by Ciana Stone
“Do you see her much?”
“No, actually not at all. I was pretty young when she left—not quite six—so I don’t have a lot of memories of her.”
“I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. I had dad and all my brothers so I never felt denied.”
“I hope you won’t get mad, but I heard about the show Jo did on your family and about that curse. Do you really think that’s why all your family ended up divorced?”
“Heck if I know. To be honest, we didn’t know all the details about the curse. Jo found out when she did the shows on the Nash family in North Carolina. They’re Dad’s nephews. Anyway, they’d discovered the details and knew the curse stemmed from the 1800s. It still sounds a little woo-woo to be honest.”
“So you don’t believe it?”
Jayce shrugged. “I just know that until JD hooked up with Jo, none of us seemed to have much luck with getting women to stick around.”
“Well, I guess it’s like Jo said. That curse got blasted to smithereens.”
“It sure would be nice to think so.”
“Do you miss being married?”
Jayce’s eyebrows rose. “To Nathalie? No, honestly I can’t say that I do. I mean, I thought we were in love when we got married but it went south the minute she found out she was pregnant. But I’m honest enough to admit that I like the idea of having a family. I mean, I have Carson and it’s not that we’re unhappy, but it would be nice to have a wife and maybe more kids – a home that’s full and rowdy and full of laughter.”
“That does sound nice.”
“So you want to have more kids?”
“I don’t know..”
“Because Lily’s dad was a mistake?”
“Yes.”
Jayce looped his arm around her and pulled her against him. “I don’t want to upset you, but did he go to jail? For what he did?”
Callie was relieved that she didn’t freak out over the question. In fact, she found herself wanting to be open and honest. “Yes, I made sure of that.”
“You did? How?”
“Once I was conscious, I gave a full statement. The police found him and charged him with murder, attempted murder and arson.”
“Attempted murder? I thought you said—”
“He killed my mother. Yes. Then he shot me, left me for dead and tried to burn the house down with me and our child in it.”
She could tell from the tightening of his jaw that her statement hit a nerve. She wasn’t surprised. “I hope he rots there for what he did to you and your family.”
“So do I.” She squeezed his hand. “God, I can’t believe I just told you that. I haven’t told anyone what happened.”
“No one? Not even Cody?”
Callie shook her head and looked away. Jayce tugged on her hand. “Why did you tell me?”
That was the sixty-four-thousand-dollar question, and one she hadn’t realized she had an answer for. Callie turned to look at him. “Because I trust you. You saw me that day – when I freaked out. You held me and made me feel safe and then you didn’t run the next time you saw me. You’re here, right now and you didn’t hold it against me.”
“Callie. Honey, why would I?
“Well, it wasn’t pretty. That’s for sure.”
“But it’s nothing to be ashamed of. What happened to you was horrible and there are bound to be scars.”
“You have no idea.”
“Mommy!” A wail from the stairs had Callie and Jayce both jumping up. Lily pounded down the stairs, still bawling.
Callie picked her up before she reached the bottom step. “Hey, punkin. It’s okay. It’s okay.”
“My skeered no see you.”
“It’s okay, baby.” Callie hugged Lily to her and returned to the couch. Jayce reclaimed his place as well. Lily turned in Callie’s arms and saw Jayce.
“My sit you.” She wiggled off Callie’s lap and onto Jayce’s.
“All righty.” Jayce pulled her up against his chest and wrapped his arms around her. “I got’cha, pretty baby.”
Talk about something plucking at her heartstrings. Seeing Jayce holding Lily, with Lily’s head on his shoulder had something inside her turning to total mush. It also slapped her in the face. Callie had grown up with a father, a dad who had held her as a child, one she ran to whenever she was scared or happy, mad or excited. He had been there for her – to scold her or hold her, based upon what was needed. She’d had that.
Lily didn’t, and maybe never would.
That broke her heart.
Jayce smiled at her as he rubbed Lily’s back. Callie returned the smile. “She’s already asleep. Why don’t I take her back upstairs?”
“Sure.”
The moment Callie tried to take Lily from Jayce, Lily cried out and fought. “No, Mommy. My want Ace.”
Callie looked at Jayce and he grinned. “How about this?” he asked and stood with Lily in his arms. “Let’s both take her upstairs.”
“Okay.”
“Then lead the way, mama.”
Jayce followed her upstairs. He sat on the edge of the bed, then laid back, dangling his feet off the side and letting Lily lay on his chest. “Come on, mama. Snuggle up.”
Callie climbed onto the bed, snuggled up against Jayce’s side and put her hand on Lily’s back. “This better, Lily?”
“My go night night. My Ace go night night. My wubs Mommy.”
“I love you punkin.”
“My wubs Ace.”
“I love you too, Lily Belle.” Jayce kissed the top of her head and covered Callie’s hand with his.
Callie couldn’t speak and didn’t want to. Right now, she just wanted to live in this moment. To see her child, the person she loved most in the world feeling safe and protected with a man she wished she could have in her life every day. It was one of the nicest fantasies ever and she wanted nothing more than to indulge in it.
Unfortunately, fantasy fell victim to fatigue and she succumbed to sleep. Callie woke and looked over her shoulder at the clock on the nightstand. It was nearly six in the morning. She turned her head to look at Jayce to find him looking at her.
“Shhh.” He put a finger to his lips, rolled Lily off him and to the center of the bed. Callie pulled the bedcovers over her as Jayce rose.
Lily never budged. Callie got up and took the hand Jayce offered. Together, they went downstairs.
“I can’t believe we fell asleep,” Callie said as she turned on the light. “How about some coffee and breakfast?”
“Sounds good. And I’m a little surprised, myself.”
Callie started fixing a pot of coffee. “I’m surprised you even slept with both of us piled on top of you.”
“You know, it’s funny.” Jayce took a seat at the table. “But I don’t remember when I’ve slept so well.”
Nothing could have made her happier. Callie turned to look at him, smiling. “Same here. So, eggs, hash browns, bacon and toast, or would you prefer grits?
“I’ll eat whatever you put in front of me. Or.” He rose. “I could help.”
“You cook?”
“Uh, single dad?”
“Oh yeah, right. Okay, sure. You want to do the hash browns or eggs? I have potatoes in the fridge I cooked the other day.”
“Hash browns.” Jayce went to the refrigerator and started gathering things. He piled tomatoes, peppers, onions and the potatoes on the counter.
Callie poured him a cup of coffee. “Cream and sugar?”
“Cream please.”
She added cream to his cup, took a sip and then handed it to him. Jayce leaned over to kiss her, then sampled the coffee and got busy chopping peppers and onions. For the next fifteen minutes, they laughed, talked and cooked. They sat in the kitchen to eat.
“So, what do you have planned for the weekend?” Jayce asked.
“Nothing. I mean aside from cleaning and doing laundry. What about you?”
“I’ll probably head home, grab a shower and see if Ca
rson is home yet. He stayed over at JD’s last night with the twins. Then I need to check on the strip mall job. And, oh, today is the start of boating season so there’s always a big thing at the lake. Didn’t Cody tell you?”
“Oh, yes, yes, she did. She said she wasn’t doing a stand because there’s usually a big crowd at the bar after it’s over. And Hannah is helping her mother at the bakery stand.”
“Right, so I’m taking Carson – actually the whole family is going and I wanted to see if you’d like to join. You and Lily, I mean.”
“Yeah, I’d love to. I can meet you there.”
“Okay, great. One o’clock work for you?”
“Sounds good. What do I take to one of these things?”
“Well, if you swim, wear a swimsuit and take some dry clothes. And whatever Lily likes to play with in the water, and some towels.”
“Okay.”
“Great. It’ll be fun. But right now, I hate to eat and run but I need to get home. No, wait. Let me help you do the dishes.”
“No, go. I’ll take care of the dishes.”
“I can’t—”
“Sure you can. Go. I’ll see you at one.”
“I’ll look forward to it.” Jayce got up and leaned over to give Callie a soft kiss. “And maybe sometime today, we can talk about the two of us having an actual date.”
“Maybe so.” She smiled.
“I’ll see you soon, beautiful.” He gave her another kiss, then headed out.
Callie watched him leave, then got busy cleaning up the kitchen. She was going to need to head into town and check out the consignment shop. Lily needed a swimsuit and maybe a float. Callie had a swimsuit, running tops and shorts, but she wasn’t sure she was ready to bare that much skin. Maybe she’d just wear shorts and a T-shirt. People swam in T-shirts all the time.
Swimming. Jayce swimming. Jayce with no shirt.
Suddenly, she had a whole new set of visions dancing through her mind, and all of them had her wishing she and Jayce could have an actual date.
Chapter Eight
Hannah clipped a note to the file folder for Callie. The quarterly tax payments were due for the bar in two weeks and Hannah wanted Callie to take over doing that. She had just placed the folder on top of the closed laptop when the office phone rang. She had nearly answered it when her cell phone rang. She looked at the cell phone on the desk. It was her father.
Hannah chose to let the business call go to voicemail and answered the call from her father. “Hey Daddy.”
“Hey honey. Listen, we’ve got a little bit of a mess. Mama and KC both have some stomach bug and I don’t expect they’ll make it to the opening of boating and swimming season at the lake. Mama asked if you could take over.”
“The whole thing?”
“’Fraid so, sugar.”
“Oh lordy. I’d planned on helping but…but…never mind. I’ll take care of it, Daddy. You just tell Mama and KC to stay in bed and get well.”
“I will sugar. Thank you.”
“You bet. Love you.”
“Love you.”
Hannah ended the call, then accessed the voicemail.
“Good morning. My name is Janice Garretson. I’m an Assistant District Attorney for the city of Nashville, Tennessee. I’m trying to get in touch with Callie Williams, and according to the IRS, she is currently working for you. It’s vital that I speak with her as soon as possible, so if you could have her call, my number is…”
Hannah was so shocked she forgot to reach for a pen and had to play the message again before she got the ADA’s office and cell phone number written down. She stuck the notepaper in her pocket. She’d call Callie as soon as she spoke with Cody and let her know that she was going to be tied up with their mother’s booth at the lake all day. Cody would have to get the bar ready to open on her own. Hannah couldn’t be in two places as once.
With her mind mentally making a list of what all needed to be done, Hannah hurried outside, got in her car and headed for the bakery.
By the time she arrived, she’d put the phone call completely out of her mind.
*****
Even though she’d been told there would be a lot of people at the lake, Callie had not expected this kind of crowd. It seemed as if the entire population of Cotton Creek was there. The area cordoned off for parking had overflowed, leaving people to park on both sides of the road. By the time she found a place to park, she had a good quarter mile hike to the entrance of the lake park.
That wouldn’t have given her a second thought had it not been for all she had to carry. Aside from Lily, there was a big bag of Lily’s toys, extra clothes, towels and sunscreen, and a cooler with drinks, snacks and ice. Then there was the smaller bag with her own change of clothes, towel and a hairbrush.
Callie was about to change her mind and go home when Briggs and Dawson Weathers rode up on motorcycles. Carson rode behind one of them. They stopped beside her car.
“You headed for the lake?” Carson asked.
“I was trying.”
“You can’t carry all that by yourself.”
“Well, I guess I could if I could get it all situated.”
“We can help,” Briggs offered.
“Yeah,” Dawson agreed. “Give me your stuff and we’ll strap it to the bikes. You and your little girl can ride with me.”
“Are you sure?”
“Yeah. Carson, help me get this stuff on the bikes.”
Two minutes later, Callie and Lily were seated behind Dawson, who drove very slowly toward the entrance of the park. Once inside, he parked his bike under a tree where a dozen other bikes were parked. Briggs did the same, and all three boys gathered up Callie’s things.
“Come on,” Carson said. “We’ll show you where the family is.”
“Great.” She fell in step beside Carson with Lily riding on her hip.
They hadn’t gone ten feet before Lily was squirming and reaching for Carson.
“My want my boy.”
Carson grinned and stopped. “Okay, trade.”
He offered Callie the cooler. She took it and let him take Lily. He lifted her up and onto his shoulders.
Lily laughed in delight and squealed. “My big. My rewwy big.”
All three of the Weathers boys laughed at Lily, which made her laugh as well. They continued through the crowd of people. Callie started to see canopies set up along the shore. Beneath them, vendors were selling food and drinks, as well as arts, crafts, home-goods, leather-goods, even saddles and chaps. It was like a town fair, with the same cheerful atmosphere, the smell of food in the air and even the sounds of music.
Callie looked around. “Where’s the music coming from?”
“Riley’s band and another one from Rock Ridge are set up under the trees. They’ll be playing off and on all day,” Briggs answered.
“My dad says you’re a real good singer,” Carson remarked.
“Oh?”
“Yeah, he says you should be recording CDs.”
“Well, that’s nice of him, but I don’t think that’s in the cards. Oh, is that your grandfather?”
Carson grinned. “Yep. Come on.”
Callie felt just a little out of place when they reached the Weathers family. They had an enormous canopy set up, covering four picnic tables. Other beach and lounge chairs sat in the shade of another canopy, along with half a dozen coolers.
Jason Weathers turned and smiled. “Well looky here, we got us a little princess joining us.”
Lily squealed when he reached up and tickled her under her chin. “Come to Pop, pretty girl.”
She didn’t hesitate to go to him. Carson looked around. “Where’s Dad?”
“Helping JD and Bronson get the ropes set to cordon off the swimming area for the smaller kids.” Jolene’s voice had Callie and Carson turning.
“Let’s go see if they need help.” Carson directed the statement to his cousins, Briggs and Dawson.
“Okay. Where do you want us to put your stuf
f, Ms. Williams?”
“It’s Callie, and anywhere is fine.”
“Put it over there on that chair beside mine – mine has the green towel,” Jo said
Carson took the cooler from Callie and placed it beside the chair as Dawson and Briggs plunked the bags down. They stripped off their shirts, kicked off their shoes and took off in a trot for the water. Callie watched for a moment and couldn’t help but notice the number of teenaged girls lying on towels near the water’s edge who took note.
“Yep, the Weathers men are something, aren’t they?” Jolene asked and chuckled.
“That’s putting it mildly,” Pressley Pursell said as she walked up beside them.
“I take it Bronson finally got up the nerve to invite you to join the family today?” Jolene asked.
“He did. And hey, Callie. You here with Jayce.”
“Uh, I—”
“Yes, she is,” Jolene interrupted.
“Where’s Lily?”
“With Jason.” Callie turned her head to look at Jason, who had Lily in the crook of his arm, pointing out a bunch of balloons tied to a hotdog cart. She smiled and looked back at Jolene. “Should I rescue him?”
“Are you kidding?” Jolene asked. “He adores kids, and in case you haven’t noticed, the Weathers don’t have any little girls.”
“None?”
“Not a one and there are six grandkids.”
“Wow, what are the odds?”
“Or maybe it’s the curse.”
“The curse? You mean the one you talked about on that episode about your kin, he Nash family? ”“Well, I didn’t know you watched the show.”
Callie grinned, unembarrassed. “Are you kidding? I love your show. And yes, I did have a total fangirl moment when I met you.”
Jolene laughed. “Well, thanks. And listen, after hearing you sing, I’m the one with the fangirl thing going. Callie, you’re amazing. Any chance you’d want to be on my show?”
“Oh, no. Thank you, but I am the last person you’d want on your show.”
“I don’t know about that.”
“You’re just being nice and – oh my god.”
Callie momentarily lost the ability to form a coherent sentence. Jayce, JD and Bronson walked out of the lake and it was like something out of a television show. Every woman within sight turned to watch.