Sweat Tea Revenge by Laura Childs Read Free Book Online Page B

she was ready to cry.
    Her eyes going hard, Delaine gazed across her sweet tea at Theodosia. “I want revenge,” she hissed. “Sweet revenge. My life’s been ruined and the one man who loved me despite all my foibles is
dead
!” She took a gulp of sweet tea. “He loved me unconditionally and didn’t think it was one bit odd that I talked to cats.”
    “Of course, he didn’t,” said Theodosia.
Women are considered odd only when they collect dozens of cats.
    “I know it’s asking a lot of you, Theo,” said Delaine, “but will you
please
go with me to Granville and Grumley tomorrow afternoon? Will you be my advocate? My ally?”
    “Why do you even have to go there?” asked Theodosia.
    “There are papers and things she needs to see,” said Millie.
    “Can’t you take care of those things?” Theodosia asked Millie. “Run interference for her?”
    Millie snorted. “Me? Are you kidding? I’m just a lowly secretary. Not even on par with a paralegal. Nobody there listens to me.”
    “Please, Theo?” said Delaine. “We need you.
I
need you.”
    “Of course, I’ll go with you,” said Theodosia. She hated the fact that Delaine had been treated badly. Rude behavior and taking advantage of people when they were hurting were two things that radically ruffled her feathers.
    “The thing is,” said Delaine, “I really don’t trust Allan Grumley.”
    “Maybe he’s still in shock, too,” said Theodosia. “Maybe he’s trying to figure out how the firm can move ahead and he’s just crazed with worry.” She figured there had to be a legitimate reason for Grumley’s bad behavior, if that was what it really had been.
    “And I’m not so sure about Charles Horton, either,” Delaine added.
    “The stepson?” said Theodosia. “Why on earth would you be suspicious of him?”
    “I find it
très
strange that Horton suddenly came crawling out of the woodwork once our wedding was announced,” said Delaine. “And that he suddenly wanted to go to work for Granville and Grumley.”
    “But Horton’s a lawyer,” said Theodosia. “So it really does make sense. And I’m guessing he probably wanted to reconnect with his stepfather after all these years. Maybe a happy event like a wedding just made for perfect, feel-good timing. I mean, Horton did live with his stepfather when he was younger, didn’t he?”
    “I suppose he did,” said Delaine. “For a few years, anyway.”
    “Horton’s mother was Granville’s second wife?” Theodosia asked.
    Delaine nodded.
    “How many times had Granville been married?”
    Delaine looked thoughtful. “Two that I know of. Maybe three.” She blinked, looked up, and said, “Hello, Haley.”
    Haley gave an eager smile. “I brought you guys some fresh-baked scones and honey butter.”
    Delaine gave Haley’s tray a listless glance. “I’m not very hungry.”
    “Try a bite,” said Theodosia. “These scones are one of Haley’s premier recipes.”
    Haley placed a scone on everyone’s plate, then continued to stand at their table, throwing meaningful glances at Theodosia.
    “Thank you, Haley,” said Theodosia. She couldn’t figure out why Haley was still hovering. Usually, she darted right back to her kitchen, like a little mouse to its hidey-hole.
    Haley cleared her throat self-consciously and said, “Theo, you should tell her.”
    Delaine lifted her head and stared tiredly at Haley. “Excuse me?”
    “Thank you for your input, Haley.” Now Theodosia’s voice carried a warning tone.
    “Because I think she’ll be okay with it,” Haley continued.
    “Now is not the time,” said Theodosia.
    Delaine’s perfectly waxed brows knit together. “Now
is
the time,” she said, sounding vexed. “Pray tell, why are you two making goo-goo eyes at each other? What little secret are you trying to keep from me?”
    “Something pretty important,” said Haley.
    “The thing is,” Theodosia said with reluctance, “we had a strange pair of visitors this morning.”
    “Two