Beach House Reunion (Beach House #5)(55)

“Isn’t that what matters?” He threw her a smile. Looking back at the road, he said, “I don’t know if you realize how persuasive you are.”



CARA FELT LIKE a million dollars as she strode up King Street. It was an overcast day and the streets were crawling with cars. But to her, the day was sunny. She was wearing a new Ralph Lauren summer suit with a pencil skirt that fit her lean body and long legs like it was designed for her. She’d styled her hair, which was growing longer, to tuck it behind her ears, and wore her mother’s large pearls. In her briefcase was a neatly typed presentation that gave her the confidence in her step. As she swung her arms, she noticed the glances she was getting from strangers. It fueled her fire. This is my town, she thought. And I’m back.

Hall’s Chophouse in the Upper King District was a bastion of Charleston where the old guard met young pages and squires to eat, drink, and do business. She opened the heavy doors and paused to let her eyes adjust to the dim lighting. At once, Billy Hall stepped forward and greeted her warmly.

“Cara Rutledge.” The lights went on in his eyes and there was the instant connection of old Charleston. “It’s so grand to see you again. I remember you coming in here with your father and mother.”

“This was Daddy’s favorite place.”

“You moved away, didn’t you?” His tone held a hint of scold.

“Yes,” she replied, holding her own but smiling. “But I came back years ago. I live in my mother’s beach house on Isle of Palms. I’ve kept pretty much to the islands.”

“I’m glad you’re back. You can’t ever really leave Charleston, can you?”

She shook her head. “No. Charleston is my home.”

“Your brother’s here.” Billy looked across the red-bricked room to the gleaming bar. “There he is.”

Cara looked over and saw Palmer sitting on a stool with a few friends. She smiled, delighted to see him. Then she spotted the glass in his hand, and her gut clenched.

“You’re a bit early for our meeting,” Billy said. “Why don’t you say hello to Palmer? Meet us upstairs when you’re done. We’re in the private room.”

Cara affixed a smile. “Thanks, Mr. Hall.”

Cara hadn’t seen her brother in several weeks. It was odd, but living out on the island she sometimes felt like she was a hundred miles from the city rather than a quick trip over the bridge. For her, going to the city meant wearing nice clothes, proper shoes, makeup. Her mother had pummeled into her the message that ladies didn’t stroll a city like Charleston in beachwear. Whenever Lovie had passed a young woman in cutoffs and a T-shirt on East Bay, she’d rolled her eyes and muttered, “Raised by wolves.”

Life on the islands was more laid-back than in the city. City and island, each had its charms. Having lived in both places, having been both city mouse and country mouse, Cara appreciated each unique lifestyle—and the proper clothing for each.

Palmer was leaning on one elbow on the bar. His cheeks were flushed and he was staring down at his almost empty glass of what she knew was bourbon. Linnea had mentioned that she was worried about how much her father was drinking lately. Cara’s mind flashed to her father’s heavy drinking, and she wondered if Palmer was suffering late-onset alcoholism. She told herself not to scold. That wouldn’t help—and besides, she wasn’t his mother. She was his sister and friend. Just breathe, she told herself.

“Palmer,” she said softly when she reached him, and touched his sleeve.

He jerked around and seeing her, his blue eyes widened with surprise.

“Cara!” he exclaimed, and rose to his feet. His joy at seeing her was palpable. “What are you doing here? And looking so fine.”

He leaned forward to kiss her cheek, almost bowling her over with the fumes of alcohol.

“I’m here for business,” she said, taking the stool beside his.

“Business, eh?” Palmer asked, seemingly impressed. “Well. Let me buy you a drink.” He lifted his hand to flag the bartender.

“No,” she said, putting her hand on his arm. “I’m working.”

“Never stopped me,” he said with a laugh.

She thought, I can see that, but kept her smile tightly clenched. It was just after five and Palmer was already well into the sauce.

“Palmer, what brings you here today?”

“Business.” He shrugged. “Or the lack of it.”

“Is there a problem?”

He stared into his drink and laughed without humor. “I guess you could say that.”

“What? Can you tell me?”

“Aw, it’s just business. Ups and downs. That sort of thing.”

“I understand business, you know.”

He looked at her and smirked. “Yeah, that’s right. You’re the smart one. You’re the one Daddy should’ve left the business to. You don’t fail at anything, do you? I bet if he had, it’d be thriving now. Not near bankruptcy.”

Cara’s heart chilled. “Bankruptcy?”

Palmer quickly shook his head and waved his hand sloppily in the air in a sign of dismissal. “No. Not that. I was just using words.” He paused to finish his drink in a single gulp.

“You can tell me.”