Page 122 of The Wedding Favor

“A lovely visual,” I said. “How long do we have to be here again?”

“Three o’clock.” I groaned and she nodded in sympathy. “One more week and it will all be over.”

The speaker was a news anchor from KKRE in Houston named Phoebe Mayfield who’d been in the Miss Texas pageant once. While she talked, I pulled out my phone and went back to trying to track down Gloria’s Warren. Last night, after coming to a dead end, I paid to join one of those family tree websites and had a lead on someone who might be one of his grandkids. I’d sent a message and was waiting for a response. But so far, nothing.

I really wanted to find out what happened to Warren for Gloria. She wasn’t letting me do much else for her; at least I could do this. Yesterday when I stopped by to see her, I learned that she would be moving to the third floor this weekend. I wasn’t stupid. I knew what this all meant and yet, I couldn’t allow myself to believe it.

After Phoebe spoke, we split into our age categories and did a walkthrough, including the two dance numbers, outfit changes, and music cues. I was so out of my element, it was laughable.

It had become apparent early in the dance practices that I was a disaster. Thankfully, they’d worked out a routine which required as little movement as possible from me. As long as I didn’t screw up entering and exiting the stage, I’d survive. Even if it was while wearing the most uncomfortable heels ever.

And then there was my talent. Abe had faithfully been practicing with me, but I was under no impression that I was, you know, good at it. There was also the problem of not actually having sung the song totally on my own yet. Oh, I tried, but I never got through the first verse without losing the melody or the key or sounding like a wounded dog.

After our lunch break, it was back to the auditorium for another group meeting which, we learned, was being led by none other than Ali. It seemed boring enough. She waited until we’d all quieted down and took to the stage.

“As mayor of the best town in Texas, I wanted to take this opportunity to thank each of you for all the time and effort you’ve put into the pageant and the Founders Day Festival.”

She was in her element talking about Two Harts, but it was when she started to ramble on about why we celebrated Founders Day that things took a turn.

Because that’s when Mae showed up. The door to the auditorium flew open so hard it bounced off the wall, and my sister stalked down the long aisle to the stage. If anyone had been sleeping before, they were awake now. A low murmur rolled through the audience, but Ali kept talking as though she didn’t see the angry redhead coming her way.

“You have gone way too far.”

Ali stopped and smiled down from the stage at Mae. “Oh, I didn’t see you there. I’m kind of in the middle of something.”

“You saw me. But I can get a lot closer, if you want.” Without waiting for a reply, Mae stomped up the stage steps and over to Ali.

“Please, no,” I whispered, sliding lower in my seat.

“What’s going on?” Yessica whispered.

“That tall one is my sister. I think they’re about to…”

“You put my house up for sale,” Mae said. “Do you know how many people showed up this morning for the open house?”

“Oh, dang,” Yessica said.

“I’m sorry,” Ali said with exaggerated sweetness. “Did I get the date wrong?”

Mae growled. Literally. If I were Ali, I’d start running. “I cannot believe you did that. Lulu woke up sick in the middle of the night and I’m exhausted and spent two hours having to turn people away from my house. You are an ass.”

Several people gasped.

“There are kids in here, Mae. You should really watch your mouth.” She frowned. “Is Lulu okay?”

“Oh, no. You don’t get to be a concerned friend and my archenemy at the same time.” She loomed over Ali. “Here’s what you’re going to do. You’re going to apologize to my sister for what you said about her.”

Ali crossed her arms. “And if I don’t?”

“Then I’m going to tell everyone in this room exactly who Alicia Knight is.”

Yessica grabbed by arm. “Alicia Knight, the author? The one who writes the pirate romances. I love her books.”

On stage, Ali gasped and even from the back of the auditorium, I saw her face pale. “You wouldn’t.”

“Try me.”

The yelling started in earnest then, the two of them shouting over each other while an entire auditorium of people watched on in curious horror.