3 Dime If I Know by Maggie Toussaint

Author:Maggie Toussaint [Toussaint, Maggie]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Five Star
Published: 2013-09-11T04:00:00+00:00

CHAPTER 24

* * *

Rafe hurried to my side. “Cleo?”

I hugged him close, relieved to breathe in his familiar scent, so very thankful he hadn’t been arrested after all. “I’m happy to see you.” His heart raced beneath my ear. I blinked back tears. “I’m sorry you walked into that ugly scene. I was provoked.”

“What did I walk into?” he asked, his concerned eyes for me alone.

“Nothing, really. A misunderstanding.”

He kept an arm around my shoulder and glared at the group around us. “Will someone tell me what’s going on?”

“Your sister tried to buy Cleo off, that’s what,” Mama crowed as Bud joined her. “She insulted me and Cleo, and I’m sure she would have lit into Johnsy if she’d had enough time.”

He made no outward sign the news affected him, but I felt his spine stiffen. I saw the micro-tick in his cheek. “You will apologize right now, Regina,” he said.

“Honestly, Rafe, I don’t understand why you want to slum with these people,” his sister said. “They don’t matter. They don’t care about you. Mom and Dad sent me up here to bring you home.”

“Regina!”

“Oh, all right. I’m sorry if I hurt your feelings.”

“You may be in charge of operating Golden Enterprises, but you’re not in charge of my life,” he said. “Your interference isn’t necessary or wanted. Go home, please.”

“I’m supposed to bring you back with me.”

“Forget it. My home is here in Hogan’s Glen.”

What would Rafe do next? Would he throw his sister out of the police station? Would he storm off on his own?

I knew about his low estimation of his family, but the mediator in me sensed an opportunity. If he turned his back on them now, he’d burn a valuable bridge. I didn’t want him to feel he had to choose between his family and me. I wanted him to reconcile with his parents and siblings. They didn’t have to be best buddies, but surely they could be civil.

There was nothing quite like the feeling that your family had your back. Rafe’s estrangement from his relatives denied him of that source of comfort and encouragment. I couldn’t have made it without my parents and that was a fact.

“We could drive to Potomac and reassure your parents that you’re all right,” I offered.

“I appreciate what you’re trying to do, but it’s a lost cause,” Rafe said.

“Listen to Cleo,” Mama said. “Family is important.” She nudged Bud. “Tell him.”

“Family is important,” Bud parroted, a goofy smile on his weathered face.

“Nice to see your lawyer’s got a flexible spine and an independent mind,” Regina said.

Rafe tucked me closer under his side. “Play nice, or you aren’t welcome here.”

“Mary and I will wait in the car. When you decide what you’re going to do, let me know ASAP.”

Mary shot us an apologetic look before trailing after her boss. I drew a full breath for the first time since his sister stormed into the lobby. “She sure broadcasts her feelings.”

“I thought she’d never leave,” Jonette said. “What was it like

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