Carolina Moon

with sleep.
    “Where’s Wade?”
    “Hmmm? Down with a cocker spaniel or something. What time is it?”
    “It’s after nine.”
    “Go away. I’m sleeping.”
    “I’m coming into town. Tory’s with me. She’s making noises about going into the shop. She doesn’t plan to open today, but I expect she wants to find something to keep her busy. I want you to keep an eye out, then go over and stay with her.”
    “Maybe you didn’t hear me. I’m sleeping.”
    “Get up. We’ll be there within a half hour.”
    “You’re awful damn bossy this morning.”
    “I don’t want either of you alone until Bodeen’s in custody. You stick with her, you hear? I’ll be back around as soon as I can.”
    “What the hell am I supposed to do with her?”
    “You’ll think of something. Get up,” he repeated, then broke the connection. Satisfied, he carried his briefcase downstairs.
    The first thing he noticed was that Tory’s plate was nearly cleared. The second was that she’d been crying.
    “What’s wrong? What did you say to her?”
    “Oh, stop fussing.” Lilah swatted him off like a fly. “She’s had herself a nice weep and she’s the better for it. Isn’t that so, little girl?”
    “Yes. Thanks. I can’t eat any more, Lilah. I really can’t.”
    Lips pursed, Lilah studied the plate, then nodded. “You did all right.” She glanced over at Cade. “Will Miss Margaret or the judge be wanting breakfast?”
    “I don’t think so. My mother’s made arrangements to leave this afternoon.”
    “She going through with it?”
    “Apparently. I don’t want you staying here alone, Lilah. I thought you might like to visit your sister for a couple of days.”
    “I could do that.” She picked up Tory’s plate to carry it to the sink. “I’ll wait and see, if it’s all the same to you Cade.”
    “I’ll check in later.”
    “Best thing, her going. She breaks free of this house, she’ll be the happier for it in the long run.”
    “I hope you’re right. You call your sister,” he said and held out a hand for Tory.
    Tory got to her feet, and after a moment’s hesitation stepped over to press her cheek to Lilah’s. “Thank you.”
    “You’re a good girl. Just remember to hold on to your own.”
    “I’m going to.”
    She waited until they were outside, in the car and driving down the tree-lined lane away from the house. “I don’t want a big wedding.”
    Cade arched his brows. “Okay.”
    “I’d like to do it as quietly as possible and as …”
    “And?”
    He made the turn onto the road. Tory glanced out the window toward the edges of the swamp. “And as soon as possible.”
    “Why?”
    How like him to ask, she thought, and turned to him again. “Because I want to start our life. I want to begin.”
    “We’ll arrange for the license tomorrow. Will that suit you?”
    “Yes.” She laid a hand over his. “That suits me fine.”
    Smiling at him, she saw nothing, felt nothing from the marsh. Or what waited in it.
    Faith strolled across to Southern Comfort when she saw Cade’s car pull up. She put on a big smile and hooked her arm companionably through Cade’s. “There you are. I thought you’d forgotten.”
    “Forgotten?”
    “Remember, honey, you said I could borrow your car today. Here you go.” She dropped her own keys in his hand and fluttered her lashes. “So sweet of you, too. Isn’t he just the best brother, Tory? He knows I have a partiality for his little convertible, and he’s always letting me borrow it.”
    She nipped the keys out of Cade’s fingers, then gave him a big, noisy kiss. “Tory, I’m just bored silly with Wade so busy today. I’m just going to keep you company awhile, all right? I’m thinking of buying Wade one of those fat candlesticks you’ve got in here.”
    Smoothly, she transferred her grip from Cade to Tory. “His place could sure use some fixing up. Well, you’ve seen it yourself, so you know. Looks like I’m going to be spending more time there, and I just can’t abide that primitive male decor of his. Car’s around the back of Wade’s building,” she called out to Cade, as she steered Tory toward the door. “It’s low on gas.”
    With a last glance at Cade’s annoyed face, Tory unlocked the shop. “Was the car a bribe?”
    “No, he didn’t trouble to offer a bribe. He woke me up this morning, so he’s got to pay a price. He wants us looking out for each other.”
    “Where’s your dog?”
    “Oh, she’s having a fine time at