Andrew had tried to sleep, but there was something still bothering him. He had seen the accident site…and Jessica’s cross when they had driven to Miles’s house.
After several hours spent trying to shake the image, he’d finally convinced himself he should get up and go get breakfast for everyone. That would provide him with the chance to drive back by the curve in the road. So he could see it again…alone.
The drive was shorter than he remembered. Suddenly, he was looking at the road that veered off to the left. In the background, there were two old crosses. Both were under a tree, but one was larger and looked like it had been better maintained. The other was small and placed farther from the roadway.
Andrew pulled onto the shoulder and turned off the engine. Someone had put plastic red and yellow flowers near the crosses.
He threw open his door and got out. The letters JR were etched into the white wood of the larger one. Andrew bent down and softly traced the familiar initials. He stared at the worn wood in front of him. He had talked to her many times over the past few years, but this felt different. This was the place where she had actually died.
“Hey, Jess. I know it’s been a while. Sorry it’s taken me so long to visit you here. I should have come out here sooner.”
Andrew pinched his lips together as he continued to stare at the religious object. Then he turned to look over his shoulder. The tiny hairs on the back of his neck tingled. It was a feeling he had gotten before when he thought he was being watched.
He tried to shake off the odd sensation, and instead focused on his memories of Jessica. He could still hear her sweet laughter. She had been easy to be with, unlike Cassie. Andrew had tried to forget most of his teenage years, but he did remember how it felt to touch Jessica. Her skin had been soft and inviting. Losing her had been tough, probably harder than any of his family knew or could understand.
A boyish grin tugged at the corners of his mouth. No one had known. It had been their little secret, but it had always been more than just fun, at least for him. Jessica Rodriguez had been his first true love. He thought it had been silly, but as he had grown older, he had realized that maybe, just maybe, they had truly been in love with one another. He knew she had a crush on him, too. He could see it in her eyes every time they talked. She couldn’t hide how her eyes sparkled the minute he walked up near her.
There were many things Andrew knew he didn’t remember about their last night, but he did remember they had kissed and it had been amazing. He also remembered how he had felt that night when he’d finally found her walking outside of the house at the party. She had arrived later than most of the others. He remembered standing off in the shadows, wondering if she was even planning on being there, and then she’d passed by where he was standing. He had grabbed ahold of her hand and they had walked together down to the river.
The sound of a twig breaking caused Andrew’s head to snap back toward the roadway and back to the present day. His years in the military had heightened his senses. He hadn’t heard anyone walk or drive up, but he continued to scan the tree line, to see if someone was near.
He didn’t see anything.
He shook his head to clear his thoughts. This place was having a weird impact on him.
“Why were you talking to that cross?” a soft voice questioned from somewhere behind him, causing his back to go rigid again. “Don’t you know it makes you look a little weird?”
Andrew turned to see a skinny, teenage girl standing near a tree about ten feet from him. He took in a deep breath as he tried to calm his racing heart. She obviously didn’t realize that the sound of her voice had almost caused him to lunge at her. “Uh, sorry. Who are you? Why are you standing behind me?”
“I’m Lucy. Who are you?” she asked in return, frowning.
“No one you need concern yourself with.”
“I’m not concerned about you. You’re not the first one to come out here and talk to these crosses.”
“Good.”
“I told you my name. Why don’t you just tell me yours and stop being so creepy?”
Andrew’s eyebrows shot up. He conversed with many people, but rarely did he have to deal with teenagers, and this one was proving to have quite the mouth.
“Fine. My name is Andrew. I knew the person who died here.”
“Really?” Lucy cocked her head as she continued to inspect Andrew. “You knew Josie?”
“Who’s Josie?” Andrew asked as he looked back over at the cross. Had he come to the wrong place?
Lucy nodded. “Just checking to see if you were telling me the truth. You knew Jessica?”
“Yes. Did you know her too?”
“No. But I like to come out to this place. It’s always peaceful. I’m here a lot.”
Lucy paused, and then her eyes narrowed. “Wait a minute. Is your name Andrew Montgomery?” She placed more emphasis on his last name as if she knew him, somehow.
“Yes,” he responded after several seconds, unsure if her tone was good or bad. “Sorry. I just got back to town. Should I know you?”
Lucy shook her head several times. “No. I’ve just heard your name before, and you kind of look like the rest of the Montgomery family, except you really should think about shaving your face. You look a little crazy.”
Andrew ignored the last part of her response. “How do you know the Montgomery family?”
She chuckled. “Everyone knows them in this town. Plus, they all come out to visit from time to time. Your Mom comes here a lot. She likes to talk with Jessica. It’s very sweet.”
Andrew knew his face was probably all scrunched up. “How do you know my mom? Are you stalking this area?”
Lucy laughed. “No, but I live just over there. Like I said, I like to come out here. It’s peaceful.”
“Well, I guess I’d better be going. I told some guys I would get breakfast,” he said, not wanting to continue the small talk about his family visiting an area that had caused him so much pain. Besides, he didn’t even know this odd girl.
“Hmm. Breakfast is a good thing. Glad to see you back in town, Andrew Montgomery. See you around.”
She stared back at Andrew, waiting for his response, but he didn’t say anything. She looked like she was maybe sixteen, with long legs and dark brown eyes. There was something about her facial expression that seemed familiar. It was tough, yet also very soft.
“Okay. Well, it was nice to talk with you.” She turned and walked away. He watched as she disappeared behind several large trees.
Andrew took another look at the cross, and then decided it was probably time to head into town and pick up the breakfast he’d told himself he was going to get for the rest of the guys.
Andrew climbed into his brother’s vehicle and took one last glance at Jessica’s cross before turning the key. He drove back onto the road, and followed it all the way into the middle of the town.
He stopped in front of the Main Street Bakery. It was already full, and took Andrew almost ten minutes to get to the front counter. He quickly ordered several different pastries, and bowls of eggs and bacon. He sat in one of the booths as he waited on the food.
“I’d say you’re definitely hungry,” a now familiar female voice said from behind him.
Andrew turned to find Lucy’s dark eyes watching him. “Are you following me?”
She giggled. “That’s a silly question. It’s more like…are you following me?”
“No.”
“Well, I’m not following you either. I just needed to pick up a cup of coffee for my Pops and then something from the grocery store for me. It would have been nice if you’d offered me a ride, but instead I had to ride my bike. Thanks.”
Andrew grimaced. Lucy was definitely odd. “I’m sorry. I didn’t realize you were coming into town. Next time, I’ll offer you a ride.”
Just then his food arrived. He shifted the bag in his arms. “Have a good day, Lucy.”
“You too, Andrew Montgomery,” she said, walking past
him towards the main counter.
“You too,” Andrew mumbled under his breath. The encounter with Lucy had left him a little perplexed.
By the time he made it back to his brother’s house, most of the other guys were awake and sitting on the porch. All seemed to be moving a little bit slower this morning.
“Look who actually returned this time.” Warren took a long sip of what looked to be very dark coffee.
“Well, someone had to go and get us breakfast.” Andrew dropped the bags on the porch.
They sat there for a few seconds, while several of the men eyed the contents, clearly hoping someone would grab a bag so they could all dive in.
Warren smiled, pulled out an orange pill bottle, threw one of the small white objects into his mouth and then gulped down his coffee before grabbing one of the bags. “Guess I’ll be first.”
It didn’t take long for the others to follow suit.
“Miles, this really is a nice place you’ve got here,” one of the other guys said between bites, a piece of kolache sticking to his lower lip.
“Thanks.” Miles took a sip of coffee. “In a few more years, those fields will be filled with rows of grapes. It’s going to be awesome.”
A warm breeze blew through the patio. Andrew sat in silence. Over the past few years, he’d forgotten how pretty his hometown could be, despite the heat and humidity.
“You ready to be a married man? You’ve only got a couple hours left before its official,” Andrew said.
“Don’t worry, Miles. Marriage is fun! It’s the best thing ever. You get to go home to the same woman every night. Sometimes she cares you’re home, and sometimes she doesn’t,” Warren quipped sarcastically from the other side of the porch.
“Shut up, Warren. We all know you’re not happy with your marriage, but for me, I guess it’s now or never. I think I’m ready to settle down. Anne is perfect.” Miles shrugged.
“Well, lookie over there. I guess she couldn’t wait to see you at the church.” Warren pointed to an SUV that had just turned down the driveway, whipping up a trail of dust behind it.
“She’s probably just making sure we’re alive,” Miles responded nonchalantly, but Andrew could see the sparkle in his eyes. There was no doubt Miles Montgomery was happy to see his future wife. “Warren, Anne is fully aware of just how bad of an influence you are on me. I’m sure she was a little more scared than she let on when I told her you would be joining us.”
“Whatever. Blame me if you want, Miles, but deep down inside you like that I’m a bad influence.” Warren crammed another pastry into his mouth. “It’s part of my charm.”
The SUV came to a stop in front of the porch, and a young woman with blonde hair pulled up into a messy knot emerged. She had a big smile across her thin face. “Miles Montgomery, you ready to get married today?” she yelled.
“Hell yes.” Miles got up from the porch and walked over to her. Andrew watched as his brother put his arm around his future wife and pulled her close, kissing her softly on the lips.
“Well, I guess that’s our cue to get out of here.” Andrew rose and wiped off his shorts.
“Not so fast.” Miles turned back to his brother. “Andrew, you need to meet Anne. In a couple of hours, she will be Anne Montgomery.”
Andrew took a deep breath and looked over at Anne. “Hey, Anne. I’m Andrew, Miles’s better half.”
Anne was grinning. “I know who you are, dummy. I went to school with you guys, and you’re not going to be his better half for much longer.”
“Yeah, Miles mentioned you went to school with us, but I’m afraid I don’t remember you.”
“We were in the same English class for two years. Trust me, Miles has already explained how you guys were so popular you didn’t have time to remember everyone in our small graduating class.”
Miles laughed. “Anne moved back into town a few years ago. We saw each other very briefly at the cafe. Next thing I know, she’s following me. I had no choice but to ask her to marry me.”
“In your dreams, Miles Montgomery. I did no such thing. If I remember correctly, you’re the one who kept following me around.” She nuzzled against his shoulder.
“That’s probably right,” Miles said with a defeated look. He leaned down again to give his future bride another kiss.
“I am right,” she whispered back to him.
Andrew tried not to stare at his brother and Anne as they shared an intimate moment, but it was hard to ignore how happy they both looked.
Just then, the passenger door opened and another woman, who looked to be about the same age, got out. Her long black hair hung loose around her shoulders. She was wearing a red flannel shirt over a pair of tight jeans, and she was scowling at Andrew.
He looked at the others. None of them seemed to notice that this other woman was staring angrily at him. She crossed her arms, almost as if silently daring him to say something to her.
Andrew glared back, wondering what was going on. This new woman looked at him as if he should know who she was, but he didn’t. Maybe they’d known each other in high school too. There were a lot of people he didn’t remember. Like, apparently, Anne.
“Let’s go, Anne. We’ve got things we need to do before the wedding,” the other woman said.
“Okay,” Anne said, glancing at Andrew and then back at the other woman. She turned to Miles. “We’ve got a few appointments this morning. See you at the church. Don’t try to run, Miles Montgomery. I’ll find you.”
Miles chased behind Anne and slapped her on the butt before she could climb back into the vehicle.
“Ouch. That hurt.” She giggled, swatting at his hand.
“Don’t worry. There’s more of that to come tonight.”
“Are you trying to say you’re going to beat me after we’re married?” she said with a smile.
“I have a better idea, but I can’t tell you just yet.” Miles winked, before pulling her close for another long kiss.
“Miles Montgomery, you’d better be outside the front of the church in eight hours,” she said, before pushing him away and walking back to her car.
The minute she was out of sight, Miles turned to Andrew. “We probably need to get to Mom’s house. I’m sure she has real food waiting for us and obviously the clock is ticking.”
“This is real food.” Andrew held up a bag. “It’s from the bakery, so it’s legit.”
“It’s a good holdover, but let’s go get the real thing.” Miles beamed. “Besides, I know it will crush Mom if we don’t go to her house with empty stomachs.”
Andrew really hadn’t thought about that, but it made sense. “Mom still cooks? From the looks of the refrigerator yesterday, I assumed she’d given that up.”
“She still likes to cook for her boys. Trust me. If you want, go ahead and take my truck, and let Mom know we’re on our way. I need to collect a few things, and then I’ll head over.”
“Great. I’ll meet you there.” Andrew grabbed Miles’s keys. There was no reason to wait for the others. The baked goods he’d brought had proven to be a temporary fix. Andrew had to admit, he was still starving, and the mention of his mom’s cooking made his stomach growl even more.
He threw the truck into reverse and turned it around to start the drive back to his parents’ house. On his way over, he passed Jessica’s cross again. He knew one day it would probably be something he had gotten so used to that he didn’t even notice it, but today wasn’t that day.
As he pulled around the curve, he saw Lucy riding her bike, with two plastic bags full of groceries tied to the back. Her head hung low.
Andrew pulled onto the shoulder and got out. “Three times in one day…”
Lucy raised her head. “You really are following me. It’s kind of creepy.”
“Why are you always by yourself?”
“I’m fine. I walk and ride my bike all the time.”
“Do you want a ride home? You can throw your bike in the bed of the truck.”
“No.”
“Can I call your parents?” Andrew asked, feeling a bit silly. She was obviously old enough to be on her own, but there was something about her that made him want to protect her.
She laughed and pointed to the tree line. “I just came from over there. It’s not a big deal.”
Andrew knew there were a few small farmhouses in that area. He remembered it being the area of town where the very poor lived and many were thankful that their plight was hidden by the tall trees.
“Fine. But you need to go home and stop appearing near busy streets. It’s creepy.” He climbed back into his truck, and watched as she disappeared into the trees. He smiled at his weak attempt to be funny by using the same word she’d used on him.
Still, he couldn’t shake an odd feeling in the pit of his stomach. Lucy really was odd.
Andrew rolled down the windows and let the warm air blow through his hair. The drive to his parents’ house only took a couple of minutes, and when he walked through the front door, the smell of bacon and eggs greeted him.
“Hey, Mom,” Andrew yelled, throwing Miles’s keys onto the side table in the entry way.
“Hi, honey. We’re in the kitchen.”
Andrew found his parents sitting at the dining table. The town’s newspaper laid open in front of his father, and his mother was reading something on a yellow notepad.
“I’ve got plenty more for you guys. Miles called and said four of you were coming over,” she said, without even looking up at him. The moment reminded him of so many when he was younger. Andrew and Miles always seemed to have friends over and his mother loved the company.
“Yeah, I left first. Warren, Miles, and the others should be shortly behind me.” Andrew plopped into one of the chairs across from them.
“How do you feel this morning?” His mom chuckled as she took another sip of her coffee.
“Fine. Why?” Andrew acted as if he had no clue as to why she would ask that sort of question.
“I’m sure you guys had a late night. In fact, we know you guys did. Lester called us,” his mom responded, looking over at him. “Don’t worry. I’ve got plenty of food, some aspirin, and Bloody Marys for all of you. I need to make sure my men look good this evening. This wedding is going to be unforgettable. The flowers alone look amazing.”
Stay Forever Page 6