She hadn’t been this angry after the accidental encounter, if it could be called that, at the mall. But Luellen making a sneaky visit to the hospital was planned and deliberate. As far as Mary Beth was concerned, it was the ultimate insult and Luellen didn’t get a gold star for discretion because she’d called in advance to find out if Bobby Joe was alone.

When it came right down to it, the problem was still Bobby Joe. Mary Beth had to admit that she didn’t trust him, even though she was willing to help him. Most likely there was always going to be a Luellen in his life. Her suggestion that they separate had only been a way to wriggle out of the engagement little by little, and dial down the hurt for his mother.

Grady cleared his throat to get her attention. “Them tires look all right to me.”

“Yes. Sorry. I didn’t explain myself. Nothing’s flat yet.” She pointed to Luellen’s retreating form. “But she has a slow leak in both of her front tires.”

Grady scratched his head. “Both? That’s kinda weird. Did she go over a curb or something?”

No, Mary Beth thought. Men. Lined up in a row, flat on their backs, for her to make a stunt jump. One of them was mine.

“I don’t know. If you could take a look when you get a chance, it’s the white Mercedes coupe. She should be back before evening.”

“So I should talk to her before she drives away. Okay.”

“Thanks.”

Luellen would pitch a fit if she happened to catch this guy crawling all over her car. With a little luck, Grady might even scratch the flawless paint.

“If it’s later, no problem. I’d see her coming in the dark,” he said with a leer. “No doubt about that.”

“Grady! Get over here, you jackass!” His fellow guard hollered for him from the parking attendant’s booth.

Mary Beth found a ten and handed it over. “Let me know how it works out.”

“You betcha.” He looked as joyful as if he’d won the lottery. It wouldn’t be a problem to find out exactly when Luellen left the parking lot or to keep tabs on her in the future.

“I have to be somewhere else right now,” he said.

“Sure thing.”

She got into her car as Grady tipped his cap to her and ran off. She just sat there and fumed until the heat made her start the engine and turn on the air-conditioning. It cooled her down in more ways than one. Damn it. She was sorry she’d reacted like she had. She wasn’t going to stick it to Luellen or her tires. She didn’t have anything sharp enough to do the deed.