He didn’t sound angry, but he meant what he was saying. He was looking at me again. Those beautiful sherry brown eyes were full of questions, but also filled with so much compassion that I almost started crying again.
I nodded. “I’ll try.”
He hesitated for a minute, weighing my sincerity before he gave me a wide grin.
“Okay.” He opened his door. “Get out,” he said. I didn’t move.
“C’mon, city girl, shake a tail feather.” He hopped out of the truck, coming around the hood to my door. He opened it, motioning me to slide over. “Go on, might as well just scoot over.” He gave me a little push as he climbed into the truck beside me. I slid over the bench seat and settled behind the wheel.
“I told you, I don’t know how.”
“I’m gonna teach you,” he said, buckling up.
“What? Here? Now?” Panic gripped me.
“Yep. Here. Now.” Gideon laughed. “My Pap taught everyone in my family how to drive using this same trail.”
“What if I crash?” I licked my lips nervously.
“I wouldn’t recommend it.” He pointed to the handle on the steering wheel column. “Put your foot on the brake and pull the gear down into drive. The big D there.”
My hands were wrapped around the steering wheel with a white-knuckled death grip.
“I don’t know, Gideon...”
“You can do it. I believe in you,” he said softly, encouragingly.
It was as if a heavy chain fell from my heart. He believed in me. Courage crept through my veins. I could do it. All I needed to do was picture myself doing it.
I took a deep breath, rested my foot on the brake, and shifted the truck into drive. The engine ever so slightly transitioned, the hum was a little louder. It was like the truck was giving me the green light. I took my foot off the brake, placed it onto the gas pedal, and pressed down. The truck took off. I wasn’t prepared for it to go racing down the lane.
“Whoa!” Gideon grabbed the ‘oh crap’ handle above the window. “Ease off the gas!”
We were headed for a ditch. I jerked the wheel to avoid it, but it must’ve been too much because the back of the truck started to fishtail.
“Brake!” Gideon ordered. I hit the brake with both feet. Just before I squeezed my eyes shut I saw Gideon rush forward then snap back as the seatbelt locked up.
I was afraid to open my eyes. I just made a colossal fool of myself. I am such an idiot! I cracked open my eyes and cast a wary glance at Gideon.
He was trying to cover his mouth with his hand, but the shoulder spasms couldn’t be hidden. He was laughing! He saw me looking at him and gave up the pretense. He laughed so hard he started coughing.
“I used to think Pap was exaggerating when he told me teaching people to drive was the biggest rush anyone could experience.” His laughter trailed off. He wiped his eyes then shook a finger at me. “By God, I think he was right. Whew...”
“I’m so sorry. I didn’t think it would take off like that.” I was mortified. If I could have made myself invisible at that moment I would have.
“I know, I should have warned you.” He had his humor under control. “Okay. A few tips. One, don’t ever close your eyes.”
I knew that.
“Two, no extremes. Cars are like women, you gotta ease them into motion so you can handle them better.”
“That is the stupidest thing I ever heard,” I said, instantly offended. “And you know why? Because the only people who say dumb stuff like that are guys, because they’re stupid.” I couldn’t believe he was going to turn out to be just like all the other men I knew.
“What’d I say?” he asked, trying to look innocent.
“If anything, cars are like men. Always ready to go even if everyone else isn’t,” I said, my temper flaring. Without thinking I pressed the gas again, carefully this time. The truck eased forward. I kept my eyes straight ahead, concentrating on where I wanted the truck to go.
“Furthermore, men are inconsiderate. They think women want what they want. Like a girl couldn’t possibly want something different for herself. No sir, we can’t do anything without our big strapping men,” I continued, venting my frustration.
The dirt lane curved sharply to the left and I barely missed a section of the Grand Canyon as I maneuvered around a jagged gaping hole, holding my breath until I cleared it. “Well let me tell you something, Gideon Shepherd. I don’t need a man controlling me and bossing me around. I can take care of myself.” I rambled on, edging around a fallen log and easing through a jungle of overgrown trees and bushes.
“Well done,” Gideon said.
“Huh?” I spared him a quick look.
“You’re driving. Very well, I have to say.” He was lounging in the passenger seat, relaxed and apparently enjoying the ride.
“I am?”
“Sometimes certain distractions can help you focus.”
“You made that comment on purpose?” I felt the heat of a blush explode over my face. Me and my big mouth. “Sorry—”
“No, don’t be.” He chuckled. “I was totally entertained. You made some fine points.”
I felt as small as Thumbelina and decided to just keep quiet. I was pleased to see we were back were we started, only now we were facing the main road.
“You wanna drive home?” he asked.
“Uh, no, I think that might be a lesson saved for another day.” I put the truck into park and slid back into the passenger side as Gideon got out and resumed his place behind the wheel.
He surveyed the road, looking both ways, before pulling out. I noticed his hair was longer and a slight wave was emerging. His almost straight nose had that crooked little bump that I was beginning to find very endearing.
Gideon was turning out to be unlike anyone I’d ever known.
“Thanks for this,” I blurted.
“You’re welcome.” He flashed a quick smile at me. The insides of my stomach turned into quivering jelly. I wanted to make it stop, but at the same time, I didn’t want it to go away. I wanted to freeze this moment and stay here forever.
Chapter Nineteen
Aurora Ross was not what I expected. We were gathered around the long dining room table for Sunday brunch. Other than dinner it was the only meal we ate in the opulent dining room.
I made green chile cheese strata this morning, with a side of hash brown casserole, and country sausage and biscuits. We’d just seated ourselves. Sissy said grace and we started passing the food around.
“Sorry we’re late.” A tall redhead breezed into the room, followed by JD and a sour-faced Maggie. “I had a heck of a time getting this one out of bed.” She gestured to Maggie, who reluctantly plopped into the chair next to me.
“You’re fine, we just sat down,” Sissy said. “Welcome home, Aurora.”
“Thank you, Sissy. It feels great to be home.” She sighed happily, sitting beside JD. She then gave each person around the table a chipper ‘Good Morning’, even me and Stewie. Gideon handed me the biscuits. I took one and passed it to Maggie. She snatched the basket from my hands, took a biscuit, and held the bundle out across the table for her mother.
I noticed Aurora give her a brief withering look as she took the biscuits.
“I heard you sent out the invitations for the Gala,” Aurora said, smiling at Sissy. It was infectious, her smile. It lit up her face making everyone else want to smile too.
“I did,” Sissy nodded. “Last year we waited too long, most people had other commitments. I know it’s three months away, but I felt better sending them out now.”
“I agree,” Aurora said, taking a bite of the casserole. “This is simply delicious.” She took another bite. “JD wasn’t kidding when he said you were a very good cook, Cherry.”
I was startled to hear her say my name. I looked at her anxiously and murmured, “Thank you.”
“No, really, honey. This is good. Most girls your age can’t boil water. I’m impressed, sugar.” She flashed her effervescent smile at
me.
“Most girls have a life,” Maggie grumbled under her breath, glaring into her plate.
“I hear you and Stewie are a real help around here. I sure am glad. Our Gideon works way too hard for my liking,” she said motherly, winking at Gideon.
I was at a loss. How could mild-mannered JD and this... this... I could hardly find the words. Happy, upbeat, and charming were a few that came to mind. How could this ray of sunshine have ever produced Maggie?
“I’ve been known to cook a few good meals from time to time.” Aurora fixed her sparkling blue eyes on me. “Maybe we can collaborate sometime?”
For a minute I was transported back in time. My mother and I were in the small kitchen of our second-floor apartment. I was probably about thirteen. It was Mother’s Day, and my gram was sick. We didn’t know at the time it would be our last holiday with her.
“Our first holiday meal with three generations of women in the kitchen. This’ll be quite a collaboration, don’t you think, Arden?” My mother had said, smiling proudly.
“I’d like that very much, Mrs. Ross.” I smiled shyly.
“None of that, sugar. Call me Aurora.”
It was the most cheerful meal I’d experienced since coming to the farm. Aurora was like a breath of fresh air that swept in and lifted us all up. Well, almost all. Maggie sat stonily beside me picking at her food.
“May I be excused?” she asked, not waiting for a reply, pushing back her chair.
“Where are you going?” JD asked around a mouthful of hash brown casserole, his third helping.
“A bunch of us are going to Miller’s pond.” She stood up, flipping her long honey blond hair over her shoulder.
“Who exactly is in this so-called bunch?” Aurora asked. I could tell she had an idea of someone and wasn’t happy about it. She cast her first frown since entering the room.
“Just the usual people, Mama.” Maggie sighed sarcastically, pushing her chair in, grabbing her plate. “Don’t start in on me.”
“Bring it down, Margaret Leigh.” JD eyed her sternly over his lifted coffee cup before slurping.
“Chrissy, Sue Ellen, Bobby Ray, Fletcher and Jesse,” Maggie recited mutinously.
“Jesse? Jesse Martin?” Aurora said.
“Yes,” Maggie said, narrowing her eyes.
“That boy is trouble,” Sissy piped up. She hadn’t said much up until now. She had her bird dog eyes on Maggie, frowning.
“He’s fine. People exaggerate is all,” Maggie snapped.
“Oh?” Sissy leaned forward, resting her elbows on each side of her plate. “So he didn’t steal that tractor and ride it through Brownie Herbert’s field and ruin half his crop?”
Maggie’s eyes narrowed. She pinched her lips into a thin line.
“And I guess he wasn’t the one who went huntin’ last November, drunk as a skunk, and shot his friend, what’s his name? Gene McIntosh’s boy...” Sissy thought for a minute. “Oh yeah, Kurt, that’s his name. Didn’t he pump Kurt’s butt full of lead?”
“Jesse’s not too bright Maw-Maw...” Cort laughed. Sissy gave him a look that clearly said shut up.
“He’s changed. He’s more mature now.” Maggie defended him.
“We talked about this, Maggie,” JD said.
“I’m nineteen, Daddy. I can date who I want.” She stuck her chin out defiantly.
“Date?” Aurora gasped. “You’re dating that boy?”
Maggie rolled her eyes. “Don’t get all worked up, Mama. We aren’t gettin’ married or anything—just hangin’ out.”
Aurora smiled. It was friendly and sincere. “That’s fine, baby girl. In that case, why don’t you be the gracious southern girl I raised and invite Gideon, Cort, Stewie, and Cherry along? I bet they’d love a day at the pond on such a hot summer day.”
My head jerked to Maggie. She was seething. Her normal tanned complexion was marred by a ruddy blotchy redness.
“I’m sure they have better things to do, Mama,” she bit out.
Aurora said nothing, only lifted a sculpted russet eyebrow as if to say, ‘How do you know?’ I knew Maggie was trapped. She either had to admit she was seeing this guy and today was an actual date or she had to invite us and prove that is was just a bunch of kids hanging out.
I, for one, was already thinking of how refreshing the cool water of the pond would be. However, the idea of spending the day with Bonnie and Clyde and watching them suck face all day was very unappealing.
“I don’t have a suit,” I said, looking apologetically at Aurora. “Thanks for the invitation though.”
“Oh, don’t worry about that.” Aurora waved a hand at me. “My little girl has more swimsuits than a Sports Illustrated model. I’m sure she’ll share.”
I swallowed hard. I didn’t dare look at Maggie. It felt like days had passed by the time Maggie stiffly replied, “Of course. C’mon, Cherry,” she snapped my name. “Let’s go find you one.”
She didn’t wait for me to answer her. She propelled herself out of the dining room, down the hall, and through the kitchen door. I scrambled to pick up my half full glass of juice and empty plate as I pushed my chair back to follow her.
* * * *
The Ross’s lived on the farm in a three-bedroom cottage just past the main house about a quarter of a mile, hidden inside a family of Black Hickory trees.
Maggie’s room was a mess, clothes thrown everywhere, shoes strewn across the floor. She had opened two dresser drawers. “Knock yourself out,” she told me as she pulled a pair of cutoffs over her bikini bottoms.
I hesitated, feeling very uncomfortable.
“Look,” I began, “I tried to help you out back there.”
“I know.” She exhaled sharply, bending over to reach under the bed for something. “You can wear any of them but the hot pink one. That’s for special occasions.” She pulled out a flip flop.
“Uh...okay.” I reached in and dug around for a one piece. When I didn’t find any, I switched and rooted in the other drawer. Unbelievable, all bikinis.
“Don’t you have any one-piece suits?” I asked.
“Are you kidding me?” She scrunched her face at me. “I wouldn’t be caught dead in a one piece.”
I looked at her dumbfounded. I’d never worn a bikini. I much preferred the extra coverage. The only place I’d ever gone swimming was at the YMCA, except the one summer I spent swimming at a park pool. I was just a kid then, although in both places it was much safer to wear a one piece.
She stomped over to the dresser, nudged me aside, and pulled out two pieces. They were bright red with tiny little white polka dots. The bottoms were like short little exercise shorts that I was sure were barely going to hide my butt cheeks. They weren’t exactly what I had in mind, but they were better than the itty bitty bottoms I’d seen on Maggie.
The top was terrifyingly small. I wasn’t a busty girl, but I had more than enough to fill what little material the bikini top had to offer. I stared at her.
“Take it or leave it, Pollyanna. It’s the best I’ve got for you.” She tossed the items at me. “See you there.” She spun on her flip-flopped heel and bounced out the door.
Chapter Twenty
I tugged at the bikini top under the T-shirt. Not for the first time, I was grateful to the MIA cousin who left half her wardrobe behind. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have anything to cover up what the bikini didn’t, which was a lot.
Gideon drove, Cort rode shotgun, and I got the hot seat between them. Stewie decided to stay behind, as he thought the kittens needed him. That and I knew he couldn’t swim. Sissy pooh-poohed me when I balked at leaving him behind.
“He’s not an invalid,” she barked. “He won’t be any trouble. I’ll keep an eye on him,” she’d said as she shoved me out the door.
I was the bit anxious to be going to an outing with so many strangers. It’d been a long time since I’d been around kids my own age. I hoped I didn’t do something stupid and embarrass myself.
It didn’t tak
e long at all to get to Miller’s pond. It was laid out in the middle of a vacant grassy field. There was a wooden dock with a couple canoes tied to it. In the middle of the pond there was a large square platform. Two girls were lying on their stomachs, chatting casually as they soaked up the sun.
Gideon parked the truck. I slid out after Cort. We watched a boy swing on a knotted rope, higher and higher, until he finally let go, flipping forward into the water. Shouts rang out when he surfaced.
“Show off,” Cort huffed.
“Who was that?” I asked.
“Jesse Martin,” he sneered, like the name itself was bitter on his tongue.
So this was Maggie’s boy toy. I watched him swim to the edge of the pond. He was shorter than Gideon and thicker. He stood in the shallow end, shaking the water from his shoulder length hair before turning to watch another boy attempt the same flip, only to land belly flat into the water. That was gonna hurt. Jesse laughed and called out something I couldn’t hear.
“Here.” Gideon handed me a towel. “Ever done this before?”
“Swim in a pond?”
He nodded.
“Never.” I shook my head.
“You’ll be alright.” Cort flung a brotherly arm around me. “Just watch out for the snakes.”
“Snakes?” I jerked my head up. “You never mentioned snakes!”
Cort started laughing. I elbowed him in the ribs.
“Don’t ever mention those hideous creatures to me. I hate snakes.” I shivered at the thought of one of them slithering in the water.
“Don’t worry. There are no snakes in this pond.” Gideon slapped Cort in the back of the head. “Stop scarin’ her.”
I wasn’t aware that we had an audience until we reached the big tree. Several faces stared at us, some smiling, some not. I noticed Jesse Martin was. Maggie was not.
“Well, well, well. Look what the cat dragged out of the barn.” Jesse greeted Cort with a nod and ignored Gideon.
“Jesse,” Cort replied with an edge.
“Ya’ll come to have a good time?” Jesse thumbed to a couple of coolers behind him.
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