Meg’s plan for the future was foggy at best. She weighed the risk of postponing her departure for an hour against the benefit of hearing what Sunny had to say. Sunny might be a pain in the ass, but she was also a smart businesswoman. Meg set aside her reluctance to enter an enclosed space with another Skipjack and got in the car.

“Did you hear there was an article in the Wall Street Journal, of all places, about Ted’s contest?” Sunny said as she pulled out into the street. “Part of a series on creative approaches to charitable fund-raising.”

“No, I hadn’t heard that.”

She drove with one hand on the wheel. “Every time one of those stories comes out, the bidding goes up. All this national attention is getting pricey, but I haven’t splurged on anything for a long time.” Sunny’s cell rang. She slipped it under the sickle of shiny dark hair that swung over her ear. “Hi, Dad.”

Meg stiffened.

“Yes, I read the memo, and I spoke to Wolfburg,” Sunny said. “I’ll call Terry this evening.”

They talked for another few minutes about lawyers and the land deal. Meg’s thoughts drifted back to Ted, only to be brought up short as Sunny said, “I’ll have to check on that later. Meg and I are hanging out right now.” She looked over at Meg and rolled her eyes. “No, you’re not invited to join us. Talk to you later.” She listened for a moment, frowned, then disconnected. “He sounded pissed. What’s up with you two?”

Meg welcomed the flood of anger. “Your father isn’t good at taking no for an answer.”

“That’s why he’s successful. He’s smart and focused. I don’t understand why you’re giving him such a hard time. Or maybe I do.”

Meg didn’t want to have this conversation, and she regretted getting in the car. “You wanted to talk about my jewelry,” she said as they turned out onto the highway.

“You’re underselling. Your pieces are distinctive, and they have snob appeal. You need to reposition yourself for the high-end market. Go to New York. Use your contacts to meet the right buyers. And stop wasting your merchandise on the locals. You can’t build a serious design reputation in East Jesus, Texas.”

“Good advice,” Meg replied as they passed the Roustabout. “I thought we were going for a drink.”

“Short detour to the landfill.”

“I’ve already seen it, and I really don’t want to go back.”

“I need to take some pictures. We won’t stay long. Besides, we can talk in private there.”

“I’m not sure we need a private conversation.”

“Sure we do.” Sunny turned into the lane that led to the landfill. It had received a fresh coat of gravel since Meg was last here, the time she and Ted had made love against the side of the truck. Another wave of pain punched her in the chest.

Sunny pulled up next to the rusted sign, grabbed a camera from her purse, and got out, every gesture, every movement, purposeful. Meg had never met anyone so self-confident.

She wasn’t going to cower in the car, and she stepped out, too. Sunny put the camera to her eye and focused on the landfill. “This is the future of Wynette.” The shutter clicked. “At first, I was opposed to building here, but after I got to know the town and the people better, I changed my mind.”

After you got to know Ted Beaudine, Meg thought.

She took more shots, shifting her angle. “It’s really a unique place. The bedrock of America and all that. Generally, Dad’s not crazy about small towns, but everybody’s been so great to him here, and he loves being able to play with guys like Dallie and Ted and Kenny.” She lowered the camera. “As for me . . . It’s no secret I’m interested in Ted.”

“You and the rest of the female universe.”

Sunny smiled. “But, unlike the rest, I’m also an engineer. I can meet him as an intellectual equal, and how many other women can say that?”

Not me, Meg thought.

She walked behind the landfill sign and pointed her camera toward the methane pipes. “I understand the technology that interests him.” The shutter clicked. “I appreciate his passion for ecology on both a scientific and a practical level. He has an amazing mind, and not many people can walk in lockstep with that kind of intellect.”

Still another woman who thought she knew what he needed. Meg couldn’t resist. “And Ted returns your feelings?”

“We’re getting there.” She lowered the camera again. “At least I hope so. I’m a realist. Maybe it won’t happen the way I want, but I’m like my father. I don’t back down from a challenge. I believe Ted and I have a future, and I intend to do everything I can to make it happen.” She gazed directly into Meg’s eyes. “Cards on the table. I want you to leave Wynette.”

“Do you now?” She saw no reason to tell Sunny she’d have been on her way if Sunny hadn’t stopped her. “And why is that?”

“It’s not personal. I think you’re good for my father. He’s been depressed lately. Getting older and all that. You’ve taken his mind off it. The problem for me is, you’re holding Ted back. He’d never admit he’s leaning on you, but it’s obvious.”

“You think Ted’s leaning on me?”

“I see it in the way he looks at you, the way he talks about you. I know you and Lucy Jorik were best friends. You’re a reminder of her, and as long as you’re around, it’s going to be very hard for him to move forward.”

So smart, and yet so dumb.

“I’m also a big believer in women watching out for women,” Sunny said. “Being around him so much isn’t good for you. I’ve heard from more people than I can count that you’re over him, but we both know that’s not quite true. Face it, Meg. Ted’s never going to go for you. The two of you have nothing in common.”

Except famous parents, a privileged upbringing, a passion for ecology, and a high tolerance for the absurd, something Sunny would never understand.

“Ted is comfortable with you because you remind him of Lucy,” Sunny went on. “But that’s all it will ever be. Staying here is holding you back, and it’s making my relationship with him more complicated.”

“You certainly are blunt.”

She shrugged. “I believe in being honest.”

But what Sunny called honesty was nothing more than a callous disregard for any feelings or opinions that weren’t her own.

“Subtleties have never worked for me,” she said, proudly flying the flag of her self-importance. “If you’re willing to disappear, I’m willing to help you get started with your jewelry business.”

“Blood money?”

“Why not? You aren’t a bad investment. By incorporating genuine relics in your pieces, you’ve stumbled on a nice little niche market that could be very profitable.”

“Except I’m not sure I want to be in the jewelry business.”

Sunny couldn’t comprehend anyone turning her back on a viable business, and she barely concealed a sneer. “What else are you going to do?”

She was about to tell Sunny she’d handle her future her own way when she heard tires spinning on gravel. They both turned as an unfamiliar car braked to a stop behind them. The sun was in her eyes, so she couldn’t see who was driving, but the interruption didn’t surprise her. The good citizens of Wynette wouldn’t leave her alone with a Skipjack for long.

But as the car door opened, her stomach sank. The person getting out of the dark sedan was Spence. She turned to Sunny. “Take me back to town.”

But Sunny’s eyes were on her father as he approached them, his Panama hat shadowing the upper half of his face. “Dad, what are you doing here?”

“You told me you were taking pictures today.”

Meg had no reserves left to deal with this. “I want to go back to town now.”

“Leave us alone,” Spence said to his daughter. “I have a few things I need to say to Meg in private.”

“No! Don’t leave.”

Meg’s alarm confused Sunny, whose welcoming smile for her father faded. “What’s going on?”

Spence angled his head toward his daughter’s car. “I’ll meet you back in town. Go on.”

“Stay where you are, Sunny,” Meg said. “I don’t want to be alone with him.”

Sunny looked at her as if she were maggot-infested. “What’s wrong with you?”

“Meg’s a coward,” he said. “That’s what’s wrong with her.”

Meg wouldn’t be his helpless victim yet again. “Sunny, your father assaulted me yesterday.”

CHAPTER TWENTY

“Assaulted?” Spence gave a rough bark of laughter. “That’s a good one. Show me a mark anywhere on you, and I’ll give you a million dollars.”

Sunny’s customary composure had vanished, and she regarded Meg with revulsion. “How could you say something so vile?”

More cars were bumping down the gravel lane, not just one, but a whole stream, everyone sensing trouble. “Shit,” Spence exclaimed. “A man can’t take a crap in this town without everybody showing up to watch.”

Kayla jumped out from the passenger side of a red Kia being driven by one of the waitresses at the Roustabout. “What are y’all doin’ out here,” she chirped, rushing toward them as if she’d just stumbled on a roadside picnic.

Before anyone could reply, Torie, Dexter, and Kenny disgorged from a silver Range Rover. Torie’s Hawaiian print sarong clashed with her plaid bikini top. She had wet hair and no makeup. Her husband wore a dark blue business suit, and Kenny raised a hand decorated with a Spider-Man Band-Aid. “Afternoon, Spence. Sunny. Nice weather after yesterday. Not that we didn’t need the rain.”

Zoey leaped from a navy blue Camry. “I was on my way to a science curriculum meeting,” she said to no one in particular.

More cars fell in behind hers. The whole town seemed to sense a catastrophe in the making, and they were all determined to prevent it.