Serenity's Deception (Texas Sorority Sisters Book 1) (7 page)

O
o
ps. Sa’wee” The little curious cherub from the landing earlier screeched to a halt in front of BJ, bumping into her legs. The child almost toppled to the floor. Curious, sky-blue eyes, big, round with fright, looked up into BJ’s face.

“Hi. What’s your name?” BJ gave the child a smile, doing her best to put her at ease.

The little towhead glanced away for the length of time it took to look around the hallway then back up at BJ. A tentative smile tipped her lips. “My name’s Jenny. I’m thix and a half.”

BJ hunched down eye level with Jenny. “My, that’s impressive. I would have thought you were at least seven years old.”

Jenny giggled.

“Hi Jenny, I’m BJ Spencer. Nice to make your acquaintance.” She stuck out her hand.

The child’s eyes sparkled. A huge grin appeared, punctuated by dimples on each side. Her mouth displayed two missing front teeth, with a nubbin of white visible in the gap. Her warm, little fingers slipped into BJ’s. “Nith to make your ’quain’anth, ma’am.” She gave one quick shake before her arm dropped to her side.

The loss of the delicate hand and baby soft skin gave BJ a longing she didn’t want to examine.

“Are you on your way to supper?” Five minutes ago BJ and Ms. Blackthorn had parted at the dining room entrance. She knew the little girl would be considered tardy by now.

“Uh-huh.” Jenny glanced around. “I’m late.”

“Oh.” BJ gave her an understanding nod.

For a brief second, worry flittered across Jenny’s face.

“Would you like me to walk you to the dining hall? I’ll let Ms. Blackthorn know you were with me.”

“Uh-huh.” Apparently remembering her manners. “Yeth, ma’am. Are you eating too? We’re havin’ ba’scetti. It’s my favorite.” Jenny slipped her hand into BJ’s and began tugging her down the hall.

“Spaghetti is one of my favorites too.” BJ grinned down at the little pigtailed, bouncing head intent on dragging her toward the great hall. “But I can’t stay tonight.”

“Penny likes mac’n cheese best. Says ba’scetti’s messy. But not me. She’s oldest. I’m youngest. Ms. Blackthorn says Penny and me’s going to different mamas and papas. No one wants two little busy girls. We’re a nu-nuth—We’re a handful, that’s what Maisey says.”

Jenny’s words stopped BJ dead in her tracks.

The little one turned displaying a puzzled brow. “Come on. We gotta hurry.”

BJ didn’t budge even though the little girl tugged harder on her hand. “Jenny, is Penny your sister?” She searched the little face for truth.

“Uh-h—ah, yeth, ma’am.” She nodded. “We’re twins. Ms. Blackthorn tells Maisey to put blue ribbons on my braids. Penny gets green ones. I wanted green, but Maisey says that’s Penny’s color. That’s how she can tell us apart. Penny says she’s taller. I tell her she’s not.”

Jenny continued to chatter and tug BJ down the hall.

BJ was still reeling from the matter-of-fact way Jenny spoke of her plight. She and her twin would more than likely be separated if they were adopted. She didn’t like the thoughts of twin separation. That happened once while she lived in the house, one was left behind while the other was adopted. She’d never forget the sadness and the acting out of the one that was left behind.

In BJ’s judgment, twin separation, or for that matter, sibling separation went far beyond acceptable practice and something that should never be done.

The clinking of flatware filtered out into the hallway drawing BJ’s attention. Something was missing. The chatter of children’s voices. The rules all rushed back.

No talking. Remember your manners. You are excused from the table after you have cleaned your plate and only after the headmistress has dismissed everyone.

All clatter of utensils against plates stopped when Jenny rushed through the door with BJ in tow. Every eye in the room watched the duo. Just as quickly their attention was drawn to Ms. Blackthorn sitting at the center head table on the dais.

The chair dared to screech as the woman stood. Her stern face and piercing eyes spanned the distance of the duet standing in the doorway. The Jenny dropped BJ’s hand, lowered her face and walked quickly to a seat next to her look-alike with the green-ribbon pigtails.

No one spoke. No forks moved toward little mouths. Everyone seemed stuck in a time warp, unable to budge.

BJ stepped further into the dining hall and directed one of her friendliest smiles toward the headmistress then at the children in the room.

“Ms. Blackthorn, I do hope you will pardon me for detaining Ms. Jenny from her supper. But we met quite by accident, and I got carried away talking and completely forgot the time.”

The woman looked as though she would like to refute BJ’s excuse for the child, but instead returned a tight smile, her eyes wandering from BJ to Jenny. “As a rule, a tardy child is denied the opportunity to partake of the meal. But since she was detained by you, I will forgive her the infraction this once.” She gave a stern
no nonsense
gaze to the room at large before turning back to BJ. “Will you be joining us for supper after all, Ms. Spencer?”

“No. No, thank you. I appreciate the offer, but I must be on my way. Thanks for your kindness.”

Ms. Blackthorn gave a slight nod of acknowledgement.                                        

BJ turned to Jenny. “Thank you so much for showing me around, Jenny. I hope to see you the next time I come to Heritage House.”

Jenny’s little face beamed.

The sound of Ms. Blackthorn clearing her throat wiped the smile from the child’s face. BJ wished there was something she could do to bring the sunny disposition back, but knew there was nothing, at least not at the moment.

The impression Jenny left on BJ lasted far longer than she realized it would. After leaving the home, the continued vision of the cherub face made BJ determine to find a home that would adopt both girls. There was something about the child—the spunk, the sparkle, the deep, pretty dimples, even the way she couldn’t pronounce some of her letters—endearing.

With the image came as an unpleasant reminder she’d made the decision to remain childless. To stay single and without children hadn’t come without cost. She’d buried her longings so they wouldn’t rise up to haunt her, but apparently not deep enough.

Until she learned more about her parentage, having a child wasn’t in the realm of possibility. The devastation of her choice was almost unbearable at times, yet not enough to hunt for the heartless woman that could so easily leave the fate of a newborn to a cold, unfeeling orphanage. That woman, BJ would much rather do without.

      BJ angled her way back onto Main Street to get a better look at the town and take her mind off of the unpleasant decisions ahead. She passed the town square with the bronze likeness of Seth Loveless on Lightning.

When she came upon Sadie’s Diner, the place looked inviting. Even though BJ’s backbone felt like it sat next to her belly button, she wasn’t about to stop. She’d had enough for one day. Jason, Robby Greene, Ms. Blackthorn, Heritage House, all of it had about done her in. The city of Brenham held far greater appeal. Bigger town, more choices, and no curious stares.

Before heading out of town, she took another detour, ending on High Street this time. She drove toward First Church. The sight of the white clapboard and hill country stone building with its impressive steeple filled her with warmth and a little hope. First church had always been one of her favorites—beautiful, nostalgic, and where she worshipped when she lived here before. Regardless how many historic churches she came across in her travels, this one stood far out above the rest. Even more so this evening.

The sun, low in the sky, hid behind tall thunderheads. Sunrays shot upward through holes in the clouds, splaying out, illuminating the church in a shower of bright beams. Unlike the town and Heritage, the austere picture spoke to her of love but most of all, hope.

BJ couldn’t resist. She pulled to the side of the road. Not often did all the elements come together for such a spectacular display as showcased this evening. Within minutes, her Nikon focused, and her finger depressed the shutter button, the dealings of the afternoon forgotten.

 The church building, though in a country setting, wasn’t the typical neglected small-town church. Sam Loveless had paid a fortune to have the edifice built. He even set aside funds to ensure its preservation for centuries. Grand on a small scale, the church had a beauty that would forever withstand the test of time, commanding reverence and awe by its mere presence.

BJ could almost hear the deep, full tones resonating through the town and into the countryside. As a child, the bell would start her Sunday morning. Tonight it stood as a reminder of all that had gone before. Her camera captured the beauty while she was imprisoned by fear that something dreadful would happen if she returned to Serenity.

R
o
bby stretched and rolled his shoulders. “What are your thoughts on Billy Jo? Will she move back and stay this time?”

“Can’t say. Should know by next Friday. At least, that’s what she said.”

Jason’s friend wasn’t being casual with his question. Probing was more like it. Robby wasn’t fooling anyone with his laid-back, nonchalance manner. Throwing a look in his friend’s direction, Jason knew the cop in Robby couldn’t sever the investigative part of him especially when it came to his friends. And tonight Jason just happened to be the target in his sights.

After having his fill today, he didn’t want any part of the questioning this evening. Jason wasn’t ready to think about Billy Jo, let alone answer questions where she was concerned. She’d been perched in the back of his mind, ready to torment him at a moment’s notice. All he wanted to do … enjoy Melanie’s good home cooking and conversation without the dagger piercing his heart.

Jason pointed at the basket on the other side of the table. “Mind passing the rolls? By the way, this meal is excellent, Melanie.”

Melanie beamed at the compliment, but by the devilment in Robby’s eyes, Jason knew his friend wouldn’t let the questioning slide.

“Do you put any stock in what she says?” Robby’s dark brown eyes never drifted from Jason’s face.

“Gonna have to, especially if she decides to move back.”

Curiosity sparkled in Melanie’s face as she handed him the basket of bread. He saw her eagerness to jump into the fray.

 “Has she changed much?” Melanie propped her elbows on the table, resting her chin on the tops of her intertwined fingers. The blunt angles of her brown hair shifted forward framing her round face.

Unlike Robby, Jason knew Melanie wasn’t probing, just nosy like most women about their own kind. He liked Melanie. She was pleasant enough looking, as steady as the Brazos River, and worshipped Robby. She’d do anything to please him, even if it meant waiting three long years for him to pop the question—which he hadn’t yet.

“Who?” His expression bland, he sliced his roll in half before slathering butter over the soft texture. He hoped she’d get the hint, but knew better.

“Oh, give me a break. You know who. Billy Jo.” Melanie’s frustration evident.

He didn’t know why Robby didn’t go ahead and marry the gal and make an honest woman out of her.

Has she changed much?
Everything about Billy Jo had changed yet stayed the same. Prettier, in a grownup, womanly sort of a way, and just as appealing as ever. Jason shrugged, tilting his head. “Not much.”

“Come on, Jason. What’s she like? Skinny, fat, wrinkled, ugly?
Give
.”

Melanie wasn’t going to let him off the hook. Like all women, she wouldn’t quit till he gave her something to chew on. “No. She’s none of those.”

A low rumble of laughter came from Robby, apparently enjoying Jason’s discomfort.

Jason shot him a—y
ou better be careful. Friend or no friend, you’re asking for it
—look that didn’t affect Robby in the least, just made him chuckle more.

“She looks pretty much the same. Just older.” Angry, amber eyes flashed across his mind. Pink smiling lips. A cute, turned up slightly, button nose. And a waist, without a doubt, that could be encircled by his two hands. Today had proven Billy Jo had the same maddening effect, the same tug-and-pull on him, the same unforgettable appeal as when they were teens.

 “Married? Children? Come on.” Melanie gave him a look of disgust. “Shed a little light here.”

“Not married.” He paused.
He sure hoped not.
“At least I don’t think so.” He lowered his face toward his dinner plate, shielding his thoughts from two sets of prying eyes.

“You didn’t ask?” Her tone incredulous. “You’re not going to make this easy on me, are you?

“No. But if it means anything, she still goes by Spencer, except she calls herself BJ now. And I wasn’t interested.” The lie stuck in his throat.

She looked over at Robby, shaking her head. “You men are all alike.” She gave out a loud, exasperated sigh, her fork stabbing a green bean. “Does she still wear her hair long? Is it blonde? What does she do for a living? Give. Please. I’m curious about the prom queen that jilted the prom king slash quarterback of Serenity High.”

Melanie wasn’t being cruel. But the words hurt just the same. She just wanted more than he was able or wanted to give. What could he say about BJ?
Tonight she’ll haunt me in my dreams. When she’s near I can’t think logically. The scent of her drives me wild?
If she comes back I’ll go out of my mind.
Sure that would really get talk started.

Neither she nor Robby would ever comprehend how Billy Jo’s leaving had torn him up inside. She’d ripped his heart right out of his chest and left him to die, or at least that’s how it felt. And today, all those old feelings and memories were dredged up, dumped on his lap, left for him to clean up and bury again. And the worst part? The images continued like instant replay, over and over and over again until he thought he’d go out of his mind.

And though unaware of what they were doing by asking questions, his friends were adding to his misery.

Deciding to put an end to this conversation, Jason sat his fork on the edge of his plate, wiped his mouth with his napkin, before resting his forearms on the edge of the table looking pointedly at Melanie. “Her hair is long. Blonde. She has two arms, two legs, two amber-colored eyes. I’d say she’s about five feet two.”

Robby chuckled then coughed.

Jason shot him a murderous look. “Although Robby could tell you for sure.” With a grin pasted in place, he continued, “She has an enticing shape and the littlest waist most women would envy. Anything else you want to know, you’ll have to see for yourself,
if
she decides to move back. I’m not interested.”

Roaring laughter came from Robby. For several seconds, Melanie looked like she might want to jab Jason with her fork or worst yet remove his plate and dump it over his head.

Jason shoveled a fork full of potatoes and gravy into his mouth, quite satisfied he’d put an end to her incessant questions.

“Jason.”

He gave a weary glance at Robby and could see the seriousness in his face.

“Don’t let her get her hooks into you again.”

“Thanks, friend. I appreciate your concern. But I don’t have any plans of letting that happen. If she moves back, I’m steering clear of the woman.”