Need You Now (18 page)

Darlene laughed. “Uh, Layla's house is a lot more than a farm. It's a ranch, an estate. Simply gorgeous.”

“Well, it takes time to get our places the way we want them. And Layla, as you probably know, is a hard worker.”

Dave still had his arm around her when she twisted to face in his direction. “Can you believe that I had no idea who she was until last weekend when she came to our house for dinner, for my daughter Grace's sixteenth birthday?”

“Really?”

“But Brad knew who she was right away, and I think he's been gaga ever since.”

“She's a beautiful woman, inside and out.”

That was the second time that Dave had mentioned Layla being a good person. Maybe she'd misread Layla. But why the bitterness toward God?

Dave rubbed his chin for a moment, almost as if he was checking for stubble. “Don't let her fool you. She puts on a big act. I guess it's left over from her days of fame, but she really is as good as they come.”

Dave seemed very genuine when he spoke about Layla, and Darlene wondered if maybe her initial hunch had been right. Maybe Layla and Dave would be a good match.

“I heard my name.” Layla leaned around Darlene to peer at both of them.

Dave removed his arm from Darlene's chair, and she sat back all the way so they could see each other.

“I was just telling Darlene what a wonderful person you are.” Dave finished off the last of his wine. Darlene still had almost a full glass.

“Don't lie to her, Dave.”

They both laughed. When Layla went to the ladies' room a few minutes later, Dave put his hand on the back of Darlene's chair again and whispered, “Layla has been through a hard time. Did she tell you about Marissa?”

Darlene shifted her weight in her chair. His face was close to hers as he spoke, and she felt the need to back away just a little. He moved his arm and leaned back.

“Who is Marissa?” she asked.

“Marissa was her daughter.”

Darlene's mouth fell open. “I didn't know Layla had any children.”

“Marissa died when she was fifteen, drug overdose.” Dave ran his finger around the rim of his wineglass and looked down. “No one ever knew if it was intentional, or if Marissa was just trying to get some temporary relief from all that ailed her. Layla told me once that Marissa was bipolar.” He paused as he looked back at Darlene. “Layla was never really the same. And it ended her career, although people moved mountains to keep the press away as best they could. But it still got out.”

Darlene was surprised Brad didn't know anything about it. And poor Layla. “That's terrible.” She paused. “I haven't known Layla very long, and I don't know her very well.”

“Well, maybe wait and let her tell you in her own time.”

Darlene nodded as she wondered if Marissa was why Layla had said God had no mercy. She couldn't imagine anything happening to one of her children. It was every parent's worst nightmare.

“Marissa is one of the reasons Layla is such a big supporter of the school and wants to see the addition built.” Dave eased his chair back. “Oh, excuse me. They are getting ready to start, and I need to go speak with that man over there. I'll be right back.” He pointed to a man at a nearby table before hurrying away.

Darlene heard a loud squeak as someone fidgeted with the microphone onstage. A male voice said something about technical difficulties, but she wasn't really paying attention. Her heart hurt for Layla. She wondered if and when Layla would tell her about it. And if she wanted to hear. She thought about Chad, Ansley, and Grace, and said a quick prayer.

Thank You, Lord, for my healthy children
.

She just couldn't imagine one of her children harming themselves.

Chapter Nine

Dave chatted with Chuck Perkins for a few minutes while people worked to get the microphone onstage working. Chuck was sure to make a sizable contribution, and he was a good guy in general.

On his way back to the table, he bumped into Lacy St. John, the woman in charge of seating at the event.

“Thank you for my seating request,” he whispered with a smile.

“Well, it wasn't easy. That's the best table in the house. I had to bump Chuck Perkins for you to sit there.” She frowned, her eyes level under drawn brows.

Dave clamped his eyes shut for a moment and grimaced. “Oops. I didn't know I was taking Chuck's place.”

“Well, you did.” She folded her arms across a pink strapless gown. “And I hope she is worth it.” She glanced toward Dave's table. “And, Dave,
she
is married, so you be careful.”

“Lacy, shame on you.” Dave shook his head. “It's not like that. She's Cara's one-on-one teacher. I told you that. I just want to get to know her better.”

“I know what you told me.” She raised one eyebrow. “And you heard what I said.”

She breezed by him. He'd known Lacy and her husband since high school. They'd lost touch for five or six years until they all landed here in Round Top. Lacy's husband was still a bit of a jerk like he'd been in high school—Lacy had caught him cheating on her years ago. One thing about Lacy. Nothing got past her. He made his way back to the table just as a woman's voice rang through the crowd from the stage, asking for everyone's attention.

In her opening comments, the emcee encouraged everyone to bid generously on the auction items so that the new wing at the school would become a reality. Dave planned to do just that, and he hoped others would as well. With enough funds, they could hire more teachers and expand the programs to include other children from surrounding areas who also had special needs, including children from lower-income families.

“Enjoy your dinner,” the woman said as she finished her speech. “The silent auction will close at nine o'clock, followed by a live auction. Then please stay to enjoy the band and dancing.”

Waiters were already bustling around and delivering salads, and a low buzz of conversation ensued after the woman left the stage. Dave shifted to his right so the waiter could place a salad in front of him. Layla grabbed the guy before he could head back to the kitchen, and she requested another glass of wine. He'd need to keep an eye on his friend tonight. She'd probably arrived in a limousine, as she was known to do for these things, but he also didn't want her making a fool of herself—as she'd done once or twice after too much wine.

He'd considered asking Layla out awhile back. Not many single women lived in the area, and she was certainly beautiful. But he'd realized early on that Layla was holding on to a lot of baggage. Not just the loss of her daughter, but after being around her a few times, he sensed she was still in love with her ex-husband, Tom. Nonetheless, they'd become good friends. She respected his crisp reminders that Round Top wasn't Hollywood when her ego occasionally reared its head, and he, too, accepted her frankness when he needed it. Despite her controlling tendencies, she was a warm, loving person.

Penny cleared her throat. “Darlene, I hear you've only been working at The Evans School for a couple of weeks. How do you like it so far?”

Dave glanced to his left at Darlene.

“I love it. I love working with the kids.” She turned to Dave briefly. “And I have Dave's daughter, Cara, in the afternoons. She's a pleasure to teach.”

When she turned back to Penny, Dave kept his eyes on Darlene. Her royal-blue halter dress showed off a delicate back, and loose tendrils of ash-blond hair swept against rosy cheeks. He wondered if she knew how pretty she was, and if her husband told her often.

“And what's your degree in?” Penny took a sip of wine, her eyes staying on Darlene above the rim of the glass.

“Actually . . . I don't have a degree.” Darlene's cheeks reddened a little. “But Myrna and the other employees have been great, teaching me what I need to know to be effective in the classroom.”

“Cara likes her a lot,” Dave chimed in after swallowing a bite of salad.

“I remember a time when teachers actually had to have a teaching degree to teach. But even substitutes in the public schools don't have to have a degree anymore.” Penny shook her head.

As Dave sipped his water, he glanced to his left. A polite smile trembled over Darlene's lips. He took a deep breath, preparing to choose his words carefully, but George's father, Bob, spoke up first.

“Penny, I don't recall you having a degree,” the older man said, dabbing ranch dressing from his chin. He chuckled. “Except maybe a degree in how to shop and spend money.”

“Now, Dad . . . ,” Penny said as she tried to hide her embarrassment with a tentative smile.

Bob sat taller. “Well, it's the truth.”

Penny cut her eyes at George, as if she expected him to muzzle his father. But George just shrugged and kept chewing his salad.

“Penny, that's a beautiful necklace you have on.” Darlene changed the subject, a classy move, especially in light of Penny's comment. “Are those emeralds?”

Penny reached up and touched the three-tiered drop around her neck. “Yes, an anniversary gift from George.” She batted her eyes at her husband. “Such a sweetie.”

Bob coughed, glanced at his son, then shook his head.

Dave leaned around Darlene a little until he could see Layla. She'd been awfully quiet.

“Layla, are you still taking care of your place by yourself?”

She finished chewing before she answered him. “Yes. It keeps me young.”

“I don't know how you do it, Layla. You're just amazing.” Penny flashed a smile at Layla. “I'd have to hire a fleet of cowboys to take care of a place that size.”

“Last thing I need around is a fleet of men.” Layla rolled her eyes.

Bob reached for a slice of bread as he coughed again. “Layla, you only need one man. And you know who it is. Just say the word.” The older man leaned forward and winked at Layla.

They all laughed, and the rest of the meal's conversation was light and enjoyable. By the time they finished dessert, the band was preparing to start. Dave usually had to force himself to dance once or twice at these events, but tonight his heart beat a little faster in anticipation.

He was well aware that Darlene was another man's wife, and he'd never do anything to mess that up. He just wanted to have her to himself, for a dance.

No harm in that.

Darlene casually walked up to the turquoise necklace and earrings, and her eyes scanned the names and amounts until she got to the last bid. Four hundred dollars. Double the amount she'd planned to spend tonight. She stared at the necklace and earrings, picturing how good they would look with a brown lace blouse she had at home. She tried to recall the last time she'd worn the blouse. But now that she was working, there were more opportunities to wear business casual. She leaned down and tapped the pen to the piece of paper.

“Just do it.”

She spun around. “That's the second time tonight that you've snuck up on me.”

Dave grinned. “You're easy to sneak up on. You are totally engrossed in your thoughts, which I'm guessing involve a decision about that necklace and earrings.”

“Yep. It's over my self-imposed limit, so I'm trying to decide.” Brad had never given her grief about spending money. She'd never given him a reason to. She'd always been frugal when it came to buying for herself. Sometimes she splurged on the kids or something for the house, but rarely on something for herself. She smiled at Dave, then leaned down and wrote a bid for four hundred and fifty dollars next to her name.

“Good girl.” Dave eased on down the row of tables, as did Darlene.

When she came to the handmade items Layla said didn't belong here, no one had put a bid on them. Except for Layla. Layla had bid five hundred dollars. Darlene smiled.

After she looked at the rest of the items, the emcee made a five-minute last call for the silent auction. Darlene tried to look casual as she made her way back to the necklace and earrings, and her heart dropped when she saw a name underneath hers. Someone named Mary Copeland had bid six hundred dollars.
Oh well
.