by Ann Everett
“Okay. So what do we talk about today?”
There was so much he wanted know, so he dug deep for a question. “You mentioned two divorces. What happened? Unless the subject is off limits.”
“No. I don’t mind. In a nutshell, during college I fell in love for the first time. Got careless. Ended up pregnant. Ran off to Vegas.”
She paused, stared out the window, and Jared wondered what was going through her pretty head, but said nothing. Whatever she shared was her choice. His job was to listen.
She faced him again. “His parents weren’t happy about it. I’d never even met them and, he’d not mentioned me either. But I was carrying their grandchild, so I suppose they tolerated me. But then I lost the baby and everything changed.”
Her bottom lip quivered, and he feared she might cry, but she drew a breath, and pulled herself together. Thank God, because the only thing he could to do when women fell apart was hold them. She gave a stiff smile. “I didn’t know Bronson came from a rich family. I knew he wasn’t poor. I mean, he drove a sports car and had a platinum American Express card.” She giggled at her own sarcasm. “But when I saw the twenty-two room house, full-time servant and cook, I realized I was in deep shit. Oh, sorry.”
He ignored the apology and wondered if she’d do that every time she said a bad word. If she knew the truth, she’d be using some choice language toward him. “So they didn’t like you?”
“Understatement. His mother thought I’d found my ticket to an easy life and took advantage of her one and only.”
From the tone of her voice and expression, the memories must still hurt and that made Jared sad. It must be true what they say, a woman never forgets her first love. Because even though college had been years ago, the thought of Bronson still caused a reaction.
“After the miscarriage, she paid me a visit. Claimed I’d seen him as my opportunity to move from the outhouse to the penthouse. She offered me a check for twenty-five thousand dollars to go quietly.” She locked eyes with Jared. “You think I took it, don’t you?”
He wouldn’t blame her if she had, but he remained stone-faced. “I’m trying to decide what I’d do if someone waved that much cash in my face. That’s a hard call. Did her son know?”
“I was naïve enough to think it was a test to see if I loved Bronson or if she was right about me. I refused because I adored him. Turned out, I wasn’t on trial. I’d already been convicted. I thought he’d be appalled and defend me. Go to his mother and profess his undying devotion and tell her to stay out of our lives.”
The server delivered their orders and placed them on the table. “Y’all need anything else?”
Jared shook his head. “No, we’re good.”
She sashayed away, and he took a long pull from his Shiner Bock. “I take it that didn’t happen.”
Raynie whispered a laugh. “Bingo. He’d never loved me. Married me because of the baby. To ease my pain, he said to up my price, but she never went over fifty. That told me I wasn’t his first mistake. So, I accepted. Paid off school loans, put some in savings and opened my business. It’s funny, my best friend, Quinn, doesn’t even know the details of the break-up.”
Raynie twirled the umbrella in her drink, then sipped. “Then I met Rory. Handsome. Kind. Not rich. I fell hard for him and I thought he loved me, but on day forty-two of marriage, I caught him in bed with our next door neighbor.”
She stopped and sipped her margarita, then took her bottom lip between her teeth as if biting back tears. He understood her pain. He’d continued to love Julie long after she’d stopped loving him, but thank God, he finally got over it. The events of the last few days reinforced that.
Raynie shook her head as if to force the memories away. “Divorced twice in sixteen months must be some kind of record. Anyway, that made it clear I’m not wife or mother material and there’s no such thing as happily-ever-after. At least not for me. You think I’m a terrible person. Right?”
He swallowed a bite and swigged his beer again, stalling to choose the right answer. “What I think is a woman with money and power made you feel unworthy and because of your age and inexperience, you bought into it. Is that the reason you date bad boys? You think you don’t deserve a good man?”
“My choice in men simplifies things. They aren’t the kind to settle down, so there are no expectations. Truth is, I don’t want a man to say he loves me, because at some point, he won’t.”
Jared wanted to argue, but didn’t. No need to dwell on her past. He wasn’t here to change her. His self-imposed mission was to serve as a sounding board. Let her draw her own conclusions and work things out. But he hated she had such a low opinion of herself. “What type of business do you have?”
She forked some enchilada and held it in mid-air, a long string of cheese dangled from the tines. “Well, parson. This answer should get you going. I’m a tarot reader.”
“Why do you say that?”
“Because you probably think I’m engaged in witchcraft, but tarot marked the invention of trumps. Contrary to what some say, the church never objected. Even when they banned playing cards, they excluded tarot.”
He raised his hand. “Now who’s being preachy?”
“Sorry. I get a little touchy about it. If it’s used as a religion, yes, that makes it part of the occult. But you can put faith into all sorts of wrong things. Lottery tickets, TV evangelists, Oprah.” Raynie broke into laughter, then straightened and shoved the bite she’d been holding into her mouth.
He liked this feisty woman, and he couldn’t keep the truth from her. “There’s something I need to tell you.”
She scooted to the edge of the bench, laid her napkin on the table and flicked her finger at him. “Hold that thought. I’ve got to visit the ladies’ room.”
Thankful to be alone, he rehearsed. You’ll find this funny. No. Too glib. What I’m about to say may upset you, but try to keep an open mind. Too suggestive. I made a stupid mistake and hope you forgive me. Better. Own the blame and ask for mercy.
A few minutes later, she slid back into the booth. “You still want to split dessert?”
“Sure. That’d be good, but first . . .”
Her phone chimed. She checked the screen. Worry lines formed on her forehead. “Sorry, it’s the school. I have to take this. Hello. Yes.” Her lips drew tight. “What? I’ll be right there.” In one quick motion, she shot straight up and clutched her chest. “Silbie’s in the principal’s office. She got into a fight.” Tears rimmed Raynie’s eyes.
He grabbed the lunch ticket. “I’ll take you.”
“No. That’s okay. Drop me off at my house.”
He put his hand on her shoulder. “Please, let me help.”
For a second, he didn’t think she’d take him up on his offer, but she glanced at his hand still resting on bare skin. “All right. Boswell Elementary on Jefferson.” She sighed. “I’m no good at this.”
He gave her a little pat and slid his hand away although he wanted to keep it there. So much for confession 101. His sin would have to wait. He figured one crisis at a time might be all she could handle.
The first ten minutes of the drive, Raynie didn’t speak, and the silence drove Jared crazy. This was the perfect opportunity to make things right. No escape and she wouldn’t attack him while driving. He hoped. But, to tell her now would add to her problem. Better to wait. Besides, maybe the lie wouldn’t be a big deal to her. By her own admission, she preferred bad boys. She should be used to lies.
Jared couldn’t stand the silence any longer. “Silbie is an usual name. I like it.”
“It’s my mom’s maiden name. Thank heavens Celeste didn’t have a boy. If she had, she planned to name him Starr.”
Jared chuckled. He needed to keep the conversation going. “Fortune teller, huh? That wasn’t on my radar. With your creative hairdos and trendy style, I figured you owned a hair salon or dress shop.”
Eyes still watery, she faced him. “I have a storefront where I sell new age
items. Incense, wind chimes, that sort of stuff. Most of my readings take place online, which is good. I can work from anywhere.”
“What’s the number one question?”
She sniffed and wiped her nose on a tissue she’d pulled from somewhere. “Love. You know. Are they cheating? Are they the one? Can I trust them with my heart?”
If he kept her talking about work, there was a good chance she wouldn’t fall to pieces. She still looked like she might. “And you put their minds at ease?”
“Here’s the thing. You can give four readers the same spread and get a different interpretation from each one. Not to boast, but I’m pretty good at explaining the draws. However, sometimes, I’m surprised. Take my best friend, Quinn, for instance. I thought she and Dak were mismatched. But they’re so in love and happy, it’s scary considering the way they got together.”
His strategy worked. Her tears disappeared just in time. The school came into view. “What happened with them?”
“A story for another time. We’re here.”
He expected her to vault from the truck and sprint into the building eager to resolve the conflict, but instead, she pulled the band from her braid and shook the strands loose. Next, she unbuckled her seat belt, leaned forward and fluffed out the wavy locks until they reminded him of an electrified cartoon character.
From her purse, she removed two items, gazed into the visor mirror and used the pencil she’d retrieved to outline her eyes, and finished with mascara. She turned toward him and grinned. “How do I look?”
Damn. The badass had arrived. He wasn’t sure what she wanted him to say. Was she hoping to seduce the principal, or put a spell on him? Wild, wicked, wanton, sexy as hell came to mind. “Truthfully? Evil.”
She rubbed her lips together and smacked. “Perfect.”
She opened the door and stepped into the sunshine, her hair shining like golden spikes, and he lost his thoughts. God help the principal. Jared bounded out and rushed to catch up to her. “Do I need to go in with you, for support?”
“No. I’ve got this. Not my first time dealing with school trouble. I’m not afraid of him. Silbie is my main concern. I’m worried what I should say to her.”
“You’ll know.”
“You have a lot of faith, rev.”
“One of us has to.”
She marched to the entrance as if she owned the place which surprised him. This was a different Raynie than the scared, uncertain, weepy new mother from earlier. This was a woman on a mission. He dashed ahead of her, ushered her in and followed close behind. He didn’t want to miss a minute of what was about to happen. Not sure what that would be, but whatever it was, she had the upper hand.
She stepped to the counter. “Hi, I’m Raynebeaux Starr, Silbie Collins’ aunt. I want to see her.”
The secretary paid her no mind and continued to type. “After you see the principal.”
Raynie leaned closer. Tapped her finger on the countertop. “It wasn’t a request.”
Now the woman snapped to attention. “Oh, well, generally the parent meets with him first, then brings in the child.”
“My niece. Now.”
Jared ran a hand over his face to hide the smile playing at the corner of his lips. He’d not known Raynie’s last name was Starr until she said it, and a person named after two heavenly things, making demands seemed out of character. Now he understood her sister’s name choice had Silbie been a boy. Raynebeaux and Celestial. Damn. What kind of parents did that?
The secretary strutted to a door across from her desk and opened it. A younger version of Raynie sat alone in a wooden chair. When she saw her aunt, she charged from the room and into Raynie’s waiting arms.
“Are you okay?” She knelt, hugged her tight, and Silbie cried against her chest.
“I’m sorry, Aunt Raynie. Please don’t be mad at me. Please don’t die and leave me. I promise I’ll do better.”
She eased the small body away and cupped her face. “I’m not mad, and I’ll never leave you. Why would you say that?”
“Because I heard Mommy and Daddy arguing about me. They were mad, and then they died. It’s my fault.”
“That isn’t true. It was just a terrible accident. The last thing they wanted was to leave you. They loved you more than anything.” She held her close again. “Understand?”
The softness and tone of Raynie’s voice convinced Jared she’d be a wonderful mother, whether she knew it or not. And if there was any way he could convince her of that, he would.
Raynie led Silbie to the sofa. “This is my friend, Father Jared.”
“Hi, Silbie.”
Raynie wrapped an arm around her. “Now, tell me what happened today.”
“Cody pulled my hair and called me an orphan. I told him to stop, but he wouldn’t. He kept saying it, so I hit him. I’m not one. Am I?”
“No. You’re not. Orphans have no one to care about them. You have tons of people who love you.”
“Miss Starr, Principal Baxter will see you now.”
Raynie nodded. “Do you want to sit here with Father Jared or go with me?”
“I’ll stay here. I’ve already talked to Mr. Baxter.”
Raynie disappeared into the office and Jared turned to the little girl. “So, did you get him with a right or left hook?”
“I didn’t have a hook. I used my hand.”
He laughed. It’d been a long time since he’d talked to a child her age, so he was a little rusty. “That’s a boxing term.” He fisted his hand. “If you come around like this, it’s a right hook. This way, it’s a left.”
“Oh. I used a right one.”
“I’ll bet Cody doesn’t bother you anymore.”
“I don’t think Mr. Baxter will let me to come to the lock-in.” She cried again, and without thinking, Jared gathered her into his arms. “It’ll be all right. I’ll tell you what. Ever been to the Stars and Stripes Drive-in? If they have a kid’s movie showing, I’ll take you and your aunt. Would you like that?”
Silbie pushed away and gazed at him with wonder in her eyes. “You just made my day a thousand times better.”
Jared laughed. This kid was a lot like Raynie, and he liked her.
Raynie came from the office, took one look at them and smiled. “Okay, let’s go.”
He came to his feet, and Silbie slipped her hand in his. He studied her tear stained face and wondered what he’d gotten himself in to. The little girl had apparently taken an instant liking to him. Understandable. She’d lost her dad, and she missed him.
Silbie gazed up at her aunt. “Did Mr. Baxter say I can’t come Friday night?”
“No. You can come and you won’t be punished. But I want you to apologize to the boy tomorrow. I’ve arranged for us to meet before school. Cody was wrong, but you can’t hit people, no matter what they say. The next time something like that happens, I expect you to tell a teacher. Understand?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
She put her niece in the backseat of the truck and buckled her in. Once on the road, Silbie leaned forward. “Father Jared, will you still take us to the drive-in?”
Raynie jerked around to face him. “What? You planned something while I was with the principal?”
“I was going ask your permission. Besides, you need to experience some of what the city offers before you le . . .”
Raynie fake coughed, scrunched up her face and shook her head. So, she’d not told Silbie they weren’t staying in Lubbock. Withholding the truth, sounded familiar. “Sure, we’ll still go. We can make a day of it. I bet Aunt Raynie would enjoy a visit to Prairie Dog Town.”
“Yay! Can we?”
Raynie rolled her eyes. “Let me get this straight. First, we’d go to a place with furry little animals living—outside. Then finish the day at a drive-in movie. Again, outdoors. In a city where the wind always blows and dust sands your skin off the bone.”
“Sounds about right. On the bright side, while we’re at Stars and Stripes, we can eat one of t
heir famous Chihuahua Sandwiches.”
Raynie’s mouth quirked up at the corners. “Are they made with prairie dog meat?”
Silbie giggled.
He smirked. “You’re funny. No. Two crispy tortillas, homemade chili, pimento cheese, shredded cabbage, onions, and jalapenos. You’ll think you’ve died and gone to heaven.”
“That’s good because it sounds like a person might check out after eating that concoction.”
“Hey, don’t judge until you try it.” He turned into her drive and she eyed him.
“How did you know where I lived?”
His heart kicked up a notch. Damn. He needed to think fast. “Uh. Pretty sure you mentioned the address.”
“I don’t think so.”
“Yeah. When I offered to take you home after lunch yesterday.”
She titled her head to one side. “I don’t remember that, but I guess I did.” She released Silbie’s seat belt. “Go wait on the porch and let me talk to Father Jared.”
“Okay. Bye.”
“Bye, sweet pea. Your aunt and I will decide on a day for our adventure.”
“Okay.” Then she hopped from the truck and ran toward the house.
Jared’s heart hammered. He expected her to light into him about making the plans without asking first. She wouldn’t say anything in front of Silbie. Not after finding out she felt responsible for her parent’s death. Or, Raynie remembered she didn’t give him her address. Whichever, he braced for the worst.
She turned to him. “Thanks for taking me to the school.”
Relief washed over him. “Happy to help. You’re good with her. I stick to what I said before. You don’t give yourself enough credit in the parenting department.”
“Not sure about that. I can’t believe she blames herself.”
“Yeah, kids her age don’t know how to handle losing someone they love.”
“You should talk to her about God and death and Heaven and stuff.”
Jared shifted in his seat and hoped a bolt of lightning didn’t strike. “Sure.”