by SJ McCoy
“It hasn’t and it won’t.”
“Okay. Topic closed. And just so we leave things on a happier note, tell me about your handsome stranger?”
Tara smiled. She’d be happy to. “He was gorgeous! I’d seen him checking in while I was waiting for my appointment. It was one of those—our eyes met across a crowded room—moments.”
“What did he look like? What was he wearing?”
“Black suit, white shirt. Dark hair, green eyes. He was just … yummy! There’s no other word for him.”
“Suit? Like a business suit? You think he’s here on business? Was there a ring?”
Tara’s smile disappeared. “I don’t know. I didn’t check for a ring.” A ball of disappointment settled in the pit of her stomach. She knew it was crazy. What did it matter either way? She’d never see him again.
“Just pretend there was no ring. I know you, you’ll get all upset that he’s probably married—and he’s just a nice fantasy, so it doesn’t matter.”
“I’m a step ahead of you. I just figured that out. So, no, I don’t think he’s married, and no, I don’t think he’s a businessman either. I can tell you, you’ll laugh at me, but then you always do. I was thinking that maybe he was a spy or something. He wasn’t one of those look-at-me types. He was obviously wealthy and confident, but he wasn’t all outgoing. I’d decided he was an international man of mystery, maybe a spy like in the movies. He’s just here on an assignment and is trying to keep a low profile.”
Nicole laughed. “You shouldn’t just edit books, you should write them. You make up awesome stories for the people you see.”
Tara nodded. “I’ve been thinking about doing that.”
“You should. You could write romances and at least that way you’d have some kind of love life.”
“Ha. Thanks. That’s what I was thinking, too.”
“Well, if you won’t leave Owen with me and start dating, it’s about your only option.”
“I know, and I’m okay with it.”
“Okay. I’ll stop nagging, then. Call me tomorrow?”
“Okay. Will do.
“Bye.”
Tara hung up and went back to check on Owen. He was still swaying happily to the music. She decided to get online and see what other baroque music she could download for him—and of course, she needed to research how and why it had the effect it did. It was great that it helped, but she needed to understand the why of it.
Chapter Three
“Are you sure it’s edible?”
Reid had to laugh at the look on Dani’s face as she watched him eat. She obviously didn’t believe that he was enjoying the meal she’d prepared. He was. The food, like the rest of the evening so far, was enjoyable. It was easy to relax with TJ and Dani, especially sitting out here, in their back yard dining al fresco by the pool. “It’s delicious,” he said with a smile. “The only thing I would change would be to add more garlic, but I’m only telling you because you demanded one hundred percent honest feedback.”
He was relieved when she smiled. In his experience, women often insisted that you tell them the truth, then overreacted and took it badly when you did.
“That’s good to know, thanks. I almost put more in, but I stuck with what the recipe called for since I’m a garlic fiend.”
TJ smiled and put a hand on her shoulder. “I told you, you don’t need to worry. Mom raised us all the same way—we don’t do fake nice. If it was terrible, we’d tell you.” He smirked at Reid. “Wouldn’t we?”
Reid nodded at Dani. “He’s right. All three of us are the same. Mom drilled it into us that we should be polite, but honest. I sometimes take it a little further than he and Oscar do because I don’t always remember to factor in people’s emotions.”
TJ laughed. “You can’t factor them in when they don’t make sense to you.”
Dani put her fork down and gave Reid a puzzled look. “Emotions don’t make sense?”
Reid shrugged. “They do when I stop and think about them. At least, I can run them through my internal database of experience and observation and figure out why and how I just made someone cry.”
Dani was genuinely interested, he could tell. “So, you don’t feel things yourself?”
He nodded slowly. “I do, but not in the way other people seem to. Emotions seem … inefficient. They crop up out of nowhere and mostly they’re irrelevant to whatever I’m trying to achieve. For me, personally, I can just brush them aside, and if there’s anything left of them later, I’ll sort through them. It seems a more normal way to do things is to let emotions derail you. People need to stop and deal with them before they can reach their objective—in any endeavor.”
TJ chuckled and looked at Dani. “And by the way, yes, he always sounds as though he swallowed a dictionary.”
Dani pushed at his arm. “I’m a journalist, remember. I appreciate a man who can use words eloquently.”
Reid laughed as TJ scowled at her. “Hey. I’m eloquent when I want to be.”
“Yeah, about as eloquent as a bear can be.”
It made Reid happy to see them together. Dani was good for TJ. Reid hadn’t seen him laugh and joke like this in far too long.
“So, I’m guessing you won’t mind if I ask you a personal question then—but tell me to butt out if I’m being too nosey.”
“Go ahead.”
“What about in relationships? I mean, we women tend to be more emotional than men, in general. And I know, for me, at least, I want a man to understand me—and my feelings. How does that work for you?”
TJ shot her a warning look, but Reid smiled. “I don’t need to tell you to butt out.” He nodded at TJ, wanting him to know that it really was okay. “If I’m honest, it’s good to be able to talk about it. I don’t tend to have many relationships.”
TJ raised an eyebrow at him.
“At least, I don’t tend to get involved in long-term relationships.”
Dani’s eyes widened. “You’re not another Oscar, are you? I wouldn’t have had you down as the fuck ‘em and forget ‘em type.”
Reid laughed out loud. “No. I’m not Oscar.”
“But …” TJ held his gaze.
“But my relationships do tend to be short. And mostly … physical.”
Dani shook her head. “You surprise me.”
Reid cocked his head to one side. “Why?”
“I don’t know. I thought you’d be … I don’t know.”
Reid smiled. “You thought I’d be the blundering geek who doesn’t know how to be around women?”
She shrugged, looking a little embarrassed. “I guess, sort of, but I also kind of thought you’d be into the deep and meaningful.”
“I’d like to be, one day.” He took a slug of his beer and looked up at the last of the setting sun. He’d wondered about the deep and meaningful as he watched Owen and his mom ride away in that cab this afternoon. “But, I haven’t met anyone yet.”
TJ chuckled. “Well, maybe your time is coming. We’re falling like dominoes. First Oscar, now me; maybe it’s your turn soon.”
Reid shrugged. He doubted that.
“In the meantime, I think you do all right with your sexy geek deal. Shane taught you well.”
Reid smiled at the mention of his childhood friend. He hadn’t spoken to Shane in a couple of years, but he’d heard he was settled down and married now.
“Who’s Shane?” asked Dani.
“You know. I introduced you to him last time we were up in Montana. He runs the guest ranch where we ride.”
“Oh! That Shane?” She looked at Reid. “What did he teach you?”
Reid smiled again at the memories that came flooding back. “You can probably figure it out for yourself. You’ve met Shane, and you’ve met me. He’s big and bold and full of charm and confidence. I’m quiet and reserved and …” He shrugged. “It wasn’t the most likely friendship you could imagine.”
TJ grinned
. “No, but it was awesome. You should come up there and see him sometime.”
“I should. It’d be good to see him again.”
“Come on,” said Dani. “You have to fill me in. I’m fascinated by how the two of you became friends and what he taught you.”
“You know we grew up there?”
She nodded.
“But we didn’t go to school there. We were homeschooled. But we used to go to social events and some of the after-school clubs. I’m sure it won’t surprise you to hear that I was in the chess club.”
Dani smiled and nodded for him to continue.
“Well, there was a girl who came to chess club. Tricia Conley. Shane had a crush on her, and he asked me to teach him how to play so he could come to club and play with her.”
TJ laughed. “I think he did more playing with her behind the old barn than he ever did in chess club.”
“I believe you’re right.” Reid smiled at Dani. “Shane was a good guy, even then. He had a sense of honor and fairness. He didn’t think it was right that I should help him without him doing something for me in return. He asked what I wanted him to do for me. I told him I was fine, but he wouldn’t take no for an answer. I couldn’t think of anything, so he gave me two options. He’d teach me to ride and rope, or he’d teach me a thing or two about girls and how to make them like me. I already knew how to ride and didn’t see myself ever needing to become a cowboy, so I opted for learning about girls.”
“And he taught you well,” said TJ.
Reid smirked at him and then straightened his face as he looked at Dani.
“Wow! That’s awesome. I love that story. The geek and the cowboy helping each other out. I wish life was like that more of the time. It seems these days kids only stay with their own kind; they’re more likely to bully or fight someone who’s different from them than they are to help them and learn from each other.”
Reid blew out a sigh. “That’s true, but then look at the examples they have to learn from. Adults aren’t interested in learning from or helping each other either. These days it seems most people are only interested in being right—and in proving anyone who disagrees with them wrong.”
Dani and TJ both nodded sadly, making him realize that he’d taken a fun moment and turned it somber—spoiled the mood of their evening that had been going so well. He liked Dani. He was happy for TJ that he’d found her. He wanted to see them smile again—and to continue building a bond. “Sorry. Sometimes the way the world is gets me down; that’s why I try to avoid it mostly. However, can we go back to where we were? Talking about me and how I do or don’t fare with women?”
“Sure.” TJ looked puzzled, no doubt surprised that he wanted to open up.
Dani nodded eagerly.
“I had an encounter today. I don’t know what to do about it. I’m not sure there’s anything I can do about it, but I’d like to ask your opinions.”
They both smiled.
“Let’s hear all about it,” said TJ.
Reid almost regretted bringing it up. Almost. Some part of him wanted to talk about it, and that part wanted to find a way to see the redhead and Owen again. “When I was checking into the hotel this afternoon, I saw a woman. A very attractive woman. It was one of those moments I’ve heard people talk about; your eyes meet, you feel a connection …” He shrugged. He’d always thought that kind of talk sounded ridiculous, and it seemed even more so when he was the one speaking.
“Don’t look like that,” said TJ. “That’s what happened with us the first time I saw Dani.”
Reid looked at them, and Dani smiled back at him. “It is. The next time we saw each other didn’t go so well, but we got the hang of it eventually.”
TJ took hold of her hand. “Yeah, I almost screwed it up. What about you, though? Did you talk to her?”
“I did. I saw her again a little while later. She was with her son, and he was upset.” He looked at TJ. “The kind of upset I remember all too well.”
TJ raised an eyebrow.
“I don’t know what had set him off, but he was one unhappy little guy. I went over to them and gave him my iPod.”
“Bach?” asked TJ.
It made Reid smile that his brother remembered. “Yep. It worked like a charm. When he was calm, I carried him out so they could get a taxi.” He blew out a sigh. “And that was it.”
“Aww! That was so sweet of you to help her out.”
TJ rolled his eyes. “Dani likes sweet.”
She laughed and slapped his arm. “Most women do.” She looked back at Reid. “It’s like I said earlier. Women want someone who can understand how they’re feeling and help them out. You obviously understood what the boy needed, and, as his mother, whatever he needed, was what she needed. You didn’t ask for her number or anything?”
He shook his head. “The cab driver was in a hurry. I didn’t have the time or the foresight to plan my approach.”
“So, she just rode away, and that’s it?”
“It appears that way. I can’t think of anything I can do that wouldn’t seem totally creepy or stalkerish.”
“And what can you think of that would seem that way?” asked Dani.
Reid gave her a sheepish smile. “I will admit that I’ve given some consideration to ways I could track her down. I believe she was at the hotel for a massage, or at least, an appointment at the spa. I could start there. Or I could somehow figure out which cab firm took her and where they dropped her.”
TJ pursed his lips. “Sorry, Reid, but you’re right, both those options seem kind of stalkerish to me.”
Reid nodded. “That’s the conclusion I reached, too. So, I suppose I have to file it away in my mind as a brief encounter, something that could have been—but wasn’t.”
“Aww.” Dani looked so sad it was almost comical. “I don’t want you to give up.” She blew out a big sigh. “It could have been the beginning of something beautiful.”
“Possibly. On the other hand, perhaps it’s for the best.”
TJ nodded. “Maybe so.”
Dani looked from him to Reid and back again. “But it could have been something wonderful. She might have been your person.”
Reid smiled. “Possibly, but now I’ll never know.”
“How can you be so fatalistic?”
He laughed. “I think it’s called being realistic. In a city with a population of around four million people, I don’t think my chances of running into her again are too great.”
“I suppose not, and if you really wanted to see her again, you’d be more proactive, so I suppose I should just shut up. But when you said you wanted our opinions, I thought you were looking for suggestions.”
“I wondered what you’d both say. I’m surprised at myself that I’m still thinking about it.”
TJ nodded. “I am, too. I would have thought you’d have dismissed it by now. Are you sure you don’t want to track her down—stalkerish or not?”
Reid thought about it. “I think the honest answer is that I do want to, but I’m not going to.”
Dani nodded sadly. “Well, only you know what you want—but if you change your mind, let me know. I’d be happy to help.”
“Thanks.” Reid appreciated the offer and wasn’t totally convinced that he wouldn’t take her up on it.
~ ~ ~
Tara closed the apartment door behind her and made sure it was locked. The neighborhood wasn’t bad, but she’d never felt totally safe living here. It was all she could afford, so it had to do, but she still wished she could move herself and Owen out of the city. Her dream was to move to Wyoming. She’d never been there, but it sounded so right. She was convinced it would be the perfect place for her and Owen.
“Are we going to Aunt Nicole’s?” Owen asked as she took hold of his hand.
“No, not today. We’re going to the park.”
Owen nodded solemnly and trudged along beside her like a convicted man going to the gallows. T
he park wasn’t his favorite place, but he tolerated it. Tara was convinced that the fresh air did him good. And, although he didn’t really play with the other kids, she hoped that being around them did something for him.
Twenty minutes later, she sat on one of the benches, watching him. While the other kids ran and played, he sat on the edge of the playground, sorting the rocks and pebbles he found. She smiled to herself, knowing that in his own way, he was happy and enjoying himself.
“Hey, you.” Carolann who lived in Tara’s building plonked herself down on the bench beside her. “How’s it going?”
“It’s going. How about you?”
“About the same. The kids are driving me nuts, so I brought them out here to blow off some steam. You don’t know how lucky you are with Owen. He’s a doll; he’s so quiet and well behaved.”
Tara smiled. She did know how lucky she was—despite the way other people might see it. “He’s a good kid, but so are your two. They all have their different personalities, just like we do.”
Carolann smiled. “I guess. I mean, I couldn’t live my life the way you do. You never go anywhere or do anything.”
“Hey, I’ll have you know I went for a massage yesterday, at a big fancy hotel in the city.”
“Well, get you.” Carolann laughed. “And other than that, when was the last time you went anywhere or did anything—and going to the grocery store doesn’t count.”
Tara laughed with her. “Okay. You got me. But you know how things are for me.”
“I do, and I worry about you. You’re like a recluse, only you live in the city instead of out in the mountains in the middle of nowhere.”
“Hey. It’s not that bad.”
“I know. I just wish you’d join in more with the rest of us.”
Tara shrugged. “I wish I could, but most of the time, it’s not worth it.”
“Well, how would you feel about coming with me and Deb tomorrow?”
“Where?”
“We’re going to the community center over on Gascoigne street.”
“Why?” Tara had heard of the place. Some of the single moms from her building hung out there sometimes, but she didn’t think that was something she and Owen would enjoy.