Page 13 of Fortune’s Control (Fortune’s Creek #1)

“You told him you were looking for a job?!?”

“It was an impulsive statement. You should have seen his expression,” I said.

“Are you kidding? It was inspired, but if I’m honest, you need to look. Vacation time ends, even for Delilah Mayberry Wilcott. Reality and the forty-hour work week come for us all.”

I groaned. “Don’t say that. It’s not real.”

“You’re the one who uses me as your audio diary.”

“At your insistence.”

“True.”

“Okay, back to our earlier conversation. Should I follow my mother’s advice?

Sarah Jane says never to let them see you hurt.

It’s useful advice, right?” Agonizing over the correct approach was easier before Shane’s apology shattered my determination.

I almost steeled myself to move on after three days of us pretending the other didn’t exist, and then one brief conversation undid it.

His scent drifted to me, the heady mix of rich wood and spices, and then he took my hand and spoke with his sexy voice.

Worse, I heard his sincerity.

“Lilah, I love you more than anything, so please believe me when I say this from the bottom of my heart.”

“That sounds bad.”

“Your mother is toxic. She’s a selfish woman who you should never, ever listen to. I mean, who calls their mother by their first name? I don’t call mine Elizabeth Jessica.”

My shoulders slumped. I knew my mother wasn’t the best example of parenthood, but it hurt. Sarah Jane was the only family I had. “So, you don’t think I should follow her advice?”

“Oh, no, don’t get me wrong. She’s right about this. Don’t fall into his arms at the first hint of an apology.”

A vulnerable lilt in his voice had replaced Shane’s typical stoic expression. His apology wasn’t grand or poetic, but it was honest.

“Well, that’s easy to do because he’s on his way to Miami.”

“Then you’re alone?” I could almost hear Emma stiffen at this news.

She delivered a stern lecture after learning about my marriage, but before talking to Shane on the phone and switching to his champion.

Now, she put him in the penalty box. The only reason she didn’t immediately arrive in Fortune’s Creek was a mutual fear that it would alert Sandy’s killer to my whereabouts.

We were both paranoid, despite Detective Davis’ reassurances.

“His friends are checking on me.”

“His friends, huh? I don’t know them, so they don’t count. My parents’ anniversary party is over, so I can borrow a car from my parents and visit.”

I brightened, jumping and knocking my laptop off my knees. I caught and set it on the ground to prevent an accident. “When could you be here?”

“Give me a day to wrap up my job, and I’ll be there.”

I squealed into the phone. “Hurry and get here. Drive fast, but don’t speed. No, speed a little, but stay safe. I’ll send you some visuals.”

*****

“So, what will you do next?” Lainey took another bite of her salad.

“That’s the big question. We’ve checked tax rolls, newspapers, and the graveyard. I’m out of ideas.

She covered her mouth to swallow. We’ve met for lunch a few times, and I’ve since learned she’s a fastidious eater. “You could rent a sign. ‘Are you missing a granddaughter? Please call or text 555-1234.’ Either that, or go with Shane’s idea.”

My throat closed at his name. Gone less than a day, and I already missed him.

It’s not as if we spend all our time together, especially considering we haven’t spoken for three days.

All we had were names. Women within a particular age range who are still residents in town.

“I’m not sure what to do.” The next logical step was to ask my mother again.

Sarah Jane might tell me with enough flattery and luck.

What if my grandmother is just like my mother?

The Creekside Diner’s door opened, and four white-haired women entered, taking a nearby booth.

“Who are they?”

“Some of the book club.”

I studied each one, searching for a sense of kinship or familiarity, and found nothing. They were strangers.

Diane came in next. She crossed her arms over her chest and strode right towards us. “Enjoying a late lunch?”

“Hi Diane,” I said.

Diane Jones put her name as a witness on our absurd wedding license and now made a point of checking in on our marriage. She took the chair next to Lainey. “Now tell me, how is Fortune’s Creek’s newest honeymooner?”

My cheeks heated. “We’re doing well. Shane is out of town, helping his friend Aiden with a job. ”

“Oh, you must miss him. Parted so soon after your honeymoon.”

I swallowed, uncertain how to respond. I appreciated her idyllic rewriting of our nuptials, but it also made me uncomfortable.

Lainey and I shared a look. She knew as much as Emma. I opened up to her after the disastrous date with Shane and ended up stopping her from going to battle on my behalf. It was gratifying to have someone local on my side.

“I miss him very much.” My lips thinned in my effort to hold back a laugh.

“How he made heart eyes at you at the Gator Tale.” She patted Lainey’s arm. “It was love at first sight. He offered to buy you dinner, and I knew you were fated for each other. We need to find someone for you next, don’t we, Lainey?”

Lainey’s eyes widened with horror. “I’m not interested in a relationship right now, Diane. Please don’t worry about me.”

“Oh, but I do. We need to bring some fortune to Fortune’s Creek.” She laughed at her joke. “Your time is coming soon, believe me. I know these things. I’ve only been mistaken once.”

That made me curious. “Wrong about who?”

“Oh, that’s right. This was before your time. Jack Dossman and Shane’s little sister. I always figured they would be married by now; everyone did. It’s a shame. A real shame.”

I couldn’t resist. “What about Pete?”

Lainey played along. “Gossip says he’s interested in someone special.”

Diane blanched. “Pete? The gallery owner?”

“Apparently, he’s set his sights on someone. She’s local. Who is it?” I asked.

“I…I don’t know.” She tapped her chest. “Pete ha s a lady friend? If you’ll excuse me, I need to get to my restaurant before it opens.”

I covered my mouth after she left. “We are horrible. Awful, awful people.”

Lainey wagged her finger. “Only if Pete doesn’t make a move soon. We need to make him.”

“How do we do that? How do we play matchmaker?”

“Well, I don’t know. This is an unfamiliar experience.”

“I have an idea.” I ignored the creeping guilt. Shane expressed remorse during this morning’s talk and wanted to make amends. He meant another date, but this was sort of the same thing. “I’ll have Shane do it.”

“His head will explode.”

“Probably.”

We both laughed.

*****

“I’ll walk you back to the library. My bike is there, and I have a question.”

“Ask away, please. There’s a teen activity this afternoon, and they’re always the surliest bunch. Plus, budget, and other boring items.”

“What do you know about Jack and Aiden’s sister?”

She eyed me. “More matchmaking?”

“More nosy.”

“No one knows. Like Diane said, they were high school sweethearts. He joined the Marines with Shane, and she moved away. Sophie rarely visits now; when she does, she makes her opinion about Jack known. It was right after their parents died. You should ask Shane.”

“He doesn’t know either.” Or, he’s not telling.

“If Shane doesn’t know, it’s fated to be a forever mystery.” Lainey stopped before the library door. “You want to know mine?”

“Another high school sweetheart?” I sobered. Lainey’s expression said this was important to her. “If you want to share.”

“You read my book, so you know the plot. Remember the villain? He’s based on a real person.”

Confusion filled me. “That happened to you?” I didn’t want to believe it. “It isn’t fiction.”

“It is, sort of.” Lainey’s voice weakened. “The villain is based on someone I used to know. I had a huge crush on him in high school. The kind of crush that leads you to write initials inside of a heart.” She made a heart shape with her fingers. “I mistook his friendliness for flirting.”

“What happened?”

“He wasn’t friendly or flirting, and I was an idiot not to see him for who he really was. In a way, I owe Alex a big thank you as he inspired a bestseller. But he moved away, never to return, and I hope he never does.”

Lainey shrank as she told her secret, and I knew it took courage for her to admit it. How much pain did this man inflict for her to write a book about him?

“I won’t tell anyone. Many people in this town have relationship secrets. Maybe we should check on Aiden Taggert next.”

She snorted, and her mood lightened. “He doesn’t have those.”

Everyone has a secret.

An idea occurred to me. “You’re off tomorrow, right? Spend the day with me. We can use the pool and go to the Gator Tale for dinner.”

“Oh, I love it. Sunbathing and drinking. A perfect day.”

We hugged and said our goodbyes before I grabbed my bike from the rack. My car rested in Shane’s driveway, unused. It worked fine, but Fortune’s Creek’s small size made other forms of transportation convenient.

I walked through town, letting myself take in the downtown once more. The lack of parking spots told me antiquers were in town again. Groups wandered down the sidewalks. The eating area by the ice cream parlor had customers enjoying their vanilla cones and hot fudge sundaes.

My back itched as I pedaled. Unnerved, I braked and came to a stop. I cast around for the source, checking both sidewalks and the park for anyone suspicious. No one noticed me, but the sensation didn’t fade.

I checked the license plates, but none were from Georgia, and none of the men resembled him. I squeezed my eyes shut, and Sandy’s face floated before me. I took five slow breaths, and the itch faded. No one wore a black hoodie or an overgrown goatee. He wasn’t here.

My imagination needed to shut up.

Relieved, I climbed on my bicycle and rode home. No one followed.

*****