“Bart paid Heather to leave town after Wyatt’s arrest?”

“Yes. He paid her five thousand dollars. He was shocked she accepted an offer that low. He was prepared to go quite a bit higher.”

“He doesn’t approve of me. Do you think he’d try to pay me off to leave?” I knew the opposite was true—he’d blackmailed me into staying—but I wanted to see how she’d respond.

“Oh, no, dear. I told him if he tried that stunt with you, I’d leave him.” She poured more tea into her cup, then held the pot out to me. “A refill? You haven’t even touched your cake.”

I forced a smile as I set my teacup on the table. “I had a late lunch.”

In reality, my stomach was churning. If Wyatt and Max were attempting to hide the fact that I’d broken up with Wyatt to keep me safe, they’d done a poor job of it. Bart knew.

What were they all up to? Why were there so many secrets?

“Do you think Heather left town?” I asked as she topped off my cup.

“Of course she did. We never saw her again. She told us she was headed to California.”

California? According to Abby, Heather said she was going to Tulsa.

“You were at the meeting with her?” I couldn’t hide my surprise.

“It was my idea,” she said, picking up her cookie and taking a nibble. “I had to protect my son.”

“And you don’t think he needs to be protected from me?”

“Don’t be silly,” she said with a laugh. “Why would he need to be protected from you? Everyone—including Bart—tells me how sweet you are. That’s the kind of woman Wyatt needs. Someone soft enough to round off his rough edges.”

Wow. That sounded like the basis for a great relationship.

“Did you see Bart give her the check?” I asked.

“I filled it out myself and handed it to her,” Emily said, her chin lifted. “On that topic, Bart and I were united. In fact, it drew us back together, reminding us why we’d married in the first place.”

“Love?”

“Don’t be silly,” she scoffed. “Bart was inheriting his father’s fortune. He needed wise counsel, not a nitwit.”

I wondered how well that had worked out given that he’d bullied his sons and her wise counsel had been dismissed again and again.

“I see the look on your face. I know what you’re thinkin’,” she said, sipping her tea with a satisfied smile. “You think I’m powerless.”

I couldn’t hide my shock at her accusation.

“We all have our strengths and our weaknesses. I can still get one up on Bart from time to time.”

It hit me full in the face why I was here. Bart was using me against his wife. He expected me to give her the news that Heather had never left Drum after all. This was yet another game he was playing.

“Emily,” I said, trying not to show how unnerved I was. I was here for information, and I still intended to get it. “Do you know if Heather cashed her check?”

“Well, of course she did. Why wouldn’t she?”

“Just curious,” I said with a tight smile. “She seems like she’s fond of games. Maybe her request for money was a game too, and she just wanted to see if you’d pay.”

“Oh, no. That’s not Heather at all. She’s a conniving gold digger,” she said with a sweet smile. “She was interested in Wyatt for the money. Nothing more. Nothing less. Once we cut her a check, she moved on.”

“But like you said, five thousand dollars doesn’t seem like very much… given all she thought she had to lose.”

“I’ll agree with you there,” she said with a nod. “I have no idea what changed her mind. We were all just grateful she left.”

But something else was going on. Someone else must have promised her more money, because I didn’t believe she’d walk away from what she saw as the Drummond fortune for such a pitiful amount.

“Could I ask you a favor?” I asked. “And it’s going to seem strange, but could you make sure Heather actually did cash the check?”

“That’s silly,” she scoffed.

“I’d love it if you indulged me,” I said, pouring on the charm. “And I’d love to come back for tea.”

As I suspected, her face lit up. “You will?”

“Yes. When you find out about the check, you can leave a message with Max at the tavern and tell him I’m invited for tea, but please don’t let on that we’ve been discussing Wyatt’s ex. I don’t want him or Wyatt to know I’ve been asking questions about her.” I feigned a shudder. “Nothing like a jealous girlfriend to sour a relationship.”

“You have no reason to be jealous,” Emily said, looking pleased. “Heather is ancient history. Don’t worry even a little bit that she was prettier than you.” Her eyes lit up with kindness. “It’s what’s inside that counts.”

I studied her in disbelief. Was she playing me or was she serious? Oddly enough, I was fairly certain it was the latter.

“Well, thank you, I think.”

“Now, now. Don’t be offended. Know your opponents’ strengths and weakness, but also know your own.”

Did she see what she perceived to be inferior looks as a weakness? It was time to end this conversation, even though our talk had left me with even more questions.

“I wholeheartedly agree,” I said with a genuine smile. “But now I have to go. I’m late for work, and we’re always busy now that the construction crews have moved into town.”

“I haven’t been to the tavern in ages,” she said wistfully.

“You should come in sometime,” I said as I got to my feet. “I’m sure Max would be thrilled.”

Happiness lit up her face. “Maybe I will.”

“This has been lovely, Emily. I look forward to chatting again.”

“Yes, I’ll look into the check matter, even if I think it’s silly.”

“Thank you.” I headed for the door, and then impulsively stopped and turned back to face her. “Emily, if I could ask one more thing. When you came to see Max at school after Wyatt’s arrest, what did you tell him that convinced him to come home?”

Her smile wobbled, and although it quickly righted itself, it no longer looked genuine. “I reminded him of his obligations to his family. Of course.”

Her answer shook me, so I gave her a wave and hurried out of the house and to my car, holding my breath until I was off the Drummond property.

Emily had reminded Max of his family obligations, which had sent him on a multiday bender that had ultimately brought him back to Drum.

What were his family obligations? One thing was certain—nothing good.

Chapter Sixteen

Ruth was watching for me when I walked in the back door close to four, and she followed me into the back room.

“Where the hell have you been?” she snapped.

“I had a lot of errands to run,” I said as I shoved my purse into a small locker, then unzipped my duffel bag to retrieve my Max’s Tavern T-shirt. I paused, considering, and asked, “How hot is the dining room today?”