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Megan smiled. Colleen could be difficult at times, but there was no denying they had some things in common. A love of expensive, inappropriate clothes was one of them.
Colleen saw her and walked down the center of the store to meet her. Other conversations in the store stopped as people turned to stare at them. Megan grimaced. No doubt, everyone had heard about their argument after the meeting last week. She held her ground and waited.
Colleen stopped in front of her. She glanced at the spilled buttons. "Was there an accident?"
"No, I was taking inventory."
Colleen's thin eyebrows drew together as if she wasn't sure if she was being mocked or not. "Gene and I have realized we must trust our faith to keep us safe from the devil."
Megan blinked several times, not sure what that meant. "I'm so pleased for you," she said at last.
"Yes, well, with that in mind, we would like to have you and your, urn, family, over for supper." Colleen pulled a lace-edged handkerchief out of her reticule and sniffed it delicately.
"I'm overwhelmed by your gracious invitation," Megan muttered.
"You told me I must accept your husband and that..." She paused. "I must accept Justin and Bonnie if you and I are to continue to be sisters. Despite what you think of me, I do have your best welfare at heart. I don't agree with what you've done. However, I am willing to make the first step."
It was a big gesture for Colleen, Megan reminded herself. After all, her sister wasn't known for her generosity. She thought about refusing and severing the relationship completely, but she didn't want to. The momentary satisfaction would quickly give way to regret. Whatever Colleen had said or done, they were the only family each had left.
"I was thinking of tomorrow night, Colleen said. "About five-thirty. Is that convenient?"
"We can't. Justin's away for a few days. He's gone to neighboring towns to see if the same kinds of murders have happened mere."
"A waste of time, if you ask me."
Megan drew in a deep breath and reminded herself Colleen had made the first move toward a reconciliation. She had to be willing to take that same step herself. "It's not a waste of time. You should be pleased he takes his duties so seriously."
"I think he takes this seriously because his mother was as much a prostitute as that dead girl. Good riddance. Have you thought of what he'll be doing while he's gone? Perhaps he'll need to question some of those women as part of his investigation." She said the word as if it were dirty. "Don't forget, Justin admitted he knew that whore seven years ago. Knew her intimately. I would be quite concerned if I were you." Colleen shook her head. "You're already
having second thoughts, aren't you? You should have listened to me. I could have told you—"
"Stop it," Megan ordered, her voice low and angry. "Stop it right now! I should have known better. But no, you've tricked me again." She glared at Colleen. "Why am I so willing to believe the best of you when you forever show me how wrong I am?"
"I don't know what you're talking about. I'm simply pointing out the obvious. Your husband—"
"Is none of your concern," Megan interrupted. She placed her hands flat on the counter between them and leaned forward. "I'm only going to say this one time. So listen to me very carefully. If I hear of you saying one bad thing about Justin or Bonnie, anything, even the fact that you don't like the dress she has on or how he combs his hair, I'll never speak to you again as long as I live. I'm tired of watching you bully people in this town, and I'm especially tired of watching you bully me."
Colleen flinched, but Megan wasn't finished yet. "You constantly talk about your pious ways and your husband's position as minister, but you make a mockery of true Christian spirit and godliness."
"Don't you dare speak to me that way."
Megan leaned closer, until less than a foot separated them. "Don't you dare threaten me. I won't listen anymore. I'm not afraid of you or anyone. I don't care what you think. The only person whose opinion matters to me is Justin's."
"You're at least one step up from a whore, Megan. I'm sure he thinks you're perfect."
