Page 158

“MacLaine, weren’t you listening? She typed it in my file that I was neurotic, where nurses and everybody could see. I told her to remove it immediately. She said she couldn’t because it was her diagnosis. I told her she had to, because her diagnosis was wrong, and if she didn’t erase what she had typed, your daddy would get her fired!”

Yep, definitely a headache.

Think about Matt. Think about Matt. Think about sex. Think about really stupendous sex.

“—your father called the hospital administrator to get her fired. We belong to the same country club. Your father assured me that the administrator was going to look into it. But I’ve called her office every day, and she’s still there. So, I’m going to die of a brain tumor and nobody cares.”

“Mother, I care. All of your children care.”

“When I told Bennett, all she did was complain about the food at Charleston Place and Spa. She didn’t even offer to have Trey call his fraternity friend who’s a dermatologist.”

Lainey tried to bite back a laugh. It didn’t work. Of course, she snorted.

Of course she did.

“How many times do I have to tell you to stop that disgusting habit?”

“I’m sorry, Mother.”

“Now that you know I have a brain tumor, you have to come home and assist me. There is no way that I will be able to continue to chair the Historical Society by myself.”

“I thought Noreen Lancaster has always wanted to co-chair with you.” Lainey suggested.

“I can’t believe you even brought her name up. She is shrill and uncouth. I can’t believe that she actually belongs to the Daughters of the American Revolution. I am still looking into that. I think her great-grandmother forged her documents.”

Lainey shoved her face into a pillow to cover her laughter.

“MacLaine! Are you listening to me? This is my hour of need. You cannot deny me.”

When she was sure she had her laughter under control, Lainey started talking.

“Mother, I can take off two days from work before your Anniversary Gala. I don’t have any more time accrued,” Lainey crossed her fingers at her lie. “That way I can help you with the preparations.”

“Lainey, I don’t need help with the preparations,” her mother said sharply. “That’s what the help is for. I need your emotional support. We will have eight of the state’s most influential people staying at Magnolia Run for the weekend. Others are flying in from across the country, including from our nation’s capital. I will expect you to act as another Simpson hostess. I have recently talked to Luke Abercromby’s mother. He and his fiancée broke up six months ago. She and I agree that you two would look very good as a couple for the weekend, if you could lose fifteen pounds. I will arrange to have him at the gala.”

Lifeless Luke?!

“Mother, I’m seeing someone.”

“That doesn’t matter. We need someone of a certain caliber. Normally you wouldn’t attract a man like Luke, but as a favor from his mother, he will act as your beau for the evening.”

“That won’t work for me. Either Matt Agular is coming with me, or I’m not coming. End of story.”

“Good God, you’re dating a Mexican?”

“No, I’m dating a scientist.”

“He can’t come. A scientist is even worse. They have no social skills.”

“Do you want me there?”

“You have to be here. If you’re not, people will talk.”

“Then I guess Matt will be coming.”

“At least tell me he will look good in a tuxedo.”

A quick mental view of Matt Aguilar in a tuxedo made Lainey’s blood run hot.