to be your queen? Never.”

*****

Monday morning Bob and I signed the initial paperwork.

“We’ll keep this under our hat
s
until it’s all finished,” he said.

I nodded. “As far as everyone is concerned, I’ll just start back to work for you full
-
time today.”

“Doesn’t your sister need some notice?”

I laughed. “She practically pushed me out the door. She knows where my heart is.”

“That’s one reason I’m so glad you’re the one buying it,” Bob said softly.

“Thanks. The bank says they’ll have the financing by Friday. I’ll take that day off to take care of everything. We’ll sign the paperwork in Alex’s office that afternoon.”

“And you can celebrate Friday night as the new owner,” Bob finished.

I laughed. “Yeah, probably by just coming here and soaking in the fact that it’s mine.”

Later that afternoon, Bob paged me to the office.

He looked up from his desk when I came in, his eyes wild. “Jenna,” he said, his voice hoarse. “Gail can run the club awhile. I need you to drive me somewhere.”

I took in the fine sheen of sweat on his brow and his pale complexion.

“Bob?” The words
“
heart attack
”
flashed across my mind like a neon sign. “Are you okay? Should I call an ambulance?”

“Ambulance? What are you talking about? Can’t you drive me downtown without making a federal case of it?” He gave me an irritated glance. Okay. Something was seriously wrong. Bob could be exasperating at times, but I’d never seen him like this. I grabbed my keys and followed him out to the parking lot. As I slid behind the wheel, I glanced at him. He looked more normal, but his hand shook as he fastened his seat belt.

I put the car in gear and headed out of the parking lot. “Look, Bob, if something’s wrong
,
it might help if you tell me about it.”

“If something’s wrong? My only child is in jail and likely to go through a nasty murder trial. She’s taking the rap for someone else.” He cleared his throat. “I’m going to fix that. Take me to the police department.” And he clamped his lips shut.

I glanced at him, wondering if he had a weapon hidden somewhere. Was he going to bust Lisa out of jail? When we arrived at the station, I pulled up to let him out
,
but he motioned sharply to the small parking lot next to the department
,
and I obediently pulled in.

“Come on. Let’s go in,” he said gruffly.

I frowned. What did he think I was going to do? Play Bonnie to his
Clyde
?

He glanced back at me. “I may need you to back me up. I’m not sure how this is going to go,” he muttered.

I trailed him into the building.

“I need to see Chief Conner immediately,” he barked to the young guy behind the desk. We were ushered into John’s office where John courteously offered us chairs.

I sank into the ugly plastic chair, but Bob remained standing. He leaned over John’s desk, placing both hands flat on the surface.

“John. I’m here to confess.”

“What did you do, Bob? Let your business license expire?”

“I’m serious. I killed that guy.”

I was glad I was sitting down. John glanced my way with raised eyebrows. I held my arms out, palms up. I was just the driver.

“Bob,” John said sternly
,
“
w
hat you’re doing is a serious offense. You can’t
present
false information
to
a police officer. Why don’t you go on home and think this over some more?”