She unzipped her bag and took out a small perfume bottle. “Mindy bought me this. She said she remembered what Mom wore.”
“That’s a thoughtful gift.”
With a nod, she dropped the perfume back into the bag. “I told her that I missed Mom’s scent.”
His phone buzzed from his pocket. He pulled it out and read the message from Mindy. “Something has come up. I can’t make it for pizza. I’ll explain later.”
Dropping his cell into the center console he sighed. For the last few days every time they made plans to get together something came up.
~~~~~
Hearing Jane’s laughter coming from the kitchen, Mindy hurried in and found her daughter sitting at the table eating chocolate mint ice cream from the container. Every time she and her Pop Pop saw each other the first thing they did was buy ice cream.
Jane looked up and blinked. “Mom, you look like you ran all the way here.”
“I came just as soon as I got your text. What are you doing here? Is everything okay?” She placed a palm over her chest where her heart was beating like a drum. She immediately started assuming something bad had happened.
“Sheesh, Mom. It’s okay. Calm down. Pop Pop picked me up at the airport and we’ve just been hanging out. Grabbed ice cream too.”
“It’s so good to see you here. You haven’t visited since, well, I can’t even remember.” Rusty wore a smile that Mindy hadn’t seen in a while. Maybe his granddaughter was exactly what he needed.
“It’s been a long time,” Jane said.
Mindy pulled out the chair between them and plopped down, dragging her gym bag off her shoulder and dropping it on the floor. “You really didn’t answer my question. Why are you here? And you flew in? That must have cost a fortune.”
“Pop Pop bought the ticket for me.”
Mindy slid an accusing glance his direction. He completely deflected it. “Great, Daddy. What else are you keeping secret?”
“Don’t get mad.” Jane sighed. “I felt bad after I told you about Dad and Sian. So, I thought I’d come for the weekend.”
“Why didn’t you call me? I would have come to the airport to get you.”
“Since Pop Pop gave me the money, I wanted him to do the honor.” Jane smiled widely. “Thanks, Pop Pop.”
“I’m glad I could be of use.”
Mindy exhaled. “I’m fine, Jane. You didn’t have to worry.”
“Fine.” Jane dropped her spoon into the almost empty container. “There’s another reason why I came. I have something to tell you.”
Oh hell. Mindy felt an invisible whack against her head. She was this age and a few weeks into her freshmen year at college when she realized she was pregnant. If Jane walked the same path…
A smile burst over her face. “I’ve met someone, Mom.”
“You’ve met someone?” Mindy dropped back into the chair, grasping the edge of the table. Was she pregnant? Would that be the next revelation?
“I’m totally in love. His name is Jonesy. He’s twenty-one. And he’s majoring in Chemistry.” Her cheeks flushed. “He’s a nerd just like me,” she squealed.
“Honey, you’ve only been at school for three weeks. When did you meet him?”
“The first day of class. He’s in my biology. We doubled up for a lab and hit it off immediately. He asked me to dinner and we ate at the Hot Dog Caddy Shack and spent the night talking.”
Mindy couldn’t speak.
Jane blinked. “Mom, aren’t you happy for me?”
“Of course.” But she couldn’t seem to force a smile on her face. Mindy had never liked surprises.
“But you have that look.”
“What look?”
Jane shaped her face into a duplicate expression. “Like that.”
“Like I’m constipated?” Mindy shrugged, blowing out some tension. “I’m sorry, sweetie. I’m just surprised. Eventually I’d like to meet him.”
Jane and her Pop Pop exchanged a look. Mindy’s stomach turned.
“You will, Mom. Soon,” Jane said.
“How soon?” Mindy heard the toilet flush from the bathroom down the hall.
“Soon. Very soon,” Jane whispered.
“Jane?” Mindy heard shoes hitting the floor and turned in time to see a tall, lanky boy step into the room. His dark hair was cut into a mullet and he had a long row of piercings.
“Hi. You must be Mrs. Sage.” The boy—man—wore a large smile. His shirt read, “Parents don’t like me because I’m cool.”
Jane jumped up and stepped next to his side, grabbing his hand proudly. “Mom, I’d like for you to meet Jonesy.”
Mindy stood and gave her daddy a lifted brow as if to silently say, “You could have warned me.” Planting a smile on her face, she looked at her daughter who wore the same look she had the day she dropped the bomb that she’d decided to let a friend live in the guest room. The friend happened to be a homeless man she saw on a bench outside the mall and invited him home with her. She was fifteen at the time. She’d wanted so badly for Mindy and Branch to be proud because she’d helped someone. “Hi, Jonesy.” Mindy held out her hand.
The young man shifted from one untied boot to the other then stuck his clammy hand in Mindy’s. He shook it enthusiastically. “Nice place you got here, Mrs. Sage.”
“Where are you from, Jonesy?” Mindy pulled her hand away.
“Tampa.”
“Is that where you grew up?”
“My mom and I moved there when my dad went to prison.”
Jane cleared her throat. “Mom, how about we don’t interrogate him before he’s had a chance to settle in.”
“I didn’t realize I was interrogating him. Sorry if that’s how it came across, Jonesy. Jane, can I talk to you alone for a moment?”
“Jonesy, I’ll be back. Sit down. Get to know Pop Pop. I’ll miss you.”
“I’ll miss you too, sweet tart.” They rubbed noses.
Mindy stepped out of the kitchen and into the living room. When Jane came in, Mindy said, “Well, sweet tart, you’ve certainly managed to surprise me once again.”
“He’s wonderful, isn’t he?” Her eyes twinkled and her lips pursed.
Mindy knew this was a trick question. No matter how she answered it wouldn’t be right. “I don’t know him. Could you have warned me that you were bringing someone with you?”
“I thought you’d be happy for me.”
“Did I say I’m not? I’m only suggesting that this is a bit—”
“What?” Jane crossed her arms over her chest, tilting her chin stubbornly.
“Surprising. He seems…nice but give me a chance to catch my breath. Okay?”
Jane dropped her arms. “Do you really mean it? You’ll give him a chance?”
“Of course. Why wouldn’t I?”
“He’s not like other boys my age. I know the rings and tats—”
“Don’t bother me. I am concerned with you rushing things.”
“Don’t worry. Can we go back into the kitchen?”
When they stepped in, Jonesy and Rusty were talking about World War one. He had to have the same conversation with everyone he met. About the planes, bombs and POWs. Jonesy seemed genuinely interested.
Jane stepped up behind Jonesy’s chair and hugged him tightly. “We’ve already stuck our things in the guest room, Mom.”
Mindy cleared her throat. “Jane, you’ll be sleeping in my room and Jonesy you’ll be in the guest bedroom. I’m sure Jane can show you around tomorrow. Right, Jane?”
Receiving a disgruntled look, Mindy waited anxiously for Jane’s argument. Mindy was more than willing to give the new boyfriend a chance, but she wasn’t ready to welcome him into her daughter’s bed. Not this soon.
“Fine. Come on, Jonesy. Let’s get settled in.”
Once she was alone with her daddy, Mindy turned to him, tapping the toe of her shoe lightly. “You could have said something to me.”
“How was I supposed to do that?” He lifted his
hands in a gesture of innocence.
“Call. Text. Send smoke signals. You certainly found a way of getting ahold of me when I was a teenager and I was late getting home.” She opened the refrigerator and took out a bottle of water. Hearing his laughter, she turned to him. “I’m glad you think this is funny.”
“Remember all those nights I stayed up worrying about you? It’s about time I can sit back and watch as you learn what it’s like.” His grey eyes sparkled.
“Daddy, I was a good kid. You didn’t have to worry. Just as Jane is a good girl and I don’t have to worry, much. Although it does seem a little quick, don’t you think?”
Rusty shrugged a shoulder. “You never listened to me. I tried to tell you about Branch and you thought he hung the moon and stars.”
“No, I thought Creed hung the moon and stars,” she corrected him.
“A parent always sees things differently. I always liked Creed, thought he was a good boy, but I saw that fire in your eyes when he was around. Reminded me a lot of the fire your mama and I had when we first met. That scares a parent.” He stood, walked over to her and kissed her on top of the head. “Looks like Jane might just have that same fire. You’ll get through this. Might get some new greys, but you’ll get through it.” He strolled from the kitchen, his laughter fading in his distance.
“You’re wrong. I don’t already have greys.” She glanced at herself in the reflection of the stainless refrigerator.
Chapter Eighteen
CREED HAD JUST tossed the empty pizza box into the trashcan when he heard a soft knock. His heart kicked up in speed. Could it be Mindy?
Strolling through the house he pulled open the door and his smile dropped faster than the rain in Montana.
“Are you going to just stand there and stare or are you going to invite me in?”
After finally catching his breath, he frowned. This was the last person he expected to see on his doorstep, or in Cooper’s Hawk. “What are you doing here, Mel?”
She gave a careless laugh that got stuck in her throat. “Nice to see you too, Creed.” Melody had always taken care of herself. He couldn’t deny she hadn’t aged any and still looked as beautiful as ever, but he was grateful he didn’t feel anything but anger and disgust at seeing her now. Those penetrating pale blues used to work him with magical wonder, but now they only worked up the bile into his throat. “You’re really not going to invite me in?” she huffed, pursing crimson red lips that had obviously been on the receiving end of a few needles.
He stepped out onto the porch and closed the door behind him. “What are you doing here?”
Her mouth twisted. “I’m here to see my daughter. Do I need any other reason?” One thin brow popped up.
“Haven’t you heard of calling first?” Although he wanted to be happy that Melody was here to visit with Livvy, another part of him, the part that had been blindsided enough to know better, worried about Melody’s intentions.
“Are you trying to say I have to schedule an appointment to visit?”
“Didn’t you just tell me on the phone the other day that you were too busy to see Livvy?” He kept his voice lowered.
She gave a throaty sigh. “I got cut from the show. It appears the producer has no idea how to work with real talent.” She tugged at the hem of her gauzy shirt. She looked completely out of place in the tight skirt and tall heels with the background of fields. “I flew all this way. Rented a car. Did I do that for nothing?”
As much as it panged him, he couldn’t deny that Livvy would want to see her. Sending her away until he had a chance to speak to his daughter wouldn’t be the best effort on his part. Opening the door, he stepped back to let Mel pass. He caught a lungful of her sweet scent. That was her signature fragrance, the same one that Mindy had gifted to Livvy.
She stepped in glanced around the space and smiled. “I see nothing has changed.” He couldn’t ignore the significant disgusted undertone.
“A lot has changed really.” He closed the door, squeezing the doorknob a little too tight
“If you say so.” She made a sweep of her gaze downward then brought it back up and smiled. “You’re looking good, Creed.”
If she was expecting a return compliment, he couldn’t find one.
She stepped forward and gave him a sounding kiss on the cheek. “Oh no. I left lipstick.” She wiped it off.
“Mom? Is that you? Is that really you?”
The excited voice from the staircase made Creed and Melody both look.
“There’s my sweet daughter,” Melody said with a smile.
Livvy raced down the stairs and practically jumped into her mother’s arms like she did when she was a toddler. “Why? How? I didn’t know you were coming,” Livvy said once she unwrapped herself from Melody.
“It’s a surprise. I guess I should have called first.” She gave Creed a side glance. “But I had the urge to come and see you and so I came. Just like that.”
“I’m glad you did. How long will you be staying?” Livvy’s words were rushed.
“I’m not sure yet. I guess it depends on if I can find accommodations. This town has never been visitor friendly.” She rolled her eyes.
Livvy looked at Creed with a pleading gaze. “Dad?”
“What?” He already knew what was going to happen before it did.
“She can stay here, right?” Livvy encouraged.
“I’m sure your mom would be more comfortable staying somewhere else.” Creed rubbed the bridge of his nose, feeling Livvy’s gaze grow warmer.
“I wouldn’t want to impose,” Melody said innocently. “I’m sure your dad doesn’t want his privacy intruded upon.”
And there it was. Melody’s famous manipulation tactic. To make herself more the victim and him more the monster. That’s how it had been throughout their marriage, and since. He’d give her one thing, her acting skills had gotten better.
“He doesn’t have privacy. And he works all the time anyway,” Livvy said. “You have to stay here. I want you close while you’re here.”
Melody pulled Livvy in for a tight hug and looked up at Creed. “I’m sorry. I’m probably inconveniencing you but if it wouldn’t be too much do you mind if I stay? After all, this was once my home too.”
“Problem is, we don’t have much space. The couch is lumpy. If we had the room, maybe, but…”
“She can sleep in my room. See, it’s settled. You’re staying,” Livvy congealed.
“Great! I’m looking forward to spending time with my girl. Creed, would you be a doll and grab my bags from the back of the service car? And don’t forget to tip the driver.”
If it wasn’t for upsetting his daughter, he would have told Melody to go away, but he wanted to keep the peace. So, he went to gather her things.
Outside, he greeted the driver who seemed agitated that he had been waiting. Creed offered him an apology and a large tip that brightened his mood.
The man in the suit grabbed the bags out of the trunk.
Creed looked down at the pile of suitcases. How long was Melody planning on staying? She’d never been one to pack light.
Inhaling the fresh air and rubbing his forehead, his thoughts jetted to Mindy. Shit! What would she think of Melody being here?
He reached for his phone from his back pocket and texted her.
Mindy. Are you busy? I need to speak to you when you have a chance.
He hit ‘send’.
Grabbing the luggage, he carried them to the porch, working up a sweat in the process. He burst through the front door, mumbling, “What the hell do you have in here, Mel? Rocks?” When he didn’t get an answer, he looked and found his mother staring at him, her gaze narrowed and her nose slightly wrinkled.
“So, I just found out that we’ll be having an overnight guest.” The squeak in Abby’s voice reminded him how much she disliked Melody.
He gave her an apologetic grin. “Yeah, I just found out myself. Where are they?”
“Oh I’m sure Melody is mak
ing herself at home.” His mother rubbed her forehead in irritation. “What is she doing here?”
“She said she’s visiting.”
Disbelief covered Abby’s face. “Visiting? Nothing is ever so simple.”
He dropped the heavy bags. “What was I supposed to do? Livvy would have hated me if I sent her away.”
“Yeah, true. But don’t ask me to be nice to her.” She turned and stomped out of the room.
~~~~~
Mindy could hear Jane and Jonsey’s laughter coming from the back yard and she couldn’t help but smile too. They were laying in the hammock discussing their favorite movies. Mindy hadn’t seen her daughter this happy in a long time. Over dinner she’d learned a lot about Jonesy and his desire to become a chemist and his plans after graduation.
Reaching for her phone, Mindy checked her messages. Creed had left her a message earlier.
She started to type a return message. Erased it. Started another. Then erased it too.
What could she say?
His daughter was here in Cooper’s Hawk.
There was no excuse now why Mindy didn’t tell him the truth.
Over the last few days she’d done a lot of thinking and pondering. She cared for him—no, loved him. Had never stopped. If there was ever a chance for a future together her only choice was to be completely honest with him about everything, and that meant telling him that he was Jane’s father. It would come as a shock, but hopefully, eventually, he’d understand and forgive her.
She started to call him when she heard a soft knock on the door.
Placing her phone on the table, she went to the door and pulled back the thin curtain. Mindy’s breath caught.
She swallowed the lump growing in her throat as she pulled open the door. “Melody? What are you doing here?”
“Hello, Mindy. Just the person I came to speak to,” she said in a smooth tone then turned to wave at someone in the car. “I think it’s so amazing that Cooper’s Hawk has Uber service. Who would have thought it possible?”
“And the town also has running water and indoor toilets,” Mindy groaned and crossed her arms over her chest to keep from slapping the smug smile off the woman’s face. “I don’t know what you think we’d have to say to one another, but you’re wasting your time.”
Cowboy Creed (Cooper's Hawke Landing Book 1) Page 18