J.R. took her hand as they walked across the dewy grass, letting the light emitting from the kitchen window guide their steps.
At the door of the trailer, Julianna reached inside and flipped on the tiny outside light.
J.R. reached back in and turned it off. "Mama might be watching," he explained.
"Watching what?"
"This." Bending his head low and capturing her mouth with his, this kiss wasn't the tender, delicate kiss of earlier.
Feeling a passion rise all the way from her curled toes, Julianna lost herself in the demands of his mouth. His lips seared her cheek, her neck, her jaw and reclaimed her mouth as she struggled to think. This was not the kiss she remembered from high school. This kiss had grown up.
Pushing him away, Julianna fought to catch her breath. "I'm not ready for that, J.R."
"I'm sorry, Junior. Not sorry for kissing you," he hastily added. "I'm sorry you're not ready."
"I'll see you in the morning."
"Uh, I forgot to ask Mama. What time does she go to church?"
"Church starts at 10:00. Mama likes to be early. Best be ready by 9:00."
Julianna stared at J.R.'s back as he walked briskly back the way they'd come, turning on the porch light as he entered. She stood there for several minutes shaking her head at the events of the day. Before she turned around, she thought she saw the curtains in Mama's room flutter. The old children's poem ran though her mind, "Don't make love by the garden gate; Love is blind but the neighbors ain't." With a sly smile, she closed her door and turned on the outside light.
CHAPTER EIGHT
S hortly before 9:00, J.R. made his way down from the upstairs bathroom toward the kitchen. With the rest of the upstairs cleared of furniture and in the process of being stripped and repainted, the bathroom was the only room still serviceable. Sleeping on the sofa in the living room until at least one of the bedrooms was done didn't allow for the best night's sleep, but under the circumstances, J.R. wasn't sure he would have slept anyway. Those circumstances being, of course, kissing Junior.
Whistling a little tune as he reached for the refrigerator, he heard the back door open. Junior walked in and J.R. sucked in a breath. She was wearing a black, knee-length pencil skirt and a vivid sapphire blue sweater with tall black leather boots. She casually dropped the jacket she was carrying on the back of the kitchen chair and turned right into his path. Resting her hands on her hips, her lips lifted into a smile and J.R.'s toes heated up.
"Good morning," she said, her voice resonating through his chest.
Her hair had been curled and she wore it loose, falling softly past her shoulders. Having only seen her without make-up and with her hair pulled into the eternal ponytail since he had arrived, J.R. wasn't sure she was the same woman. Beautiful. Not that she wasn't beautiful before. But now she was polished and glamorous. The heels on her boots gave her an extra three inches and what they did for her posture, wow.
"G...g...good morning," he said. "You look nice."
"Well, thank you, kind sir," she retorted with a gleam in her eye. "You clean up pretty good yourself."
"I mean, you're beautiful, Junior."
Julianna laughed uncomfortably. "You'd better stop, or it'll go straight to my head," she teased.
He didn't like the way she dismissed his compliment, but he let it pass. Pouring a glass of orange juice, he offered it to her. She smiled her thanks and sat down at the table. J.R. poured himself a glass and sat down with her. She wouldn't meet his eyes, and he wondered if she was going to be shy about their kisses. If that was the way to get her to talk to him about the past, well, sign him up.
Mama entered the kitchen, pulling on her wool coat as she walked. J.R. noticed her step was lighter today, and she moved more confidently.
"You guys ready?" she asked.
"Sure, Mama," J.R. answered immediately.
Julianna got up, downed the last of her orange juice and took her glass to the sink. She still wouldn't look at him, but she smiled at Mama and said, "Let's go."
Keeping a lid on his surprise as Junior accompanied them outside, he wished he could say something that didn't sound awful and judgmental. But why was Junior coming with them? All through high school Junior made no bones about being against any organized religion. He felt certain she only said she believed in God to get people to leave her alone. They had discussed everything in the world except Jesus Christ. Junior never would listen, her obstinacy strong and determined.
J.R. opened the passenger door to the truck. Too late he realized how difficult it would be for Junior to get in wearing that narrow skirt. She looked at Mama and then, finally looked directly at J.R., a question furrowing her brow.
"We could take my car," she offered without much enthusiasm.
Before she could object, J.R. lifted her at her waist and set her on the seat. "Scoot over and make some room for Mama."
Julianna's gasp when he grabbed her blew from her mouth instead of any words. Mama giggled. She actually giggled, and J.R. fought hard to keep from laughing.
"You need a running board for this monster, J.R.," Mama said.
"I planned to, Mama, but I only bought it a short while ago, and I haven't had time. Here, let me help you, too."
Checking to make sure Junior had moved, he lifted Mama the same way. When he was certain she was situated safely, he closed the door and went around to the driver's side.
Sitting next to Junior on the way to church was just another added bonus to the day as far as J.R. was concerned. Breathing in her heavenly scent and brushing against her shoulders sent his pulse racing again. He couldn't tell if she was as affected as he was but hoped so. For the first time, the twenty-minute drive to church didn't seem tedious, giving him more time to rub shoulders with Junior.
Mama chatted the whole way there, talking about how well the project was coming along and updating J.R. about the people at church and what they were up to. Could he help it if he only half-listened? Junior's sweet and spicy perfume made him want to snuggle his nose in her neck. Well, he wanted to do that anyway, but the fragrance coming his way soothed and captivated him.
Walking into the white country church J.R. hadn't seen for ten years brought all kinds of mixed feelings. He hadn't always been the best representative of Jesus Christ when he was in high school and although he straightened himself out while in college, his lapse in his young life still gave him a little heartache. Grateful for the gift of repentance, J.R. looked forward to the worship service.
"When did you start coming to church?" he whispered close to Junior's ear, taking another whiff of her heady perfume.
"Not too long after you left town."
"I thought you were against organized religion."
"When Earl kicked me out, and I had nowhere to go, Mama offered to let me live in the trailer with the stipulation that I drive her to church. Sitting in the car while I waited seemed kind of silly. So, I went with her. I went through some...tough times, and I started listening more to what everyone was saying. Before I knew it, I was baptized."
"Earl kicked you out? Why?"
"Pretty simple. I turned eighteen. He couldn't collect the foster care money any longer."
"He just said, 'here's your hat, what's your hurry?'"
"Close." A cloud covered Junior's eyes, and J.R. got the impression there was more to the story, but obviously, now wasn't the time or place.
Julianna followed Mama into the chapel when J.R. felt a tug on his suit jacket and was overpowered by a floral scent that threatened to knock him to the ground. "Well, I'll be danged if it isn't James Robert Bentley, the prodigal son, returned at last."
J.R. saw Junior's shoulders stiffen in front of him but couldn't very well ignore the pull or the comment. Turning, he cast his eyes on Junior's best girlfriend in high school, Stacy Smith.
The shock of seeing Stacy again assaulted J.R. and it took all his strength to return her smile. "Hello, Stacy. How are you?"
"Well, I'm just bet
ter and better every day, J.R. I heard you were back in town. How come I haven't seen you around?"
"I've only been home a few days, and I'm working on a project with Mama and Junior."
J.R. couldn't miss the evil eye Stacy threw Junior's way.
"Well," she said, turning her attention back to J.R., "I'm thrilled you're home. It's perfect timing."
"Perfect timing for what?" he asked hesitantly.
"Why perfect timing for me, silly. I'm recently a single woman, and I would just love to get together with you and catch up on old times."
Her wink and slinky delivery made J.R. cringe. Junior was right. She really was scouting for hubby number four. A shudder ran through him. He always thought Stacy had ulterior motives for befriending Junior but as long as Junior was happy, he hadn't said anything back then. It was only when she practically attacked him the day after prom that he worried she would hurt Junior. He had never seen a girl get so mad and red in the face as she did when he shut her down. She came on fast and strong, and he hadn't responded with any kindness. He felt bad about the whole situation. But he didn't want to hurt Junior, so he never mentioned it. Then, when Junior sent him packing, what was the point?
"Well, I'm pretty busy with Mama's project. I don't know if I'll have time." As adults they could work past all that stupid stuff that happened in high school, right?
Stacy's finger provocatively crawled up J.R.'s sleeve as she said, "I'm sure your Mama will give you time off for good behavior. How 'bout lunch tomorrow?"
Wow, she moved fast, thought J.R. Every red flag he owned was flying in his face. He couldn't get away fast enough. But he was in church. He couldn't be mean. "Oh, I'm afraid not. Some other time." Now why did he leave that door open?
"Of course. I'll just give you a call, and we'll make a date."
Before J.R. could reply to that, Stacy moved away, hips swaying like a tropical breeze.
J.R. found Mama and Junior sitting close to the front of the chapel. He slid in next to Mama, disappointed not to sit by Junior. He wanted to put his arm across her shoulders to let everyone know they were an item again, but climbing over Mama seemed crazy. It didn't matter what people thought, and he wasn't sure they actually were an item...yet.
The worship service and subsequent Sunday school class gave J.R. a sense of peace. He never tired of the gospel messages these days. Hurrying to catch up with Mama and Junior as they exited the church building, he noticed instantly the cold shoulder from Junior.
"Have a nice visit with Stacy?" The cutting edge of her tongue sliced expertly.
She was jealous? J.R. didn't answer right away, thinking about the repercussions of him meeting up with Stacy. Seeing Junior's reaction gave him ideas, but he wasn't in the mood for games today and after a great lesson on showing kindness to others, he couldn't tease her.
"She's definitely after a new husband," he said, "and it won't be me."
Julianna's expression softened a little, but it contradicted her march to the truck. They really needed to talk. Various scenarios flew through his mind and he discarded them all like old newspapers, until he decided to ask her to go for a walk. Simple. Easy. And he hoped she would open-up to him.
Once back at home, Mama bustled around the kitchen. "Sunday's my day for cooking."
Julianna rolled her eyes. "Every day is your day for cooking. It's a wonder I ever learned to cook."
"You cook?" J.R. couldn't hide his surprise.
"Mama's been teaching me."
"Mama, you've got to let Junior cook. I've never eaten anything she's prepared before."
Sharon stood up from digging in the corner cupboard and looked between J.R. and Julianna. As though a light had turned on, she smiled and put her hands on her hips. "Fine," she said. "You two can prepare dinner while I take a nap."
"A nap?" Julianna snapped. "Since when do you take naps?"
"Since today."
Following Mama's exit, J.R. turned to Junior. "What shall we make?"
"I have no idea. Do you know what she originally had planned?"
"No. Did she thaw any meat?"
She peeked in the refrigerator. "Not that I can tell."
"So...what do you want to fix?"
"I'm pretty good at biscuits. How about your Aunt Edna's famous chicken noodle soup to go with them?"
"Sounds great. Tell me what to do."
Julianna smiled at his comment. He hoped there would be more smiling and since Mama was napping, he would find a way to sneak in a couple of kisses while the soup was cooking.
Junior dumped an onion, a stalk of celery and three carrots in front of him. "Chop-chop."
"What?"
"Chop. Chop." She rolled her eyes again. "Oh, J.R., are you really that dense? Please chop the veggies. I'll get the broth ready."
"Oh." How could he explain that just thinking about kissing her was distracting enough that he hardly remembered where he was, let alone what she would mean by her strange sense of humor. He laughed and grabbed her from behind. Tickling her neck with his mouth, he said, "I get it. Your lips had me sidetracked."
"My lips are on the front of my face, not the side of my neck."
Whipping her around in his arms, he worked on his best smolder. "So they are."
Backing her up against the counter, he felt her arms slide around his neck as she pulled him closer. "Do you like being sidetracked?" she asked.
"It's my favorite."
Before he could show her just how diverting his kisses could be, the phone rang. J.R. hurried to answer it so it wouldn't wake up Mama.
"Hello?" he said into the phone.
"J.R. honey! It's me, Stacy. I said I'd call, and I'm calling."
"Oh, hi Stacy." J.R. watched as Junior's head went back, and she sighed at the ceiling before closing her eyes.
"When can we get together, J.R.? I'm leaving every evening open just for you."
"Evenings are impossible. How about lunch?" J.R. figured one meeting, and he would simply tell Stacy he wasn't available and that would be the end of it.
"Well," Stacy replied coyly, "we could start with lunch and then see where things go from there."
Nowhere, that's where, J.R. said silently to himself. "Tomorrow?" he asked and then winced when he remembered he told her he wasn't available.
"Absolutely!" She practically purred.
"I'll meet you at Connie's Diner at noon."
"I'll be there with bells on, honey. Bye."
J.R. hung up the phone. "No doubt," he muttered.
When he turned around, the kitchen was deserted, the soup was only half finished, and the biscuits were nowhere to be seen. Wrong move, Jimmy boy, he said to himself as he pulled down Mama's cookbook to look up the recipe for Aunt Edna's chicken noodle soup.
CHAPTER NINE
J. R. was scooping up the chopped onions, celery, and carrots and dropping them into the pot of boiling water when Julianna came up from the basement.
"I thought you left," he admitted, showing his surprise.
"Why would I leave Mama's dinner unfinished?"
"I thought you were mad."
"Did you do something I should be mad about?" She narrowed her eyes and thinned her lips, forcing herself to control her anger.
"Not really. I just realized it might have sounded bad."
"Bad? Making a date with Stacy?" Julianna ripped opened the bag of noodles she had brought up from the basement, spilling half the package. She dumped them all into the soup pot.
"It's not really a date."
"Wanna bet? Stacy will have it plastered all over Facebook, Twitter, and after your lunch tomorrow, Instagram, too. I warned you about her, but did you listen? No, sir."
"I listened. I'm going to see her just to tell her I'm not available."
"She won't believe you. Here," she said as she shoved a can of chicken toward him, "open this and put it in the pot."
"She'll have to," he said as he reached for the can and opened the drawer to find the can opener.
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"I'm telling you, that woman is like a badger. Once she gets her claws into you, she won't let go." How could she get through to him Stacy's vulture tendencies? Every time she thought about Stacy, her heart burned.
Once, she and Stacy had been good friends, but when she discovered Stacy only hung out with her to be near J.R., she was crushed. After J.R. left town, Stacy showed her true colors, letting Julianna's calls go unreturned, messages unanswered, and pretending not to be home when she showed up at her house.
The lies and pretense only compounded her agitation and exclusion. In a town where everyone knew your business, how sad was it when everyone also knew you had no one and they didn't even care?
Julianna stirred the soup as J.R. added the remaining ingredients. When he reached behind her and nuzzled her neck as she continued to stir the soup, she dropped the spoon and slid out of reach.
"Uh...uh. You're not allowed to take liberties until Stacy is long gone."
"You're kidding."
"Not kidding. You're moving too fast for me anyway. A week ago, I couldn't stand you. A couple kisses doesn't erase...uh, erase...years of you being gone." Her thoughts jumbled through her mind, trying to reconcile the past with the feelings he resurrected when he kissed her. Nothing he did would change what was done. But she couldn't deny the memory of loving him.
"She'll be gone tomorrow."
"Yeah, good luck with that."
"Who'll be gone tomorrow?" Mama asked as she quietly entered the kitchen. Julianna rolled her eyes and wondered just how much of their conversation she heard. From the glint in her eyes, she probably heard an earful.
"Stacy Smith."
"Where's she going?"
Julianna laughed. "To hell."
"Julianna!"
"Sorry, Mama." Julianna turned back to the stove and gave the soup another stir. "Oh, shoot, I haven't done the biscuits yet."
J.R. started pulling out the flour and shortening. "I'm having lunch with her tomorrow to let her down easy, Mama. She gave me the impression she would like something to happen between us and it just won't."
"If it did, you'd be out on your ear," Sharon muttered.
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