by Lynn Hunter
“I think she’s talking to you.” Rick rumbled to Dean.
“Good morning to you too, Willa.” Dean drawled.
Willa stomped into the shop with murderous eyes pointed at Dean. “Did you take my furniture dolly?”
“Now why would I do that?”
“Because you’re a sneaky snake, that’s why.” She answered quickly.
Dean got an angry glint in his eyes. “That’s not nice, Willa.”
“I had to ask for help with my deliveries all day yesterday!” She cried.
“Stop yelling at me, Willa. If you did your pre-trip inspection, like you’re supposed to, you would have realized it wasn’t strapped to the back of the cab. “And,” he held up a hand when she started to speak “you weren’t supposed to do deliveries yesterday anyway.”
“Since when is it any of your business what loads I do? You made me look incompetent, Dean.” She wanted to be taken seriously and never asked for help even when she needed it.
“It was me, Willa.” Rick interrupted. “I didn’t think you had a load yesterday, I didn’t see it on the board. I’m sorry.”
Sam chuckled “Why do you need a furniture dolly?” Rick was almost seven feet tall and had huge, bulging muscles. He usually unloaded his truck by hand for exercise when he couldn’t get to the gym.
“I had a load of kitchen cabinets,” he explained, “a lot of the pieces are too awkward to lift by hand.” He ran a hand over his shiny bald head. He looked almost embarrassed to admit it. It made Sam want to laugh out loud. Embarrassment didn’t look right on Rick’s face. He resembled a bad guy or villain in a movie who was sent out to kill people. Sometimes Sam wondered if his thoughts were actually right. He didn’t know much about Rick’s past, but he did know Rick wanted out of his old life in Loredo, Texas and live quietly. He mostly kept to himself. Most of the other drivers avoided him because of his looks and size, but Sam knew Rick was a good person and he was fairly confident he wouldn’t hurt anybody. He didn’t have a record of violence when Glen did a background check for employment anyway.
Willa’s shoulders relaxed. “Oh, that’s okay, Rick. I asked Glen for an extra run yesterday. I wanted some extra miles. I guess it didn’t get on the board. Is it still on your truck?”
“Yeah. Come on, I’ll put it back.” Rick turned and headed for the lot and Willa followed.
“Hey! Don’t you owe me an apology?” Dean called.
Her response was to give him her middle finger on her way out. He glared after her.
“I don’t think she likes you,” Sam said unnecessarily.
“Don’t know what the hell her problem is,” he grumbled.
“Where was all that charm you were talking about?”
“Doesn’t work on her. Something’s wrong with her.” The frustration on his brother’s face was comical.
“Hopefully, you didn’t say that to her?” Sam asked with a raised brow. A guilty look crossed his brother’s face. “She’s a nice girl and a hard worker, Dean. Don’t make her uncomfortable here.”
“Did it look like she was uncomfortable?” He pointed to the doors. “She about took my head off while you and Rick watched!”
Deciding to let the matter drop, he told Dean what trucks were coming in for maintenance. He was going to stay busy and wait for Lily to come to him.
She didn’t show. Every day that passed, Sam became more and more irritated. It put him in a bad mood and people around the shop started avoiding him. It was Friday and he was counting the minutes until noon. If she didn’t show up today with dessert, he was going to find her.
He was standing at the shop computer ordering parts when Glen walked up. “We’re about ready to grill, Sam. You going to eat? I’ve been sent in here to get you because everyone else is scared. Even Rick.”
“Yeah, I’ll be out in a bit,” he said without looking up.
“She’s coming today, you know,” Glen said after a minute.
Sam turned to stare at him. “You talked to Sarah?”
“Yes. Actually, I’ve talked with her several times this week.”
“I’m going to buy the farmhouse, Glen. I went through the realtor and made an offer.”
Glen looked surprised and nodded slowly. “Sarah told me there was an offer on the house. Do you think that’s a good idea?”
“Yes,” Sam said without hesitation.
Glen scratched the side of his nose. “Lily doesn’t seem too thrilled about selling the house. When she finds out it’s you who’s buying it,” he paused and shook his head, “it might hurt her.”
Sam heaved a heavy sigh. “I don’t want to hurt her. I want to help her.”
“I hate to break it to you Sam, but I don’t think she likes you all that much. Aside from that, you haven’t known her that long.”
Sam dropped his pen on the messy desk. “It’ll work out. If I didn’t make an offer on the house someone else would buy it. I don’t want that to happen.” He stared hard at Glen “About not knowing her, she’s it for me. It doesn’t matter how long I’ve known her. I just know.”
“I don’t think that’s a sound plan.” His friend looked a little anxious.
“I want her, Glen. I think she’ll come around.”
“I don’t envy the fight you’ll have on your hands when you tell her.”
“Hey, Glen.” Willa bounced into the shop “Can I get one of them loads to Seattle?” Willa seemed to want more and more long loads.
“You’ve never been out there before,” Glen said.
“Oh come on, Glen, please? It’s a no touch. I can do it, lickety-split.” She snapped her fingers.
“Do what lickety-split?” Dean asked as he came through the side door.
“None of your business.” Willa snapped “Don’t you have a mirror to primp in princess? This here’s grown up talk.” She crossed her arms over her chest and did her best to look down her nose at Dean. Which was difficult considering she was almost a foot and a half shorter than he was.
Dean clenched his jaw. “I’ve had just about enough of your-”
“Children!” Glen clapped his hands. “Willa, first run out west has to be with a driver that’s done the route before.”
“Out west?” Dean asked. “No way.”
Willa threw her head back. “Excuse me? Just because you’re scared to drive so far away from home doesn’t mean I am.”
Surprisingly, Dean stepped closer and glared down into her furious face.
“It’s dangerous, Willa.”
“Just because you had a hard time with it doesn’t mean I will. Besides, I’m not as pretty as you so I’m sure the lonely truckers will leave me alone.”
Dean’s face grew dark and he reached for her.
Sam stopped him with a hand on his chest. “Dean, back off.” He turned to Willa. “You get that chip off your shoulder. Everyone takes a rider that’s done the route the first time. Not just a woman. You can’t go around mouthing off to everyone that says something you don’t like, Willa, that is dangerous in your profession especially if you want to be taken seriously. You’re a young, attractive woman, whether you want to hear it or not. You need to be careful.
Her shoulders dropped “Alright. I’ll take a rider.” She muttered and turned to Glen. “Please, Glen? I could use the miles.”
“I think we can work that out. Just need to find a driver.”
“Rick!” She caught sight of him walking by. “Have you done the Seattle run before?”
“Yeah,” he said walking toward them. “Why?”
“Will you ride with me on my first trip?”
“No”
She looked shocked he said no to her. “Why? I thought we were friends.”
Rick turned to walk away. “I don’t like anyone enough to be stuck in a truck with them for a week. Take Dean.”
She blushed and avoided looking Dean. “Is Jimbo back yet?” She asked, referring to the old driver that only did a couple local runs a week.
“I think
so, but I don’t know if he can ride that long, Willa.”
“I’ll go,” Dean said.
She looked at her boots for a minute and then said. “You know what! I don’t even know if I have enough time on my clock. I don’t know what I was thinking.”
Without a word Dean left the shop.
Glen patted Willa on the shoulder. “I’m going to start grilling.”
“I’m sorry, Sam,” Willa said once they were alone. “I just can’t be stuck with him that long.”
“He’s a good guy, Willa.”
She let out a startled breath and shook her head. “You’re right about that stuff you said. I just can’t seem to keep my mouth shut sometimes.”
“You’re good at your job. You don’t have to prove yourself to us.”
Tears came to her eyes and she tried to blink them away. Sam didn’t know what her story was but he knew she needed a friend. He pulled her into a hug. “Don’t cry. You’ll ruin your badass reputation.”
She started laughing and tipped her head back to look at him. “Thanks, Sam.”
Someone cleared their throat and they both turned to see Lily and Dean standing in the bay doors. Lily’s face was white and Dean wore a frown.
Willa and Sam pulled apart just as Lily turned to walk away.
“Shit,” Sam muttered.
“Oh no, Sam. Is that your girlfriend? Do you want me to talk to her?”
“I think you’ve done enough, Willa.” Dean punched out.
“Enough!” Sam strode to the lot to try and catch Lily before she left. This couldn’t be happening. The look on her face…. shit. By the time he spotted her car, she was pulling out onto the road. Sam ran a hand through his hair. “Shit.”
He turned to Dean. “Did she talk to you?” He demanded.
“I saw her getting out of her car and I went to help her with the boxes.” He lifted the boxes in his hand. “She asked me if you were here.”
Damn it! She finally came to see him and found him with another woman in his arms. He couldn’t go after her right now. He had too much work to do. He’d go as soon as he was finished.
“Why were you hugging Willa, Sam?”
Sam met his brother’s eyes. “I don’t want Willa, Dean. She was upset. Because of you.” He pointed out.
“Was that Lily?” Glen asked from behind them.
“Yeah,” Sam said.
“She didn’t want to stay for lunch?”
“No. Sarah didn’t come with her.”
“I know. I’m taking her out to dinner tonight.” Glen sounded pleased with himself.
Sam turned to him. “Really? You’re making more progress than me.”
“She’s young, Sam. Give her time.”
Sam shook his head. “Time’s up.”
Chapter 9.
On the way home Lily stopped at the store. Wine. She was going to get a bottle of wine, even if she shouldn’t spend the money on it, and when Johnathan went to bed, tonight she was going to drink the whole thing. Well, maybe not the whole thing.
Her chest squeezed at the memory of seeing Sam’s arms wrapped around that attractive young woman. Her face tipped back smiling at him. The looked so comfortable with each other. She hated him for tying her in these knots. Things were hard enough without adding heartache to the mix.
She couldn’t believe she spent all week thinking about him. Missing him. Oh Lord, she was glad she didn’t let Johnathan become attached to him. It’s good that this happened now instead of later.
After getting her wine, she headed home. Her mom greeted her at the door.
“That was fast.”
“Didn’t take long.” She placed the wine next to the stove.
“Wine?” Her mom asked.
“Yes. I’m having some when John goes to bed.”
“Oh! I forgot to tell you Derek’s mom, Candace, called the house. She said she tried to call your cell. She wanted to ask if John could sleep over tonight since Derek slept here last time.”
Johnathan would love it. They had so much fun last time. Lily liked Derek’s mom. They were the same age and both single parents. “I’ll call her.”
“Glen and I can drop him off on the way to dinner.”
“Right.” The mention of Glen’s name made her think about Sam. Why did he do this to her if he had a girlfriend? He acted like he wanted only her and made her feel like he had to have her. Lily’s breath stuck in her chest, she let him touch her and kiss her. She told him about John and her dad. Why did he do this?
She mentally shook her head. If he was that kind of man, then she didn’t need him anyway. She had other things to worry about. Like moving. There was an offer on the house. They weren’t going to make much but enough to rent a house in town. They hadn’t expected to make anything since they were still paying off the mortgage. She sighed. No sense in taking the diner job now. They were leaving the house and there wasn’t anything she could do about it.
Her plan today was to go see Sam and he would wrap his arms around her and tell her everything would be okay. Much to her surprise, his arms were already full. She pressed a hand to her stomach. Why did it hurt so much?
“Are you okay?”
No. “I’m all right. I’ll call Candace. When is Glen picking you up?” She asked trying to change the subject. She didn’t want any questions right now.
“Six.”
Lily forced a smile. “I hope you have a pleasant time.”
Her mom watched her closely. “I don’t like leaving you here alone when you’re upset. I’m sure Sam would love to take you to dinner.”
Her heart dropped. “I think I’ll just stay home tonight Mom. I’m almost out of supplies for decorating classes. I have to go through what we have and make a list of what I need.”
“Always making a list.” Her mom teased.
“I would be completely lost without one.”
After making plans with Derek’s mom for drop off and pick up, she spent time with Johnathan while her mom got ready for her date. Glen showed up just before six. She opened the kitchen door and invited him in. He looked handsome in tan slacks and a blue dress shirt.
“Come in Glen,” she said politely but unable to summon a smile.
“Thank you, Lily.”
“Hi, Mr. Glen,” Johnathan said from his stool at the island. “You’re taking Gramma on a date,” he informed.
Glen chuckled. “Yes sir, I am. Is that okay with you?”
Her son shrugged. “Sure.”
“Why don’t you run upstairs and tell Gramma her date is here,” Lily said.
“Okay.” He jumped off the stool and ran for the stairs. “Gramma!”
Lily shook her head. “He’s wide open.”
“He’s a good kid.”
“I know.” Lily’s tone bordering on rude. “I’m sorry, it’s been a long day. Can I get you something to drink?”
“No thank you.”
“Please have a seat. She should be down in a minute.”
He took the seat Johnathan vacated. “You should have stayed for lunch today.”
Her chest squeezed. “I’m sorry, I didn’t have time. I had some errands to run.”
“I see.” He studied her face. “You don’t like me seeing your mom.”
There it was. Lily took a deep breath. “Honestly?” she gripped the edge of the counter top.
He nodded his head.
“No. I don’t. She’s been through so much and she’s fragile. I don’t want to see her hurt.”
“She’s fragile?” He asked gently.
“Yes.” She knew what he was getting at. “She loved my father very much. She’ll never be over him.”
“I loved my wife very much too. I never thought I could look at another woman after she died.” His voice was so calm. Being upset with him was hard.
She put a hand to her forehead. She seemed to have a perpetual headache these days. “I’m sorry, Glen. I think you’re a nice man. Things seem to be happening so fast.”
>
“Sometimes change can be good.”
“And sometimes it can be a disaster.” Why couldn’t she stop being so pissy? “I want my mom to enjoy her life. She wants to spend time with you.”
“I’d like to spend time with all of you, Lily.”
Something in his voice made her eyes jerk to his. He was going to take her away. She saw it in his eyes. This wasn’t just a date. Her breath started coming faster “You’re-” she began.
“I’m sorry it took so long. I’m ready now.” Her mom breezed into the kitchen looking beautiful in a long rust colored knit dress that skimmed her curves. She had on boots and a wide belt. Her look was topped off with light makeup and gold hoops on her ears. She looked young and healthy. Lily felt just plain frumpy in comparison.
“You look gorgeous, Sarah. Makes me feel like I’m robbing the cradle.” From the look on his face he really didn’t care if he was robbing the cradle or not.
Her mom laughed. “You don’t look so bad yourself.”
“You look lovely, Mom,” Lily said, “what time do you think you’ll be back?”
Her mom’s smile faded. Great, she was spreading joy everywhere. “Um…I don’t know, honey. I’ll call if I’m going to be late.”
“Okay. I’ll probably still be up.” Why couldn’t she keep her mouth shut?
“Is it alright with you if we drop Johnathan at his friend’s house? It’s on the way to town.”
“Of course.”
Johnathan came in with his backpack. “Did you grab your toothbrush?” Lily asked.
“Yep. Can we go now?” He was jumping up and down in his excitement. At least, she hadn’t managed to ruin his good mood too.
Lily stood at the kitchen door and watched them leave. She felt so lonely. Why couldn’t she move on with her life like her mom was trying to do?
After shutting and locking the door, she went upstairs to change. She pulled on an old comfortable blue sweatshirt and blue drawstring pajama shorts and headed for the wine.