Page 19 of The Night the Lights Went Out
“I told them to go get dressed and that they could watch television when they were finished,” Sugar said without looking up. “You have that party at noon, and Lake Lanier is at least an hour away, depending on traffic.” Preempting Merilee’s next question, she said, “I forgot to bring over a tray for the cookies we made, and I know there aren’t any in this kitchen, so I brought one over this morning. I took the liberty of putting the cookies on it, and I do believe they make a nice presentation.”
Merilee wasn’t sure if she should be annoyed or grateful. She had wondered how she’d bring the cookies to the party, thinking she’d probably stop off at a Walgreens on the way and get a disposable foil tray.
As if reading her mind, Sugar said, “It’s sterling. From Mama’s wedding silver. I trust you’ll remember to bring it back.”
“Thank you,” Merilee said, feeling insulted and relieved in equal measure, a contradiction she was getting used to in her dealings with Sugar Prescott.
Wade stood and tore off the top page of the notepad. “This includes all materials, but I’ll throw in the labor for free. Like I said, this is my hobby and I appreciate the opportunity to play a little bit. Beats cutting my lawn.” He grinned.
Before she could argue, the children ran into the room and Merilee almost did a double take. Instead of the T-shirts and cotton shorts they’d normally wear on a Saturday, Colin wore a collared golf shirt and his nice pleated shorts, and Lily wore a sundress that had been at the back of the closet.
“Miss Sugar said it was a party so we should dress up a bit,” Lily explained.
“Yes, but—”
“We’re bringing our backpacks with our other clothes and bathing suits so we can change if everybody else is casual.”
Merilee found herself speechless again. It wasn’t that anything Lily said wasn’t correct or that Merilee wished she’d thought of it herself. But she was angry. Not angry that Sugar had usurped her parental authority and Lily and Colin had actually listened and obeyed, but angry because she was just so darned grateful that somebody else had helped her out.
As if oblivious to any undercurrents in the room, Wade turned to Sugar. “When I come back tomorrow to get started on this project for Merilee, I’ll bring more hay for the barn. I’ll pad it extra high and show these kids how to jump from the hayloft. Maybe you can show them how it’s done.”
“Really, Wade,” said Sugar, her expression stern. “Children aren’t allowed to do those things anymore. At least not without some sort of padding and a helmet.”
“What barn?” asked Colin. Lily just looked worried.
“Didn’t Sugar show you her barn? It’s on the other side of the woods from here, but it’s just a quick hike. My sisters and I grew up jumping from the hayloft as soon as we could walk. Sort of a rite of passage around here.” His face got serious as he eyed Lily. “Does this mean Sugar hasn’t shown you her sheep? She puts red bows on their necks every Christmas.”
“Youput bows on the sheep. I just allow it because the police know who you are and won’t arrest you for trespassing because you’re practically my grandson.” Sugar’s lips pressed together in disapproval.
“There will be no jumping from haylofts,” Merilee said firmly, remembering Rufus and the kitchen table and the boy Curtis. She met Sugar’s gaze and knew she must be thinking the same thing. Eager to change the subject, she sent the children into the kitchen to eat their cereal. Feeling Sugar’s disapproving stare, she told them to eat a piece of fruit, too.
Wade left to pick up the materials and get started in his workshop, promising he’d text her pictures to make sure it was what she wanted. Sugar declined his offer of a ride and headed toward the door.
Merilee called her name and the woman stopped, keeping the door open with one arm as if prepared to bolt.
“All those books in here on the shelves—the bird books. Were those Jimmy’s?”
It took Sugar a moment to answer, as if she might be thinking of an answer that might not be the truth. “Yes,” she said finally. “Those were his. He was a crack shot with his slingshot and would trade squirrels and rabbits for books because Daddy wouldn’t have spent his money on anything as frivolous as a book. Jimmy was quite the entrepreneur.”
“Has he been gone a long time?”
Sugar’s lips pressed together and Merilee knew she’d gone too far. But she’d had to ask the question. Had to know what had happened to Jimmy.
“That’s a story for another time.” She let the door close softly behind her, then made her slow way down the porch steps toward the drive.
Merilee followed after her. “Would it be okay if we used the books? I think Colin would love to study the birds—there are so many around here, and he loves that kind of thing, and has the patience for bird-watching. I could buy our own set of binoculars—”
“I’ll think about it,” Sugar said, cutting her off. And without another word, she continued toward her house, her back rigid but her head bowed as if struggling under the weight of memories.
Seven
MERILEE
Lily sat in the backseat with the silver tray full of cookies on her lap while Merilee wished for about the tenth time that she’d asked Colin to hold them instead. Every time she took a turn or just went around a bend in the road, Lily looked like she would pass out from the burden of trying to keep the nicely arranged cookies in place.
“Sweetheart, it doesn’t matter if they get messed up. We can fix them when we get there, okay?”
“But what if Bailey sees them before we have time to fix them?”
