“Hi Dan,” Martha called to him, grabbing the coffee pot. “You eating today?”
“Not today, thanks Martha,” he replied, his eyes still glancing in Kerry’s direction. He hesitated in the doorway before moving over to take a seat at the counter, as far away from the women as he could.
“I got a new cook today,” Martha told him with a wink. “She’s real good too. Kerry recommended her. She’s going to cook for me at the barn raising. You coming?”
Dan’s face froze. “Course not Martha. You know I’m not welcome.”
Kerry stood so fast, she nearly tipped her stool over. “Laura we really need to be going now.” She grabbed her bag, glancing in Dan’s direction again. “What do we owe you for lunch?” she asked Martha.
“Nothing, honey. It’s the least I can do for you both after all the help you’re giving me. Have you met Dan yet, Laura?” Martha asked her, completely ignoring Kerry’s silent protests.
“Ah, no,” Laura replied, wondering what was going on that she obviously had no idea about.
Dan squirmed in his seat as Martha pulled Laura over to him, a reluctant Kerry following behind. “This is Dan Walker. He’s a veterinarian in the local area and an old friend of Jake and Kerry’s.”
Kerry made a choking sound behind her. “Dan, this is Laura. She’s staying over at the ranch with Jake and Kerry,” Martha continued the introduction.
“It’s nice to meet you.” Laura stuck her hand out in greeting. Dan looked at her with questions in his eyes. He glanced behind her at Kerry, before slowly taking her hand and shaking it.
“It’s nice to meet you too.” His voice was warm and soft, like honey. She could easily see him being able to calm a frightened animal. “How did you meet the Carters? I’ve never heard them mention you before.”
Before Laura could answer, Kerry interrupted. “A lot changes in two years Dan. You don’t know as much about us as you used to! And even then, you didn’t know as much as you thought you did!” Laura turned at Kerry’s bitter tone. She was surprised to see pain and anger on her friends face. Dan looked uncomfortable and slightly shocked.
“It’s good to see you Kerry. It’s been so long since we spoke. How are you? How’s Jake?” He looked like he wanted to reach out to her, but Kerry’s brittle expression kept him firmly in his chair.
“How do you think he is?” Kerry hissed. “He hasn’t forgiven you yet. I’m not sure if he ever will.”
“And you? Have you forgiven me, Kerry?” Dan asked quietly.
“It’s not for me to forgive you,” she replied shortly, looking out the diner window with sightless eyes.
“Isn’t it? I know what I did to Jake. You have to hate me for that. I know I have a lot to make up for. I just wish you’d both give me the chance.”
“You think this is all about what happened with Jake?” Kerry spun back towards him so fast she somehow tripped and fell into Dan’s lap. His arms closed around her to keep her falling to the floor. Kerry froze for a moment, an expression of tormented pain flitting across her face so fast, Laura almost thought she’d imagined it. Almost.
“Are you alright?” Dan asked, his expression concerned. Kerry looked up into his face. Her eyes filled with unshed tears. She scrambled to her feet, kicking Dan in the shin in her haste. He winced in pain, rubbing the spot her heel had collided with.
Kerry marched to the door without waiting for Laura. She wrenched the door open, but before she left, she spun round to face Dan once more, her dark hair swirling about her flushed face.
“You really always were a clueless idiot!” she yelled at him then she turned on her heel and left. Laura gave a helpless look at the stunned Martha and Dan before she followed her friend out.
*****
Laura had to run to catch up with the furious Kerry. She was marching down the street, her hands crushing her bag as she muttered under her breath.
“Are you okay?” Laura asked hesitantly.
“Can you believe him?” Kerry shrieked, sending several startled birds into flight. “He is the most stupid, insufferable, idiotic and infuriating man ever put on this planet!”
“And here I thought that was your brother!” Laura joked. Kerry stood breathing deeply, trying to get control of her raging emotions. Laura studied her face, suddenly seeing what she’d missed before.
“How long have you been in love with him?” Laura asked quietly.
Kerry looked stunned. “Who said anything about being in love with him?”
“You don’t have to say anything. It’s written all over you.”
“Then why the hell doesn’t he see it?” Kerry asked, her face crumpling. Tears began to flow down her cheeks. “Or maybe he does and he just doesn’t care.” She began to cry harder. Laura took her arm and guided her towards the car. She was sure Kerry wouldn’t want people looking at her while she was in this state.
They finally slid into the seats, shutting the doors and the rest of the world out before Laura commented. “I think he does care. I saw his face when he saw you in the diner. He looked like he was hurting really bad.”
“That’s not to do with me. That’s to do with Jake.” Kerry sniffed, rifling through her bag for a tissue. “I’ve never been anything but Jake’s little sister,” she carried on bitterly. “He never saw me as a grown woman. He still doesn’t! If he had, all that sorry mess might have been avoided. Nobody could love him more than I do.” She turned tortured eyes to Laura.
Laura patted her hand comfortingly. “So, this is the reason you joined the dating agency for Jake? You wanted to fix him so he might forgive Dan for whatever he’s done and you would get your chance with him?”
Kerry nodded, shamefaced. “Do you hate me, Laura?”
Laura laughed gently. “What for? Falling in love with someone and wanting a chance to make it work? Given your situation, I might have done the same thing. Truly, there is nothing to forgive.”
“Thanks.” Kerry was beyond grateful for Laura’s understanding. She started the car and drove slowly out of town.
“It looks like we need a plan for you too,” Laura said after a moment.
“I’m not sure what can be done for me.” Kerry sounded so dejected. Laura had never seen her like this before. It worried her. “I had such stupid dreams when I joined that agency. Seeing Dan today, I can’t help wondering what I could have been thinking. He still thinks I’m only upset with him because of Jake. He has no idea what he did to me!” She thumped her chest so hard, Laura winced for her.
“Kerry, we’ll think of something. After all, you’ve got me now. We’re a team. We’ll work this love stuff out together.”
Kerry smiled for the first time since leaving Dan. “I’m so glad you were the one the agency sent,” she said earnestly. “Whatever happens, I want you to know you’re like the sister I never had.”
“Same here.” Laura could barely speak through her tear clogged throat.
*****
“Did you have to trip her up?” Lotta asked Flo exasperated. “What if she’d stopped to wonder what she fell over? Mortals don’t normally fall over thin air! Why can’t you remember we’re supposed to make our magic blend in?”
“Like that tatty dress you conjured up?” Flo sniffed disdainfully. “It was hardly the stuff dreams are made of. You should have left the one I created. Beautiful it was.” Flo patted her eyes mournfully at the loss of the dress she’d whipped up.
“It was a ball gown!” Lotta exclaimed. “Who in the west in the 1800’s wore a ball gown to the barn raising dance?” She rolled her eyes in disgust.
“That dress would have looked lovely on her,” Flo sniffed.
“It would have looked ridiculous!” Lotta countered. “You made it sparkle and shimmer for heaven’s sake!”
“It was much better than yours. Why did you have to make it so dirty and torn? It looked like Cinderella before she was transformed for the ball. No prince would look twice at someone wearing a dress like that one!” Flo made a rude
noise to emphasise her point.
“What part of we have to make things blend in are you just not understanding?” Lotta demanded. “That dress will clean up and mend beautifully and it will look like it came from that trunk. It won’t look odd at all.”
“You have no creativity,” Flo announced disgruntled.
“You have too much and no restraint!” Lotta snapped back.
“My way is working better.” Lotta just knew that was coming up. Flo had been impossible since her little stunt with the horse had produced a kiss. Lotta was working overtime trying to keep her out of trouble.
“Well for now, I think the right course of action is to sit back a bit and see what happens. We’ve set the ball rolling and hopefully love has taken root.”
Flo rolled her eyes. “You mean we take the boring option!”
“It’s not boring!” Lotta exclaimed. “It’s the smart and proper thing to do. Hopefully we’ve done enough that they can bring a happy ending to all involved, without any further help from us!” This last was stressed most vehemently with a very pointed look at Flo.
“We’ll see about that!” Flo mumbled, innocently examining her wand. She swished it around a bit, watching the sparkles dancing in the air. She was quite certain her input was still very much needed.
Chapter Six
Laura wiped her forehead with a towel and drank a large glass of water. She’d spent the vast majority of the morning making samples for Martha to try from the menu ideas she’d come up with. She’d left early that morning to drive into Willow Creek, armed with the notes she’d been up late working on at the kitchen table. It had given her the space she’d needed to spread out her recipes, at least that was the excuse she’d come up with for when Jake came in.
However he hadn’t, much to her disappointment. She hadn’t seen him the entire day. He’d been up early and she had no idea what time he’d gone to bed. She’d begun to think he was avoiding her until Bill told them one of the horses had gone into labour when he came in for breakfast that morning. Jake had stayed the entire night to be with the mare and the vet, which of course hadn’t been Dan. He’d gone straight to bed and probably wouldn’t be seen for most of that day either.
Laura tried to bury her frustration, but it was hard. How was she supposed to work on getting closer to Jake if she couldn’t spend time with him? The only breakthrough she’d had yesterday was that she at least knew now that Dan was involved, however she was still no closer to knowing what had actually happened. Sighing heavily, she decided to think on the problem later, putting her mind and efforts firmly on helping Martha.
“Okay,” she called through to the dining room. “I’ve got everything set out for you to try.”
“Thanks honey. Be right there,” Martha’s voice called back.
Laura took a deep breath, trying to bury her nerves. Her hands shook slightly as her eyes scanned over the mini versions of her menu options. Had she done enough? Would Martha like it? She ignored the small part of her that wanted to make a run for it. Laura was determined that she was going to take a chance for once in her life and really go for the things she wanted. And she really wanted this job.
Martha came in with a beaming smile, followed by Alfie…….and Dan. “If the food tastes as good as it smells, we’re in for one heck of a treat!” Laura barely heard Martha’s words as her eyes stayed stuck on Dan, who looked like he wanted to be anywhere but where he was right then. “I hope you don’t mind, but I’ve enlisted help for this. I want extra opinions on what to select.”
“Ah, no. Of course I don’t mind.” Laura wasn’t entirely sure what to think. She knew things were strained between Dan and the Carters. However the man hadn’t done anything to her, she reasoned. She may even find a way to help Kerry if she spent some time with him. Also, she might be able to get more information from Dan on what had happened that could help her case with Jake. Mind made up, she smiled in welcome at Dan.
He looked relieved, but slightly wary as he took the utensils Martha handed him to try the food.
Soon the kitchen filled with the sounds of happy eating. Laura noted down which choices were especially popular with the three tasters and together they came up with a new menu for the diner, along with choices for which dishes they were going to propose serving at the barn raising.
Martha thanked everyone for their time, telling Laura to take the rest of the day off.
“Are you sure?” Laura asked. “Don’t you want me to clear up in here?”
“Nah. Alfie can do that. Besides, I want to get new menus printed and sort out tomorrow’s delivery. Maybe you could work on the proposal for Jake for the barn raising food and take a good rest. You’ve earned it and tomorrow promises to be a busy day, if we can already drum up some business. I’m relying on you Dan, to put out the word about the food here.”
“No problems there,” Dan laughed, patting his stomach. “That’s the best food I’ve ever eaten. I’m looking forward to coming back for the full plates. I may live here!”
Everyone laughed. Laura grabbed her things from the locker Martha had given her. Dan stood waiting by the diner door, shuffling from one foot to the other. “Can I walk you out?” he asked hesitantly.
“Sure.” Laura was curious as to why he’d waited for her. They stepped out onto the street and walked slowly along.
Dan cleared his throat. “I’m grateful you are talking to me. I wasn’t sure what reception I would get when Martha asked me to taste the food with her. Truthfully, I’d rather not have done it, but she’s like a force to be reckoned with when she’s got her mind set on something. I couldn’t say no.”
“I’ve no reason not to talk to you. Why would you think I’d give you a hard time? We don’t even know each other.”
Dan fidgeted. “I’m sure Kerry or Jake must have filled you in on why they both hate me. I just figured you’d want to support them and not have anything to do with me either.”
“They haven’t told me anything.” Dan cast her a dubious look. “Really, they haven’t,” Laura assured. “Obviously I know you used to be friends, but something happened to change that. It would seem to be something you did to Jake. I’m guessing it involved a woman?”
It had been on Laura’s mind all night. Trying to figure out what had happened between them all. The way Jake backed off from any relationship involvement, she knew another woman had to feature somewhere. Dan coloured visibly, giving her the answer without saying anything.
“It’s not something I’m proud of,” Dan said after a long silence. “If I could turn back the clock, I would. I’ve tried to talk with them; to make things up, but they aren’t interested. Not that I blame them.”
Laura cleared her throat. “I wouldn’t necessarily say that.”
Dan stopped short, grabbing her arm. “Are you saying Kerry may be willing to forgive me? What did she say to you yesterday?”
“Dan, you can’t expect me to betray her confidence by telling you our conversation. All I can say is she doesn’t hate you. But she is very, very disappointed in you. You have some way to go to make things right with her.”
“I know,” he sighed running his hand through his hair in frustration.
“Maybe I can help?” Laura asked uncertainty colouring her words; after all he didn’t really know her, but the man seemed so very unhappy she had to at least try an offer her help.
“It’s kind of you to offer, but I don’t know what you would be able to do. Jake is not likely to ever forgive me, not that I blame him.” Dan looked down at his feet, unable to meet her gaze.
“Maybe if you told me what happened, I could help?”
Dan shook his head. “I don’t think I could ever put voice to what I did.” His expression turned sad and self-depreciating. “I’m too ashamed and I’m also a bit of a coward.”
Laura looked at him puzzled. He took a deep breath and gave a small bitter laugh. “I’m very much afraid that if I told you what I did, you would stop looking at me with frien
dly eyes and I would see the disgust and hatred I feel for myself, reflected back at me in your gaze. I’m not sure I can take it from yet another person.”
“I would try hard to listen and understand,” Laura told him earnestly. “I don’t believe in judging people. We all make mistakes.”
“Yeah, but mine was a doozy.” He put his hands in his pockets and rocked back nervously onto the heels of his feet. “You are a very kind woman, Laura. I’m glad Kerry and Jake have you for a friend. They deserve someone good to care about them.”
“I’d like to be your friend too, if you want?” she offered.
“I don’t think that would be possible, but thanks.”
“Why not?”
“Are you kidding me? If Jake knew you were talking to me that would be it. He’d cut you off without a second thought.”
“I’ll take that chance. I’d like to be able to help. You must want them to forgive you,” Laura said. “After all, why would you still be here unless you wanted the chance to change things? You could have moved away a long time ago.”
“Maybe I just want to punish myself by seeing the results of my mistake every day of my life!” Dan smiled cynically. Laura didn’t think he was joking.
“I really don’t think you can gain forgiveness from Jake or Kerry until you can give it to yourself.” Laura told him gently. “You hating yourself won’t change your past. It won’t mend fences either. If you don’t find a way past this, how can you expect Jake or Kerry to let go. You’re all just carrying it around and hurting each other with it. Believe me, nothing good can come from this stagnant situation. Someone needs to change it.”
“Wise as well as beautiful. You have a point.” Dan sighed deep and long, looking down at his shoes. “You sound like you talk from experience.” He commented after a moment, peeking at her from beneath his thick lashes.
Laura sighed. “I do. I watched my mother hold on to the past and not move forward. It ate away at her every day and coloured everything she did. In the end, I truly believe it killed her. I promised myself I would not do that. It’s one of the reasons why I am here, making a new life for myself. I don’t want to live in the past, but make the present what I want it to be. You need to do the same.”
Wild Fire (The Fairy Tale Match Series) Page 9