youngster here tonight.”
“Very sweet girl,” he added, looking her over from a distance. “I see you’ve also gotten the wives to collar their husbands this time out. I never thought Justin Brachle would have the time to darken the doors of this library. He’s the all-time wheeler-dealer of Cherico, and we’re thankful he works his realty magic so well.”
Maura Beth cocked her head. “As in lots more taxes to collect from wealthy homeowners?”
“Precisely.”
“But not enough to keep the library open?”
Councilman Sparks gave her one of his most conspiratorial winks. “Don’t worry, Miz Mayhew. I fully intend not to underestimate you. That’s why I’m here tonight. By the way, I’ve been meaning to ask you: What shade do you officially call that red hair of yours? It’s very unusual—even stunning, if I do say so myself.”
“Oh! Well, I guess auburn would be the most traditional way of describing it,” she answered, completely caught off guard. “An ex-boyfriend of mine at LSU once told me that I had a head full of good bourbon whiskey, but that always made me sound like the ultimate party girl, which I wasn’t.”
He wagged his eyebrows and smiled. “I’ve been noticing the way your hair changes in different kinds of light.”
“Yes, it does do that.”
“It looks one way in the sun and another way under the fluorescents.”
Maura Beth decided to say nothing and nod her head.
“My wife’s hair is brunette. It always looks the same everywhere.”
They had reached an awkward pause, and Maura Beth decided she’d had enough. “Maybe you should get a job out at Cherico Tresses, Councilman. I think your comments would be much more appropriate there. So, if you’ll excuse me, I’m going to continue to make the rounds.”
She walked away without looking back, approaching the McShays and the Brachles. They were in the midst of friendly banter, and it was Connie who was holding forth at the moment. “. . . and I just love the way the light plays off the lake at certain times of the day, particularly around sunset. I could hardly pull myself away this evening.” She gave Becca one of her nudges. “We must have you and Justin out for dinner soon around that time so you can see for yourself. I’ll try and persuade Douglas to go out in The Verdict and catch some fish for us.”
“Oh, we’d love to, wouldn’t we, Stout Fella?” Becca replied.
He quickly swallowed the last of the corn and pepper salad he was chewing and nodded his head obediently, while Douglas flashed a sarcastic smile at his wife.
Maura Beth glanced at the front desk clock and decided to make an announcement. “Ladies and gentlemen, I think we’ll begin our discussion in about fifteen more minutes. Meanwhile, please continue to enjoy this wonderful spread and each other’s company.”
“I intend to try a piece of your sheet cake next, Miz Mayhew,” Stout Fella explained, stepping up and wiping the edges of his mouth with a napkin. “It looks mighty tempting from here, and Becca raved about it last time she came. Of course, everybody’s dish was worth the price of admission. But after my cake, I’m afraid I’ll have to make my manners to all you good folks and leave. I have some pressing business to attend to over at The Twinkle. But don’t worry, Becca’s staying for all this book bid’ness, and I’ll be back to pick her up later. And don’t let me forget to say again that all a’ y’all are fantastic cooks. This was just delicious.”
Maura Beth and the others offered up their group thanks and then watched him practically inhale his cake a few moments later. Finally, after guzzling a cup of punch and giving Becca’s cheek a perfunctory peck, he headed toward the front door, dialing his cell phone all along the way.
“Isn’t he incorrigible?!” Becca exclaimed to Maura Beth and Connie after he’d left. “Never even allows himself time to digest his food. He’s the most driven person I’ve ever known in my life!”
“Connie told me about you nicknaming him Stout Fella,” Douglas put in, “but I didn’t really get it until he came over and shook hands with me when we first walked in. I did recognize him, of course, but I’m afraid it was a shock all the same. No offense, Becca.”
“Oh, none taken. It is what it is. I just don’t know what to do about it. He’s completely turned up his nose at my new recipes. ‘Fix it like you always do,’