No More Lies

by Sandy Appleyard

  “This is…wow.” I say, looking around. I whistle to emphasize how impressed I am. “You done good.”

  “Thank you. You haven’t seen the bathroom yet.”

  I scoff with a little chuckle. “No, I haven’t. But I’ve been wowed a lot today, I’m getting numb.” My tone is warm and good-natured, and she picks up on that.

  “I know. I mean, this is more of a girly thing. Is it too much? Do you want to just go to the restaurant?”

  Now I feel bad. I didn’t mean to downplay her talent. “No, not at all, sweetheart. This is beautiful. You should be really proud. It takes a lot to be innovative and independent like this, to put something like this together and make a living out of it. I just…feel bad that I can’t really relate to it is all. But I’m impressed all the same. You’re a smart woman. It’s…hard to come by.”

  “Well, you’re no slouch yourself.” She says seriously. “What you do with the horses and helping with the ranch; it’s hard work. I couldn’t roll up my sleeves and not be afraid to get dirty like that. I’m terrified of horses, too, by the way. Well, mostly because of how Quentin died, but still.”

  My face falls. It breaks my heart that she’s afraid of those beautiful animals. All because of how her brother was tragically killed by one in a freak accident. “I get that. Did you like horses…before?” I’m not sure how to end the sentence, so I trail off.

  “I did. Quentin taught me how to ride. I was good at it, too. But then after…” she shudders. “Clint made the mistake of telling me some of the gruesome details once at one of the infamous Kelsey birthday parties. Ever since then, I can’t even think about getting on a horse.”

  I’m puzzled and shocked. I don’t understand why Clint would do that. So I simply ask. “Why’d he do that?”

  “He had too much to drink. He and Will were playing some drinking game that Will talked him into. Clint can’t handle his alcohol. One thing led to another. He doesn’t even remember the conversation, but he remembers how I stopped coming around for a while after that. And then when I did, I wouldn’t talk to him for a while. He felt awful when he found out, and it’s long in the past, but the damage is done. I can’t ever get on a horse again.”

  I shake my head. “Well, that’s too bad, darlin’. I’m sorry for that.” I sigh. “That’s one of the biggest loves of my life is horses.”

  Dreamy-eyed, she looks at me. “And what’s one of the other loves in your life?”

  I look at her warmly, like she’s just paid me a compliment. “Well, sugar, maybe one day you might just find that out.”

  Chapter 9

  Lisa

  Kurt looks good enough to eat. How I’m going to keep my hands off him tonight I have no idea. So far, I’ve done well. And I’m good at hiding it, too. Especially now that he’s expressed to me how much of a turn-off it is when I lay it on thick. It’s kind of nice being able to share my passions without stooping to seduction so fast. Kurt seems genuinely intrigued by my house and my work. It’s nice for a change.

  I show him the bathroom and the other bedroom, and then we head off to the restaurant. “My wheels or yours?” he asks as we walk out of the house.

  “It doesn’t matter, really.”

  “We’ll take mine then.” He says, and he takes my hand as he helps me step up into his pickup truck. I start to wonder if he’s chosen his vehicle, just so that he can help me get up into it.

  “Thanks.” I say as I sit down. He gives me a wink. “You’re quite the gentleman.”

  “I can be a real hardass given the chance, too. So I’m told, anyway.” He grins at me.

  His hand trails over to mine as we pull out of the driveway. As he holds it, he’s sliding his thumb down my palm intermittently. It’s a sweet gesture, and I can feel the little callouses on his hands from years of hard work.

  “So, do you just design these places, or do you actually dig in and get your hands dirty with it too?” Kurt asks as we drive onto the highway.

  “Both. Granted, I don’t knock down walls or lay tile, but I’m certainly in there when the contractors are as well.”

  He gives me a look, like he wants to ask me something, but he’s afraid to.

  “What?” I ask, chuckling.

  “Ever have a fling with any of those…contractors?”

  My face goes firm and serious. “No. That’s one thing I do not do, ever. Never miss business with pleasure. These contractors I’m connected with are strictly for professional reasons. Any of my business contacts are the same.”

  He lifts my hand and kisses it. “You’re a smart girl. You should give yourself a lot of credit.”

  “Kurt, since I was eighteen, it’s always been just me. I would never shit where I eat.”

  He chuckles. “That makes good sense.”

  When we arrive at the restaurant, Kurt lifts his finger in the air, indicating for me to wait a moment, and I know why. As he helps me down from the pickup, he stays there for a moment. “You ready to eat, pretty lady?” his hands are around my middle.

  “I think so.” I look up at him. He gives me the tiniest little peck on the lips.

  “You know…you keep giving me little butterfly kisses, and I’m going to start thinking that you’re a nice guy.”

  “That’s the plan, sweetheart.” He pats my back and we walk hand-in-hand into the restaurant.

  We sit, engaging in idle conversation while we wait for the waitress to come and take our orders, when one of my clients enters the restaurant. Max and his wife Carol got married a year ago. It started with him hiring me to redecorate his home when Carol moved in, and then one thing led to another, and I ended up photographing their wedding, redesigning their first home, and two years later, designing their second home. Max and Carol are two of my best clients. They’ve referred many clients my way, too.

  “Hi,” I practically shout out, beaming, as I see them walk in. Rising, I greet them both with a kiss on the cheek and a hug. We’re great friends. “This is Kurt. He’s working over at Laura’s ranch.” I say by way of introduction.

  “Hi, Kurt.” Max says. He’s an investment banker, and she’s a high school teacher. Max is tall with a head of thick blonde hair, and Carol is shorter than Max by a foot, but with long, straight blonde hair. She’s gorgeous and together, they are perfectly photogenic. Many of their wedding photographs I keep in a scrapbook and show as samples to potential clients.

  “How’s it going, Kurt.” Carol says.

  Why, I don’t know, but I’m so glad to see them. It’s been a couple of months since we’ve been in the same room together. I threw a spring party back in April, and that’s the last time I saw them.

  “Why don’t you guys join us?” Kurt offers, not even waiting for an answer. He hails the hostess over and arranges for them to put us together.

  “You guys don’t mind?” Carol asks, giving me a look like she wants to speak to me in private.

  “Na, it’s our second date. It’s okay.” Kurt jokes.

  Carol gasps. “Oh…my gosh…you’re on a date? Good Lord, we don’t want to intrude!”

  “It’s fine.” Kurt waves, and then he looks at me. My face is alight. “I can see that you’re fine with it.” His smile is contagious. “It’s a double date.”

  “Alright then.” Max says, taking a seat as the waitress delivers our menus. “So, where are you from?” Max asks Kurt.

  “El Paso. My brother was working at Kelsey’s, too, but now he’s over working with Laura’s brother at the medical clinic.”

  Recognition comes to Carol’s eyes. “Oh, yes. Grayson, isn’t it? That’s your brother’s name?”

  “That’s right.”

  I chime in, unable to contain myself. “Grayson and Laura are getting married.”

  Carol’s eyes bulge but she’s smiling. “No kidding! Oh, wow, she must be so happy.”

  “We’re very happy for them.” Kurt and I both say at the same time. We look at each other, and
he takes my hand in his. We’re sitting next to each other, while Max and Carol are sitting side-by-side opposite us.

  The waitress comes by and we tell her that we need more time to make our orders. She leaves us and Max addresses Kurt. “So, how do you like Huttonville so far?”

  “It’s pretty good.” He frowns, nodding. “I like being close to my brother again. And it’s a nice change from living back at home with my family.”

  “Carol lived at home with her family until we got married.” Max comments.

  Carol chimes in. “My parents are very old-school. We weren’t allowed to live together until there was a ring on my finger. It was like that with all my siblings.”

  “Looks like it was worth it, though.” Kurt responds.

  They look at each other. “So worth it.” Carol says. Max gives her a chaste kiss on the lips.

  As we sit and eat, we enjoy conversing together. It’s nice to have an impromptu double-date. A first for me, and I’m guessing for Kurt, too. The restaurant is cute and cozy, with small, round wooden tables and linen tablecloths, but the chairs are also wooden and rustic. There is a patio outside that is empty, and I see people milling around out there, setting something up. “Hey, what are they doing out there?” I ask aloud.

  “Oh, they’re setting up for the live band.” Max says. “You didn’t know about that?”

  “No.” I say, surprised.

  Kurt looks over at me, both his brows are lifted. “You must be having a rough week. Since when do you not know about something?”

  Max pipes up. “Yeah, Lisa. What’s going on?” the tone in both their voices is good-natured taunting.

  “Well, clearly not everyone knew, because otherwise this place would be packed.” Carol says, coming to my rescue.

  “I always liked you.” I say, giving her hand a squeeze.

  She giggles. “You guys up for a little dancing?”

  I look at Kurt. I’m not sure what his thoughts are on that.

  “I’m up for it. How about you?” he asks me.

  “I could do some dancing.” I say, allowing myself a glance at his lips.

  Sure enough, thirty minutes later, the music starts. The restaurant is cleverly put together, utilizing a roll-up garage door painted white from the inside, and custom-outfitted with glass windows, giving it the impression of just being part of the back wall. “Geez, I must be losing my touch. I didn’t even know that they’d put something like this in.” I comment, checking it out from afar.

  “It’s new.” Max comments. “The owner of this restaurant is a client of mine.”

  “You guys must come here pretty often.” Kurt says.

  “We try to get out once a week.” Carol responds, just as a catchy tune comes on. It’s a cover band, and they’re playing really good stuff from the eighties, which is right up my alley.

  “You like this kind of music?” I ask Kurt, hoping like hell that we at least have this in common. I’m a sucker for my music, and it would be awful if we didn’t have the same taste.

  “Yeah, I love this stuff.” He says. “I’m not much of a dancer, admittedly. But with the right amount of alcohol, I can turn into Fred Astaire.”

  Max, overhearing, chimes in. “I’m no dancer myself, but around here, we all look like idiots, so don’t sweat it.”

  Max is right. Many people come over to the back patio and dance, and there are new moves as well as old moves and terrible moves seen all over. Kurt isn’t bad, I must admit. He likes to dosey-doe me a little bit here and there, which gives us the opportunity to get close, and we take turns pecking each other on the lips here and there. It’s really sweet and fun, and I don’t remember ever being this free with a man before.

  All the songs so far have been fast, and we’re having such a hoot dancing together, all four of us. We even trade partners, dancing, bopping hips, wiggling rear ends, having a grand old time. Kurt and I find ourselves singing the lines to the really good ones to each other, until he forgets a line and I point his blunder out. When it becomes a game of who can forget the line first, as we dance together, we find the laughter infectious and contagious.

  Finally, when a slow song comes on, Kurt grabs me and holds me close. “Oh, thank God. I’m exhausted.” He laughs, winded. “Woo! I don’t think I’ve danced that much since Kelly and Grayson’s wedding.”

  His heart is beating fast against my chest, and his breathlessness is unnerving. I haven’t ever been this close to a man out of breath unless he was inches away from a headboard. My fingers play in the hair on the back of his neck, while his hands rest on my waist. The warmth from his touch is driving me crazy. Sweat is dripping down his temples as he sways with me to the music. The song is one we both know, so we’re playing along, singing to each other, as we both search each other’s eyes. I’m dying to kiss him. I don’t think I’ve ever wanted to kiss a man so badly.

  Max and Carol are dancing next to us, and as I look over, they are glued to each other. Not in a gross way, but you can definitely tell that they’re deeply in love. For the first time in my life, I ache for that. Sometimes I wonder if things would have been different between Harlan and I. We were in love like that. We were supposed to be together forever. I can’t ever go down that road again, but it seems a lot more difficult to say no with Kurt looking into my eyes, singing sweet words to me, holding me close to him. Just when I don’t think he could be any sweeter, he leans in and kisses me chastely on the lips.

  After the song is over, Max and Carol bid us adieu. “It was a pleasure meeting you.” Kurt says to both of them.

  “We should do a double date again next weekend.” Max suggests.

  “Err…um…I’ve got plans next weekend.” Kurt stammers. “Maybe the weekend after though.”

  Carol says. “It sounds great. We’ll be in touch.”

  “I’ll see you later.” Kurt says while I give them both a hug goodbye. “They seem like great people.”

  “They are.” I comment. “I’m very blessed. My clients are top notch. That’s half the reason why I do what I do. I work with great people.”

  “I work with horses.” Kurt says with a chuckle. “Sometimes that’s a good thing.”

  I smile at his funny comment.

  “You want to head out, or do you want to stick around for more dancing?” he asks me.

  “I’m all danced out, frankly.” I say with a sigh. “It’s been a lot of fun, though.”

  “Sure has.” He agrees, taking my hand. We head out to the front and pay the bill, and his hand hasn’t left mine after we leave the restaurant. After he helps me up into the van and we start back to my house, his hand is still in mine.

  “So a hand holder huh.” I comment, skating my finger over his palm.

  He looks over at me, glancing at our hands, now interlaced together. “That a problem?”

  “Not at all.” I say dreamily. “It’s nice.”

  “Never been a hand-holder, frankly. It just seems…natural.” He lifts my hand and kisses the back of it.

  As we pull up to my house, I say. “Do you want to come in?”

  He purses his lips together into a tight smile. “Na, I…I should head back.”

  I know exactly why he doesn’t want to come in. It’s the whole seduction avoidance thing. I get it. “Okay.” I say, trying to hide my disappointment. “Do you want to…do this again?” I venture, and somehow, I’m nervous to ask him. I’m thinking that maybe he’s having second thoughts, based on his turning me down a second ago.

  “Sure.” He says, looking in my eyes. “I’m going to El Paso this weekend with Laura and Grayson. Would you like to come along?”

  Well, now things are looking up…

  “I’d love to.”

  He smiles, giving me a wink. “Come on. I’ll walk you to your door.”

  Was that a pass? Did I just pass a test?

  “Just…hold on a second.” He says with a little snuffle, and I know that it’s jus
t so that he can help me out of the truck again.

  As he lifts me down, he wraps his arms around my middle. I giggle. “Never install running boards on this thing.”

  “I’ll be sure not to.” He murmurs. My hands snake around his neck. He leans in and gives me a little peck on the mouth again, and I’m about to combust. His little kisses are so teasing. I’m dying to know how he kisses when it isn’t like he’s kissing his mother. Or is this how he kisses? Is it all about the innocent hand-holding, and chaste little stamps on the lips with him? Maybe there’s no heat with him. No spark. I know I feel a major spark when I’m with him, but maybe he doesn’t feel it. But then, why would he be inviting me to go away with him this weekend to meet his family…if he didn’t feel a spark?

  He takes my hand and leads me to the front door, closing the passenger side door in his wake. I think to myself…is he going to come in after all? As we reach my door, I’m about to pull my keys out of my purse, when he slides his hand around my waist, pulling me to him gently. “I should go.”

  “Okay.” I search his eyes, trying so hard to convey the message to him that I want him…bad. But there’s that chaste, innocent look on his face again. He kisses me softly on the lips once, twice, three times. It’s a little less chaste than before, and there’s a little more heat, but it’s still very PG. “So El Paso? This weekend?” I say, breaking the silence.

  “If you’re up for it. That would be great.” His arms are still around me, holding me close. “It was Grayson’s idea, but, I think it should be a lot of fun.”

  “Do I…need to book a hotel room or something?” I ask, fishing.