Hang Tough (18 page)

Tobin figured the ladies would reconvene at Tilda's house since it was closest to Garnet's. To retain the element of surprise, he parked his truck on the road and hoofed it up the driveway.

He knocked loudly on the screen door and then stood off to the side. Polite behavior was too ingrained for Tilda not to answer, but he sure as hell wasn't giving her a chance to slam the damn door in his face.

When she said, “Who's there?” and he stepped into view, she yelled, “Run, ladies, we're busted!”

But it was too late; Tobin barreled into the dining room. He said, “Nobody move.” Since Vivien and Bernice were already up and out of their chairs, he pointed at them and said, “Park it.”

“Tobin. What a nice surprise,” Miz Maybelle said with wide-eyed innocence. “Could I get you something to—”

“Nice try, Miz Maybelle, but you sit back down.” He motioned to Tilda. “You too. And that had better not be a damn Taser behind your back, Pearl,” he warned. “You do
not
want to piss me off any more than I am right now. All of you. Hands on the table.”

Pearl sighed. Her Taser hit the wood table with a clunk.

Bernice followed suit by dropping a pair of scissors that had been fashioned into a shiv.

Vivien's small-caliber Walther pistol gleamed as she set it down.

Tilda's pocketknife made a slow spin.

Miz Maybelle was the last one to show her hand, which contained . . . another Taser.

“Is that it? Or do I need to frisk the rest of you for firearms too?” Tobin demanded.

“We all have permits to carry concealed,” Pearl sniffed, “so I don't suggest you try it. You won't like what you find.”

Jesus.

“Fine. I will cut to the chase. What in the hell were you thinking forcing Garnet's granddaughter, who is a guest in her home, to take a lie detector test today? A test which you conducted without Garnet's knowledge and for all intents and purposes without Jade's consent?”

They all exchanged looks, as if they were asking each other . . .
How do we play this?

“Huh-uh. You look at
me
. Not each other. Because you all knew what you were doin' today was wrong, yet you did it anyway, so don't give me any bullshit crocodile tears.” He slammed his hands on the table. “But Jade's tears were very real.”

“Jade was crying?” Tilda said with horror.

“Of course she was crying. Her grandmother's best friends, who she met for the first time today, subjected her to a freakin'
lie
detector test. She took that to mean that you all think she's capable of emotionally hurting her grandma, which couldn't be further from the truth. And you grilled her on other personal things about Miz G that are very much not any of your business.” He got in Vivien's face. “You have a granddaughter. How would you feel if all your friends descended on her, dragged her out to the damn barn, hooked her up to a machine and asked her a bunch of questions?”

“Well, when you put it that way . . . no. I wouldn't be okay with it.”

“Vivien!” Pearl snapped. “We're supposed to stick together.”

“What Pearl said,” Miz Maybelle chimed in. “This was a group decision.”

“But Jade was crying,” Tilda said. “Not to mention none of you were in the house with Garnet. She has no control when it comes to that magazine. And to make it worse . . .” Tilda's chin wobbled. “She was picking out gifts for us!”

“This is why she was not allowed in with us when we were asking Jade questions,” Bernice scoffed. “She's a soft touch.”

“If you'd just been
asking
her questions, you'd've done it in the house over lemonade and cherry crisp.” His angry gaze moved from Bernice, to Miz Maybelle, to Pearl, the ones who seemed to be the least apologetic. “And where in the hell did you get a lie detector machine anyway?”

All eyes zoomed to Vivien.

“I found it by the side of the road.”

“Bullshit.”

She shrugged. “That's my story and I'm sticking to it.”

Miz Maybelle smirked at Tobin. “Don't you want to know what Jade said about
you
during the lie detector test?”

“Why would you ask her about me?”

Bernice snorted. “Because even before you showed up here, raging like an angry bull because you think we done your lady wrong, it's obvious you have the hots for her.”

“Jade said some pretty juicy stuff,” Miz Maybelle said slyly.

Wrong. Your interference today ensured there'd be nothing juicy going on tonight.

Vivien rolled her eyes. “It is not juicy, Maybelle. Jade said Tobin's kisses were juicy.”

“No, she admitted his body was juicy,” Pearl argued. “Like she drooled whenever he took his shirt off.”

“Are you sure she didn't say juicy when he took his pants off?” Tilda asked.

All eyes swiveled to her.

“What?” she asked indignantly. “I just wanted clarification since I wasn't there.”

Jesus. He oughta grab the fucking Taser and turn it on himself.

“So why are you here?” Bernice asked. “To make sure we don't spill the beans to Garnet that you're sneaking around with Jade?”

“I'm here to make sure you never mention this incident to Miz G, because it would break her heart.”

They all nodded.

“That's it?” Pearl asked suspiciously.

“No, that's not it. You're each gonna do something really fuckin' nice and special for Jade. And yes, I'm mad enough that my language is warranted, so deal with it.”

“What kind of special things are you expecting us to do?” Vivien asked.

Dammit. Just as he started to berate himself for not thinking this through, an idea clicked. “You're gonna talk to your buddy in Casper—the one who runs the music department, or the symphony or whatever it is—about the talented young woman living outside of Rawlins. A violinist with a degree from Columbia who is looking to connect with other musicians in the area.”

Vivien's eyes turned shrewd. “This is a serious favor, Tobin. “

“Oh, I know. But trust me. When you hear Jade play? You'll thank
me
for doin' you the favor because the woman is an outstanding violinist.”

“Since when is Jade going to be living here permanently?”

Tobin flashed his teeth at her. “Since she and I became serious.”

It might've been the first time he'd shocked them all into speechlessness.

Vivien cleared her throat. “I'll get right on it.”

Next he leaned in front of Bernice. “If Jade wants a full salon treatment, you'll give her the works. No charge.”

Bernice squirmed. “How about at a reduced rate?”

“How about if I tell your husband about the birthday spanking you got—onstage—at the Lumberjack Jamboree strip show in Casper two months ago?”

“Does Garnet tell you everything?”

“Just the blackmail stuff,” Pearl grumbled.

Tobin faced her.

She threw up her hands. “You got nothin' on me, Hale.”

“Not yet. But I have my suspicions about what
you've
been up to.”

The woman all but looked at the ceiling and whistled innocently.

“So, Pearl, I expect when I ask for your cooperation, in whatever capacity I need it, I won't have to ask more than once?”

“Yes, sir.”

Smart-ass. Tobin eyed both Tilda and Miz Maybelle.

Tilda smiled brightly. “Since Jade will be one of Wyoming's newest residents, I'll take her out to lunch and introduce her to my great-niece, Elise, who just moved to Rawlins herself last month from Oakmont. She's a very lovely girl and she doesn't know anyone around these parts either.”

“Why'd she relocate to Rawlins?” he asked skeptically.

“Oh, you know, change of scenery.”

“Uh-huh. Try again.”

“Good lord, Tobin. You are a hard man to please when you're looking after your woman.”

He raised a brow—and . . . Tilda cracked.

“All right. Elise's boyfriend is in prison, but she swears he was set up—”

Tobin held up his hand. “Scratch that lunch date. The embroidery stuff you do,” he said to Tilda. “Make her something nice that she can frame and hang on the wall. Or better yet, offer to teach her how to do it. She really digs that kind of craft stuff but she's never had a chance to learn.”

“That is so sweet,” Tilda said.

Tobin focused on Miz Maybelle.

She folded her arms across her ample chest. “I don't care how much trouble I'm in with you, Tobin Hale, or how much you love them; I am
not
divulging my prize recipe for molasses cookies to Jade or anyone else.”

“I'll give you her recipe,” Bernice offered. “It ain't all that secret.”

“Bernice!”

“Well, hon, it's not really a secret when you're jotting it down on cocktail napkins at the Blue Lantern in exchange for free shots,” Vivien said gently.

“Shoot. I'd hoped I'd dreamed that.” Maybelle looked at Tobin. “What's my punishment?”

“You used to fish with your husband, right?”

“All the blasted time. Why?”

“Do you still use your equipment?”

She shook her head.

“Jade's never been fishing and I'd like to borrow your equipment to see if she likes dropping a line before I buy her rods and reels.”

A long beat passed before Miz Maybelle said, “Fine. At least someone would be getting some use out of it. It's just been gathering dust since Mr. L passed on.”

Tobin might've missed it if Tilda hadn't pointed at Maybelle, discreetly wiping her eyes with a tissue. He crouched down. “If it has sentimental value to you—”

“It does.” She looked up with watery eyes and sniffled. “That's why I'm so happy to let you use it.”

“This is the last thing I need from all of you. I'm goin' out of town for a couple of days. Please let me and Jade tell Miz G that we're together on our own time frame.”

“Don't wait too long, sonny,” Pearl warned. “We're old. We might forget it's supposed to be a secret.”

“Especially if we're drinking,” Vivien pointed out.

“And if you like it, you should put a ring on it,” Bernice said with a smirk.

After a round of laughter and fist bumps, they started singing.

Yep. He definitely should've Tasered
himself.

“J
ade!”

She jumped and the can of coffee in her hands slipped and crashed to the floor.

Vivien picked it up and eyed the dent in the can before swapping it out for a new canister and setting it in Jade's cart. “Sorry, I didn't mean to scare you.”

Right. You already did that
.

“I'm used to dealing with my hard-of-hearing friends. I tend to speak loudly, or so I've been told.” Vivien studied the items in Jade's cart.

Coffee, a package of fudge-striped cookies, a small box of dishwashing detergent, the latest issue of
Cosmo
, a carton of yogurt and a small container of Nutella. Jade might as well have a neon sign on the front of the cart announcing
THIS WOMAN IS SING
LE!
The only clichéd items she was missing were a bottle of cheap white wine and bag of cat food.

That's when Jade noticed Vivien had nothing in her cart. “I'll let you get started with your shopping.”

When Jade moved forward, Vivien blocked her exit. “I'm happy I ran
into you. Garnet's order from the Beauty Barn came in. You can swing by and pick it up from Bernice.”

“I'll let GG know. I'd hate to deprive her of a visit to town.”
Fool me once
 . . . Although every one of the Mud Lilies had apologized for the “misunderstanding,” Jade wasn't going anywhere near them without backup.

“It'll just take you an extra five minutes,” Vivien said breezily. “And Garnet will be so appreciative. I'll just text her real quick and let her know you're picking it up.”

Jade watched as Vivien whipped out her phone, typed out a text and sent it.

A
ping
sounded.

“Garnet said thank you. So I'll just wait up by the checkout counter and you can follow me to Bernice's.”

No manipulation there. But what could she say? More importantly . . . what could she do to get out of it?

Make your own backup plan.

Jade smiled. “I have a couple of other things to grab first.”

Vivien said, “Take your time.”

Jade rolled her cart to the next aisle, pretending to look for something as she pulled out her cell phone and sent a text.

JE:
Are you around?

A couple of seconds later, a reply showed.

Yes. What's up?

JE:
How long would it take you to get to Bernice's Beauty Barn?

Why? Fair warning that I'm not the pedicure type.

JE:
Can you meet me there? You said if I needed anything just to ask . . . remember?

Fine. Be there in 20.

After checking out, Jade tossed her bags in her car and followed Vivien to Bernice's Beauty Barn, secretly snickering that she'd driven a block.

The scents of permanent wave solution and coffee hit her as soon as she walked inside. And what a coincidence; Miz Maybelle, Pearl and Tilda all just happened to be watching Bernice cut another woman's hair. A gorgeous woman with flowing blond locks who could have had a starring role in shampoo commercials.

The Mud Lilies stood up, one by one, and hugged Jade, as if they were the best of friends.

Bernice removed the cape from her customer with a flourish and said, “All done, sweetheart. In and out in under an hour, as promised.”

“Thanks, Bernice.” The blonde unfolded from the chair—of course her clothes were as gorgeous as the rest of her—and stopped in front of Jade, offering her a brilliant smile and her hand. “You're Garnet's granddaughter?”

Not said in a snarky manner at all, so Jade's hackles came down a notch. “Yes. I'm Jade Evans.”

“So pleased to meet you, Jade. I'm Harper Turner. I used to have a nail studio in the back, so I've known your grandma for years.”

“I'll tell her I saw you. I'm here
briefly
”—she emphasized the word—“to pick up an order before my groceries melt.”

“The only perishable thing you bought was yogurt. And honey, that stuff could go bad and who would know the difference? It already tastes like sour milk,” Vivien said. “Which is why we know you have time to chat with us for a bit. No need to run off.”

Jade laughed. “I remember how our last chat went, so you'll understand if I decline.”

Harper's eyes narrowed. First on Jade and then on each one of the Mud Lilies, who all managed to pull off
we wouldn't harm a fly
smiles.

“We're damn proud of Harper,” Bernice said, putting an arm around Harper's shoulder. “Hardest-working woman you'll ever meet. She stuck around this tiny town at the expense of pursuing her own dreams to raise her youngest sister until she graduated from high school. Now Harper owns a clothing company up at the Split Rock—and
whoo-ee
does she have some nice stuff. So nice she ships it all over the world.”

“And she hooked herself a hot cowboy,” Tilda added.

“I remember when you couldn't wait to get out of Muddy Gap. You said there was nothing here for you.”

“Sounds like someone else I know,” Jade muttered. She thought her comment went unheard amid the chattering about Harper's hot husband and even more adorable boys, but Harper looked at her quizzically.

“How long are you visiting?” Harper asked.

Silence as all eyes swiveled to Jade.

“It's up in the air at this point.”

“You and Garnet should swing by the store. Between that, the ranch and our three sons, my husband Bran and I don't get out at all anymore.”

“I'm sure GG would love that.”

Harper and Bernice walked to the register. Harper kept trying to sneak looks at her.

Yes, I realize I don't look like my grandmother or anyone else around here.

But maybe her ethnicity wasn't the curiosity. Maybe Tobin had mentioned Jade since it appeared he worked with Harper.

As soon as Harper sailed out the door, Bernice rubbed her hands together. “So, Jade, to make up for the ‘misunderstanding' the other day, I'm offering you a free makeover. Hop in the chair, sweetheart, and I'll get started.”

“It's sweet of you to offer, but I have plans today so I'll just grab GG's order and be on my way.” Maybe it was ridiculous, but Jade's gaze scanned the area for tie-down straps.

“Nonsense. Every woman needs a pick-me-up now and then.”

Jade started to back away. “Not me. I'm good. I had a style update before I left New York.”

“Come on, it'll be fun! We'll stick around to offer our input,” Miz Maybelle said.

“Input” from a woman who wore a muumuu and had added a fake bun to the back of her head complete with red lacquered chopsticks? Not a confidence booster.

“Have you ever considered cutting your hair short?” Tilda asked. “That Twiggy looked so hip.”

Who was Twiggy? It sounded like a dog. The one thing Jade had going for her was her hair, so a chop job definitely wasn't happening. “I think—”

“I'm in charge.” Bernice grabbed a new cape off the stack. “Don't listen to them. Let's get you situated in the chair.”

“But—”

“Lord, you're looking at it like it's an electric chair.”

“Can you blame me?”

The door slammed open and a voice boomed, “What in the hell is going on in here?”

Jade practically did a herkey she was so happy to see Riss.

“Riss. What are you doin' here, girl?”

“Hello, Aunt Bernice.”

“Aunt?” Jade repeated.

“Yep. Not that she claims me.” Riss put her hands on her hips. “Jade and I had plans today. She texted that she was stopping here for a minute and it's been fifteen so I thought I'd see if you were trying to force her into a makeover or some damn thing.”

Bernice bristled. “Just because
you've
never had a makeover doesn't mean other women aren't interested in one.”

Riss rolled her eyes. “Jade is beautiful. The only thing she's interested in is a margarita.”

“In the middle of the afternoon?” Vivien asked.

“I'll pretend I haven't seen
all
of you totally tanked at the Blue Lantern before noon—on more than one occasion,” Riss shot back.

“Those were special celebrations. And the mimosas they serve during their pork festival pack a wallop,” Miz Maybelle said.

“Regardless. Jade and I are headed to Rawlins.”

“To the Blue Lantern?” Vivien asked.

“Nope. The Prickly Cactus.”

“That is not a nice place for nice girls,” Tilda said with a sniff.

Riss smirked. “Which is why I'm a regular there. Later, ladies. And Aunt Bernice.” She held the door open for Jade.

As soon as Jade was out of view of her watchers, she hugged Riss hard. “Thank you, thank you, thank you, a million times. I started to worry they were going to strap me in a chair again.”

“Again?” Riss said. “When was the first time?”

“Not important now. I am so ready for a margarita. Or five.”

“Same. Follow me into town. I gotta stop and buy a different shirt since this is the only one I have with me and there's a streak of cowshit across the girls.”

Jade's gaze fell to Riss's chest. Sure enough, she saw a brown smear. “Does that happen a lot?”

“In my line of work? I'd consider this a clean shirt day.”

“Good to know.”

“You seriously ready to get your drink on? Cut loose a little, Wyoming-style?”

“Yes. I need a reminder that I'm twenty-four, not eighty-four.”

She grinned. “Call Garnet and tell her it's a pixie dust night for you.”

“Pixie dust?” Jade repeated.

“She'll know what it means. She'll also know not to panic if she doesn't see you until tomorrow morning.” Riss dropped her sunglasses over her eyes. “Stick close. I sorta speed.”

Great.

In Rawlins, Riss stopped at the farm and ranch supply store.

Jade wasn't a shopper, but she didn't have high expectations about the clothing selection in a place that sold chickens and tractors, so the section dedicated to women's ranch and leisure wear was a happy surprise. Especially when Riss decided they both needed barhopping clothes.

Riss outfitted Jade in a tight button-up with swirls of glitter across the chest—that actually created the illusion of cleavage—and boot-cut jeans with rhinestones on the back-pocket flaps. Instead of cowboy boots, Jade selected a pair of funky flip-flops with a three-inch wedge heel covered in western beads and medallions.

“Lookit you, New York. Totally countrified.”

Jade took a bow. “I owe it all to you.”

“Come on. My turn. I'm here, I'm stocking up.”

And stock up Riss did—in record time. Within ten minutes she'd tossed two frilly shirts, five basic tank tops, identical in style but different colors, and a pair of jeans into her cart.

At the checkout stand, a woman coming in the front doors stopped and said, “Larissa?”

Riss muttered
fuck
before she plastered on a smile. “Hey, Dodie! Long time no see.”

“I'm surprised to see you shopping.”

“Don't tell my mother,” Riss said in a pleading tone. “I still have nightmares about that prom dress.”

“I've kept your other secrets, haven't I?” The apple-shaped and
apple-cheeked woman—who looked to be in her late fifties—focused on Jade. “Who's your friend?”

“Sorry. Dodie, this is Jade Evans. She's Garnet's granddaughter. Jade, this is my mother's cousin, Dodie.”

“It's a pleasure to meet you,” Jade said.

“Dodie is the head cook up at the Split Rock,” Riss said. “She's been there since the place first opened, right?”

“Right.”

“There've been some changes with Hugh leaving. How's everything going up there?”

Dodie sighed. “Hectic. We're at full capacity through the summer. Everyone in every department is stretched thin, so we're all tired and cranky. Naturally that's when Lou-Lou gives notice, claiming she's developed a bulging disc. I don't care that she's my cousin. I wanna throttle her.”