Free Should've Said No by Tracy March

them you’re here.” Lindsey was eager to see them, especially her uncle Oscar, whose family was supposedly the one that lost out on the disputed land deal. Not that he and Tansy were even aware that Lindsey knew about the conflict. Surely that was the reason for their dinner invitation, and Lindsey couldn’t wait to get it out in the open. Was it possible she’d get the truth if she just came out and asked Oscar about it? No doubt it would be the Karlssons’ version of the truth, just like the Crenshaws would tell her theirs. So how was she going to know who to believe, and what if the proof of what really happened wasn’t found before it was time to open the museum? She gazed out at the herb garden, contemplating questions that were becoming more complicated by the day.

    “Hello, Lindsey,” Tansy said from behind her.
    Lindsey turned to see her great-aunt standing next to Oscar, who was about her height, but as skinny as Tansy was stout. It was as if Jack Sprat and his wife had come to life before her eyes.
    “We’re so happy you could come.” Tansy looked around cautiously, although it appeared the other diners were seated out of earshot. She stepped closer and tugged on the sleeve of Oscar’s chambray shirt, pulling him into the alcove. “It’s been a long time since you’ve seen us, but you remember your great-uncle Oscar,” she said in a hushed voice.
    Lindsey reached out and took his hand, since hugging him would not only have been awkward, but also too familiar, since she’d supposedly never met the man. At least she figured that’s what the other diners were to be led to believe. “Happy to see you again,” she said, matching Tansy’s secretive tone. “Thanks for inviting me.”
    Oscar gave her a firm handshake and a warm smile that brought dimples to his cheeks just above his short, white beard. The top of his head was totally bald, and what was left of his hair was white, too. “Our pleasure.” The familiar expression took on a totally different hue when her great-uncle said it instead of Carden. Lindsey tried to blink away the thought of Carden, but it lingered, along with a twinge of excitement about seeing him after dinner.

    Tansy smoothed her hand down the front of her billowy blue blouse, and gestured toward the place where Hailey had set the menu. “Have a seat.”
    Oscar pulled out the chair for Lindsey, who sat. He did the same for Tansy, then settled at the table himself. No sooner than they were seated a tall, skin-and-bones waitress came to the table wearing tiny black pants and a white oxford shirt that swallowed her, sleeves rolled up. She’d pulled her wavy brown hair into a ponytail and wore large, dark-framed glasses that dwarfed her long, narrow face.
    “Shelby,” Tansy said, “This is Lindsey Simms, the young lady who’s spearheading the museum project.”
    Shelby tipped her head. “Nice to meet you. And good luck with the museum.” She puckered her lips, making her cheeks appear even more hollow. “Heck of a job you got there.”
    Tansy and Oscar shared a look.
    “I’m up for the challenge,” Lindsey said brightly. What else could she say? You have no idea would be totally inappropriate, but that’s the first thing that came to mind.
    Shelby’s eyebrows popped above the rims of her glasses. “You think you are, huh?”
    Tansy and Oscar gazed at her with narrowed eyes while Lindsey focused on keeping a pleasant expression on her face.
    “What shall we order?” Oscar asked lightly, as if there was more than one entrée to choose from.
    Lindsey chuckled, thankful he’d intervened. “I hear the fried chicken is amazing.”

    “Then fried chicken it is,” Oscar said, still grinning.
    Shelby managed to take their drink orders without any more questionable remarks. “I’ll have your drinks and appetizers out in a jiffy.”
    Lindsey glanced at the menu that she hadn’t yet opened and looked curiously at Shelby. Fried chicken was the entrée, but were there