RG2 - Twenty-Nine and a Half Reasons Read online

  A man wearing jeans and a polo shirt rose from the patio chair he’d been sitting in and grabbed my elbow to steady me. “You must be Rose. I’ve heard so much about you.” He smiled at Violet, then held out his right hand. “I’m Austin Kent.”

  His hand hung in the air, and I was torn between shaking it and turning around and running home.

  I shot a glare in Violet’s direction, then turned to Austin and shook his hand. It wasn’t his fault I’d been set up, and I couldn’t bring myself to be rude.

  Just like Violet planned.

  “Hi, I’m Rose. Oh wait, I guess you knew that already.” I laughed, flustered, especially since Austin was still holding my hand.

  Mike, who’d kept his attention on the steaks on the grill, picked up his beer bottle and took a long swallow.

  Looked like I wasn’t the only one who’d been set up.

  “Austin brought a bottle of wine to go with the steaks,” Violet gushed. “Wasn’t that sweet of him? I’ll go pour you a glass.”

  I pulled my hand from his tight grip. “I’ll go with you.”

  “No!” She pushed me down into the chair next to the man. “You chat with Austin and I’ll be right back.”

  There was no way out of that one.

  Austin sat next to me and I gave him a genuine smile. I couldn’t very well be rude. “So how do you know Mike and Violet?”

  “We all went to high school together.”

  “I haven’t seen you around.” I glanced into the yard at Ashley and Mikey playing on the playset.

  Austin laughed. “I disappeared for several years. I went to the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville for my architecture degree, did an internship, worked in Little Rock and decided I missed home. I just got back to Henryetta a couple of months ago. I’m settin’ up my own firm and hope to work with Mike.”

  Austin seemed self-assured yet not arrogant. A man who knew what he wanted in life and how he planned to get it. There was no doubt that he was handsome; his chest filled out his shirt nicely and his tan set off his hazel eyes and dark brown hair. And I had to admit, if Joe wasn’t in my life, I’d have been interested in him. What surprised me was the way his eyes followed my every move. This experience was vastly different than the first blind date Violet set me up with.

  Blind date. Crappy doodles. I was gonna kill Violet.

  “Here you go.” Violet put a glass of red wine in my hand, taking a large sip of her own. As weird as she was acting, I wondered how much she’d had to drink before I got there.

  “I’ve never had red wine before, only white.” I blurted out before I thought to stop myself. People didn’t just say things like that.

  But Austin smiled, making his eyes twinkle. “Then I feel privileged to have provided the selection for your first taste.” He bowed his head with a wink.

  He watched me as I self-consciously took a sip. It wasn’t as sweet as the white wines I’d had. Austin waited for my response, so I smiled. “It’s wonderful.”

  Austin went on to tell Violet and me why he’d choose this particular vintage (its smoky taste blended well with grilled red meat) and why that particular year (the vintage from the year before had experienced a drought). Violet rested her chin on her hand, listening to Austin as though he was sharing the secret of life. Mike continued to give rapt attention to his barbecue tongs. I longed to be over there with him.

  I set my wine glass on the side table and stood. “If y’all will excuse me for a moment, I need to visit the restroom,” I said as sweetly as possible.

  Mike shot me an apologetic glance.

  “Well, hurry up darlin’,” Violet drawled. “The steaks are almost ready.”

  “I’m only going to the restroom, Vi. I’m not making a cross country road trip.” Although at the moment, that sounded like a great idea.

  Mike snickered then chugged his beer before Violet caught him.

  Hurrying to the bathroom, I shut the door and pushed my back into it, the molding pressing into my neck. I took deep breath and dug out my cell phone, hoping against hope that I’d missed a call from Joe.

  Nothing.

  Forlorn and having given up all pride, I called his number, preparing to hear Hilary’s voice. Instead, it went to voice mail. “Joe, I really need to talk to you.” My words cracked like kindling on a fire and I sucked in a breath. “I miss you. Call me. Please.” I hung up, embarrassed over my clinginess. What would Joe think when he heard me begging him to call? I might have just sent him running into Hilary’s waiting arms.

  Stop it, Rose Anne Gardner. We don’t wallow.

  And while it was true, I felt a little entitled. If that wasn’t dangerous thinking, I didn’t know what was. Wallowing was never the answer, which reminded me I had another task at hand. Time to go out and face the disaster of an evening.

  While I’d been in the bathroom, everyone had moved inside. Austin handed my wine glass to me and pressed his hand into the small of my back, guiding me into the rarely used dining room. Violet was going all out for the occasion.

  Violet and Austin carried on most of the dinner conversation. They talked about high school and Austin’s travels, and I added little, feeling out of my element. But Austin, who sat on my right, refused to accept my silence. “What interestin’ places have you visited?” he asked after telling us about his last trip to Boston.

  I stared at the salad on my plate. “I haven’t been anywhere. Yet.” I looked up. “I’d love to go to Italy.”

  “Which part?”

  “Rome, Venice, Tuscany. There’s so much history there. You can see buildings that are thousands of years old.”

  He grinned. “I did an internship in Venice, studying Roman architecture.”

  My eyes flew open in surprise.

  “I have a ton of pictures I’d love to show you sometime.”

  As tempting as his offer was, I quelled my enthusiasm. For some odd reason, Austin Kent actually seemed interested in me and it wouldn’t be fair to encourage him. “Austin, that would be really nice but I already have—”

  “Rose!” Violet interrupted. “Could you help me out and bring in the cheesecake?”

  We stared at each other for several moments before I stood and grabbed my plate. “Sure.”

  Mike picked up his plate and Violet’s. “I’ll give her a hand.”

  I followed Mike into the kitchen. His mouth pursed as I scraped leftovers into sink and he loaded the dishwasher.

  I struggled with what to say, but he spoke first.

  “I’m sorry, Rose. I told her not to do it. You’re with Joe but for some damned reason, she’s decided he’s not good enough for you.” He looked me in the eye. “I like Joe, and even if I didn’t, I wouldn’t have had any part in this. It’s your business, none of ours.”

  “Thanks, Mike.” Leaning my butt into the counter, I smiled at him. “I know you wouldn’t do this. Violet’s not acting like herself. What’s goin’ on?”

  “What’s goin’ on…” He picked up a kitchen towel with a snap. “Is that Violet’s decided she’s unhappy with her life.”

  My mouth dropped. “Has she said that?”

  “No, not outright.”

  “Oh, Mike. It’s probably just Momma’s death. She and Momma weren’t really speakin’ and as horrible as she was, she was still our mother. Violet’s bound to be affected by it all.”

  He took a deep breath and looked out the window over the sink. “I hope you’re right, Rose.” Mike kissed me on the cheek. “I know I’m just your brother-in-law, but for what it’s worth, Joe’s a good man and he’s lucky to have you.” Then he pulled the cheesecake out of the refrigerator and carried it into the dining room.

  When I sat down, Austin asked about my job. Working at the DMV wasn’t very exciting, but I had a few stories about customers to share. Austin laughed and picked up the wine bottle to fill my glass.

  I put my hand over the top. “None for me. I have jury duty tomorrow.”

  “Jury duty.” Austin leaned
close. “I have to admire a woman doin’ her civic duty.”

  “There’s nothing to admire. If I hadn’t shown up, I’d probably be in jail right now.”

  Austin laughed like I’d made a joke. I tried to keep from scowling. There was nothing funny about incarceration.

  “So tell us about the case.” Austin’s eyebrows rose, giving him a mischievous look.” Is it exciting?”

  “I can’t really talk about—”

  Violet leaned forward and whispered. “It’s a murder trial.”

  His eyes lit up with interest.

  “I assure you it’s not as exciting as it sounds.” It hit me that Joe said the same thing about his job, nearly word for word, the day before. My heart swelled, missing him more than I thought possible. For heaven’s sakes. He’d only been gone two days. But I couldn’t pretend to be polite and social when my heart was aching.

  I stood, smiling at Violet and Mike. “Thank you for dinner, but I need to get home. The air conditioning is still out in the courthouse and it’s bound to be a long, tiring day tomorrow.”

  Austin stood. “I’ll walk you out.”

  Violet’s mouth contorted from happy to sour and back again. How much had she had to drink?

  I gave Austin a tight smile. “That’s really not necessary.”

  “I insist.”

  I grabbed my purse and couldn’t help pulling my cell phone out to see if I’d missed any calls. Austin paused to talk to Mike and I hurried outside hoping to lose him, but he stuck close to my heels.

  “Rose, wait up.”

  I stood next to my car door and looked up at him. He really was a handsome man, but I felt no attraction to him. My heart belonged to Joe.

  “It’s funny that I don’t remember you from back when we were all in high school.”

  “Well,” I stalled. “You were several years ahead of me and I was pretty forgettable.”

  His voice lowered. “I find that hard to believe.”

  I sucked in my breath. “Look, Austin, you’re really a nice guy…”

  He tilted his head with a grin. “Ahh…not the you’re a nice guy line. Just give me a chance. Go out with me Friday night.”

  My mouth twisted into a half smile. “What Violet didn’t tell you is that I already have boyfriend. For some reason she doesn’t approve of him, thus her settin’ this up. I’m sorry.”

  He sighed. “Now it all makes sense. No wonder Mike acted so weird.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “No,” he shook his head and took my phone from my hand. “You didn’t do anything wrong and I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t glad Violet introduced us.” He punched a few buttons on my phone, watched if for several seconds, and handed it back. “If things don’t work out with that boyfriend of yours, give me a call. I’m only sorry I wasn’t more observant years ago or I might not have lost out on my chance.”

  I blushed, thankful my color was hidden by the dark. “Well, good night, Austin.”

  “Goodnight, Rose Gardner. I shall wait for your call.”

  As I drove away, I hoped Austin didn’t share my gift of foresight.

  Chapter Seven

  I took Muffy outside, staring at Austin Kent’s number on my cell phone. I wasn’t interested in the man, so why didn’t I delete his number? There was no doubt about it. I was hedging my bets, as Daddy used to say, but that was ridiculous. Even if Joe dumped me, I wouldn’t call him. I pulled up the screen to erase his number when it rang. After I jumped and nearly dropped the phone, I saw Joe’s name and fumbled to answer.

  Don’t sound needy. Don’t sound needy.

  Herding Muffy inside, I gushed, “Joe, where have you been? I’ve been worried sick! You haven’t answered your phone for two days.”

  Yeah, just like that.

  Joe laughed. “Slow down. First things first.” His voice sounded warm and husky. “I’ve missed you like crazy.”

  I pouted, even as my body flushed at the sound of his voice. “I could tell by the way you called me.”

  “I couldn’t help it, darlin’. I promise. I would have called if I could, but I was working into the middle of the night last night, then I misplaced my phone most of today. I only found it a short while ago.”

  “So you weren’t taking a shower with Hilary this afternoon?” I asked, half ashamed of asking, but half dreading the answer.

  “What? No! How can you ask me that?”

  “Why don’t you ask Hilary.”

  A full three seconds of silence passed. “I’m gonna kill her. What did she say?”

  Relieved, I sank into my new fluffy sofa. “I don’t want to talk about Hilary.”

  “Rose. Listen to me. I wasn’t with her—well I was, because we work together—but not how you’re thinkin’. And just so you don’t find this out later and think I was lyin’ to you, I did take a shower this afternoon at the gym after I worked out. You have to believe me.”

  I felt like an idiot for worrying. Neely Kate was right. “Of course I do.”

  “But you had doubts?”

  “It’s hard not to when she answers your phone in a sexy voice and tells me you’re takin’ a shower and I can hear the water in the background.”

  He groaned. “I’m sorry. I couldn’t find my phone all afternoon. She must have taken it while I was in the bathroom. At work. We weren’t alone, Rose. I promise.”

  “It’s okay.”

  “No, it’s not. Trust me. I’ll deal with Hilary tomorrow. Are we good or do we need to talk about this more?”

  “I’m good.”

  “I miss you.”

  My heart ached at the longing in his words and my voice hitched, “I miss you too.”

  “I’m not sure I can wait until Friday to see you.”

  Butterflies took flight in my stomach. “You can’t come down here, Joe. You’ll get in trouble.”

  “Come see me, Rose. Please. Take a couple of days off. Or quit. You hate that job.”

  I knew without a doubt I would have done it. I would have said goodbye to the DMV forever if that’s what it would take to go to Little Rock. But my job wasn’t what stopped me. “Oh, Joe.” I didn’t hide my tears. “I’d quit right now if I could, but if I came to see you tomorrow, I’d get arrested.”

  He paused then asked in a guarded tone, “What are you talking about?”

  “I got picked for jury duty. If I don’t show up, they’ll arrest me.”

  I heard his exhale of relief.

  “Wait. What were you thinkin’?”

  He laughed. “Darlin’, with you there’s just no telling. So you made jury duty, huh? What kind of case?”

  “That’s why I was so desperate to talk to you. I have a problem. I had a vision about the case. ”

  Joe didn’t seem that surprised. “And?”

  “Joe, it’s a murder trial and the defendant’s innocent.”

  “How do you know he’s innocent?”

  “I told you. I had a vision.”

  “Why don’t you start from the beginning and tell me everything.”

  “Are you sure it’s okay? I’m not supposed to talk about the case.” I’d wanted to talk to him for two days but now worried I was breaking the law.

  “It’s okay. I’m a detective with the state police. I won’t tell anyone, and I sure won’t try to sway your decision.”

  It was a relief to share my problem, especially with Joe. I told him everything, starting with Officer Ernie giving me a parking ticket and ending with leaving the courthouse that afternoon. I didn’t tell him about my evening at Violet’s. I didn’t want to make him worry, especially when I wasn’t the least bit interested in Austin Kent.

  When I finished, Joe sighed. “Oh, Rose. I’m so sorry. I wish I’d been around to talk. I know how hard this has to be for you.”

  My voice broke. “I just don’t know what to do.”

  “I know, let’s work through it, okay? What do you see as your options?”

  I wiped a tear from my cheek. “My first o
ption is to tell the assistant D.A. what I know.”

  “Okay, do you think that would work?”

  “No.” I scoffed. “He’d never believe me for one thing and for another, he’d think I was crazy. For some bizarre reason, he purposely got me on the jury. I’d almost feel like I was lettin’ him down.”

  Joe’s voice hardened. “You don’t owe Mason Deveraux anything, got it? This is about you, not that stuffy-ass assistant D.A.”

  How did Joe know about Mason Deveraux? I didn’t remember mentioning his name. “Yeah, you’re right.”

  “What’s your next option?”

  “I could tell the defense attorney, but hates me and he’d never believe me.”

  “Okay, next?” Joe didn’t ask why the defense attorney hated me, just accepted it.

  I closed my eyes, concentrating. “Maybe I could leave an anonymous tip.”

  “What do you think you’d say?”

  I groaned in frustration. “I guess there’s not much to say, is there? That the pin belongs to some mysterious man who murdered the victim, but I don’t know who it is, only that he was at the courthouse on Monday morning, he likes crossword puzzles, and he has a cat.”

  “What’s your other option?”

  “I don’t have any other options, Joe. Not that I can think of.”

  “I know one.”

  I sat up. “What?”

  “You do nothing.”

  “What? I can’t do—”

  “Rose, trust the system. This guy is innocent until proven guilty.”

  “No he’s not, trust me. Everyone think he’s guilty—from the jury to the police, and as little as Mr. Yates is tryin’, I suspect he thinks he’s guilty too.”

  “Rose…”

  “No, Joe. You’re not in there. Mason Deveraux has all of this circumstantial evidence and Mr. Yates isn’t fightin’ any of it and the jury’s eatin’ it all up, which I don’t understand. Even without a vision, I could tell that Bruce Wayne didn’t smash that guy’s head in. He’s right handed and the wound was on the right side. The murderer is left handed.”

  “How in the world do you know that?”

  “I saw it in my vision. He was doing a crossword puzzle and he wrote the word in with his left hand.”