AllFreeNovel
Share Us
* * *
The bridal shower started at seven. Buck’s older sister, Charlene, had married the assistant manager of the bank. Their nice home, on the outskirts of Branding Iron, included a spacious parlor with room for Wynette’s many friends to come and wish her well.
Shower gifts were piled under the lavishly decorated Christmas tree in the corner of the room. Jess laid her wrapped gift—a set of luxury sheets—with the others before taking time to survey the room.
Most of the women were strangers to her, or mothers she recognized from school events but didn’t know by name. Since she didn’t attend church or make much effort to socialize, she felt a prickle of unease as she searched for a friendly face.
Wynette was surrounded by well-wishers. But Grace had just come in and was being greeted by the hostess at the door. As the wife of Branding Iron’s new mayor, she’d be expected to mingle. But to Jess’s relief, Grace crossed the room, pausing only for a few greetings, before coming over to hug her.
“Here you are,” she said. “I was hoping you’d come.”
“You know I couldn’t miss Wynette’s bridal shower,” Jess said.
“Of course not. But I’ve been worried about you. Maggie told me you’d left Cooper’s place and moved into this trashy motel in Cottonwood Springs. Is it even safe there?”
“Don’t worry. I know how to take care of myself. But yes, the motel is a dump. I even found a roach in the bathroom last night—got him with hairspray and threw him in the trash.”
Grace shuddered. “You’re a lot tougher than I am. I don’t know how you stand living in a place like that.”
“At least it’s cheap. And I’ll only be there until my apartment comes vacant after Christmas.”
Grace sighed. “I know. But I was really hoping that you and Cooper . . .” She shook her head. “Cooper’s one of the best guys I know. And I certainly didn’t imagine the chemistry between you two. What happened?”
“Maybe you should ask Cooper.”
“I did. He said that what happened was between the two of you, but he was guilty of being a complete jerk, and he could only hope you’d give him another chance.”
“I’m not sure I can. Not anytime soon at least.” Jess forced back a rush of emotion. She had shared the darkest piece of her soul with Cooper, and he had callously indulged his curiosity without a second thought.
Fixing her face in a smile, she changed the subject. “Say, that buffet table looks good, and people are already helping themselves. I’m starved. How about you?”
“I’m right behind you.”
The buffet, with its array of miniature sandwiches, salads, drinks, and delicate pastries from Stella’s Bakery, was as tasty as it was tempting. Jess filled her small paper plate before turning back to Grace.
“Go on now. You needn’t babysit me. I know you have other people to greet.”
Grace hesitated, then nodded. “If you’re sure, I’ll catch you later.” She made her way toward a cluster of people on the far side of the room. Jess had spotted two women from the high school, both new in town, who looked slightly lost. They were happy to have her join them.
“Goodness!” Megan Smith taught American History. “I’ve never seen so many people at a bridal shower. Every woman in town must be here.”
“Not quite,” Jess said, thinking of Ruth and others like her who lived on the fringes of Branding Iron society. “But Wynette makes a lot of friends in the bakery. Before taking that job she was selling beauty products, so she met more women that way. And of course, everyone in town knows Buck.”
“We’ve been trying to pick out people we know.” Karen Carlquist worked in the school office. “But we don’t recognize that beautiful dark-haired woman alone by the fireplace. Do you know her?”
Jess followed her gaze. “Oh, yes. That’s Wynette’s boss, Stella Galanos, or whatever her name is now. She owns Stella’s Bakery. She used to work there, but she quit to marry a man who owns a Greek restaurant in Cottonwood Springs.”
“The Acropolis, I’ll bet! My husband took me there for our anniversary,” Megan said. “It’s fabulous—and expensive. So I take it Stella is Greek, too. She’s stunning, like one of those Greek statues come to life.”
“Yes, I always thought so, too,” Jess agreed. But she’d just noticed something else about Stella. A year ago, when Jess had last seen her in the bakery, Stella had been wearing a spectacular diamond engagement ring. She’d had it on a chain around her neck to keep it safe while she worked. But today there was no sign of the ring, or any other ring, on her hand. Had something happened—a broken engagement or even a divorce?
This wasn’t the time or place to be curious, but maybe the next time Jess saw Wynette at the bakery, she would ask.
* * *
By the time the guests had eaten, played a few giggle-inducing games, and watched Wynette open her mountain of gifts, exclaiming over every one, it was almost ten o’clock.
Jess hugged Wynette, thanked her hostess, put on her coat, and made her way down the street to where she’d parked her car.
