by Ann Everett
She raised her palm as if taking an oath. “No, let me finish. You have no idea what last night meant. You went to so much trouble to make me feel better. About Celeste. The problem at school. My insecurity. You make me more confidant. Like I can be a good role model for Silbie.”
“You give me too much credit. I . . .”
Now both hands shot into the air. “Please. Let me get this out. I don’t want another day to pass without you knowing how much I appreciate the time you’ve given me. Sometimes I come across as unreliable, flakey, and shameful—“
“Don’t talk about yourself that way. You’re none of those things. And, I’m not the perfect man you think I am. I’m—“
She bolted upright. “Now you stop! No matter what you say, you’re a wonderful person and without getting mushier, thank you for everything you’ve done. Let’s leave it at that. Okay?” She checked her watch. “You need to take me home. I’ve got to pick up Silbie.” She grabbed her shoes in one hand and her purse in the other, then faced him again. “Oh, what did you want to tell me?”
Dammit to hell. Why’d she have to say all that, and gaze at him like he was some kind of superhero? He took a deep breath. “I’m sorry. I searched your purse for keys and couldn’t find them. That’s why I brought you here.”
“That’s okay. I’m not upset.” She glanced and pointed. “Bathroom. Right?
“Yeah.” He watched her close the door, then ran his fingers through his hair and stared up as if God himself was on the ceiling. “So? Are you ever going to let me tell her the truth? Come on, Man, you’ve got to help me here.” He waited for a sign. An answer. Nothing came. Maybe silence was his answer.
What you seek, is seeking you.
~~Rumi
JARED THOUGHT ABOUT the praise Raynie poured on. If she knew the truth, she’d take it all back. Not like he hadn’t tried to set things straight. He had. More than once. Lately, his life seemed like a bad B-movie, where he’d yell at the screen when characters avoided what needed to be said or explained. Why couldn’t they spit it out? Well, now he understood.
He walked around to the other side of the bed and picked a long blonde strand from the pillow. How he’d love to run his fingers through those curls. Crush them in his hands. Pull her face in close . . . he stopped. Regardless of the attraction, he couldn’t allow feelings to develop. He smoothed the cover and something dropped to the floor. An earring. Stuffing the hoop in his pocket, he headed to the office.
On Saturday, he worked non-stop to catch up on everything. By putting in weekends, he hoped Dad wouldn’t think he was a slacker.
The screen on his phone lit up and so did his eyes when he read the caller. “Hey Raynie, Silbie survive the lock-in?”
“Yeah, and her exact words—totally awesome. Hasn’t stopped talking about it. Sounds like her vocal performance was a big hit.”
“Wish I’d seen it.”
“You can. I ordered a copy of the video. What are you doing?”
“Nothing as exciting as watching you dance.” He chuckled.
“Are you making fun?”
“No. You were great, especially when you discovered your partner. I think you invented some new moves.”
“Smartass.”
He laughed harder. This time she didn’t apologize for using a bad word. “What are you up to?”
“I don’t know if I’ve told you or not, but I have no kitchen skills, so I can’t invite you over for a home-cooked meal. But Silbie and I would love to take you out.”
“Sounds great, but I can’t tonight.”
“Oh.” She sounded disappointed, and he liked that.
“I’m meeting an old drinking buddy. The owner of the sunflower field. My way of thanking him for the atmosphere.”
“Some other time, then.”
“Yeah. Tell Silbie hello for me.”
“Sure. Bye. Have fun tonight.”
“Thanks.” He ended the call and stared at his phone. The excitement of hearing her voice surprised him. What was he doing? He couldn’t get interested in her. If he did, he was setting himself up for heartbreak. He turned his attention back to his computer and pushed images of Raynie out of his head so he could concentrate on work.
By four o’clock, he finished the first draft for his new client, Harland Winchester. An extreme contemporary plan, and although the style wasn’t Jared’s strong point, he thought he’d come up with something the guy would approve. Storefront windows. Metal roof and siding. Concrete countertops. Douglas fir ceilings. The house featured five fireplaces, swimming pool, media room, and an attached apartment home. The place reminded him of a golf course club house, but he’d given the man everything he’d asked for. At almost a million dollar budget, he didn’t have to cut corners.
He typed up a quick email and sent the proposal. Once he got Harland’s initial reaction, he could move forward.
Jared locked up the office and stepped outside. Wind whipped at the collar of his shirt, and he thought of Raynie again. Maybe she’d stay long enough to find out dust storms didn’t happen that often. When they did, he admitted they were insufferable, but every city had good and bad points. Lubbock didn’t have the humidity Austin did.
While he showered, he mulled over next week’s schedule. Once the Winchester construction started, Jared planned to submit the project to Architecture Digest. A feature in the magazine might bring in enough business Dad could retire.
Thirty minutes later, Jared shoved his hand deep into his jeans’ pocket and clutched his keys. Across the street, a car swung from the curb and sped away. Beth? No. Now he was getting paranoid.
As the sun set, he parked in the drive at his parent’s house. His brother would insist on using his van since it was wheelchair accessible. Ducking his head inside the backdoor, Jared yelled, “Anybody home?”
“We’re in here.”
He crossed the room to hug Mom.
“Maggie says y’all are taking a boy’s night out.”
“Yeah. We’re meeting Pate McGuire. You remember him, don’t you?”
“Sure. Bull rider. Married right out of high school. Big boy as I recall.”
“That’s him. Can you believe he has a teenager?”
She tilted her head and rolled her eyes. “I’d be thankful to get a grandchild from you.”
“All in good time.”
“Says the man who doesn’t even have a girlfriend.”
Dad walked into the kitchen. “Leave the boy alone, Elizabeth. If you don’t watch it, he’ll marry someone you can’t stand, then you’ll be hoping he won’t reproduce.”
Jared liked that Dad always came to his rescue. “I went to the office today and worked up a plan for Winchester’s house. I emailed you a copy.”
“Great. I’ll take a gander.”
“Well, I better go.” He hoped to get out of there before Mom’s lecture, but that didn’t happen.
“If y’all need a designated driver, call me,” she said.
“We’re not college students.”
“I know. Just saying.”
He gave her another hug. She’d put that rule in place when he’d gotten his driver’s license. She didn’t encourage underage drinking, but never wanted him or Jace to be afraid to call if they made a stupid mistake. “You know I can afford a taxi now.”
“I know. But if you need me, I’m here.”
“I’ll keep it in mind. Thanks. See you later.”
He rushed across the lawn and stepped onto the porch. Jace swung the door open.
“Dang, little brother, you seem eager.”
“Any idea how long it’s been since I’ve gone to a bar? I’ll tell you. Too damn long.” He hollered over his shoulder. “Baby, we’re leaving.”
Maggie came into the room. “Did you tell Jared the news?”
The enthusiasm in her voice told Jared it had something to do with either Jace or the twins. Had to be about his brother, or she’d have the girls there to show off whatever latest skill they’d
learned.
“Oh, I’m getting the new exoskeleton robotic Rewalk.”
Jared smiled. Maggie, the nurse, researched every new development in spinal cord injuries. She never gave up hope Jace would walk again. “Okay. By the name, I’m guessing it will help you do just that.”
“Yeah.”
“Man, that’s great. When will it be here?”
“Ten days.”
“They’re making such strides, he’ll walk again someday.” Maggie planted a kiss on his cheek. “I won’t keep you. Don’t drink too much. Or stay out too late. Or get into a bar fight. Or have too much fun.”
“Yes, Mother.” He grabbed her hand and pulled her down for a proper kiss.
Once on the road, Jace didn’t waste time. “So, about last night.”
“Wipe that smile off your face. I told you it wasn’t a date.”
“Whatever you say.”
Jared wasn’t sure if he was trying to convince his brother or himself. For a woman he wasn’t dating, he sure thought about her a lot. Then there was the phone call and invitation to dinner, which made things worse. “Maggie talked to Beth lately?”
“Why? I thought you kicked her to the curb.”
“Yeah, I did, but I keep bumping into her. Yesterday at lunch. Then today, I thought I saw her driving away from my place.”
“She hasn’t come to the house again, but they could talk on the phone. I’ll find out.” He parked next to the entrance at Rick’s bar.
“One good thing about coming in your van, we get the best parking spots.”
Jace laughed. “Yep. Can’t beat the perks of being a cripple.”
RAYNIE SPENT MOST of the afternoon scolding herself for calling Jared. What was she thinking? He’d probably seen right through that flimsy invitation. Why did she want to hear his voice or be with him so much? Simple answer. Everything was easy. No pretense. No expectations. Just a wonderful guy with no agenda. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been with a man like that. Oh yeah. Never.
That’s why she found him so attractive. Most dudes had one thing on their mind. Getting her into the sack. She giggled. Well, he’d gotten her there but didn’t even try any uh-huh, with her nuh-uh. The man was a saint.
Besides, there were plenty of reasons not to be interested. The preacher-fortune teller separation. The baggage of a six-year-old. The fact she didn’t live in Lubbock.
When the front bell rang, her heart jumped. She wasn’t expecting anyone.
Eye to peephole, she took a ragged breath, then opened the door. “Mom! What are you doing here?”
She placed her bag on the floor and pulled Raynie into a hug. “I wanted to check on you and Silbie. The other day when we talked, you sounded depressed. As we all are. Losing Celeste has been the hardest thing I’ve ever dealt with.” She burst into tears.
Oh Lord. As if Raynie’s life wasn’t already difficult, now Mom showed up. “Please don’t let Silbie see you cry.”
She pulled away. “It isn’t good to suppress emotions, Raynebeaux. It causes ulcers, strokes, constipation, and a whole slew of other problems. You should encourage Silbie to express her feelings and fears.”
“I’m sorry, Mom. We can’t all be as expressive as you. Keep in mind, she’s only six.”
“Where is she?”
“In her room. She went to a lock-in last night, so she’s napping. But I should wake her or she won’t sleep tonight. Take a seat and I’ll go get her.” On the way down the hall, Raynie decided she wouldn’t mention the divorce papers. No need to deal with Mom on that front.
JARED KEPT HIS EYES peeled. Running into Beth all the time couldn’t be a coincidence. A blonde approached and broke his concentration. Jace held up his left hand and wiggled his ring finger in the air. The sexy woman pranced away.
Pate shook his head. “Damn man, I don’t get it. I mean you’re handsome and muscled up, but you’re in a wheelchair. No offense. I’m just trying to understand it.”
“Pity Pussy.” Jace laughed. “They’re hitting on Jared for the same reason and he’s not a gimp.”
Jared smirked. “Very funny.”
Pate stayed focused on the girl. “That’d be a good con. Pretend to be a paraplegic to get women. Wonder why nobody has thought of that?”
“I’m sure they have. But if chicks understood what I have to go through for sex, hell, they’d be out of the mood by the time I was ready.”
“That bad? None of my business, but I am curious.”
“Yeah. Things to remove. Pills to take. Bodily functions to consider. Enjoy sex all you can. You end up like me, it changes.”
“Sorry I brought it up.”
“No problem. Didn’t say it wasn’t good. Just different.”
Jared stiffened. “Sonovabitch.”
Jace followed his gaze. “What’s wrong?”
“I saw Beth.”
He wheeled around. “Where?”
“Over in the corner.”
Jace craned his neck. “Are you sure? I don’t see her.”
“Yeah.”
“You’re imagining things.”
Maybe Jared’s imagination was running wild, but he didn’t think so. Just as he checked it out, his friend changed the subject.
Pate held the longneck between his thumb and finger. “So how’d the date go last night?”
Jace folded his arms. “Yeah, how did the date go, chaplain?”
“Knock it off.” Jared rotated the beer bottle in his hands and shot his brother a laser gaze.
“Chaplain?” Pate drew his brows together. “Why’d you call him that?” He jerked his attention back and forth between the brothers.
“Should I tell him?”
“Dammit, Jace, sometimes I want to slap the shit out of you.” Jared raked fingers through his hair, frustration getting the best of him, then turned to face his friend. “The woman I took out there is someone I met, and she misunderstood what I do for a living.”
“He didn’t correct her. Talk about a con game. She thinks he’s a preacher.”
Now Pate broke into laughter. “You’re kidding?”
“No.”
“Damn, I’ve got to get out more. Riding a tractor all day is boring compared to you two.” He nodded toward Jace. “Women coming on to you and big bro trying to shepherd a new flock.”
“It gets better. God only knows what goes on during the two-hour lunches he’s taking.”
Jared set his beer down with a thud. Inviting Jace to join them was a mistake. Damn little brother’s cocky attitude pissed him off. “I’m not sleeping with her.”
“Then what the hell are you doing at noon?”
“Uh, eating? Her sister died and left a six-year-old to care for. Raynie needs someone to talk to.”
“Are you counseling her? This gets better and better.”
“If you’re not working to get in her pants, I say don’t tell her.” Pate wiped the corners of his mouth, checked his phone, and smirked. “Lori. Reminding me not to drink too much. I swear sometimes she’s like my mother.”
“Women. They’re all alike. Maggie gave me the same lecture.”
“Mom gave me one, too,” Jared said.
Pate put his cell back in his pocket. “On second thought, I take back what I said. Since you took her to the flower field that tells me you like her. So you should come clean. If you don’t, you’ll never get her in bed.”
“Not my goal.” That wasn’t exactly true. He did want to get her in bed. Naked. Hot. Wet. Hell, he thought about it more than he should, but he needed to stop. “She’s only in town for a few more weeks, then I’ll never see her again.”
“Hey man, a lot can happen in a few weeks. Keep your options open.”
RAYNIE TRIED TO BE as diplomatic as possible, but she wanted to know how long her house guest intended to stay. Her tactics included the enticement of a shopping trip only to have her mother say she needed nothing. After that failed, she mentioned the pottery and textiles exhibits at the univer
sity. Not interested in either of those.
Almost out of ideas, she made a final attempt. “We could always go garage sale hunting. I know you love a bargain. Lubbock is easy to get around in. The streets are in alphabetical order. I could ask someone about the best areas.”
“Sorry. No time. I plan to leave on Friday.”
Bingo. Seven days of Mom. Sounded like a book title. Raynie smiled. It would be full of conflict and have more story arcs than a James Patterson novel.
Later, after several hands of Old Maid, Raynie cleaned up the kitchen and took the pizza box to the trash. As she walked back inside, the same car from earlier caught her attention. A potential buyer checking out the property? Although there was no sign in the yard, the house had an MLS listing. So anyone could find the address on the internet.
While Mom tucked Silbie in, Raynie put fresh sheets on Celeste and Evan’s bed. Then returned to the living room for Mom’s one suitcase. Typical. She didn’t own many clothes.
The next morning, Raynie sat on the back porch and watched the sunrise. A brilliant ball ringed in orange, gold and yellow emerged from a level skyline. It was almost as beautiful as the sunset she’d shared with Jared.
“Hey, Raynie!” Mr. Remmus yelled from across the fence. “You got a visitor?”
“Yes, sir. My mom is staying a few days. You can meet her when you come to borrow your bourbon.”
He nodded and disappeared into his house.
The patio door opened and Silbie stepped out, rubbing her eyes and carrying a tattered stuffed cat. She climbed into Raynie’s lap and snuggled against her.
“Good morning, sleepyhead.”
The little girl stretched and yawned. “Are we going to Prairie Dog Town today?”
“No. We won’t do that until after Grandma leaves next week. You want to go to the movie this afternoon? I think there’s an animated one showing.”
“Yeah. Can I get popcorn and candy?”
“I’ll think about it. Why don’t you go get ready for church? I hung your clothes in the bathroom. When you’re dressed, I’ll do your hair.”