really remember.” But she did remember. All too well. How she had cheered as hard as anyone when he scored the winning touchdown at the state football championships. How she’d turned down his invitation to the prom with a sniff and a lift of her chin.
“So, he’s back in town already?” She couldn’t stop herself from asking.
Natalie smiled in triumph at Camille’s interest. “He was at Tallulah’s awhile ago, eating chicken-fried steak. Or should I say a couple of chicken-fried steaks.”
Camille remembered that too. Dante, a mountain of a fullback even in high school, could put away more food than a family of four. She resisted the urge to move closer to the shop windows and peek out at the square. Although the large Victorian county courthouse blocked her view of Tallulah’s Café, people often parked wherever they could find a place on the busy square. Perhaps even now, at this moment, Dante Brown was passing outside of Maxine’s Dress Shop.
Camille refused to let Natalie see the effect of the news on her. “I just got in some designer jeans, too, but I haven’t put them out yet. If you’re thinking of something for the homecoming game—”
“Oh, I don’t need to buy anything today,” Natalie said. “I just wanted to tell you the news.”
Camille kept the smile pasted on her face, aware of Merry’s knowing gaze. Of course her old rival wasn’t there to shop. She was there to throw Dante Brown in Camille’s face and see what kind of response she got. Natalie would never forgive Camille for being both homecoming and prom queen their senior year.
“You’re taking the news very well,” Natalie said with a teasing smile rimmed with malice.
“Well, I’m happy for the football team,” Camille said. “I’m sure everyone will be. Dante has a lot of professional experience to draw on.” Camille had followed his career as avidly as anyone in town, although she’d been careful to appear casual whenever anyone mentioned his name. But some people like Natalie knew enough—or could at least guess—about what had passed between them in high school.
“You’ll probably see him before too long,” Natalie added, hiking her designer handbag higher on her shoulder. “I wouldn’t be surprised if—”
The bell above the shop door sounded again, and Camille’s heart leaped to her throat. She gripped the clothing rack next to her, prepared to see—
But it was only Eugenie, the town librarian.
“Good morning, Eugenie,” Camille said, stepping toward her and away from Natalie’s poisonous darts. She smiled so hard it hurt her face, but she was determined not to let Natalie see her flinch. “It’s good to see you.”
“I’m on my way back from lunch,” Eugenie said in her usual no-nonsense kind of way. Even her recent marriage hadn’t softened her that much. While Eugenie was a kind person, she was also brusque. “I’m in need of a—” She broke off when she realized there were other customers in the shop.
“Good morning, Miss Pierce. I mean, Mrs. Carson.” Honestly, Camille thought, Natalie’s nose should be permanently brown from the way she was always kissing up to people.
“Good morning, um…” Eugenie looked to Camille for help.
“Natalie was just leaving,” Camille said, taking a few steps toward the door. Flustered, Natalie followed. Camille suppressed a smile at Natalie’s bewilderment.
“Yes. I was. I mean—” Natalie broke off when she realized that she was being hustled out of the store, but by that time Camille had ushered her into the warm September sunshine.
“I’ll call you next week when the new cocktail dresses come in,” Camille assured her with a smile and then slipped back into the shop, leaving Natalie on the sidewalk. When she stepped back inside, Eugenie and Merry were deep in conversation.
“What are you two talking about?” Camille asked, trying not to bristle. She was tired of being the object of speculation and pity. She’d found that hard enough to take during her mother’s long illness. Now that her mother was gone, it was time for the pity to stop. If it didn’t, Camille feared she would break down completely.
Merry and Eugenie stepped apart, and the librarian looked decidedly guilty. Camille took a deep breath, ready to launch a preemptive strike, but she was stopped by Merry’s staying hand.
“Before you say anything, we weren’t talking about you,” Merry said with a small smile. “Eugenie was just breaking some news to me. I think you’ll want to hear this too.”
Camille stepped closer to them, her chest tight with apprehension. She’d had enough news of any