The First One

by Tawdra Kandle

  “Can I help you?” I softened the words with a smile.

  “I’m sorry to interrupt. The girl over there told me to talk to you.” She licked her lips. “I’m Rilla Grant. I live a couple miles down the road from here.”

  “Grant?” Alex nodded. “Is your dad Emmett Grant? I think I’ve met him.” He stuck out his hand. “I’m Alex Nelson. My mom and dad farm next door.”

  “Nice to meet you.” Rilla seemed flustered by Alex’s hand. Her face turned red, and I noticed that her fingers shook a little as she clasped it.

  “I’m Ali Reynolds. Stand owner and person in charge. Are you looking for something specific?” I was curious; at first glance, I wouldn’t have thought she was even as old as Cassie, but once I saw her eyes, I realized she was probably closer to Meghan’s age.

  She took a deep breath. “I’m starting up a business. I just got my degree in advertising and public relations, and I’d like to begin raising the visibility of the commerce in this area. Mostly what I’d do is online, social media type of promotion, at first at least, but I hope to eventually expand to print and broadcast.” She finished what was obviously a well-rehearsed speech and met my gaze with what appeared to be a great deal of effort.

  “And you think you could do something for us? The stand, I mean?” Sam and I’d never really done any kind of advertising other than word of mouth. There were a few old wooden signs in either direction of the highway, but beyond that, we’d relied on the power of the passing motorist.

  “I’d like to try.” Rilla smiled, and I was struck by how pretty she was. It was odd; I couldn’t remember ever seeing her before. If she lived nearby, I was pretty sure I’d have known her at least by sight. Burton wasn’t so large a town that I couldn’t identify the entire population, even if I couldn’t name them all.

  “Do you have a card? Or some information? My brother and I own the farm and the stand together. I couldn’t make any decision without running it by him.”

  Alex pushed away from the table he’d been leaning against. “Not that this high-level business talk isn’t fascinating, but I’m going to head home, check in with the parentals and get ready for big fun tonight.” He glanced at me, one brow raised. “You sure you don’t want to come with?”

  Oh, hell yeah, I did. But I shook my head. “Another time, Alex. But thanks.”

  He grimaced. “Whatever. I’m not going to beg you. But if you change your mind, you know where to find me. Nice to meet you, Rilla.” He kissed my cheek, waved to Cassie and headed to his car.

  Rilla handed me a folder. “This has my contact information and some statistics for what I think I could do to help you. I’d appreciate it if you’d take a look, and if you like what you see, or if you have questions, give me a call.”

  “I’ll definitely do that.” I smiled at her. “Are you working for anyone else in the area?”

  She glanced away. “Um, actually, you’re the first person I’ve approached. I was hoping if I could start with a few clients, or even just one, I could start to get some referrals.”

  “That’s smart. Especially in a small community like this.” I tapped the folder against my leg. “Let me talk to Sam, and I’ll get back to you next week. Does that work?”

  Rilla smiled again, but this time it was genuine and brilliant. “Yes, that would be terrific. Fine, I mean. Thank you so, so much.” She turned to leave and then stopped, coming back and extending her hand. “Sorry. I almost forgot. Thank you for talking with me, and I hope we can work together in the future.”

  More canned speech, but I couldn’t help liking this girl, as full of nerves and jitters as she was. I hoped her information was decent; Sam and I didn’t really have an advertising budget, but maybe it was time to rethink that.

  Cassie came to stand next to me as I watched Rilla climb into an older model sedan and pull slowly onto the highway.

  “Do you know her?”

  I shrugged. “No, not until today. I was thinking it was sort of weird I’ve never met her, if she lives this close. I know where the Grant farm is. Why, do you know her?”

  “Yeah. Well, I know who she is. My brother dated a girl from her church, and I went with him to one of their youth group meetings. She was there, too.”

  “She’s older than you. Said she graduated from college. You didn’t know her in school?”

  “She didn’t go to Burton. I think she went to the private elementary school at their church, and then she was homeschooled for high school. I only remember her from the youth group deal because she was assisting the youth pastor. Someone told me they were like, together, but they don’t really date. No hand holding, no kissing, no nothing, until they get married. I remember thinking that was just crazy.”

  I raised one eyebrow in her direction. “I don’t know, Cass. Might not be such a bad idea. Hmm, wonder if I could get Bridget to buy into that before she’s old enough to date.”

  Cassie hooted with laughter. “Good luck with that.”

  The rest of the afternoon was steadily busy. We didn’t have more then a few minutes between customers, keeping both Cassie and me occupied with answering questions, ringing up sales and restocking the tables and shelves. The entire time, my mind kept darting back to Flynn and Alex. I mentally debated texting Alex, changing my mind on his invitation for tonight, but then I worried Flynn would think I was tagging along like a lovesick idiot. I couldn’t do that. I wasn’t ready to take any risks when it came to him, no matter what Alex had said.

  On the other hand, the idea of sitting home tonight, with a front-row seat to the Sam and Meghan show didn’t sound like much fun either. They hardly ever went out, preferring to spend their time together having quiet dinners and evenings on the porch. A DVD night every once in a while. Come to think of it, those two could use some shaking up, too. A little excitement wouldn’t hurt anyone.

  I got home just as Meghan was putting a roast chicken on the table. Sam was already sitting down, and they both had that smiley glow that told me they hadn’t spent the afternoon playing pinochle. Excellent. I needed them to be in a good mood.

  “Come in early from the fields today, brother dear?” I gave him a wide smile over my shoulder as I washed my hands.

  “Might have. I worked hard all week to get a little ahead. I could afford to take a little time off.”

  “Wonderful. And how about you, Meghan? Did you have a nice, quiet afternoon of painting after Bridge left?”

  She put a bowl of potatoes on the table and shimmied around a chair with a little shriek as Sam reached out to pat her ass. “Behave yourself, you! Yes, I did, actually. I had four hours of peaceful sketching and painting before your wicked brother came home.”

  “Good, good. I, on the other hand, spent all day at the very busy stand, selling and stocking and schmoozing. And keeping Cassie from making a fool of herself over any man over fifteen and under fifty who came in. And more selling. And more stocking. All. Day. Long.”

  “Oh, I’m sorry, Ali.” Guilt covered Meghan’s face. Awesome. I could work with guilt. “I could’ve run over to help you.”

  Sam, having more experience with my ways as well as a good healthy dose of suspicion when it came my motives, was not as easily moved. “You had Cassie there. She’s a hard worker. Besides, you love when the stand’s busy.”

  Hmmm, he had me there. “True, but I’m just saying. You two’ve had a relaxing day, while I worked my ass off. Don’t you want to do something nice for me?”

  “Meghan made you this beautiful dinner, which is getting cold while you whine.” Giving me a hard look, he closed his eyes, bowed his head and said the blessing before I could get another word in.

  But I wasn’t that easily put off. I served myself some green beans and continued as though I’d not been interrupted. “So I was thinking, wouldn’t it be fun for the three of us to go out tonight? Do something fun?”

  Sam sighed, but Meghan’s face brightened before she could stop it. “What were you thinking, Ali? Like a movi
e or something? Over to the diner for ice cream?”

  “I kind of thought maybe The Road Block. Music, dancing, some lovely adult beverages . . .” I smiled at her and kept my eyes pointedly off my brother. “We haven’t gone dancing in ages.”

  “The last time you two went out together, it didn’t end well.” Sam pointed his fork at me.

  “Clearly we don’t have the same memory. As I remember it, Meghan and I had a blast, and after we got home, you finally gave in to your baser instincts and made out with Meghan on the porch.”

  Sam flushed, and Meghan’s eyes grew wide as they flicked from my brother to me. Maybe that was information that had been meant to stay between us girls. Oh, well, all was fair in love and dancing.

  “Anyway, that doesn’t matter. You come with us tonight and make sure we behave. It’d do you good to get out a little with people who don’t only talk soil and motor whatchamacallits and crops.”

  He groaned. “Ali, I hate all the noise and the crowds. Bunch of drunk cowboys just looking for a skirt to nail.”

  “Please . . .” I gave him my best little-sister eye bat. “I really need it, Sam. And Meghan wants to go, too. Don’t you?”

  Meghan looked a little a deer in headlights. “I, um, oh Ali, don’t put me in this position.” She laid down her fork. “Yes, Sam, I’d enjoy the dancing.” She leaned a little closer. “I’d particularly enjoy the dancing with you. But if you really don’t want to go.”

  Sam shook his head and scooped a bite of potatoes into his mouth. “Fine. We’ll go. But we’re not staying late, and you, baby sister, owe me big time. And don’t think I’ll forget it.”

  I jumped out of my chair and hugged him hard from the back. “Thank you! I promise, the next time you two need alone time, I’ll clear out, no questions ask.” I clapped my hands. “I’m going to do the dishes and get changed. Put on your best boots, brother mine. We’re going dancing!”

  “MOM, YOU’RE SURE YOU don’t want me to hang out here tonight? I can just stay in my room. I won’t interfere in spa night. Though I have been told I do a mean facial.”

  My mother shook her head. “Ew, and I don’t even want to know who would’ve told you that. No, you’re out of here. Go have fun with Alex. See some of the guys. Bridget’s fine with us. Right, darlin’?”

  “Right.” My daughter turned from the kitchen table, where she was helping my mom mix up some kind of hair conditioner goop. “No boys allowed tonight. It’s girls’ night.”

  “Fine, fine. I can see where I’m not wanted.” I stood up, pushed in my chair and tugged on one of Bridget’s braids. “I’ll get changed. Alex is picking me up in twenty minutes.”

  I passed Reenie coming down the steps as I was going up. She carried a stack of towels and shot me a wide smile. “Getting your cowboy on tonight¸ Flynnigan?”

  I stopped, my hand gripping the bannister. “What did you call me?”

  Maureen turned to look back at me. “Flynnigan. Why?”

  “No one ever called me that but Dad.” I almost whispered the words.

  “Oh.” She nodded. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to . . . step on anything there. I didn’t even think of it.”

  “It’s okay.” I shrugged it off. “Just took me by surprise.”

  “I miss him, too.” She hugged the towels to her chest. “So much has been happening the last few months, but every now and again, I swear I hear him singing, or smell his aftershave.”

  “Yeah.” I rubbed my jaw. “Think he’s hanging around to make sure we’re behaving?”

  “Knowing Dad, probably the opposite. Hoping we won’t behave.” She grinned. “So I stand by my original sentiment: go get your cowboy on tonight, Flynnigan.”

  I changed into a faded white and blue cotton dress shirt and rolled the sleeves to just below my elbows. Opening my closet door, I looked at my beat up old boots, the ones Ali had given me for Christmas in our junior year of high school. I’d left them behind when I fled Burton, not wanting any reminders of Georgia or the girl I’d loved.

  But tonight, I was feeling the need to go old-school. I reached for the boots and sat down to pull them on, feeling them mold to my feet again, just as comfortable and perfect as they’d been a decade before.

  Back downstairs, I kissed Bridget good-bye and teased all the girls about sneaking back to take pictures of them in their clay face masks. I heard the purr of Alex’s Porsche as he turned into the driveway.

  “Behave yourself!” My mother had to get in last word. “But have fun.”

  I stood in the open doorway and winked at her. “No promises.” Closing the door behind me, I slid into the passenger seat of my friend’s fine machine.

  “Check you out.” I slammed the car door and tugged my seatbelt across my lap. “Business must be good.”

  “No complaints.” Alex turned in the driver’s seat to back out, and the scent of his very expensive cologne drifted my way.

  “Hey, do guys really dig that smelly stuff?” I stretched out my legs.

  Alex glanced at me. “Why do you ask? You looking to change teams?”

  I rolled my eyes. “No. Just curious.”

  “Well, then, in my experience, yes, they do. At least some. But it’s just like with girls. There’s no one size fits all.”

  I grunted. “If it’s just like with women, I don’t see the point. I mean, I hang out with dudes because chicks are confusing.”

  “Yeah, well, it’s the same the world around, buddy. Sorry to burst your bubble.” He sped up as we left the town limits, turning onto the county highway. “Is there any one chick who’s particularly confusing to you?”

  “I live in a household of women. They’re all that way.”

  “I thought maybe you were thinking of one who doesn’t live with you.”

  Alex was about as subtle as a freight train. “Why don’t you just come out and ask me how things are going with Ali?”

  “I would, but I saw her this afternoon and got the scoop. She thinks you’re messing with her.”

  I frowned, my forehead drawing together. “Messing with her? What the hell’s that supposed to mean?”

  “She thinks you’re just interested in her because she’s here, she’s part of your past, and you’re being nostalgic. Or some shit like that.” He slowed as we approached a huge building with bright neon letters on the side. “I know the truth, though. She’s scared. She doesn’t remember how to trust, and she’s afraid you’ll hurt her again.”

  “I’ll hurt her?” A pinprick of guilt pierced my chest. “The fuck? Who’s the one who changed the plan at the last fucking minute? Who’s the one who decided I wasn’t important enough to leave her precious farm?”

  “Whoa there, dude. Don’t kill the therapist. I’m just telling you what I think. Maybe if you understand where she’s coming from, you two can figure out where to go from here.”

  “We don’t go anywhere from here. Except we’re both Bridget’s parents. She’s the only thing we’ve done well together, and even then, we almost screwed up. Ali told me today that we need to stick to being parents only, for Bridget’s sake. Maybe she’s right.”

  Alex found a parking spot in the back. I checked out the small groups of girls who clumped together around the lot, dressed in short skirts, tight tops and boots. Then there were the guys who were checking out the girls, tipping back longnecks and slapping each other on the shoulder.

  Oh, yeah, I was back in Georgia.

  Alex and I made our way inside, waving to a few people who shouted out greetings to us as we passed. I noticed more than one girl flash an invitation to me with her eyes, and one who was either braver or drunker flashed more than an invitation.

  “Now that’s class.” There was laughter in Alex’s voice. “Nice to see you haven’t lost your touch.”

  “Thanks. But no thanks. I’m just here to let off some steam and hang out with you. And maybe get a little wasted.”

  The atmosphere inside was surprisingly upscale for Burton, Georgia. The
circular bar dominated the huge room and was already surrounded by people ordering or waiting to order. To the left of the bar, tables circled by chairs filled the space, and to the right was the dance floor. A band was setting up on the stage that ran along the back wall.

  Alex and I pushed through to the bar. A tall guy with black hair and a shorter, bald man were waiting on patrons, moving with between the people and the liquor with relaxed grins that belied their speed. I was impressed by how laid-back they both seemed to be, considering how many people were calling out, demanding attention and booze.

  “Hey, Mason!” Alex cupped his hands around his mouth and hollered. “How’s it hanging, dude?”

  The black-haired man turned, and catching sight of Alex, grinned. “You son of a bitch, you back in town again? You sure you really live in Atlanta? I’m thinking of calling bullshit on that.”

  Alex spread out his hands. “What can I say? The charms of Burton keep luring me home.” He hooked a thumb in my direction. “Mason, do you remember Flynn Evans? He’s back in town, too.”

  “Evans.” Mason extended an arm over the bar, and I shook his hand. “Long time, no see. Heard you got out of Dodge, too. What brought you back?”

  I laughed. “Too much to get into with this many people around. Let’s just say, a death brought me back and a birth kept me in town. For now.” I waved my hand in a circle between us. “Great place you have here. Seems like you’re packing them in.”

  “Every weekend, bro.” Mason nodded. “We bring in some hot new music acts, serve good liquor at decent prices, give ’em a place to dance.” He leaned closer to be heard when he lowered his voice. “Dance floor is for the ladies, of course. All of them told me they had no place to dance until we opened. They come and they bring their boyfriends, or they come here to hook up, so plenty of guys want to be here, too. It’s a win-win.”

  “Works for those of us not looking for ladies, too. Some of us come to dance and pick up hot dudes.” Alex wiggled his eyebrows, and I was happy to see Mason throw back his head and laugh. Most people in Burton accepted Alex as he was, but there were always a few rednecks ready to give him shit. Nice to see Mason wasn’t one of them.