Love Me Tender

by Wendy Vella

  “Of course it doesn’t.” Jack looked at Rory. Could that be the reason for his interest? Was it that simple? He wanted her house, and to get it he had to go through her?

  You’re deluding yourself.

  “Game’s restarting.” Joe elbowed him in the ribs, making the air whoosh out of his lungs and shunting the thought to the back of his head.

  “That frown makes you ugly,” Fin taunted, running by.

  “Now, ranger boy, we all know that crown’s all yours,” Jack wheezed.

  “You should have made that, Fin, you’re getting old,” Maggs yelled when he missed a ball Joe fired at him.

  “Piss off, Maggs.”

  “Foul for bad language.”

  “What? How come you’re penalizing me, when this lot have been cussing constantly?”

  “It’s fun, because you react better,” Dylan’s dad said with a smile that had them all laughing.

  Why was he aware of Aurora May? Jack wondered as he shot her another look. She, he noted, hadn’t looked his way yet.

  “I’m next sub,” he said, jogging off the court to let Dylan back on. “Want a hug?” He lunged at Maggs, but she jumped away squealing.

  “I’ll turn you into a eunuch if you touch me, Jack! All that sweat creeps me out.”

  “There’d be a lot of women unhappy if you did that, Maggs.”

  Rory rolled her eyes but didn’t speak, just focused on the game.

  “I was just in the pharmacy, and Lila Brown and Rachel Williams were discussing pooling their money to buy you at the auction. Both said you had the stamina to cope with two women at once.”

  Jack usually didn’t worry about this kind of talk. Sure, he liked to go out, and sometimes he enjoyed just hanging out with his lady friends. It definitely was not always about ending up in bed, but some people didn’t understand that concept.

  Rory looked like she’d swallowed a lemon, skin and all.

  “What?” he asked, so she had to look at him.

  “Don’t you get sick of being that man?” she scoffed.

  “What man?”

  “The go-to for women man.”

  He was already hot from the game, but her words spiked his temper.

  “Just what the hell are you inferring?”

  She flicked her fingers at him, then turned to watch Joe make a layup. The dismissal just pissed him off more. Women did not ignore Jack.

  “You don’t know me or have a right to judge.”

  “Like you judged me.”

  “I already apologized for that, I’m not doing it again,” he gritted out.

  She sighed; it was loud and wheezy.

  “No, you’re right, I’m being a bitch. Sorry, you’ve been kind to me after a bad start... mostly.”

  Shock held him speechless for several seconds, then he grunted, unsure what else to say. He hadn’t expected her to apologize.

  “Mostly?”

  “Just accept the compliment, Jack.”

  He did, turning to Maggs, who was watching them closely.

  “How come you brought the Princess here with you?”

  “I found her bent double outside Bas’s garage, coughing. He was putting new blades on my wipers. Rory wanted Bas to tow her car and replace the tires.”

  “Jack!”

  Ignoring Joe’s roar for him to get back on the court, he waved for Maggs to continue.

  “I said I’d run her home. She said no, frightened that once I got her in the car I’d seek retribution for her bitchiness in school, but I finally convinced her I was the bigger person.”

  “You grabbed my arm and dragged me into your car.”

  “She’s not big, and I hadn’t done a random act of kindness to a stranger today, so she was it,” Maggs added.

  “You said you were taking me home,” Rory rasped.

  “And I will, but I had to come here first to drop off Pip’s phone, which she left at the cafe.”

  “What is it with you people? Don’t you get that I’m the baddy here? I was horrible to you all in school. How come you’re so accommodating and in my face? It’s unsettling,” Rory said. “I want it to stop.”

  “What can I say, we’re nice, well-adjusted people,” Jack said. “You’re a big girl. You could have said no to Maggs.”

  She gave him a pitying look, which annoyed him all over again. He hated pity in any form. As a child he’d had his fair share of it.

  “You people don’t understand the word no, and the redhead is no different.”

  She sneezed when she was done.

  “You should be home in bed.”

  “Sure, tried that, even walked all the way there, but....” Her words fell away, as did her eyes, dropping to look down at her feet.

  “But?”

  “Nothing. I walked back to get Bas to sort my car.”

  “You couldn’t have just phoned?”

  “The line was busy,” she said, avoiding his gaze.

  “No, you were going to say something else,” Jack persisted. “What happened?” He moved to stand in front of her.

  “Besides having my tires slashed, being kidnapped, and let’s not forget that I was bullied into taking tea this morning.”

  “Who bullied you?” Maggs asked.

  “The Robbins sisters. I wanted a green smoothie, but they said they had a cure for me.”

  “Yeah, they’re regular badasses, those two Robbins sisters, and to be honest they probably saved your life. No one can survive drinking anything green,” Jack said.

  “Neanderthal.”

  “What else is wrong, Princess?”

  “Nothing.”

  “You look scared.”

  “No way in hell could you know what I look like, so don’t even try, pretty boy.” She thumped her chest, which made her cough. When she was done, she added,

  “I don’t get scared.”

  “Big strong girl that you are?”

  “Shut up.”

  He grabbed a long curl and tweaked it hard.

  “Ouch.”

  “Be nice.”

  “I don’t have to be nice to you, you get enough adoration from everyone else with a double-X chromosome. Now go and play with your friends, and while Maggs is not looking, I get to make a run for it.”

  “Aww, poor little Princess Aurora May. Did you hope everyone would hate you when you came back here? That everyone would leave you alone? Instead you’re making friends... must be tough.”

  “Go away, Trainer!”

  Jack laughed, feeling better he’d annoyed her, which didn’t say a lot about him. He refused to acknowledge he’d enjoyed the last ten minutes of the game better knowing she was there... but he did.

  Chapter 13

  The letter she’d found pushed under her door had said, Leave town now, today, Haldane, or you’ll be sorry. We don’t want you here.

  It had annoyed more than scared her. It was only a letter, and words could not harm her physically. Still, it had sent her running back to town, and Bas, to ensure her car was fixed and ready to leave Ryker should she need to.

  What she couldn’t figure as she’d wheezed her way back into town was why someone would go to such lengths to intimidate her. Okay, she understood the abuse to her face... kind of. Rory didn’t like it but knew her appearance had upset people. Small-minded people who hadn’t moved on. But to slash her tires and write that letter was going too far.

  She looked at Jack again, back on the court with the ball in his hands, mid-layup. His body was a masterpiece of muscles and coordination as he flew through the air. He’d been right, she was upset, but she’d be damned if she’d let whoever had done those things run her out of town now. Her brothers always agreed her strongest trait was stubbornness.

  “Matt used to frown like that,” Maggie said.

  Vibrant and full of life, Maggie Winter was everything Rory wasn’t. She’d been talking to Bas when Rory arrived at the garage, and after an awkward greeting—on her part—Maggs had pressed a hand to her forehead, a
voiding the “don’t invade my personal space” invisible sign Rory wore, and asked if she was sick. Rory had said no and asked Bas for a private word. He’d taken a couple of steps to the left and leaned forward so she could talk into his ear.

  He’d roared his displeasure about her tires so loudly, Maggs had asked what the problem was—and he’d told her. Maggs and Bas had then ranted about the small-minded cretin who had done the callous act, which admittedly made Rory feel better. Minutes later, Maggs had offered to drive her home via the rec center. She’d tried to refuse but had ended up in the woman’s car anyway.

  “I need to go, Maggs.”

  “Are you feeling sick?”

  “No, those pills you gave me are working, but I should get to bed before they wear off.”

  “It’s a cold, it won’t kill you. Now be quiet, and you can come to the after-match.”

  “I don’t want to, and if I hang around I’ll pass on my germs. Plus, I’m cold.”

  Maggie grabbed a blanket that was for the players to sit on and wrapped it around her shoulders.

  “Not long to go, then we’ll leave.”

  Rory gave up and watched the game, but she absolutely refused to look at Jack.

  “Those are some fine men,” Maggie sighed.

  “Sure, but like all men, they’ll have their faults.”

  “It’s okay to look, Rory.”

  It was okay to look, but not okay that the only man she had eyes for was Jack Trainer.

  “He will raise a lot of money at that auction.”

  “Who, Fin?” Rory said, knowing very well Maggs was talking about Jack.

  “Fin? You have to be kidding me. That man’s just an annoying pain in my ass.”

  “Why is he a pain in your ass?”

  Maggs shrugged, which didn’t answer the question, but as Rory didn’t like to pry, she let it drop.

  “How are you, Rory?”

  “I’m good thanks, Mr. Goldhirsh,” she said as he detoured from his duties on the sideline to see her.

  “You don’t look too good.” He bent at the waist to look at her face. “You’re flushed.” He pressed a hand to her forehead. Number three for the day.

  It was weird having so many people care about her... especially people who shouldn’t.

  “Maggs, this girl needs her bed.”

  “I’ve been telling her that,” Rory said.

  “Stop coddling her, she has a cold. No one dies from them. It’s much better for her to socialize and let people see some of us like her.”

  “That’s a surprisingly good point. But I remember the last cold you had,

  Maggie Winter, you were in bed for a week.”

  “Yeah, and her nose was like Rudolph’s,” Fin Hudson said. The game was over, and suddenly they were surrounded by sweaty people.

  “Go play with your aviators, ranger boy,” Maggs sneered.

  “You come on to the house, Rory, and I’ll have my girl make you up a nice lemon and honey drink.”

  “I really need to go home to bed, Mr. Goldhirsh,” Rory said, wondering who “his girl” was.

  “Sure, but you can have one of these first.”

  “I’ll make you all sick.” Rory had to try again, even though she’d likely fail.

  “We’re mountain folk, Princess, we don’t get sick easy,” Jack said, all sweaty, and she absolutely did not think that raised his appeal to an even more disturbing level.

  “Such an ass,” Rory said, wiping her now-running eyes. “You, Jack Trainer, would be just like all the other sick men I’ve met. Pathetic.”

  This made everyone hoot with laughter.

  “Hi, I’m Luke Trainer.”

  His smile was gentle, and she could tell right off he was different from his middle brother. His edges were softer. Jack had a cynical look, his eyes telling her he’d seen it all and wasn’t impressed by much these days.

  “Rory.” She shook the hand he held out to her.

  “I’m Joe, the intelligent brother,” the eldest Trainer said, holding out his hand.

  Rory shook it, like she’d shaken everyone else’s she’d been introduced to since arriving.

  Luke looked more like this brother than Jack, although they all shared the dark coloring.

  “Let’s go, I’m hungry,” someone said.

  “Could I get a lift to my house?” Rory said loudly and with determination.

  They all ignored her and started for the door. Jack grabbed her wrist and towed her along with them.

  “Let me go. I’ll walk home if no one will take me.”

  “Sure, but your little steps will mean it’ll take a few hours,” Jack said.

  “My brothers used to tell me I had a mean right hook.”

  “Yeah? Good for you. A girl needs to protect herself.”

  A blast of icy wind hit her as they stepped out the door. Shivering, she huddled deeper into her coat and blanket. The house would be freezing when she finally got back there. She’d light the fire, turn on the heater, get into bed, and stay there.

  Opening the passenger door of his pickup, he nudged her in. She was then wedged in the middle as Ted Hosking climbed in.

  “I could have gone with Maggie.”

  “She has Mr. Goldhirsh, Mr. Howard, and a few others, so shut up and buckle up.”

  “You’re rude.”

  “And you’re so sweet?”

  She closed her mouth then and tried to make herself as small as she could so she didn’t have to touch Jack.

  “You’re sweating on me.”

  “You should bottle that, it would make serious money,” Ted said.

  “That’s disgusting.”

  “True, though. The guy is a legend in these parts.”

  “No I’m not.” Jack’s words were clipped, suggesting he didn’t like the conversation. Rory found that hard to believe.

  “So how are your brothers?” Jack changed the subject.

  “Okay?”

  “When did you last see them?”

  “I can’t remember. Is there any chance we can have some air in here? You two smell.”

  “Pure essence of male,” Ted said, cracking open the window.

  “Why can’t you remember?”

  “Because I can’t!”

  “No need to snap at me, Princess, I’m just being polite.”

  She spoke with her brothers, but they didn’t see each other all that much, as their jobs had taken them to different states.

  “How come you don’t see each other often anymore?” Jack persisted.

  “Why do you care? Not everyone lives a life like the Waltons.”

  “Who?” Ted asked.

  “You’re kidding me, right?”

  “You’re too young to know who they were, Princess,” Jack said. “I only know because Aunt Jess was obsessed with the reruns.”

  “My mom was the same.”

  They shared a knowing look, then Rory focused out the windscreen. She didn’t want a connection with this man, no matter how small.

  “You don’t know much about the Trainers, do you?” Ted asked.

  “As I’ve not been back in town long, I’m not sure how I could?”

  “They’re like bulldogs. Persistent, sometimes rabid, and they will keep at you until they’ve exposed all your secrets and know everything, including your shoe size.”

  “And you’re the same, Hudson, you just wrap it up in a civil veneer,” Jack added.

  “I run the lodge,” Ted said. “I have to be civil.”

  “Nice. I’ve heard great things about that place,” Rory said.

  “Come up and have a look. I’ll even throw in a meal.”

  Rory snorted, although it came out more a croak. “You want to keep your customers, right?”

  “I don’t just feed the locals, Rory, and I am not dictated to by them either. You are welcome at the lodge anytime, no matter what some in this town are saying about you.”

  She thought about that while they turned into the Trainer drive. She
had the town polarized. Some liked her, others didn’t. One thing she knew for certain was she had no wish for people to take sides on her behalf. After this was done and she’d drunk her lemon and honey, she was going home and staying there, coming out only when necessary.

  “How’s your horse?”

  “Better, I think. I’ve been icing and giving him anti-inflammatories like you said,” Jack said, pulling his pickup to a stop before a big farmhouse. “The vet did the ultrasound and it’s like you said.”

  Smoke puffed from the chimney. The paint was fresh, and the outside clean.

  “I think the next dump of snow will be serious,” Jack said, getting out and holding the door open for Rory.

  “Can I go home?” Rory didn’t want to sound like she was begging, but she was. Her face hurt, her body ached, and why these people wanted her anywhere near them she had no idea, but she had a sneaking suspicion it was kind of like circling the wagons. They were watching over her, and she didn’t need anyone doing that.

  Rory knew how small towns worked, and especially the locals who lived in them. If they thought one of theirs needed them, they were there. But she wasn’t one of theirs, not really, so why were they doing this?

  “Sure, I’ll drop you home soon. But this place will be warm, not like that ice box you live in.”

  “It’s warm by the fire, and with my grandmother’s things everywhere it’s a nice place to be.”

  He shot her a look, and Rory thought she’d given away something but wasn’t sure what.

  “I liked Connie. Tough but fair,” Jack said. “She used to let me ride over her land because there’s a cut through to the mountains, and it’s another route to take the tourists on.”

  She made a hmm sound but that was all.

  “You done with the chat, because it’s chilly out here.”

  “Soft is what you are, Hosking.”

  “The sweat’s drying and making me cold.”

  “Like I said, soft. Those shoes didn’t improve your skill level, FYI.”

  Rory looked down at Ted’s shoes as she followed Jack to the house. They were ugly.

  “Is that Velcro?” she asked.

  “There is nothing wrong with my shoes,” Ted said between his teeth.

  “Sure, if you’re under the age of five.”