during the days. That’s why I spend time at the antique shops with Flossie and Lucy pretty often. If I’m not here, you can find me there.”
“Thank you, and the same goes for you coming out to the inn. See you later.” Jolene waved over her shoulder as she left.
She got into her truck and listened to the local country music station as she drove to town. She kept the engine running when she parked in front of the lawyer’s office. Expecting Tucker to slide into the passenger seat, she was surprised to see Flossie.
Jolene turned the radio off. “Well, good mornin’.”
“Tucker is in there right now finalizin’ the deal,” Flossie said. “I been watchin’ from the window of my shop. Reuben got here first. I thought you might wait in the shop. Where’d you go?”
“Down to fill out tax papers and talk to Dotty about bar stuff. Tonight is my first night. I don’t expect it’ll be much different than the Twisted Rope,” Jolene answered.
“I owe you an apology,” Flossie said.
“About what?”
“I should’ve bought half of the Magnolia Inn. I put in a bid, but I was too late. Belinda had already given Tucker twenty-four hours to make up his mind. I should’ve upped his bid by a few thousand. If I hadn’t been so stubborn, we could be partners and my money would be invested in something pretty nice,” Flossie sighed.
Jolene was pretty sure that if Flossie had purchased half the property, she’d still be working with Tucker, since he was the best carpenter in the area, so there didn’t seem to be much difference in the situation.
Flossie went on, “I never did like Reuben. He was rude to Sugar more times than I can count on my fingers and toes. And then for him to sell out as soon as the papers were signed last week made me furious. Not that I wanted you to have to deal with him every day. Hell, no! But I didn’t want him to make a penny more on the sale than Tucker offered.”
Jolene reached across the console and patted Flossie on the shoulder. “No hard feelin’s here. Who would you have hired to do the remodeling?”
“Tucker, if I could get him. He’s the best,” Flossie answered.
“So I’d still deal with him every day. It is what it is, Flossie. Don’t punish yourself.” Jolene smiled.
Flossie laid a hand on Jolene’s arm and squeezed it gently. “You’re so much like Sugar that you should’ve been her daughter instead of her niece. Got to go now. There’s a customer goin’ into the store, and I’m runnin’ it alone today.”
“Why?” Jolene asked.
“Janie, my part-time help, has that stomach bug that’s goin’ around. She’ll be back tomorrow,” Flossie replied as she got out of the truck.
Tucker was behind her before Flossie could slam the door. “It’s not often that a pretty lady opens the door for a ragged old cowboy like me, so I thank you for making my day.”
Flossie flashed a bright smile toward him. “You are definitely a charmer. Jolene would do well to keep a close eye on you. We’ll be out to check on things Sunday afternoon. We’ll bring dinner for everyone with us and be there after church.”
“Thank you. We’ll look forward to it,” Jolene said.
Flossie darted across the street.
Tucker crawled into the passenger seat and fastened his seat belt. “I guess that means I have to get over my hangover by noon on Sunday?”
“Yes, it does. And . . . like I said before, I won’t abide drunks.”
“Reason?” he asked.
“Mother and boyfriend, and we’ll leave it at that,” she said.
“I’ve never asked for help with my problem, and it won’t affect you.”
“See that it doesn’t,” she said.
She wanted to know what had happened in Dixie Realty, but after that little exchange, she kept her mouth shut.
The detective in Tucker wanted to ask more questions about her life with an addicted mother, but if she wanted to talk about her past, she would. He’d listen when and if she ever did. If not, then that was her business—just like drinking was his. Saturday night had been his and Melanie’s date night, and he’d always worked at making it special. He still had all the memories of those wonderful dates. She deserved that much and more for putting up with him and his demanding job. Drinking didn’t always erase the memories, but it did soften the edges and the pain of her being gone.
“Did you have a long wait?” he asked