Far from Perfect (Perfect, Indiana: Book One)

by Longley, Barbara

  “I never think about it.” Liar. “Jenny has been a mother to me for as long as I can remember.”

  “You’ve never looked for her?”

  She launched herself from the lawn chair. “We always eat at six. I’d better go see what kind of trouble Lucinda’s getting into.” She counted her thousand dollars c pifootsteps all the way to the back door, and just for spite, she pushed Sweet Pea back outside as she went in.

  Ceejay finished rubbing her daughter dry and wrapped her up in the towel. Taking a seat on the edge of the claw-foot tub, she reached for the wide-toothed comb to work through Lucinda’s curls.

  “Do we get to ride in Noah’s truck, Mommy?”

  “I don’t know. Your car seat is in our car.”

  “I wanna wear a dress.”

  “Of course you do.” She sighed. “If you wear a dress, though, you won’t be able to use the slide if we stop at the park.” Such a familiar battle, and one she knew she wouldn’t win. At least Lucinda had finally given up wearing her plastic rain boots every day. They stank so bad by the time she lost interest, Ceejay had been forced to throw them out.

  Lucinda was quiet while she mulled things over. “I can still play on the swings and the go-round.”

  Ceejay glanced at her watch. They were already running late. “A dress it is, then. Hop up on that stool, and brush your teeth.”

  Three wardrobe changes later, and they were on their way out the back door to the carriage house. The windows were open, and she could hear Noah talking to someone. She couldn’t help but listen.

  “No, Dad, don’t tell Allison yet...I do understand. I just...No. Give me a little more time...Yes...Of course I will.” Noah walked out of the carriage house with his cell phone pressed to his ear. “Have it sent here. I’m sure there’s a VA hospital in Evansville. I can arrange for PT.”

  Their eyes met and held. She turned away and fussed with the collar on her daughter’s dress.

  “I’ve got to go. I’ll call you later.” Noah snapped the phone shut and slid it into his back pocket. He raised his eyebrows at her. “Eavesdropping?”

  “Of course not. We came to pick you up for our trip into town.” She shrugged. “So, who’s Allison?” And what secret did he want to keep from her?

  “Jealous?” His tone was teasing.

  “Don’t be ridiculous.” Her face grew hot. She had been a tiny bit jealous, but mostly nosy, and that was just as bad. “We don’t even know each other.”

  “Can we ride in your truck, Noah?” Lucinda tugged at his jeans.

  “If it’s OK with your mother.” Noah smiled at her. “You look very pretty in that dress, Lucinda. Where’s Boo-Bear?”

  “He can’t come with.” Lucinda’s fingers edged up toward her mouth.

  Ceejay reached for her daughter’s hand before the fingers found their target. “We can go in your truck if you don’t mind transferring Lucinda’s car seat.”

  “I don’t mind at all.” He held his hand out to Lucinda, and she put her free hand in his.

  They walked with Lucinda between them to the back gate, and a pang of longing shot through Ceejay. What would it feel like to be part of a nuclear family, with a husband and maybe a few siblings for Lucinda? For a full year after Matt left, she into the kitchens . His ’d been swamped with self-pity for the things she’d never had, and for the things her daughter would lack.

  “Can Sweet Pea come too?” Lucinda asked as the big dog trotted up to the gate, eager for a walk.

  “That’ll be the day,” Ceejay muttered.

  Lucinda nodded. “Yeah, that’ll be the day.”

  “I don’t mind if he rides in the flatbed.”

  “Sweet Pea won’t get anywhere near your truck, my car, or anything else on wheels.”

  Noah shut the gate behind them with Sweet Pea looking like his hopes had just come to a tragic end. “What did you see in that monster? Why on earth choose a dog like that?”

  “We didn’t choose Sweet Pea. He chose us. Folks like to take their unwanted pets for rides in the country. They drop them off by the side of the road and drive off. Generations of Lovejoys have had dogs, and none of them came from pet stores or breeders.”

  Noah stopped and turned back to look at Sweet Pea. The dog’s tail beat out an optimistic rhythm. “That’s a dirty trick to play on a dog.”

  “I agree. Sweet Pea sat by the side of the road for two days waiting for his people to come back for him. We brought him food and water and tried to coax him home with us.” She placed a hand on her daughter’s shoulder. “It was Lucinda who finally convinced him he had a new home. Sweet Pea loves kids.”

  “He’s my dog.” Lucinda nodded.

  “How long ago was this?”

  “Two years. He was already as big as a pony, but the vet figured he was only about six months old.”

  “Can I have a pony, Mommy?”

  Another familiar battle. “Not today, Luce.”

  Noah handed Ceejay his cane. “How do you get him to the vet’s?”

  “We don’t.” She watched him wrestle the car seat out of her Honda. He had a great butt, and as he worked, his jeans tightened over his thighs in a very nice way. He backed out of the car and straightened, his brow rising slightly as she brought her gaze back up to his face.

  Crap. He’d caught her checking him out. Flustered, she rushed on, “Our veterinarian makes house calls. He’s also a large-animal vet for the surrounding farms, so he’s on the road anyway.”

  As they drove toward the highway, Ceejay pointed to the orchard. “See those fruit trees? My great-grandfather planted a new tree for each of his children when they were born. My grandfather continued the tradition, and now we supply the diner with seasonal fruit ourselves. We have peaches, pears, and apples.”

  “I have a tree,” Lucinda piped up from the backseat. “Mine’s peach. Can we plant a tree for Noah?”

  Noah glanced in the rearview mirror at her daughter, and a smile softened his features. Every change in his expression kicked up a butterfly stampede in her chest. She swallowed hard and forced herself back under control. She shouldn’t be this affected by a man she hardly knew, especially given her track record. “Maybe we can give him one of the walnut trees along the drive. They were planted by Lovejoys too.” They turned onto the highway. “When you get to the edge of town, take a left on First Street. There’s an IGA grocery store two blocks down, but don’t buy your meat there.”

  “Is there something wrong with it?”

  “Not that I know of. It’s just that we have Offermeyer’s butcher shop too. All the meat is locally produced. Offermeyer’s makes great sausage and smoked hams.” She shrugged a shoulder. “We like to support the local economy.”

  Noah pulled into a parking spot near the butcher shop. Ceejay hopped out and freed Lucinda from her car seat. “On the next street over at the far corner is where you’ll find the Laundromat and dry cleaner’s. Let’s start with Offermeyer’s.” She led the way through the butcher shop door, accompanied by the chime of an old-fashioned bell hanging from the top of the frame. The delicious aromas of smoked meats and spices permeated the shop. Noah inhaled audibly beside her. “Smells good in here, huh?”

  Noah sniffed again and nodded.

  “Hey, Ceejay.” Dennis Offermeyer came out of the back to stand behind the refrigerated display case. “How’re all the Lovejoys?”

  “We’re all fine, Denny. How are Gail and the kids?”

  “Great. Thanks for the teething tip you gave my wife. We’re all sleeping better now. Hey, Lucinda Mae, when are you coming over for another playdate?”

  “I don’t know.” Lucinda looked up at Ceejay in question.

  “Soon.” She glanced down at her daughter. “I’ll give Gail a call.”

  “You do that. What can I get for you today?”

  “Nothing right now. I’m giving Perfect’s newest resident a guided tour.” She turned to Noah, who stood behind her. “This is Noah Langford.”

  “Welcome
, Noah. What brings you to Perfect?” Dennis stared openly with small-town curiosity.

  Ceejay noticed the color creeping up Noah’s neck. “He’s recently out of the military,” she blurted.

  “Wow. Welcome home. My youngest brother’s unit is about to be deployed.” Dennis reached over the case to shake Noah’s hand. “Where are you staying?”

  Noah shook his hand briefly. “I’m renting the Lovejoys’ carriage house.”

  “You don’t say.” Dennis’s brow rose slightly, and his glance went from Noah to her and back again. “Did Ceejay tell you how far back our families go? All the way—”

  “Back to the Civil War?” Noah shifted restlessly.

  “That’s right.” Denny’s appraising stare remained fixed on him, and Noah’s anxiety was palpable.

  “Time to go.” She ushered Noah toward the door. “I’ll arrange that playdate with Gail.”

  “Do that,” Dennis called as they left.

  Out on the sidewalk, Noah stopped and ran his hand over the back of his head a few times. “Maybe we could just look around and skip the introductions for today.”

  “Sure. We’ll give that a try.” Ceejay lifted an eyebrow. “Welcome to small-town America. Most of the families here have roots stretching way back. Try keeping a secret in a place like this.”Z t c pi She shook her head. “There’s no such thing as privacy here. Denny will be talking about you for the rest of the week. I’ll bet he’s on the phone to Gail right now.”

  “I can’t see why. There’s nothing special about me.”

  “Other than you’re new to town and fodder for speculation, do you mean?” She laughed.

  After the rest of the tour, several unavoidable introductions, and a stop at the park, she directed him to her aunt’s diner. “This diner originally belonged to my aunt’s in-laws. Jenny started working here as a teenager. That’s how she met her husband. When her in-laws passed, they left it to her.”

  Lucinda reached for Noah’s hand again, and another annoying twinge of longing tugged at Ceejay’s heart. Stop it! She had a daughter to think about. Maybe Lucinda’s growing attachment to him wasn’t such a good thing. Her own attraction to him was disturbing enough. Who knew how long he’d stick around, and she didn’t plan to stay either. Once her debt was paid off and she had some savings, her new life would begin. Ceejay opened the door to the smells of good country cooking and strong coffee.

  “Hey, Little Bit, been a while since we’ve seen you around here,” Bill called from behind the window to the kitchen. This set off a chorus of heys and hellos from the staff and locals, making her cringe. How she longed to enter places where everyone didn’t know her name—or her entire life history.

  “Little Bit?” Noah nudged her.

  “It’s what people used to call me when I was little.” She glared at him.

  “I’ve got news for you.” He leaned down to whisper. “You’re still little.”

  She huffed and turned away from him to return the greetings. Sheriff Maurer stood up beside his table in the corner and waved them over. Ceejay wove her way around the Formica tables with Noah and Lucinda trailing behind her.

  Sheriff Maurer hitched his pants up by the belt and eyed Noah with professional intensity. “Is this the new tenant your aunt told me about?”

  She nodded. “Sheriff, this is Noah Langford. Noah, this is the Warrick County sheriff, Harlen Maurer.”

  “Jenny tells me you’re recently out of the military.” The sheriff held his hand out while sizing Noah up. He wore his cop-on-duty look, as if Noah might be potential trouble.

  Noah shook his hand. “Yes, sir. First Lieutenant Noah James Langford, First Armored Division, Fourth Brigade, Task Force Iron.”

  “You don’t say.” Harlen nodded. “Why don’t you join me? There aren’t any other empty tables right now.”

  “I got to ride in Noah’s truck,” Lucinda told the sheriff.

  “Did you now? Was it as good as my patrol car? Does his truck have a siren?” Sheriff Maurer took his seat and lifted Lucinda onto his lap.

  “Nope, but it gots really big tires and a flatbed.” She shook her curls. “But I didn’t see a bed.”

  “Well, now, that’s something.” Sheriff Maurer patted her head.

  Jenny bustled over with a plastic booster chair. “I was hoping you’ down the stepsk. His d find your way to the diner, Noah.” She placed the booster on an empty chair. “Come on now, Luce. Let’s get you settled.” The sheriff gave her up to Jenny, who put her into the booster and pushed the chair close to the table. “Do you want coffee? We also have sweet tea, lemonade, and soft drinks.”

  “Can I have a soft drink, Mommy?”

  “Sure, a 7UP.” Ceejay watched Noah take the seat with his back against the wall. A fine sheen of sweat had broken out across his forehead, and he’d gone pale. He glanced at her, and she caught the panic in his eyes before he turned away.

  Here she was a health professional, and she hadn’t even considered his PTSD. Strangers introducing themselves all morning and asking personal questions must’ve been hard to handle. Being enclosed in a room full of people he didn’t know would be even worse. Sheriff Maurer’s scrutiny had probably pushed him over the edge. Ceejay wanted to throw her arms around Noah. She wanted to shield him from the speculation running rampant through the diner—through Perfect. She had firsthand experience with that kind of scrutiny, and even without PTSD it wasn’t pleasant.

  With her back to the rest of the diners, Ceejay gave her aunt an imploring look with a slight nod in Noah’s direction. As usual, Jenny sized up the situation in a heartbeat.

  “Mostly we get our lunch customers from the local businesses and surrounding farms.” Jenny inserted herself between their table and the curious stares aimed their way. “The rush will be over soon. We know everyone here.”

  Noah nodded.

  “Can I sit with you, Noah?” Lucinda squirmed in her booster.

  “Sure.” His tightness eased. “If your mother doesn’t mind.”

  “I don’t mind.” Bless her daughter’s little Lovejoy heart. Lucinda was passed to Noah. He held her on his lap as if she were some kind of precious hothouse orchid. A pleased smile erased the panic she’d glimpsed a few seconds ago.

  “Today’s meat loaf day. You don’t want to miss Jen’s meat loaf.” Sheriff Maurer beamed at her aunt. “She’s the finest cook in the county.”

  “Sounds great,” Noah said. “I’ll have coffee, too.”

  “Can I have ice cream?” Lucinda asked.

  “Maybe later.” Ceejay relaxed. The diner gradually emptied, and Noah seemed more at ease for the rest of their meal.

  After lunch, she strapped Lucinda into her car seat for the ride home. Her daughter yawned and fell asleep almost at the same moment Noah started the engine. He pulled out of the parking spot and headed the wrong direction out of town. “Home is that way.” She pointed with her thumb.

  “I know. I thought we’d take a drive through the country before heading back.” He tapped the clock on his dashboard. “It’s only one thirty. We have plenty of time.” He shifted in his seat and glanced at her.

  “Don’t even think about it,” she muttered.

  His eyebrows shot up. “Think about what?”

  “I’m not going to have another discussion with you about my mother.”

  “I wouldn’t dream of bringing her up again.” tousled Lucinda’s hair.. “. His

  “Good.”

  “Today I thought we’d talk about your father. Where is he?”

  She rolled her eyes. “I don’t know who my father is, and neither does Jenny. No one knows.” She crossed her arms in front of her. “Why are you doing this anyway? Does it make you feel better about your own life to pry into mine?”

  “Maybe. I don’t know.” He shook his head. “I’ve been in the army for seven and a half years. When you live in a militarized zone, you get to know people really fast or not at all, because there might not be a tomorrow. I haven’t had a n
ormal conversation with anyone outside of family in a long time. My social skills are rusty.” His eyes met hers for an instant. “I’m just trying to get to know you.”

  “All right. I can understand that.” She stared out the windshield.

  “I said I wouldn’t bring your mother up, but I wanted to tell you that my mother abandoned me, too.”

  “Huh?”

  “She died a few days after I was born of a rare condition, an intrauterine embolism.”

  “Oh, Noah, she didn’t abandon you. Your mother didn’t have any choice in the matter.”

  “Maybe yours didn’t either.”

  She watched the passing farm fields and started counting corn rows.

  CHAPTER FOUR

  CEEJAY SCOWLED AT HIM ACROSS the cab of his truck. “I don’t know you well enough to judge what kind of man you are, and it makes no difference to me whether you stay or go, if that’s what you’re thinking.”

  Her words hung in the air between them like a neon lie. Oh, she cared all right, in much the same way she cared about Sweet Pea and all the other strays the Lovejoys had taken in over the years. Come to think of it, Matt had been a stray himself when he’d rolled into their town.

  Noah’s grip on the steering wheel if you need anythingNoah nearly tightened. “I might’ve lost my direction, but I’m no stray.”

  She blinked at him with a confused expression. “I never called you a stray.”

  “You didn’t have to.” Red flashing lights behind the truck drew his attention, and Noah looked into the outside mirror to see Sheriff Maurer getting out of his patrol car. Great. He lowered his window.

  The sheriff peered past him into the truck. “Everything all right, Ceejay?”

  “Everything is fine, Sheriff.” She leaned forward in her seat and pointed with her thumb. “Noah here just had a point to make, and he can’t seem to manage talking and driving at the same time.”

  Noah let his breath out in an exasperated sigh.

  “I might as well make it clear, son.” Sheriff Maurer turned to face him. “I’m mighty protective when it comes to the Lovejoys, especially Ceejay and Lucinda.”