Sweet Tea and Secrets (21 page)

Chapter Eleven

Jill woke when the bed jostled. Without looking, she knew Garrett was in the room by the smell of his aftershave and the weight of his hand on her hip. She knew his touch. Strong, yet gentle. And cool. His hands were always cool. Why did he keep letting himself in like he owned the place? She should be mad, but she didn’t have any energy left in her to react. She opened her eyes to confirm her suspicions.

“I came by earlier. I thought you’d already left, so I came back to get Clyde. When you didn’t answer I let myself in.” He pushed her bangs to the side. “You’ve been crying.”

She closed her eyes and turned her face into the pillow.

“I didn’t mean to upset you earlier.”

She turned on her hip facing him. “It’s not that.”

“Pearl?”

She nodded.

“I know. I miss her, too.” He rubbed his thumb across her cheek. “Pearl loved you. She will always be a part of our lives.”

“She’s always been there for me.”

“She always will be.” He tapped his fingers just above her heart. “In here.”

Jill leaned up on her elbow. “Are you sure Pearl came up with this plan on her own?”

“No one could manipulate Pearl. You know that.”

Jill believed him.

Garrett tucked a wild curl behind her ear. “Pearl put all her cards...or in this case, all her acres, on us. It’s not like she’s trying to force us to be a couple—”

Jill’s brows shot up.

“Okay. She is, but why should that surprise us. She can’t do that, but we could at least be friends.”

“It’s just all so confusing,” she said softly. “There’s so much I didn’t know.”

“Me either.” Silence built between them. “I didn’t mean to bug you. I just came to pick up Clyde before you left,” he said standing up.

She shook her head. “I’m not sure I’m leaving today.” She could see the hope rise in his expression.

“Really?”

“I need to figure this out. I don’t think I can do that from Savannah.”

“Seeing you lying there on a tear stained pillow is killing me. I don’t want you to ever be this sad again.” He let out a loud breath. “Couldn’t we at least give us another shot, for Pearl?”

“For Pearl?” Jill arched a brow.

“Okay, and for me. I’m not going to lie. I’ve never stopped loving you. You have to know that when you left town, it hurt like hell. I’ve missed you every single day. Every day without you is like wasted time.”

She wrapped the sheet tighter around herself as she turned on her side, away from the words that she wished she’d heard a year ago. “Things are confusing right now. I can’t think straight.”

“Take your time,” he said.

“I feel like everything is completely out of my control.”

“It’s not. It’ll all work out fine. No matter what you decide.”

“Bradley’s not going to be happy about this. He’s been so generous, and he is my boss. I may not have a job after I make this decision.” Jill covered her face with her hands.

“Forget Bradley.”

She uncovered her face and shook her head.

“That’s not how I meant it. It’s you that matters. Forget Bradley. Forget me. Do what’s in your heart. I’ll respect whatever you decide. I promise. And if Bradley loves you, he will too.”

He sounded sincere. “You better go,” Jill said.

“Don’t make me go,” Garrett’s eyes were pleading.

She glanced away, but she knew she needed to make this decision alone. “Please. I need some time.”

“I’ll worry.”

“I’ve got Clyde here with me. I promise to call if I need anything. I’ve got your number right by the phone.”

He stood next to the bed. “I’ll give you the time, but please don’t shut me out.”

“And the property?”

“The property is secondary. Seriously.” He held her gaze then stepped away. “Okay. I’m leaving.” He backed out of the room, never taking his eyes off her until he turned to go down the hall.

His boots clicked a steady rhythm down the hallway.

Clyde tilted his head. In Clyde’s eye just then, Jill could see Pearl asking her what the heck she was doing letting that man leave. Pearl had never steered her wrong. As Jill heard the front door open and close, she bolted from the bed. She ran down the hall, her socks sliding the last three feet to the door as she yelled, “Wait!”

Clyde was right behind her. He didn’t stop any quicker than Jill had. He plowed into the hall table sending the lamp toppling to the floor.

She quickly righted the lamp so Clyde wouldn’t tromp on it a second time, then swung open the door.

“Wait,” she hollered again, but Garrett didn’t hear her over the truck engine. She stepped on the porch and waved her arms to get his attention, but he never looked back.

She sat on the step and propped her forearms on her knees. Clyde sat beside her and licked her ear.

“Thanks, Clyde.” She rubbed his chest as she stared out into the yard. How had things become so complicated so quickly?

A year ago today she’d been sitting in one of the finest salons in Savannah getting a manicure and pedicure at the same time, a surprise from Bradley. Her hair had been up in a towel, steeped with an aromatherapy conditioner that was custom-blended just for her. Robert, pronounced Row-bear—he’d corrected her, rather annoyed—had his people working magic on her, from toenails to root tips and everything in between. Robert had finished up by sweeping her long brown hair up into a diamond-encrusted claw clip. Sprigs of shiny soft hair tumbled from the top like fireworks. She’d never felt prettier or more special, until later that evening. When she’d gotten home, a beaded gown laid across the toile comforter of the antique four-poster bed. The gown was midnight blue and fell from rhinestone encrusted straps. The deep blue made her icy blue eyes look even bluer.

She’d nearly fainted at the sight of the enormity of the mansion when she and Bradley arrived at the Independence Ball via black stretch limousine. It had been her first time in a limo, and the whole night felt like the celebrity treatment. They’d stepped out of the car and flowed into a sea of black-tied men and women in an array of red, white, or blue gowns. The women sparkled brighter than the fireworks at the Independence Ball that night.

Guests had filled glasses of champagne from a fountain that must have been twelve feet high. When Bradley had led her out to the dance floor she’d been so nervous, but obviously he’d been schooled in the art of dance. He’d been a strong lead and she was waltzing, moving like a real lady in her strappy heels and beaded gown. It had been a fairy tale night. One she’d never forget, and only one of so many to follow.

That might have been magical, but today, an Adams Grove Fourth of July seemed more appealing.

Jill took out the ingredients from the pantry and fridge so she could fill in for Pearl tonight. Tradition and family go hand in hand, after all. She went to work on batches of chocolate-chocolate chip cookies. Tonight, she’d carry on Pearl’s tradition for the guys.

Pouring, stirring, and shaping the secret recipe into two-inch balls shifted her mood. The whole house smelled sweet. Pan after pan, she baked and moved cookie after cookie off the large baking sheets to the cooling grids on the long kitchen counter until she was satisfied she had enough to fill Pearl’s largest Tupperware container.

While the cookies cooled, she dressed in one of her new outfits and fixed her hair up in a clip, similar to last year, just for fun. Satisfied with the look, she headed to the kitchen to package up the goodies. She jumped in her car and headed for the gate near the pond.

Connor’s face lit up when he recognized her behind the wheel of the BMW. He waved his orange flag, gesturing her to the front row.

Now that’s service.
She parked and
gathered her blanket and balanced the large container of goodies against her hip as she scanned the grounds for a spot. Not just any place, but the one she and Pearl had claimed for so many years in a row. Thankfully, no one else had taken the spot under the oak tree. Jill spread out the blanket and settled in. Tears threatened as she watched all the folks enjoying this annual family event. Children ran through the crowd dressed in red, whites and blues. Dads tossed balls and threw Frisbees while moms relaxed nearby.

A whistle blew, signaling it was time for teams to deliver their prize barbecue to the judging tent. Jill recognized most of the judges. Scott Calvin was at the end of the table and good ol’ Chaz Huckaby sat next to him.

Chaz owned Huckaby House, a real estate, renovation/redecorating company, and a rifle range all in one, on what used to be his daddy’s cattle ranch. Most of the locals just called it the Triple R. Chaz had never met a stranger in his life, and he was the source for info on everything that went on in this town. There was never a concern about him playing favorites, because everyone was his favorite.

Bert Fox and Jimbo Godfrey were the wildcard judges. They were easy to pick out from the panel of judges because they were wearing t-shirts with big jokers on them. They loved every minute of that honor, too. Every year in November and December, money was raised for the Holiday Happiness fund by selling raffle tickets. For one hundred dollars you helped a good cause and earned a chance to win the honor of judging the Fourth of July barbecue cook-off.

Old Man Piper sat at the other end of the table. He’d been a judge as long as she could remember. He had to be ninety if he was a day. Even Pearl used to call him an old man.

Jill surrendered to her growling stomach and bought a hot dog and a big cup of sweet tea from one of the 4-H tents. Juggling everything carefully as she walked, she settled back under the tree to read a novel on her Kindle, and wait for it to get dark enough for the fireworks.

A few people stopped by, but most gave her some space. She was thankful for that. It was a hot, hot day like every Fourth of July, but the tree provided just enough of a break to make the heat bearable.

Just as she got settled, her cell phone rang. Caller ID showed it was Bradley. She’d left a message for him at the house that she wasn’t coming home tonight. He’d be fit to be tied, but this time she’d followed her instincts, and her heart told her she was in the right place today. She let the call go to voice mail.

Her phone boinged.
How many messages would he leave?

She turned off the phone and pushed it deep to the bottom of her purse. Out of sight. Out of mind. Leaning against the tree, she took her Kindle from her purse. She read and crunched on soft ice until someone kicked the bottom of her tennis shoe.

Jill looked up to see Connor. She lowered the e-reader and set it aside. “Hey.”

“Glad you came,” Connor said.

“You can take the girl out of the country, but—”

“—you can’t take the country out of the girl. I see. I stand corrected,” he said.

“Is your shift over?”

He held the orange vest up in one hand. “All done for the day.”

“Thanks for the premium parking spot. I appreciate it.”

He bowed. “My pleasure, Miss Fourth of July.”

“Not me. Didn’t Becky win that crown?”

“Yeah. But you should’ve won.” He squatted down next to her and took a swallow of his beer. “Seen Garrett?”

She shook her head. “No. I’m sure he’s over there lining up rockets. You can’t tear those guys away from that pyro stuff.”

“Does he know you’re here?”

“Nope.”

“Won’t he be surprised when he walks by here tonight? It’ll be like old times.”

“I figured I’d carry on Pearl’s tradition.” She nodded toward the container to her right. “I brought cookies.”

“Chocolate-chocolate chip?” Connor slid back the foil.

“Are there any other kind?”

“Well, then I do have the best seat in the house.” He flipped his wrist to check his watch.

“Shouldn’t be much longer now. Want anything before the fireworks start? I’m going to go grab another beer.”

“Tea would be great. No, you know what. Bring me a cold beer, too.”

“I’ll be right back.”