“His mama was from Dallas. His daddy was raised here. They married, moved here to do a little farmin’, had Ryder, and she was miserable. When Ryder was about five, she couldn’t take any more. She got a divorce and moved back to Dallas. His dad remarried later on down the road, when Ryder was about seventeen. He sold everything and moved to Montana. The new wife had a spread up there. Ryder stayed behind and lived with Shane and his grandpa his senior year. He’s got a few cousins scattered around Dallas, but not much other family. Both of his parents are dead now.”
“Why didn’t he go with his dad?” She asked.
“He was just starting his senior year when they left and he already had a scholarship to Texas A&M and”—Nettie lowered her voice—“he didn’t like the new stepmama very much.”
“Poor baby,” Rebecca sighed.
Nettie quickly changed the subject. “Where did you get your law degree?”
“I’m plannin’ on goin’ to law school someday. Right now I just do whatever Carlton needs.” Her shoulders slumped. “I wasn’t supposed to say that.”
“Is your name really Rebecca?”
She nodded. “Of course it is. Would you like to go over this contract or not?”
Nettie shook her head. “Be a waste of time, since I don’t have any property to sell. You see that tall, dark, and handsome guy over there sitting with the short lady?”
“The one she was dancin’ with?” Rebecca fanned faster and faster.
“Well, honey, he couldn’t even talk me and my partner in business out of a recipe for strawberry tarts. We are pretty set in our ways here in Pick, and we don’t want to sell what we’ve got.”
“I’d give that guy whatever he wanted just to get to dance with him.” Rebecca giggled and leaned forward. “And honey”—she dragged out the last word—“I’d bet you that Hilton could sweet-talk a woman’s underpants down around her ankles, so don’t be so sure your neighbors won’t sell that property. That girl who’s been dancin’ with him all afternoon is about to spend a little time with him in our motel in Tyler. She might be the first one to put her name on the dotted line. What does she own?”
Nettie chose to ignore the last question. “The party is just getting into full swing, so you’ll be here for a while. You might as well get rid of those shoes, feel the grass under your feet, and dance a little, because no one is interested in those papers you are usin’ to cool down.”
“They will be.” Rebecca giggled again. Evidently, she couldn’t hold her strawberry wine too well. “Carlton has big plans, and he’s willin’ to do whatever it takes. Don’t push him.”
“And that means?”
“He’ll have his big score even if bodies start piling up. He doesn’t do so well with folks tellin’ him no.”
“Well, honey” —Nettie stood up and smiled—“I didn’t touch that cup of wine right there, so you enjoy it. And don’t hold your breath until Carlton has bought all the property in Pick. With your coloring, you’d look horrible in that shade of blue.”
Rebecca sipped the wine. “Tell that good-lookin’ Ryder that he can bring me another cup when he takes a break. The guitar player in a band always takes my eye.”
Nettie waved over her shoulder as she walked away. She hoped that Carlton did talk to Shane about the junkyard property. Shane might stutter, but he’d singe the hair right out of Carlton’s ears with the heated words he’d use.
Vicky caught Carlton glaring at her from near the limo and waved at him. If he thought he could intimidate her, he’d better bring his best game and a sack lunch.
Jancy put a cup of wine in her hands as she passed and whispered, “Carlton told Hilton that if he can make you and Leonard cave, then the rest of the town will go down like a row of dominoes.”
“Hilton thinks he’s got you eating out of his hand,” Vicky observed.
“Exactly what I want him to think. I’m going to dance some more with him. What did the woman tell Nettie?” Jancy asked.
“What?” Vicky frowned.
“My job is to flirt with Hilton. She took Rebecca and Carlton a cup of wine. I’m sure it was her way of finding out even more,” Jancy said. “Think I should go out on a date with him if he asks?”
“No.” Emily walked up and caught the last line of the conversation. “Not under any circumstance. Nettie just now told me that Rebecca said that Carlton would have what he wanted even if it meant dead bodies. I don’t want you to be the first one. And from what I hear, Hilton is trying to get you into a motel room and seduce you.”