Moonlight, Motorcycles, and Bad Boys

by Lynnette Austin

  She followed his gaze across the room. Reiner, in the far corner of the gym, his pro-football shoulders bulging, pounded nails with a vengeance.

  “They say you never forget your first love. In this case, Katie Sara, I have to believe your first love is your only love.”

  “Dru-”

  “No.” He drew back and rubbed a spot over his heart. “I’ll survive.” A brave smile tugged at his lips. “Who knows? In a thousand years or so, I might even begin to get over you.”

  “I’m so sorry. I never, ever meant to hurt you.”

  “I know. We only had that one date, and you did nothing to encourage me.” He sent her a self-deprecating smile. “I let my own imagination do that. But you listen, and you listen good. If you ever need anything, I’m here for you.”

  “Thank you, Dru. Right now, what I need is a friend.”

  “I can be that.” He squeezed her hand.

  Across the room, the hammering stopped. She caught Reiner’s glare and knew he’d like nothing better than to rip Dru apart, limb from limb.

  Dru whistled under his breath. “Don’t go easy on him.”

  “I don’t intend to, but to be perfectly honest, I’m not at all sure he and I have a future. We have a lot of problems to work out.”

  “I’ll be here if he can’t come up with the winning answers.”

  “Thank you.” With that, she headed toward unfriendly territory.

  Reaching out to steady one of the boards Reiner was cutting, she said, “Let me help you with that.”

  “Why?”

  “Why?” She stepped back, stared at him, then spun on her heel. He caught her arm before she’d taken two steps.

  “Let go,” she warned.

  “Thought you were goin’ to help.”

  “You obviously don’t want my help.”

  “What’s up with you, Ace? What’s goin’ on between you and what’s-his-name? Call me old-fashioned, but I kind of thought the other night changed things between us. I know we didn’t talk about it, but when I’m sleep—”

  “His name is Dru, and nothing is going on.” Her head turned one way, then the other, taking in those around them. “This isn’t the place for the rest of the discussion,” she hissed.

  “Okay, I’ll give you that one. Let’s go back to the first part. It didn’t look like nothin’ to me over there with good old Dru. You two looked pretty chummy.”

  “Oh, for—”

  She’d forgotten how fast he moved. She’d barely taken a step when he caught her arm again. “Stay and help. Hold that end.”

  He whacked a nail in place, then another. “What was so wrong with me in high school?”

  “Excuse me?”

  He leaned closer. “Read my lips, sugar.” He spoke clearly and slowly. “What was wrong with me in high school? Why’d I get such a bad rap? Take your mother. Why’d she think I’d be such a crummy influence on her sweet little girl?”

  Her brows shot into her hairline. “Oh, come on. You intentionally went out of your way to earn that bad boy rep. You smoked, you drank—”

  “Never during football season!”

  “Oh, for crying out loud!”

  “No! I’m serious. That shows discipline. I gave it all up during season.”

  “Girls?”

  His brows rose this time. Then he grinned. “You know first-hand better than that.”

  She couldn’t control the heat that raced over her chest and face.

  “Anyway, girls weren’t off-limits. The way I figure it, they’re part of physical training. Stamina.”

  “Oh, please.”

  “What?”

  “Go away.”

  “No.”

  “No?”

  “No, I was here first. I’m workin’ here.” Reiner looked to Tim for confirmation, but he simply shrugged and kept working.

  “Don’t you two gang up on me.”

  “Darlin’, no one’s ganging up on you. Tim didn’t say a word, right, Tim?”

  Tim nodded and remained mute.

  “Go away, Reiner.”

  “I repeat, why?”

  “Because...because I said so. If I say you go, you go.”

  “Because it’s the rule?”

  “Yes.”

  “Good, because I never play by the rules, Ace. You oughta know that by now.”

  She glared at him.

  “If I go, who’s gonna finish this house for those two tap dancers? You?”

  “Tim can do it.”

  “Not by myself,” Tim said. “And don’t involve me in this.” He went back to measuring trim.

  “Make yourself useful, Ace, and grab that board. Lay it up here. And quit poutin’.”

  Under her breath, she called him every name she could think of, but remembering the senior citizens and the new furniture they’d be able to buy, she sucked it up.

  Half an hour into an uneasy truce, Rhonda pulled up a box and sat.

  Tim immediately set down his hammer. “Hey, lady. Lookin’ pretty.”

  He dropped an easy kiss on her cheek, and Rhonda blushed. Katie Sara had to admit that her friend was looking pretty...and happy. Her cousin Tim! Who’d have guessed?

  Rhonda held out a notebook. “I wanted to share with you what we have so far.” She waved for Felicity and Beth to join them.

  “Okay. Nile and Homer at the Senior Center are building the smaller sets. Both were carpenters and are delighted to be able to do this. Matilda, Hannah, and Lydia will paint them. Maisie’s working with a group of seniors to make the wildflowers for the Weaver twins’ skit. Honestly, you should see them over at the center. They’re all so excited.”

  Katie Sara turned to Felicity and Beth. “I am so proud of you girls. You’ve done an awesome thing here. On top of new furniture, you’ve given some of our elderly a sense of purpose and pride again.”

  The girls giggled.

  “I agree,” Rhonda said. “I’m proud of you, too.” She turned to a page of figures in her notebook. “I can’t tell you how much that check from your team means, Reiner. I did the math this morning, and everything we bring in will be profit.”

  Reiner winced.

  Katie Sara stared open-mouthed. “What?”

  “He sweet-talked the owner of his football team into a contribution. Turns out it’s enough to cover all our expenses.” Rhonda beamed.

  “Way to go, Broderick,” Katie Sara said.

  “Don’t I get a kiss?”

  She blew him one.

  Felicity and Beth cheered her on. “Whoa! Go, Ms. McMichaels!”

  “Yahoo, Ms. McMichaels!”

  Katie Sara blushed, and Reiner threw back his head and laughed.

  Rhonda cleared her throat. “Movin’ right along. The Bank of Paradox donated door prizes, and ladies from two of the churches will provide intermission refreshments.”

  Ah, yes. Katie Sara loved it. Small town Americana. Bonding together to back a good cause. A small town big enough to forgive her father’s sin.

  But would they forgive hers when they found out? She sincerely doubted it. That was her own demon to wrestle at two in the morning.

  A whistle blew, and she nearly shrieked right along with it.

  Rhonda grumbled. “Too bad Maisie doesn’t swallow that thing!” Then she stood and announced to the room in general, "Your backbreaking manual labor’s officially done for today.”

  Everyone clapped and cheered.

  “See y’all here tomorrow at one o’clock sharp,” she continued. “Thanks for your help. We sure do appreciate it. Those of you with an act, go home and practice!”

  Corralling her two girls, she hurried back to Tim. Reiner wrapped the cord for his power saw. Wiping sawdust from his pants and shirt, he flagged down Beth and Felicity.

  “Katie Sara, a bunch of us are gettin’ together at my place. Why don’t you join us? We’re goin’ to grill a couple steaks, throw together a salad. Keep it simple.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “Oh, c
ome on,” Rhonda said. “The girls and I are goin’. It’ll be fun.”

  Katie Sara looked at her friend, warmth radiating from her, happiness replacing the despair, and couldn’t find it in her heart to turn her down. “Just for a bit.”

  “Good,” Reiner said. “Want to ride with us?”

  “No, I should run home first, make sure Chia’s all right. After last night...”

  His brows drew together.

  “Whoa, wait a minute. What happened last night? You didn’t say anything this mornin’.”

  She waved and headed toward her car. “I’ll be right behind you.”

  Chapter Sixteen

  By the time Katie Sara arrived at Reiner’s, several cars already lined the drive. Familiar with the layout of his house, she walked around back to the kitchen. Crossing the patio, she stopped before the open French doors.

  The scene inside was pure Norman Rockwell—except for Felicity’s purple-streaked hair and Bel’s outrageous outfit. Her purple blouse almost matched Felicity’s hair. A lemon-yellow skirt, peacock-feather necklace and clunky gold and turquoise bracelets completed Bel’s audacious look. Perfect—for her! So, okay, maybe a twenty-first century Norman Rockwell. Still, this was what she wanted to be a part of. Had always wanted to be a part of.

  Rhonda’s daughter Nicole, Felicity, and Beth huddled over a magazine at the breakfast banquette, probably drooling over some young hunk...or the latest hairstyle. Although she couldn’t quite see Felicity copying anyone else’s. Nope. For better or worse, Felicity was uniquely herself.

  She spied a casserole of baked beans, a bowl of macaroni salad, and a yummy-looking fruit salad. The entire area smelled heavenly. Barnie, of all people, arranged rolls in a basket beside Auntie Belham who was busy setting out iced tea and sodas.

  Rhonda chopped and sliced veggies at the sink. Even three-year-old Krista had been put to work. Perched on a stool, tongue sticking between her Cupid’s bow lips, she concentrated on folding napkins.

  Though Reiner leaned against the counter putting together a relish tray, his attention kept straying to a caged hamster on the floor to his left. She could have sworn he acted half-afraid of the thing. A little yappy dog, on the other hand, eyed it as a potential appetizer.

  The dog sniffed too close for comfort apparently, and the hamster banged against his cage. Reiner jumped, sending olives flying. The dog, assuming a new game was in progress, skittered across the floor after them.

  In the corner, Felicity laughed out loud.

  “Real funny, baby doll. Next barbecue, we’ll have grilled rat on the menu.”

  “Eeeow!” The other two teens screwed up their faces.

  “A rat?” Krista scrambled higher on her chair, tucking her little legs beneath her. “Here?”

  “No, honey. Uncle Reiner’s making a joke.” Felicity glared at him. “Right?”

  “Right. Sorry.” He leaned toward the young girl and dropped a quick kiss on her flyaway strawberry-blond curls.

  Unlike Katie Sara’s own kitchen, filled with color and whimsy, this one, uncluttered and oh, so male with all its white and chrome, should have been cold and sterile. But today—filled with people and laughter and life—it just might be the warmest, most welcoming place she’d ever been.

  And she wanted to stay. Forever.

  Now there was a dangerous thought.

  One she’d best lock away. Fast.

  Rocco and Mary came up behind her with their young daughter, Anna. “Katie Sara!”

  The three hugged, and she caught up the little girl, kissing her chubby cheeks. Aware she’d placed the child in front of her like a shield, she stepped into the house. “Hey, look who’s here!”

  Instantly, Anna, with her two-year-old’s wonder of the world, her bright eyes, dimples and giggles, took center stage, running from person to person to show them her new book. She finally plopped down on the floor beside Felicity.

  “Barnie, I’m surprised to see you here.”

  “Well, ah—” He glanced toward Bel. “You see, me and Bel—”

  “Are friends,” Bel finished. “Very good friends.” Her lips curled in a smile, and she looked ten years younger. “Once in a while we manage to spend the day...and maybe the evening...together.” She winked.

  Barnie flushed. “Been ten years since I lost Aida, and—”

  “I’m happy for you. For both of you!” Katie Sara hugged them.

  Then she picked up a knife, settled in beside Rhonda, and began dicing tomatoes for the salad. Reiner’s heat nearly scorched her new white capris and top when he brushed against her lightly from behind.

  He handed her a glass of white wine. “Cheers.”

  “Right back at you.” Fighting to steady her heartbeat, she smiled, raised her glass, and took a sip.

  “What happened last night?”

  Her shoulders slumped. “Boy, talk about a one-track mind.”

  “You got it.”

  She glanced around the room and saw that everyone else was engaged in their own conversations.

  Voice low, she said, “After I left your house, I stopped at Rhonda’s.” She swallowed hard, remembering the talk they’d had.

  Reiner didn’t miss it.

  Neither did Rhonda, who came to her rescue. “Katie Sara arrived on our doorstep loaded down with all the makings for sundaes. Including whipped cream and cherries.”

  “And then?” Reiner made a get-to-the-point gesture.

  “And then when I got home, a wet, stuffed cat hung from a noose on my porch. I thought it was Chia at first.” She kept her head up, but it cost her dearly to hold back the tears even now.

  “Why those little—” He stopped. “Together those boys don’t amount to a bucket of spit. Did you call the cops?”

  She shook her head.

  “Why?”

  She sighed. “I don’t want to do that. This’ll blow over.”

  “I’m not so sure,” Reiner argued. “That’s pretty gutsy.”

  Anna, bless her, chose that opportune moment to make her dancing debut. On tippy-toes she twirled until, dizzy, she bumped into Reiner and toppled, landing on her butt.

  Scooping the toddler up, he swung her high, laughing at her giggles. “You, sugar, are a real sweetheart.”

  He looked at Katie Sara. “I think, though, I want a little boy I can toss a football with. One with your fantastic green eyes and my throwin’ arm. Then, maybe, a little Kewpie doll like our Anna here.”

  Katie Sara felt every drop of blood drain from her head, from her body and knew she’d gone absolutely white.

  Felicity let out a war whoop and started jumping up and down. Bel dropped into the chair closest to her. The knife in Rhonda’s hand clattered into the sink.

  Tim cleared his throat. “Something I should know?”

  “What?” Reiner asked. One look at Katie Sara and he set down the toddler.

  Felicity quieted.

  “You okay?” he asked Katie Sara.

  “Are you two—” Auntie Bel started.

  “No,” Katie Sara said gently. “It’s never even come up between us.”

  Hearing Reiner’s chuckle, she closed her eyes and groaned inwardly at her word choice. Why was it that everything became sexually charged around him?

  Heart thudding, she blew out a big breath, put a hand to her forehead. “My blood sugar’s probably a little low. I skipped lunch today.”

  Her gaze skidded to Rhonda’s. She read the question in her eyes and looked away.

  “Well, then, let’s eat,” he said. “Everything’s ready. Let me find the barbecue fork.” He crossed the room to mount a search.

  “You haven’t told him yet, have you?” Rhonda hissed quietly.

  “I will,” Katie Sara whispered back. “When the show’s finished. After all these years, what difference will another few days make?

  Rhonda raised a brow. “Doesn’t feel good.”

  “Oh, hogwash!”

  “What are you two whisperin’ about?” Reiner
stuck his head between them, then jumped back when they shrieked. “Don’t you both go weird on me now. Rhonda, I depend on you to keep this one centered.” He nodded toward Katie Sara.

  “Hah! Good luck!” Rhonda’s voice sounded unnaturally bright.

  Waving the fork he’d unearthed in one hand, gripping Katie Sara’s arm with his other, he walked her outside to the deck where he began flipping steaks from the grill onto a huge platter.

  He leaned into her. “I thought maybe all that talk about babies had you rememberin’ how good it was between us in high school.”

  Anger, she told herself. Grab the anger. “That in there was over and above—even for you, Reiner.”

  “Well, we could have made a baby. We could still make one.”

  “Don’t go there.” Her voice wavered, her chest squeezed so tight she could barely breathe.

  Could she tell him here? No. Not with all these people. She owed him more. Much more. She’d been right inside with Rhonda. It had waited all these years; it could wait a bit more.

  Then guilt grabbed her by the throat. How could she not? It had to be now. “Reiner, there’s something I have to tell you. You and I did—”

  “I know.” He cut her off. “Past tense. We made love before you became the poster girl for abstinence. Jeez, why couldn’t you pick an easier cause for me to live with?”

  She shook her head. “No, that’s not it.”

  But before she could say more, Rocco’s chuckle burst from the patio’s far corner. Neither had seen him in the lounger.

  Grinning, he said, “Sorry, couldn’t help overhearin’ that last remark. If you want my opinion, though, bud, if the mountain’s worth climbin’—”

  “Oh, it’s worth it all right.” Reiner handed his friend a plate, slid a steak onto it.

  Katie Sara wanted to die, wanted to throttle Rocco for prolonging the moment of truth. Instead, she forced a grin. “Thing is, though, you’ve got to have the right gear.”

  Rocco’s hoot of laughter followed her from the patio into the house.

  She stepped inside, met Rhonda’s quizzical gaze, and shook her head imperceptibly. Her shoulders sagged, and the food Reiner had loaded on her plate tasted like sawdust as she perched at the counter, bantering half-heartedly with Auntie Belham and Barnie.