29. Everett
EVERETT
T here are some things in life I just do not look forward to, and telling Noah that his soon-to-be brother-in-law has some major moral flaws is one of them.
I lead us down the dimly lit hall to the right of the conservatory. The wedding is still an hour plus away, but throngs of people are arriving at regular intervals. If this keeps up, I’m not sure the entire bed and breakfast will be large enough to house us.
“What’s going on?” Noah says, quickly losing his patience. “Cut to the quick. My anxiety is starting to build. It’s my sister’s wedding day. I have a lot of emotions running rampant.”
“You asked about Jed, and I’m going to tell you.”
His eyes widen a notch. “What do you know?”
I glance past him and sigh. “Look, I don’t want to be an alarmist.”
Noah pulls me in by the lapels and shakes me. “Speak,” he barks so loud his voice reverberates off my skin.
“All right, geez.” I shove him off me. “Don’t make me give you two shiners in one week. By the way, it’s healing nicely.”
He shakes his head like a warning.
“Okay.” I wince a little because I have a feeling I know how this will go. Not ideal right before a wedding. “The night of the murders, I saw?—”
“ The night of the murders ?” His voice hikes along with the threat level in his eyes. “That was a week ago. You waited a week to tell me this?”
I offer him a stern look. “The night of the murders, I saw Jed at the Evergreen Manor. He was getting touchy-feely with some blonde. They were in my view for less than a minute. I don’t know what became of it, but I didn’t have a good feeling about it.”
“Neither do I.” Noah looks down at the floor as if he’s trying to decide what to do next. And I’m afraid I’m about to make that decision easier for him.
“And then the other night, I took a detour on my way home from the courthouse. I drove through Leeds to cut through traffic, and I happened to drive by Red Satin.”
He hikes a brow in amusement. “You stopped off at a strip club to unwind?” A lopsided grin starts to emerge, and I can practically see him picking out a wedding ring to gift to Lemon.
“No. Like I said, I was driving.” I lean into that last word. “Anyway, I saw him again. He was heading into the place, and I’m guessing he wasn’t there to gamble. It’s the same night Sam was at our house, and she said she received a text from him telling her that he was at the hospital looking for work and stumbled upon a class on baby care.” I say those last two words in air quotes because Jed should have known to say infant care. It would have been much more believable.
Noah blows out a heavy breath. “And it made him look like a saint in my sister’s eyes.”
“Look, we both know he’s no saint. But let’s not go off half-cocked just yet. Maybe Jed is one of those guys who thinks because his wedding day is closing in on him, he’d better go and see what’s out there one last time.”
“With some blonde?” Noah cuts the air with his irritation. “And again at Red Satin?”
“We were there last night. So was your sister, so was Meg. No one got hurt. It was all in good fun. I spoke with Hook when I got here, and he laughed about it.”
Noah averts his eyes. “Hook, much like my brother, laughs at everything in life.” He sighs hard. “I’m not laughing. I’m going to have one serious talk with Jed when he gets here.” He pulls out his phone. “In fact, I’m going to play nice, right up until he arrives.” He shoots a text to someone, and my guess is it’s the man of the hour.
“What did you say?”
“I let him know I couldn’t wait to welcome him to the family. Then I told him to hurry up and get his behind down here.” He gives a solemn nod. “That’s when the real party begins.”
“Noah, I caution you to go slow. The guy proposed to your sister. He’s got rough edges. We know that. She knew that going in. Like I said, he could have been sowing his wild oats.”
“Did you sow your wild oats before you married Lottie?” He shakes his head. “Never mind. You were a walking, talking wild oat. And by the way, I’m still not impressed with that ambush wedding you pulled off. You walked her into it, and you know it.”
“Lemon married me of her own volition. Yes, I needed a spouse or I’d lose my inheritance, but I had someone in the queue, and it wasn’t Lemon. Look, Noah, I’m not doing this with you. I see that Jed has your head spinning. I get it, Sam is your sister. You don’t want her making a mistake.”
“Do you think I should tell Sam?” The whites of his eyes expand.
“I don’t know,” I tell him. “It’s her wedding day. Her head probably isn’t in the greatest frame of mind. But then again, it is her wedding day.” I pat him on his arm. “I’m sure you’ll make the right move.”
I make my way out of the hall and head for the conservatory when something in the opposite direction snags my attention.
It’s Conner Saint, tucked in the shadows to the right of the bay window, and that same girl he was getting handsy with at the mall happens to be with him. They look pretty intense. She leans in and kisses him on the cheek before tapping him on the arm and nodding. And then she does a disappearing act.
I bet she was reassuring him they’d never get caught. Little do they both know...
I’m going to take care of this. This ends tonight. And so do Evie and Conner as a couple.
I make a beeline his way and pull him in by the shirt. “What the heck do you think you’re doing?”
“ Dad? ” Evie cries from behind as she runs over and plucks me off of him. Her hair is swept back, and she’s wearing a long peach gown with lace sleeves and looks like a princess. Because she is one. “What the heck are you doing?” Her voice escalates into a near panic.
“Ask him,” I growl. “Never mind. I’ll save him from having to come up with an excuse.” I pull out my phone and show Evie the incriminating picture.
“What the heck is this?” She squints at the screen. “ Who the heck is this?” She looks up at Conner as her face begins to crumble. “Are you cheating on me? I hate you!” she riots as she turns and runs off.
“Evie, wait ,” he calls out. “I can explain.” He starts in her direction, and I smash my hand to his chest.
“You’ve done enough. Get lost. You’re not invited here.”
I’m the one going after her.
It’s safe to say the Conner Saint Show is over.
He’s no saint, and I just proved it.