“Yes, and that the town disliked him made me feel like I was fighting against … I don’t know. Maybe I felt like Shakespeare’s Juliet and I was struggling to retain True Love. Now I think maybe I just wanted to show people … I don’t know what.”
“I know about rebellion,” Joce said seriously. “In that backwoods family of mine I caused a lot of anger because I absolutely refused to get a tattoo.”
Sara laughed. “Not even one?”
“Not even a butterfly on my left ankle.”
“You are a rebel.”
Joce waited a moment before she spoke. “So what about the wedding?”
Sara put her hands over her face. “I don’t know. I mean, I really and truly don’t know!” She looked back at Joce. “Just days after I met Greg, we were in business together and traveling and—”
“Working.”
“Oh, yes,” Sara said. “Masses of work. Great mountain loads of things that I had to do that kept me busy seven days a week.”
“And sex.”
“At first, yes. I so very much wanted to prove that I was at least as desirable as Brian’s … as the woman he wanted to marry, that I was insatiable.”
“What about now?”
“Now I’m remembering Greg the man. He’s not easy to live with, and he’s impossible to please. But I didn’t have time to think about anything after I met him. We went from a blind date to marriage plans in what seems like minutes.”
“So where does Mike fit into all this?”
“Nowhere. Mike has nothing to do with anything.”
“Oh,” Joce said.
“What does that mean?”
“Nothing. I just thought that you and he were—”
“Friends. That’s all we are to each other.” When Joce said nothing, Sara gave in. “Okay, so maybe Mike has reminded me what it’s like to enjoy a man’s company. He and I do things together.”
“Like what?”
“Swing through trees.” Sara lifted her hand. “That doesn’t matter.”
“Are you sure? That I liked the things Luke and I did together made me choose him over Ramsey.”
“Joce, get real. You had the hots for Luke from the day he dumped mustard down the front of you. Ramsey never had a chance. Besides, he was in love with Tess but was too dumb to know it.”
“You’re right,” Joce said. “I know it’s a cliché, but I think you should follow your heart.”
“If I did that, then I’d marry Merlin’s Farm. It’s what I really love.”
Joce laughed so hard the babies started kicking.
15
MIKE WAS DRESSED for the gym, it was still dark outside, and there was no light from under Sara’s bedroom door. The night before, as soon as Mike had pulled up in his car, Luke had stepped outside to speak to him in private.
Quietly, Luke had asked how the case was going and if he needed any help.
Mike felt his usual sense of caution, but with each day that was fading. “I can’t find what Sara has that the Vandlo family wants.”