“What’s that supposed to mean?” Jordan asks, her cheeks hot and pink. I already see where this is going and I’m thinking fast for a way to stop it so Jordan can save face. But Luke is quicker with his jokes than I am with changing the subject.
“This house isn’t sound proof. I’m just saying, if you’re not smiling and agreeable this morning, I’d be shocked.”
“Oh, you mean the songs they were singing last night?” I ask, gesturing with my eyes over to Adeline. “That’s what Adeline heard you doing. Singing.”
No one can contain their laughter as Jordan drops her head to the table and starts speaking in angry Spanish. Even I have a hard time keeping a straight face when inside all I want to do is save her from this embarrassment. But in reality, she was unnaturally loud last night, and it was laughable.
Click’s phone rings and he tucks it between his shoulder and ear as he takes the dishes from the table. He looks very happy to escape this moment.
He comes back in the room with a stern look on his face. “That was Olivia. She is pulling in. Could we please change the subject? She’s a professional and she won’t appreciate us talking about her ass.”
“No one mentioned her ass yet. That must have just been on your mind,” Luke continues, and I’m ready to slap him. His jokes are funny, I’ll admit that, but he’s messing with a guy who could probably drop him with one finger. My slapping him might save his life.
“Do me a favor, next time you have choir practice try to remember you aren’t alone here,” Devin says as he slaps Click on the shoulder and slides on his coat. He’s got that sideways grin I love, and though I shoot him a look to go easy on them, my own smile betrays my seriousness. “You ready, megaphone?” he asks Jordan, and I watch as he and Luke crack up like two school boys on the playground.
Jordan slinks away from the table to slide on her coat and grab her briefcase. She doesn’t make a move to say goodbye to Click. I’m watching intently to see how they do this morning-after dance. “You guys are lucky there are little ears here because if you knew what I was saying about you in Spanish you’d be terrified. You’d all be sleeping with one eye open.”
“If you let us get any sleep at all,” Luke jokes as he darts away from her icy stare.
“Don’t be mad.” Devin grins. “I’m only making fun of you because I’m jealous. I slept on about one square foot of our bed while a tiny little foot dug into my back all night and a teddy bear was staring at me.”
Devin leans down and kisses me, lingering for a moment so he can breathe me in. I know he’s complaining now but given the choice last night there was nothing more he wanted to do than watch Adeline fall asleep. She was so worn out and peaceful that, after I read her a story in bed, she fell asleep, snoring away. When I went to move her he told me it was fine. We talked in hushed voices as we sat up above her head. It wasn’t anything deep or any kind of reminiscing. We just talked about Clover. About the sale of his company. I didn’t care what we were talking about; it was just so nice to have him with me again.
“I’m sorry you’re so stir-crazy. Maybe Click can work something out today,” Devin says as he brushes my falling hair out of my face and Adeline scoops it up to clamp a tight barrette down onto it. She slides off my back and down by his feet.
“Bye, Addy-bear.” He crouches down and I’m relieved to have her temporarily detached from my body. She throws her arms around his neck with a look of joy on her face. “Be a good girl,” he says as he tweaks her nose.
“You be a good boy,” she instructs, tweaking his nose right back. Devin winks my way as he heads out the door. It’s nice to see him with a purpose, a positive one. Off to help instead of tear down. That’s progress, I remind myself.
A moment later, Click heads to the door to greet Olivia as I try once again to peel Adeline off my tired legs. I’m shocked when I see the beautiful strong-shouldered woman step dutifully into the house. She’s different than I imagined. Her bright blonde hair is slicked back and pulled into a tight bun, every strand obediently lying flat against her head. She has a serious, all-business look on her face as she shoots her hand out to greet Click. It’s like she’s trying not to be beautiful, purposefully playing down her porcelain skin, her long lashes, and crystal blue eyes. She, like Jordan, strikes me as an infinitely tough woman. But unlike Jordan, Olivia seems less of a loose cannon. Any strength she has is harnessed and honed while Jordan’s is more dynamic and unruly. Both women, however, are inspiringly fierce.
Olivia has a button-down shirt tucked perfectly into her cargo pants, which are then tucked into her high combat boots. Strapped to her thigh is a gun, holstered tightly against the clearly defined muscle. Her arms fall behind her back, her hands resting together back there, feet apart, back straight, and ready for an order.
“Olivia, I appreciate your coming to help. I’ve got a special assignment for you,” Click says as he gestures toward Luke. “This is Luke Miller. His job today is to travel around Clover and meet with different news outlets. I need you to brief him on our action plan for ensuring safety at the mill worksite as well as serve as security for him on his travels today.”
“Yes, sir.” She extends her hand to Luke, and I watch as he grimaces slightly under her firm grip. Luke’s a big enough guy but he’s clearly a thinker, not a fighter. I don’t say this because I think I understand his history, I just have an eye for this kind of thing. Maybe it’s because, historically, I’ve picked so many bad men that I can spot a man who doesn’t have an ounce of that aggression in his body. Luke is a gentle giant who is more likely to use his humor and quick wits to get him out of trouble than his fists.
Olivia’s voice is sweet and smooth and it’s also not what I was expecting. “It’s nice to meet you, Mr. Miller. I’ll brief you on all the information you need and get you back here safely to your family tonight.”
“Please call me Luke, and this is not my family. I’m single. Never married, looking for Mrs. Right. Single as a game of solitaire. I’m always on the lookout for the perfect woman. As a matter of fact, I’ll even be looking for her today.” I can’t help but snort out a little laugh as Luke makes an ass of himself. He’s a goofball and while, according to Devin, he’s immensely competent at work, this is clearly shaky ground for him.
“Well then I’ll get you back home safely so you can find her someday,” Olivia says tactfully, not skipping a beat. I like this girl. I know so many women who would react rudely to Luke’s stuttering missteps. I’m distracted by analyzing their interaction, so it takes a minute for Adeline’s words to register.
“What’s on her weg, Mommy?” Adeline asks, stepping forward to get a closer look at the shiny gun strapped on her thigh. I catch her arm just in time and snag her backward. I pull her back harder than I intended but when you see your child reaching for a gun, you react.
“Don’t touch that. It’s not for girls,” I say, not really thinking through my explanation.
“She’s a girl,” Adeline pouts as tears start to form in the corners of her eyes. I know her quivering curled up lip is a precursor to a meltdown, and I don’t have the energy to survive that this morning.
I open my mouth to speak and realize I don’t have a good answer. Yes, Olivia is a girl—well, a woman—but how do you explain the purpose of a gun, the need for it, without scaring a child? While I search for the softest answer, I see Olivia crouch down to Adeline’s level.
“Your mommy is right, this is a very special tool I have here and it’s only to be handled by people who know how to use it. Do you know what a superhero does?”
“They help people and save dem.”
“That’s right. And they all have special tools and special ways to do that. For me, sometimes when I am out being a superhero like today, I have to bring this with me. It’s something only I can use, and it helps me save people sometimes. It has to stay right here so I know where it is. Okay?”
“Okay,” Adeline answers and casually returns to playing with the la
ces of my sneaker.
“Thank you,” I mouth to Olivia who sends me back such a sweet smile that it makes Luke lose his breath for a moment. She has a big, bright white smile that sends her nose and eyes wrinkling.
“Should we be on our way then, Luke?” Olivia asks, gesturing for the door. “You’ve got a full day of looking for Mrs. Right ahead of you.” I let out another laugh and this time even Click cracks a smile.
“I think I might have found her,” Luke says, winking in the cheesiest fashion possible at Olivia and then throwing thumbs up in my direction. I have no idea why but I’m rooting for him. I hope he does manage to win Olivia over.
“If he gives you any trouble today, Olivia, you have my permission to leave him on the side of the road,” I say, trying to keep my face serious.
“I’ve had some pretty rough assignments before. I can handle a guy in a suit,” Olivia calls back as she waves a small goodbye to Adeline.
The rumble of their car grows farther away and then the house takes on a deafening quiet. A lonely, mind-numbing quiet.
“You have to take us out, Click. One way or another I’m leaving this house today. You can come with us or you can stay here. But unless you plan to cuff me to that chair, I’m gone.” I’m laying it on a little thick, being a bit dramatic, but anyone who has ever been home for days on end with a child knows why I’m doing this. Kids need fresh air. They need a change of scenery. Or everyone suffers.
“I really don’t think it’s the best idea, but I have a feeling you won’t take no for an answer. So we’ll go to the park, although we can’t stay long,” Click says grudgingly.
I jump to my feet and pull Adeline into my arms. “Come on, baby, we’re getting out of here,” I say with an excitement that doesn’t exactly match the situation.
It’s only ten minutes of quick packing, lacing shoes, and then piling in the car. The ride to the park is a quick one and filled with questions from Adeline to Click. I love how well he handles them, how open he is to her innocence and simple charm.
“And that’s why horses have manes,” he says as he unbuckles her car seat straps and sets her down on the gravel walk that leads to the park. She hits the ground running and he’s right on her heels.
“Push me?” she asks him, pointing at the swing.
“Click, I can take care of her.” I feel guilty for how far outside the bounds of his job description we continue to push the poor boy.
“You need a break. I’ll push her for a little while. Just stay on that bench where I can see you,” he calls back over his shoulder, a skip in his step as he races for the squeaking swing Adeline is attempting to get on. If I didn’t know better, I’d think he loves every minute of this. Devin mentioned to me that Click has a big family with lots of kids around, but he wasn’t quite ready to be back there after his last deployment. I hope he’s finding some peace in being around us, around Adeline. I hope he’s finding a way home through us.
I’m lost in these thoughts, but I’m still tuned in enough to hear a stick break, the sound of something under foot as someone approaches. I spin my head back quickly to see Hoyle just a few steps from me. My thoughts are not of myself but instantly of Adeline. I want to shout Click’s name, but more than that I want him to stay with Adeline, to protect her, and not think of me for a second.
“What do you want?” I snap at him, putting my hand up, gesturing for him to stay exactly where he is.
“I’m here to help you, Rebecca,” he drawls out.
“I don’t need your help. I’ve got plenty,” I say, pointing in Click’s direction.
“Looks like you’re having a hard time figuring out which man you want in your life. I always heard rumors that you got around. Guess they’re true.”
“Go to hell.” I reach into my pocket for my cell phone . . . ready to call . . . who? I don’t know.
“Feisty little bitch, aren’t you? I don’t know what my boy ever saw in you. A common whore.”
“You’ve got two seconds before I scream and he shoots you between the eyes from way over there.”
“Like I said, I’m here to help you. I’m going to give you one last chance to get this pack of yours to shift gears and get the hell out of Clover. Take their little deal with them, too. I’m here to warn you. History is about to repeat itself. There’s a long incarceration in the cards and if you want to avoid it, you’ll be smart and change their minds. I come to you because I know you’re the only one who could get them to listen. And because you know what jail can do to a person, how it can change them. This is your last chance.” He’s got the stub of a cigar in his fingers, and when he’s done speaking he plugs it back into that despicable hole in his face. He’s as round as ever with the red cheeks of a drinker.
“It’s no wonder your wife left you, Harold. You’re a delusional, despicable man. You really believe you could put Devin back in jail? You have no power here anymore—no job, no badge.”
“Oh sweetheart, how wrong you are. Don’t say I didn’t warn you.” He tips his hat to me and turns to walk away. I hear the heavy thud of Click’s boots pounding the gravel as he comes my way.
“Rebecca, are you all right?” He has Adeline over his shoulder like a sack of potatoes as he charges forward, his hand dancing on the top of his holstered weapon.
“I’m fine; he was just here stirring the pot. He didn’t touch me.”
“Why didn’t you say something? I looked up and there he was.”
“I wanted you to keep Adeline safe over there.”
“I can keep you both safe.” He hands her to me and she’s giggling, assuming the ride she just took was one of pure fun instead of necessity. “What did he say?”
“Just nonsense. That this was my last chance to change everyone’s minds and get Jordan’s company out of here or else history was going to repeat itself. With J-A-I-L,” I spell out, not sure if Adeline even knows that’s where Devin was or what it means.
“Let’s get going,” Click says, lifting Adeline out of my arms again. “I’ll call Jordan and get her and Devin home. I’m sure he’s just bluffing. I can’t imagine he’d have any avenues to do that again. Not after the exoneration and attention it brought. Don’t worry about it.”
“Easier said than done. The first time it happened, it ruined our lives. We were helpless.”
“You aren’t alone anymore, Rebecca. Between Nick and Luke—Devin’s money for God’s sake—things like that can’t happen anymore. Times have changed, you’ve all changed.”
“Clover never changes.”
Chapter Seven
Luke
I hate to admit it but historically I haven’t really been a lady-killer—I’m a thinker, probably an overthinker. A prime example: I’m searching the Internet on my phone to find the origin of the phrase lady-killer. That’s a weird phrase and I’m so intrigued I must find the meaning. To most women I’ve dated, this is an annoying trait. It distracts from important things like talking endlessly about their friends at work all of whom they seem to hate, yet still call friends. Thinking and analyzing takes time away from discussing reality television or the latest trend in manicures.
I’m not saying I’m better than any of these women. They are in the clubs, drinking and looking beautiful, but when I try to expand any conversation, they think I’m boring. But Olivia seems different. When I told her I was working on an algorithm to determine who would be most positively impacted by the influx of jobs in Clover, she didn’t get that glazed-over look I’m accustomed to. She suggested, ingeniously, that I don’t stop with those who are hired but include the ripple effect that job would have on the community. If a father were hired for a position, he would buy his children new clothes and maybe paint his house. The entire economy in this town has the potential to grow, so if I pinpoint who is most likely to be hired and what they are most likely to do with their paychecks, I could map out a compounded scenario for community impact.
I’ve been barking up the wrong tree, another saying I
’ll be researching later today. Women like Olivia aren’t hanging around the clubs at closing time trying to figure out which guy has the most expensive suit or drives the nicest car. I’m having this light bulb moment as we walk back toward the car, and I’m hoping she can’t read my mind. It would be a little strange to profess my undying love for a woman I just met today. I’m not saying I love her; I’m just saying it’s refreshing to realize she exists and validating to know I’d made the right move by not trying to make it work with every vapid woman I’d taken to dinner.
“So Luke, do you have any other stops to make today?” Olivia asks as she opens my car door for me to get in. A little bit of role reversal but I’m man enough to be okay with it. I actually like it. In my job I make a lot of decisions. I’m always cleaning up Devin’s messes and taking the proverbial bullet for him. It’s nice to have someone who’s obviously capable of watching my back. And for some reason the idea of her ordering me around is oddly tantalizing.
“I think that does it for the day. We did everything we set out to do this morning.”
“Except find you Mrs. Right. Though there was that nice lady from the local news, she seemed very interested in you.”
“She was just looking for a good story. If I’d have given her a line on something juicy, she’d have dropped the act and left me in a heartbeat.”
“There’s always tomorrow then,” Olivia says as she rounds the front of the car and gives me a crooked smile. She gets my humor. I’ve dated women who don’t appreciate my jokes and a lot who literally just don’t understand them. Olivia does.
We’re parked out front of the coffee house on Main Street, the perfect place to have a press conference about the impact of the new facility on Clover. Lots of people with lots of opinions are there to listen and judge. Overall it’s gone quite well. People are anxious for what is to come. They’re hopeful, though tentatively so.
All My Heart (The Clover Series) Page 5