Free Thirty-One and a Half Regrets by Denise Grover Swank Page B

Rose.”
    “Me too.”

 
     
     
Chapter Seven
     
     
    When we went back inside, Muffy found her bed in the corner of the back room and hunkered down. I wondered if my little dog could see the future too, but it didn’t take a psychic reading to know things were about to get even tenser. I found Violet in a huddle of several people I didn’t recognize, all wearing suits and business attire. Her head swiveled as I emerged from the back room, and she shot me a glare. All the customers had vanished.
    A woman with graying hair straightened and took several steps toward me. “You must be Rose,” she said with a smile.
    “Yes, ma’am.” I extended my hand, glad that Mason was standing behind me. My nerves were about to overtake me.
    She shook with a firm grasp. “I’m Thelma Peterman and I’m with the Arkansas Small Business Association. When J.R. Simmons brought your business to our attention, we were excited to process your grant.”
    My stomach tightened and I felt Mason place a hand on the small of my back for support. I wasn’t sure why I was shocked. I had already guessed that Joe’s father was behind this set-up, but suspecting something and having it confirmed were two different things.
    “We don’t usually spotlight businesses as new as yours, but Mr. Simmons insisted we feature you as part of Joe Simmons’s political campaign, which, of course, will provide great exposure for both of you.”
    “We’re just so honored to be considered,” Violet gushed, clutching her hands in front of her.
    Thelma cleared her throat, speaking loud enough to get everyone’s attention. “Here’s what’s going to happen: Joe’s running behind schedule, so we’ll film some footage of you and Violet puttering around the shop and ask some informal questions while we wait. Then we’ll stand outside when he shows up, and Joe will give a speech about Arkansas’ entrepreneurial spirit. He’ll hand you an envelope, saying that he’s giving you the check, but in reality it will be empty. Instead, we’ll deposit the money directly into your account. Then Joe will take questions from the press and be on his way. If we need more footage of you two, we’ll stick around after he leaves. This should take no more than two hours max.”
    “Okay,” I said, looking out the window at the growing crowd. “Why are there so many people showing up for this? I didn’t know Joe was so popular in Henryetta.”
    “It’s probably because there are going to be news crews from Little Rock here filming the press conference,” Violet said with a snip in her voice. “They want to be on TV. If you’d been in here ten minutes ago, you would know that.”
    “Excuse me, Ms. Peterman.” Mason stepped around me. “You say that the money will deposited into the Gardner Sisters Nursery’s bank account. I’d like to know exactly when that transaction will be processed.”
    Thelma’s bushy eyebrows shot up, and her mouth pursed into the shape of a heart. “And you are…?”
    Mason extended his hand, assuming his official countenance. The one that had intimidated me when we first met on Bruce Wayne Decker’s trial. “Mason Deveraux III. Fenton County Assistant District Attorney.”
    Her eyes widened in alarm. “I assure you that there is nothing to worry about, Mr. Deveraux. We’re a state-run department and all the paperwork has been processed. The money will be deposited by the end of the week.”
    “I was told that there were conditions placed on awarding the grant. One of them was that Rose has to be present for the press conference, is that correct?”
    “Well…yes…”
    “May I ask who placed those conditions?”
    The blood drained from Violet’s face. “Mason, I’m sure you’re getting all worked up over nothing.”
    Thelma had recovered enough to become indignant. “It was a decision of the board, Mr. Deveraux. The business does include the name sisters . We needed both sisters.”
    Mason shifted his weight, lifting