Chapter 32
I t takes me at least ten minutes to convince Garrett to leave me at Leia’s house so he can go into town to pick up some supplies. I have every intention of using this dress fitting to get her to open up. I just hope Veronica won’t be flapping around.
Garrett watches me in through the door before he drives off, and the look he gives George Walker when he opens it isn’t friendly at all.
I smile at Leia’s dad awkwardly as I step inside.
“Leia’s upstairs with Mona, I’m sure she won’t be long, take a seat.” He shows me into the living room and gestures to the huge, white couch and I take a seat in the most lady-like position I can manage.
“Can I get you something while you wait?” he asks welcomingly.
“No, thank you. I’m fine.” I’m surprised when he takes a seat in the armchair opposite me, slouching back and almost looking relaxed.
“I hear you threw quite the party last night.” He smirks, resting his elbows on the armrest and crossing his hands.
“I had a lot of help.” I smile politely.
“My wife was disgusted.” The smile he makes back at me has me biting down one of my own. Veronica did nothing to hide how unimpressed she was, and I think the surprise entertainment Wade provided just about tipped her over the edge.
“I just hope Leia enjoyed it,” I add when I’m suddenly reminded that, despite his charm, this man is prepared to put my friend through a life of misery for his own selfish gain. I get that she loves him, but no parent should expect that of their kid.
“Are you excited about the wedding?” I make polite conversation and hope that Leia will hurry up, being around this man is reminding me how much I disagree with his morals.
“It’s going to be a great day.” He raises his eyebrows seeming oblivious to how wrong it all is.
“And you are happy with Leia marrying a man she doesn’t love?” Those words slip right out, but before I can regret them, Mr Walker sits up a little straighter in his chair.
“I must learn to be content with being happier than I deserve,” he tells me with a clever smirk, and the recognition of his words triggers something inside me that makes my skin shiver.
“That’s a quote.” I stare back at him as a memory comes into my head and makes my heart drop into my stomach.
“Pride and Prejudice, it's my favorite.” He winks. “I even used to have an antique edition.”
“I…I studied it in high school.” I hear the quiver in my tone as I recall finding that book in Breanna’s room.
The person who gave it to her had named themself Fitzwilliam, who was, of course, the love interest, Mr. Darcy.
I feel my skin getting hot, and Mayor Walker must notice too, because he gets up from his seat and asks if I’m okay.
“I’m fine. I’m just a little dizzy. It happens. I should go.” I struggle to get myself up off the couch, refusing his help, and without any explanation I start making my way toward the door.
“Shall I get Leia?” Walker calls after me, but all I can do is focus on getting to that door. My head really is spinning now, because if what I’m suspecting is true. Mayor Walker is not the man we thought he was.
Soon as I make it outside I pull out my phone to call Garrett, and he answers almost immediately.
“You okay?” He sounds on edge, but that's nothing new. He’s been treating me like a walking timebomb for the past month.
“Garrett, I need you to come back and get me.” I try my best not to sound scared. I don’t want him to panic.
“Maisie, where are you?” he yells down the phone at me, proving that I haven't been convincing.
“I’m outside the Walker’s. Just hurry up.” I hang up and keep moving, not looking back to check if Walker is following me, and when I get to the main road, I start walking in the direction of town so I’ll meet Garrett.
I try to calm myself down and think of any other reason why a man, old enough to be Breanna’s father, would gift her such a valuable version of a classic romance novel.
There’s an age gap between Garrett and me, I can certainly see an appeal in the older guy, but Breanna was only sixteen when she died.
She was pregnant. Mayor Walker could have been the father.
This can’t be innocent, I remember the note in the front of the book.
Your Fitzwilliam. Your Fitzwilliam …
I eventually see Garrett’s truck speeding toward me in the distance, and when I glance over my shoulder there's still no sign of anyone following me. Garrett’s truck tires screech to a stop beside me, and he immediately gets out and marches toward me, placing his arm around me and helping me toward the passenger seat.
“The fuck are you doing out here? Why didn’t ya wait for me there?” He rakes his eyes over me to make sure I’m okay.
“We’re fine. I just… I had to get out of there.” I shake my head and try to catch my breath so I can explain.
“Maisie, what the hell’s wrong?” Garrett looks somewhere between worried, sick, and furious. Resting my hands on his shoulders, I take one big breath in before I tell him.
“I think I know who the father of Breanna’s baby was,” I manage, watching his eyes double in size and the shock spread wider on his face.
“Who?” I can hear the tension in his voice, he’s already mad, and this is gonna do nothing to calm him down.
“It’s George Walker.” I release the words and watch as the darkness finds his eyes.