by Diann Hunt
They worked through the morning in silence, interrupted by Carly’s occasional facials and massages. Scott finally talked to her when she came back after lunch.
“Listen, Carly, I’m sorry about this morning. I’ve just had a lot on my mind.”
“No problem. I haven’t exactly been Susie Sanguine either.”
“I figured you’d be on top of the world this morning with Jake showing up last night.”
“I was, but it was short-lived.” She told him about C. J.’s reaction.
“That’s pretty weird. Maybe he knows things about Jake that you don’t, and he wants to protect you.”
“That’s what I thought too,” she said, breaking open the shell of a pistachio. “I need to get to the bottom of it, that’s for sure. It’s not like C. J. to act that way. It has me worried.”
“Hey, Scott, you got a minute?” All perky and glowing, Melissa Winters stood in the door frame.
Scott immediately brightened. “Sure.” He got up and they walked out together.
Carly scooped the shell remains into the trash basket. Seemed she and Scott were both on their way back to dating. Hopefully, they were ready.
eleven
“Did Scott work today? I didn’t see him in the office when I came in,” Rita said, easily folding onto her yoga mat.
“Yeah, he was there. He was out with Ms. Z-Cup. Took her to lunch, I think.” Carly’s joints groaned when she eased onto her own mat. The instructor of their Christian yoga class hadn’t arrived yet and Carly figured if the woman didn’t come soon, she might never walk again. Though, despite her screaming joints, she had to admit a sense of youthful pride in her pink tank and cropped exercise pants. On the other hand, she had no grand illusions. She knew she would age decades over the next hour—yoga clothes or not.
Rita laughed. “Ms. Z-Cup. Who’s that?”
“Melissa Winters.” Carly hugged her knees to her chest. Looking around the room, it seemed the thing to do when the instructor was out. She was so impressionable.
“My cousin went to school with her,” Rita said, stretching her body like a pro.
Carly turned to her. “She did?” Carly mentally calculated Melissa to be about ten years younger. It figured. “If she’s from Vermont, where did she get that accent?”
“She went to college down south. You’d think after all this time, she’d be back to her native tongue. But then, according to my cousin, Melissa has always liked to be different,” Rita said with a laugh.
“She likes the attention, I suppose. Was she the high school homecoming queen, captain of the cheerleading squad, Miss Popularity, all that?”
“Actually, no. She hardly looks like the same person anymore.”
“What do you mean?” Carly watched the other members stretching and wondered if they’d be two inches taller by the end of the class.
“I mean, she’s been snipped, tucked, and tweaked more times than I can count.”
Carly stopped hugging her knees and grabbed Rita by the arm. “You don’t mean it.” She could hear the excitement in her voice. Shameful, she knew, but there it was.
“You’re awful.”
Carly started stretching. “I figured she’d had something done. She is just too perfect.”
“Yeah, she is. But to be honest, she was beautiful before, just in a different way than now.”
Not exactly what Carly wanted to hear. Her stretches failed to quell the way her nerves jangled. Scott deserved better than Melissa Winters.
“Some women have all the luck.”
“Is there something bothering you?” Rita asked, stretching her arms high above her head.
Carly copied her. “No.” She wanted to point out that Scott could do better, but she stopped herself. It was none of her business.
“Well, just remember, people aren’t always what they seem,” Rita said. “I haven’t seen Melissa in a long time. I know she married that financial whiz who’d moved into town after college, but then I lost track.”
“She said they divorced about six months ago.”
“Really? Hard to imagine why he’d leave her. I always thought he was lucky to have her. He’s not much to look at.” Rita contorted her body in such a way that Carly started to wonder just what planet her sister-in-law came from.
“You know, I like the way Holy Yoga takes the poses and the breathing techniques that are good for your body and couples them with prayer and meditation consistent with the Christian beliefs,”
Carly said.
“Yeah, me too.”
Carly watched the way Rita’s body twisted like Gumby’s and figured that could come in handy. For what, she didn’t know, but surely something.
Throughout the class, the instructor led them through different poses while talking of worship and focusing on the Lord. The worship melted the fringes of Carly’s cold heart.
“You ready?” Rita asked.
Carly merely nodded. By the time class was over, she was so much taller she wondered if she’d fit in her car.
“Did you talk to Jake today?” Rita asked on the way to her car.
Carly normally welcomed the warmth of the sun, but today its rays intensified her already overheated body. Though she didn’t exactly live near the equator, the sun seemed unbearably close. In fact, with the chimpanzee arms she’d developed during class, she felt sure she could reach up and touch it.
“Yeah, briefly. He’s been busy all day moving things. I was going to take pizza over, but he said C. J. had brought some guys over to help and they sent for pizza. After C. J.’s reaction to everything, it seemed better for me to stay away.”
Rita shook her head. “I know. I don’t get it. He never said a word to me about it last night. Told me he was going to the store, and he did, but he didn’t mention anything about talking to you.”
“So why is he waiting until I’m middle-aged to become the protective brother?”
To that Rita could only shrug.
All the way home Carly thought about her relationship with C. J. and wondered what was going on. It annoyed her that C. J. had gone over to Jake’s house and made it uncomfortable for her to go herself. Maybe that was her call, but it still seemed unsettling.
Some days life appeared like a leaking dam and she had to cover the holes to keep things running smoothly. But lately, she’d become tired of covering the holes, tired of trying to fix everything, tired of being alone, tired of looking . . . different.
She was having another pity party. But right now she just couldn’t stop herself.
Before her illness life had been so easy. If only she had realized how easy. If only she had known Gary was going to leave her. If only she had known her days with Ivy were numbered. If only . . .
Every time Carly moved, a sharp pain throbbed through her neck and down her arm. It was the yoga. She should have known better. This was Rita’s fault. She had talked Carly into taking the class. Rita would pay.
Sliding into her chair, Carly inched her arms out of her sweater, moving in robot fashion. R2-D2 would be proud. Gingerly draping the sweater on the back of her chair, she turned around and clicked a couple of keys on her computer to check out a new site for spa products. As long as she kept her head still, she could keep the pain at bay.
Waking up with a pain in the neck did not bode well for a Friday—especially since Carly had her first official date with Jake tonight. Oh well, she’d just have to make the most of it and hide it as best she could.
Scott stepped into the office and tilted his head sideways.
Show off.
“What happened to you?” he asked.
Carly winced. So much for keeping it hidden. “Must have slept wrong.” She maneuvered stiffly at her desk, thankful that this afternoon was her scheduled “me” day. The massage would definitely help with her stiff neck.
“Good morning, y’all,” Melissa said, barely glancing Carly’s way, her eyes intent on Scott.
Fake accent, fake face . . .
It irritated Ca
rly that Melissa just waltzed into this room. It was really off-limits for guests. But obviously, she felt she was entitled. Probably felt that way with most things in her life.
Scott’s face lit up. Men could act so ridiculous sometimes.
Are they really that shallow?
Melissa was carrying two cups of coffee and Carly had a sneaking suspicion neither was for her. “I stopped at the coffee shop and thought I’d bring you something to start your day,” she said with a positively radiant smile. “Triple shot tall Americano for you,” she said to Scott, “with one sugar.”
Exactly the way he liked it. They’d obviously met for coffee before.
Scott thanked her and reached for the cup.
Melissa turned to Carly. “I’m sure you won’t mind giving Scott and me a little ol’ coffee break together, will you, Carly honey?”
Well, of all the nerve. Mind? Why should she mind? This was just her office at her place of business. She didn’t mind leaving so the black widow could spin her web.
“No problem. I’ll just go make my rounds.”
“You don’t have to do that, Carly. Listen, Melissa, this is Carly’s office, and—”
“Nonsense. I wouldn’t hear of keeping a man from his coffee break.” Carly wouldn’t point out that the workday had just started.
“Wonderful.” Melissa clapped her dainty little hands together.
Carly left the room and felt like kicking something. She didn’t know why that woman bugged her so much. She wanted Scott to date, so it wasn’t that. It was just something about Melissa.
Why couldn’t things have stayed the same? Gary and her, Ivy and Scott. Everything had turned out all wrong. They were gone and now she and Scott were left floundering.
Okay, he isn’t floundering. But what about me, God? Is it too much to ask to get my life back on track?
Once disbursements were made, she’d have money enough, she felt sure, to accomplish that. Probably with no extra to spare, what with the way the profits had been in the last year or so, but she’d take what she could get. Every little bit took her that much closer to the surgery that would change her future forever.
Quiet music filtered through closed doors where treatments were in progress. Sweet and tangy scents mingled with gentle murmurings throughout the spa. Carly really hoped she could make this business work. She loved it here and couldn’t imagine herself doing anything else.
Now, if only she could make some money. Then everything would be perfect.
Scott wondered how he had gotten himself into this mess. Not that Melissa wasn’t a nice woman and all, but he wasn’t sure he wanted to actually start dating yet. On the other hand, this might help get Carly and his brother off his back about dating. Why was it people could not rest if there was a single man within a hundred-mile radius? It seemed they just weren’t happy till the last free man was hitched in wedded bliss.
Sitting here at a restaurant, Scott had pretty much heard Melissa’s life story. The woman acted as though she hadn’t had adult companionship for years. He’d heard somewhere that women have a lot of words they need to get out every day. And from the ride over, he was convinced Melissa had been storing hers up for some time now. Maybe she would slow down with food.
He planned to feed her a lot.
Carly took a look at herself in the full-length mirror. Dressed in the delicate red dress and dainty jewelry, she could hardly believe the difference a little fixing up and losing a few pounds could bring. Okay, and she’d had her hair professionally colored. She wasn’t going to risk those stubborn grays poking out tonight. With her polished nails, fresh haircut and color, and new dress, she felt better than she had felt in a long time.
“You look amazing,” Jake said when she stepped into the living room.
“Thanks. You look good yourself,” she said, taking in how the crisp blue shirt hugged his broad chest and his biceps ballooned beneath his sleeves. The military had been good to him.
“Magnolia here?”
“No, she’s gone to the church for a meeting.”
He slipped his arms around her waist, pulled her into him, and brushed a light kiss on her lips. How many times as a kid had she dreamed of him kissing her? Now it had finally happened. Her first kiss since Gary walked away.
Hmm . . .
The kiss was warm and pleasant, but it didn’t exactly curl her toes. Once she had married, she never thought her lips would touch anyone’s but Gary’s.
“I’ve been wanting to do that since I saw you.” He smiled and ushered her down the stairs toward the spa and out of the house.
Finally, she was making a life for herself. Starting over. And not with just anyone. She was with Jake Mitchell. That thought alone should send her flying. But when she looked at him, she felt a kink in her stomach. It wasn’t Jake she saw when he grabbed her hand and grinned at her just now.
It was Gary. Sometimes she wondered if she’d ever be able to move on.
Jake helped her into the car, then pulled to the edge of the drive. “Katelyn will be arriving tomorrow,” he said, making sure the way was clear before he backed out.
“Got any special plans?”
“Plans? What do you mean? She’s going to spend the day getting her room cleaned up. I put her furniture in there, but she has to put her things away. It’s good for a kid to have responsibilities. I won’t raise any slackers.”
His face had turned a slight shade of red, and Carly wondered what she had said that upset him.
“I didn’t mean anything by that. I—”
He waved her off. “I know. Sorry. I get a little heated where Katelyn is concerned. As I told you in our e-mails, we haven’t been getting along too well.”
“I remember.” She made a mental note to remember he had a temper too.
From that point on, she steered the conversation away from Katelyn, and over dinner they talked about his days in the military, his work in Chicago, and his interests. Midway through their conversation, they were interrupted.
“Well, hello.”
Carly looked up to see Scott standing there with Melissa Winters, who looked drop-dead gorgeous. “Hi,” she said, making the necessary introductions. She didn’t miss the way Jake looked at Melissa. Just like every other man in the room.
They talked a few minutes about the food and atmosphere at the restaurant and while Jake discovered that he’d gone to school with Melissa’s brother, Scott leaned in to Carly.
“You clean up pretty good,” he said with a grin.
“You’re not so bad yourself.”
He had a fresh haircut, styled and slicked up with the latest hair products, which gave him a trendy, youthful look. Standing next to Miss America, they made quite a handsome couple. Suddenly, Carly felt a tad dowdy. In fact, she was beginning to see the family resemblance between her and Magnolia. And they weren’t even related by blood.
“Looks like we both took the plunge.”
Carly smiled. “I’m proud of you.” She kept it to herself that she would have chosen someone else for him. She was not his mother, after all.
“I thought you might be. But don’t expect me to head down the aisle any time soon.”
“I’m glad to hear that. You’re not ready,” Carly said.
“Are you?” He studied Carly but before she could respond, Jake turned to her.
“So, Squirt, you ready to go?”
She guessed it would take time for him to get the name right.
“Scott, we’d better let these two get back to their date,” Melissa said in a silky evening-date–type voice. She put her hand on his arm. “Good to see you.” There wasn’t a hint of sincerity in the smile she flashed before they walked off together.
Carly wanted to pluck the woman’s manicured nails from Scott’s arm and scream at him to run for dear life.
“You still with me?” Jake asked.
“What? Oh yeah. Sorry. Just thinking.”
Jake added the tip on the bill and signed his name
before getting up. “Thinking about what?”
“Nothing, really.”
She’d thought Scott was different than every other man, but obviously not. They were driven by the physical. That was just life.
She’d have to accept it.
“You know I wouldn’t ask you if it wasn’t urgent, Carly.” Sitting on her sofa, C. J. twisted his hands together and Carly couldn’t help the compassion swelling inside her for her brother. He was in trouble. Again. In over his head. Sometimes she felt instead of living in Spring Creek they lived in some big city where mafia and hit men abounded. Evidently, every city had its problems.
She felt sure there were better ways to spend her Saturday mornings.
“How much this time, C. J.?” At this rate, she’d never get that surgery. Every time she was within reach of her goal, C. J. showed up on her doorstep. She knew she should tell him no, but he was her brother. If he got hurt because she didn’t give him the money to pay his debts, how could she forgive herself?
“You don’t know how I hate to ask you, sis. But if Rita finds out . . .”
“I understand. How much?”
“I’ll make it up to you, sis. I promise.”
She sighed. How many times had she heard that one? “How much?”
He grabbed her hand and stared into her eyes. “I swear I will make it up to you.”
Okay, now he scared her. He wasn’t telling her how much, which meant it was a lot. “C. J., how much?”
His gaze dropped to his hands. “Five thousand.”
Her breath stuck in her throat. “Five thousand. Dollars?”
“I know it’s a lot, but I’ll pay you back. I promise.”
Carly looked at him and knew full well he meant it. With everything in him, he wanted to pay her back. Unfortunately, it never happened. Did he know how long it had taken her to save that amount of money? She needed to expand not only her chest but her business. At this rate, she’d never do either.
She felt a strength swell up in her that she hadn’t dreamed possible. She looked him full in the face and said, “I’ll have to think about it.”
He blinked. “What?”
She’d never put him off before. Not ever.