Celia's Knight

by Samantha Lovern

  “Okay. What do you mean?”

  “I know I’ve been kind of pro-Martin, shall we say? It’s not because I want something from him, it’s because I see how much you care for him. It has nothing to do with what I’m going to say.”

  “Okay. I believe you. Now what is it?” Randi was more than a little curious and she had no idea what he was about to say to her. He was hesitant, and it made her wonder if she wanted him to go on.

  “I want to become an extra in films. I hear it pays well. Let’s be honest, I’m not going to make a lot of money doing anything at my age and I don’t want to lower our standard of living. Matter of fact, I’d like to do more. I want to travel. I want to take your mother on those vacations that I was always too busy to go on. I can’t do that on a minimum wage job.”

  “An extra? Where did you get that idea?”

  “I’ve been talking to a friend of mine. He has two part time jobs but he makes the most of his money being an extra. He says it’s good pay, he gets to eat free, and now and then, they fly him to crazy places to film for a few days. I’m not a bad looking guy for my age. I think I could get some good parts.”

  Randi grinned mischievously. “You are a cutie. You kind of got this older Robert Conrad thing going on. I can see your point. I also understand what you’re saying about Martin. I don’t think he would have much pull for something like that anyway. I’m sure it’s more of a studio call to find the extra’s.”

  “Well, I don’t care if he does. I don’t want you to mention it to him in any way. That’s not why I told you. I don’t want him to think anything about us but that we are a normal run-of-the-mill family. I don’t want to even come close to messing this up for you.”

  “Thanks. I think I can do that on my own.” Randi responded, half joking and half serious. “But, I know what you mean. I won’t mention it, at least, not until we’re married.” She said this in jest, but of course, it was at that very moment her mother decided to enter the room.

  “Not until you’re what? I hope that you are not even thinking about marrying that man. Have you lost your mind? Miles, I told you to talk some sense into her, not talk her into marrying him. What did you say to her?”

  “Mom, don’t overreact. Dad and I were just talking,” Randi said.

  “I didn’t do anything. I think she was joking, but even if she wasn’t, it’s her decision. We need to stay out of it. You know what happens when you try to direct the lives of your children. It never works.”

  “Don’t dredge up the past. My parents did what they thought was best. We don’t know if anyone would have been better off or not. Besides, we’re talking about our daughter. Do you want her to marry someone who sleeps with other people for a living? I surely don’t!”

  Chapter 30

  Trading Places

  “You told me to call you when Celia was heading to your place. We’re on our way. I’m waiting for them to bring her down from her room.” Mike glanced over his shoulder. He didn’t want Celia to overhear this conversation.

  “Sure thing. I’m getting ready to head over to your place. I’ve been packing for a few days getting ready for this. I’m leaving the old truck and taking the new one. Don’t let Celia burn it while I’m gone.”

  Mike laughed. “I won’t. She’s going to be wheelchair bound for a few days. If she doesn’t burn it on the way in, I don’t think she’ll be able to walk down the steps into the garage for a while.”

  “That’s not good. I hope you’re ready for a lot of ‘get me this and get me that’. Celia doesn’t deal well with pain. Let me know and I’ll get a home nurse to come in a few hours a day, if needed.”

  “I appreciate the offer but her mother will be there. I’m going to stay, I think… I still haven’t completely made up my mind about that, yet.”

  “Hey, I don’t care, if you don’t.”

  “I just don’t know if I should. I’m not sure her mother will approve.”

  “Trust me, she won’t care a bit especially if she finds out how much money you have.”

  “I’m trying to keep that hidden. If something happens, I don’t want it to be because of the size of my billfold. I’ve been down that road way too many times. Been there. Done that,” Mike responded emphatically.

  “They won’t hear it from me. I know I’ve said a lot of things about Celia, some of it because I was angry, some of it because I wasn’t sure she was the right one for me. She is definitely a ‘high maintenance’ woman but I don’t think she would marry just for money…. But then again, I could be wrong.”

  “Gotta run,” Mike said, as he pushed his phone into his pocket. He went to hold the hospital door open for the nurse’s assistant. He had known this wouldn’t be easy so he had gotten a four-door sedan from the dealership. He and the nurse managed to get Celia into the back seat. When she was settled, he turned around to assist the nurse back into the hospital.

  “Take the wheelchair with you. Just tell Mr. Taylor he can bring it back when Ms. Carson no longer needs it.”

  Mike smiled. “I’ll do just that.” He folded the chair, and once it was in the trunk, he got into the car and turned to look at Celia. “Did we just about kill you getting you in there?”

  “Not too bad. I’ll live. I’m just worried about what will happen when all that nice stuff they were pumping into my body wears off. I don’t think the Tylenol with codeine is going to do as well.”

  “If it doesn’t, you can call your doctor tomorrow morning."

  “What doctor? I don’t have a doctor. I hardly ever get sick. I never had the need for one.”

  Mike laughed, turned, put on his seatbelt and pulled out. “If we need to we can call my mother. Her doctor makes house calls. At least he does for her. He might help you by prescribing something for pain.”

  “We’ll see. I’ve never broken anything before. So far it’s not been too bad. Whatever they were giving me made me sleep more than I care to.”

  “Well, the codeine is going to knock you out, too, so take it as directed.”

  “Great. I may try to tough it out. I’m tired of sleeping so much. I want to read. I’m really excited about learning more about selling cars. I want to find out which vehicles you can make the most commission on and learn everything I can about them.”

  “Smart girl. I can help you with that. I’ll talk to some of the best salesmen and make some notes then you can do the homework. The more you know about a vehicle, the more selling points, the more you’ll move.”

  “Have you ever sold cars? I think you’d be good at it.”

  Mike smiled. “I’ve sold a few, but I prefer working on them to selling them. You’ll need to know your stuff because sometimes car salesmen seem to get a bad rap.”

  “Yes, I know. It’s because they lie, or at least people think they do.”

  “Some of them do. Some will tell you anything to sell you a vehicle. I’ll tell you right now, if you get into this for the long haul, you will make more money on people who come back looking for you a second or third time.”

  “I see. Well, I want them to come back looking for me for the right reasons, not because they hate me for selling them a ‘lemon’.”

  “As with any job, there is a learning curve and the more you know, the better you’ll be. Just know that if someone walks away, it’s not the end of the world. Never lie to make a deal. It will come back to bite you.”

  “I won’t do that. Regardless of what Martin might have told you, I don’t lie and I don’t cheat. That’s his department, it seems, not mine.”

  Mike thought for a second before speaking, “I wasn’t meaning to insinuate anything, I was just stating facts. If you lie, it will come back to bite you.”

  When she didn’t say anything he glanced in the rear view mirror to see that she had fallen asleep. He thought for a few seconds about what he had just said about lying. The realization suddenly hit him hard that it might come back to bite him when Celia found out that he owned the dealership instead of
just working there.

  A part of him wanted to just open up and tell her that he could get her a job, and that he would help her out, but he just wasn’t sure. Martin could be right. It could just be her mother who would be trying to push them together, but he wasn’t sure.

  He’d been burned before. Kacy. Sweet, innocent Kacy had seemed so sincere. And Rachel. Pretty, young Rachel had been all but dragging him down the aisle. Thankfully, he had figured out, before it was too late, that they were in love with his money but not in love with him!

  Once you had been through something like that, it was hard to trust again. It worried Mike that maybe Martin was in awe of Randi because she treated him like a ‘normal’ person. He had to wonder if he was really in love with her or in love with the fact that he felt he could trust her.

  Chapter 31

  Dear Abby

  “Will you please tell me why, when I called your house, Celia’s mother answered?”

  Martin leaned back in the recliner, laid the script he’d been reading in his lap and smiled. “It’s nice to hear from you, too, Sis. I guess I should have informed you about that.”

  “What in the world is going on? Randi is going to leave you and I can’t say that I blame her! I’ve warned you to watch your step with allowing Celia back into your life.”

  “It’s not what you think, and if you’ll slow down, I’ll explain.” Martin reached for his glass of wine and looked it over, his mind going from the conversation with his sister to Randi. She didn’t drink wine, beer or anything with alcohol. Would him drinking wine bother her?”

  “Well, are you going to explain or not?” Addison’s question brought him out of his thoughts.

  “Sorry, Sis. Celia will be staying at the house while she recuperates and regains her strength. Now, before you go ballistic, Randi is okay with it. I won’t be staying there. I’m at Mike’s place.”

  “Did you think this one through?”

  “Not really, but I didn’t have a choice. Well, I could have put her up somewhere, but she has nothing to her name. She hasn’t worked since we started dating. I’m not sure she was working then, but I should have seen this coming.”

  “What? That she was going to leach onto you even after you kicked her out?”

  “Kind of. I’m not going to allow her to stay forever, but I will allow her time to get things together. Legally I’m not sure where I stand. Maybe Rafa could look into that for me. We never had anything on paper, and I don’t think an ex can sue for anything if you break up, but who knows? I’m playing it safe. I also feel it’s the right thing to do. She has nowhere else to go.”

  “You didn’t take her to raise, Martin. Be careful. Be sure you don’t offend Randi while trying to rescue Celia. You’re too much like Dad. You have a soft spot for the broken hearted.”

  “I’m not sure she’s broken hearted, but she’s broken. I’ll figure out something, maybe try to find her a job. She might just go back and live with her parents. Either way you’re right, long-term, it’s not my responsibility.”

  “No, it’s not. And don’t start going over to check on her. She’s a big girl and can take care of herself.”

  “Don’t worry. I’m not going there, and this might surprise you as it did me, Mike might be staying. He seems to have taken Celia under his wing. It’s kind of strange to watch.”

  “Mike? Isn’t he the one who told you to dump Celia?”

  “Yep. I’m not sure if it’s a guilt trip he’s on or if he likes her. Either way, it’s going to be kind of strange if he starts dating her.”

  “Dating her? Really?”

  “I see the signs. We’ll just wait and see what happens.”

  “That would get her out of your hair.”

  Martin laughed, started to take a sip of wine then sat the glass down. “The thought did cross my mind. I don’t want to push him into anything. If he dates Celia, I want it to be all him.”

  “I suppose, what about him staying? Was that your idea?”

  “Yes, my idea, and I hadn’t thought about us changing houses, but we have. He and Celia are working on flipping a house. My first thought was it would be handy for them to be close to the job site.”

  “So, it had nothing to do with pushing them closer?”

  “Not at the time, and he didn’t have to say ‘yes’. I think he’s kind of like Dad. He’s got a soft spot for women, but he’s also been burned. I think he’ll go into this with his eyes open. I don’t think you’ll get into any situation where you’ll be speaking with Celia, but he’s not telling her that he owns the car dealerships.”

  “Didn’t he learn anything from your fiasco with Randi?”

  Martin laughed, rose and carried his glass of wine into the kitchen, setting it by the sink. “I guess it’s the same. He’s dated several women who only wanted his money. I’m sure he wants Celia to see him for himself, if he’s even thinking along those lines.”

  “Does he seem attracted to her?”

  “Who am I tonight? Dear Abby?”

  Addison laughed and replied, “He’s your friend, I’m just curious.”

  “All I know is that he’s seen what she’s like. She hates camping, riding horses and fishing – all things outdoors. He loves all those things. I don’t know what he expects to accomplish.”

  “I see that differently,” Addison began and Martin sat the phone down, putting it on speaker as she went on. “I think we know Celia didn’t love you. Do you think she may be falling for Mike?”

  “Love can do things to a person. She might enjoy fishing with Mike, or riding horses. I’m not saying she will. I’m just saying that when you are in love, you could become more interested in what the person you love is doing. Especially in the early stages of a romance.”

  “Okay, so now you’re Dear Abby?”

  “Well, I’ll come a lot closer than you, but I’m not an expert. I just know a little bit about women. And if they are trying to please someone, they’ll do what it takes.”

  “Are you speaking from experience?” Martin asked, leaning against the counter.

  “Kind of. I know if Rafa asked me to go fishing or camping, I would go. Just to be with him. Now years from now, kind of like Mom and Dad, I might say ‘no’. Camping is not my favorite thing. But when love is fresh and new, it’s different.”

  “Okay, Abby, tell me this. Where do you draw the line?”

  “Why do you ask? Is this about love scenes? I know we briefly talked about that.”

  “It’s that, and other things. I’m not a drunk or close, but Randi doesn’t drink anything with alcohol. Then you do have the love scenes. I’m wondering where should I give in and where should I stand my ground?”

  “I think that all depends on what you think you can live without. Mom and Dad would be happy to hear you stopped drinking wine or beer. I’m sure you recall the lectures.”

  “Yes. It might not be a sin, but it’s not a healthy decision. They always referenced the bridesmaids who got drunk. One of them shot the other and she died. Mom always said if they hadn’t been drinking, that terrible night would have never happened.”

  “I can see their point. It can go bad. Rafa will sometimes have a glass of wine with dinner or after dinner. Let me ask you this. What’s more important to you, Randi or a glass of wine?”

  “Randi.”

  “There’s your answer. Talk to her. Put your ego in check when you do.” Addison laughed. “Don’t look at this as something she’s forcing on you, but something you’re willing to do.”

  “I know. She’s not asked me to stop drinking. It’s just I know that she doesn’t drink. Maybe I’m growing up. I see myself wanting to change, not because of Randi, but for her. If that makes sense.”

  “It makes perfect sense. Just be sure you can live with the changes. Don’t give up something that you know you’re going to want to do again. That would be a recipe for disaster.”

  “I understand.”

  “Dad would say it’s not just Randi
but our religious upbringing. You’ve strayed farther from the way we were raised then I have. Maybe it’s time for some soul searching.”

  “Could be?”

  “Hey, I got to run. It’s late and I’m still a newlywed.”

  “You know I don’t want to hear that.”

  Addison giggled. “Night, Martin.”

  “Night, Sis.” Martin hung up and looked at the glass. In his mind, he weighed the two. Randi? Wine? He didn’t know why he was drinking, but in the end, Randi was more to him than a glass of anything. He picked up the glass, poured the wine down the sink and turned to go to bed.

  Chapter 32

  Little Brother

  It was after midnight and Celia was lying on the couch. She had the choice of being in the back of the house, in the great room, or in Randi’s old room. She had decided to go down two small steps and stay in the great room.

  Her mom had made her a nice bed on the huge sofa. Mike had wheeled her down with ease over the two steps. Thankfully, the Christmas decorations were all gone and that kind of helped to get Randi off her mind. Still, when she thought about it, the anger welled up.

  Being back in the house was helping some, too. She knew it was time to move on but the fact that this house was not yet in her name, plagued her mind.

  Also the pain was on her mind. Mike had been right. The pain meds had worn off and she was not feeling her best. She was thinking about trying to get off the couch and walk to the kitchen to find something to eat or drink. Something was making her want to eat. Maybe it was the medicine, or maybe, it was boredom.

  She sat up but realized the pain wouldn’t be worth it when she saw a light come on in the kitchen. She leaned forward but couldn’t see who it was. “Who goes there? And can you bring me something chocolate?”

  From the footfalls, she could tell it was a man. A second later, Mike stuck his head around the corner. “Sure, but someone is at the gate. I heard them buzz. I was just coming out to see who it is, or at least ask them that same thing, ‘Who goes there?’”