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From my office, I called and made a lunch date with Melinda Goldberg. I needed to pick her brain. I wondered if she knew anything regarding the other ladies’ interest in buying puppies. Tuesdays were taco salad day at Orsack’s, and Melinda was on the trendy Keto diet. Despite her mourning the loss of the puppy, she accepted my invitation. She stated she didn’t have many girlfriends and appreciated my sweet gesture. My conscious jabbed at my heart.
When I walked into the café, the entire restaurant clapped. Instead of making a run for it, I bowed. Melinda waved me over to a table near the window. Her platinum hair curled in a perfect “C” shape at her chin, and she wore so much gold jewelry, she practically sparkled.
Melinda smiled. “I ordered you water with lemon.”
“Thanks.”
“How’re you doing?” she asked, glancing around the restaurant. “I mean with all this public attention.”
“To be honest, I’m good. Public attention doesn’t bother me. It’s more about embarrassing my family and business than anything.” I didn’t bother opening the menu. Taco salad sounded good. The server stopped by and took our orders, asked if we were on separate tickets, and left with a “Congrats on making the feature news story.”
Melinda rolled her eyes. “Girl, don’t let her get to you. She’s excited to have someone make the front page other than her. Remember last month when her husband left her for another woman, and she threw all his belongings into an enormous pile in their front yard? The Pleasant Hills Banner featured a half-page photo of the mess.”
“Oh my gosh, yes! It was all anyone could talk about for weeks,” I said, feeling somewhat better. “Their story gave new meaning to the phrase: you shouldn’t air your dirty laundry in public.” Melinda sipped her water. “Besides, whoever sent the photo into the newspaper got a great angle of your figure.” She winked.
She was right. Minus the horrified look on my face, I looked pretty good. At least I had that. I nodded. “Thanks, I needed some perspective.”
She clasped her hands together. “And you’re one of us! Although, now that our new member induction ceremony has hit the news, we’ll probably need to come up with a new allegiance method.” The word hazing fits better than method, I thought. “I’m sure as long as we cut out the running naked part, doing the ceremony in the bluebonnets will still work.”
She considered it for a few seconds and shook her head. “Yeah, I think Vivi feels otherwise. She wants to make sure the members pledge their faithful loyalty to the society, so it has to be risky.” The silly society sold hot chocolate and lemonade at town events to support local charities. Why on earth did they need to have “risky” promises of commitment? I nodded, wanting to change the subject to the French bulldog.
“Melinda, I wanted to extend my sympathies about Nugget. I know how disappointed and sad you must be. I’m a dog gal, so I get it. Maybe now you can purchase the puppy from Mrs. Foley.” Her big brown eyes melted. “I wish. But since we already lost the money the first go around, we can’t afford it. Since my husband paid in cash, there’s no way to trace the money. I’m guessing you heard about us having to return Nugget from your handsome boyfriend. You must know, I wasn’t aware he was one of the Foley pups.”
“I know, Melinda. And I hope you don’t mind Jackson sharing the information with me. He thought you might need a friend.” I fibbed when necessary. “On a related matter, there was talk last night at the society meeting about a couple of ladies interested in buying puppies. How well do you know Brit Buckley?”
Melinda rolled her eyes. “I know firsthand that sleeping with a friend’s husband isn’t beneath her.” Resting a hand over hers, I squeezed. “Oh no, are you sure?”
She chuckled. “As sure as I know, Nugget was Phil’s peace offering. I’m glad it wasn’t another piece of worthless jewelry. Call me jaded, but I gave up trying to keep Phil from straying. It’s exhausting.” She paused, pulled her hand out from under mine, and returned the squeeze. “I see the sympathy written on your face, Steely. It’s unnecessary. I know I deserve better. I’ll be fine. But where Brit’s concerned, she grew bored with Phil and moved on. She’s a genuine piece of work.”
I admired Melinda’s strength and ability to overcome such betrayal. Given my past dealings with Nick’s cheating, and Jackson’s ex showing back up in his life, I didn’t handle them well. Actually, I’d rate my reactions as poor.
“Well, you’re a better woman than me.” Recalling Brit flirting with Vivienne’s nephew the night before, I shook my head. “Do you think she’d have the nerve to go after someone half her age?”
“Yes, ma’am. Especially if she believed it might benefit her in some way. A boy toy would be a bonus.”
“Ugh, it’s wrong on so many levels.” I scrunched my face at the idea of poor Vin falling victim to Brit the cougar. “Maybe I should say something to him. You know, to keep him out of harm’s way.”
“You could try.” Melinda shrugged. “But chances are it won’t do any good. All male logic seems to go south when it comes to Brit Buckley.”
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STROLLING DOWN THE sidewalk, I mulled over my lunch conversation with Melinda. I didn’t like Brit Buckley when we met the night before. After lunch, my distaste and suspicion for the woman intensified. What would motivate her to go after young Vin? He volunteered with an animal rescue group and worked for his aunt Vivienne. It certainly wasn’t money. And pursuing Vin would put Brit at odds with Vivienne. Didn’t she value their friendship? But after the information I learned from Melinda, I guessed Brit didn’t value many things, even friends.
I discovered Stacia Peacock waiting for me at the shop. Dressed for duty, she smiled and followed me to the counter. She appeared less bimbo-ish than usual. Dare I say, pretty? In uniform, she wore her satin blonde hair pulled back in a low, tight bun and tasteful makeup.
“Um, hello,” I said.
“I hope you don’t mind me waiting inside. The door was unlocked. I didn’t see or hear anyone, so I waited. I didn’t want to leave your shop unattended.”
“Strange,” I said, leaning over and scanning the computer screen. “Daniel should be here.” I noticed the last appointment’s cancellation before Daniel usually took his lunch. Cuff was gone too. “Maybe he ran a quick errand. So, what can I do for you?”
“I need to make a confession.” Sympathy swam in her ocean-blue eyes. “I feel awful.” I wished I could fish my phone from my jeans pocket and switch on my camera video, but she’d see me.
“About?” There’s not a living soul around, and Stacia is about to confess. What if it is something about her mobster father, Vivienne, or the dogs? Where was the darn wire device when I needed it? Oh right. Lost in Vivienne’s bluebonnet patch.
“Last night. But I panicked when I saw you show up. I didn’t think you were serious yesterday. If so, I would’ve warned you about the new member thing. You know, in the bluebonnets?” Her face scrunched like it hurt.
“Then why didn’t you come tell me? I saw you spot me at the meeting.”
“And risk Aunt Vivi catching me? Have you met my aunt? I’m not getting on her nasty side.”
I rolled my eyes. “I know all too well about being on her unpleasant side. I’m fairly certain she took great pleasure in seeing this morning’s paper.” And then it hit me. She was here to make a confession. The picture. “Oh my gosh, are you the one who sent the picture to the Banner?”
She shook her head. “No, Girl Scout’s honor.” She held up the two-finger pledge. “I didn’t think you’d actually show up. I tried calling Nick or someone at the station, so they could contact Jackson, but it was too late. Because there were only two of you joining, it happened too quickly. By the time I reached someone, you and your grandmother were already ... well, y’all were rolling down the hill. Afterward, I couldn’t bear to face you at the house.”
“I bet you’re all broken up over it,” I said. I regretted the harsh tone the second the words left my lips. “Seriously, I’m sorry it happened.”
I studied her face, searching for truth. “Why didn’t you tell me yesterday afternoon when I saw you at Baker’s Bliss? You had the perfect opportunity then.”
“I thought you were playing a mean trick on Aunt Vivi. I asked Nick after you walked away if he thought you’d go through with it, and he laughed. But when I saw you in the grand room, I freaked. I’m not cruel, Steely.”
She’d thrown me for a loop. “I’m not sure how to react or what to say. I’ve considered you an enemy ever since you showed up in town because of what you did. With Nick.”
“Ugh, don’t remind me,” she said.
“Why not? I’m constantly reminded every time I see y’all together.” My anger and defenses ebbed and flowed.
“I know, and I’m sorry. If it makes you feel any better, he’s cheating on me.”
“Are you freaking kidding me right now?”