by Silla Webb
“Only if I can get hot pink toes too, sweets,” I retort and that earns me an adorable giggle.
We drive over an hour west of Williamstown into Lexington, Kentucky. Savannah and Brailee are meeting us at the mall where we will spend our day. Gathering my things I climb out as Heidi Jo pops the latch on the back seat nearly pushing me out of the way to start her exciting day. I push the door closed pressing the lock button on the key remote, and turn after Heidi Jo who has her hands on her hips stomping her way towards the mall. “Hey,hey! Hold up there, little lady. My legs ain’t as young as yours so gimme a chance here, will ya.” I shout behind her. She turns around quickly crossing her arms over her chest as she waits impatiently for me to close in the ten feet of space between us. “Now listen, I know you’re excited, but you gotta stay close to me, sweets. Lexington is a busy city with people zippin’ and zingin’ in every different direction. I don’t want ya to get hurt, and something tells me that if I show up at your daddy’s house without his favorite spunky monkey, he may not like me too well thereafter. So you’ll stay close by, right?” I extend my pinky out to her to bind our promise and she follows. She wraps her tiny hand in mine and all but drags me into the mall.
“That’s a deal, Carly. But just between the two of us, Daddy will always love ya. So no worries there.” She winks with a blush on her chunky cheeks. That same dark lashed wink that Colton offers, Heidi Jo replicates unknowingly. I know this little girl has so much hope that her daddy and I will work out, but it breaks my heart to only imagine the hurt she’ll feel when she realizes we will never be. Will she hate me?
We find Savannah and Brailee waiting outside of the Tranquilian Blue Day Spa. I introduce Heidi Jo to Savannah first, then Brailee who she instantly links arms with and begins rambling on about how lucky Brailee is to have me for an aunt. The girls walk ahead of Savannah and I into the spa and begin oohing and ahhing at the different nail colors on display. Once we are called back the girls climb up in the kiddie pedicure chairs and talk amongst themselves, giving Savannah and I a few moments of peace. We sit in a comfortable silence, enjoying the mechanical fingers of the massage chair kneading our sore muscles, while the aestheticians scrub our feet raw.
By the time we leave the spa I’m so relaxed that I could fall right to sleep. But we have two very anxious girls who are ready to shop ‘til they drop. We run from store to store playing dress up with the girls as if they are oversized American Girl Dolls. Brailee and Heidi Jo insists on taking selfies on their iPods, while sporting their favorite outfits and the worst of the show. These girls are so much alike it’s uncanny. “They remind me of us when we were little,” Savannah says laughing at the girls as they dance around the fitting room in oversized derby hats and heels.
“I know, they’re hilarious to watch. It feels good to laugh this much again. I swear Heidi Jo can pop a smile on my face with her spunky attitude.”
“I’m so happy that she and Brailee are getting along so well. They are so much alike it kinda worried me at first. Brailee can be sorta bossy.” She points out. We sit down on the dressing room sofa together and watch the girls dancing around happily. I lean my head over on Savannah’s shoulder and she winces jerking away quickly.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah, I’m great. My shoulder’s just a bit sore. Must have slept on it wrong I guess.” She shrugs lightly as she casts her eyes down, her hair curtaining her face. “How are things with Colton?” She mutters quietly so the girls don’t hear her. I shake my head offering her a silent answer, because there ain’t much to tell. Nothing has changed since she last asked, except for the earth splintering kiss he planted on my lips only to shut down again, almost instantly. The memory pains me momentarily, but I push it aside and focus on the shrilling laughter that fills the fitting room. Savannah notices my unease so she changes the subject to a new recipe she found on Pinterest that she wants me to try.
After the girls are bored with their dress up charade, we decide it’s time for dinner. After debating with Heidi Jo and Brailee that frozen yogurt and cupcakes comes after dinner, we finally make our way downtown to Jaxson’s Roadhouse. It’s loud and busy, but what can ya expect for a Saturday evening. The hostess shows us to our table, and gives us the menu to look over. Brailee and Heidi Jo share a coloring page and barely look up to place their drink orders. I’m so happy that they are getting along so well. Heidi Jo could use a close friend to have play dates with. Other than dance class and school she doesn’t seem to do much, other than with Colton or his parents.
“So nothing new with you and Colton?” Savannah presses as I stir the straw around in the tea, completely uninterested. “Okay, sore subject. So why are you spending the day with his daughter?”
“It’s complicated, Savannah.” I sigh chewing on my lip. “We got close when Colton and I were together. She looks up to me I guess.”
“I get that. But what led to you having her today? You said y’all weren’t speaking, but you obviously didn’t just kidnap his daughter for pedicures.” She giggles to herself.
“I never said we weren’t speaking, Savannah. I actually didn’t comment at all when you asked about Colton.” I point out very matter-of-factly. “But since my dilemma is like Days of Our Lives to you, I’ll bite. He invited me over for supper the other night and Heidi Jo said she missed spending time with me. I had nothing better to do today, so why not.”
The waitress brings over the cheese and bacon fries appetizer saving me from Savannah’s further inquisition. I pile a glob of cheesy, greasy goodness on each of the girls’ plates, and dab a fry in some ranch dressing before tossing it in my mouth. The warm creamy goodness tastes like heaven. I drag a chunk of fries to my plate, pouring a dollop of ranch on the side. Savannah knows that I hate talking while I eat, so she stows the interrogation and we eat in silence. “Carly?” I hear a deep voice from behind me. Looking up, I see Savannah’s mouth drop open as I glance up to see Luke.
“Hey, Luke. What are you doin’ down this way?” I ask as I pull him into a hug. Mmmm, always so warm. “Wanna join us?”
“Yeah, for just a minute.” He says sliding in the booth next to Savannah. He wraps an arm around her shoulder and embraces her in a friendly hug. “Hey Savannah, nice seein’ you again. How you been?” She winces at his touch and draws in a deep rugged breath at his closeness. I roll my eyes at her pitiful attempt at staying calm.
She smiles brightly, flashing her perfectly straight pearly teeth, “I’m wonderful, Luke. How have you been?”
“Been good. Came down to spend the week with my momma, see some old friends.” He says as he glances around the table from Savannah to the girls then back to me. He cocks an eye brow up at me when he sees Heidi Jo and a sly smile tips up on his lips. “So what have you ladies been into today?”
“Eh, you know. Girl stuff.” I reply.
“Y’alls been out with these two little princesses all day and still have your sanity?” He laughs, pointing to Brailee and Heidi Jo.
“They’ve been stuck to each other’s hips so much I don’t think they even acknowledged us until it was time to eat.” Savannah laughs nervously. Luke stares at her curiously for a minute. She drops her head, her hair hiding her face. Luke scoots away, giving her room to breathe as he picks up on her discomfort.
Leaning in to me and he whispers, “Good sign seein’ Heidi Jo here with ya, beauts.”
“Not really. It is what it is.” If our love could strengthen just by the faith of our family and friends, Colton and I would be unbreakable. But it just don’t work like that. It’s sweet that everyone is concerned for our relationship, but honestly I hate that everyone is watching our drama unfold like a cheap daytime soap opera. There’s so much more to Colton and me, but it’s all hidden by the pending doom of ‘who’s the daddy.’
Luke pulls his phone from his pocket, glancing down at the screen quickly. “Well, Momma just showed up, so I’ll leave you ladies to your supper.” He says rising tall to his feet, f
lexing his arms at his side. Savannah gazes up at him shamefully, with a sad look etched in her eyes and it worries me. “Call me this week and we’ll do lunch. Maybe Savannah can join us again.” He smiles brightly, turning on his heels as we call out goodbye to him.
“You okay, Sis?” I ask Savannah. She always seems off kilter around Luke and it worries me. I don’t want her to feel unease with my best friend.
“Peachy keen, sweets.” She smiles sweetly, but her voice is low.
“Can we get cupcakes yet?” Brailee asks.
“No, I want frozen yogurt! Only Carly Jo let’s me have the good stuff when it’s cold. Please, please, Carly Jo.” Heidi Jo shrills, piercing Brailee with a rotten scowl.
“Let’s have both!” I announce excitedly, pouncing up from the table. Both girls laugh and scoot out of their seats to follow behind me.
We finish our evening back at the mall food court to appease the girls’ sweet tooth. Acting ‘grown up’ the girls sit a few tables ahead of Savannah and me clear within sight, but far enough away for privacy. Savannah is swirling her spoon around in the yogurt cup with her head resting on her hand. She’s distant, almost on another planet even. She hasn’t talked much at all since we left Jaxson’s. “Hey,” I whisper laying my hand on her wrist and she flinches at my touch. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” She stammers.
“Savannah, you know you can talk to me if something is bothering you, right? I sure load enough of my own drama on you. So if you need to talk, just let it out.” I try to grip her hand in mine, but she pulls away instantly. Red flags start to fly up and I’m concerned about why she doesn’t want to be touched.
“Thanks, Sis. Nothing to worry you with.” She mutters quietly, keeping her face down. I can see the pain etched on her face, but whatever is eating at her I don’t think she’s ready to let it out just yet. I argue with myself internally over whether to push her to talk or if I should let it go. Being persistent and impatient, I press her to talk.
“Savannah, what’s up with you drawing away every time someone touches you?” She wrings her hands together in her lap, chewing on the side of her lip just like I do when I’m nervous. I tilt my head down so I can look at her and when our eyes lock, she know’s she’s been made. Anguish is smeared all over her beautiful face, but I don’t know why. “Talk to me. I can see that something is hurting you, but I can’t help you until you tell me how I can help.” I plead with her, scared for my big sister. I know the depths that we bury our secrets and the lengths we go to hide that shame that we carry.
She turns to me slowly, her eyes filled with heavy tears that are threatening to spill over at any moment. “What draws you to Luke?” She asks quietly. What the hell? Luke?
“Luke? Savannah, what does Luke have to do with anything? You’ve only met him a handful of times.”
“Just answer me, please.” She begs, wiping the rebel tear from her cheek. I sigh, deciding to play along with her. I tap my fingers on the table for a moment, deciding the best way to answer.
“He’s sincere.” I state, thinking hard about the best qualities Luke carries. “He’s comforting, he know’s just what to say when the words are needed the most. It’s almost like he’s Superman and can see straight through me. No matter how hard I try to cover up the pain I carry, he sees it, feels it even.”
Her tears run down her face and a faint whimper escapes her lips. She lays her face in her hands, shielding herself from everyone around her. “Let’s go to your house, so we can talk in private.” I offer, but her head snaps up twisting toward me like she’s been possessed by the exorcist.
“No!” She shouts, cupping her hand over her mouth trying to catch the word as fast as it slips from her lips. I lurch back in my seat, shocked at her reaction. That breaking point I mentioned earlier, this may just be it for Savannah. I resolve to stow my line of questioning for now, because whatever is gnawing at her is explosive and she may not forgive me for causing a public meltdown.
“Calm down.” I whisper across the table as I glance over checking on the girls who are content by themselves. “Come over tomorrow for dinner and we can talk then. Hell, you can come tonight if you need to. But don’t bury it, Savannah. I know all too well what buried secrets do to a kind heart.”
She stifles back the tears dabbing her face with a napkin as she inhales a deep breath. She pulls her shoulders back and plasters on one of the fakest smiles I’ve ever seen. “Thanks for a fun day out, Sis. We’ll have to do it more often.” Knowing not to press her, I nod, remaining silent. She stands up calling to Brailee who immediately begins to whine about leaving behind her new best friend. I promise them that they will see each again very soon as I pull both Heidi Jo and Brailee into hug. Without offering a hug, Savannah tells me she will call me later in the week before her and Brailee turn to leave.
The shift in her demeanor when Luke showed up at Jaxson’s worries me. They’ve only met a few times and he’s always a gentleman. And then it feels like a ton of bricks tumbling down on me. Luke saw through her façade. He saw through her pain and he knows her secret.
Chapter 15
“Ms. Runyon will see you now, Ms. Simon,” Jodie, the sweet receptionist announces as she waits at the hallway entry. Tossing my purse over my shoulder, I follow her down the hallway into Michele’s office. She’s sitting behind a beautiful mahogany desk with a matching bookshelf lining the wall behind her. She doesn’t acknowledge me as Jodie introduces me as the next appointment. She flips her copper hair over the side of her shoulder and thumbs through a case file with black wire brim glasses tipping the end of her pug nose. Her emerald eyes are pinched together by a deep furrowing brow as she studies the file. I take a seat in front of the desk, waiting impatiently. Her silence pokes at my nerves and it takes everything in me to compose myself.
“Ms. Simon, how’s everything been down at Simon Energy?” She questions, still studying the file, her eyes not once glancing in my direction.
“Quiet; sorta like the calm before the storm, and it scares the hell out of me.” She closes the file, folding her hands together and placing them on top of the desk as she pierces me with a pointed glare.
“Quiet is usually good,” she stews, “but in this case, please be careful. We are still investigating the destruction at Black Ridge. But at this time we’ve passed that investigation down to a junior investigator as Tiffani is focusing her investigation on Drew and Josh.” She slides a manila folder in my direction before continuing. “Have you been keeping up with the Black Pike fiasco over in Hatfield County?” I shift my eyes down, searching my memory bank for anything Black Pike. It seems familiar, but I can’t put my finger on anything specific. Shaking my head, Michele continues. “Black Pike is the mining company under fire for contaminating the public water supply in many small towns in Hatfield County. Until now it appeared as a ghost company with the ownership being hidden in the Destin Andrews Trust. The owners were clever enough hiding this rogue company under a trust. But they weren’t counting on me to uncover their lies and to expose them for the world to see.” She grins proudly, “and I plan to do just that.”
“Spit it out already, Michele.” I snap, annoyed with her dragging about small details. Tell me the facts and get on with it. I don’t need to see how the sausage is made, only what it taste like.
“The majority owner is Josh Moore. Drew Varney is a silent partner. The original owner however, was Big John Simon.” She pauses, letting the words soak in, but I show no shock to her statement. I’m over the shock and awe of Daddy’s tainted past. “The class action lawsuit accuses Black Pike of depositing billions of gallons of coal slurry into the ground for over nearly twenty years in small mining communities such as Shelby, Logan Creek, and Stratton. Most of these homes still have ground wells and have suffered immensely from chemical exposure.” The picture is becoming clearer and clearer.
“How much are they asking for?” I ask her and a devious grin splays across her freckled face.
“More than the two of them are even worth. Black Pike has been seized and company accounts have been frozen. They just need someone to admit ownership of the company to go after them. Big John knew what he was doing with Black Pike twenty years ago, Carly, when he started doing it. He had a keen business sense, I’ll give him that.”
“He was a bastard, Michele. Only out for himself. Hundreds of families have been affected by this and all this time he knew. All this time, Drew and Josh knew. That just shows what sinister minds they all have.” I seethe as the anger rushes from me.
“Carly, I think this is why Drew is coming after Simon Energy as abrasive as he has been. He knows it’s only a matter of time before they find out that he is a partner in Black Pike and come after him personally. This isn’t just an MSHA violation. This is EPA violations, million dollar fines, bankruptcy and jail time.”
“I hope the bastards rot under the damn jail cell.”
“They will, Carly. I promise you that. For now, you need to get your sister and her children away from Josh. I don’t know what I can do as far as saving any of their assets, but she needs to distance herself from him.”
“I’ll try, Michele. Savannah has been indifferent lately, so I don’t know that I can get through to her. But I’ll try. Is that all you have for me today?” I ask clutching the strap of my purse in my hand as I cling to edge of the seat ready to bolt out of here.
“No contact with Drew or Josh. I’ll call you when I have more.” I nod, pressing up to my feet and leaving her office. I stalk outside welcoming the cold, chilling wind. My face is flush with heat and beads of sweat line my forehead. I knew Drew had an ulterior motive for wanting to overtake Simon Energy, but I thought he was just a greedy bastard wanting the empire he felt he deserved. It’s an even bigger slap to the face knowing that he wants my company only to save his ass. This prick is gonna fall hard when I’m done with him. I’m sick of the games and I can’t wait to bring his world crashing down around him.