Warmth spreads over my chest. “Miss Delia and I are going to break the curse. I promise.”
I sincerely hope it’s the truth.
We hop off the cart and walk hand in hand up the path to the Big House. Cooper’s muscular hand feels warm and strong against mine. I’ve missed this. After we’ve figured out this curse thing, we’re definitely going to have to spend more time together.
As we make our way up the driveway we pass a string of fancy luxury cars. Some of Missy’s friends have decided to show up for the reception after all. Figures. Why bother with the sad funeral when you can party instead? Then I notice the shiny, vintage Lincoln. A pit forms in my stomach. Claude’s here. What a way to make the day go from bad to worse.
I point to the car. “Why do you think Claude’s here today?”
He shrugs. “Who knows? My dad’s probably mixing business with personal stuff. As usual.”
“I don’t like him.”
“My dad? Who does?”
I chuckle. “No, Claude. There’s something not right about him. And I think it goes beyond his museum investigation.” I’d say more, but I’m not sure Cooper’s ready to hear the full depth of my suspicions. Plus I don’t have any real proof.
“You’re just being protective of Miss Delia. But that’s what I love about you. You’re always thinking of everyone else.” He stops and cups my face in his palms, then plants a kiss on my lips. It’s nothing like that pathetic, robotic kiss he offered earlier at the gravesite. This time his soft lips yield to mine and send waves of tingles over my flesh. I reach my arms around his back and caress his broad muscles.
I suddenly realize we’re in the middle of the walkway that leads to the Big House, in full view of anyone who might look out one of the many front windows. Even though we’re dating, it’s probably not what a bunch of mourners are interested in seeing. I pull away slightly, just enough to break the kiss.
“Listen, we better save this for later. Someone might see us.”
He wipes my bottom lip with his thumb and smiles. “Who cares?” His half-veiled eyes are so gorgeous I can barely stand it.
“I don’t. But what about your dad or his guests?” I catch my breath.
“What about them? You’re my girl, Emmaline. If I want to kiss you in front of the whole state of South Carolina, I will.” He steps close and plants an even deeper, hotter kiss, causing my head to swoon and legs to wobble. His scent, a mix of fresh, piney deodorant and salty sea air envelops me, nearly dragging me under. I reach my arms around his neck and give in as his tongue grazes mine. Turning his head, he trails a line of kisses along my jaw, making his way to the soft spot just behind my ear. My skin sizzles with energy.
But then another strange sensation makes its way up from the nape of my neck, pricking my scalp as it makes its way to the crown. A deep sense of foreboding constricts my chest. Suddenly the pricks intensify until it feels as if a thousand needles are jabbing at my head. My eyes fly open.
Taneea’s standing in the window, staring at us, her arms crossed, and a scowl on her pink lips.
Talk about a buzzkill.
Feeling like I’ve been caught with a forbidden box of chocolates, I gasp, then unlock my hands from around his neck and step back. Which is totally ridiculous because he’s my boyfriend for cripes’ sake. We weren’t doing anything wrong. In fact, people in a relationship are supposed to kiss. Still I can’t shake the creeping sense that I’ve broken some sort of rule.
“What’s wrong?” Cooper gazes into my eyes.
“Nothing. Except Taneea’s watching us like some kind of perv.” I gesture to the window behind him.
“For real?” He turns his head to look at the window.
But Taneea must either be able to read his mind or know what’s coming because she loses the scowl and replaces it with a big, juicy, fake grin and waves like an idiot.
He holds his hand up and returns the gesture. “Can you two be nice?” he asks, under his breath and barely moves his lips. “Just for a little while?”
“Sure, so long as she stays out of my way.” I laugh.
Squeezing my hand, he pulls me toward the front porch steps. We climb them together, our legs in perfect tandem, then push open the double doors.
Once inside, I set all those mushy-gushy feelings aside and start scoping out for Claude. And, while I’m at it, for Taneea, too, if only to avoid whichever room she’s in. She’s not in the front parlor and the foyer is empty. The sounds of chatter and tinkling glass carry from the end of the hall. Everyone must be in the Great Room. Cooper and I follow the sound, our hands entwined, ready to get the last part of this day over with.
Beau’s reclined in the crook of a sofa, doing his best imitation of a grieving husband for the assembled guests who have formed a circle around him. His face is paler than normal and smattered with blotchy red spots. And his eyes are puffy, no doubt from the tears that are streaming down his cheeks. Reaching his plump hands to his eyes, he dabs at the fluid with an already soggy handkerchief. Under the pressure of his heavy fingers, his face sags, his flesh almost drooping and then snaps back when he withdraws his hand. Then he throws his head back and emits a mournful sob, his chest trembling as he sucks in a few breaths of air. But something catches in his throat and he starts to cough. Clutching his side, he rolls forward, spewing phlegm into his handkerchief.
One of Missy’s friends, a redhead in a green sundress and spindly heels, scampers to his aid. “Oh, Beau. I know this is hard on you.” She snatches a handful of tissues from the box on the coffee table and thrusts them at him.
“Thanks, Darla. I just can’t believe my angel is gone.”
Darla wiggles around the table and plants herself next to him on the sofa. “There, there.” She reaches her ringless hand to pat his enormous arm.
Jack sides up to Cooper and me. “What the heck took you so long?” he says through clenched teeth, his lips fixed in a sugary smile. “Do you realize how long you’ve left me alone with Taneea? And Beau? Between the two of them, I was about to lose my mind.”
I lean toward him. “Sorry, but we had a couple things to work out.”
“Everything okay?” he asks me and Cooper.
Cooper smiles and smacks his arm with one of those quasi-guy hugs. “Yeah, bro. Everything’s great.” He glances at his supposedly grieving father. “How long has my dad been like this?”
Jack rolls his eyes. “Since the guests arrived. Just after Taneea and I helped set up the buffet and drinks.” He thumbs his fist toward the bar where my father stands ready to mix cocktails. Taneea’s talking to him, coiling a pink strand around her finger. She points to a few bottles on the bar behind him then giggles, no doubt asking if she can try some. Dad shakes his head. Based on the stone-cold expression on his face, he’s figured out her game. She won’t be getting any samples out of him. Awesome.
I scan the crowd, but aside from the Missy clones and their antique husbands, I only see Beau. “Where’s Claude?” I ask Jack.
He shakes his head. “I haven’t seen him. Why?”
“Because I thought I saw his car outside.”
He shakes his head. “Doubt it. I bet one of these geezers has an old town car or something that looks similar.”
Taneea saunters up to us with a pink drink in her hand. “So I know it’s a funeral and all, but this party’s lame.” She takes a sip from the martini glass.
“What are you drinking?” I ask.
“A cosmo.”
I snort. “With alcohol?” I’d bet my pinkie toe my father didn’t pour her a drop.
She sighs. “The loser bartender doesn’t have the right vodka or Cointreau, so he left them out.” She draws another sip.