Capri frowned slightly. “How do you know Whit?”
The girl’s smile revealed a row of perfect white teeth. “Let me introduce myself. My name is Candy Faye Hutchison. I’m Whit’s girlfriend.”
Capri’s heart skipped a beat. Whit’s girlfriend?
She quickly masked her surprise with a polite smile. “Of course,” she replied, her mind racing with questions. “The clinic is just a few blocks down the road. Turn left at the end of the street, and you’ll see it on your right. It’s a big building with a green sign.”
“Thank y’all so much,” Candy Faye said, her gratitude evident. “I appreciate it.”
Capri watched Candy Faye exit the store, her mind buzzing with the new revelation. Whit had a girlfriend? And she was in town? Oh, this could be bad.
She glanced at the clock, knowing that the news would travel fast. By dinnertime, everyone in Thunder Mountain would be talking about the unexpected arrival.
She quickly sent a text to Reva, Charlie Grace, and Lila. “Urgent—meet me at the Rustic Pine. ASAP! Details to follow.”
As Capri paid for the books, her thoughts were a whirlwind of concern for her friend. It had taken a lot of prodding to get Lila out of her comfort zone and open to a new life chapter. Based on the look in her friend’s eyes every time Whit’s name was mentioned, it was apparent Lila had finally turned the page. He was fast becoming more than just her boss.
But now, the dynamics in her budding relationship were about to shift. She hoped Lila would be ready for what was coming. She hated to think of her friend being hurt again.
23
Lila pushed open the bar door, instantly enveloped by the comforting scent of wood smoke and grilling hamburgers. The dim lighting cast a cozy glow over the room as she scanned the tables for her friends. It didn’t take long to spot them, waving her over from their corner table.
“Hey, Lila!” Reva motioned her over from where she sat, flanked by Capri and Charlie Grace.
Lila approached, noting the odd expressions etched on her friends’ faces. Capri wouldn’t meet her gaze. Instead, she focused on her long-neck bottle.
Trying to mask her concern, Lila slid into the empty chair, placing her purse under the varnished wooden table. “Why the urgency to meet?”
Before they could answer, the bar owner placed a mug of beer in front of her.
“Hey, Annie,” Lila said.
Annie stopped her from reaching for her wallet with a hand on her shoulder. “It’s on the house,” she said with a sympathetic smile.
“Thanks,” she said, a bit puzzled.
Annie nodded toward the bar. “If you girls need anything else, just holler.” She patted Lila’s shoulder before returning to the bar, her black Lab, Bartender, trailing at her feet.
Lila slipped her purse from her shoulder, taking in the familiar surroundings—walls adorned with western-themed paintings and photographs of cowboys and horses. A George Strait song played from the old-fashioned jukebox in the corner.
“Sorry I’m late,” she explained. “I got here as fast as I could. I think Camille is coming down with something. I had to make a run to the store for some Pepto.”
Reva coughed, clearing her throat. She nervously glanced between the other two.
Lila looked around the table, noting her friends’ pained expressions. “Did someone die…or what?”
When no one immediately responded, she nervously added, “Okay, now you’re making me scared.”
Reva leaned in, her voice loud enough to be heard over the music. “No one died. But, honey, we have something we need to tell you.”
Capri nodded. “Yeah, about Whit Calloway.”
Lila leaned forward, her heart pounding. “What about Whit?”
Capri’s hands tightened on her beer bottle. “His girlfriend showed up in town today.”
Lila’s breath hitched. “Girlfriend? What do you mean, girlfriend?”
