The next afternoon, a knock sounded at Tansy’s back door, and her heart kicked into overdrive. She’d hoped—and feared—Beck might stop by last night after work. Her head and her heart were at odds, so when he hadn’t shown up, she’d told herself it was for the best.
She hadn’t believed herself for a second.
Up to her elbows in bread dough, she called out, “Door’s open. Come on in.” Surprised when Jenni Beth walked in, she said, “I didn’t expect you today. Give me a second, and I’ll set this aside to rise, then grab us some coffee.”
“Finish that. I can get the coffee.”
Jenni Beth turned her back, but not before Tansy caught the expression on her face. “What’s wrong?”
“Who said anything was wrong?”
“Come on! One look at you and anybody’d think your dog died.”
“Zeke’s fine.”
While Tansy covered the bowl of dough and washed her hands, Jenni Beth carried two steaming cups of coffee to the table. She dropped into one of the sturdy chairs.
“Somebody broke in again.”
“No! Did you call Jimmy Don or Sam?”
“Not yet.”
“Why not?”
Jenni Beth wet her lips. “The camera was on.” She hesitated. “Tansy, it’s Coralee.”
“What?” Tansy felt the blood drain from her face.
“I’m so sorry, Tanz.”
“You’re sorry? Why should you be sorry? She’s my aunt.”
“Exactly. And that’s why I haven’t contacted Sam. Have you seen Coralee lately?”
“She’s stopped by a couple times this past week.” Tansy shook her head. “This has something to do with that damn tarp.”
“Want to pay her a visit?”
“Absolutely. Do you think I should call my mom?”
“It might not be a bad idea to have her with us.”
Tansy dropped her head in her hands. “My aunt. A burglar.”
“I don’t think she took anything.”
“But she broke into your office! Aren’t you angry?”
Jenni Beth shrugged. “She’s Coralee.”
Tansy laughed humorlessly. “And doesn’t that say it all?” She picked up her cell and hit speed dial. “Mom, I have a favor to ask.”
* * *
Half an hour later, the three women pulled up in front of Coralee Calhoun’s house. As they opened their doors, a corner of the tarp flipped up and her aunt stepped out.
Tansy studied the blue tarp more carefully and realized it didn’t actually lay flat against the side of the house. Something propped it up and kept it from touching.
“What’s up?” Coralee asked. “Did I forget we’d made a date?”
“Nope.” Tansy took in the old sneakers, the faded jeans, and hot-pink tank top. Her aunt’s fire-red hair was pulled back in a messy ponytail. She noted, too, that everything was smeared with paint. “We thought we’d run out to Magnolia House.”
“Oh?” Just the tiniest flicker of nerves skittered across Coralee’s face. “Doesn’t make much sense with Jenni Beth right here.”
Tansy shrugged. “Probably not. Especially since you were just at her place last night.”
Her aunt’s mouth dropped open.
“Coralee! How could you?” Rexanna stepped toward her. “I am so embarrassed! And your brother, if he were still here with us, would be horrified.”
“I don’t think so. I didn’t—”
“Coralee, Beck installed a security camera,” Jenni Beth said. “You did break in last night.”
“It was for a good cause.” Never one to back down, Coralee all but dared them to argue with her.
“Good cause or not, you broke the law,” her sister-in-law said.
“Does it have something to do with this?” Tansy pointed to the tarp.
“That’s none of your business.”
Ignoring her aunt’s protests, Tansy and Jenni Beth moved to the tarp, one on each side. They gave a couple hard tugs, and it dropped to the grass.
Flabbergasted, they both stepped back. An incredible mural covered the entire side of Coralee’s house. In the center stood Magnolia House with its sweeping front porch, columns, and gardens. Roses bloomed gloriously and moss-draped oaks lined the drive. Magnolia House brides wandered over the grounds, each painted in meticulous detail right down to the delicate lace on their gowns, the jewels in their hair, and the vibrant flowers in their bouquets.
“There’s Stella, our first Magnolia bride, on her Harley. She and Bear were so happy, and I was about dying from nerves.” Jenni Beth pointed to another woman. “Here’s Holly, our Victorian bride, and, look. Our Virginia bride with her sprig of dogwood. And Katie. She made a beautiful bride.”
“Good memories, aren’t they?” Coralee asked.
Jenni Beth nodded.
Tansy, though, wasn’t about to be mollified. “Why?”
“Why what?”
“Why’d you break into her office?”
“I told you. It was for a good cause. I needed names. Addresses and phone numbers.” She shuffled her sneakered feet.
“Why, Auntie?”
“Your dad’s heart attack was so unexpected, so devastating. None of us suspected he had a heart problem. Do you know that one percent of babies are born with congenital heart defects? Fortunately, most can be easily fixed. There’s a group in Atlanta that’s involved in research to help the others. I’ve been donating in Roger’s name. So far, I’ve sent them twelve hundred and fifty dollars.”
“Where’s the money coming from?”
“Jenni Beth’s files. I’ve contacted the grooms and explained what I’m doing. For a contribution of fifty dollars, I add their bride to the mural.”
“Why didn’t you tell us?”
“You’d have said no.”
“We wouldn’t have,” Jenni Beth assured her. “This is incredible.”
“You’re not painted in yet, honey, but I saved this spot right in the center for you.” She pointed to a spot on the front lawn. “I’ve seen pictures of your dress.” Her face turned red, but she rushed on. “I didn’t want to jump the gun, though, in case Cole happened to catch sight of this before your wedding day. I’d hate to ruin the surprise for him when he sees you walkin’ toward him on your big day.”
“Thank you.” Jenni Beth kissed Coralee’s cheek.
“You still have to answer to the law,” Rexanna said. “You broke into Jenni Beth’s office and went through confidential records.”
“Pshaw! Jenni Beth isn’t going to press charges. Are you, honey?”
Jenni Beth looked at Tansy, then at her friend’s mother. “Sam needs to know our culprit’s been caught.”
“Culprit?” Coralee pulled herself up to her full five-foot-four height.
“You like burglar better?” Tansy asked.
“No, I do not.”
“Then culprit you are.”
* * *
Sam dropped his chin to his chest. “I can’t believe this.” Then he lifted his head and grabbed a large key ring off his desk.
“What’s that?” Coralee asked.
“The keys to the jail cells. You’ll come along nicely, won’t you? You won’t make me handcuff you?”
Coralee’s eyes went saucer wide. Her gaze darted from him to her niece to her sister-in-law. Finally, she turned to Jenni Beth. “You’re gonna lock me up?”
“Not up to her, Coralee,” Sam said. “You broke the law.”
Panic crawled up Tansy’s throat. She hadn’t actually expected Sam to lock up her aunt!
“You have a lawyer?” Sam asked.
“Oh dear.” Coralee dropped onto a chair. “Rexanna, explain it was for a good cause.”
“It was, Sam. She was raisin’ money for children with heart problems.”
Jenni Beth jumped in. “If you lock up Tansy’s aunt, Cricket’s going to be awfully mad at you, Sam.”
“It’s my job.” His back to Coralee, he winked. “I suppose if she promises to never ever do this again…”
“I promise!” Coralee blurted.
“And promises to never paint her house some ungodly color…”
“I won’t.”
“What do you say, Jenni Beth? You were the injured party.” Sam tucked a thumb in his belt, the key ring dangling from his other hand.
Jenni Beth faced Tansy’s aunt. “Coralee, what you did was wrong. I worried about my family’s safety and the confidentiality of my brides and grooms. From here on in, if you need something, you come to me and ask. Understood?”
Coralee nodded.
“I need to hear you say it.”
Tansy studied her friend with new respect. She’d expected her to simply fold, but she read a fierce riot act.
“I won’t break into your office again. I promise. If there’s something I want to know, I’ll ask.” She hesitated. “Could you give me your grooms’ names as they book, so I can contact them about the mural?”
“I think we can work something out,” Jenni Beth said.
“So we’re good here?” Sam asked.
They all nodded.
“Go on then,” he said. “I’ve got work to do.”
Tansy’s aunt beat them all out the door.
* * *
Tansy knew she shouldn’t bother Beck at work, but she needed to see him. It was as simple as that. She gave one quick rap on his office door and opened it. “You got a minute?”
He nodded, and she stepped inside, closing the door behind her.
Beck rested a hip on the edge of his desk. “I heard about Coralee’s side business, and I know you’re upset about it. How can I help?”
Tansy shrugged.
But she did know. By loving her warts, crazy aunts, and all. By loving her through temper tantrums, crying jags, and self-doubt.
He crooked his finger in a come-here gesture.
Barely breathing, she did just that.
When she reached his desk, he pulled her to him. She felt every muscle, every inch of his body, felt his desire.
His mouth crashed down on hers. Gone were the soft, teasing kisses. Today’s were hot and demanding, and she made a small sound of pleasure. He slanted his mouth and changed position to take still more. He kissed her like his life depended on it.
Tansy felt light-headed. She’d missed this so badly.
It had always been Beck.
His hand strayed beneath her blouse, his fingers trailing over her skin to the underside of her breasts. Despite her loveless, sexless life these past years, she’d never quit wearing sexy underwear, and she’d never been happier about that than right now. Today she’d chosen red lace.
As Beck undid her buttons, the lace peeked through and he smiled. “Nice.”
“I like it.”
“Matching panties?”
“For you to find out!”
“You’re killin’ me, sugar.”