Read Online Tied With a Bow and No Place to Go (Tizzy/Ridge Trilogy Book 3) by Ann Everett - Free Book Online Page B

lost just this morning.”
    Even though Lounell’s wide brimmed crimson hat cast her face
in shadow, Tizzy saw the pleasure on her face from having undivided attention.
    Utensils and crystal clinked as the ladies lay down their
pens, forks and drinks—everyone but Molly. She stood and pointed at Lounell. “I
suppose you’ll be sending up a prayer of thanks.” Molly’s face went a shade
darker than her hair and her eyes went wild.
    Tizzy set the pitcher on the counter and shot Jinx a look,
then focused on Molly to see what was coming next.
    Lounell straightened and cocked her head. “Oh, Molly, you
haven’t changed a bit. You still like to stir the pot, don’t you?”
    Tizzy moved to stand between the two women with Synola and
Rayann joining her, forming a defensive line as efficient as any high school
football team. “Anybody else need a refill?” Tizzy asked, trying to keep panic
from her voice.
    Jinx palmed Lounell’s elbow and ushered her to a chair.
    “I’m not done with her,” Molly said.
    Jinx smiled at Molly. “You and the mayor should discuss this
after lunch.”
    “Its fine, Jinx. Let her get it off her chest,” Lounell
said, her voice dripping with sweetness. “What is bothering you, Molly? The
fact you had two tries at keeping Jay Roy happy and failed both times? Or, are
you jealous because I’ve made something of myself and you haven’t risen above
grocery store checker?”
    “Head cashier, Lounell. I manage twenty-two employees and
I’m not jealous of you. Dear God, you’re the mayor of a spot-in-the-road.
Unless you haven’t noticed, that makes you a big fish in a teeny-tiny pond. Not
much reason to brag. If it wasn’t for that shyster husband of yours, you
wouldn’t have anything.”
    From the corner of her eye, Tizzy saw Jinx pull out his
phone and text. She hoped he was calling for backup, because she thought they
might need the Cavalry before lunch ended.
    Lounell bristled. “Don’t you say a word about Doyle. He’s
done more for this town than you can even imagine. He funded the park and
bought the scoreboards for the stadium. Also paid for the welcome signs on both
ends of town. . .”
    Molly wagged her head. “Yes, he’s done all that and where
did that money came from? Not from his law practice in this one-horse town.
It’s common knowledge he loans money at high rates of interest and takes your
land if you can’t pay, and he holds the note on Jay Roy’s land. So don’t recite
some holier-than-thou list of his good works.”
    Tizzy jumped into the fray, afraid the event was going
south. “Ladies, please. This isn’t the time or place to argue.”
    Sugarpie and Pattiecake rose from their seats at the same
time. “She’s right,” Pattiecake said. “We’ve planned a nice lunch, so let’s not
spoil it.”
    “Just one more question,” Lounell said. “Are you insinuating
Doyle had something to do with Jay Roy’s death because of a loan?”
    Everyone fixed their attention on Molly waiting for her
answer.
    “That’s exactly what I’m saying.”
    The glass door swung open and Ridge filled the space.
Everyone turned to face him. Eyes flinty, he placed one hand on his gun and
tipped his hat with the other. “Ladies, are we having fun yet?”
     
     

CHAPTER TEN
     
     
    An hour later, Molly sat at a corner table, twirled the
straw in her third Hop, Skip, and Go Naked, and looked miserable.
    Keeping an eye on Molly, Tizzy swiped a wet cloth across the
counter then leaned over and filled Ridge in on everything that had gone on
before he arrived. “Thank heavens Jinx texted you. I was afraid Momma’s and
Sugarpie’s hard work was about to go down the tubes.”
    “Good thing Jinx was here to assess the situation,” Ridge
said.
    Tizzy nodded toward Molly. “How long are you going to make
her wait?”
    “A few more minutes. Let the liquor help clam her.”
    “I can’t help but feel sorry for her.”
    “Why?”
    “Remember your first case and number one