by Judy Kentrus
Edie jumped up the moment Jess got out of the car and gave her an enthusiastic hug. “Mommy, Mr. Lincoln plays the harmonica and likes Billy Joel. He’s going to church with us on Sunday and to visit Buford’s grave with me. Then he’s going to the Spoonful with us.”
Jess returned her daughter’s hug then turned her around to face Linc. “Sounds like she has your weekend planned.” Her eyes sent a silent message, “I miss you.”
Linc silently mouthed, “I miss you too,” and tugged on one of Edie’s braids. “All I said was, we’ll see, but Short Stop interpreted my answer as a ‘yes’.”
Jess picked up on the nickname and thought it cute and personal. “They are having a coffee hour after service. It would be the perfect opportunity to visit with the good folks of Laurel Heights.”
“Are you sure God won’t send down a lightning bolt and make the roof collapse if I walk into the church?”
“Oh, the roof won’t collapse,” Edie assured, shaking her head. “Mr. B. said the roof could withstand the wrath of God.”
Jess looked down at her daughter and tried not to smile. “Who told you that?”
“Oh, no one told me. A couple of weeks ago, me and the kids in my Sunday school class heard Mr. B. talking to another man about replacing the slate roof with something more modern. Mr. B. got angry and his face got real red. He shook his fist up to the sky and shouted. “The roof could withstand the wrath of God.” Edie frowned at her mother. “What does wrath mean?”
“In simple terms, it’s a form of anger.”
Edie thought a moment, and then offered Mr. Lincoln a big smile. “See, you have nothing to worry about. God and Buford both get angry and God is very forgiving, so Buford will forgive you for saying bad things to him. Now, you can visit his grave.”
Once again, Linc was flabbergasted by Edie’s kid logic. He shook his head and lowered himself to Edith Amanda’s eye level. “If they put a bunch of kids in the same room, they could solve the problems of the world.” He gave her a hug and smiled up at Jessie. “Who am I to argue with God?”
He walked them to the back door, then remembered he’d put a load of wash in the machine earlier and needed to transfer it to the dryer.
Jess wanted to spend more time with him, even if they had a chaperone. “Come in for coffee. My mother is cooking this evening, so we’ll be eating a little later. I don’t know what she’s making, but you’re welcome to join us.”
“I’m not one to turn down a free meal.”
While Edie helped herself to a glass of milk and a couple of home made peanut butter cookies, Jess locked away her gun belt. She returned to the kitchen and started the coffee. “When you’re finished with your snack, start on your homework.”
“But, Mom, it’s the weekend! I want to visit with Mr. Lincoln.”
“But, Edie, do it now. Don’t forget you have to practice your piano lessons.”
Linc was a sucker for the nine-year-old’s pout. “I’ll tell you what, Short Stop. My friends are coming for a fishing weekend. If it’s okay with your mom, would you like to join us?”
Edie started jumping up and down, “Yes! Yes!”
“What friends?”
“Russell Long and Scott Landis and his son Billy will be coming a week from tomorrow. They’ll be staying at the Long cabin.”
“That’s not a cabin, that’s a log mansion.” Jess fell victim to the hopeful expression on her daughter’s face. “I don’t see why not.”
“I promise to do all my homework and practice piano every day,” Edie gushed and stuffed another cookie in her mouth. “See you later.”
The moment they were alone, the kitchen became explosively quiet. Their mutual longing heated the room like a summer day at high noon. Jess purposely busied herself getting cups from the cabinet, and didn’t need to turn around to feel his overpowering presence. A hot breath tickled the back of her neck and his arms bridged her on either side. Cocooned in his long male strength, she gripped the counter with white knuckled hands.
“I haven’t been able to get you or the other night out of my mind.” He placed a petal-soft kiss on the shell of her ear. Her heavy breathing was obvious. “If you want me to back off, tell me now.” When his question was met with prolonged silence, he simplified his request. “I’ll make it easy for you. Nod if you want me or shake your head no. I won’t bother you again.” Liar, liar, pants on fire, he thought.
“Are those my only options?” Jess’s heart thudded wildly in her chest and she wanted to scream, “Yes I want you so much, but I don’t trust you.” She turned around and ran a nervous finger in a small circle in the center of his chest, feeling the rapid beat of his heart. “Yes, I want you, but I need more.”
He raised a brow. “Love? Marriage?”
“No. I was deceived by a scumbag shithead and swore I’d never go through that again. I need honesty, trust.”
“I would never intentionally hurt you.” It pained him to remember he couldn’t be honest with her. Linc placed a kiss on the side of her brow, then gathered her close and breathed her in. “I want you very much, so I’m leaving an open ended invitation to join me any time, day or night, to make love.”
“Is there a time limit?” Relief calmed some of her anxiety. She closed her arms around his waist and burrowed her head on his shoulder, feeling the evidence of his arousal. He smelled manly, like the fresh outdoors.
“No, but that’s not saying I won’t try to hurry your decision.”
“What happened to no pressure?”
“Just a little,” he chuckled.
“Deal.” She raised her head from his shoulder and smiled up at him. “How about a kiss to seal our bargain?”
Linc eyed her uniform that proudly displayed her badge. “Promise you won’t lock me up?”
“I will if you don’t hurry up and kiss me.” Jess put a hand on either side of his face and drew his head down and brought their mouths together in a soft, desire-filled kiss. This is what she’d been longing for all week, and she swayed her hips against his obvious hardness. He moaned in response and tightened his arms.
Edie rushed down the stairs and threw an invisible bucket of cold water on their passion. “Later,” he whispered, reluctantly ending one of the sweetest kisses he’d ever enjoyed.
“Mom, I almost forgot to tell you. The art teacher wants us to wear our shirts to school on Monday. They’re taking a picture for the school bulletin board.”
Jess busied herself by pouring coffee with slightly shaking hands. “Don’t worry. I put it on top of the washing machine and will wash it tomorrow.”
“I noticed the shirt and threw it in with my wash.”
Her eyes widened. “You washed it with your clothes!”
“I only had a small amount of personal wear and threw it in with my load. Is that a problem?”
“Oh, my God!” Jess clamped a hand over her mouth.
“Mommy, you’re supposed to say, ‘Oh, my gosh.’”
Linc became further alarmed. “Did I do something wrong?”
“Come with me.” She hurried to the small space by the back door that had been turned into a laundry room.
“Ah, I’ll do it,” Linc said quickly, and put the machine under guard with his body.
Jess was intrigued by his obvious embarrassment and wondered what was so private about his underwear. “Nonsense. I’ve seen men’s undies before.”
She managed to slip a hand in back of him and lifted the lid on the washing machine. A psychedelic horror filled the tub. Light colored shirts were a rainbow of splattered colors, but it was his briefs that were most shocking. She lifted out a pair that had absorbed a mixture of dyed colors and held them out with both hands. Her jaw dropped. They were the sexiest silk briefs she’d ever seen, and they had the pleasure of covering his great ass and adorable dimple.
“Ah, Jess,” Linc stammered, and quickly grabbed them out of her hand just before Edie came into the room.
“Where’s my shirt?”
/> Jess fished around in the tub. “Here it is. Mr. Lincoln washed it with his clothes.”
“I sure hope he read the instructions that I brought home from school. The teacher said it was important to follow the directions so the rest of the family’s clothes wouldn’t get ruined.”
Jess’s lips quivered from trying to keep a straight face. “Mr. Lincoln loved your shirt so much, he put it in with his clothes, and now his underwear matches your shirt.”
“That is so great!” Jess gave him a quick hug. “When I go into school on Monday, I’m going to tell the kids Mr. Lincoln wears psychedelic underwear.”
Jess could no longer hold it in and burst out laughing. Without realizing it, she’d just paid him back for embarrassing her in front of the entire town.
Chapter 11
Linc collected his silver gray suit jacket from the closet and walked down the stairs at nine-thirty Sunday morning. He was going to church, God help him. The Taylor ladies were just exiting the house. His breath hitched at the sight of Jessie in a lemon yellow dress that feathered her knees and drew attention to her slender legs and toeless sandals. Sunlight infused threads of fire to her softly flowing hair. Margaret chose a deep orchid tailored suit. A double length of pearls accented the stark neckline. He blinked twice at Edie in a royal blue and white striped dress. A narrow red belt cinched her small waist. The braids were gone and her hair flowed down her back, held in place by a red and white hair band.
“This is the first time I’ve had a date with three beautiful ladies.” He bowed slightly before Edie. “You look lovely.”
“I have to wear a dress to church every Sunday,” she pouted. “I feel silly, like a girl.”
Linc lightly tapped the under side of her chin with the tip of his finger and said with an understanding smile, “Short Stop, you are a girl.”
Margaret observed the easy interaction between Lincoln and her granddaughter. This developing relationship added to her woes. “You will once again be the center of attention.” Margaret pushed the key pad to release the lock on her pearl white, late model BMW.
Linc winked at Edie. “I’m not concerned. I’ve got my personal bodyguard, the champion defender against bullies.”
Not caring she had on a dress and black patent leather shoes, she ran to his truck. “That means I have to ride with Mr. Lincoln.”
Jess went to get in her mother’s car, but Linc clasped a hand around her wrist. He ignored Margaret’s warning scowl. “Edith probably wants to make sure I don’t have second thoughts. I’ve got plenty of room for you too. You look beautiful, like a delicate yellow flower.”
“Thank you, but I’d better ride with the judge.” There was so much more she wanted to say, like how devastatingly handsome he looked in his dress suit, but held her tongue in front of her mother. “See you in church.”
Edie talked non-stop about the fishing derby and the anti-bullying campaign. He remembered something Russell had once said about Trouble and Double Trouble. Did they ever stop talking? He’d just experienced it firsthand.
They parked in the almost full parking lot adjacent to Trinity Church. Edie held his hand when they walked through the open glass doors to the vestibule. The swelling sound of the organ suffused the walls with Ode to Joy. Morning sunlight pierced the arched, stained-glass windows beyond the raised, marble sanctuary. The long mahogany pews, with wine-red cushions, were the same ones he sat on as a child. Linc swallowed hard. Every one was occupied. Mr. B. commanded his post like Gabriel at the gate and greeted each parishioner before handing them a program for the morning service. He was smartly dressed in a dark navy suit and red tie over a pristine white shirt. A silver sheen glinted from his neatly trimmed white hair.
Linc held back before stepping into the church, anticipating a bolt of lightning and felt a tug on his hand. He leaned down and Edie whispered in his ear, “Just put one foot in front of the other, and soon you’ll be walkin’ cross the floor.” Leave it to the nine-year-old to repeat a phrase from the movie Santa Claus is Coming to Town.
The wrath of God didn’t strike the steeple when Linc accepted the hearty, welcome handshake from Mr. Berweiler. To his horror, his nine-year-old bodyguard paraded down the center aisle, and he felt like a sacrificial lamb before the slaughter. He kept his eyes straight ahead, but noticed Lisa Kay giving him a little wave and a friendly smile. Edie turned into the fourth pew from the front and sat next to her mother and grandmother. A moment later, Sallie Mae filled the space beside him. Her unexpected presence had a calming effect on his unease. A wide-brimmed hat with a ring of spring flowers covered her head and complemented the light blue and pink swirls on her long flowing dress. She patted the back of his hand before reaching for a red-bound hymnal and passing it to him. “Your momma and papa would be so proud. First hymn is How Great Thou Art.”
Maybe it was Father Munson’s sermon about being kind to your fellow man, but numerous parishioners acknowledged Linc with a welcome handshake after the service. Margaret excused herself and headed for the parish hall to help set up for the coffee hour, since she was on the ladies auxiliary. Sallie Mae couldn’t stay, but said she would see them at the Spoonful. He stepped out into the bright, spring sunshine and felt good, until Edie stood in front of him grinning, with a small bouquet of white daisies in her hand.
“Tell me you didn’t pick them.” Linc was dreading this more than attending church.
Edie stomped an indignant foot. “Mr. Lincoln! That would be stealing! Mommy brought them.”
Jessie sensed how hard it was for him and offered a supportive smile. “Can I come too?”
It took all of his self control to not lean down and kiss her, but clasped her hand instead. He didn’t have to face this alone. “I think Buford would enjoy having two beautiful ladies visit him.” Edie beamed at his comment and took his right hand. Jessie gripped his left. Any thought of changing his mind or escaping wasn’t about to happen. Just put one foot in front of the other and soon you’ll be walkin’ cross the floor, were the words that popped into his head.
The Laurel Heights Cemetery occupied a small city block and was the resting place of many founding fathers. “The grounds appear to be well tended,” Linc noted.
“The Historical Society maintains many of the graves to preserve the town’s history. Some of the headstones go back to the Civil War.” The neatly trimmed carpet of grass was spongy soft, and Jess regretted wearing her new Jimmy Choo heeled sandals. “Buford bequeathed a sum of money in his estate for the upkeep of the cemetery.”
Their walk ended at a plain brown rectangle, surrounded by rich greenery. The plot was unmarked. Stuck in the center of the muddy earth was a dull metal cone holding wilting lilies. It never dawned upon him that it was his responsibility to order a grave marker.
“Hi, Buford,” Edie greeted, and replaced the flowers with the fresh daisies. “Mr. Lincoln is here for a visit. After he apologizes, you can’t be mad at him any more.” At that moment, a wild rabbit hopped across the neighboring lawn, drawing Edie’s attention. “A bunny,” she cried, and moved quickly to play hide and seek with the little brown hare.
Jessie was shocked by Edie’s announcement. Her daughter’s innocence had conned Lincoln into visiting Buford’s grave. She didn’t understand this went a lot deeper than a simple apology. It was personal, very personal. Lincoln stood stone still, staring down at the naked earth. Her heart was breaking, for him.
She interlaced their fingers together. His hand had turned ice cold. When he didn’t react to her comforting gesture, she threw caution to the wind and sheathed his tense body in her arms, not caring who saw them. “Don’t say anything you might regret. Edie doesn’t understand.”
Linc finally acknowledged the feminine warmth surrounding his body and he rested his cheek against the side of her head. “No, this has been coming for eighteen years.” He put a finger under her chin, smiled, and slowly lowered his mouth to kiss her lightly. “I’m glad you’re with me when I face the dragon.” He k
ept their fingers tightly knitted, needing this personal link to the woman who had captured his heart.
He never gave much thought to facing the person who made his life hell or to making a damn apologetic speech. His mouth was dry and he swallowed hard. “Buford, I don’t know what I ever did to make you hate me, but since you’re dead and I’m here, I’ll be the bigger man and say I’m sorry for whatever I might have said or done.” He didn’t expect an answer or a shooting spear of lighting in repayment, but the weight on his heart began to ease.
Edie ran out from behind a grave marker and jumped up and down. “Yay, I knew you could do it, Mr. Lincoln. Buford won’t be mad at you anymore!”
Linc gathered her close and kissed the top of her head. “Thank you, Short Stop, for bringing me here.” In his heart, he really was grateful.
“You can kiss my mom again because she came too.”
“I believe I will.” He enfolded Jessie in his arms and dipped his head to give her an easy, languorous kiss. “Thanks for being here for me.”
Jess offered a generous smile and skimmed a gentle hand up and down his back. “You’re very welcome.”
When they walked into the parish hall, Edie joined her friends from Sunday school. Parishioners were sitting at tables covered in white linen cloths. The ladies from the church auxiliary had placed a fresh arrangement of spring flowers on each table. Delicate porcelain platters were filled with an assortment of home-made muffins, coffee cakes, and cookies. Lisa Kay and her mother were serving coffee and tea from tall silver urns.
Margaret approached them, holding two China cups and saucers. “Light and sweet and black.”
“How did you know?” Linc asked.
“There isn’t much the people in this town don’t know about you.”