“Sounds like Skully.” Ryan looked at Frank. “I guess we could keep an eye out for him. Check Tony’s boat dock, like that.”
There was a loud bang on the door and then the ship’s bell clanged.
“Lord a’mercy. What part of ‘closed’ do these folks not understand?” Ophie steamed toward the door like a Key West sunset cruiser trying to outrace a lightning storm. When she peered outside, she surprised us by flinging the door open.
“Y’all, look who’s here.”
And in came Skully. I jumped up and ran to greet him, but when I saw the wary look on his face I stopped dead, not wanting to overwhelm him with hugs.
“Good to see you.” I reached out a tentative hand for a shake and was surprised when he took it. “We’re having some sweet tea and tarts. Come. Have a seat.”
“Thank ye, but I have a job waiting on Matlacha—help rebuild a boat dock. Need to shove off, get there before dark.” He took an envelope out of his pocket and started to hand it to me. “I wonder if you would . . . oh, Miz Maddox, didn’t see you there.”
He brushed past me, walked to the table and placed the envelope in front of Augusta.
“This here is for you; help fend off those nephews.”
Augusta opened the envelope and took out some official-looking papers.
“Don’t have my cheaters. Could you tell me . . . ?”
Skully thought for thirty seconds or more and decided he could.
“I went to see the government man. Turned out to be a government gal. Didn’t expect that. Anyway. I signed papers. When all is said and done, and the lawyers and the courts do what they do, Delia’s islands will stay open and free.” He took a deep breath, unused to talking so much and to such a large crowd.
“Told the government gal about the nephews, and she said that once my claim as Delia’s husband is set right, I can deed the land to the government. While we’re awaitin’, I get to pick who can act for me in case something happens. I pick you. I made her put it in writing ’til the other paperwork is fixed. She did and that there is the paper. Notarized and all. It’ll make Delia happy.”
He looked at the clock over the counter, picked up his bag and headed for the door. I rushed to catch him. I touched his arm and whispered, “Thanks for saving my life.”
“Little Miss, we saved each other.” And he was gone._
Everyone started talking at once, except for Augusta, who was unnaturally still. Noticing how quiet she was, we settled down.
Ryan slid the present he’d brought up close to Augusta’s glass of sweet tea. “Miss Augusta, I do believe this cause for celebration requires you to open your gift.”
Augusta yanked the ribbon and both it and the silvery bag fell to the tabletop, revealing a tall bottle filled with golden corn likker.
Buffalo Trace.