Just a Little White Lie(75)

Her father? That discussion wasn’t finished either. He’d find a way to fix what he’d done in Mississippi, or she’d go the newspapers herself, and the consequences be damned. She thought of today’s story, that pathetic picture. Well, since they were so fond of running articles about her, she’d feed them one. All about the charitable Darling Enterprises and how they really treated people in need.

She stood in the middle of the sidewalk making plans. She’d rent a car, drive to Grace to pick up her own, then pay Maynard or someone to drive the rental back to Pride for her. Maybe Jake was right. Money did talk. It could certainly make life simpler.

But not happier.

Sniffing back her tears, she called Birdie. “I know this is bad timing, but I wonder if you could pick me up and take me to the car rental. Mine’s almost done, so I thought I’d drive to Grace and rescue it.”

“Jake not able to give you a lift?” Birdie didn’t hide the surprise in her voice.

“He’s…uh…really busy. Trying to get his head back into his practice and all, you know? I’ve taken up so much of his time already, I can’t, in good conscience, ask for more.”

It was pretty obvious Birdie wasn’t buying it, but she agreed to pick Lucinda up. Feeling like an even bigger heel, Lucinda explained she wasn’t exactly outside Jake’s house and gave her the address.

She’d no sooner dropped her phone in her purse than it rang. Praying it was Jake, she dug it out, answering breathlessly.

It was her father.

“Just wanted to let you know I’ve been doing some thinking,” he said.

“And?”

“Could be you’re right. I’m sending a team over to Mississippi to renegotiate. Makes good business sense, really. What do I want with a bunch of shrimp boats and bayou houses? If I can lower the interest, they’ll be able to pay, and we’ll all win.”

“Good plan, Dad.”

“I think so.” There was a slight pause. “I want you to know, though, that my decision had absolutely nothing to do with that ridiculous threat of yours.”

“Understood.”

Her dad hung up without another word.

Tears sprang to her eyes. Jake would be happy to hear this. If only she could have been the one to tell him. But that wasn’t going to happen.

In less than ten minutes, Jake’s sister arrived. Birdie pulled to the curb, ending a call as she pulled to a halt. Lucinda eyed the phone. Who had she been talking to? Was she trying to get information out of Jake?

Good luck with that, Birdie.





Jake couldn’t stand his own company. He slammed out of the house and hopped on his bike. Halfway down Main Street, he decided to pull over and head to Annie’s for coffee. The way he was feeling, it was probably safer than being on the roads.

He swung through the door and stopped, cussed under his breath. Wouldn’t you know it?

Donald, bold as brass, sat at a table with the newspaper spread out in front of him, no doubt gloating over the front page pictures. The guy wasn’t fit to roll with a pig.

Well, he wasn’t about to give up his favorite restaurant. It was past time, anyway, for the two of them to have a little talk. Since no one else was in the diner, now was as good as ever.

“Kimball? You still in town?” Jake grabbed one of the chairs from the table but didn’t sit. Standing gave him more power.

“You can’t tell me—”

Quick as the wind, Jake leaned in till their noses were only inches apart. “I can tell you anything I want. Now you don’t have to listen, but if you’ve the brains God gave you, you will.”

Donald reared back as far as possible, his eyes sending Annie an SOS.

She ignored him, tossed the dishcloth she was carrying over her shoulder and walked away.

Jake grinned. “No help there, suit. You’re on your own.” He poked Donald’s chest, watched the imprint his finger left on the crisp white shirt. “You leave Lucy alone. Understand?”

His eyes wild, Donald paled beneath his tanning-booth bronze. “I don’t think—”

Jake grabbed him by his tie. “I didn’t ask you to think. In fact, I didn’t ask you anything. I told you. Lucy’s a fine person, and she deserves a whole lot better than you. Probably a whole lot better than me. She’s done with you. She told you that nicely, and now I’m telling you a little less nicely. Time to pack your bags and head south.”

He gave Donald a push, and his chair tipped backward.

Catching himself before he actually made contact with the floor, Donald stood. “Lucinda’s—”

“Careful what you say,” Jake warned.

Straightening his tie, Donald said, “Lucinda’s obviously not the person I thought she was.”