Chapter 23
Later that afternoon, Beau helped me into his truck, along with two large containers of Camille’s chicken soup and a small cosmetics bag for my meds.
The bag had been borrowed from Jolene, which meant it was monogrammed with her initials and, on the reverse side, had a bedazzled depiction of Dorothy’s red shoes.
Despite assurances that Beau didn’t need help, Camille deemed it necessary to come with us so she could hold the soup and sit in the back to make sure I didn’t slide off the seat.
Considering how unassuming her personality was, I was surprised that she could muster a fierce forcefulness when she wanted to get her way.
She’d probably mastered it from living with Henry for so long, as he didn’t seem to be the kind of person who was good at compromising.
Mimi had stopped insisting that I stay, and she handed me a printed list of phone numbers—including hers, Beau’s, Christopher’s, the nearest hospital’s, the police’s—for me to give to Sarah, “just in case.” I assured her that Jolene would be gone for only a few days and that she didn’t need to worry, but her troubled expression didn’t soften.
I knew that she was thinking about the Adele ringtone playing on our phones, the same unanswered question in both of our minds.
Why is Adele still here? I had no doubt that the answer lay with her wedding rings and what had happened to Buddy.
All we could do was wait until Mimi was ready to hold the rings or for Beau to ask Adele directly—whichever came first. It felt like we were watching a tightly wound jack-in-the-box, knowing a big reveal was coming but still unprepared for the surprise.
Jaxson’s car was parked at the curb in front of my apartment when we pulled up. After a quick introduction to Camille, he helped Beau pull me out of the seat and then up the stairs. We were all panting by the time we made it to the top, even after pausing on the landing.
The scent of something delicious cooking in the kitchen wafted toward us as Sarah appeared along with Jolene, who was holding Mardi.
The small dog did a mad scramble to reach me as soon as the men set me down on the couch.
He quickly asserted his place, pressing against my side like a furry comfort blanket.
Jolene had already set up pillows for my foot and head, and draped blankets over the back of the couch, with the TV remote on a tray table within reach.
A collection of magazines including Southern Living, Garden & Gun, People, and Allure was fanned out next to my laptop on the coffee table.
I scratched a happy Mardi behind his floppy ears, noticing that he was wearing a new fall-themed sweater. “Thanks, guys. And thank you, Jolene—this all looks wonderful and cozy. I know I’ll be more than comfortable.”
“I helped pick the magazines,” Sarah said.
“Well, People, anyway. I know you deny any interest in celebs, but that’s always the magazine you pick up in doctors’ offices.
Allure was a compromise, since Jolene thought there might be something useful for you to learn inside and I figured I could learn something, too, but I vetoed Vogue.
I can’t see you or anyone we know wearing metallic conical breast plates to the grocery store or to walk the dog, you know? ”
“Good call,” I said. My gaze fell on an exuberant floral arrangement set on a tall pedestal table directly across from me, filled with fans of brightly colored blooms. “Where did that come from?”
“The table came from my bedroom. It’s where I keep a framed photo of my grandmama and me standing in front of her funeral home, but I’ve moved that to my dressing table because we need to display these gorgeous flowers.
Of course, I had to do a little bit of tweaking—my mama taught me how to properly arrange flowers, and I don’t know what the florist was thinking—but aren’t they just spectacular? ”
“Yes, they are. But who are they from?”
She beamed at me and handed me a small white envelope. “Cooper.”
Beau cleared his throat, then reached for the soup that Camille was still holding. “Here, let me take that to the kitchen.” He quickly disappeared into the other room.
Jolene tucked the corner of a blanket around my injured ankle.
“What do y’all say we give Nola a bit of privacy for a minute?
Sarah and Camille, I could use some help setting the table.
And, Jaxson, could you please help me get my nice dishes from the top shelf?
Sometimes being petite is a real disadvantage. ”
“I think you’re perfect just the way you are,” Jaxson said.
Jolene’s cheeks reddened before she turned away.
The note was brief, but it still managed to send a tingle down to the toes I could still feel.
I wish I could be with you. I promise to make it up to you when I get back. And I’m not talking about a rousing game of backgammon.
Love, Cooper
I stared at the signature line, reading it over and over. Love, Cooper. And then back to the word “rousing.” If I weren’t only in my twenties, I could have sworn I was having a hot flash. I’d have to ask Melanie about it, although she was still denying that she was anywhere near menopause.
I considered calling Cooper for a discussion, or at least an explanation, but I had no idea what the time difference was between New Orleans and Malaysia.
Besides, he had already told me that finding availability in his schedule to talk would be problematic and that he would call me as soon as he was stateside again, on Friday.
“Supper’s on the table,” Jolene announced.
I placed the card and envelope on the tray table and pulled myself up to a sitting position.
“Oh, no, you don’t.” Jolene rushed over to my side, followed quickly by Sarah.
“This is the sort of thing I told you that you need to watch out for,” she said, looking at my sister.
“Nola puts mules to shame with her hardheadedness, and if she didn’t sing so beautifully I’d say she was deaf, too, because she apparently didn’t hear a word Dr. Longo said about taking it easy.
And she is not to put any weight on that foot.
” Jolene scowled at me, making me surprisingly grateful that she was leaving the next day.
She crossed the room to retrieve my scooter, sparkly streamers flying from the handlebars.
“This is a special treat, so as soon as your last bite of dessert is gone, you’re going right back to the couch and elevating your foot, you understand?
I know you’re thinking that once I’m headed to Mississippi you can do what you like, but I’ve already had a long sit-down with Sarah so that she understands her responsibilities.
I’ve also bought two rolls of duct tape just in case. ”
“I really don’t think—”
“And she taught me how to use them,” Sarah said, her face serious.
Jolene turned down offers of help from Beau and Jaxson. “We gotta see that Sarah can do this on her own, or back to Mimi’s we go.”
Sarah sent me a desperate glance, and I gave her a brief nod.
“We got this.” That was something my mother used to say, and it surprised me that it was the first thing that came to me.
“My other leg is very strong, so you don’t have to support all my weight, okay?
Just hold the scooter steady and maybe take my elbow to help me stand. ”
With minimal effort, Sarah and I managed to pull me off the sofa and onto the scooter. It helped that Sarah had a lot of upper-body strength owing to being on the Ashley Hall archery team. She was also tall for her age. We wore matching smiles of satisfaction as we faced Jolene.
Beau actually clapped. “Well done. Everybody make room so Nola can practice navigating to the dining table. Watch out, because she might run you down. We all know how much she appreciates Jolene’s cooking.”
I aimed the scooter directly at him, but he stepped out of the way in time, so I unfortunately missed him.
Two chairs had been set up for me at the table so I could elevate my leg on one.
After I’d sat down, I patiently waited for Jolene to place a napkin in my lap even though it was clear that I was more than capable of doing it myself.
I didn’t want to give her any reason to suggest going back to Mimi’s again.
“You didn’t have to do this, Jolene. Sarah and I would have been perfectly happy with a pizza or frozen dinners.”
“Speak for yourself,” Sarah said, reaching for Jolene’s homemade dinner rolls.
“You know how much I love to cook, and it’s a pleasure to see so many faces at my table.
” Smiling graciously at Camille, she added, “Especially a new face. I suggest that you serve yourself before the food comes to Nola, or you’re likely to miss out.
She’s so skinny that she has to run around the shower to get wet, but she has the appetite of a linebacker, bless her heart.
” Jolene handed the bread basket to Camille just as Beau’s phone rang.
He excused himself and stood. “It’s Sam. Go ahead and start. I’ll be right back,” he said before stepping into the kitchen.
I could hear the low rumblings of his voice but couldn’t make out the words he said. Not that I was trying to eavesdrop, of course, but it wasn’t like he was whispering. When he returned, he wore a grim expression.
“Everything all right?” Camille asked with concern.
Beau sat down again and pulled up his chair.
“Sort of. There was a fire today at the complex where Sam lives. Fortunately, it was in the middle of the day, when most of the residents were at work, but it seems it was set deliberately in another part of the complex to distract first responders from a burglary call that had gone out from Sam’s building fifteen minutes earlier. ”
“Oh, no. Is Sam all right?” Camille pressed her hand against her heart.