by Debra Holt
She gave a last wave as Gwen backed out of the driveway and disappeared down the road. Calla slid the card and her hands inside the pockets of her jeans. Slow steps took her through the garden, her mind replaying the visit. And then memories of a time she wanted to forget came back from the place she had thought they were locked away for good. She walked slowly among the fragrant blooms of Lily’s garden handiwork but enjoyed none of it.
The peace had been overshadowed for the moment by the past. The feelings came back… indignation, embarrassment, self-loathing at her stupidity, feelings of being trapped like a pathetic animal in a cage, dirtiness, shame. She shivered and slammed the door against it all. She would not be pulled back into that cesspool. None of it was her fault. That truth had been a while in coming through her thick brain, but it had. She had been a victim once upon a time. She wasn’t any longer.
For the last few months, Calla had managed to put all those memories away. She had moved on and created another existence. She didn’t want to be drawn back to that life and those dark times. Yet, the thought that wouldn’t go away was the fact there had been another woman, another person trying to do her job and then she had been subjected to much the same thing Calla had to endure. And she could imagine what she was going through. Why? Because she dared to do her job and because she was a woman… a female… it was okay to subject her to someone’s sick advances just because they were in a position of power and felt above the law? That boiling in her blood began again. It had begun as a slow simmer while she listened to Gwen. Now, it was rolling into a fast-approaching full boil.
If she did come forward, it would mean sitting in a courtroom and facing down senior and junior and their minions. But she had faced more worthy opponents in a courtroom before… and brought them down under the swift sword of lady justice. Lady Justice. She was blind, but Calla wasn’t any longer. Her blind fold was gone. She knew what she needed to do, and she had a sword in her hand, too. It was the truth. There was no use waiting until Monday to give Gwen her reply.
Calla remembered why she wanted to be a lawyer in the first place. It was to protect those who could not stand up. Well, it was time she did that by standing up and supporting her fellow survivors. And they had survived. And it was time to serve up justice to those who would break the laws they cloaked themselves in. She withdrew the business card from her pocket. It was high time to dust off that sword.
“You look determined about something. You okay?” Jaz made the remark as she stood waiting for Calla to join her outside the door of the diner. “I barely found a parking place in this block this morning. McKenna Springs is certainly on the map this weekend.”
“Yes, it is and that’s good for all of us. And I’m better than okay. I’m great. Let’s see if we can find a place to sit inside.” She stepped ahead of her sister and held the door for her. The diner was indeed full of lots of new faces mixed among the usual townspeople. They both scanned the room for empty chairs and Jaz caught sight of Darcy motioning to the them from the end of the long bar. They headed in her direction.
“I opened up the meeting room in the back for special customers,” she said with a grin and a nod of her head toward the closed door to her right. “You two head on in.”
“That’s why we love you, Darcy. Always taking care of your friends.” Calla smiled in return.
Lily was already there ahead of them, seated at a large round table. She wasn’t alone. Davis McKenna, a couple of the Tremayne brothers, Amanda Sterling, and Ty were all already enjoying various stages of breakfast. There was a buffet table along one wall of the room and an overabundance of breakfast items filled the chafers on it.
Jaz waved a good morning to all as she headed straight for the coffee urn first. Calla noted how the gazes of the Tremaynes had no problem following her across the room. More conquests for her sister, it seemed. Her gaze was claimed by a certain tall cowboy who stood and pulled out a chair for her as she approached and greeted everyone. Her smile was as warm as her cheeks felt as she saved Ty for last in her greeting.
“Good morning. You look like you slept well. Ready for another big day?”
“Bring it on,” she responded. “But I do need some of Darcy’s pancakes first.”
“And so you shall,” Darcy spoke up from behind her. A plate with a fresh short stack was sat in front of her. A glass of fresh-squeezed orange juice followed. “The carafes in front of you are marked with the kind of syrup in each… try the house specialty in the center one.”
“Darcy, I’ve gained ten pounds since being back home and it all has come as a result of your diner.” Calla followed the suggestion and reached for the middle carafe.
“I won’t say I’m sorry. We love our repeat customers.” She tossed a grin and the words over her shoulder as she headed in the direction of the kitchen.
“Don’t worry,” Ty’s voice lowered beside her. “Those ten pounds don’t show at all. You’re even more beautiful now than when you arrived in McKenna Springs.”
Calla felt that familiar thrill at his words and slid a smile in his direction. He looked too good himself in dark blue and white striped dress shirt and the usual jeans and boots. She had to pull her gaze away and keep it on the food in front of her. “You’re certainly in good spirits this morning. It was such a late night for you, I thought you might sleep a bit later if possible.”
“No rest for the wicked,” he grinned. “I think that’s how that goes, right?” He took a swallow of the coffee from his mug. “At least no rest until Sunday evening and the last lights are turned off at the fairgrounds. Then we can all take a breather.”
“The florist left a message and they are delivering the bouquets for the royalty court to the dance hall office at noon. They should be okay until at least the winners are named… don’t you think?” Lily slid into a vacant chair next to Amanda and across from Calla.
“She’s bringing the sashes too, and we need to check the lettering on each for correct spelling… right?” Calla asked, hesitating between bites of her food.
Lily’s eyes grew large, but before she could speak, Amanda jumped in. “Don’t worry. I have to stop by Jessica’s and order a couple of things this morning and I’ll make sure she has them with the bouquets.”
Lily smiled in relief. “Thanks for doing that. I promised to be at the dance hall for deliveries while Calla’s busy at the fair.”
“Tonight’s the big night. The Yellow Rose kicks off another ninety years. I know it’s got to be incredibly exciting for you all.” Amanda smiled across at Calla. “Your parents would be so proud of all you’ve accomplished.”
Calla returned the smile. There went those pesky butterflies in her stomach. She laid her fork down and knew she best not push more food down on the nerves that were beginning to roll around inside her again. “I hope so. I must admit I’m more than a little anxious about it. I want it all to be perfect.”
“That’s our sister,” Jaz put in her two cents. “Miss Perfection drives us all crazy with worry when we know it will be great.”
“How could it not? With J.D. Sterling taking the stage, it will be one heck of a party tonight.” Ty grinned and sent Calla a wink. “Now I think Calla and I should be moving toward the fairgrounds. We need to go over the pageant program and the contestant bios. Ready?” He pushed back his chair and stood, a silent message going her way.
Calla blinked, her mind running over any item she might have missed. Then she realized what he was up to. “Well, I have my car across the street. I could follow you.”
“I’ll drive it out when I’m done with my breakfast,” Lily piped up. “Don’t worry about that. You two go ahead and do whatever you need to be doing.”
Jaz choked on the sip of coffee as Lily finished the sentence. Both sisters didn’t meet Calla’s gaze.
“That’s a plan,” Ty spoke up. He held Calla’s chair for her to stand. “We don’t want to waste any time in today’s schedule. See you all out at the fairgrounds.”
They waved to Darcy who was behind the counter on their way out, busy taking orders from the morning crowd with no end in sight. Inside Ty’s truck, Calla was glad of the silence after the crowded diner. She cast a glance over at her companion and noted the amused grin.
“Smooth move back there, Mister Mayor. You and my sisters need to practice more on your timing and delivery if you ever hope to fool anyone.”
He cast a raised eyebrow and quick glance over at her. “I’m sure I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I don’t seem to recall any need to have a meeting about pageant stuff today? In fact, everything has been set and ready to go for a couple of days now.”
“Okay. You got me. I’m guilty of wanting to steal a few minutes of quiet, alone time with you before this day goes crazy on us. Blame me?”
When he gave her the look he was giving her at that moment, the one that made her knees go weak and breathing hard to remember to do, then it was difficult to blame him for anything at all. She shook her head. “Okay, we’ll let it slide this time.”
“You seem in top form this morning,” he observed. “Did your meeting earlier go well? With the person you used to work with?”
“How did you…?”
“Lily mentioned it when she came in to the diner. I had expected you to be with her, but she said you had an early meeting with a former colleague. Hope you don’t mind her telling me?”
“No,” she shook her head, gathering her thoughts. She found she wanted to share the meeting with him. “It’s fine. I was surprised myself when Gwen called me out of the blue and asked to stop by and talk to me. I was doubly surprised after she told me what the topic was.”
He slowed a bit and she knew he was giving her his attention. “I can pull over and give you my full attention in just a second.”
“No… no, that’s not necessary. I know you can listen and drive at the same time.” She grinned at him and he returned it. One hand left the wheel and covered hers as it lay on the seat between them. The warm pressure of the slight squeeze was almost as good as a kiss… almost.
“You have my undivided attention.”
“Gwen was already at the law firm when I began. She was in criminal law and I was in corporate, so we really didn’t have that much opportunity to interact. I was surprised one day to find she had left the firm… something vague about family commitments. I didn’t really pay that much attention.” She paused and took a moment to marshal the rest of her thoughts. Ty didn’t say anything; his hand just gave hers a light squeeze of encouragement.
“She came today to ask me to consider testifying in the lawsuit she’s bringing against the firm. A suit against the senior partner.”
“The reason for the lawsuit?”
“Sexual harassment, hostile work environment… an all-too-familiar scenario.”
“I hear the sigh underneath the words. How does all that involve you?”
“Her attorney may need to call me to establish a pattern. To enhance the case for the court. It’s going to be a battle. She’s taking on a real old lion of the law. He’s well-known by most everyone in the field of law in that city and out of it, too.”
“Could there be backlash against her for doing this? And ultimately for you, too? Could that hurt your law career if you decide to return to it?”
Calla gave him a look, but he kept his attention on the road ahead. Her law career? That was a valid concern. “I have to admit that gave me pause this morning, after she left, and I was thinking about the pros and cons. It shouldn’t impact one’s life anytime you swear to tell the truth and do so. Unfortunately, we know that it is far different sometimes in reality. But I made my decision based on the simple letter of the law and it never changes. You go into a courtroom and place your hand on a bible and swear an oath. I would be making a mockery of that fact if I didn’t trust in it when I am the one making the oath. If called upon, I will tell the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth.”
“So help you God,” he finished for her. He raised her hand in his and gave it a swift kiss. “That’s who you are. I wouldn’t expect anything else. But it won’t be easy… dredging up things from the past you’ve managed to put to rest.”
“I know. But it would be worse if I didn’t do this. I have to help if I can.”
“I can’t do much to help but give you my moral support. But you’ve got it.”
And that’s why I love this cowboy. Calla didn’t trust herself to speak too many words because there was a knot forming in her throat. And she was trying to not blink so much but the moisture was threatening. She forced a smile to chase away the gloomy subject. Change of subject.
“We have a lot to do today. And tonight, the Yellow Rose celebrates the fact she’s ready for the next century. I hope we are.”
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
Parking lots were full and overflowing. The line of patrons stretched down the sidewalk and across into the next block. The setting sun was giving way to the bright lights winking on throughout the trees and stretched across the patios. The sound of the opening band warming up heightened the current of excitement amping up the crowd’s expectations and the anticipation level of the evening that would cap off the festivities of the three days of activities. The culmination would be the birthday celebration and concert headlined by J.D. Sterling, country music superstar and Texas’ native son.
Calla stood in the center of the dance floor. She had a clipboard in one hand, but her mind wasn’t on the copious last-minute checklist. Her gaze moved slowly around the cavernous hall.
“Surveying your achievement?” Jaz spoke as she and Lily moved across the floor from the bar area to stand beside their sister. “I must say I approve of the turquoise skirt and sexy white blouse with the off-the-shoulder neckline. Those boots really set it all off though.”
“Funny thing about the boots. They just showed up in my closet sometime during the night.”
“Must be a boot fairy on the loose. I found a pair in my closet, too.” Lily raised the hem of her below-the-knee denim skirt to reveal almost an identical pair of boots, except instead of the turquoise and white stars that Calla’s sported, Lily’s matched the pink and white of her camisole top.
Lily and Calla looked at Jaz’s boots which were plainly visible as her outfit had a much shorter skirt in bright red with matching vest and sparkly fringe. Her boots were red with white stars embroidered in silver. Jaz didn’t look the least bit surprised. She tossed her head and flashed her usual grin, hands on hips. “Consider them our good-luck boots. And by the end of the night, I expect them to be well-broken in ladies. That means you both will be on the dance floor, mingling.”
“Why do I think when you say the word ‘mingling’, there’s a whole other meaning to it?” Calla asked in dry tones, an arched eyebrow punctuating the look she turned on Jaz.
“No time for chit-chat ladies, those doors open in five minutes.” Lily brought them back to the moment. “Look Calla, tonight is about what you set out to accomplish… for dad and mom… and all of us, actually. We’re here, together. The Yellow Rose is going to be around for a lot more families to make memories under her roof. That’s a heck of a legacy is what I’m trying to say.” She grabbed a quick hug around Calla’s neck before ending with a laugh.
“Ladies hold it right there!” A voice called out to them and they saw one of the reporters from the local newspaper heading their way, a camera in hand. “This would make a great shot of the three Rose sisters for our story. Give me huge smiles.”
“Hope my makeup is okay. Geez, Lily, did you have to make me cry?” Jaz shook her head, stepping in close beside Calla and her other arm going around Lily’s waist. They posed for three photos and then Calla stepped out of the trio and looked over at the lead guitarist of the band taking the stage.
He gave her thumbs up and Calla took a deep breath. “This is it. Open those doors Charlie,” she called out to one of the doormen stationed at the main door. “Let�
��s get a party started!”
A party indeed. Three hours later, Calla stood in the corner of the bar, staying out of the way of the servers and escaping all the well-wishers who continually stopped her as she tried to make her way around the room. They had crowned their royalty, posed for dozens of photos, judged the dance contest and handed out the trophy. She finally found the small space between the ice making machine and the full-size cut-out of George Strait and his guitar to give her some bit of quiet in the sea of dancers and patrons. From her perch on the stool, she could see a good portion of the dance floor. And she sat and watched with a full heart as a couple of hundred people laughed and reminisced and made memories for the next generation of The Yellow Rose.
From the moment the doors had opened, it had been a whirlwind of people and music and so much more. Nothing in her wildest dreams had prepared her for the feelings of happiness and sadness all mingled together. Happy for how things had turned out so well… and sadness that the two people who would have enjoyed the moment the most, were no longer with them. But that was the circle of life and life had certainly surprised her.
“So, this is where the belle of the ball is hiding away. And she looks to be quite pleased with herself by the size of that smile on her face.” Ty slid into the narrow space beside her, one arm leaning on the bar in front of them and his attention on her and not the rest of the hall.
“You found my hideaway.” The smile turned to a grin for him. “But I’m pleased with the work of many people, not just the small part I played in this.” Her gaze returned to the room and the couples laughing and dancing across the crowded floor. “I’m happy because this hall is alive once more and the next generation will be able to make memories same as those who came before them. Sounds silly when said out loud.”
“Nothing silly about it. You and your sisters are not only honoring the memory of your parents by sending this ‘old girl’ off on her next ninety years, but you’re keeping part of the history of Texas alive, too. There’s only a handful of these great ladies still operating across this state and fewer in some others. You and your sisters are safeguarding quite a legacy. Nice work. And your country girl roots have taken hold again, and that’s nice, too.” The warmth in his gaze matched the lowered tones of his voice, bringing a delicious feeling of happiness to swirl inside her. Happiness and something else… something too special and too new to want to tempt fate and ruin it by overanalyzing. Tonight, only good thoughts were allowed.