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I can still hear his mocking voice. “Nice granny panties, scarface.”
I’m horrified when the auctioneer says, “Five dollars going once to Mr. Goldstein, going twice…”
No, no, no.
I’ve got to get out of here. I spin on a heel, preparing to bolt from the stage. There’s no way I’d ever subject myself to a date with that monster, let alone an entire evening.
“Five hundred thousand,” a deep, confident voice calls from the crowd, stopping me dead in my tracks.
Chapter Seven
Rowan
“Mr. Kendrick, I’d like you to meet Agnes and Beatrice,” Eleanor says.
“Rowan,” I gently correct her. “It’s nice to meet you, ladies.”
“Ohh, I just can’t believe it. A billionaire in our neck of the woods,” Agnes says.
In the last fifteen minutes, I’ve learned that the three friends had planned to enjoy an early retirement, but found that being involved in the town gossip was more fun than sitting on their front porches, ‘withering away.’
Beatrice sighs, reaching out to squeeze my bicep, and Eleanor swats her. “Will you behave?”
I chuckle despite the weight of my earlier conversation with Patricia. “I had a feeling you ladies were trouble.”
There’s something undoubtedly charming about these three that puts me at ease. And that’s saying a lot, considering the stares and whispers going on about me.
“You look just like her, you know,” Eleanor says, tipping her head thoughtfully.
My hand clenches around the glass I’m holding, but it’s the only reaction I allow to slip. Of my brothers, I’m the one who favors our mother the most. “Thank you.”
“You said Mr. Radley left you the estate?” Beatrice pries.
“That’s right.”
They all glance at each other, a silent conversation bolting between them.
“Why do you ask?”
Eleanor clicks her tongue. “We couldn’t help but wonder about the future of the Radley lumber factory. There’s talk that it’s been in bad shape ever since Thomas’s health started to decline, and I’ll be honest with you, the folks around here are starting to worry.”
“Local businesses have had to raise their prices due to delays in lumber shipments,” Beatrice says. “My husband’s flooring company has had to source lumber from Georgia, and it’s double the price!”
They titter on, venting their worries, while I wonder who’s been keeping an eye on things for Thomas. I assumed it was Sam.
“I’ll do some research and see if I can’t figure out what’s going on.”
The assurance flows off my tongue so easily, but is there anything I can actually do? The estate and my shares in the company will go to Sam the moment I’m married.
“We greatly appreciate that, Rowan.”
A prickle of guilt slithers through my chest, but I shove it back down. I’ve got to stay focused on the goal. What happens to these people, or this town, is none of my business.
“Given your extensive knowledge of what goes on around here,” I say, earning their smiles by prettying up their penchant for gossip, “I was wondering if you all could help me with something, too?”
The auctioneer introduces a woman in a scarlet gown while Agnes steps closer. “Of course. You can ask us anything!”
I take a sip of whiskey and wipe my lips as it burns the sorrow crawling up my throat. I’ve spoken more about my parents this week than I have in over a decade, but I can’t shake this strange feeling that Mom might have loved this place, and I need to know why she kept it hidden.
