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Before she got started, she thought she’d take advantage of the extra time she had while she waited for the stores to open. She left Darlene and Evie and headed for The Square, where she stopped into Rock-N-Joe for a more decadent cup of coffee than any she could make at home. As usual, the store was buzzing with the morning rush.
Even though the line for the register was long, it moved quickly with Billie manning the espresso bar and whipping up lattes in short order. No sooner had Nora paid for her beverage, than Billie was reaching for the cup with her name scribbled on the side.
She sucked in an excited breath then stopped what she was doing to catch Nora’s eye. “Well if it isn’ttheNora-Jean.”
“Hey, Billie,” greeted Nora knowingly.
“Don’t youhey, Billieme. There’s a rumor goin’ ‘round town, you know.”
Nora’s smile grew. She couldn’t help it. Word about her and Lawson was spreading, she knew. It wasn’t just that he had told his family and she had told hers. They’d been out together twice. In Shelby, that’s all it took.
“That so?” she murmured innocently.
Billie grinned, her dimple winking at Nora as she shook her head in mock disbelief. Leaning across the counter, she replied, “For the record, I look great in blue. Brings out my eyes. But whatever color you choose for your bridesmaid dresses, I will happily wear.”
Nora-Jean laughed unabashedly. “There’s no ring, Billie. We just got back together. It’s only been a couple of days.”
“Couple of days? Please.” She scoffed, rolled her eyes, and started on Nora’s drink as she continued, “You two have been head-over-heels forever. I know it. You know it. Hell, half of Bedford County knows it. It’s only a matter of time before sweet Evie-B is tossin’ flowers down that aisle.”
Nora paused, having never pictured such an idea. She had to admit, it was a nice thought.
“Evie…is that her name?”
The image Nora had conjured of Evie as a flower girl evaporated in an instant at the sound of his voice. Her stomach dropped, much as it had a few days before when he’d taken her by surprise the first time. She saw Billie’s eyes as they were quick to shift from the coffee in her hands to the man Nora felt behind her. It only took her a second to recognize who it was, but Nora barely caught sight of Billie’s frown as she turned to confront the man himself.
“What are you doin’ here?”
“Had the day off. I stopped by the salon but saw it was closed. Came by here to grab a coffee before headin’ back to Murfreesboro. Didn’t think I’d run into you here, but I’m glad I did.”
“That makes one of us,” said Nora coldly.
Creed sighed. “She’s my daughter too, you know. The least you could do is talk to me.”
Nora gaped at him. “You’re joking.”
“Look—I know I should have come around a while ago, but I can’t change the past. I’m here now, and I want to meet her.”
“You’re damn right, you can’t change the past. And you and me? We have nothin’ to talk about.”
“You okay? You got this?” asked Billie, now at Nora’s side.
Before she had a chance to respond, Creed spoke, his irritation showing. “Heard you’re back with the guy you were pinin’ over when I met you. So you’re gonna let some other sucker play daddy to my kid and I can’t even meet her?”
Nora sucked in a sharp breath. His victim routine infuriated her. She could feel the warmth of her anger as it colored her cheeks, and she balled her fingers into fists unthinkingly. “Are you insane? Are youfuckinginsane?” Nora spat, taking a step toward him.
She barely felt Billie’s arm go around her waist, holding her back—but her friend’s grip didn’t stop the words pouring out of her mouth. “You wanted me toaborther!Mylittle girl! And when I told you no—when I told you that wasnevergonna happen—you left, and you never looked back. And you think you can justwaltzback into town after all this time and claim her as yours? Are youinsane?You must be out of your mind!
“You knownothingabout her, and she knows nothin’ about you, and I have every intention of keepin’ it that way. My daughter is sweet, and thoughtful, and kind, and innocent, and I’m not gonna ruin her by introducin’ her to the thievin’ bastard who wanted fame and fortune more than he wantedher.”
“Hey, everything al’right over here?”
Nora’s attention shifted to the uniformed police officer who approached from behind Creed. She recognized him as Officer Crew Phoenix just as his partner and her friend, Reese McKnight, joined him. The sight of them brought enough relief that Nora finally felt Billie’s arms around her as she trembled with a mixture of ire and fear.
“No,” she answered, shaking her head as she looked back at Creed. “He’s harassin’ me.”
“Damnit, Nora,” he grumbled with a frown.
“Go away, Creed. I mean it.”
