Page 104 of Blue Jean Summer

Hallie reached for Mildred’s portrait and pulled it away from the wall like she was opening a cabinet.

“Holy shit,” I muttered. “Are there secret passageways here?”

Hallie grabbed a flask that was hidden in a cubby behind the painting. “Knowing Walt, secret passageways wouldn’t be at all surprising.” She offered the liquor. “Liquid courage before your speech?”

Sunlight danced in from the window and bounced off my engagement ring, making Mildred’s eyes twinkle.

“No. I’ve got this.”

I steeled myself as Hallie slipped the moonshine back in its hiding place and headed to where the catering staff had ushered everyone to the miles-long dining room table. The place settings had been artfully shuffled to make room for Lewis, opposite me.

I took my place at the head of the table as all eyes turned to me. “On behalf of my husband, who is—unfortunately—unable to join us today, and the entire Wilder family, I would like to welcome you to the estate. It is truly an honor to have you all here today. Walt loved the art and dedication it took to excel in the equine disciplines. Though we miss him dearly, we know he’s smiling down on us each time a rider crosses the finish line.” I winked at Mr. and Mrs. Elias. “And brings home a trophy and garland.” I motioned to the rose garden that was visible through the windows. “Rumor has it, Walt propagated some of the roses for Mildred’s gardens using roses from Churchill Downs after a team from the estate made it into the winner’s circle for the first time.”

There was a mixture of “aww”s and polite laughter at something only Walter Wilder would do.

But Lewis wasn’t laughing. He looked down at his phone as the screen lit up, then slipped from the room. Hallie watched him like a hawk. I turned my attention back to the table as she disappeared from sight.

I picked up my glass and raised it in a toast. “To Walt and Mildred. For the land they protected and the legacy they created. And to many more years of success.”

Lewis slid back into his chair with an unreadable expression as the first course was promptly served.

“Mrs. Wilder,” Darlene Elias said, catching the table’s attention. “What’s this Learning Cottage up by the gates?”

“It looks absolutely adorable,” Adeline Fairchild said, beaming. “And that sweet little calf up there”—she pressed a hand to her pearls like she just couldn’t believe it—“was absolutely darling. I asked the driver to pull off so I could take a picture of her.”

I let a demure smile slip. “Her name is Dorothy.”

Adeline swatted her husband, Beckett. “Do you hear that? Her name is Dorothy!”

Beckett Fairchild, a Chicago billionaire who boarded not one but three champion horses at the estate, looked at his wife like she hung the moon and stars.

“Rumor has it, it’s some kind of social initiative. Is that true?” Darlene asked.

“It is.”

“I can’t speak for the table, but I for one would like to hear about it,” Beckett said.

There were murmurs of agreement from the rest of the owners.

Beckett grinned. “Just make the cow part sound terrible, or Addy will have a pet cow picked out before we get back to Chicago.”

My husband wasn’t the only one who was good at playing the game. I smiled as my puzzle pieces began to fall into place. “I’d love to tell you.”

Chapter 26

Hayes

I tapped on Catherine’s door and shook off the weariness from the day of travel. “Cath. I’m home.”

There was no answer. I knocked again. “Catherine.”

Nothing.

“Mrs. Wilder,” I called out, teasing her.

Still no answer, so I went for broke. “Catie.”

The door swung open and Catherine braced her hands on the doorframe. Her hair was up in rollers, she had on a full face of makeup, and she was wearing sweatpants and a zip-up jacket.