Once the song is over, Rhett and I go over to say hi.
“If it isn’t my favorite newlyweds. How’s married life treating you?” Harlan asks.
Relieved he isn’t calling me out for fraud, I grin up at my husband. “Great. Rhett built me a chicken coop, and now we have farm-fresh eggs every day.”
Rhett winks at me. “Someone once told me, ‘Happy wife, happy life.’ Can’t say they’re wrong.”
Harlan nods. “That’s the secret.” He shakes out his wrist and glances at his huge gold watch. “Where’s Mary Sue? That woman said she’d only be gone ten minutes. She’s coordinating the winter food drive at the church.”
I hold up my phone. “Please tell her to call me if she needs volunteers. I’d love to help.”
“Why, thank you, darling. That’s mighty nice.”
A distinguished-looking gentleman joins us. Harlan pats the man’s back. “Paige, have you met my brother Prescott? He oversees the bank here in town.”
Prescott holds up his beer to Harlan. “And don’t you forget it.”
Harlan chuckles. From what Rhett has explained, Harlan is the president of the company, but his younger brother is the local branch manager.
Prescott motions to Harlan. “Have you seen Tiffany? She’s supposed to meet me here.” He rolls his eyes playfully when he turns to us. “My wife means well, but she’s late for everything.”
Another guy walks up to our group, and Harlan mumbles something to him I can’t make out before he introduces him. “This here is my son Jimmy. Took some hard work, but he finally got the Gibson ranch up and running.”
Jimmy’s tall and lanky, and he doesn’t smile. Just nods at us.
After a minute, Harlan turns the conversation to business. “How are things on the ranch? You gearing up for the auction?”
My husband nods. “Yes, sir. We’ll be ready.”
“No trouble fattening up your herd?”
“No. They’re looking good.”
Stepping back, I motion behind me. “I’m going to say hi to some friends and let you chat.”
I say a little prayer my husband has all the right words to inspire Harlan’s confidence. We’re so close to our goal, and I don’t want anything to go wrong.
35
RHETT
The momentmy wife walks away, Harlan’s eyes go hard. He turns to me and lowers his voice. “Can we speak privately for a moment?”
Unease settles over me as I follow him a few feet away from Prescott and Jimmy, off to the side of the stage. “Is something wrong?”
“I need to ask you a question.” After I nod, he reaches into his pocket and pulls out a cigar. It’s illegal to smoke in the downtown area, but no one’s gonna tell Harlan his business. “How long have you known Paige?”
Shit. This can’t be good. “For years. I was best friends with her brother, Danny, before he passed away. Why?”
He cants his head as he studies me. “Son, don’t take this the wrong way, but I have it on good authority she was dating someone else until recently. Until just before you two got married.” He pulls out a trimmer and clips off the head of his cigar.
So that little dickhead Marcus finally spilled the beans? I try to look unaffected by Harlan’s words. I shrug like I don’t give a damn because I don’t, but I have to tread carefully since Marcusis his nephew. “She told me about her ex. As I understand it, things were over for a while before they officially broke up. The truth is I’ve always been fond of Paige. Sure, we moved a little fast, but when you know, you know. I dated my first wife for years, and I did everything by the book, but we were miserable from the start. I thought I’d do things differently this time.”
He chuckles as he stares across the dance floor where my wife is talking to Frannie Tate. “Can’t say I blame you for locking her down. She’s a pretty little thing.”
I fight like hell not to bristle. I don’t really care for any man checking out my wife, but I try not to take offense. “I’ve never been happier.” And that’s the God’s honest truth.
Harlan pats me on the back. “I’m glad to hear that. Since your father is gone, rest his soul, I felt like someone should be looking out for you and your brothers. I’d be remiss not to mention it.”
