She batted her lashes at him. “You were talking about me?”
He cleared his throat uncomfortably and pointed at Malene and me. “You know Malene. But I don’t believe that you’ve met Clementine Cooke. She has a business called Magical Renovations.”
Crystal’s eyes widened. “Oh, you have a renovating business. Me too! That’s why I moved back to Peachwood. I hear your little business is pretty successful.”
I smiled. “It’s done well for itself.”
“Well, I would love to learn some tips, anything that you’ve got to share with me.”
First tip—don’t dress like a ho when you meet potential clients.
“Well,” I said bashfully, “I’m not sure there’s much that I can teach you. It’s sort of one of those hands-on learning experiences.”
Crystal’s lips tightened before tipping into a smile. “Sure. I understand. Well, Willard, I think Mama is ready to go. What about you?”
He nodded. “Sure.” He gave us a half wave. “It was good seeing you. Clem, don’t be a stranger. Malene, I wish you’d becomemoreof a stranger.”
“Willard,” Malene said curtly as way of goodbye.
Crystal smiled at me. “I’m sure that I’ll be seeing you around.”
“I’m sure.”
We headed off to our table. As soon as we sat, Malene stared back at Willard and the women. “You’re in trouble now, Clem.”
“What are you talking about?”
“Crystal. That girl is no good. And she’s started her own renovation business? The only smarts that girl had in her brain got killed years ago from drinking too much beer and smoking too many cigarettes. Her mother is a nice person. But even the nicest of folks can end up having trampy children.”
Bailey Darsey moved with all the grace and elegance of a lady, while her daughter stomped toward the exit in those huge clogs.
Curious, I asked, “How did Crystal wind up so different?”
“Their first mistake was naming that girl Crystal. Everyone knows that’s like naming your kid Bambi. Ain’t nothing good can come from it.”
I shook my head. “Maybe you should cut her a break.”
Malene unrolled her silverware from a green cloth napkin. “Okay, what happened was that the girl’s daddy died when she was young. Bailey, even with all the money they had, still had a heck of a time raising the kid by herself. She tried to keep Crystal on the straight and narrow, but that girl was wild. From the moment she was thirteen, she was smoking and hanging out with a bad crowd.”
“Wow,” I said, startled.
Malene nodded in the direction where they’d been sitting. “You saw how refined Bailey is. Crystal got none of it. In fact, she rebelled against it. The more Bailey tried to get her to wear nice clothing and act like a lady, the more trampy Crystal became.”
“I feel so bad for her mother.”
Malene drummed her fingers on the table. “I figured that Bailey would’ve given up on her daughter, but nope, she’s back, and worst of all, she’s got her sights set on taking your business.”
I folded my arms and leaned onto the hard wooden chair. “I think you’re being a bit dramatic, don’t you?”
A spark appeared in Malene’s eyes. It wasn’t mischief. It wasn’t malice. It was something else—the confidence of being right.
“You just watch,” she said. “Wait and see.” She clapped her hands and rubbed them together. “Now, come on. Let’s get on up to that buffet and get us some grub. I’m dying for a bowl of apple fritters.”
My stomach growled right on cue. As I followed Malene to the buffet, I couldn’t help but wonder if she was right about Crystal. Surely not. Surely that woman wouldn’t try to steal my business.
I scoffed to myself. Even if she did, I had a good reputation. People trusted me. They liked me. No one could just waltz in and ruin me.
Could they?
