One of These Days (Prairie Town Book 4)

by T. E. Ridener

  It was so cold. Her fingers had been hurting for hours. As it got darker, it got colder, and she was getting scared.

  “Hey, Agatha.”

  She wasn’t used to many people knowing her name. Passer-byers only gave her dirty looks or gazes of sympathy.

  They never asked her name.

  The only ones who knew her by name were those who were in the same situation—homeless, hopeless, and hungry.

  “H-hi, Marilyn.”

  “Hi, sweetie.” Her heels echoed against the pavement as she approached her. Stopping only a few feet away, she gave her a friendly smile. “You doing okay, sweetie? It’s awful cold tonight.”

  “I’ll be okay,” she replied stubbornly.

  “You don’t look okay to me. You look very cold.” Snuggling into the warmth of her coat, she frowned. “I’m going out tonight. Would you like to join me and my friends for a few drinks?”

  “You and your f-friends?”

  “Yeah. Just a couple of fellas I met at the bar. They’re really nice guys, Agatha. They would treat us right.”

  Marilyn was one of the first—of many—homeless people she’d met. Though they’d only known each other for a week at most, Marilyn was definitely one of the nicest. Unlike the others occupying the lonely, Gods-forsaken streets of Jerguson, she actually cared about her well-being, and that meant a lot.

  But she also knew what Marilyn did for a living; she was a prostitute.

  “I d-don’t know, Lyn,” she replied cautiously, eyeing the two gentlemen standing on the sidewalk. “I haven’t done anything like that b-before.”

  “I know, sweetie. It’s not exactly the ideal arrangement, but it’ll get us out of the cold for a few hours, and we’ll make some money. You need money, don’t you?”

  Gazing into her friend’s warm brown eyes, she bit her lip and nodded slowly.

  “Then you should come have a drink. It won’t be that bad, Agatha. I won’t let them do anything to you that you don’t want. Okay?”

  “Okay.”

  Her worst mistake had been to actually believe her. Even if Marilyn had wanted to protect her that night, she couldn’t have possibly done so after taking all those drugs. She was so blown out of her mind, she didn’t even know she was in the world.

  She’d abandoned her that night, and that’s how it all began.

  Never had she been in such a big house before. It must have belonged to a very rich person, maybe even a celebrity. Three stories, five bathrooms, seven bedrooms, a huge kitchen, an Olympic sized pool, and a hot tub she wanted to jump in—that’s what greeted her as she got out of the car and followed Marilyn inside.

  “Who lives here?” She asked in a soft voice.

  “I do.” One of the men fished keys from his pocket and turned his head to gaze at her. “Do you like it?”

  “Sure I do. It’s magnificent.” Peering up at the majestic home, she couldn’t help but feel a little excited.

  Maybe he will let me have some food while I’m here, she thought. But what will I have to do to earn it?

  “Come on, sweetie. It’s okay.” Marilyn grabbed her hand and they stepped inside, the warmth embracing them like an old friend.

  “Make yourselves at home, ladies. Can I get you a drink?” The first man, the one who owned the house, asked. “I’ve got everything you could possibly want.”

  “I’ll take some beer,” Marilyn said, removing her coat. “How about you, Aggie?”

  “Um...” She didn’t know much in terms of alcohol. What choices did she have?

  “She looks like a martini girl to me,” the second man said, winking in her direction. “Or maybe she likes pina coladas.”

  The only thing she knew about pina coladas was that there had been a song written about them. The tune played in her mind as she nodded eagerly, if only to have the spotlight turned somewhere else.

  “A pina colada it is.” The first man disappeared and left them alone.

  The memory faded from her mind and she gazed at her reflection once more. Her eyes, usually so vibrant and full of life, were so dull at the moment.

  But that happened when she thought about those days on the streets, the days when she did desperate things just to live another day.

  She could never tell her friends about who she used to be, or what she had done. They would look at her in disgust—maybe they would be just as disgusted as she was about it.

  They can never know.

  The deep, masculine voice that often echoed in her mind returned. It was a voice she heard a lot.

  It was Agnes.

  She closed her eyes and exhaled quietly, feeling an immediate calm wash over her.

  There’s nothing to be afraid of anymore, Aggie. I’m here.

  “I’m here,” she echoed, her voice deepening as much as humanly possible. Her eyes snapped open and she gazed at her reflection again, a small smirk played on her lips. “I’m here.”

  And it was in that moment, that moment when Agnes returned, that she knew everything was going to be okay.

  Agnes would handle Jeb.

  Chapter 6

  Jeb

  Three days had passed by since that fateful day.

  Three whole days.

  He wasn’t even sure what he’d expected, but he definitely didn’t think that Aggie would go into full-blown Agnes mode and blow him off.

  He liked that version of her, too, whether she knew it or not. He’d accepted long ago that Agnes was part of who she was. It wasn’t really any different than accepting Johnny for a girl all those years ago.

  So why was she—or he, rather—suddenly giving him the cold shoulder?

  Things had gotten tense in the Reynolds house and it hadn’t gone unnoticed either. Lydia had already asked him what had happened, but what did she expect him to say?

  He wasn’t the type to kiss and tell, let alone finger-bang and flab.

  If Aggie, or Ags, wanted Lydia to know then that would be that. He wasn’t about to say anything. It wasn’t anybody else’s business anyway. Not even Lydia’s.

  But that definitely didn’t help the inner battle he was fighting at the moment. All he wanted to do was knock on her door and ask if she was okay—or him. However, there was a tiny bit of apprehension keeping him from doing so.

  If Aggie—or Agnes—wanted to talk to him about that day, then he had to wait for him, or her, to approach him first.

  It just seemed like the right thing to do.

  It still didn’t make it any easier though.

  Playing the waiting game sucked.

  While Callum and Lydia enjoyed an afternoon lunch on the back patio, he busied himself with the morning newspaper. Hell, he wasn’t really interested in reading it, but it was better than tormenting himself with waiting for Agnes—or Aggie—to make an appearance.

  “You can join us, you know,” Callum said as he stepped through the sliding door. Gripping an empty glass in each hand, he eyed him. “We’ve got plenty to eat, Jeb. You can’t eat us out of house and home here.”

  “I ain’t hungry,” he mumbled.

  “That’s the biggest lie, I’ve ever heard. You’re always hungry.” His friend chuckled and shook his head. “All right. Well, if you change your mind, we’ll be outside. You know, that place that has sunshine and fresh air.”

  He rolled his eyes.

  “And you need to talk to Lydia eventually anyway. She’s got some news.”

  “What kind of news?”

  “News you’re going to like, I assume. Just come outside when you’re done brooding.”

  “I am not brooding.”

  “You can call it whatever you want, man, but I know brooding when I see it.”

  “Bite my ass, Cal. I ain’t brooding.”

  “Only vampires brood,” Laney interrupted, entering the living room with an armful of books. “I decided to let myself in, Callum; I hope that’s okay.”

  “It’s plenty fine, Laney. Whatcha got there?” Callum asked, moving towards her to re
lieve her of the books. “Dagone, girl. How many books do you need?”

  “Oh, they’re not for me. Tula sent them over to replace Ags’ collection. Where is she?” She looked one way, then the other.

  “He is in his room,” Callum corrected. “Feel free to go knock though. I’m sure he’d appreciate some company.”

  If Jeb didn’t know any better, he would have thought that comment was directed towards him. Since when did Callum stick his nose where it didn’t belong?

  “Ah, gotcha.” She nodded and smiled. “Well, I’ll just take these on up then. Thanks, Cal.” Turning to her brother, she grinned broadly. “How’s that toe?”

  “Gettin’ better, thanks.”

  “Good. You’re missing out on all the fun in town, Jebby. There’s been lots of activity with all the construction crews going in and out. There were some guys here yesterday from Massachusetts and they had the best accents.”

  “That’s nice.”

  “It is nice.” She kicked the side of his chair. “Did you turn into a vampire?”

  “What?”

  “You’re definitely brooding.” Leaning down, she squinted her eyes.

  “The heck are you doing, Laney?” He asked, leaning back in an effort to get away from her.

  “Checking for fangs.”

  “Aw, hell. Now you’re being just as ridiculous as Callum. There ain’t nothing wrong with me, you weirdos.”

  They both laughed at him.

  Figures, he thought. Being betrayed by my sister and my best friend.

  “We’re just teasing you, grump-tail.” She stuck her tongue out and giggled. “Ease up, will you? It’s just a broke toe.”

  “My toe’s fine.” Well, it was mostly fine. It still throbbed from time to time and he still couldn’t walk right, but he knew it would get better eventually. “Get on out of here before I kick you.”

  “Oh, I’m so afraid.”

  Muttering beneath his breath, he tried to focus on the pages of the newspaper once more. He didn’t have time for teasing at the moment, and he sure as hell didn’t feel like being bothered.

  He wasn’t sure what it was, really; he was either developing cabin fever, or he really was just aggravated with Ags’ silent treatment. But, either way, something had him feeling annoyed over his very existence at the moment. It didn’t make any sense.

  “Fine, fine,” she said, sighing dramatically. “I’ll leave you alone and go see my friend instead. Butt-munch.”

  She made her way towards the staircase and Callum’s soft snicker caused him to lift his eyes above the newspaper. “You think that’s funny, huh?”

  “Not really that, no,” Callum replied, shaking his head. “I just think it’s kind of funny how you’re sulking. When do you think you’ll tell me the truth about what happened?”

  “What are you talking about? Ain’t nothing happened aside from me being a clumsy fool and breaking my toe.”

  “Uh huh. Sure, buddy. That’s all that happened.”

  “Well, it is.”

  “Jeb ‘ole boy.” Callum eased down in the recliner across from him, resting both empty glasses against his knees. Lifting a brow, he eyed him. “You ought to know by now you can’t lie to me, man. We’ve been friends for what, seven years now?”

  “Something like that.”

  “And we know each other pretty well, right?”

  “Uh huh.”

  “So, don’t you think, in that amount of time, I’d learn a thing or two about you?”

  “Well, yeah, but—”

  “And,”—he chuckled—“I do believe I’d know when you’re lying through your teeth. Don’t you?”

  “Yeah, but I ain’t—”

  “Just tell me what happened between you and Aggie. My wife is dying to know.”

  “Your wife is nosy.”

  “That she is, but she’s also worried about you. You and Ags both have been acting really weird the last few days. To be honest, buddy, y’all need to work out whatever’s causing the friction, and soon.”

  “Why?” He asked, dropping the newspaper to his lap. “I mean,”—he cleared his throat—“there ain’t nothing causing friction. That’s absurd.”

  “Fancy words aside, something definitely caused something.” His friend smiled, shrugging his shoulders. “But as for the ‘why’, you’ll have to talk to Lydia. It’s good news for you. I promise.”

  Releasing a groan of defeat, he pushed forward in his seat and slowly stood, keeping pressure off his foot to avoid any and all possible throbbing. “All right, fine. I can take a hint, Cal. I’ll go to talk to her. Satisfied?”

  “Completely.” Callum mirrored him and stood from his seat. “I’ll grab a third glass while I’m in the kitchen. What do you want to drink?”

  “Something hard,” he muttered, hobbling towards the door. “You damn nosy people.”

  It wasn’t that he didn’t appreciate his sister’s concern for his well-being, it was just that he didn’t want her to know what had happened between himself and Aggie. What if she got mad at him? What if Aggie was mad and just wasn’t saying anything?

  He’d feel lower than a pile of shit if he’d done something to her she hadn’t wanted.

  Maybe I read all the signs wrong. Maybe she wasn’t comfortable doing those things with me.

  And as much as he loved those memories and would keep them close for the rest of forever, they would diminish if he discovered it was completely one-sided.

  It would break his heart if she hadn’t wanted it to begin with.

  Oh, God. I’m an asshole. A lump formed in his throat and try as he might, he couldn’t swallow it down.

  He was definitely going to need some alcohol before the day was through.

  “There you are!” Lydia exclaimed as he stepped out onto the patio. “I was beginning to wonder, Jeb. Are you okay?”

  “I’m fine, Lyds. I just didn’t feel like being outside, is all,” he lied. “But Callum says you need to talk to me. Are you okay?”

  “I’m better than ever.” She smiled, nodding to the empty seat beside her. “Have a seat, baby brother. We need to have a chat.”

  A few different scenarios ran through his mind when it came to the possibilities of what she wanted to talk to him about. On one hand, it may have been nothing. He could have been worrying for no reason at all, as per usual. But on the other hand, there was the off chance that Aggie had already told her everything and now she was bringing the ban hammer down on him.

  He hoped that wouldn’t be the case.

  Easing down into the chair, he listened as it groaned from his weight, and then slowly turned his head to gaze at her. He couldn’t really read her expression at the moment, but the smile on her face couldn’t mean anything bad, right?

  “So,” she said, clasping her hands together on the tabletop. “Have you enjoyed staying here for the past few weeks?”

  “Yes...” His response was careful and hesitant. It could have been a trick question. Sisters were good for those.

  “Good. I’m glad to hear that. I know this isn’t the type of house you’re used to and all, but I want you to know it’s just as much your home as it is mine and Callum’s.”

  Her eyes sparkled with the sunlight as she reached out to touch his arm, shifting in her seat. Strands of dark brown hair framed her face, swaying gently as a gust of warm air blew through the air.

  “I don’t mind the type of house you live in, Lyds. Hell, you could live in a box and I’d still come stay with you from time to time.”

  “I know. That’s what makes you so sweet, Jeb. I adore that about you.” Her smile softened as she glanced towards the house, and then she sighed. “There will be a new addition to the house next week.”

  He followed her gaze and allowed her words to bounce around in his mind for a few seconds. She could have meant it in a lot of different ways, really. Maybe her and Callum had finally decided to get a puppy or something, or maybe they were going to adopt a kid.

  How
ever, he knew exactly what she was talking about and that prompted his reply.

  “I guess you’re ready for me to move out now, huh?” Tilting his head back to gaze at the clear afternoon sky, he sighed. “I get it, Lyds. It’s no problem.”

  His house still needed many repairs done to it. He’d been prolonging those repairs because there were so many people who needed help worse than he did, but he wasn’t sure his place was livable yet.

  Maybe I can just put a few boards over the holes in the roof and get by for a while.

  It’d be worth a shot, wouldn’t it?

  “What? No. Jeb, no. That’s not what I was going to say...at all. Wow.” Scratching at her arm nervously, she laughed and shook her head. “Byron is coming to live with us, but I don’t want you to go anywhere. Your house isn’t even fixed yet—that’s stupid. I’m not letting you go back there until it’s in tip-top shape.”

  “It wasn’t really ever in ‘tip-top shape’,” he said, chuckling. “But I figured you were talking about Byron.”

  It hadn’t been long ago when Callum dropped the news to them—he was a father. He’d been a father without knowing it, at least not until the mother of his son contacted him and wanted to arrange a meeting. Though he had his suspicions about it at first, he reckoned her intentions were true. Plus, Callum was happy about it—Lydia was happy about it. Wasn’t that all that really mattered?

  “Yeah. He’s a sweet kid,” she said, her gaze wandering to her hands. “And he needs to get used to being here.”

  “I get it. The boy needs to spend as much time with his father, and with you, as possible. It’s not easy to be so far apart. Where abouts is he and his mama living these days anyway?”

  “They’re in Kentucky right now.”

  “Well, that ain’t too awful far away.”

  “No, but he still needs to be closer. Callum would like it if he lived closer, and...”

  “And?”

  Sighing, Lydia squirmed in her seat and tugged at the skirt of her dress. He always knew the signs of her discomfort. Wiggling around like a worm and toying with her clothes definitely gave her away.

  “What’s the matter, Lydia? What aren’t you telling me?”

  “Byron isn’t coming for a visit, Jeb; he’s moving in.” She blinked. “Permanently.”