In High Cotton: Neely Kate Mystery #2 Read online

  In High Cotton

  Neely Kate Mystery #2

  Denise Grover Swank

  Copyright © 2018 by Denise Grover Swank

  Cover design by Bookfly Cover Designs

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Created with Vellum

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Also by Denise Grover Swank

  Also by D.G. Swank

  About the Author

  Chapter 1

  “Do you have plans Saturday night?”

  If my boyfriend Jed had been the one asking, my answer would have been a wholehearted “spending the night with you,” but this was my brother Joe. Four weeks ago, he’d started dating the woman from hell, and she and I hadn’t exactly taken to each other.

  “Depends on why you’re askin’,” I said, taking a sip of my coconut milk chai latte with nutmeg and cinnamon, as I shifted back in my seat at our two-person table in the middle of The Daily Grind. He’d blown me off a few times in favor of the aforementioned girlfriend, Dena, but over the last two weeks, he’d put more effort into spending time with me. The tongue-lashing I’d given him likely had a thing or two to do with it. This was the second week in a row we’d had a breakfast coffee date at the shop a few doors down from the landscaping office where I worked with my best friend Rose.

  Leaning back in his chair, he crossed his arms over his chest and grinned. “Why, Neely Kate Rivers, are you screening my invitations?”

  “The last time you invited me to something, we painted your kitchen and Dena complained the entire time.”

  “I wanted her to see how much fun we have paintin’.”

  Considering our first big fight had been over Joe blowing off our “painting party” at his house so they could see a movie with her friends, I understood his motivation. He’d wanted to prove to her we really did have fun working on his house. Too bad it had backfired big-time.

  “We both know how that went,” I said, picking off a piece of my blueberry muffin and popping it into my mouth. “When she left, she hated me more than before we’d started.”

  “You didn’t have to get paint on her shirt.”

  I held out my hand. “Who wears nice clothes to paint?”

  “She told you she wasn’t paintin’,” Joe said.

  “Then why did she come to a paintin’ party?”

  His eyes lit up with mischief. “You have a point.”

  “Thank you,” I said in a smug tone.

  He chuckled. “Well, at least I’ve introduced you to who I’m datin’. You’ve been seeing someone for weeks and I have no idea who he is.”

  “I’ll tell you when I’m ready.”

  “And when will you be ready?”

  When hell freezes over would sound too adversarial. “When I feel like it. On to more important things, like what you’re invitin’ me to.”

  His smile faded, and he leaned forward, resting his forearm on the table. “I’ve been thinkin’ about something you said… that I was embarrassed to let people know you’re my sister.”

  My good mood instantly vanished. This had been a huge source of contention between us. Joe and I had only discovered we were half-siblings back in February. His wealthy, influential, and sociopathic father’d had an affair (if you could call it that) with my then-seventeen-year-old mother. Since J.R. Simmons didn’t leave loose ends lying around, my mother had run away. She’d never told anyone, including me, the truth. I’d found out from Rose’s mother’s diary, and the information had been confirmed by Kate, my unstable half sister. She was now locked up in a psychiatric ward, though she still attempted to control my life like a puppet master.

  The situation had ended up in the papers, but my peripheral involvement had not. Very few people knew the truth of my parentage, and Joe had insisted on keeping it that way, even though people had begun to notice how much time we spent together. At first, I’d assumed Dena was unpleasant to me out of jealousy, thinking Joe and I were romantically involved, but Joe had apparently told her I was his sister on their second date.

  “Now hold up, Neely Kate,” he quickly added before my irritation could escalate into a tirade. “Hear me out. I keep telling you I’m not embarrassed of you, and I’m not, but I can understand why you have trouble believin’ it. So I want to fix that.”

  I shot him a scowl. “Go on.” I suspected his idea of fixing it was completely different from mine.

  “You know my biggest concern is that you’ll be hurt once people find out. While we knew our father was dirty and shady, it’s still big news to the rest of the world.” And a big scandal too. J.R. Simmons had been the most powerful, influential man in Arkansas, both in business and in politics. Joe made a face, then continued. “I guess I didn’t take into account that not tellin’ people was hurtin’ you too. Either way I’m hurtin’ you, Neely Kate, and it kills me.”

  “The only way you can hurt me is to ignore me,” I said. “Like after we first found out. And when you picked Dena over me.”

  “I know, and I’m sorry for being such a fool. It was wrong of me to make the decision for you. It should be your call, not mine.”

  I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “You’re kiddin’.”

  “I’m not, and if you’re up to it, I want to take you to a fundraiser dinner in Little Rock on Saturday night. It would be your debut as a Simmons kid.”

  “You’d tell people that I’m your sister?” I asked in shock. “You won’t introduce me as your friend?”

  “I’m not sure you realize how big this is. It’s likely to make the paper, so I want you to be certain this is what you want. People will probably stare and whisper about us at the dinner. Do you think you can take it?”

  My back straightened. “Of course I can.”

  He gave me a sheepish grin. “I know you can. You’re strong enough to withstand anything. I guess what I should have asked is if it’s really worth it to you. Is it worth facing so much scrutiny? Maybe you should think about it. It’s a big decision.”

  He was right. Why did I want this so badly? I wasn’t sure, but it felt like I’d been missing a piece all my life and Joe had just handed it to me.

  I shook my head. “There’s nothing to think about. I’d love to go.”

  He grinned. “Great. I thought we could head up to Little Rock around three. I still have my apartment, so we can get dressed there. The dinner’s likely to go late, so we can stay in Little Rock overnight and come home on Saturday.”

  Spend the night? That made sense, but two things gave me pause: One, my boyfriend Jed and I usually went to Little Rock together on Sundays. And two, Rose was going away for the weekend with Skeeter Malcolm and I’d promised to watch her dog.

  “Wh
at bothers you about that?” he asked, studying my face.

  “Nothing,” I said, concealing my thoughts. I wasn’t about to tell him about Jed, and Rose’s relationship with Skeeter was both brand new and top secret. When you decided to start sleeping with the king of the local crime world, it helped to keep it on the down low—especially when your best friend’s brother was the chief deputy sheriff. But Rose saw a different man than the rest of the world, and she swore that one of the reasons he kept his position was because he worried what would happen to the county if someone else took over. Turned out Skeeter Malcolm had morals. “I guess I’m still shocked that you changed your mind.”

  He leaned back in his chair again, giving me a cocky smile. “Maybe your good sense is rubbing off on me.”

  I laughed at that. “You’re probably the third person to tell me that.”

  His brow rose. “Rose being the first? Who was the second? Witt?”

  I just grinned. Jed was the other one who’d said it, but I knew Joe wouldn’t approve of me being in the same room as Jed, never mind dating him. Jed had been Skeeter Malcolm’s right-hand man for years, which meant he’d dirtied his hands in plenty of Fenton County messes. Even though he’d turned his back on that world and was starting fresh, he needed more time and distance before Joe would be willing to accept him.

  Joe’s phone rang, and he made a face as he pulled it out. Shooting me a quick look, he turned off the ringer and set his phone facedown on the table.

  “Not important?” I asked.

  “It can wait.” He tried to look relaxed but failed miserably.

  I released a soft sigh. It was obvious who’d called him, and equally obvious he felt guilty for not answering. Either he wanted to be with me or he didn’t. I picked up my cup. “I need to get back to the office.”

  “We haven’t even been here ten minutes.”

  “You have things you need to get back to.”

  Defeat filled his eyes. “Neely Kate…”

  “That’s not a relationship, Joe,” I said, trying to keep my temper from flaring as I stood.

  “Sit, Neely Kate,” he said, grabbing my wrist and tugging me down. “I told her I’d be here with you at least a half hour. She can wait.”

  “Obviously she can’t. Have you told her about taking me to the dinner?”

  “Yes.” He released a nervous laugh.

  “Paid for that one, huh?”

  “She understands.”

  I highly doubted that. “Joe, I say this as someone who’s been in your shoes, so please listen before you respond, okay?”

  His shoulders stiffened, but he said, “Okay.”

  “I know you’re excited to find someone you’re interested in, but have you noticed the similarities between your relationship with Dena and the one you had with Hilary?” His ex-girlfriend had taken manipulation to a new level, but this thing with Dena had just started. She had time to catch up.

  “What?”

  “Dena’s controlling. She knows we’re having coffee together, yet she’s calling you ten minutes in. She’s threatened by me.”

  “And perhaps with good reason,” I heard Dena say in a snotty tone behind me. “Especially when his sister is trying to turn him against me.”

  Joe looked horrified.

  I turned in my seat, slightly embarrassed, but then I reminded myself everything I’d said was true. Her very presence was proof of that. “Hello, Dena. I didn’t expect to see you here.”

  “Obviously.”

  Joe cleared his throat. “Dena. What are you doin’ here?”

  “My coffee maker’s broken, so I decided to come over and get a cup. I tried to call you to ask you to pick one up for me before you left, but you didn’t answer.” Her gaze dropped to the phone on the table, then lifted in accusation.

  “I’m sorry I missed it,” he said, guilt washing over his face. “We were deep in conversation.”

  “I can see that,” she said, but it didn’t come off as bitchy as I would have expected. She made it sound almost sweet. “Do you think you could get me one now?” She gave him an innocent look and batted her eyelashes.

  “Neely Kate was in the middle—”

  “Of talking about me. I caught that.” She pulled up a chair from the empty table next to ours and sat down. “I can see that Neely Kate and I got off on the wrong foot,” she said with an apologetic smile. “And I completely admit that it’s my fault. If I were in her shoes, I’d do the same thing. She’s just being a good sister.”

  I stared at her in disbelief.

  Dena covered Joe’s hand with her own. “If you’d get that coffee for me, I’d like to start over with your sister.”

  I wasn’t buying this act for a moment, but poor gullible Joe was looking at me like an eager puppy. He wanted to believe it, and so he did. Mostly. In his defense, most men probably would have bought it too.

  “It’s okay,” I said. “I’d love to start fresh.” Then, for good measure, I gave him a beaming smile. I was eager to find out what she was up to.

  Indecision wavered in his eyes, but he stood and walked over to the counter.

  Dena’s face lit up with a bright smile. “Neely Kate, I’m sorry we’ve struggled to find a common ground.” She sounded genuine enough, but she looked a little too eager to win me over, especially considering the stink eye she’d given me at the end of our paint party.

  “Seems to me that Joe’s our common ground, so I think this is actually a turf war.”

  Her smile wavered, and she cast a glance at Joe. “I know that Joe wants to spend more time with me, but you…” She stopped and seemed to collect herself. “He feels guilty that he’s not spending as much time with you.”

  She must have expected to get a rise out of me, but I took a sip of my coffee and waited her out.

  Irritation flickered in her eyes. He’d only been gone for a half minute, and already her claws were out. “I realize that you’re lonely, Neely Kate, but maybe you should focus on getting a real boyfriend and not a pretend one instead of monopolizing all of Joe’s time. It’s not his responsibility to babysit you.” She punctuated her sentence with a broad smile.

  “A pretend boyfriend?”

  “It’s okay,” she said in her fake understanding voice. “Joe’s still buying it, but I know better. Why else won’t you tell him who it is?”

  I made sure to hide my irritation. “Joe’s welcome to spend as much or as little time with me as he pleases. The only thing I asked him to do is stop canceling on me.”

  Her smile slipped, but she plastered it firmly back into place. “Joe told me he was going to invite you to the fundraiser dinner on Saturday.” Her eyes widened. “Oh, I hope I didn’t spoil the surprise, although I told him you’d say no.”

  “Why would I say no?”

  “Because you’d feel out of place.” She grimaced. “All that dinner protocol. I went to cotillion up in Magnolia and learned dinner and dancing etiquette, but you . . . I figured you’d be worried that you’d embarrass yourself or Joe.”

  I cocked an eyebrow. “I’ve been to a dinner before, Dena. I know how to use silverware.”

  “But do you know which fork to use for dessert? Or where your water and wine glasses sit? Because Joe knows those things in his sleep.”

  “Then Joe can help me.”

  “Do you really think Joe wants to babysit you at the dinner? He’s going to be worried enough about what people will think.”

  “Joe says he’s not worried about that.”

  “Joe couldn’t care less what people say about him. He’ll be worried about you.”

  I was about to respond when Joe walked up with her coffee.

  She stood and took it from him, reaching up to give him a kiss. “Thanks for the coffee, Joey. And thanks for givin’ me time to chat with Neely Kate. Oh,” she added, making it sound like an afterthought, “I hadn’t gotten around to asking if I could go dress shoppin’ with her yet.”

  “Dress shoppin’?” I asked in co
nfusion after I got past the fact that she’d called him Joey. Then it hit me—dress shopping. Oh, my stars and garters, Joe hadn’t proposed already, had he?

  She released a chuckle. “You’ll need a formal dress for the dinner.”

  Thank you, sweet baby Jesus. But one moment of sweet relief was followed by a sinking feeling. Crap. I’d forgotten I’d need a new dress, and the look on her face told me she knew it would be a problem for me.

  “That might be fun,” Joe said with a hopeful look.

  I was pretty sure Joe didn’t want to hear “When monkeys fly out of Dena’s butt,” so I smiled and said, “I think I have something that will work.”

  Joe beamed. “That’s great. Maybe another time.”

  Yeah, when monkeys flew out of my butt.

  Chapter 2

  I checked my phone and saw I had a message from Rose’s sister Violet.

  Can you run by the nursery this morning? There’s something I need to talk to you about.

  Violet and I weren’t usually on texting terms, but I quickly sent back: Of course.

  Anything to get out of here.

  I stuffed the phone back in my purse. “That was a text from Violet. There’s something I have to take care of right away.”

  Joe looked worried. “Is everything okay?”

  We both knew it wasn’t. Violet had incurable cancer. Time wasn’t on her side, which made her request feel more urgent. “I think so, but she asked that I come by this morning, so I need to go before my next appointment.”

  Dena gave me an amused grin. “Is it a landscaping emergency?”

  “We actually have those,” I said as I stood. “Sometimes Bruce Wayne decides a plant in the design won’t work or he needs more or the owner substitutes things at the last minute. Bruce Wayne and his crew are pretty booked, so any delays can mess up their schedule.” Why was I explaining this to her? And why was I so grumpy? Part of it was definitely Dena, but I was also worried about Violet’s text. What could she possibly want to talk about?