“Bubba Benton.” Elvira muttered something unintelligible under her breath. “I ran into him the other day.”
“Actually, he mentioned meeting you,” Carlita said. “Although the way he described it, it sounded more like you interrogated him.”
Elvira ignored the comment. “What kind of name is Bubba?”
“Sounds like a redneck.” Dernice imitated a Southern drawl. “Based on the size of his tires, the flap-flapping sound they make and the lift on his truck, I’m gonna guess he’s a good ole South Georgia boy.”
“I never could get a straight answer out of him,” Elvira grumbled. “Your new tenant, huh? How many people are moving in?”
“Bubba is the only person who signed the lease,” Mercedes said.
“You sure you know what you’re getting yourself into with this one? I mean, I’m assuming you’ve done background checks, verified references, the important stuff,” Elvira said. “Redneck boys can be loud, rowdy and annoying.”
“I’m honestly surprised by your reaction,” Carlita said.
“Maybe she’s afraid she’ll lose her spot as the most annoying neighbor in Walton Square,” Mercedes joked.
“Very funny. I just…have had a bad experience with persons of his ilk.”
“It was…”
Elvira cut her sister off. “There’s no sense in dredging up the past.”
Carlita, her curiosity piqued, refused to let it go. “What was it? Don’t answer. I’ll take a wild guess. You were hot on the trail of a cheating spouse and almost got filled full of buckshot for sticking your nose in where it didn’t belong.”
Dernice slapped her knee and gave her a thumbs up. “You areso closeto hitting the nail on the head.”
“Hey, it was good money. How was I to know I was stepping into a hornet’s nest? I barely got out of Hooter Hollow with my life.”
“Hooter Hollow?” Mercedes burst out laughing. “Maybe you’re the one who should be more selective about which investigative cases you take on.”
“Believe me, I learned my lesson,” Elvira said. “Regardless, I’ll be keeping close tabs on Mr. Benton.”
“His former landlord did nothing but sing his praises. He’s polite, well-manneredandemployed.” Carlita promised she would let her know as soon as she had the lab results and stepped onto the sidewalk, closing the door behind them. “I think it’s funny Elvira thought Bubba might be your boyfriend.”
“It’s ridiculous,” Mercedes huffed.
“Why is it ridiculous?”
“He’s not my type.”
“What is your type?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know. Tall, dark, rugged, mysterious.”
“Hopefully, not mafia mobster mysterious.”
“No way. Sam was close to what I would describe as my ideal mate.”
“And yet it didn’t work out for you.”
“For a number of reasons. I’m perfectly content being single,” Mercedes insisted.
“You’re young. You have plenty of time to settle down, marry, have children.”
“Or maybe I won’t. Maybe I’ll stay single. Whenever I feel a maternal urge, I can babysit for Tony and Shelby.”
Carlita slipped her arm through her daughter’s. “Whatever makes you happy is most important.”
