by Jill Sanders
“You don’t.” His eyes moved towards the front door. “They do.” When his eyes moved back to hers, he thought he saw understanding in them.
“I didn’t get your name,” she said, turning back towards him.
“Luke,” he answered quickly, using his nickname. “I didn’t get yours, either.”
“Tessa.” She glanced back towards the front door when a loud baby cry came from inside. “Thank you for stopping by.” She turned to walk inside, but he stopped her.
“I’m sorry about your mother,” he said, again.
She nodded slightly and then disappeared through the front screen door.
As he drove away, he couldn’t get her soft brown eyes out of his mind. For the first time since moving to Fairplay, he thought he’d finally met someone who could understand the pain he’d gone through. Maybe it hadn’t been such a bad choice to move to the middle of nowhere after all.
Chapter Two
When Tessa stepped back into the house, she felt a wave of exhaustion roll over her. She supposed it was the hunger that she’d avoided, but still, she doubted her stomach could handle anything more than the corn bread and the slice of blueberry pie she’d saved for herself later.
“There you are.” Haley West walked over and took her arm. “We were looking all over for you.”
She was pulled into her mother’s sewing room, which was crammed with women all holding sleeping babies. Her mother had a large, soft sofa across the back wall that she’d often taken naps on while working on her latest quilt.
“We wanted to ask you something,” Haley said, shutting the door softly behind her.
“This isn’t an intervention, is it?” she joked but they just stared blankly at her and looked worried. “Listen, I’m thankful—”
“Oh, sit down,” Savannah added quickly. “Give us a chance to spit it out first.” Her friend walked over and took her arm, then pushed her into her mother’s high-back desk chair.
“Okay.” She stretched the word out as she looked around the room.
“We want to know what’s up with you,” Alexis, Haley’s older sister, blurted out. Alex never shied away from anything, but the fact that her face was a little flushed told Tessa that she was uncomfortable.
“Up?” she asked as she leaned back.
“Are you going to stay in town?” Savannah asked.
“I haven’t really decided that yet.”
“Well, how long are you going to stay?” Savannah shifted the sleeping baby in her arms.
“I’m not sure. Why?” Her eyes narrowed as she looked around the room. “You aren’t looking for a babysitter, are you?” She’d spent a lot of her high school days babysitting some of their older kids. She’d loved every minute of it, but didn’t think she could handle it at the moment.
Several of them laughed. “No, of course not. We have each other, and then you’d have to fight the grandparents off.”
“What’s this all about?” She crossed her arms over her chest.
“We miss you,” Savannah added, only to gain a glare from Tessa. “Oh, okay, we were trying to figure out what we could do to convince you to stick around. After all, your father really could use you. And we do miss you,” she repeated.
She looked once more around the room at the group of ladies. Most of them were a good five years older than Tessa, some even more. Every last one was happily married and had kids or one on the way. She glanced down at Holly’s growing belly and felt an emptiness that hadn’t been there before. Then it hit her—her mother wouldn’t be around to enjoy her grandchildren. She’d never get to share those tender moments from daughter to mother. Nor would she be present for her wedding, something they had always dreamed about together.
“Oh, we’ve done it now.” Haley rushed over to her and wrapped her arms around her. “We didn’t mean to make you cry.”
Tessa felt more arms around her. “It’s just…” She didn’t want to tell them that she was jealous. Jealous of their lives, of the path they were all taking.
Why was she flooded with all these emotions? Glancing around, she remembered that the West sisters had lost their mother long before and that their father was gone as well. Shaking off the bad mood, she straightened her shoulders.
She was done being depressed. Done letting her emotions get the better of her. That’s why she’d changed her name, her career, her life. She wasn’t scraggly little Tracy anymore! She was beautiful, strong Tessa with a promising music career ahead of her. When she’d left Houston, she’d had three agents fighting to sign her
“It’s not your fault. I guess I’m just a little more tired than I thought.” She stood up. “I haven’t made up my mind about staying more than a month. After that”—she glanced around— “I’ll let you ladies know.”
“That’s all we could hope for.” Savannah stood back up. “Now, sit back down and tell us all about your music career while Haley gets you a slice of pie and ice cream.”
Tessa sighed as she sat back down. “I don’t know what you want to hear.”
“You can start by telling us why you changed your name.” Savannah walked over and sat on the edge of the sofa as she handed the sleeping Audrey over to her.
Tessa smiled down at the baby in her arms. “Because Tracy is gone.” She kept her eyes down.
“Tessa suits you better,” Savannah said, shocking her.
“I agree. I mean, your full name is Theresa, right?” Holly asked.
“Yes, it was my grandmother’s name.”
“It’s kind of old-fashioned. You could have gone so many different directions. How did you start going by Tracy to begin with?”
She sighed and closed her eyes. Just hearing the name brought back all the hurt and pain.
“I think they started calling me Tracy in grade school, the first time I had to have braces.” The room was silent.
“Kids can be so cruel,” Savannah added, only to have all eyes turn on her. “What?” She sighed. “I should know, I used to be the biggest jerk of them all.” Everyone started laughing as Savannah smiled. “Maybe I should change my name? I mean, I’m no longer the person I used to be.”
“True,” Alex added. “What?” she said when all eyes moved to her. “Oh, don’t get me started. Everyone in this room knows how I used to feel about her, but now”—she smiled over to her friend— “I rather like the new Hanna.”
Savannah groaned, then said. “Okay, no new names for me.” Everyone chuckled.
“So, have you found an agent yet?” Alex asked.
“I have several who want to sign me. I’m just waiting for the last one to give me an offer.”
“Wow, that’s amazing,” Holly added.
“Yes, now Fairplay has a world-class author and a singer,” Haley said as she walked over and set a large plate next to Tessa. She reached down and took Audrey from Tessa’s arms. “Eat.” She nodded to the pie and ice cream. “Before it melts.”
“I’m not really that great of a singer,” she added.
Alex made a noise, causing everyone to look at her. “I heard you sing at your high school graduation. Girl, you can belt it out amazingly.”
“Not like you,” Tessa added. “Everyone within three counties comes to the Rusty Rail to hear you and Grant sing together.” She sighed as did everyone else in the room. The duo was almost legendary.
“I did find a good man.” She smiled back at her. “And he does have a great voice.”
“If I could find someone like Grant to sing with, I think I’d have a better shot at things.” She frowned into her melting ice cream and pie.
“Well, you can’t be doing too bad. You’ve got three agents duking it out for you,” Savannah said.
“What they want more than anything is access to my songs so they can produce them.” She glanced around the room.
“I don’t get it?” Holly added.
“I sent them each a tape, and several songs I’d written. They liked the tape, they loved the songs. They want to
hire me to write songs for some of the top country singers or find an artist to record them.”
“Like who?” Haley asked.
“Well, I’m not sure. One agent talked about Carrie Underwood.” Everyone gasped. “But, I’m not sure if that’s true or not.”
“What about Faith Hill?” Alex added.
For the next couple of minutes, the room was filled with voices as the ladies around her speculated about all the famous singers Tessa could be writing for. She sat back and before she knew it, had finished off the whole plate of pie and ice cream and was feeling a little better.
“I’d love to hear some of your songs,” Alex finally said when the chatter died down. “We can try them out at the Rusty Rail, if you want?”
“I’d like that,” she added. “I have a few songs I’d like to try out with a couple singing.”
“I know it might be too soon… after losing your mother, but how about next week? Thursday?”
Tessa nodded slightly. “We can meet before, so you can go over the lyrics.”
“How about you shoot them to me in an email. Grant and I will work on them beforehand.”
She forced herself to remain calm and not bite her bottom lip, something the old her would have done. Panicked. Instead, she dipped her head in acknowledgement and jotted down Alex’s email address on one of her mother’s sticky notes.
“Are you going to be staying with your dad?” Savannah asked.
“I’d planned on it. Why?” she asked.
“Our renter in the house downtown just moved out last week and the place is sitting empty. You can have it for as long as you want it.”
“I couldn’t…” she started.
“Yes, you can. We’ll rest easier knowing someone is there looking out for the place. Besides, our insurance won’t let the place sit empty for too long. You’d really be helping us out.”
“I…” She looked around and realized that part of the problem with being home was this house. She felt like her old self staying in her small room with the pink flowered wallpaper. “I might take you up on the offer. But I probably should stick around here for a few days.” She glanced towards the door.
“Take your time. I’ll tell Billy we can stop looking for a new renter. If you need anything before then…”
Everyone else in the room chimed in, offering their help. When the group finally joined the rest of the guests out in the main rooms, Tessa felt a little more stable. She even grabbed a plate of cold meat and beans and heated them up.
When she found her father a few minutes later, he was looking exhausted. She pulled Lauren West aside and asked if she could help clear the house so her father could get some rest.
Less than fifteen minutes later, the place was cleaned and emptied.
“You didn’t have to shoo everyone off so quickly,” her father said, still resting in his large recliner.
“I was feeling pretty tired and wanted the quiet,” she fibbed as she sat next to him in her mother’s matching recliner. “How are you doing?” She reached over and took his hand in hers.
“I’m missing your mother.” His voice was soft. “But I’m dealing. How about you?”
“The same.” She leaned her head back in the chair.
“I’m glad you’re home,” he said.
She couldn’t get her voice to work. Part of her was glad she was there for him, but the bigger part of her wished more than anything to be somewhere else. Anywhere else. She didn’t want the memories, the hurt and shame of being back in Fairplay. At least not until she had everything she’d ever wanted in life. After the talk with the other ladies today, she realized there was still an empty spot she needed to fill.
***
Luke finally made it to the grocery store the next day. He’d been thankful for the pie later that night when his stomach had rumbled again. He’d also wished for a gallon of ice cream to go along with it, but he wasn’t going to be too picky.
He wasn’t one of those people who walked into the store with a list or, for that matter, even an agenda. All he had was a growling stomach and a pocket full of cash. Needless to say, he’d filled his cart until it had almost overflowed. Then he’d loaded everything into the back of his truck and headed home, all without a single word muttered.
The dark-haired clerk had chatted the entire time she’d rung him up, but he’d just listened and nodded when she asked him a question. He felt their relationship had grown. The first week after he’d moved to Fairplay, she’d asked him too many questions, and he’d just silently looked back at her. She’d finally understood that he wasn’t a talker, and happily chatted enough for the both of them.
He was just pulling out of the parking lot when he spotted the local vet walking out of his office. He pulled the truck over and rolled down his window.
“Hey, doc,” he called out. The man glanced over and nodded, then walked towards his truck.
“How’s it going? You’re Lucas, right?” Luke had already forgotten the man’s name even though he’d heard it a dozen times in town and felt pretty bad, so he cleared his throat and nodded.
“I can’t complain, but one of my heifers is having a problem chewing. Looks like she’s got something stuck in her mouth.”
“I can swing by and take a look at her after lunch today. If you’ll be around.”
He nodded again. “Thanks.” He started to roll up his window, but the man’s hand on his truck stopped him.
“I didn’t get a chance to talk to you yesterday at the Keys’ place.” Luke waited. “We’ve got a new bull that’s ready to stud, if you’re interested.”
He thought about it. “I heard that McDowell’s stud is one of the best around.”
“True enough, but this year, our blue ribbon calf has come into season. He won two years in a row. You can come out and take a look at him sometime if you want.”
Luke nodded. “Sounds good. I’ll see you after lunch.” As he drove away, he glanced back and remembered the man’s name. Chase Graham. He and his father ran the vet clinic. He also remembered running into his pretty brunette wife a few times in the grocery store. She and her sisters had tried to get him to show up for the Fourth of July event they’d thrown down at the town hall, but he’d been too busy putting up a new fence to stop and have tea with a group of ladies.
When he pulled onto the dirt lane just down from his place, he stopped. There, in the middle of the road, was a small bundle of fur. He was too far away to know what it was or if it was still alive.
He was the only one who traveled up and down the road, so he’d most likely hit it on his way to the store that morning. The guilt ate at him.
Throwing his truck into park, he got out and started walking slowly towards the fur ball. He stopped when he heard a low growl.
“Good to know that I didn’t kill you,” he said softly, walking around until he finally saw the brown eyes looking back at him. The small Boston terrier was so skinny; he could see every rib. Not to mention, the poor thing’s fur was matted down with dark blood.
“Easy…” He approached the dog, only to stop when he heard a low whine. He walked back to his truck and grabbed his work coat from the back seat. Then he walked up behind the dog and swooped in quickly, covering its head and sharp teeth before he could get bit.
The dog whined a lot, but didn’t put up too much of a fight. “Looks like the vet will have a lot more to look at when he gets here.” He bundled the dog up, set it in the seat next to him, and drove towards his barn rather than his house. Putting the groceries away would just have to wait a few minutes until after he got this one settled into one of the empty stalls.
It took a little more time than he’d imagined, since he wanted to make sure the little guy or gal wouldn’t escape, so he’d had to secured the stall as well as put out some fresh water.
His first instinct was to feed the poor creature, but if the dog needed to get a shot, maybe it was better on an empty stomach? He figured either way that the water would have t
o do for now.
After unloading his groceries, he made himself a quick sandwich and then sat on his small front porch to enjoy his food. The ice tea he’d made last night felt good as he looked around his small ranch.
He’d come here a little over seven months ago to start over. More like escape his problems. All the hurt and guilt he’d felt after the accident. He hadn’t guessed that he’d be bringing most of it with him, or that it would boil up from the inside out. Still, he thought as he looked around, it was better to wallow alone than have everyone he knew hound him about opening up about it.
He’d spent the last few months steering clear of anyone who tried to find out more about him.
Where had he come from? Why had he chosen Fairplay? Was he married? What did he do for a living? Did he have family? All questions he’d learned how to avoid.
He planned on becoming a part of the town someday, but for now, he just wanted his space and the quiet that came with it.
After finishing off his sandwich, he walked back out to the barn to check up on the dog. It had drunk a little of the water and curled up to his jacket and was fast asleep. He’d gotten a better look at the thing and realized that the dried blood was from a small cut on his hind leg. There was a tear in its hide about a quarter of an inch thick and deep. It looked like it had gotten caught on a barbed wire fence somewhere.
At least he could stop feeling guilty for hitting it. Still, it would probably need stitches and a new home. He’d been thinking about getting a few dogs. Bigger ones, though. He frowned down at the small dog laying in the hay on his jacket. He needed dogs that could rustle up the cattle and be strong and fast enough to stick with him on a ride. Not one of those damn lap dogs ladies like to hide away in their purses.
Just then he heard a horn honk outside and walked out to see the vet’s truck drive up.
Waving, he pulled his hat down lower over his eyes to shield the sun.
“Howdy,” Chase called out as he reached out his hand. “I don’t think I’ve properly introduced myself. I’m Chase Graham.”
He nodded. “Yeah, I’ve heard your name around town. Lucas James, but I go by Luke.”