My Spy 3: Murder Mayhem

Faux Pas

The next afternoon I am perusing the delicious-looking baked goods at Wade's Bakery when I hear a familiar voice behind me.

"Well, if it isn't my favorite Hollis darlin." I turn in the direction of the sweet voice and open my arms to pull Mrs. Samuels into me. She's a few inches shorter than I am so I have to slightly lean down to hug her. I'm covered in her soft floral scent when I pull away from her and she twirls a loose piece of my hair around her finger as she asks, "How are you dear?" I smile to her and her warmth is contagious.

"I am fabulous. How about yourself?" I ask her and she purses her lips a little, "Well I must say I've been happier. I was devastated to hear that your relationship with Tate was merely a ruse to keep you safe from the Carmichael's." She's still holding onto my hands and I give her a small smile as I reply, "Sadly it was. Not that I'm not fond of your son, it's just that I was actually dating someone else- am dating someone else." She smiles again and leans in towards me, "I know dear and that handsome man I've seen around town is lucky to have you." She cocks her head and I watch as her perfect bob stiffly moves along with it. She turns toward the display case and asks, "Okay Ms. Sawyer, what would you like for the meeting tonight? Cupcakes or cookies?" Her eyes run over the case and I bite my lip wondering if she'll let me off the hook for the meeting tonight. My silence forces her to look at me.

"I actually can't make the meeting tonight. I have to work." I reply with a wince. She waves her hand around as she responds, "Nonsense. I'll call up Bill myself and tell him you need the night off. I may be small but I can be intimidating when I wanna be." I laugh at her suggestion and decide to be honest with her.

"Truth is, I don't think Poppy is comfortable with me being there. I think she wants to make a good impression on Mrs. Hemming and I don't think she wants me there preventing that." Mrs. Samuels rolls her wide hazel eyes and leans into me, "Oh pa-shaw! Bless her heart, but Poppy isn't gonna win over Mrs. Hemming if you're there or not." She notices my confusion and leans further into me, "I know things darlin'. And I know that Poppy Penderghast will never be a Hemming. Bless the girl, but she don't have a chance. Trust me." I decide not to press any further because I know if Mrs. Samuels wanted to tell me the reason, she would have blatantly told me here and now. We've always been close and she's always been honest with me about gossip. Maybe if I get a few cocktails in her she'd be more forthcoming with details. She places her petite hand on my wrist and asks, "Now cupcakes or cookies?"

When I'm back inside my car I pull my phone out and try calling Poppy. It rolls over to voicemail so I leave a message telling her Mrs. Samuels strong-armed me into coming. I hope she isn't mad but I know Mrs. Samuels would have called the winery and I'm not actually on the schedule for tonight.

When I arrive home, I quickly change into a more appropriate outfit. I then dash downstairs and find my momma sitting in her rocking chair in the front room. She catches me pushing my lip-gloss into my purse and snaps, "No Sawyer, you're staying in tonight. I need the car."

"Well I have a Historical Society meeting at the Samuels tonight. Would you like me to skip it because I would love to?" She pulls herself out of the rocking chair and eyes me suspiciously.

"You wouldn't be telling me this just so you can go gallivanting around town with Ryan now?" I roll my eyes at her, "I wouldn't need your car to do that. I'd just have Ryan pick me up." She's still eyeing me, wondering if I am being honest so I snap at her, "Call Betty if you want to. I wouldn't lie about going over to her house seeing you meet her at the club every week." This finally proves to my mama that I'm being honest so she replies, "Fine. I'll drop you off there before I head to the club. I'm having dinner with the D.A.R tonight. I'll come on by Betty's after we finish up. She has been wanting me to see her remodeled kitchen so this will give me the perfect opportunity." She's satisfied with her decision and then grabs the keys off the hook by the front door. Momma insists on wearing dainty driving gloves and she tugs them on as we leave the house. I haven't been in a confined space with her in a while so I'm nervous she is going to bring something up that's going to get me spun up like she normally does.