Casanova(2)

I took a deep breath as I looked into my sister’s eyes. I believed her. She thrived on drama, but for all intents and purposes, she hated it. I know, I know. She was one of those strange beings. I didn’t understand them, personally.

Oh, who was I kidding?

I thrived on it too. Just not when it concerned the people I loved.

“All right.” Mom perched on the arm of the sofa and fixed her brown gaze on me. “You’re leaving?”

I picked up my wine glass before putting it back down. “I am.” I didn’t meet my mom’s eyes. “You can’t believe I was here forever, did you? I came for Grandma.”

“Lani!” Mom gasped. “Your sister is having baby.”

I looked her dead in the eye and said, “I don’t think I’ve met your new boyfriend. Why don’t you introduce us?”

She stared at me.

I knew she wouldn’t react. She never did.

“There’s your answer.” I chugged the last of my gross, warm wine and turned away from my mom.

Connie sighed heavily, setting her hand on top of her barely-there baby bump. “Mom, I’m real thirsty. Could you get me some ice water?”

Mom rested her hand on Connie’s rounded stomach with a light tap. “Of course, honey. Is that all you need?”

She nodded, and the moment our mom was out of our hearing range, leaned forward. “Please stay, Lani,” Connie begged me, her emotion reflecting in her eyes. “I really do need you. I’m scared.”

“I don’t know...” I hesitated, but the pleading in her eyes tugged at my heart. “Okay, look.” I leaned forward and touched my fingers to her knee. “I’m here for another week for sure to help clear the house. Let’s talk about this then and not right now. We have to go back out there.”

My sister nodded and took my hand. She squeezed and then nodded resolutely. “Let’s go.”

“Is Mom’s new boyfriend here?” I asked, helping her up. I had no idea why I was helping her since she was no more than chubby. She was just lazy.

She wrinkled her face, scrunching her nose until her lips were pursed in disgust and her eyes were unimpressed slits. “Yes, but trust me, you’re better off without him. He’s a creep.”

“Eh, they always are.” I led her into the room and stopped in the door at what I saw.

The wake was in full swing. Grandma had been the life and soul of every party, and apparently, her elderly friends were paying tribute to her by literally putting their lives into this one.

Alfred Jenkins, the head of the bingo club, was currently sitting on the breakfast bar, whooping, and clapping his hands together above his head. Patricia Norman was engaging in what could only be described as attempted sexy line dancing with a few other ladies, and a few of the men looked to be ready to line up opposite them.

“Are they—” I stopped when Leonard Smith bowed so low he had to have help standing up straight again.

“Yep.” Connie smacked her lips together. “Remember how Grandma said she’d started a fitness club?”

“Is line dancing fitness?” My voice was wary. “How are they not putting their hips—oh god, look at them!”

Connie shook with concealed laughter. She had to have seen this before to take it so easily, but I most definitely was not.

Actually, I was feeling a little traumatized as I stood and watched them dance with more vigor than a class full of five-year-olds.

They were pretty good. It was scary, but it was pretty good.

“Lani Montana, as I live and breathe.”

I turned at the sound of a vaguely familiar voice. I ran my gaze over his face. The light blue eyes and gentle smile, all now framed with deep lies, tugged at some deep part of me, stirring the familiarity up to the surface.

“Henrick Walker.” I smiled and put my hand into his outstretched one.

He offered me a slight bow and kissed the top of my hand. “How are you, my dear?”

“I’m well, thank you. All things considered.”

“Of course.” His eyes flicked over my shoulder to where Connie stood. He took one step toward her and touched her shoulders. “Connie. How are you doing?”

“I’m okay.” She smiled, reaching up and squeezing his hands. “Really, I’m fine.”

“You need anything, you come to me. Ada warned me to look out for her girls before she passed.” He closed his eyes for a moment and let out a long breath.

A lump formed in my throat. The man wasn’t from my favorite family, but Grandma loved him and his wife, Ida.

Ida and Ada. They found it hilarious when they were seven and seventy. It was cute.

“I sure will. Thank you.” Connie kissed his wrinkled cheek. “Is it just you and Ida here?”

I froze. That’s a question I probably should have considered asking...

“Yes, just us.” Henrick looked at me with a knowing glint in his eye. “The family send their love, although they couldn’t be here.”

Couldn’t be here my ass.

I hadn’t spoken to any of the Walker family since the day I graduated and left town that night. I didn’t want to speak to any of them, either and I knew Henrick knew it.

It wouldn’t surprise me if the most influential man in Whiskey Key had told his family not to attend.