Love Me Tender

by Wendy Vella

  “I’m saving my tips for the bachelor auction so I can buy you, Jack.”

  She had black hair, long and thick, sweet brown eyes, and an equally sweet body. This he knew because they’d dated a few times.

  “I’m not doing—”

  “Awesome,” Joe said. “We’ll take a couple of beers while we read those menus you’re about to give us, Babs.”

  “That auction is not involving me,” Jack said.

  “Do you reckon Babs’s lips stick together with all that gloss on them?” Joe asked.

  “I thought they looked nice.”

  “Do you get sick of that?”

  “What?” Jack heard his stomach rumble as he looked at the menu. Breakfast seemed a long time ago now.

  “The women throwing themselves at you? I mean, the auction will create interest, but women are crazy about you.”

  “You’re just jealous.”

  “Hell no.” Joe shook his head. “Bailey is so much more than any woman I’ve ever known.”

  Jack fought back the jealousy. No woman had ever made him feel like that. No one had consumed him like Bailey had consumed Joe, or Dylan had consumed Pip.

  “You’ll have to close that revolving bedroom door one day, bud.”

  “The hell you say!”

  “I heard Aurora Haldane is back in town and you took her side in the grocery store, Jack?”

  Geoff Harvey arrived at their table. He had run the bank in Ryker since forever. He carried a lot of weight in town simply because he was respected and a good guy.

  “I did.”

  He was always immaculate; even his shorts in the summer when he was hiking with his wife, had a crease down the front. Today he wore a suit, which was his usual attire. Silver hair cut in the same style it always was.

  “I feel sorry for her and her brothers, always have. But her daddy betrayed us, Jack, and especially my wife, who worked for him.”

  “But not her, Mr. Harvey, and the money was all paid back. She has as much right to be here as anyone.”

  The man sighed; it was loud and weighty. “My own little girl was one of her friends in school, as you know. Sweet little Abigail was heartbroken when Aurora May left town.”

  “And yet you want her run out of town along with the others?” Jack asked.

  “No, I don’t want her run out of town. It’s just hard to see any kin of his in Ryker again. When my June heard her name mentioned, she cried, and it about broke my heart.”

  Mrs. Harvey was the light of her husband’s life and had worked as Mayor Haldane’s personal assistant for many years.

  “But you’re right, it’s not Aurora May’s fault, and I’ll make sure if I see her she knows that.”

  “That’s kind of you, Mr. Harvey,” Joe said when Jack remained silent.

  The brothers watched Geoff Harvey leave the noodle house.

  “Funny how I’ve never thought of Abigail Harvey as sweet,” Joe mused.

  “She’s all right, just spoiled.”

  “Just so I have this straight, Jack. You don’t want Aurora May here, and told her so just this morning, and by lunch you’re her defender.”

  “I’m not her defender, I’m being fair, which is something you’ve always told me I have to be.”

  “Sure, and what you said was right. I’m just surprised it was you that said it.”

  “What the hell is that supposed to mean? You make me sound like I’m shallow and never take a stand on anything.”

  “I’m not sure how you added up what I said to mean that, but we’ll roll with it.”

  “Jesus, will you just shut up? You’re ruining my appetite,” Jack snarled.

  “Smile. Here comes Lexi, waitress number two to drool all over you. That should cheer you right up.”

  It should, and normally would. Jack wasn’t sure why it didn’t today. Especially when she leaned in and he smelled her lovely perfume. The problem was, all he could think about was Princess “I’ve got attitude” Haldane.

  She was living in the icy house, alone. No one wanted her here, and that had to hurt.

  “So maybe Rory Haldane coming back to Ryker is a good thing for you, Jack.”

  “How do you figure that?”

  “You can approach her about buying the property you wanted her grandmother to sell you.”

  “There is that,” Jack said. But a voice inside his head was telling him to stay away from the woman because she was trouble. Jack thought this was sound advice.

  Chapter 7

  Rory looked at the pile of household items outside the front door. Bas had covered them in a big tarp before he left. Why had she let him talk her into buying all this stuff when all she’d wanted was a mattress and a heater?

  He’d told her, Nana hadn’t been into modern appliances, or updated anything for years, and all this would add value if she sold the property with the contents. A toaster that was not from the 1800’s, and an electric kettle. There were also a set of bath towels, five books she’d had to have, and two mugs, as her nana hadn’t drunk tea out of anything but dainty cups.

  Bas had then left in a hurry, with a promise he’d return, as a driver had run off the road a few miles out of Ryker and he’d been needed to pull him out. She’d told him that it was all good and not to come back, but he’d insisted. However, looking skyward, Rory thought the clouds seemed ominous and that snow may be on its way again. She wanted to be tucked up inside with the fire roaring before it did.

  “I’m back here, Nana. I hope you’re happy about that,” she said, looking up at the house. White weatherboards and candy-pink trim. The three Haldane children had called it candy cane house; their parents had called it an abomination due to the amount of clutter scattered everywhere.

  Walking around the sides, she found the two small seats and a table they’d often used to take tea when her parents had let her stay here.

  “Grandmother Haldane is not an example I wish you to follow,” her mother had often said when Rory wanted to visit. But she’d liked to come because when she did, she felt different. Here she could just be plain old Rory Haldane, and not Princess Aurora May. It wasn’t expected that she look her best or be her daddy’s Princess.

  “I won’t tolerate your BS here, girl. You come, you work.”

  Those words had been delivered to her when she was five years old by Connie Haldane, and strangely she’d respected the woman for it.

  On this land some of the happiest memories for Rory and her brothers had been created. Here they’d had their own little world, and all the stuff outside the gate didn’t touch them.

  She did a circuit of the house, looking at the mountains standing sentry over the property. She’d found peace here. She wondered if that would ever be the case again? Reaching the front door again, she started to take the smaller items Bas had dropped off into the house. The mattress Bas had insisted she have was good quality, and heavy. Bending to lift it, she realized he hadn’t lied. Tugging one end got her nowhere; neither did standing it on its side. It simply fell the other way.

  “Firewood,” she muttered, pulling up the hood of her coat after giving the mattress a kick. She’d have another go at getting it inside when she got back, and if she didn’t succeed she’d cover it till tomorrow.

  She’d nearly made it to the barn when she heard a car. Retracing her steps, she found one of her mother’s old friends, Lillian Smith, getting out. With her were two other ladies; one was June Harvey, her father’s former personal assistant. Her daughter had been Rory’s friend in school... although perhaps “friend” was a stretch; more fellow bitch squad member.

  Rory stood her ground as they approached, faces set and unwelcoming.

  “Hello.” She made herself smile.

  “Look, Aurora May, we understand you came back here to see your grandmother’s house. We’re hoping you’re putting it up for sale?”

  “I’m not sure yet, and I go by Rory now.”

  “It’s for the best, Aurora May,” Mrs. Smith continu
ed, her tone making Rory’s simmering anger rise. “Surely you can see that?”

  “And there was me thinking you were welcoming me back with an apple pie.”

  Shut up, Rory.

  “Mom passed away three years after leaving here. Thanks for asking after her, Mrs. Smith.” Rory couldn’t seem to stop the words from spewing out of her mouth. She fought back the rage at how these women had treated her mother after her father had been found guilty. They’d persecuted her, just like they had her children. Not one letter had been sent to see if they were all right. They’d been dropped faster than a hot potato.

  “Yes, well, we’re sorry about that. But no good can come from you being here,” June Harvey said.

  At least there was some guilt in their faces now.

  “Why? The money’s been repaid. What harm can there be in me being back in Ryker?”

  “It’s upsetting folks, and we want a peaceful life.”

  “You’re kidding, right? This is no longer a sleepy little town. It’s full of tourists. No one cares if I’m here, except for a few small-minded people who can’t let go of the past.”

  She knew she’d scored a hit when color filled Mrs. Smith’s cheeks. “Besides, this is my land, left to me and my brothers by my grandmother, a woman you all seemed to like.”

  “We held a committee meeting,” June Harvey snapped, “and the women’s league decided you need to leave.”

  Rory actually shook her head. Surely they weren’t serious?

  “I’m flattered. Back in town a day, and already the subject of a committee meeting.”

  “You always had a smart mouth on you, Aurora May,” June Harvey said.

  “Really? Funny how you never told me that when I was sleeping over at your house, Mrs. Harvey. How is Abigail?”

  Her mouth pursed. She was made in the same mold as Rory’s own mother. Everything pristine and immaculate, never leaving the house unless she was dressed perfectly with her face made up. They’d expected no less from their daughters either. Not much had changed, looking at her clothes, although perhaps she’d had some help with her face. The skin seemed almost too smooth.

  “I’m not running out of this town again because a handful of you decide it should happen. I’m no longer a child, and believe me when I say I’ve faced down more small-minded people than you since leaving here.”

  “How dare you speak to us like that after what your father did!”

  “My mom always liked you, ladies. I guess there’s no accounting for taste.”

  “Her husband stole from us!” June Harvey snapped.

  “Her husband,” Rory said slowly, “not her or her children, and every cent was repaid. Now there’s something you need to know, and you can take it back to your next women’s committee meeting, although I have no idea how you’re getting away with that little piece of sexism these days.”

  “We have a right to hold our meetings and have who we want to attend!” Mrs. Smith shrieked.

  “Yes, you do, just like I have the right to be here in Ryker, on this piece of land that belonged to my grandmother.”

  “It won’t go well for you if you stay here, Aurora May. You must see that nobody wants you here!”

  “Is that a threat, Mrs. Harvey?”

  “Just leave town… please,” she added, with a smile that would have scared small children and animals.

  “I’ll ask you ladies to get off my property and not step foot on it again, and if you don’t, I’m sure Nana has a shotgun inside somewhere.”

  That shocked them.

  “How dare you speak to us that way!”

  “How dare I?” Rory said with a lot more restraint than she was feeling. “How dare you come here and threaten me!” Okay, so her voice had risen on the last word, but she only had so much patience. “This is 2018, and a democracy. I have rights, just like you do. I’m exercising them right now, in fact. Get the hell off my land!”

  Chapter 8

  Rory sucked in a deep, steadying breath before she headed to the small woodshed behind the house. Finding it empty, she trekked to the barn, burrowing deep into her coat.

  Sell it fast, her brothers had said when she’d told them she was coming here. “You don’t need that aggravation, Rory,” Leo had said. Maybe when she first arrived that had been her plan, and likely it still was... but she blew out a breath and looked at mountains

  “What the hell do you want, Aurora May?”

  As no answer was forthcoming, she walked along the overgrown path until she reached the barn. Dropping her shoulder into the door, she pushed it along the rollers.

  Big enough to hold four stalls, the inside smelled of hay and leather. A skylight let in weak afternoon light, and it was cold enough that when she exhaled a puff of white air came out of her mouth.

  The stalls were clean, and the small tack room her grandmother had used until she’d stopped riding a few years ago was as neat as it had always been.

  Rory had ridden a few times when she was here, but it wasn’t something her parents had wanted their daughter to do.

  She looked around and found more memories of times with her brothers and their nana. The ladder used to get to the attic still hung on the left wall.

  Impulse had her taking it down. Bracing it, she then climbed, hoping it wasn’t rotten. Whatever the Haldanes hadn’t been able to fit in their cars when they left Ryker had been stored up here to have sent on later. That had never happened.

  Her heart was thumping by the time she’d reached the top, and not from the exercise. More memories were up here, and not all of them bad. Boxes were stacked neatly against a wall. Pulling back a blanket, Rory could do nothing to stop the sob that tore from her throat when she saw her favorite childhood toy. The rocking horse was silver, with a long black mane and tale. Her father had bought it for her, and Rory had loved it right until the day she had to leave it behind.

  Too soon, she thought. She wasn’t ready for this. Turning to leave, she saw her father’s briefcase. He’d gone nowhere without that locked case, and she’d believed they had taken it in the investigation.

  Grabbing the handle, she carried it back down the stairs… another impulse. As a child she would have given anything to look inside, and once had tried. Her father had yelled at her. So she’d never tried again.

  Placing it against the wall, she then found a large pile of wood, selected a piece, centered it on the chopping block, and picked up the axe.

  Her brothers had often been sent out to cut wood and restock the shed behind the house, and they’d argued about who had to do it every time. She missed them here where they had played such an important part in her life.

  She swung and missed several times.

  “I’m an adult, this cannot be hard.”

  Three more times, and the only result was anger and sweat.

  “I’m out of shape,” Rory muttered, taking off her coat.

  Picking up the axe, she swung again and missed.

  “Damn!”

  “As entertaining as this is to watch, I’d have to apply the tourniquet if you cut your foot off, so hand over the axe.”

  She shrieked, and swung to face Jack Trainer.

  “Easy, Princess, I come in peace.”

  “Go away.” She turned back to the wood.

  Lifting the axe, she brought it down hard. It brushed the side of the wood she was aiming for, which sent it into her shin.

  “Ouch!” Dropping the axe, Rory clutched her leg.

  “You’re lucky it was just the wood that hit you. Now move.” She felt a hand on her shoulder, nudging her to one side. Humiliated, she then had the shame of watching him split the wood neatly and with little effort. Barely straining those muscles she was sure he had under his clothes.

  Which I do not want to see, Rory reminded herself.

  “I can do that.”

  “Yeah, I noticed.”

  “I’m out of practice.”

  “I’m not.”

  Annoyed with herself and
him, she grabbed the briefcase and left the barn, because that man was far too easy on the eyes.

  No point in standing around watching him when there was more to do. Besides, she couldn’t stand the humiliation.

  “Damn, I have to thank him again.” This was not a happy thought. Reaching the house, Rory put the case on the porch, then pulled back the cover she’d thrown over the mattress and glared at it.

  Why did Jack Trainer annoy her more than the other hostile people in this town? Especially as he’d been nice to her a few times now. He was too good-looking. Too sure of himself and his appeal to women.

  Grabbing the mattress, she tugged it a few inches again. It was awkward to carry, but she was angry enough to do it. Lifting it on its side, Rory walked under it intending to carry it on her head.

  It flattened her.

  “We sleep on top of them around here.”

  Would her humiliation ever end?

  Rory seriously thought about just lying there on the cold ground. Surely she’d warm up sooner or later, and at least she was protected under the mattress.

  “Up you get.” The mattress was pushed off her, and hands lifted her to her feet.

  “Thanks, and now I’m totally humiliated, you can leave.”

  The small smile on his face reached his eyes. He wore a black wool hat pulled low, the collar of his jacket up. Large, dangerous, and way too appealing. This man was one of those types she avoided... which wasn’t that hard, as they avoided her too.

  “Now where would the fun be in that? The day’s got an hour or two of light left. I’m sure you can think of a few more things.”

  “Very funny,” was all she could manage.

  “Grab the other end and we’ll haul it inside.”

  “I got it,” Rory said, glaring at the mattress.

  “Sure, I can see that, but as snow’s coming and I want to get home to my horses before it does, let’s get it done.”

  Rory was nobody’s fool, so she did as he said.

  With him carrying most of it, they maneuvered it inside.

  “Where do you want it?”

  “In the bedroom down the hall, last on the right.”