False Pretenses - Kathy Herman [35]
Zoe’s heart began to pound. Was she crazy to think she could do this? How could she undo all those lies—or even remember them all? How could she tell Adele the truth about why she left? What if Adele had her arrested?
“Oh, hon, you’re all flushed and perspiring. I didn’t mean to upset you. I’ve just wondered about how things turned out, that’s all. Please sit wherever you like. That white chair behind you is luscious.”
Zoe took two steps back and sank into the chair.
“Would you care for a glass of iced raspberry tea and some homemade butter cookies? I know how much you like them.”
“I’d love some,” Zoe said, before she had time to consider whether or not she could keep anything down. “I’m amazed you remember after all these years.”
Adele laughed. “I still have my mind, even if the rest of me’s withering away.” The elderly woman folded her hands in her lap, her faded blue eyes seeming to probe Zoe’s thoughts. “I must say I was shocked when you called. I didn’t expect to see you again. You said there was something real important you needed to discuss with me.”
“There is,” Zoe heard herself say. “I-I’m just not sure where to begin.”
“Well, start at the beginning, hon. Take all the time you need.”
The beginning? Perhaps it was better just to give her the bottom line. If Adele was going to call the authorities, why waste time agonizing over the litany of lies she had told? Her heart nearly pounded out of her chest. How could she have allowed herself to get trapped this way? Was it too late to just get up and run out to her car? It wasn’t as though Adele could find her. She didn’t even know her legal name.
“Shelby, are you feeling all right, sugar? Your face is a peculiar shade of gray. Let me ring for Edward and have him turn the air conditioner down some. It’s awful muggy today, what with the tropical storm carrying on down the bayou and all.”
Zoe felt as if her mouth were stuffed with cotton. No words would come out. She had imagined this moment almost every day for the past ten years. Could she actually do it? Did she want to? What had she gotten herself into?
“Shelby, say something, hon. You really look ill.…”
She was vaguely aware of Adele’s voice and the woman’s hand grasping her wrist. Suddenly she was clammy cold and perspiring. Dizzy. What was happening? All she could see was gray fuzz, and it seemed as if one side of the floor had been raised at an angle, and she was slowly sliding off … falling … falling … into nothingness.
Pierce walked slowly through the kitchen at Zoe B’s, admiring the way Dempsey Tanner had laid out the buffet of sauces, spices, and ingredients he would need to prepare orders during the lunch rush.
“Very efficient.” Pierce patted him on the back. “I’m anxious to see if we get comments on the seafood gumbo.”
“We should. It’s incredible.” Dempsey looked up, his red eyebrows looking shiny under the florescent lights. “Are you ever going to tell me what you added?”
“Are you kidding? Then I’d have to kill you.” Pierce laughed. “It’s going to remain my little secret as I cling to the hope of surpassing Marie Nadeau in the Gumbo Classic.”
“Seriously, boss. This is superb. I realize I’m partial, but I recognize perfection when I taste it.”
“Well, I’ve played around with it for years.” Pierce picked up the big spoon and began moving it slowly back and forth in the gumbo. “Marie is probably trying to improve hers, too. Let’s just hope she hasn’t discovered something that makes hers even better. I really want to win first place—just once. Not that I haven’t enjoyed second place. But I feel like I’ve finally cinched it.”
Dempsey wiped his hands on his apron. “Heard anything from Zoe?”
“No. And I’m concerned about her ability to focus on her driving, especially in this heavy rain. She wanted me to stay here and manage things, but I should’ve insisted on going with her.”
Dempsey shook his head. “Zoe would’ve worried about the eatery. You know how she is.”
“I do. That’s why I agreed to stay. I hesitated to