Page 25 of Moonshine and Magnolias (Just Add Peaches #1)

“We’ve searched almost every inch of this house and haven’t found a hint of any lost treasure, Hal. For all we know, it was uncovered fifty years ago.”

“There was the hidden whiskey!”

“Not really a benefit for an IRS man during Prohibition.”

“Maybe we’d be able to break the curse if you paid attention to something other than some uptight chick with a great ass.”

Rob’s muscles tightened as anger threaded through his blood with the only outlet being his fist against Hal’s face.

His brother held up his hands in supplication that he may have crossed a line. “You are not telling Wendy Marsh about why we’re here. This is our family business, not hers.”

“Damn it, Hal. Think for yourself for once. You’ve spent more time tracking down whatever this treasure is than you have on your own life. This is crazy. It needs to stop.”

“You wouldn’t be saying this if you hadn’t been shown some feminine attention. I’m not going to let this happen.”

“You can’t stop me.”

Hal’s eyes narrowed. “I can sure as hell try.”

***

Wendy hung up the office phone and leaned back in the antique chair, drumming her fingers on the papers that lay neatly in front of her.

The conversation with the Steward Hotel HR manager had left her nerves eating the lining of her stomach.

Her diminished headache had returned, complete with a parade full of marching bands and loudspeakers.

She slid her notepad parallel to the edge of the desk and placed her pencil in its center, then rested her head in her hands.

Beth from human resources had said she’d track down Wendy’s contract and the hotel rules for leaves of absences for the death of a family member and call her back when she had information to share.

Her voice had been cautious and flat, but Wendy held out hope she’d have some recourse if Tina punished her because of the Indiana project.

Good thing Fountenoy Hall didn’t have an HR department or she’d have to report herself for what she did with Rob.

She opened up the to-do list on her phone and entered notes for starting a policy manual.

Brandi dashed into the office clutching a manila folder, her blond hair flying behind her. “I’m sorry!”

Alarm spread through Wendy’s body, but she forced herself to be still. Her cousin had been known to overdramatize things. “What happened?”

“The morning meeting? I missed it again.”

“And you’re telling me this well after lunch.” Wendy bit the inside of her cheek before she could confess her own sin. “If mornings don’t work, we can change the time. It’s just nice to catch up with each other and keep communication open.”

“I know. I’ll do better.” Brandi produced a piece of paper. “Ta da!”

It was a printed version of the spreadsheet for next week’s retirement party with the menu approved and notes filled in. “Great job, Brandi.”

Her cousin threw herself in the guest chair.

“I can see why they do only one or two events a month. It’s exhausting.

” She leaned forward. “But fun. Maybe once we get into the swing of things we can try doing a few more. Hire some part-time staff or something. Aunt Eulalee said they’re already booking through next summer since the time is so limited.

The only reason the retirement party got a day is because someone cancelled. ”

“Hmmm, maybe.” If Wendy continued on her current path, she’d be gone by then. That was one of the reasons she wanted to talk about her leave time with Beth. In case she wanted to stay longer. “Jordan and I are going to do some work at Cuppa Joe’s. Want to come with us?”

“I wish I could. I miss that place. We used to hang out there all the time in high school.”

Wendy gave her a tight-lipped smile. Her cousin had loved the place. Boys lined up to buy her flavored coffees. Wendy sat there and watched it all with only her special drink for company.

“Say hi to Mrs. Kempert for me,” Brandi said.

“What are you doing?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll be back in a few hours to help with dinner.” Brandi gave a smooth grin and scooted out the door. “I have my own to-do list for a change.”

As soon as Jordan finished her business calls, Wendy was going to take her to the coffee shop for a change of scenery.

Scenery that didn’t include almost six-foot, sexy-voiced, history investigators.

Jordan wanted to help with Pansy Hamilton, and there was a fair amount of work to be done that didn’t need prior knowledge or a lot of skill.

She settled into the chair and played with the end of her neat ponytail. How had everything gotten so muddled in the past twenty-four hours? Like that jerk from last night. Like Rob and this morning. Like aspirin and if taking double the dose would give her double the benefits.

The knock on the door frame was accompanied by a deep voice that definitely wasn’t Jordan. “Ms. Marsh?” Hal Upshaw hesitated at the threshold, not meeting her eyes.

She waved him in. “Mr. Upshaw, good afternoon. What can I do for you?”

He stood in front of the desk and ran his hands down his thighs in a gesture she recognized as Rob’s. He glanced around the room before his gaze settled in her general direction, his face set with resignation. “I need to tell you something. It’s about Rob. ”

“About Rob?” she echoed. “What is it? Is he okay?”

“Well, first, he’s still with the campers on the tour.” Hal visibly swallowed and looked over at the window. “He’s fine. He doesn’t know I’m doing this.”

This couldn’t be good. “Then maybe it’s something that shouldn’t be done.”

Hal paced the room. He stopped in front of the fireplace and brushed his fingers across one of the bricks.

“There’s something he needs to tell you, but he hasn’t done it yet.

I know you guys haven’t… anyway, it may affect how you feel about him, but he couldn’t bring himself to say anything.

” He cast a shy glance in her direction and hung his head when they made eye contact.

“But if you’re the kind of woman that I think you are, that he hints when he talks about you, you’ll digest this news before acting on it.

It doesn’t change who he is on the inside. Who he’s always been.”

Her head throbbed with his words. “Unless you’re going to tell me he’s a serial killer or is investigating the Hall for non-payment of back taxes, I’m not comfortable with this conversation, Mr. Upshaw. If your brother has something to tell me, he can tell me himself.”

He sighed and looked at the door with longing.

“It’s just such a sensitive topic.” He rubbed his hands over his face and took a deep breath.

More similarities between him and his brother showed.

He wore the same style of jeans and a t-shirt.

They had the same thick brows and eyes. Even their mouths held the same characteristics, but Hal’s always seemed to be on the verge of a frown.

Wendy stood up and put her hand on the door. “I’ll see you at dinner, Mr. Upshaw.”

“Rob is impotent,” Hal blurted. “He has erectile dysfunction.”

Whoa. “I did not need to know that.”

“He’s had this problem for as long as…” He cleared his throat.

“At any rate, he’s been taking medications.

Different kinds to see if they can solve the problem.

Sometimes they work, for a while anyway.

He started a new one before we began our research trip.

I don’t think he’s had a chance to test..

.” He stopped talking, shifting his eyes down .

Heat crawled up her neck at what Hal didn’t say. At least Rob hadn’t discussed anything physical that had happened between them with his brother. She wiped her hands on her skirt. “You need to leave.”

“I’m sorry.” He paced as if his concern propelled him around the room. “I’m only telling you this because he didn’t come upstairs last night. I see the way you guys look at each other and if he didn’t say anything but if he couldn’t… I mean, if it doesn’t…” He groaned.

“I get the idea, Mr. Upshaw.”

“If he brings it up, it would save him the embarrassment if you told him I spilled the beans and that you don’t have to talk about it.” He strode to the door and took Wendy’s hands. “He’s my brother and I love him. I’d trade places with him if I could.”

A small ping of guilt swept her conscience. Talk about letting feelings dictate what you did for someone you love. “Good bye, Mr. Upshaw.”

He gave her a slow, sad smile, then departed the office with a speed that said he was as happy to end the conversation as she was. She had no time alone to make sense of what he said as Jordan breezed into the room. “I’m ready. Let’s blow this punch bowl.”

It was a short drive to Cuppa Joe’s. Wendy ignored the unease that slithered through her and updated her friend about the threesome request from her dance partner the previous night.

The chatter helped keep her mind off Rob and what she should do.

It’s not like she could go up to him and say, “Hey, how’s it hanging? How would you like it to hang?”

Maybe she’d do as Hal suggested and let it blow over. No pun intended.

She parked her car in front of the row of shops and gathered the papers and computers. Jordan swung her laptop bag over her shoulder and followed Wendy to the building. “Oy, that guy was such a jerk. I wish Sebastien had given him the swollen mouth instead.”

“Instead of what?”

The rich smell of coffee and the tinkling of a chime greeted Wendy as soon as she swung open the glass door.

Only a few of the wooden tables were filled, and most of the booths lining the wide windows were empty.

The smooth, pale green walls were just as welcoming now as they were when the shop opened fifteen years ago.

“Wendy!” Mrs. Kempert stood from organizing the bookshelf full of games and puzzles. She enveloped Wendy in a hug that surrounded her with a poof of flour and the scent of fresh-baked goods as Jordan made her way to a long booth in the back.