Lucas laughed. “I had a thing forwomen.”
They stood at the end of the line, which was much shorter than it was before they went into the flower shop. “Now, I only have eyes for you, sweet thang.”
Bella raised a brow. “Good to know. Now, let’s get you in there so you can vote for your brother.”
Lucas gripped her shoulders and turned her to face him. “My vote is private,” he declared with a serious expression.
Bella rolled her eyes at Lucas. “Shut up and come on!” She grabbed his arm and yanked him to continue walking.
DONNA
Donna stuck her head inside the parlor and looked around the empty room. “Where is everybody?”
Andrew, the Creeds’ house manager, cleared his throat to get her attention. “Everyone is in the theater. If you follow me, Detective, I’ll show you the way.”
“Lead the way.”
A few halls, turns, and a set of stairs later, Donna finally heard familial banter coming from one of the rooms. Andrew opened the door for her to enter. When she stepped inside, she smiled at the sight of her dad laughing with Mr. Montgomery and Senator Creed.
“Thank you, Andrew.”
Andrew nodded and walked over to a staffer carrying a tray.
The woman smiled on her way over to Donna. “Would you like something to eat, Detective Devereaux? We have filet bites, crabcakes, and veggie bites. At the buffet, we have spaghetti, fried chicken, potato salad, green beans, and lasagna, all made by your mom and Mrs. Montgomery. And there’s bass, bluegill and catfish, caught this very morning by your men folk over there.”
Donna smiled. “Oh wow. I’ll definitely have a little something, but a little later. I’ve just recently eaten.”
“Of course. Just wave when you're ready.”
“Yes, ma'am,” Donna ensured.
She crossed the room to where Bella was having what looked like a serious conversation with Lucas and his mom. “What’s wrong?”
Tabitha Creed looked up and smiled. “Oh, nothing to worry about, just some wedding stuff.”
She cupped Donna’s jaw. “Have you eaten?” she asked in a way only a mother could.
“Yes, ma’am, I have. But I’m still gonna have a bite later.”
“Okay, good.” She turned to Bella. “We’ll worry about the flowers after the election.”
“Sounds good,” Bella chirped.
Donna dropped her head when a giggle escaped. Bella was faking her enthusiasm. Her sister couldn’t give less than a damn about a wedding. Sure, Bella wanted to marry Lucas, but she was no blushing bride. Neither she nor Donna had ever entertained the idea of a so-called “dream wedding.” An overelaborate ceremony just seemed like an inconvenience that took too much time and way too much money.
Bella looked her way. “Anything?” she mouthed.
Donna nodded. Bella rubbed Tabitha’s arm. “Will you excuse us a minute?”
“Of course.”
Lucas kissed Bella’s head and joined their fathers across the room. They were huddled by a bank of televisions that were tuned in to different networks covering the election. Bella pulled Donna over to the buffet table. “Where’s Lincoln?”
Donna shrugged. “I don’t know. The last time I talked to him, he was on his way.”
“What do you have?”
Donna sighed. “Girl.”
