Page 30 of Sweet Obsession
“Wait.” Rachel held up her hand. “Give Jim and me a few minutes head start.” Her sister and brother-in-law were dressed to impress. Jim had on the cowboy hat that Blake had worn the last few days as well as dark glasses, boots, jeans, and one of Blake’s shirts from the concert tour. Rachel had on Jillian’s favorite yellow sundress, a floppy hat and, of course, dark glasses.
Ten minutes after Rachel and Jim were gone, the three of them climbed into the car.
“Here we go.” Her mom looked way too happy about all this role playing. Not that Jillian blamed her. The whole thing was just a little bit… tantalizing.
Almost to town, Jillian’s phone buzzed. All this excitement was right up her speed demon sister’s alley.
“Hey Sis,” Rachel’s cheery voice came through loud and clear, “we’re parked in front of the bakery. I ran in to get some donuts. By the time I came out, there were at least three vehicles following us out of town.”
“Perfect.” Her cheeks almost hurt from so much smiling.
“And thank Blake for the use of his house.” The sound of keys jingling could be heard over the soft music playing. “These poor suckers are so going to think we’re you and Blake when we lead them straight to his place near Austin.”
“Drive safe.” She disconnected the call.
“Y’all missed your calling.” Blake shook his head, smiling. “The Barrymores have nothing on you.”
Another beep came in. This time it was her mother’s phone. “Get that for me, dear.”
Jillian dug in her mom’s purse and pulled out the phone. Answering, she could hear Iris’s voice talking to Mildred. “She must have butt dialed.”
“No.” Her mom shook her head. “She said she was going to let us listen in.”
“Oh, this is rich.” Jillian laughed. “Not only are we listening, it’s a video call. Her phone is propped up so I can see it all.”
“Ooh.” Alice whined. “I can’t drive and watch.”
“She’s leaning over the table, practically nose to nose with Mildred. Glancing around before speaking. I can see at least two reporters in the booth behind her.”
“Did Alice call you?” Iris asked.
Mildred, who toned down her bling for the event, nodded. “It’s all set. They’re leaving from the ranch this afternoon. Alice is going to drive them to the airport in Midland.”
“Midland?” Blake muttered.
“Shh.” Jillian waved him off.
“It’s going to be a quick wedding,” Mildred continued. “They’re flying to Vegas, getting hitched, then flying home.”
“Now Vegas?” Blake’s brows rose high on his forehead.
“Oh, that Iris is truly brilliant,” her mom whispered so only they could hear. “Makes me wonder if she’s really with the CIA.”
Jillian bit back a laugh as the conversation continued.
“I promised her we’d have the church hall all decked out for the reception.”
Mildred nodded, and gleefully rubbed her hands together. “We’ll have food, and music, and I’ll make my famous chardonnay punch.”
“Ooh,” Iris squealed. “And white doves and ice sculptures shaped like guitars!”
Biting on her lower lip not to laugh, from the performance these two put on, Jillian almost believed the two ladies.
The reporters in the nearby booth scurried out of their seats and two more people at a table across the way pushed to their feet as well. Another few minutes and the café door slammed shut and Iris and Mildred were almost bent over with laughter.
“Did you catch all that?” Iris asked.
Mildred high-fived her friend. “And that is four more reporters on their way to Midland or Vegas or who knows where.”
