Page 242 of His White Moonlight
“I think we’re early,” Mom said after the man walked away.
The words had barely left her mouth when I spotted Mrs.Shane at the door.I waited until her gaze met mine, then looked away indifferently.
“She’s here,” I said to Mom.
Mom smiled and watched our server approach with our tea.
A warning, “Shh.I know,” from the table next to ours caught my attention, but I didn’t turn to look at who was talking.With a relaxed smile of thanks, I accepted my tea and listened.
“Hurry up and finish so we can leave,” a woman said.
“Why?I want to see what happens,” another said.
“And I don’t want to be caught up in their grudge against each other,” the first one said.“I heard it’s because of her.”
I could feel the weight of their gazes as I took my first sip.
“This is nice,” I said to Mom.“Sweet but not overly so.”
She nodded and hid her smile with her cup.
“I heard the same,” the other woman continued.
One of them groaned.“Too late.Here she comes.Keep your head down, and maybe we’ll make it out of here without offending people we can’t afford to offend.”
CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE
Thanks to their whispered warning,I waited a few seconds before looking up.My perfect smile was in place for Mrs.Shane as she focused on me with barely a glance at Mom.
“Wrenly, you look lovely today.I think this is your first visit to Clay and Leaf, isn’t it?If you could spare a few minutes, I would like to show you the garden and have a private word.”
“A private word?Why?I think this is the first time I’ve ever spoken to you.Is this about your daughter, Lindi?”
All conversation around us stopped, and Mrs.Shane’s smile grew a little more brittle.If I were a betting person, which I was, I’d bet her face was flushed under all the makeup she was wearing.
“It is.There are some concerning photos she has on her phone that I’d like to discuss with you.”
I laughed.“Those?I promise I won’t tell anyone about her involvement in those.”I dropped my volume as if to keep the rest confidential and felt the ladies next to us lean in.“I never used her name when I went to the police.But it's still an open case that, as the victim, I’m not supposed to discuss with those involved.”
Mrs.Shane wasn’t good at hiding what she was thinking or feeling.She was irate and ready to do whatever was necessary to save her daughter, but she couldn’t tell if I was bluffing or not.
“Is there something else?”I asked.
“My daughter is showing you more respect and kindness than you deserve,” Mom said before Mrs.Shane could answer.“Instead of wasting your time trying to intimidate her, you should focus on fixing the mess your daughter made.I heard it’s starting to affect your business.
“What was the name of the investor your husband found in France again?Oh, wait, that one fell through yesterday.Today’s is in India, isn’t it?”
Mrs.Shane’s face drained of color, and she slowly sank to her knees on the floor.
“Please.”The broken word was filled with defeat.
Mom leaned in toward Mrs.Shane and spoke softly enough that I could barely hear her.
“I rented the grand ballroom at the same hotel you used to throw your daughter her welcome home banquet.Tomorrow at seven.Invite everyone you know, and make the announcement, or watch everything you covet disappear.”
When Mom straightened, she looked at me.
“We should go before Bennett starts to worry.”
