by Liz Talley
“Jake said you went out with Jamison. What’s up with that?” Clint asked, scooping coffee into the paper filter.
“Nothing. Just a few dates.”
“Hmm,” Clint said.
“What?”
“Nothing. I guess I don’t see you two together.”
“We’re not together. We went out two times, and he hasn’t been blowing up my phone for a repeat.” She slid a plate toward her little brother, who had parked himself at the bar, tapping on her phone, absorbed in some game Wyatt had showed him how to play.
“Yeah, so I guess that means you’re dating again? I wondered when you would, you know, after Chase broke it off.”
Eva frowned. “Actually, Chase didn’t break anything off. We both agreed it wasn’t working. You can only feign interest for so long. And dating is a relative term. I live in Magnolia Bend. Not a huge dating pool, as you well know.”
Clint pulled out the mugs from the lower shelves. The kitchen had been designed to meet the needs of a disabled person. “Yeah, truer words never spoken. In fact, it’s been a while since I had to pretend any kind of interest.”
“What about the girl you met online?”
“We’re just friends.”
“Oh, I thought y’all were more for some reason. Didn’t you talk about going to visit her in Montana at some point?”
“Eh.” He shrugged, rolling across the kitchen to fetch creamer.
Eva laughed. “I’m guessing that means you’re no longer interested?”
“You guess right,” he said.
“Can we go now?” Charlie asked, looking up.
“No. We just got here, and you’re being rude.” Eva gave her brother a sharp look.
“But you said we’d go get the stuff for my party this weekend. Wyatt and his brother can both come. Can we have chocolate chip ice cream with my cake? I want a Ninja Turtle cake, okay?”
“Charlie, I’m visiting with my friend.”
“How come all your friends are guys?”
Eva felt her cheeks heat. “I have friends who are girls.” Why was she explaining herself to a child? Jeez.
“Your sister’s used to being around guys,” Clint said, giving Charlie a smile. The man was still abnormally good-looking, though maybe a bit too lean. “She works with them and has two brothers.”
“She never does girly stuff like my mom does.”
Eva huffed. “Well, I don’t have time. I’m spending all my time doing math problems and cooking mac and cheese. Plus, I don’t need pretty fingernails or fancy shoes. I’m a practical sort of gal.”
Charlie’s eyes widened. “I thought girls liked to look pretty. All the girls I know put glitter on everything and wear bows. I mean, it’s sort of sparkly and pretty, I guess. You don’t like glitter?”
“No,” Eva said, wrinkling her nose.
Clint laughed. “I think your sister looks perfect the way she is. She’s wholesome.”
“Is that code for fat?” Eva joked, eyeing the slice of cake she’d just plopped on her plate. Maybe she didn’t need the extra calories, though she didn’t usually worry about slimming down. Firefighters needed bulk, and she spent enough time in the gym that she was solid but not flabby.
“Not even close. You’re gorgeous,” Clint said.
“And you’ll say anything to keep me bringing cake and brownies,” she said lightly, but something in Clint’s tone and eyes sent a frisson of warning up her spine. It was almost as if his words sounded silky. What the hell was up with that?
She felt a bit like that character from that ’90s movie Something About Mary. Okay, so she wasn’t anything close to looking like Cameron Diaz, but suddenly she had guys circling her. So strange. Guess there weren’t all that many single women in Magnolia Bend.
But shouldn’t the fact she now had a kid deter some interest? Women always complained that kids were deal-breakers for dudes.
“I’d say anything to keep you stopping by. You’re like a breath of fresh air in my life. Besides, I’d never lie to you. You’re perfect the way you are, Eva.”
Eva smiled. How could she not? A guy says something like that and you have to feel a bit glowy, even if slightly alarmed over the intent behind it. “Thanks, and I’m glad we’re friends. It’s been a blessing to me, too.”
His brow wrinkled at the word friends. Or at least she thought it did. Another beep of the alarm.
“You know, I’ve been thinking how nice it would be to get out of Magnolia Bend for a day. There’s a festival in Fort Brantley next weekend. How about we all go? We can take my van and pack a picnic. Charlie, do you like going to festivals?”
“I’ve never been to one,” Charlie said, shoveling cake into his mouth. “But I guess.”
“What about it, Eva?” Clint asked, accepting the cake she handed him.
“I don’t know. Need to check my calendar.”
“We can always do a Sunday afternoon,” Clint said.
“I don’t want to commit yet,” she said, worried that this jaunt might mean more than friendship. Something in the glint of Clint’s eyes and in the way he responded to her remarks had her feeling a bit itchy.
She liked Clint. He had charisma, charm and a killer smile. He also had a commanding way about him, a sort of reliability that projected a sense of safety. Odd for a man who was considered disabled, but still very much present. Thing was she wasn’t attracted to Clint…except as a friend.
“Why not?” he asked. Something in his voice sounded hurt, but she didn’t want to encourage him, did she? God, she hated guilt.
“Well, things have been so unpredictable lately. I have Charlie’s birthday this weekend and we’re planning to visit his mother soon. Of course, I love a good festival, and Charlie would probably enjoy going, too.” Okay, so she couldn’t just shoot him down. Besides, an outing wasn’t a date. Friends did things together all the time, so she shouldn’t misread his intention as something it wasn’t. Plus, having a break from the reality of her life right now might be nice. And it would give her another day away from Jake and the infernal desire that had attached itself to her.
“What do you do at a festival?” Charlie asked, looking down at his plate. “Can I have some more of that cake, Eva? It rocked.”
Saying something rocked was Charlie’s new thing.
“No. You’ll ruin your dinner,” she said, before slapping a hand over her mouth. “Oh, God, did I just say that?”
Clint laughed.
For a few seconds they sat in silence, eating cake. Just as Clint rolled to the coffeemaker to pour a cup, his father, Murphy, walked in.
“Mmm, I smell coffee,” Murphy said, his rheumy eyes lighting on the coffeepot. Clint’s father was a stooped, spare man with few words and a passion for collecting baseball cards. He rarely appeared when Eva stopped by, but Clint professed he ate every crumb of her desserts.
“Who’s that?” Charlie asked, pointing his finger at Murphy.
“Don’t point. It’s rude,” Eva said, folding her brother’s finger down.
Clint’s father narrowed his eyes at Charlie. “Who are you?”
“I’m Charlie.”
Murphy raised his eyebrows and did something unexpected—he smiled. Well, at least Eva thought it was a smile. Could have been gas pain.
“Well, then, Charlie, I’m Murphy Cochran. I’m Clint’s father, and this is my house.”
Clint’s face tightened at that declaration. Eva knew it was a sticking point for her friend. Ever since the Cochrans moved from the Victorian house with its narrow halls and steep stairs to the handicap-friendly one-story lake house, Clint had been trying to find a way to break out. At first he’d stayed because his mother had wanted to take care of him. Now he stayed because, though he and his father didn’t get along, he worried about his father living alone. It was a catch-22.
“Oh,” Charlie said, shimmying down from the stool. “Can I go outside?”
“Sure,” Eva said, pouring coffee into a mug and passing it
to Murphy before pouring herself one. “Don’t go near the water.”
Charlie slammed out the door.
“Did you hear me?” she called.
The kid gave her a thumbs-up and then clapped his hands so Biscuit, the yellow Lab who lolled in the sun, came running after him.
“Cute kid,” Murphy said, looking out at the boy running across the lawn. “Who does he belong to?”
“For the time being, me.” Eva slid onto the stool Charlie had abandoned. “He’s my half brother, and his mother is in rehab.”
Murphy lifted his bushy brows. “That’s tough.”
She wasn’t sure if he meant on her, Charlie or Claren. Maybe all three.
“You’re doing good, Eva,” Clint said, rolling beside her, brushing her arm with his hand. It was a soft caress that on the surface seemed friendly, but when she looked into Clint’s eyes, she wanted to mutter “uh-oh.”
“Thanks. I’m doing my best.”
Murphy turned the conversation to the upcoming hunting season and then to baseball playoffs. Before the accident Clint had been a pitcher for the University of Arkansas. There had been talk of his being drafted and playing in the minor leagues. Murphy Cochran had never gotten over the fact that his son had a career erased that night years ago. Bitter, he still stewed over what might have been, taking his anger out on Clint. Clint said Murphy hadn’t said five words to Jake since that night.
After another cup of coffee, Eva said her goodbyes.
Clint put his hand on her elbow as she turned to step out onto the porch. “Hey, think about the festival. It would be fun to get out of Magnolia Bend for the day.”
“I will,” she said, placing her hand over his and giving it a squeeze before pulling away.
“Is something wrong?” Clint asked.
“No. Why?”
“Nothing,” he said, following her outside.
Charlie ran over, the dog behind him. Both his jeans and the dog’s paws were wet.
“Did you go in the water?” Eva asked.
The look on Charlie’s face said it all.
“Charlie, I told you to stay away from the lake. You are never to go near water without an adult. Why did you disobey me?”
“Well, Biscuit wanted to fetch the stick, and I didn’t know I could throw it that far.”
“That explains why Biscuit is wet, not why you’re wet.”
“Well, she couldn’t find the stick. But I knew right where it was. So I helped her.”
All the bad things that could have happened flew through her mind—alligators, water moccasins, unstable lake bottoms. Charlie could have been seriously hurt. Why did she assume he’d mind her? “That’s not a good enough reason to go against my instructions, my rules. There will be repercussions.”
“What’s repercussions?”
“You won’t be able to watch TV for the next two days,” Eva said, taking his arm and tugging him toward her car.
“What? No. I didn’t mean to, Eva. I was trying to help Biscuit,” Charlie cried, trying to pull away from her.
“Doesn’t matter. You put yourself in danger by disobeying me. You’re punished.”
“No, you can’t do that. You’re not my mom,” he said, yanking his arm from her grasp.
“I’m your guardian, and I’m in charge. You don’t mind, you don’t get privileges.” Eva grabbed his arm again and tugged him toward the car. Out of the corner of her eye she saw Clint’s eyes widen.
Yeah, buddy, you want to date this? I don’t think so. ’Cause we’re a package deal.
“Ow,” Charlie screeched. “You’re hurting me.”
“I’m not hurting you. Get into the car. It’s time to go.” Eva felt irrational anger rear up inside her. How dare he act like a…brat. She’d spent the past two weeks sacrificing any sort of peace in her life for him.
“You are hurting me and you’re mean. I didn’t do nothing and you’re being a big mean person.” Charlie pulled open the back door of her car and climbed inside.
Eva turned to Clint. “I’m sorry you had to witness that. I’m learning kids aren’t the most rational of creatures.”
Clint lifted his eyebrows. “Yeah, I see. Good luck with that.”
“So you want to rescind that invite?” she teased, trying to beat down the irritation she felt at Charlie with some humor.
“No way. I love kids.”
Eva arched an eyebrow.
Clint grinned. “Okay, I don’t. But I would love to spend time with you.”
Again, a warning flag. “Okay, it’s your funeral.”
“Not yet,” he said, giving her a smile and wave as she slid into the driver’s seat.
She caught sight of Charlie in the rearview mirror. He stuck out his tongue, crossed his arms and jerked his head in that age-old gesture that meant “you’re dead to me.”
Great.
“Thanks for the cake,” Clint called.
Eva waved and started the car, rolling down the cypress-strewn drive laced in Spanish moss.
“You do understand that all kids get in trouble for doing what you did.” She glanced back at her brother. “Charlie?”
“I’m not talking to you.”
“Well, you just did,” she said. Inside she still felt shaky. The thought of Charlie floating facedown in the lake haunted her. At that moment she knew this wasn’t just about providing care. No, something more was going on inside her. She knew she loved Charlie. He was her brother, and loving him came with the territory. Like having wavy hair and a prominent Italian nose. But suddenly it was so…visceral. She felt an…almost rabid fear of losing him. A bizarre thing she’d never experienced before had sunk its teeth into her.
It wasn’t as if she had lived a totally selfish existence, but she’d never really had to put anyone before herself. With Charlie she had to think that way, and more important, she felt that way.
“Can I have some more of that cake tonight?”
Eva would have to actually bake a cake for that to happen. “Only if you help me bake it.”
“Well, I ain’t watching TV, am I?” he said, his words dry as sand.
Eva smiled. “Guess not.”
CHAPTER TWELVE
JAKE WATCHED HIS brother cast his crank bait perfectly, hitting the water along the lily pads with a light splash. So he threw in right beside Matt…mostly because he knew it bugged the shit out of his anal older brother. And that was Jake’s job—to be the cockroach tossed into the middle of a sleepover. He kept things stirred up and exciting in their family. One way or another.
“Stop.”
Matt was a man of few words. That was why Jake fished with him.
“What?”
His brother just gave him the look.
Matt was the oldest of the Beauchamp children. Solid, reserved and always right. That was Matt’s role. He was the rock, totally sensible—and boring, if truth be told.
After a few more casts and Jake missing when a fish struck his bait, they cranked up and headed back toward the boat launch. The sun glowed, turning the scanty clouds a bright persimmon against the lightening horizon. Nothing was prettier than a Louisiana lake at sunset. It was as if God got his swag on, showboating with his paint palette. Made a man almost speechless at times.
“Want to try over there before we load up?” Matt asked, pointing to a small slew where they’d had luck earlier in the summer. He slowed the boat.
“Sure.”
Matt motored over, and they cast a few times.
“Thanks for letting the boys come to Charlie’s birthday sleepover. I guess the kid’s really looking forward to it. And it means a lot to Eva.”
Matt grunted.
“She’s really got her hands full with him. He’s a cute kid, though.”
“It’s a good thing, what she’s doing for him. Lots of relatives wouldn’t have stepped up in such a situation, especially if they’re single and work odd hours like Eva does.”
Jake nodded. “She’s good with him. Guess most
women are good with kids.”
“Most.”
“Is Mary Jane okay with the kids missing time with her?”
Matt shrugged.
His brother had been married for twelve years to the woman he’d met at a Kappa Sigma fraternity party. Matt hadn’t been in a frat but after having injured his knee and ending his college career, he’d been feeling down. So his best friend had cajoled him out the door and across town to the party where he literally ran into the blonde coed. Mary Jane had actually laughed at the dent he’d put in her Cabrio, and Matt had fallen head over heels for a woman who could laugh at something he considered somewhat serious.
But last year something had changed in their marriage. Mary Jane had left for a job in New Orleans and so far the weekly marriage counseling sessions didn’t seem to be working. Or at least not on the surface. Mary Jane still lived in New Orleans. And his brother still moved to the camp when she came to Magnolia Bend to visit the boys each weekend.
“What do you think about Eva?” Jake asked. He blinked that he’d even asked that question of his brother. So stupid.
“What do you mean? Like as a mother?”
“Uh, sure.”
Matt reeled his line in then turned to Jake. “Or do you mean as a woman?”
“No. Not like that,” Jake said, but he knew his words were hollow.
His brother narrowed gray eyes. “Wait a sec, are you into Eva?”
“Hell, no.” Jake threw in beside a hollowed cypress tree.
“Good, because she’s totally wrong for you.”
Jake nearly dropped his way too expensive rod. “Why would you say that?”
“Because Eva’s the kind of girl you don’t mess with. She’s solid and good. She’s not a bimbo.”
“And I only date bimbos?”
“Not what I meant. You’ve dated some decent girls, but they knew the score going in. You weren’t interested in financing a mortgage with them or helping them breathe through labor. You were interested in bagging them.”
“You make me sound like a caveman.”
Matt laughed. “Nah, I don’t mean that’s bad. You’re just not like me.”