The Secretary Gets Her Man

So why had her grandmother obviously bragged? Why had she led the neighbors and townspeople to believe their relationship was a loving, confiding one?

It was like the behavior of someone whose relative was a social misfit. Lie, brag and pretend to outsiders lest they find out that person’s offspring isn’t quite up to snuff.

Like they’d all done with Penny’s mother.

Was that it? Did Agnes fear Penny would end up like Jeanice Archer? Had she been insulating herself against potential shame?

“Oh, dear,” Georgia said. “We’ve made you sad. Agnes was a strange old bird, but she was your grandmother and I’m sure you miss her.”

“Yes.” Startled, Penny looked back when Joe moved next to her, placed a palm on her shoulder and squeezed.

She wished he’d keep his distance. And that he wouldn’t touch her. It would be all over town before lunch that she and Joe had a thing going.

A rumor spread innocently. Not maliciously. But still too close to the past for comfort. The sisters would mention Joe and Penny’s name in the same breath and the gossip mill would take it from there.

She moved out of his reach. “Thank you for bringing breakfast and the boxes, Joe.”

“My pleasure.” He tipped his hat, gave her that reckless smile that told her he knew he was being politely kicked out. “My offer still stands to help out.”

“I’ll be fine. But I appreciate it.”

He went down the porch steps and Penny noticed how the wood bowed and nails were popping up. The railing between the brick posts holding up the roof overhang were sagging and weather-beaten. This house was a mess.

“Still a handsome devil, don’t you think?” Georgia said.

Penny nodded before she realized Georgia had addressed her question to Wanetta. A sneaky ploy.

“Y’all come into the kitchen and I’ll see if there are any tea bags.”

“Oh, there are. We had a meeting here for the school board a couple of days before Agnes keeled over with the bad heart. She served a divine coffee cake and an assortment of flavored teas. All very classy.”

For Christmas, Penny had sent her grandmother a collection of gourmet tea, along with a pot and an antique china cup-and-saucer collection. She’d imagined her grandmother leaving it in the box on a shelf somewhere.

But according to Georgia and Wanetta, Agnes had used the gift proudly. Entertaining the school board.

“Why did the school board meet here?”

“Agnes was a member. Darnedest thing. After grouching at and scaring half the children in the neighborhood, she suddenly developed a soft spot for them—though she did her best to hide it. Even started a fund-raiser to benefit orphaned children.”

“That’s nice.” Penny set water on to boil and didn’t turn around. She didn’t want the neighbors to see how stunned she was. And hurt, perhaps. Penny herself had basically been an orphan. Her father had been around, but not often, and not for long periods of time.

And though Agnes had taken her in, given her food and shelter, she’d never made Penny feel welcome.

Agnes Archer had tried her best to teach Penny that she was unlovable.

Chapter Three

Remembering Joe’s subtle censure over her not being here for the funeral, Penny wondered if Georgia and Wanetta were thinking the same way.

She turned, looked at the two old women. “I would have visited, but Grandmother always made up excuses and told me not to.”

“Oh, we know that, dear.”

“You do?”

“Of course. Agnes was a pill—more often than not had her lips all puckered up like she was gonna spit. Not many folks understood what made her tick.” Georgia laughed and waved a hand. “I like to think I’ve got an edge on most, being a retired telephone operator and all.”

Penny felt a smile grow. The aunts could always put her at ease. “Aunt Georgia, you’re not going to tell me you eavesdropped on private conversations, are you?”

“Of course I’m not going to tell you that, darlin’.” Her sly smile said it for her.

Besides, everyone in town knew exactly how Georgia had gotten so much of her information.

Penny poured tea in cups, put the rest of the bakery rolls on a plate in the center of the table, and sat down.

“Just like you didn’t tell anyone that Stan Saffrone kept a place over in Austin—and had built a real nice swimming pool over his dead wife’s body?”

Georgia sniffed and tugged at her polyester vest. “I can’t imagine how anyone could draw a parallel between a telephone operator and a typed note left on the police department’s front desk.”

“Of course not,” Penny said with a grin. “Must be my suspicious mind.”

“And well you should have a suspicious mind. That’s an asset to a spy, I’d say. You must regale us with some of your exciting stories, dear.”

“Now, Aunt Georgia…” The telephone rang, saving her. Penny rose to answer, frowning when no one responded. “Hello?” she repeated. Unwilling to play the game, she disconnected first and turned to face the neighbor ladies who were both staring with rapt, expectant expressions.

“The grapevine must work fast,” Penny said with a soft laugh. “Too bad whoever it was didn’t have the courage to speak.”

“Did you get a heavy breather?”

“No. Just didn’t want to talk. Probably the wrong number…unless Grandmother had a special friend?” She didn’t think that likely, but it wouldn’t be unheard of. Someone pining for a lost loved one, dialing a familiar number in a moment of weakness, hoping against hope that death had been a dream, a big mistake.

“Agnes had friends, but no one close. Up until the very last she pretty much held us all at arm’s length,” Georgia said, staring at the telephone receiver Penny had already replaced in its cradle.

“And folks in Darby don’t just hang up,” she continued. “Wrong numbers are simply a good reason to visit with someone new.” She sent a look at Wanetta. “Press automatic call-back and let’s see who it was.”

“Aunt Georgia, if someone’s trying to get in touch with me, they’ll try again.”

“We did have us a case of a heavy breather a month or so back. Old Dudly Ferring got a drunken obsession with Thelma Croft, but she blew a whistle in his ear and burst his eardrum, so I don’t imagine he’s at it again this soon.”

“Nope. No heavy breathing.”

“Suppose one of your spy cases has found out you’re here?” Wanetta asked.

“Wanetta, I do believe you might be on to something.” Georgia lowered her voice dramatically. “Are you in danger, dear? Because Wanetta and I can bring over the shotguns and stand guard.”

Penny laughed and held up her hands. “No shotguns, Aunt Georgia! I’m not in danger. I promise.”

“Well, if you were, you know you could count on us. We take care of our own here in Darby. But of course you’ll remember that, won’t you dear?”

Penny remembered. Though she didn’t feel like she’d been lovingly taken care of. At least not by her grandmother.

Now the sisters, on the other hand, had gone a long way to filling the emotional gap. They’d wanted to lynch Joe when he’d hurt her. Actually, they’d wanted to string up Joe’s father, Cyrus Colter, who Georgia claimed was a useless son of a gun who wanted to live his life through his son and constantly pushed Joe when a smarter man would have known to ease up.

Penny reached across and gave both Georgia’s and Wanetta’s hands a squeeze. “It’s so good to see you both again. I wish I’d just ignored Grandmother’s cold shoulder and come home anyway.”

Wanetta adjusted her ridiculous hat. “You’re here now, that’s what matters. We’ll have plenty of time to catch up. But we’ll not hog all of your time. I’m sure you’d like to see some girlfriends.”

“I’d planned to stop by Kelly Robertson’s.” After she made a trip to the cemetery.

“Ah, yes. You know Kelly’s opening a bookstore, don’t you?”

“Mmm. She’d said so in her Christmas card.”

“Due to have the grand opening next week. She’ll be so happy that you’re here to attend. Let me just jot down the telephone numbers for you—although you can get them through information. Folks hardly ever go to the trouble to have their numbers unlisted—especially now with those caller ID features.”

Georgia rummaged through one of the kitchen drawers, found a scrap of paper and scribbled numbers.

“This’ll save you getting caught by Loralie Vanna. She’s one of the local operators here in Darby. She’s supposed to use the computer, but she’s so nosy, half the time she butts right in and engages folks in conversation. I’ve a mind to report her to her superiors, but Wanetta reminds me it’s not my job anymore. Runs my blood pressure up. Here you go, hon.” She handed the paper to Penny and gave her a hug.

“Come for supper if you want,” Wanetta said. “Georgia’s got a chicken all ready to fry up, and there’ll be plenty. Maybe we can even talk Joe into stopping by. A single man, and all, he could use a good home-cooked meal.”

Penny kissed the honorary aunts on the cheeks. “Thanks for the invitation, but don’t count on me. I’ve got a ton of things to do, and I can’t promise a time when I’ll be free.”

“That’s fine, dear. The invitation stands—anytime.”

When the sisters left, Penny called Kelly to let her friend know she’d be by later for a visit. Hanging up, she couldn’t help thinking about the other phone call.

For no good reason, Penny got an uneasy feeling. She’d heard a series of subtle clicks on the line, like the skip of a tape recorder. But why would anyone call and record her voice?

Just to be on the safe side, Penny figured she ought to send a gently probing e-mail to Kendra at the Smoking Barrel. Just to see if anything unusual was up at Texas Confidential headquarters that she should know about.

KELLY ROBERTSON had hardly changed a bit. Still bubbly, outgoing and friendly. She’d put on a little weight after three kids, but it sat well on her, made her look like a woman. Happy and healthy.

“My gosh,” Kelly said when she opened the door. “You look fabulous!” Two shrieking little boys charged past, nearly knocking Penny off the porch. Tightening her grip around the two-year-old in her arm, Kelly made a grab for the little hellions and missed. “Sorry. Come in. Come in. Boys! Stay in the yard.”

“Okay, Mom!”

Kelly shook her head. “I love getting your cards every year. I can’t believe it’s been twelve years since I’ve actually seen you!” Twelve years since her father’s funeral and Mitchell’s invitation to come work for him. “Janelle and Pam are still griping because you didn’t come to the reunion.”

No, she hadn’t come back for the reunion. She’d been worried that Joe would be there. And as much as she might have liked to flaunt her success and hard-won independence, she hadn’t trusted herself to be strong.

Penny stepped into the house, hugged Kelly, and smiled at the little girl who promptly latched onto a hunk of her curly hair. “Ouch!” she teased.

“Makayla, quit it,” Kelly admonished the baby gently, disentangling the fat little fingers. “You don’t pull the hair of important government ladies.”

“Get out,” Penny said.

Kelly laughed. “Yeah. Can’t get too mysterious for me. I know your secrets.”

“If you remind me about that strawberry wine incident, I might have to deck you.”

“Looks like you could mop the floor with me easy enough.” She tested Penny’s firm arms. “You make me sick,” she said fondly. “Here you are all sleek and sexy and I’m a dumpy mother of three.”

“You’re not dumpy and you’re much more than just a mother—although that’s a fine profession in itself.” Unaccountably, Penny had the urge to hold her hands out to little Makayla, to see if the baby would come to her. Weird. “I’m anxious to see your new bookstore.”

“Oh, you will. But not today, okay? I’ve about stocked and inventoried myself to death. Today’s play day. Girls’ day. I hope you don’t mind, but I called Pam and Janelle and told them you were coming. They ought to be here any minute now. I hope that’s okay?”

“Sure. I’m dying to see everybody.” The doorbell rang. “Speak of the devils?”

“Yes. Brace yourself,” Kelly said. “It’s about to look like an unruly day-care center in here.”

Without waiting for an invitation, the door opened and Janelle and Pam came in, each juggling children. The women squealed, set down their kids and ran to hug Penny.

“You dog!” Pam said with a laugh. “Look at you. Miss Secret Agent, herself.”

“Who told everybody I was a secret agent?” Penny asked.

“Oh,” Janelle said. “I just knew that was supposed to be hush-hush. Your grandmother said something at the beauty shop, and I was booked solid that day—seemed like the whole town was there. That must have been five or six years back.” She gave an apologetic shrug and rested her hand on the shelf of her pregnant belly. “By now, I don’t imagine there’s a soul in Darby who doesn’t know.”

They went into the kitchen. Amid coffee cups, baby bottles, little boys running through the back door tracking sand and dirt, toy trucks scattered under the table and a miniature pink shopping cart being shoved repeatedly against the cabinet—and nobody batting an eye or checking for damage—the room was absolute chaos.

And Penny felt a jolt of longing and envy so strong she nearly doubled over with it. Here were her friends. Girlfriends. Girls who’d cried over boys, failed tests, and whined over having to wear stretched out swimsuits in gym class. Penny, it seemed, had always gotten the ones worn by the seniors with gazonga boobs. Her firm little lemons had fared pitifully beneath all that sagging material.

“Russ said if I saw you before he did to tell you he has some papers for you to sign,” Pam said. “Russ was Agnes’s attorney—but you probably already know that.”

“Yes,” Penny said. “I’d planned to stop by, but to be honest, I’m procrastinating. Grandmother’s house is in pretty bad shape and I don’t really know where to start. So I decided to take the day off, catch up with y’all and bring in some groceries. And honestly, how is it you’re having conversations with your husband over breakfast about me when I’ve just got into town?”

“It wasn’t over breakfast. Right after Kelly called to say you were coming over, I phoned Russ so he’d know where I’d be if he needed me. Actually, I was angling for him to take the day off and baby-sit, but no such luck.”

“Speaking of everybody taking the day off,” Janelle said. “I could open up the shop and we could all run over there and do hair and nails and primp. I operate a beauty shop out of my house now. Not that you look like you need to primp,” she amended quickly. “You’ve got the most gorgeous skin. I always hated that about you. Here I am with all the freckles and you don’t have a one.”

“Your freckles are cute,” Penny said. Kelly had written about Janelle’s troubles. She’d finally divorced her no good husband who’d drank and caroused and abused her. Penny was glad to know Janelle had opened her own beauty shop. “And your little girl’s the spitting image of you.”

“Her name’s Lindsey.” Janelle smiled at the shy six-year-old. “She seems a bit awestruck by you.”

Penny laughed. “Why? Did you tell her I was someone scary?”

“No, I did,” Pam said. “Not scary. I told her you were a James Bond girl.”

“Oh, no,” Penny groaned.

“Don’t worry,” Kelly said. “Janelle doesn’t let Lindsey watch R-rated movies so she doesn’t have any idea what a James Bond girl is. But you could always enlighten us,” she invited slyly.

“Oh, yes,” Pam said. “Tell us something juicy.” The three women looked at Penny expectantly. Lindsey shyly inched forward to stand by Penny’s chair. Baby Makayla was still ramming her pink shopping cart into the cabinet.

“It’s not all that glamorous. I work for a branch of the government that handles sensitive cases—which, unfortunately, I can’t speak about.”

“Penny!” Pam wailed. “You can’t just leave it at that.” Her voice lowered and she leaned in closer across the table. “Have you ever shot anybody?”

Penny rolled her eyes and glanced pointedly at Lindsey.

Janelle added her own censoring glare at her friend, then said, “Lindsey, hon, would you redirect Makayla from that cabinet before she knocks a hole in it? Take her on out to the front room where there’s more area to maneuver.”

“Okay.” Lindsey immediately jumped to obey her mother. No whining or sass. Penny wondered if the girl’s shyness and lack of obstinence came from having lived with an abusive father. That thought made her sad. Penny knew about living in a household where you felt the need to walk on eggshells.

When Lindsey had herded Makayla out of the room, Kelly poured another round of coffee. “So, have you shot anyone?” she asked ghoulishly.

“Yes,” Penny said, deliberately shocking her three friends. Well, she had winged one of the cattle rustlers a few months back.

“Oh, my gosh!” Pam cried. “I was sure you’d say no. Is it okay for us to know this? I mean, I don’t have to keep quiet around Russ or anything, do I?”

Penny’s smile grew cunning. “Since I’m sort of Russ’s client, he has a certain loyalty to me, don’t you think?”

All three women were looking at her with awe. “Did you kill the guy?” Kelly asked.

“No. The object is to bring them in alive.”

“Seems silly,” Janelle said softly, almost to herself. “If you could rid the world of some of its vermin then they wouldn’t be taking up space in our jails…and becoming eligible for parole.”

Penny reached over and squeezed Janelle’s hand. From Kelly’s letters she’d learned that Janelle had pressed charges against her ex-husband, Don Gilard, and had sent him to jail for abuse. “I’m really sorry for what you had to go through, Nelle.”

Janelle squeezed back. “Thanks, Pen. I’m happy now, though. I married Jim Edwards, a really sexy, shy guy. He loves Lindsey to pieces and we’re expecting this one in late September.” She patted her swollen tummy.

“Good for you. I’m anxious to meet him.”

“Oh, you will,” Kelly said. “Since he’s my accountant, he’ll be at the bookstore opening next week making sure I’m handling my assets properly. But you should come to the fair tonight. It’s the last night before they pack up and leave town. We’re all taking the kids and dragging the hubbies along, too.”

“I don’t know,” Penny said. “I’ve got an awful lot to do.”

“You said you were procrastinating and playing hooky today. Start tomorrow on your grandmother’s stuff. In fact, I’ll come help you.”

“No. You’ve got your bookstore to deal with. And I’ll need a couple of days at least just to figure out what’s what at the house. I’ll mostly be spinning my wheels, I imagine.”

“So, meet us at the fair,” Pam said. “You were always the daring one on the roller coasters and vomit rides. We’ll make you take our kids.”

“Oh, that’s just what she needs,” Kelly said. “Kids hanging on her back pocket. You ladies forget she’s our resident celebrity.”

“Get out of here,” Penny said. “Why in the world would you call me a celebrity?”

“Do you see anybody else coming back to town with this much excitement and mystery surrounding them? Dine on it, baby.”

“I’m not mysterious.”

“So pretend, for goodness sake. Lanie Dubois will be pea green with jealousy. She still thinks she’s better than anybody else. Do you know she actually showed up at the reunion with her pom-poms? Acting all cutsie and lording it over everybody else that her daddy was promoting her to Vice President of the bank—and of course telling us she didn’t have to work, but wanted to contribute something worthwhile to society.”

“Yeah,” Pam added. “She tried to make us feel like a bunch of house frumps.”

“You’re kidding.” Kelly and Janelle were business owners and Pam ran a small ranch, sat on just about every charity board imaginable, and sold real estate on the side. Added to that, all three were raising children.

House frumps? Not likely.

“So what do you want me to do? Wear my thirty-eight on my hip?”

“Can you?” Kelly asked, rubbing her hands together.

Penny laughed. “No. And don’t you all start with me. I’d just as soon keep a low profile while I’m here, okay?”

“Killjoy,” Pam said. “Once Joe Colter gets a look at you, low profile will be history. He’s as visible as they come and he’ll set his sights on you in a heartbeat.”

“Don’t even go there,” Penny said, making a great effort to keep her voice even and her smile pleasant. “Guys like Joe Colter just don’t do it for me anymore.”

She was lying through her teeth.

A quick glance at Kelly confirmed that her friend saw right through the lie. Kelly was the only one who knew that Penny had actually slept with Joe Colter. The rest of the town just thought he’d dated her on a bet. A charity case, so to speak.

Only Kelly knew the whole truth. That sixteen years ago, she’d given her virginity and her heart to Joe Colter—and neither one had meant a thing to him.

THE WARM JUNE AIR was redolent with the smell of popcorn, hot dogs, peanuts and cooking fires. Music played and children shrieked.

Carrying a cone of blue cotton candy, Penny walked around the fair grounds, smiling at folks who kept looking at her like they ought to know her but couldn’t quite place her.

For now, she didn’t go out of her way to introduce herself. She was content for the moment to let the memories pour over her, memories of other fairs here in Darby, fairs she, Kelly, Janelle and Pam had attended as girls.

Long, banquet-style tables draped with paper cloths were set up in the middle of a makeshift food court where booths emanated wonderful scents of both American and ethnic fare. The lights on the huge Ferris wheel lit the sky with neon colors. Screaming children rocked the top gondolas as the wheel slowly stopped and started, loading and unloading riders. Calliope music from the carousel vied with the dings and bangs of ringtoss and shooting booths. The Octopus and Tilt-a-whirl had long lines of children and adults waiting their turn to become walking candidates for chiropractic healthcare.

Off in the distance, the clack of roller-coaster cars climbing the grade then speeding around dips and curves called to her.

Penny loved roller coasters. She loved danger. The faster and scarier, the better.

Tossing her cotton candy cone in a trash barrel, she stopped at one of the food booths and ordered a beer.

“Hello stranger.”

Penny jolted and nearly spilled the paper cup of beer.

Joe, wearing his hat and an apron over his uniform shirt was serving up barbecue spareribs, slaw and corn.

His gaze raked her from head to foot, his eyes alight with pure male appreciation. “I saw the cotton candy. Did you decide it’s time for dinner, now?”

Penny made a deliberate effort to steady her nerves. “Hey, life’s short. We should all eat dessert first.”

“And keep a body like that?”

“Good genes,” she said and felt a pang. She didn’t come from good genes. In fact, there was a horrible, secret flaw in hers. But she wasn’t going to think about that now. “I thought you’d be out keeping the peace. How’d you end up with barbecue duty?”

“The mayor roped me into it. Said it was goodwill.”

“Doggone mayor must be some persuasive guy. Just talks you into all sorts of things, huh?”

“Seems that way.” His grin was that of a good sport. No one looking at Joe Colter would ever make the mistake of thinking he was a man who could be pushed around. He made his own choices. Perhaps some of them were governed by the wants and needs of others, but ultimately, it was his decision. “You here alone?”

“Yes. I’m looking for some friends.”

“Kelly, Pam and Janelle.”

She raised her brows. “Is there anything that gets by you?”

“Not much.” He pointed with his industrial size spatula. “Table over there in the corner by the pizza stand. They just got here a few minutes ago.”

“Thanks. I’ll go join them.”

“Want a plate of ribs to go?”