For possibly the first and only time in her life, Beth was speechless. It might’ve been because she’d been drinking from a flute of champagne when Valerie complimented her, and she was now too busy coughing up the most expensive champagne Shady Palms Beer & Liquor carried. We all looked away and gave her a moment, knowing she wouldn’t want us seeing her do something as undignified as choke on a drink, though Mary Ann did let out a snide laugh.
Jae discreetly handed her a napkin, which she used to dab at her mouth. Despite being painted a lovely shade of coral, her lips managed to stay perfectly done and not a bit of color was transferred to the white napkin. Impressive. Beth found so many ways to show she was not to be trifled with and somehow this was what made the biggest impact on me.
After she regained her composure, Beth said, “Thank you, Valerie. I know the two of you had a complicated relationship, but I also know how important you were to each other. He respected you. I can’t think of a higher compliment when it comes to Rob.”
Valerie sipped at her glass and cleared her throat several times as if to say something, but she didn’t. Sana stepped in to say, “I can’t wait for the big event. I have to say, the girls really surprised me. Never realized how hardworking and ambitious their generation is. I’m looking forward to seeing the culmination of everyone’s hard work.”
“Honestly? Same. The moms are just as ba—um, just as I remembered, but working with these girls is really inspiring. I love how they’re not afraid to ask for what they deserve. That they feel like they can just go for it.” I smiled at Joy and Katie, who blushed at the praise. “So thanks for insisting that I be one of the judges, Valerie. This experience has been . . . invaluable.” I smiled at Valerie, who was still speechless after Beth’s compliment.
“Yes, but who do you think is going to bring home the crown?” Mary Ann asked, leaning forward so she was literally the center of our attention.
Beth, still clutching her champagne flute, extended her arm and exerted just enough force to push Mary Ann back, then stepped into the empty space so that Mary Ann was boxed out. Without missing a beat, she turned to Joy and Katie. “Thank you for coming out to pay your respects, girls. I’m sure this must be very awkward for you, considering Rob’s unforgivable behavior toward you. I will not try to excuse it, but I do apologize. You never should’ve been subjected to that, and I hope I’ve done a better job of keeping you safe since then.”
Joy nodded like a bobblehead. “Thank you, I really appreciate you saying something. I—”
“And what have you done to keep us safe? I haven’t seen you putting in new rules or even releasing a statement about his behavior.” Katie’s previously pale face was now flushed bright red. “You could’ve canceled the pageant at any time when you saw how things were going but you didn’t. If anything happens to us, it’s your fault. My mom was right, I shouldn’t have bothered coming here. Thompsons only care about saving face and taking care of their own.”
Katie stalked off, leaving a concerned Joy to run after her. Beth and Valerie watched the teens, thoughtful expressions on their faces.
“Youths,” Beth said, shaking her head. “Do they have to be so frightfully earnest all the time?”
“She was right,” Valerie said, a hint of sadness in her voice.
Beth snorted. “Of course she was right. The problem is she was right, out loud, in public, and now I actually have to do the right thing as well.” She sighed and handed her champagne flute to Jae. “Looks like I’ll be drafting a press release later, so I should probably stop drinking now. You’re off the hook tonight. But I expect an answer soon. And you deserve one, as well. Don’t forget that.”
With the barest of glances my way, Beth walked away, leaving a contemplative Jae and my gossiping godmothers behind.
Chapter Twenty-two
Count on you to bring the entire memorial crowd back with you,” Adeena said under her breath, as she squeezed past me to fulfill another drink order.
I hadn’t done it on purpose. The Calendar Crew had insisted on staying till the end of the memorial on the grounds that something scandalous and gossip-worthy might happen, what with so many important people around, Rob’s less than pristine reputation, and a good amount of champagne. However, they were sorely disappointed when the event went off without a hitch, ending in the early evening for a private ceremony for the family and close family friends. Those who’d stuck around hoping for something interesting to happen followed my suggestion to join us at the Brew-ha Cafe to sample our new cocktail menu and other goodies.
The momtestant crowd was with us again, and you would’ve thought they’d be on slightly better behavior than last time since the crowd included their children and husbands, but Elena had a notoriously heavy hand when it was her turn to prepare drinks and the ladies’ lips were even looser than usual.
“He was trying to get rid of her, you know,” one of the moms, a recent divorcée, said. “My maid told me, who heard it from one of the Thompson family maids, that Beth was having a hard time conceiving. Rob was threatening that if she didn’t get pregnant soon, he had no use for her.” The divorcée drained her cocktail and rattled the glass at Elena to signal for a refill. She continued on, as if she weren’t the rudest person in the world. “That’s the only reason he married her, you know. She’s no fool. I bet she killed him before he could kick her to the curb. I bet . . .”
My phone rang and I dragged myself away to answer it before I could say something I’d regret. I glanced at the screen and frowned. Bernadette? My heart beat in anxiety as I answered, knowing it had to be something big, good or bad, for her to actually call me.
“Lila, I need you to pick me up. Right away. Please,” Bernadette said as soon as I answered. I could hear the tears in her voice, and I snapped to attention.
“Where are you?”
“The hospital. I just finished my shift.”
“I’ll be there in fifteen.”
* * *
? ? ?
As soon as I pulled up in front of Shady Palms Hospital, Bernadette rushed out to meet me. She must’ve been keeping watch at the doors since I hadn’t had time to alert her to my presence.
“Thanks for coming,” she said. “Pinky’s still working, and I didn’t want to bother my mom.”
“It’s fine,” I said. “Do you want to come back with me to the cafe or should I drop you at home? Some people from the memorial have stopped by and I don’t know if you’re in a social mood.”
Bernadette stared out the window, not answering. I turned off the car and shifted in my seat so I could face her, but she still kept her face pointed at the window. I put my hand on her shoulder and . . .
Bernadette, my fearless cousin Bernadette, who’d broken my cousin Ronnie’s nose after he broke her heart. Who was so determined and strong, she’d not only performed an intense dance routine on a fractured ankle for the Miss Teen Shady Palms Pageant, she’d almost won. Who handled crises every day as an ER nurse. That Bernadette . . . was trembling with fear and holding back tears.