False Pretenses - Kathy Herman [119]
CHAPTER 40
Two weeks later on a Wednesday morning, Zoe watched Savannah model the new black skirt and white blouse “uniform” for Hebert, Father Sam, and Tex.
“Sure looks classy,” Tex said. “When you said uniform, I envisioned something entirely different. Of course, the young lady modelin’ it would make anything look good.” He winked.
“Thank you very much.” Savannah curtsied. “I do like the idea of not having to spend money on different outfits for work, especially when this one is so cute.”
Zoe felt her cell phone vibrate and looked at the screen. She walked out of the dining room and into the alcove.
“Hello, Mrs. Woodmore.”
“Hello, Zoe. I hope I didn’t call too early. But I wanted to catch you first thing.”
“Not at all. We open at six. I’ve already put in a couple of hours. Pierce and I signed the repayment agreement papers your attorney dropped by and will be sending them back today.”
“Well, hon, it just so happens I have to make a trip down your way and thought if it was all right with you two, I’d stop by Zoe B’s this afternoon and pick them up myself. It’d save y’all the postage.”
“Sure, that’d be fine.” Oh my heavens! She’s coming here! “What time?”
“Around two-thirty? That should give you time to get through the busy lunch hour. Will that work?”
“Yes, perfectly. Do you need directions?”
“No, Julien can use the GPS.” There was a long pause, and the only sound was Adele’s breathing into the receiver. “How are you doing, hon? Ever since you called after your ordeal and asked if I could send the papers instead of your making a trip here, I’ve been wondering how things are. You know I’m praying that the Lord would help you get your marriage back on track.”
“He is. I won’t pretend there are no bumps. But in a strange sort of way, those terrifying encounters with the drug dealers have brought us closer. We both realize how close we came to losing each other.”
“Yes, indeed,” Adele said. “I read the articles you sent me several times. Made me shudder.”
There was a long moment of dead air. Had she lost the connection?
“Mrs. Woodmore, are you still there?”
“I’m here, hon. I just want to say how proud I am that you and Pierce are working things out—and that you told him the truth. I never felt good about going forward with our arrangement until he was fully apprised of the situation.”
“I know.” Zoe sighed. “I wish I could say that I told him before Cowen threatened me and left me no choice. But I did tell him everything.”
“Your life can only get better from here, hon. You did the right thing.”
“I can’t tell you how much I appreciate your attitude,” Zoe said. “You have every right to be furious with me. Instead you’ve showed me nothing but kindness.”
“Well, I’ve been on this earth more years than I’m willing to admit, and I’ve never once seen a grudge bring about positive results. I’ve forgiven you, Zoe. There’s nothing to be gained by dwelling on the past.”
“That’s so gracious of you. I’ll go tell Pierce you’re coming. I know he’d like to meet you.”
“I’d like that too. I’ll see you both around two-thirty.”
Zoe waited until the lunch crowd thinned out and then hurried to prepare a table for Mrs. Woodmore. She unfolded a red and gold fleur-de-lis print tablecloth, shook it, then spread it evenly across the table by the window, smoothing out the wrinkles. She set a vase of fresh flowers in the center.
She saw the kitchen door open, and Pierce came out, still wearing his apron and his chef’s hat.
“You’ll be happy to know that the lemonade bread pudding came out perfect today.”
“Oh, good.” Zoe put her hand to her heart. “Thanks for making it. It’s one of the recipes I created while I worked for Mrs. Woodmore. It was one of her favorites.”
“I know, babe. You’ve reminded me at least a dozen times. Why are you so nervous?”
“I just want everything to be perfect for her visit here.”
“Zoe …” Pierce walked over to her and tilted her chin. “Don’t make this into something it isn’t. Mrs. Woodmore is picking