She’ll Stitch You Up Read online

“It’s always handy to have a first-aid kit, and that handsome man on the Weather Network said to always have the proper safety kits for hurricanes and snowstorms.”

  “Snowstorms? It’s Southeast Texas, Ethel. The only thing you need to survive around here is a roll of duct tape and mosquito spray.”

  “Well, one can never tell.” She climbed in behind the wheel, and as she put the key in the ignition, she noticed Velma putting her bag over her feet. Something wasn’t right with that picture. “Velma! What on earth are you wearing?”

  “No one is going to notice my feet, Ethel.” She really didn’t see what difference it would make.

  But Ethel gave her a hard glare. “I just did. You can’t wear your orthopedics to the dinner party. And are those knee-highs?”

  Velma frowned. “How could you tell?” She glanced down but couldn’t see anything wrong.

  “Because they are rolled down.” She let out a huff and took the keys from the ignition. “Go back in and change!”

  “My Sunday shoes hurt my feet,” Velma grumbled. “I’m an old lady. No one expects much from me, much less fashion sense.”

  “Your Sunday shoes wouldn’t hurt if you actually wore them on Sundays. Now get in there and change them. You look ridiculous.”

  “I’d rather look ridiculous. Besides, if you don’t want me to wear these, we can always stay home.” She lifted her brow and gave Ethel a challenging look. Nothing would make her night like missing out on the dinner party.

  Ethel gave her sister a dirty look. “Oh no, you don’t. If this is your last-ditch effort to keep me home, you can give it up. We’re going to this party, and you’re going to be polite and have a good time, like it or not. And if you want to look like a schoolmarm in the process, so be it. More men for me.”

  “Oh, please! Just what do you hope to gain by dolling yourself up like a tart?”

  “Who knows? By the end of the night, I might just be the new young thing on Everett Gaines’s arm.”

  “Please, Ethel, you’re about five decades too late for that.”

  Ethel turned her nose up and started the car. She wasn’t going to let Velma ruin her good time, ugly shoes or not.

  A few minutes down the road, Ethel nearly missed her turn. She slammed the brakes and threw the old Buick in reverse, giving Velma a start. “As many times as you’ve wanted to drive past this place, you’d think you’d know where the road is.” The house sat back from the road and was only partly visible.

  “I’ve never been brave enough to go down the road. I didn’t want to look silly having to turn around.” She put the car in drive and turned down the street, feeling the restlessness of butterflies in her stomach.

  The cloudy sky loomed overhead, and the wind picked up, blowing pine straw and leaves on the windshield. “I do hope it doesn’t rain,” said Ethel. “It’s bad enough the wind is going to wreck my hair.”

  “Yeah, let’s blame it on the wind. At least then, you’ll have an excuse for that bouffant.”

  “It’s not a bouffant.” Ethel scowled. Her attention went to a bridge up ahead. “Oh my, look at that old wooden bridge.” The frame of the bridge was wooden, with large stone columns giving it support. “Have you ever seen such a gorgeous thing?”

  Velma had to admit, the bridge to Gaines Manor was quite breathtaking, but what enchanted her more was the large white oak that stood next to it. The oak’s long branches stretched out over the top and reflected in the creek that ran just beside their property.

  “And doesn’t the house look just like the picture?” Ethel asked as the car came to a stop.

  Velma turned to look, and Ethel had her purse in her lap, pulling out the old magazine she’d had for years. She held up the photo of the house as if to compare. “It looks so much nicer in person.”

  “Dammit, Ethel. Why did you bring that stupid magazine?”

  “It’s not stupid. I was thinking ahead. I might be so lucky to have Everett Gaines autograph it, and then it might be worth something one day.”

  Velma let out a grumble.

  The wind picked up, blowing the oak leaves across the car as they drove slowly over the bridge. Ethel gripped the wheel tightly to keep the large car in line. Once over, she let out a breath of relief and drove up to the house. Everett Gaines was outside with two other people, one being his girlfriend, Alice.

  He was dressed in a suit coat with his big belt buckle and tie, along with a cowboy hat, and Alice wore a sparkly, low-cut pantsuit and heels.

  The other man was around the same age as Everett. Although he was dressed well, he had a much more weathered appearance, and he looked like he’d rather be anywhere else. As they stopped the car, Alice and Everett went inside, and the grumpy man came down the steps, a frown plastered on his face. He waved his hands, and Ethel looked around for a place to park the car.

  “Oh, he’s waving me back,” she said, putting the car in reverse. “I guess I shouldn’t block the drive.” She backed up and then pulled to the side, her front left tire finding its way on the lawn.

  The old man threw both of his hands up. “Stop!” he yelled through the window. “Stop the car!”

  “He wants you to stop and get off of the fancy lawn, Ethel.” Velma thought the man was going to bust a vein in his forehead, his face turned so red.

  “Oh, my.” She slammed on the brakes, and the heavy car took a slide forward before coming to a stop in a deep rut.

  “The yard must have just been watered,” said Velma. “It’s as slick as a buttered ice cube.”

  The man ran over to the car, cursing the whole way. “May I help you?” he asked as Ethel rolled down the window.

  “We’re here for the dinner party,” said Ethel in a timid voice. “I didn’t know where on earth to park.”

  The man looked down at the car like he wanted to suggest the nearest garbage dump, but instead, he forced a smile for the two ladies. “Just leave it where it is. I’ll park it for you.”

  “Oh, could you?” asked Ethel. “I didn’t want to block the drive, and I’m afraid I may have gotten on your beautiful lawn, mister, um…”

  The man let loose a sigh. “You can call me Reeves. I’m Mr. Gaines’s hired hand, and it would be my honor to park your car.” His tone indicated anything but pleasure, but Ethel didn’t let it bother her.

  “Please, call me Ethel, and this is my sister, Velma.” She opened her door, and Velma gave a nod and opened hers.

  “This might take me a minute,” said Velma. She turned in her seat and carefully put each foot on the ground. Then she hefted herself up, only to sit back down.

  “Take your time,” said the old man as Ethel got out and made her way around. “You two are a little early. I’m afraid Mr. Gaines wasn’t sure who you were.”

  Velma looked around and realized she and Ethel were the first to arrive. She finally got to her feet with a little help from Ethel.

  “Dang it, Ethel, we’re unfashionably early. They probably went back inside to hide the good liquor.”

  “Hush, I’m sure it’s no problem.” She glanced across the car at Reeves, who stared at the ground.

  As they moved toward the steps, the old man got in the Buick and moved it from the lawn, where Ethel and Velma noticed a nice, fat rut from their front tire.

  “I’m mortified,” said Ethel. “I wonder if they’ll be angry at me?”

  “I’m sure they will understand.” Velma held on to her sister as they climbed the tall steps to the front door. “If not, I’m sure we’ll get the bill.”

  Thankfully, a moment later, the front door opened, and Everett and Alice came back out to greet them.

  “Welcome, ladies,” Alice said. “Please come inside. We’re still setting the table, but I’m sure you’ll be comfortable in the sitting room until the other guests arrive.” She politely offered her hand to each of them, and they walked up the steps, taking their time.

  Everett slapped on a smile like he might run for office. His dentures were stained a dark ye
llow, which explained why he smelled like cigars. “How are you two fine ladies this evening?” He gave a welcoming nod and offered them each a handshake.

  “Fine, apparently,” mumbled Velma, earning a nudge from Ethel.

  “We’re honored to be here,” said Ethel. “You have a lovely home. I have always wanted to see it up close and personal.” She fluffed her hair, giving him a lingering look. “I’m so sorry about the car. I’m afraid it’s a little much to handle at times.” She leaned in closer, smiling.

  Everett took a step back. “Don’t you worry about it. Besides, I love a nice classic.”

  Velma rolled her eyes so hard, she thought they might clack together.

  “Right this way, ladies,” said Alice, opening the front door. “Welcome to Gaines Manor.”

  Chapter 8

  Velma and Ethel were led to the front room and handed drinks, which Alice gave to them with little enthusiasm.

  “We’re in the wrong place,” said Velma, not feeling too welcome. She had a bad feeling about the night, and not just because this wasn’t her type of people or event, but because the mood in the place was way off from what she expected. The front room, which had its potential, had been cluttered with taxidermy, and not just one or two bucks, but everything from jackalopes to rattlesnakes and squirrels.

  “It looks like two worlds have collided, and these are the casualties,” she said.

  Ethel opened her purse. “It’s not at all what I expected and nothing like the magazine.” She pulled out the issue which was still opened to the page. “See.”

  Velma glanced over at Alice, who poured herself a drink and then topped off another glass that was most likely for Everett. She was about five-two and had golden blonde hair that made her look like a little ray of sunshine. Unfortunately, she’d put on so much perfume, she smelled like a brothel from all the way across the room.

  “It looks like the master of the house added his own flavor to the place when his wife died,” said Velma.

  Ethel settled in a large, velveteen chair, and Velma walked around the room and found herself by the door. She could see that Reeves had made his way back inside, and as he stepped into the entrance where Everett waited, his boss pulled him aside with an angry look on his face.

  “I told you to park them in the back. The rest of the party will think we’re hosting a charity function for the homeless with that brown turd parked near the garage.”

  Velma knew he was unhappy about the Buick, but as she turned around and looked at the menagerie he had stuffed and mounted in his front room, she didn’t think he had much room to judge. Better a brown turd on the lawn than a hundred dusty dead animals inside.

  “What should I do, sir? Drive it down into the river?” Reeves was clearly unimpressed with Everett’s attitude, but he did seem to cower away from him a bit with a loathing expression. Velma got the impression that the two men did not get along, but Reeves valued his job just enough to tolerate Everett’s temper.

  Everett stuck his fat nose in the air. “You’d be doing them a favor. It looks like someone’s living in that damned thing. You’d think women with a little money might have a better mode of transportation.”

  Gaines turned around to see her standing there, and by the look on his face, he had a feeling she’d heard everything. Embarrassed, he turned toward Reeves. “Be at the ready for the next guests. There’s someone coming down the road.” He glanced over at Velma again, this time lowering his voice a little. “And do what you can about the ruts. I don’t want anyone seeing that.”

  “But it’s about to rain, sir. I’ve already got on my best suit.”

  Everett’s voice grew angry. “Don’t be difficult.” The car pulled up out front, and Everett called out to Alice, who was standing in the corner of the room petting the large black bear that looked as harmless as the smaller creatures he had stuffed. “Darling, where are you?”

  Alice took a deep breath, and Velma could swear she saw her wipe a tear from the corner of her eye. “Coming dear,” she said with enthusiasm.

  Ethel popped out of her seat in a hurry. “Come on, Velma. Let’s go see who it is. We wouldn’t want to appear snobbish or unavailable.”

  “Calm your tits, Ethel. They haven’t even gotten out of the car yet.” Velma looked at the drink and gave it a sniff. It reeked of alcohol and wasn’t her idea of appealing, so she looked around for a place to put it.

  “Velma! Don’t use such vulgar language. Be a lady for once in your life.”

  Velma rolled her eyes, and after placing her drink behind a photo of Everett’s dead wife, she followed Ethel to the doorway of the sitting room, where they stood to welcome the other guests. As they waited inside, Everett and Alice opened the door and greeted the next to arrive cheerfully, and Reeves hurried out to park the newly arrived car.

  “Mayor Sheffield,” said Alice as the man leaned in and kissed her hand.

  His eyes turned up to see Ethel and Velma, and his face turned sour. “I see I’m not the only early bird. Ms. Harmon, Mrs. Harmon.” He nodded.

  “Yes, you know Ethel and Velma,” said Everett. “As you remember, Ms. Harmon donated a sizeable amount for the park benches in the town square.”

  “How could I forget?” asked the mayor with a saccharine tone. “I delivered the bill myself.”

  Velma wondered if being early was a strategy he used to talk business. If so, she hoped she’d put a damper on whatever the two men had cooked up. “It’s good to see you again,” she said for lack of a better thing to say.

  Ethel offered her hand. “It’s always an honor to see you, Mayor Sheffield. I do hope that restraining order you have against my sister won’t be a problem.” She put her hand to her collar and gave the mayor a pleading look.

  “Restraining order?” asked Everett. Velma nudged her sister.

  “I think we can let bygones be bygones for the night,” the mayor said, shaking her hand then trading it for Velma’s. He leaned in so only Velma could hear. “But stay away from my office.”

  Velma pushed up the sleeves of her sweater. “Don’t worry, Mayor. I can’t afford the cost of being your friend.”

  The room went quiet. Everett’s eyes widened, and Sheffield’s face turned sour. Alice stepped in between Velma and the mayor. “Come this way, ladies. I’d like to show you the grounds before the rain comes. Everett, maybe you and the Mayor should have a drink while you wait for the others?” Her suggestion was a hit, and the two men hurried into the sitting room.

  Velma would rather be a fly on the wall in there than see the grounds, but Ethel was so excited to see if it was still anything like the magazine, which she kept in her hand for comparisons.

  Alice led them through the house, past the busy kitchen where she stuck her head in to check on the food, and then to a large dining hall. “This is where we’ll be having dinner tonight,” she said. “Everett wanted to hire in a lot of help, but I insisted on doing the decorating myself. I’ve never been to a fancy dinner party before, much less hosted one. I can’t tell you how excited I am. I’ve even hired my friend and chef.”

  “Well, you’ve done a fantastic job,” said Ethel. “Did you hear that, Velma? She hired a real chef.”

  “Yes, Ethel. I heard.” Velma was bored, but she had to admit Alice had done a fabulous job on the décor. The expansive room held one long table, which looked as if it could seat twenty people easily. The elaborate flower arrangements, which included peonies, tea roses, belles of Ireland, and a couple of large magnolia blooms, were cheery and bright. “What lovely arrangements. Did you do those too?”

  “I’d love to take the credit, but I had Ollie’s Orchids and Floral do them. Don’t tell the other guests, but the magnolias are silk. I wanted them to match the ones on the plates, and Ollie said real ones would turn.”

  “You can’t even tell,” said Ethel with a reassuring smile. “Ollie is an old family friend. Her orchids have won awards.”

  Velma rolled her eyes. Old family friend wa
s stretching it a bit, at least where the Harmons were concerned, but it was neither the time or place to recollect such memories.

  “I’d love to see the magnolias out back,” said Velma, knowing it was one of the more interesting places on the grounds and hoping to see the girl’s reaction to the mention of Loretta’s memory garden. It had been the town talk when the woman had died.

  “Oh, yes, that’s my favorite place,” she said, to Velma’s surprise. “I know it might seem a little odd since it’s Loretta’s final resting place, but I feel a certain kinship to the woman.”

  “She was a lovely lady,” said Ethel. “Wait, did you say ‘final resting place’?”

  The woman smiled. “Yes, her ashes were scattered there.”

  Alice led them out of the room and down to a large set of French doors. She reached into her pocket and pulled out a remote control that not only unlocked the door but apparently switched on the lights. “Right this way,” she said, leading them out.

  “Fancy,” said Ethel as they stepped onto a beautiful patio. Velma assumed the entire house was full of such conveniences.

  The magnolias were blowing in the breeze noisily, with their big leaves clacking together.

  “It’s very peaceful out here usually,” said Alice, almost apologetically. She placed her hand on the nearest tree and laid her cheek against it. “Aren’t they lovely? Can’t you feel their energy? Go on. Give it a try.”

  Ethel smiled and walked over to place her hand on the tree, but Velma rolled her eyes and shook her head. “I’m not hugging a tree, Ethel.”

  “It is beautiful, isn’t it?” Ethel was lost in the moment with the bubbly blonde.

  “You’re standing on Loretta’s memorial plaque,” whispered Velma as she leaned in toward her sister.

  Ethel’s eyes widened as she looked down toward her feet and read the little gold plaque. “Oh my.”

  She took a step back, and Velma leaned in close. “Just think Ethel. You’re standing on her ashes. We’re probably breathing her in as we speak.”

  “I’d like to go inside now,” said Ethel, turning a little green as she put her hand over her mouth.