Best She Ever Had (9781617733963) (26 page)

C
ynthia was working in her flower garden and kneeling in potting soil when she heard her doorbell ring. She laid down her spade, waved away an annoying fruit fly, and lifted the front of her wide-brimmed straw hat. She turned to look at the glass door on her sundeck.

“Clarissa, can you get that, honey?” Cynthia shouted. She then returned her attention to her small pots of geraniums.

The doorbell rang again, making her frown. “Clarissa? Honey, can you get the door?”

When it rang a third time, Cynthia sighed. She should have known Clarissa wouldn't answer. Her daughter had been holed up in her room for the past few days. She had only left to eat or use the bathroom. Cynthia was starting to seriously worry about her.

Cynthia tugged off her gardening gloves and, with a grunt, climbed to her feet. She rubbed her sore back, adjusted the straps of her gingham halter top and the hem of her jean shorts before wiping off the dirt from her knees and shins. She climbed the steps of her sundeck and opened the glass door leading to the sunroom. The doorbell was still ringing when she swung open the front door seconds later.

She found her sister Dawn standing on her welcome mat in a canary-yellow, one-shoulder silk top, tight-fitting navy sailor shorts, and platform canvas sandals. The beautiful vision, who looked like she had just stepped out of a fashion magazine, was smiling.

“Well, it's about time!” Dawn exclaimed, pushing her gold-rimmed aviator sunglasses to the crown of her head. “I thought you were going to leave me standing out here forever!”

Cynthia dropped a hand to her hip as her sister walked past her and into the foyer. “Come in, why don't you?” she muttered sarcastically, shutting the door behind her.

“I don't mind if I do!” Dawn strode through the foyer and into Cynthia's living room. “I've come to rescue you. You two have been stuck in this house
way
too long. It's like you're sitting shivah or something. Your hearts have been broken. I get that. But no one died. Life goes on!”

Cynthia cocked an eyebrow as she watched her sister plop down in the leather armchair and cross her long, ebony legs.

“Funny,” Cynthia muttered, “I can remember giving you the same damn advice when you and Xavier had
your
little dustup.”

Dawn had stopped talking to Xavier when she thought he couldn't choose between her and her half-sister, Constance. Before they reunited, getting Dawn out of her funk had been a trial.

Dawn waved her off. “That was then, this is now. Come on, girl! What better way for both of you to assert life than to get mani-pedis and have a fabulous lunch with
moi?
”

“Mani-pedis?” Cynthia took off her straw hat and tossed it on the coffee table. “I was in the middle of gardening when you just barged in, and I can assure you that Clarissa is in no mood for a spa day.”

“But you'll need a manicure and pedicure if you want to look nice for the party next weekend.” She glanced at Cynthia's nails and curled her lip. “Your hands are looking rather rough, my dear.”

Cynthia frowned again. “Party? What party?”

“Steph's engagement party! The one that you still haven't RSVP'd for. Remember?”

“Ah, hell!” Cynthia slapped her forehead. “It
is
next weekend, isn't it?”

“It is indeed. So . . .” Dawn grabbed the arms of her chair and pushed herself to her feet. “I suggest that you change into something that makes you look a little less like Daisy Duke.”

Cynthia narrowed her eyes.

“And you and Clarissa meet me downstairs in thirty minutes,” Dawn said.

Cynthia opened her mouth to argue, but stopped when she heard Clarissa shriek upstairs. Both of their gazes darted to the ceiling.

“Lord, what's happened now?” she muttered, rushing to the staircase. Dawn was right at her heels. When Cynthia skidded to a halt at the bottom of the stairs, Dawn ran into the back of her, and they both had to grab the newel post to keep from falling down.

They heard Clarissa's thudding footsteps a second later as she raced down the hall. The nineteen-year-old was in a tank top and pink yoga pants and was jumping up and down, flapping her hands wildly in front of her face. She was crying.

“What's wrong?” Cynthia asked. “Baby, what's the matter?”

“Jared and I are back together!” Clarissa shouted, then ran down the stairs.

Cynthia's mouth fell open in shock, while Dawn cringed.

“Wait, isn't he her brother?” Dawn whispered loudly as she nudged Cynthia's shoulder. “Cindy, you need to have a talk with that girl and set her straight, or we've got a Greek tragedy on our hands!”

Cynthia cleared her throat. She took a step forward. “Now, Clarissa . . . honey, we talked about this. I know you're upset that you had to break up with Jared. Believe me, I understand. But you and Jared can't go out anymore because of—”

“Yes, we can!” Clarissa grinned. “All of that is fixed now, Ma! He explained everything! He asked me to take him back and I said yes . . . and he's on his way here!”

“On his way here?”
Cynthia pointed down at the floor. “You mean to our house? You mean
now?
”

Clarissa nodded.

The doorbell rang again, and Clarissa resumed her crazed hopping on the foyer's ceramic tile. She skipped to the front door and threw it open. Jared stood in the doorway with his eyes downcast. When he saw Clarissa, he gave a nervous smile and started to open his mouth to say something, but he didn't get the chance. Clarissa immediately jumped into his arms and wrapped her legs around his waist like she hadn't seen him for months, like he was a soldier who had just returned from overseas deployment. Jared immediately grabbed her bottom and her back to brace her weight and keep them both from tumbling to the brick walkway. He looked dazed and a little confused when Clarissa started to kiss him on his cheeks, mouth, nose, and even his eyes. After a minute or two, he finally kissed her back.

Despite her initial misgivings, Cynthia's heart melted a little as she watched the reunited couple. And Clarissa was happy again. What mother wouldn't love that? She was still baffled as to how this whole disaster was “fixed,” according to Clarissa, but she'd keep her thoughts to herself for now. She'd give them their moment.

“Are you ready to be a grandmother, Cindy?” Dawn asked, gazing wide-eyed at Clarissa and Jared.

“I most certainly am not!”

Dawn crossed her arms over her chest. “Well, honey, you might have to be, with those two. Either that, or start hosing them down now.”

Cynthia started to laugh, but her laughter died when she saw someone else standing in her doorway. Korey glanced at the kissing couple, laughed, and shook his head. He then turned his gaze to Cynthia.

“Well, hello,” Dawn said with a low purr. She leaned toward Cynthia's ear. “Is this the baby daddy?”

“Yes, it is . . . and remember that you're with Xavier.”

Dawn giggled before gliding toward him with her hand extended. “Hello, I'm Dawn . . . Cindy's sister and aunt to the lip-locker over there. You must be Korey Walker.”

Cynthia stood back and watched, feeling too unsure of herself to say anything to Korey. They hadn't spoken since that night in the Las Vegas hotel room, since he had told her to stay out of his life for good. Those damning words still stung her.

“Yes, I am,” Korey said, shaking Dawn's hand. “And I already know who you are.”

“I guess my reputation precedes me.” She proudly feathered her asymmetrical bob.

“That and we were only two years apart in high school. Plus”—he shrugged—“I was at your house a few times when we were younger, and I saw you and your other sisters while I was there.”

She wrinkled her nose. “Were you the guy I saw dangling out the second-floor balcony window back in April 1994?”

He chuckled. “Maybe.”

“That would explain it.” She clapped her hands. “So, Korey, please tell me why my sister should be okay with Clarissa kissing that young man over there.” She inclined her head in Clarissa and Jared's direction. “It was my understanding that they're blood relatives. I'll admit that we're a nontraditional family, but brother-and-sister love isn't really our thing.”

“It isn't my thing either. But I'm okay with it because Jared found out today that they're not brother and sister. I'm not . . .” He paused for a beat then took a deep breath. “I'm not Jared's father.”

“Wait!
What?
” Cynthia finally broke her silence and walked toward him. “What do you mean you're not his father?”

His warm gaze instantly went cold as he looked at Cynthia. “I guess Viv felt the same way about being honest with me as you did.”

Cynthia lowered her eyes to stare at her dirt-stained canvas sneakers. She guessed she deserved that.

“Well, Korey,” Dawn said, loudly clearing her throat, “you're still Clarissa's father though, right?”

His eyes stayed fixed on Cynthia. “Looks like it.” “Then that means you're part of the family now.” She grinned. “So I'm extending an invitation to you and Jared for our sister Stephanie's fabulous engagement party at Le Bayou Bleu this weekend. I'll also drop an official invite in the mail if you give me your address.”

“You want me to come to your party?”

She shrugged her slender shoulders. “Sure, why not? If you're worried about whether you being there will bring drama—please don't. Our family practically manufactures it by the truckload! You'll just add spice.”

“Jared said he'll come,” Clarissa called out as she walked toward them. She had finally managed to pry her lips from her boyfriend, though they were still holding hands. She was smiling from ear-to-ear as she turned to Korey. “I hope you'll come too, Mr. Walker.” She blinked. “I mean Dad . . . I mean . . .” She grimaced. “I'm not sure what to call you now.”

Korey's eyes instantly softened as he looked at his daughter. “Call me whatever you feel comfortable calling me. If it helps, you can just call me Korey for now.”

She gave a small smile. “Okay . . . Korey.”

He turned back to Dawn. “Thank you for inviting me to the party.”

“No problem! Thank you for making this cutie over here.” She nudged Clarissa's chin, making the young woman laugh. “Even if you did it accidentally. We like having her around.”

He chuckled again. “Well, on that note. I think Jared and I are going to head back home. I promised him I would drive him here to see Clarissa. I didn't think he was calm enough to get here without running into a tree.”

“Pops!” Jared said, rolling his eyes and looking embarrassed.

“It was nice seeing you, Dawn. And I know I will definitely see you again, Clarissa.” He turned to Jared. “Let's leave the ladies to their afternoon. We should head back home now.”

Cynthia noticed that he had addressed everyone but her. She bit down hard on her bottom lip and balled her fists at her sides.

“Thank you for coming,” she blurted out as Korey walked back to her front door.

Korey's jaw visibly tightened. He didn't respond, but instead silently ushered Jared through the doorway in front of him.

W
hen the ringing started at six a.m., Lauren and her husband let out a collective groan. They had been snuggled under the covers, wrapped in each other's arms, and slumbering contentedly when the silence in their bedroom was pierced by the ringtone of Lauren's cell phone.

“Who the hell is that?” Cris asked groggily.

“I don't know,” Lauren said as she turned onto her side and reached for the iPhone on her night table.

“Whoever it is, it better be damn important. Who the hell calls this early on a Sunday?”

“Hello?” Lauren mumbled, pushing her hair out of her eyes.

“Oh, my God, Laurie! Did you hear about what happened last night?” Stephanie cried into the phone.

Lauren pushed herself up to her elbows and turned on the night table lamp. She squinted in confusion. “What?”

“The mayor's house was raided!” Stephanie shouted.

“What?” Lauren screamed, making Cris jump up in alarm.
“When?”

“What's wrong?” he asked. “What happened?”

“Steph says the mayor's house was raided!” she repeated over her shoulder.

He instantly sat upright and threw back the bed sheets.
“What?”

“It happened last night! The Sheriff's Office was there. So was the damn FBI! Something about Knightly defrauding the city. Sounds like he's been doing it for
years!
” Stephanie explained. “When the cops came in, his wife was flushing money down the toilet! Can you believe that? Miss Sanctified herself! I heard they had to kick the damn bathroom door in.”

“Are you sure, Steph? I mean . . . This sounds so crazy and far-fetched that it can't—”

“I'm sure! One of my former clients is Knightly's next-door neighbor. They saw it all from their living room window, Laurie! They got more details from one of the deputies on site. Her husband is one of his drinking buddies. Seems like the deputy had loose lips or thought the gossip was too good to keep it to himself! Can you believe it? Mayor Knightly is in jail!”

Lauren sat on the edge of the bed, completely stunned. This news had come out of left field. She still couldn't believe it, but the neighbors had seen it happen. Why would they lie?

“Look, it sounds like Zoe's waking up,” Stephanie said. Her infant daughter could be heard wailing in the background. “I'll talk to you later. Just give my congrats to Cris, okay?”

“
Congrats?
Congrats for what?”

“On winning the election, girl! With Mayor Knightly in jail and accused of embezzlement, there goes the competition, honey. Cris is
definitely
a shoo-in for the mayor job now! Gotta go!”

Stephanie hung up, and so did Lauren. Lauren slowly sat her phone on the night table and turned to her husband.

“Was that a joke?” Cris asked.

Lauren shook her head. “I don't think so. Steph said it sounds like Knightly embezzled money from city funds. Even his ‘holier than thou' wife knew about it.”

“I'll be damned,” Cris whispered, flopping back against their headboard, dazed.

“My thoughts exactly. Steph said it sounds like he's been doing this for a long time.”

“
A long time?
Well, if he's been doing this for so long, why is it all coming to light now?”

“No clue.” She thought for a second. “Maybe it has to do with the election. Do you have any supporters who would dig up dirt on him—like Knightly had people dig up stuff on us? Would Marvin—”

“Marvin ain't capable of something like this. Trust me! He's willing to help me out, but he isn't going to go toe-to-toe with the mayor. He doesn't have that type of backbone.”

“But it's an odd coincidence that this happened now, don't you think? Who did Knightly piss off who is powerful enough or has the connections to . . .”

Lauren's voice faded. She suddenly remembered something. As she did, she raised her hand to her mouth and gasped. “Oh, my God!
That's
what she meant!” she exclaimed.

“That's what
who
meant?” Cris paused. “Lauren, do you think you know who's behind this?”

Lauren gently patted his hand and nodded. “I think I do . . . but I have to talk to her first before I can say for sure.”

Lauren walked down the corridor and found her mother sitting in the library at a Queen Anne writing desk. Yolanda had a gilded pen in hand and was scribbling something on a piece of paper. When she heard Lauren walk into the room, she looked up.

“Well, hello, Laurie! I wasn't expecting to see you today, sweetheart! What are you doing here?”

Lauren walked across the library, leaned down, and kissed her mother's cheek. She instantly caught a whiff of Yolanda's signature citrusy fragrance.

“I came here to talk to you about something.” She glanced at the desk where her mother was still writing. “I'm not interrupting anything, am I?”

“No.” Yolanda sat down her pen and folded the paper. “I was writing a thank-you note to a friend and had just finished up. Everyone sends e-mails or texts nowadays. Call me old-fashioned, but I still believe in writing things on paper. It seems so much more civilized, in my opinion.”

Lauren crossed her arms over her chest. “Were you thanking your friend for what happened last night?”

“What happened last night?” Yolanda asked innocently, tucking the paper into an envelope. “I don't know what you mean.”

“Mama, you know
exactly
what I mean. ‘Everyone will get their justice due,' you said.”

Her mother went still.

“That's what you meant, right?” Lauren continued.

“You knew the mayor was being investigated. Did you know his house would get raided?”

Yolanda looked up from her desk. She turned to face her daughter and shrugged. “I didn't know when it would happen, but I figured it would happen eventually. I made sure to get assurances that it would happen before election day. I guess they worked faster than I thought.” She smirked. “The wheels of justice can turn swiftly, after all.”

Lauren dropped her hands to her sides and shook her head in astonishment. She knew her mother knew people in high places, but even this seemed like a major feat for her.

“Mama, how . . . how did you pull this off?”

“Oh, I just called in a favor from an old friend, shall we say.”

“You mean one of your lovers?”

“Lauren,” Yolanda said, sounding annoyed as she rose from her chair, “don't be
crude.
But yes, if you must know, he has been one of my . . . well, companions over the years.”

“Do I know him?”

Yolanda sighed. “George Murdoch. He has contacts in city hall and knows a few things that many people in Chesterton don't know. He had wanted to impress me in the past and had let a few secrets about the mayor slip out, one of which was that the mayor had a secret bank account that he had been funneling city funds into for the past decade or so. Knightly used the money to buy cars, fund vacations, and get his wife those horrendously ugly hats and coats she likes to wear.” Yolanda inclined her head and clasped her hands. “I simply reminded George that I knew these secrets and that if he didn't do anything about it, I would do it, or better yet, I would let everyone in town know about our long-standing. . . well, friendship. He took care of the rest for me.”

Lauren wasn't surprised to hear that. Murdoch was a very powerful man in town but also very conscious of his image, and he wouldn't want his name associated with Yolanda's.

“But why did you do all this, Mama? You don't even
like
Cris and—”

“I accept that Cris is your husband, and I know how much you love that man, Laurie. By helping him, I was helping
you,
” her mother answered firmly. “Besides, this wasn't just about Cris. I could see how much all of this nonsense was upsetting you, how it was upsetting
all
of my girls! And one of the biggest rules in our family is that we take care of each other, correct?”

Lauren blankly nodded. “I don't know what to say, Mama.”

When other moms wanted to do you a favor or cheer you up, they made your favorite meal or would take you for a girl's day out of shopping. Instead, Yolanda had blackmailed one of her lovers into turning in the mayor of Chesterton for embezzlement! It was so outlandish that if anyone but Yolanda had admitted to it, it would be utterly unbelievable. Lauren would say they were lying. But she knew her mother. Yolanda was totally capable of something so warped. But despite how warped her actions were, Yolanda had come from a good place.
This
was how she showed her daughters her love.

“I guess all I can say is . . . thank you,” Lauren whispered.

“Don't mention it.” Yolanda patted her on the shoulder. She then snapped her fingers. “Oh, and don't forget to give that thing to Dawn for Stephanie's engagement party that I asked you to last week. She's been bothering me about it for a while now, and I keep forgetting.”

“Miss Gibbons,” one of the maids interrupted from the doorway, “there is someone on the phone for you.”

“I'll take it in here, Rita!” She then turned to Lauren. “You'll have to excuse me, Laurie. I have to take this call.”

Lauren nodded. “Sure, I was . . . I was heading back home anyway.”

“All right. Bye, sweetheart. Enjoy your day.” Yolanda brushed her red lips on Lauren's cheek, then walked toward the vintage rotary phone on her desk and picked up the receiver.

“Hello?” Yolanda asked, not missing a beat. “Milton, how are you?” her voice suddenly became sultry. Milton was probably one of her boyfriends. “Thank you for calling me back, honey!”

Yolanda waved to her daughter as Lauren absently shuffled toward the doorway. When she reached the library's entrance, she looked back. Yolanda was still on the phone, laughing and twirling the cord around her finger as she talked. Lauren gazed at her mother in awe.

For years Lauren and her sisters had blindly adhered to her mother's philosophy of life: using men for their money, seeing love as something to be ridiculed and scorned. Gradually, they had each moved away from those beliefs. Lauren had found and married her true love, Crisanto. Stephanie had fallen for Keith and was now well on her way to building a family with him. Dawn had fallen in love with Xavier, despite her best efforts not to, and now Lauren wondered if even Cynthia, who always had been the stalwart gold digger in the family, was even starting to lose faith in the Gibbons family rules. But despite the girls drifting away, there was still a core that held them together. That core wasn't gold digging, but a sense of family and responsibility that Yolanda had engrained in them since they were in diapers. That would never change, no matter how many times they fell in love, no matter how many of the other family rules they ignored. Thanks to Yolanda, they were still family.

Lauren smiled before giving one last wave and walking out of the library.