Down Home and Deadly

tricks?”
    Amelia continued to address Marge and me. “Dressing frumpy and wearing no makeup. But I’ve seen pictures of her dressed to the nines and beautiful.”
    Tiffany reddened. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Mother.”
    “Of course you do, darling.” Amelia drawled. “I even understand why you do it.”
    “Really?” Tiffany widened her eyes. “Why don’t you explain it then?”
    “You resent the fact that I sent you away to boarding school.” Amelia glanced at Marge. “And that I nag you all the time about your clothes, your weight, everything.” She smiled. “That about sum it up?”
    I could see the emotions flit across Tiffany’s face. Surprise, anger, sadness , and finally resignation. “Yeah, I guess it does.”
    “Someday after you have children, I’ll explain it all to you. Although by that time you may understand.” She looked at Tiffany. “No, you’re stronger than I ever was. You won’t ever get it.”
    Marge looked at her sister and niece then at my face, which I could tell was red. “It’s nice to see you two finally clearing the air, but maybe we should continue this at home?”
    That idea definitely had my vote.
    *****
    Midafternoon, I’d just gotten to the athletic club when Bob walked in, still in his rumpled clothes from the night before. “Jenna? I need to see you in the office.”
    I dropped the stack of towels I was putting away and hurried to the office on his heels.
    “I have something I want to ask you.” He shut the door.
    “Is it Lisa?” I blurted out.
    “Is what Lisa? Where?” Bob cast a confused look around the office as if he expected his jailed daughter to pop up from behind the file cabinet or crawl from under the ratty rug.
    “What did you want to ask me?”
    “Oh. Have a seat.” Uh-oh. This wasn’t sounding too good.
    I sank into a chair in front of the desk.
    He cleared his throat. “I’ve decided to sell you the club. ”

Chapter Nineteen

    Could’ve talked all day and not said that .

    If you want it, I’ll start the paperwork immediately. We agreed on a price three years ago , and I’ll honor that. I know I promised to finance, but I’m in a bind, so you’ll have to find your own financing.”
    My heart pounded. Now that I knew about Lisa’s gambling problem, everything made sense. And I couldn’t take advantage of Bob by buying his business at a time like this
Even though I’d been waiting forever for Bob to
actually
come through with the sale, it bothered me that he was doing it under duress
.
    He continued, “Any bank in town knows the Lake View Athletic Club is a solid business, so you shouldn’t have any trouble getting backing. The books are in order, and I’ll send them to whatever bank or S & L you want me to.”
    I just sat there. I didn’t know what to say. My turn for throat clearing. “I appreciate the offer,” I finally choked out. “But I need to think it over. Can I get back to you on it?”
    “I need a decision by tonight. This is a one - time chance, Jenna. I’ve got other potential buyers , but I promised you first shot, so I’m giving it to you.”
    My eyes widened. He was going to sell the business. And quickly. To me or to someone else. “Can’t I have until Monday?”
    He shook his head. “I have to know by tonight.”
    “In that case, I’ll need the rest of the afternoon off.”
    He nodded. “I understand.”
    I stood, grabbed my purse from the filing cabinet drawer, and walked out to my car. My mind whirled as I drove away.
    When I got to the edge of town, I pulled my cell phone out and punched in Alex’s number. He had gotten home during the shower this afternoon. Straight to voice mail. I left a message and pulled into the Stafford Cabins’ drive like a homing pigeon.
    For a while, I walked the banks of the lake, mindlessly skipping stones until my phone rang.
    “Hi, honey, I got your message.”
    My heart warmed just hearing his voice. I still hadn’t fully realized the fact that I d idn’t have to make big decisions alone anymore. “ Welcome home. I’m sorry, I know you’re tired from your trip, but a re you free for a few minutes?”
    “I’m always free for you. What do you need?”
    “An ear. You got one?”
    “Hey, you’re in luck! I’ve got two. Where are you?”
    I told him , and ten minutes later he was there, pulling me into his arms and kissing me soundly. “Oh wait,” he said as he released me. “It was my ears you wanted. I got