See Bride Run! (23 page)

“Darla,” Annie began, holding an envelope with information she hoped would make life a little easier for her and Bo. “There is something you should know.” She saw Sam nudge Bo, and they stepped closer to the woman. “I think you mistook the stones in the tiara as rhinestones, probably because I didn’t get upset when it ended up in a tree, but that’s neither here nor there. The truth is, there are twenty karats of flawless diamonds in the tiara that I purchased from Tiffany’s in New York.”

Darla’s jaw dropped. “Does that mean I can buy a new car?”

“Yes, you can definitely buy a new car. As a matter of fact, I have the Appraisal, and the Certificate of Insurance that you might want to put in a safety deposit box, along with the tiara until you decide what to do.” She handed it to Darla who gasped at the amount. She turned to Bo. “We’re rich,” she said and showed it to him.

Bo looked at Annie. “Is this for real?”

Annie nodded. “Absolutely.”

All at once, his eyes rolled around in his head, and he staggered forward. “Oh, no!” Darla said. “He’s going down!”

“Help me!” Sam said. Fortunately, two men who stood nearby joined Sam in his effort. It took all three to catch Bo, only seconds before he hit the floor.

#

Once everyone had eaten their fill, Bo and Darla bid their farewells and hurried to her car. Annie knew they were going back to their mobile home, and she wondered if Darla would be able to get through the door in her gown or if she’d have to take it off the way she had. When she looked up at Sam, he was smiling, and she wondered if he was thinking the same thing.

The guests left, and the caterers, who’d been cleaning up all along, took only a few minutes to get their things together. Martha and her sister were headed back to the festival to see if there were any last minute deals before the venders closed and planned to stay for the fireworks that would start at eight p.m. Annie got the feeling that Martha was trying to make herself scarce so she and Sam could be alone.

The two were sitting on the sofa when Sam pulled Annie onto his lap. He kissed her hard. “I thought they’d never leave.”

She smiled. “It was a wonderful reception. The food was excellent and everybody had a great time.”

“I wouldn’t know, Miss Hartford. My eyes were on you. You seem to have made a lot of friends here in very little time. In fact, I think my woman is quite popular with the townspeople.”

She arched one eyebrow. “Your woman?”

“That’s right. You got a problem with that?”

She leaned against him. He’d loosened his tie and dispensed with his jacket. She could feel the heat of his body through his dress shirt. “Does that mean you’re my man?”

“Baby, I was yours the moment I first laid eyes on you.”

Annie closed her eyes, basking in the moment. She had never felt so close to him. He turned her face to his and kissed her deeply. They held hands as they made their way upstairs to his bedroom.

Their lovemaking was slow and tender. Sam explored every inch of Annie’s body. When she reached out to him, he entered her, and their sighs of pleasure wafted upward. Annie climaxed, and Sam followed right behind her.

Later they held on to each other as they waited for their breathing to return to normal. Finally, Sam looked into her eyes. “I love you, Annie Hartford.”

Her insides fluttered. “I love you, too, Sam Ballard.”

#

Darla drove everybody crazy the following week, trying to decide what to do with the tiara which was presently sitting in a safety deposit box at the bank, along with the documents. Add to that the promotion and raise Sam had given her, and Darla could not seem to get her head on straight.

“I can help you sell the tiara,” Annie said.

“I hate to sell your wedding gift to me.”

“That’s why I
gave
it to you.”

Darla nodded. “Well, I definitely need a newer model car.”

“You can afford something brand new,” Annie said. “You could make one heck of a down payment on a nice big house.”

Darla shook her head. “I have something else in mind.” She paused. “Can you keep a secret?” When Annie nodded, she went on. “I want to buy Sam out,” she said. “I want to buy the Dixieland Café.”

“Wow,” Annie said. “I hadn’t thought of that. Do you think he will sell it?”

“I plan to offer a fair price.” She paused. “So I guess I’m going to need your help finding a buyer for the tiara.”

Annie nodded. “I’ll call Sotheby’s in Atlanta. I’ve dealt with them before.”

#

Two days later, Annie and Darla were cleaning up after the lunch crowd when a silver Mercedes pulled to the curb out front. Annie took one look at it, and her heart sank clear to her toes.

“Would’ja get a load of those wheels,” Darla said. “Wonder whose driving it?”

“I know who it is,” Annie said dully as a tall blond-haired man in expensive clothes climbed out. She felt a sense of dread as he made his way to the front door of the restaurant and opened it. He stepped inside and stared at Annie for a full minute before saying anything.

“Hello, Annie. You’re looking good. That uniform becomes you.”

Annie did not miss the sarcasm in his voice. She raised her hand, palm facing him. “Hold it right there, Eldon,” she said. “If you’re here to yell at me for skipping out on our wedding, you can turn your car around and head back to Atlanta because I’m not going to listen to it.”

“In other words, you don’t feel you owe me an apology.”

Annie ignored his remark. “How did you find me?”

“I was forced to hire a private investigator.”

“
Forced?
“ Annie said.

“That’s right. You probably don’t give a damn, but your father suffered a massive heart attack shortly after you hit the road. I figured you’d want to know. Or not,” he added.

It took a moment for Annie to grasp it, but the minute her brain registered the news she went weak-kneed. “Is he . . .?” She tried to form the word but could not.

“He is still alive,” Eldon said. “The cardiologist hoped to perform a non-evasive procedure, but something went wrong, and they had to open his chest. Then, to make matters worse, your father suffered a stroke on the operating table. I don’t know the specifics. Nobody will talk to me
or
Vera because we’re not family. So, yeah, it was necessary that I find you.”

Annie realized why she had not heard from Vera since she had arrived in Pinckney. She probably figured Annie would return home, despite all she had gone through to escape.

“What’s the prognosis?” Annie asked, almost afraid to hear.

“Not good. He is in CCU. He slipped into a coma several days ago.”

“Why did you wait until he was comatose to inform me?” she asked, knowing she was being ungrateful, but she was unable to conceal how much she disliked Eldon.

Eldon suddenly looked angry. “I only learned of your whereabouts a couple of days ago,” he snapped, “but I sort of had my hands full. Vera and I have been taking turns sitting at the hospital. I felt it would be better if I told you in person.”

Annie nodded. “I appreciate it. Thanks for stopping by.”

Eldon was clearly stunned by her response. “That’s
it
?”

“I can offer you coffee and pie before you head back.”

“I don’t think you
get it,
Annie. Your old man flat-lined at one point. He is
dying.
Don’t you even care?”

“Of course I care,” she said, trying to maintain her emotions. The truth was, she did not want to have to stand by his bed and watch him die. It would bring back the painful memories of losing Bradley, and it would remind her that she was alone in the world where family was concerned.

“There is nothing I can do,” Annie finally said, even though her heart felt weighted, her emotions scattered like dandelion fluff in a summer breeze.

“That’s really cold,” Eldon said. “I hope you don’t end up regretting your decision, but, hey, I did what I could so
I’ll
be able to sleep at night.” He made a sound of disgust. “I’ll see you at the funeral,” he said, “if it suits you to attend.”

Darla, who had remained quiet during their conversation, stepped forward, arms crossed, her gaze fixed on Eldon. It was obvious she did not like him. “You need to watch your mouth, Slick,” she said. “It just so happens I run this place and Annie is one of my dearest friends so I’m going to have to ask you to leave.”

“Hold on,” Annie said to Darla, and then looked at Eldon. “Could you keep quiet for two minutes?” she asked, as annoyed with him as Darla. “Give me time to think?” Eldon made the mistaking of checking his wristwatch. Annie thought she saw smoking coming out of Darla’s ears.

She sighed. She wished Sam wasn’t in court. She would gladly go to Atlanta if he drove her, but she had no desire to spend three hours in a car with Eldon yammering on about what a rotten person she was for backing out of the wedding. Of course, once he beat that horse to death he would accuse her of being a terrible daughter for not wanting to rush to her dying father’s bedside.

Still, it was not Vera’s job to see to her father’s care, and if or when he passed, Annie needed to be there. She motioned for Darla to join her behind the counter. “I have to go,” she whispered. “Eldon is right. I’ll never be able to forgive myself if I don’t.”

“Then you should wait until Sam gets back and let him drive you,” Darla said. “I’ll text him, see what I can find out.”

Annie shook her head. “No. I do not want to interrupt Sam or, heaven forbid, have him called from the courtroom. This is
my
problem, and
I
need to take care of it.”

“But, honey, Sam loves you. That’s what people do when they love someone. Besides, how do you know this creep won’t try something?”

“I’m not afraid of Eldon,” Annie whispered. “He isn’t going to do anything that will shame the great Wentworth family.”

Annie removed her apron and put it beneath the counter, then grabbed her small purse. “I’ll call as soon as I know something.” She looked at Eldon. “I’m coming with you,” she said, her voice resigned. He gave Darla a smug look as if to say he had won.

“You’d better wipe that look off your face,” Darla said, “because my husband is enormous, and he will turn your face into dog food if you hurt Annie.”

“It is okay, Darla,” Annie said, patting her arm.

Darla was not deterred. “He’ll poke your eyeballs out and feed ‘em to you for breakfast, and then he’ll tie you to the back of his pickup truck, and drag your body—”

“Darla!” Annie said.

“Was I a bit over the top?” Darla whispered.

Eldon was clearly insulted. “Do I look like a man who would assault a woman?” he asked.

“I don’t know
what
you’re capable of, mister,” Darla said, “but I’m giving you fair warning. My husband just got out of prison a week ago, and I don’t want him to go back for wringing your neck like some yard chicken, although I would insist on a front row seat if it came to that.” She suddenly smiled. “Now, then, you drive safely, y’hear?”

Eldon grunted in disgust.

Annie kissed Darla on the cheek. “You’re sweet, you know that? Now stop worrying.” She followed Eldon out.

Chapter Eleven

“W
hat the hell do you mean she’s gone?” Sam said to Darla when he returned.

“Shhh!” Darla said when a couple of customers looked up from the counter where they were sipping coffee and chatting. “You need to lower your voice.” She stepped closer. “Annie had no choice, Sam. Her father is dying.”

“Why didn’t she wait for me? I would have taken her.”

“We had no idea when you would get out of court. Eldon sort of gave the impression that her father was not long for this world.”

Sam scowled. “From what Annie has said, the man is a pathological liar. Her father could be drinking tequila shooters in his hot tub for all we know. What hospital is he in?”

Darla looked surprised. “I don’t know. Annie didn’t ask and Eldon didn’t say.”

He looked incredulous. “Her father is supposedly in CCU, and it did not occur to you or Annie to inquire which hospital?”

“The girl was shaken by the news, and I was upset for her so I did not think to ask. Plus, I was busy telling Eldon how good-for-nothing he was.”

Sam was clearly frustrated. “How long ago did they leave?”

“Thirty or forty minutes ago. I forgot to look at the clock.”

“Excuse me,” Sam said, “but aren’t you the one who very recently asked if I would sell this place to you? How do you plan to run a restaurant if you can’t think on your feet? You have to be able to act quickly. What if the walk-in freezer stops working or the fryer goes kaput? What will you do? You have to make split-second decisions if you’re going to be successful.”

Darla did not bother to hide her annoyance. “I’ve been running this restaurant almost singlehandedly for years,” she said, “so that you could practice law and sell cars and whatever else you do. But I’m going to overlook your comments because I know you’re upset.”

Sam was prevented from answering when the bell over the door jingled, announcing a customer. Bo opened it and made a production of waving Lillian through first. She reached up, pinched his cheek, and laughed.

“Hey, sweetie,” Bo said to Darla. “I came as soon as I could.”

Lillian’s smile faded the minute she noticed the expressions on Sam’s and Darla’s faces. “What’s wrong?” she asked, her voice low. She gave the dining room a quick glance. “Where is Annie?”

“She, um, isn’t here at the moment,” Darla said.

“Has something happened to her?” Lillian asked. “Is she sick? Is she hurt? Tell me,” she insisted, visibly shaken.

“She’s fine,” Darla said. “Well, not
fine,
but she isn’t sick or hurt.” She looked at Sam, then back to Lillian. “It seems her father suffered a heart attack and is very close to passing. Annie is on her way to Atlanta with Eldon.”

“Eldon!” Lillian said.

“My feelings exactly,” Sam said. “I’m going after her.”

Lillian nodded. “I’ll go with you.”

“Hold on!” Bo said, waving his hands in the air. “Just hold your dang horses,” he added. “Darla called me the minute they walked out that door, and that’s why I’m here. You two have no business getting on the road in your present state of mind.”