by Beth Carter
“Does it matter? We may not have newsstands on Fifth Avenue but we do read around here.”
Wincing, Cheri said, “I should have told you sooner. After I broke off my engagement with Sebastian in Manhattan, I wanted to. I don’t know—”
“Get your story straight?”
“No. I told you my full name, remember? I assumed you’d Google it.” She paused. “But I’m glad you didn’t. I wanted to tell you face to face and now—” She shook her head. “Now, the whole world knows.”
Cole scoffed. “My farm chores take priority over Google.”
Swallowing hard, Cheri couldn’t speak. She stared at the paper as if it were a cobra. “Have you read it?” Cheri‘s hands shook as she scanned the article which contained a photo spread including an extravagant, red-carpet party she had catered in New York, the birthday party she furnished for Elton John, and the surprise kiss with Cole at the airport when they were strangers. “Damn paparazzi. She tossed the magazine on the floor and stepped on it. “Why didn’t you say anything?”
“I repeat, ‘Does it matter?’”
Her stomach did backflips. “I hope not.” Cheri reached for Cole’s hand. “I truly hope it doesn’t because it doesn’t matter to me.” Her eyes glistened. “Please tell me it doesn’t matter. I’m just me and you’re you.”
Cole stared straight ahead. “You’re you and I’m me, true. But we’re from two very different worlds.” His jaw tightened. “Is this all a game to you?”
Gasping, she said, “I was afraid to tell you. Afraid I’d scare you off if you knew who I really was.”
Nodding, he said, “Probably would have.”
Her pulse raced. “And now?”
Shrugging, he said, “I’m not sure.” Cole rolled down his window and stared at a pasture filled with round hay bales.
“I should have come clean on one of our dates.”
His eyes met hers. “You think?”
“Cowboy, please don’t let this come between us.” He nodded but his smile didn’t quite reach his eyes. “Seems different now, that’s all.” Rubbing his chiseled jaw, he shifted toward her. “Honesty is at the top of my list in a relationship. Not money. I guess this was a little test. Sorry, to be a jerk and play that game, but you passed with flyin’ colors. A little late but you came clean.”
Cheri knew she didn’t have any right to be upset with him for testing her. Shifting uncomfortably on the bench seat, her mouth went dry. “I didn’t picture you reading gossip magazines.”
Shrugging, Cole said, “Never read one in my life. After puttin’ up hay all day, I walked back to my truck and this was on my dash. I don’t know how it got there but I wasn’t any too happy about it.”
Cheri felt her chest tighten. “I can guess who put it there.”
“Who?”
“Your old girlfriend, of course. Jade hates me. She still has the hots for you.”
Cocking his head, Cole said, “I doubt that. Hate is a pretty strong word.”
“Not in her case. It isn’t strong enough. Remember that pool game last spring and how she stared daggers at me at the hillbilly pool party. Should I go on?”
“Back to the magazine article. I think you might be—what do they call it?—deflectin’.”
Cheri reached for his calloused hand. “I’m sorry I didn’t tell you right away but—”
He held up his fingers. “You had several opportunities, especially when your fiancé surprised us in the woods.”
“My ex-fiancé.”
Holding a fake beer can in the air, Cole said, “Cheers to that.” He flicked the magazine like it was a bug. “Want to tell me anything else?”
Cheri told Cole about her family name, her upbringing as a Van Buren with a personal chef, maid, her catering business, jet-setting parents who were always in Europe, and immense wealth. Leaning back, she studied his poker face. “That about covers it.” Wincing, she said, “This is our last date, isn’t it?”
“Not unless you want it to be, New York.” Staring at his dusty, brown boots, he said, “There’s somethin’ I don’t understand, though. What do you see in a country boy like me?”
Cheri peered directly into his clear, blue eyes. Taking his hand, she said, “You’ve opened my eyes to the simple things in life, Cowboy. The important things. You’re a good person, honest, hardworking, and loyal. That’s hard to find.” A nervous laugh escaped. “I could ask you the same question? What do you see in me?”
“Shh.” He tipped her chin up. “You’re the one I’m interested in. Not your parents.”
“But I’m rich too.”
Scoffing, he said, “And I’m poor. What’s your point?”
Relaxing for the first time all evening, Cheri squeezed his hand. He raised it and kissed the back of her palm. “You know they say opposites attract.”
“Whoever they are, they’re extremely smart.” Cheri hesitated. “Are you mad at me?” Her voice wobbled. “I-I was afraid I’d scare you off if you knew I was a wealthy socialite.”
Nodding, Cole said, “I pretty much would have been like a skittish pony.”
Cheri beamed. “I forgot to mention two of your traits.”
“What?”
“You’re handsome and as sexy as hell.” Cheri intertwined her fingers in his. “Want me to continue?”
“Nah, I’m blushin’.” He winked. “That’s enough—for now.”
Cheri laid her head on his shoulder. They sat in silence for several minutes before Cheri exhaled. “I didn’t realize I was holding my breath. Thank you for understanding.”
Rubbing his scruffy jawline, Cole said, “Let’s go for a country drive. That always clears my mind.”
“Will you at least play a different CD?”
~ ~ ~
After Cole drove down several hilly, curvy roads, he hit a pothole and blew a tire. He pulled onto a shoulder as the thump thump echoed in their ears. Cheri hopped out once the truck was parked. “I want to change it.”
“You know how to change flats, New York? I figured you had a limo driver.”
“I do.”
The look on Cole’s face made them both laugh.
She put both hands up. “You told me to be honest. My chauffeur’s name is Gage, and he’s in Manhattan. I don’t need him here. I’m enjoying driving my late Nana’s car.”
“And does your Nana ever have a smooth ride. I guess that Mercedes should have been my first clue.” He grinned. “Anything else I should know?”
“I think that about covers it.” She hesitated and added, “My mom drinks and smokes too much, my dad is mostly absent and a workaholic, and I believe they’re having marital issues. You know, the usual family stuff.”
Cole shook his head. “You’re somethin’.” He rummaged around in a metal tool box and placed a lug wrench on the ground. “Wait here while I get a jack and the spare. Don’t get on the other side of the truck. It’s not safe.”
When Cole returned with a jack, he said, “She’s all yours.”
Cheri stared at the tire. She had never held a wrench in her life, much less changed a tire. There was hardly a need to learn this lesson while being chauffeured around Manhattan. Why she felt the need to prove herself to this cowboy was beyond her, but she was determined.
He went back to the bed of his truck and returned with a smaller tire. Obviously noticing she didn’t know where to begin, Cole said, “Remove the hubcap and start wrenchin’.”
She chewed on her bottom lip while she studied the hubcap, lug nuts, and wrench. Loosening the hubcap with the end of the wrench, Cheri struggled with the lug nuts.
“Turn counterclockwise,” Cole said, as he crossed his arms. An amused smile crossed his face.
Surprising herself, she turned the wrench and the first lu
g nut loosened, then another. She beamed after she had loosened all of them.
“See,” she said. “City slickers aren’t useless.”
Cole pulled her off the ground and jacked up the truck. “You’ve proven yourself, New York. I’ll finish this.”
Wrapping her dirty fingers around his waist, Cole kissed her softly at first and probed more passionately as she melted into him. “What am I going to do with you? I don’t know how to date a socialite.”
Cheri nibbled on his stubbly chin. “Be yourself. Be Cole. That’s who I fell for.”
“Is that right? You fell for Cole Cash?”
“Sure did and I like him just the way he is.”
A wide grin spread across Cole’s face. “You’re payin’ for dinner from now on.”
Cheri roared. “That’s fair.”
“I’m jokin’.” Cole opened her door. “We’d better get goin’ or the sheriff will arrest us for loiterin’.”
Chapter 20
Feeling as though she were walking on a cloud, Hope determined nothing, absolutely nothing, could ruin her post-date weekend.
“Good morning.” Willow poked her head in the doorway. “How was your weekend? I hope you found something to do.”
Hope bit her lip to keep from laughing. If only her colleague knew that she had not one but two dates. “It was nice. How was the camping trip?”
“Fabulous. Too bad you couldn’t join us. Those s’mores were to die for.” Willow’s bangle bracelets clanged together as she waved goodbye. “Better get to class before the bell rings. Toodles.”
“Bye.” Hope shuffled student files and turned the computer on. The same deliveryman appeared in her doorway holding two red roses.
“What’s this?”
“You’re no detective, are you?” The man shrugged. “These are what you call flowers.” He thrust a clipboard toward her. “Sign here, please.”
“Gladly.” Hope signed the paper and took the bud vase. She smelled the fragrant flowers and removed the card. Thanks for the great weekend. Since we’ve had two dates, you get two roses. That means, the more dates we have, the more flowers you’ll receive. Hopefully, that’s incentive to keep going out with me.” Tucker xoxo
“I don’t need an incentive,” she said to the empty room.
She snapped out of her idyllic fog when someone pounded on her door.
“Miss Truman. Miss Truman. Come quick,” Britney said.
“What’s wrong?” Hope asked, as she ran toward her.
“Someone’s hurt. Second floor.” Britney ran ahead. “Follow me.”
Hope did her best to keep up and bounded the stairs two at a time, flabby thighs be damned. When she got to the landing, she saw a circle of students surrounding someone. She bent down to take the student’s pulse and shouted, “Get the nurse. Hurry.”
Splayed on the floor, the student’s flaming red hair spread out like spilled ketchup.
Britney gasped. “That’s Carmen, the mean girl. She hates me.”
“She has a strong pulse. Did anyone see what happened?” Hope asked, as she spotted the nurse and frantically waved her over.
The school nurse ran to Hope’s side and checked the student’s pulse, even though Hope already had. “Can you hear me?”
The girl barely nodded. “I think I hit my head.”
“What’s your name?”
“Uh. It’s . . . um . . . I’m not sure.”
Britney bent down to the student who had apparently tortured her in the past.
“Carmen. Your name is Carmen.”
“It is?”
“Yes.” Britney patted her arm. “You’re gonna be fine, Carmen.”
Hope was proud of Britney. Tears filled her eyes. How she loved this girl.
The nurse retrieved a cell from her pocket and dialed nine-one-one. Hope shushed the other students as the nurse reported a student needed medical treatment.
The dispatcher said, “We’re on our way.”
“Thank you.” The nurse held Carmen’s hand. “They’ll be here soon.
Hope put her hands on Britney’s shoulders. “I need your help.”
“Anything, Miss Truman.”
“I want you to stay inside and keep Carmen calm. I’ll alert Dr. Holmes. Be right back.”
“Okay.” Britney stood a little taller. She walked toward Carmen who was now sitting propped up against the wall. Britney squatted down and put her arm around her former enemy’s shoulders. “The ambulance will be here soon.”
Once Carmen was loaded onto a gurney by paramedics, Willow chuckled. “I’m glad you found Dr. Holmes and brought her up here.”
“Well, she is the principal.”
“I know but she had been overseeing my art class for an impromptu audit. I can only imagine her reaction if she sees my nude drawing of Mac in my desk drawer, not that she’d snoop, but you know.” Willow cupped her hand over her mouth.
Hope nodded while simultaneously suppressing unwanted images of her hippie dad. “Um, okay. Excuse me, while I try to find a phone number for Carmen’s parents.”
~ ~ ~
Hope decided to go to the Crystal City Hospital, meet with Carmen’s parents, and check on her student. Inside the emergency room, she spotted Carmen’s bright red hair splayed against the white sheet. She turned to Dr. Holmes, “There she is.”
After bloodwork, hospital personnel determined Carmen had hypoglycemia, fed her cashews, orange juice, and provided dietary instructions. The nurse said to Carmen’s parents, “Her blood sugar was only 45. No wonder she passed out.”
Both of Carmen’s parents were on either side of her bed, holding her hands. Hope could only imagine their worst fears. Thankful a dietary adjustment should take care of Carmen’s medical issue, Hope made a mental note to keep nuts in her desk drawer and to stock the faculty fridge with small containers of orange juice.
Alert and bright eyed after fifteen minutes, Carmen said she felt like going back to school. Her mother insisted she go home and Dr. Holmes agreed. “We’ll have someone bring your homework to you.”
When they got back to Hilltop, Hope had a note sent to Britney’s class: Carmen’s fine. Here’s a list of her classes. Will you gather her homework and books at the end of the day? I’ll take them to her. Miss Truman
~ ~ ~
Later that day, Britney lumbered into Hope’s office with a stack of textbooks. Her own backpack thumped on her back. “These are heavy. Carmen sure takes a lot of classes.” She set them on the edge of Hope’s desk. “I hope she’ll be okay.”
“I’m sure she’s fine,” Hope said. “I think I’ll leave school early to check on her. Thanks for getting her homework, Brit. I can always count on you.”
Britney stared at her shoes. “Carmen doesn’t like me”—she glanced up—“but maybe she will now. I put a little note inside her algebra book and drew a funny face to cheer her up.”
Hope reached for the books. “She’ll love that and I’m sure she likes you. Everyone does.” She checked Carmen’s address and made sure she had ample time to visit a few minutes before Suzy’s baby shower later that afternoon.
Chapter 21
I can’t believe today is Suzy Q’s baby shower. Alex left the bank early to buy a cluster of balloons at a party store. After smooshing the balloon bouquet into the back seat, she drove to Coconuts. In the parking lot, she reached into her car and cursed at the tangled mass of strands.
She endeavored to coax the pink and blue cluster from the back seat of her Mustang but the ribbons got more and more twisted. Once she managed to get each balloon out without popping any, the wind whipped, tangling the long, silver strands into a ridiculous knot. This is why I don’t have a kid. Parties are too damn complicated.
She struggled to open the fro
nt door where she nearly squished half the balloons in the entrance. Gus likely heard her cursing and rushed to help. As he reached for the balloons, he grinned. “I’m guessing someone needs a drink.”
“You guessed right. I’m not sure why I volunteered to be balloon girl—”she huffed—“but Suzy’s worth it.” Alex glanced around the darkened bar. A few regulars sat atop bar stools near the front. Gus had roped off the entire back section for the baby shower. Alex tied the mass of balloons to the back of a chair and attempted to untangle the knots.
“Whew! I made it.” Hope wedged her foot inside the front door of Coconuts as she struggled to hold about fifteen stuffed animals including teddy bears, zoo animals, and storks. After leaving Carmen’s house and speaking to her parents since the student was napping, Hope had rushed home to gather her plush animal contribution for Suzy’s baby shower.
Alex glanced in Hope’s direction as she dropped a miniature giraffe and elephant. “Maybe we should have thought of a theme. That’s quite a menagerie.”
Hope’s face fell. “I thought they were cute.” Alex patted her arm. “They’re perfect. We have an animal theme. It goes well with my cheetah print skirt.”
“Haha. As long as we coordinate with you, Alex, we’re golden.”
Cheri appeared from the kitchen area with a gigantic tray of tiered pink and blue cupcakes.
“Oh, God.” Alex’s eyes widened. “I would offer to help but I’d drop them for sure.”
Hope pushed a table toward Cheri. “Put them down and we’ll scoot the table to the center.” The two women oohed and ahhed as they made the towering cupcakes the center of attention. Hope licked pink icing off her finger.
“Ew,” Alex said.
“It’s just on me,” Hope said. “My saliva isn’t on the cupcakes.”
”It had better not be.” Dusting her hands with satisfaction, Alex said, “Now, we just need the guest of honor.” She glanced at her balloons. “I don’t suppose anyone wants to help me untangle these.”