“The what with the what?” he sputtered.
“Don’t let me down on this.”
“I’ll think about it,” he said grimly. Not that he had a single intention of following through. Worse come to worse. He’d twist Beau’s arm. There was Everland’s real eligible bachelor. Rich. Handsome. Corner office at City Hall.
Lou Ellen cared a great deal about other people’s opinions. The family feud between him and Doc caused her more pain than she’d ever admit, but beneath that tough steel magnolia was a heart that could be soft as a peach.
He didn’t want to let her down, but he didn’t want to do it, either.
“Thank you.” She blew an air kiss. “I owe you one.”
“How about never threatening to blackmail me again?”
“Deal.” No one could lie as smoothly as Lou Ellen. She meant well, but Christ, the road to hell was paved with good intentions.
He walked back inside as she bustled out to the driveway and froze. The kitchen floor was empty. He glanced around. Not a stitch of underwear in sight. Could she have taken it? No, never in a million years. A white flash caught his eye out the window. It was Pepper’s washing line. Her clothes were hung up, flapping in the breeze, soaking up the summer sun. Right in the center of the line was a white pair of panties that saidPEPPERin a fancy calligraphy font.
A bemused chuckle shook his shoulders.
He’d been played so hard. His sister had got him to admit his secret relationship status.
Oh, she was good. Cover CIA counterterrorism good.
Steinbeck padded up and nudged Rhett’s thigh with his nose. He scratched his buddy behind the ear, right in his favorite spot. “What am I going to do, man?” He wasn’t going to make a deal with Al Hogg. Never in a million years. But he wasn’t going to let Lou Ellen railroad him, either.
For being an island, he certainly had a lot of people walking on his beach. Time to pack everyone up and send them on their merry way.
He heaved a sigh. He didn’t know how to fix any of that. Or what to do about Pepper wanting to leave. But he did know one thing. The shelter might take longer. More blood, sweat, and tears. But there wasn’t going to be a shortcut to success, nor would he sacrifice an ounce of integrity or cut a single corner to get done the project that was going to bear Mama’s name.
He stepped back inside and made a call.
“Judge Hogg’s office,” the administrative assistant said in a reedy voice.
“Hi there, Lois. This is Rhett Valentine, and I want you to pass along a message to the big guy. Tell Al that I’ve thought over his offer and am going to pass.”
