But he put his rental into gear and drove up the long drive to the house.
A big van with Simply Elegant written out in script along the side was surrounded by people unloading in a steady stream. He parked where he hoped he’d be out of the way and tried to figure out who he should ask. Scratch that. He didn’t even know exactly what he should ask. A smart man would’ve planned that out somewhere in all the hours he’d spent sitting in airports for his three connecting flights. Reed had spent that time continually trying Cecily’s cell and trying to craft an appropriate apology and explanation. At least until her voicemail was full. Probably evidence she’d turned off her phone.
Reed poked his head around the open back of the v
an, looking for somebody to ask who was in charge, and found a large box thrust into his hands.
“Take those to the kitchen,” the man inside ordered, already turning to grab the next box.
Reed started to say something about not being part of the crew, but he seemed to be gumming up the steady rhythm the group had established, so he turned to follow the other workers through the front door. Despite the soaring entryway, he was struck by how much the house felt like a home the moment he walked inside. The banister of the long staircase looked like the kind kids had slid down. The wide expanses of glossy wood floors were covered in faded rugs—no doubt expensive and high quality, but used. Nothing about the place had the brittle, don’t-touch air he’d expect of a place like this.
He trailed the person in front of him down a hall, through a wide living room done up in leather and comfortable fabrics and more of those antiques that actually got used, and finally into an enormous kitchen. A woman in a slim black skirt and white shirt was barking out orders. At her direction, Reed added his box of dishes to a growing pile in one corner of the room.
“Excuse me,” he said.
At his accent, she stopped speaking, perfectly manicured brows going up. “You are not from around here.”
“No, ma’am. I’m not on the crew. I’m actually looking for someone. Cecily Dixon?”
“Who wants to know?”
Reed turned and immediately knew where Cecily had learned that regal air. “Mrs. Dixon?”
She tipped her head slightly in acknowledgment, her eyes—the same as Cecily’s—not welcoming but not cold either.
Reed wished he’d taken the time to get a hotel so he could’ve showered and changed out of his rumpled clothes. But as he’d been taught, impeccable manners made up for a lot. He crossed over to her. “Ma’am. My name is Reed Campbell. I’m—” After what had happened, he could hardly call himself Cecily’s boyfriend. “—looking for Cecily.”
His name didn’t seem to ring any bells, which made him wonder whether she’d ever even mentioned him.
“You’re from Mississippi.” It wasn’t a question.
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Then you should know she’s in Wishful.”
Damn it. She wasn’t here. Reed took a breath. “No ma’am, she’s not at the moment. I was hoping you’d know where she is. It’s rather urgent that I locate her.”
“Urgent enough that you’d take a chance that she’d be here?” That seemed to intrigue her.
“Christoff and Norah suggested I try it. She’s not taking my calls at the moment. Or, apparently, anybody else’s. We’re getting worried.”
“Norah Burke?”
“Yes, ma’am. She’s about to be my cousin by marriage.” Why he said that, he had no idea, except that it was instinctive to talk connections and who his people were.
“Why don’t you come with me?” she suggested. “Hilary, I believe you have things well in hand here?”
“Yes, Mrs. Dixon,” said the woman in the black skirt.
“Have some coffee sent to the sunroom, please. And find Frank.”
Hilary nodded.
Reed followed Cecily’s mother to another room facing the expansive view of gardens behind the house. Out the wide windows across the back, he could see a massive tent set up on the lawn. Tables were being set up beneath it by more of the bustling staff.
“I’m interrupting something. I apologize for the intrusion and for stopping by unannounced.”
Mrs. Dixon waved that off and took a seat in one of the padded wicker chairs. “Please, sit. Have you been traveling all night, Mr. Campbell?”