A Change of Heart (Perfect Indiana#3)

by Barbara Longley

  “I’m surprised they’d take a bunch of kids to a tavern.”

  “We went early in the morning. The bar was closed.”

  “It’s been years since I’ve bowled.” She shifted in her seat so she half faced him. “There’s a place not too far from the trailer park where we kids used to hang out, mostly for the arcade and junk food.”

  “I enjoy the game, but I haven’t been bowling in years either.” His gray eyes sparkled as he smiled at her. “We’re well matched.”

  Well matched. She peered out her window and tried to swallow away the sudden tightness in her throat. He had no idea how his words affected her.

  “There you go again.”

  “Hmm?”

  “It’s like…one minute you’re here with me and happy, and the next you just fall off into a sad place, and you’re gone.” He chuffed out a breath. “I want to follow, Cory. I want to go there with you, so I can pull you through whatever it is that takes away that pretty smile of yours.”

  “Add perceptiveness to your long list of fine qualities,” she muttered and blinked away the sting in her eyes. “I have PTSD, Ted. Abrupt mood swings, anxiety, anger and depression are all part of the roller-coaster ride I’m on every single day.” Turning to glance at him, she bit her lip and considered her next words. “I’m no good for you. I’m no good for anyone right now.”

  Damn. He’d done it again—gotten too close. Time to back off. “I understand. All I’m asking for is friendship.” Bullshit. “Friends help each other. I want to help.”

  “I worry…”

  “What?” He studied her, hating to see her mouth turned down the way it was now. “What do you worry about?”

  She shrugged. “I worry that you’re spending so much time with me that it might prevent you from finding somebody who—”

  “Don’t give it another thought. I’m right where I want to be.” Their eyes caught and held, and his heart stuttered to a stop. The world fell away, leaving nothing but the two of them suspended in time. He wanted to pull over to the side of the road, draw her into his arms, and kiss the sadness away, hold her until nothing remained of the trauma haunting her. The truck swerved toward the shoulder of the road, and he snapped back to reality. Shit. Pay attention.

  “I wish we’d met under different circumstances, or at a different time,” she whispered, turning to look out the passenger side window.

  “We met exactly when we were supposed to meet.” His jaw tightened and twitched. “And when you’re ready to date, I’ll be right here. I’m like this old truck.” He patted the steering wheel. “Dependable. Steady. I’ll never let you down or leave you stranded.”

  She opened her mouth to reply. He didn’t really want to listen to her tell him to forget about her and move on. Too late, anyway. His heart rose and fell on her smiles and sighs, and she had no clue. “I have an idea,” he said. “Let’s relax and have a good time tonight. No pressure, just friends hanging out.”

  “Good idea.” A half smile erased some of the sadness from her face. “This should be interesting. Kyle isn’t shy at all when he’s at work, but did you notice he didn’t say a word when Brenda was there?”

  “Yep. I noticed.” He grinned. “I’m surprised he worked up enough gumption to ask her out.”

  “I wonder if they’ll hit it off.”

  “I hope so. Kyle’s a good guy.” They settled into a companionable silence, and he let his mind wander, imagining a future with Cory—imagining a time when physical affection, holding hands, and loving came easily to her. Once she began seeing a therapist, how long did it take before she started to get better? He glanced at her. She seemed to be as lost in thought as he. “What are you thinking about?”

  She startled and blinked. “Nothing in particular.”

  “Humph. I’d pay good money to see what goes on in that head of yours.”

  She rolled her eyes. “That would be a waste of perfectly good cash.”

  The mall came into view, and the intersection where he had to turn onto the frontage road was just ahead. He was tempted to miss it, like they’d missed the exit to her mom’s place. They could keep on driving, and he’d have her all to himself. Downshifting, he switched to the left lane and put on his blinker.

  “Ted…” Her voice held a strained note.

  “What is it, honey?” Oh, shit. Another slip, but she didn’t seem to notice. He turned into the Riverside Tavern’s parking lot and pulled into the first spot he found. He noticed she’d gone pale, and her forehead glistened.

  “Don’t…uh…” she stammered.

  Tension pulsed through the cab, and he caught the wild panic flashing through her eyes. She swallowed several times, and her breathing came in short gasps. Her struggle broke his heart, and more than anything he longed to comfort her. “We’ll stay right here, Cory. Take your time and don’t forget to breathe.”

  Her hands fisted in her lap. She drew a long breath, then another. “Don’t leave me alone in there.”

  “Didn’t I tell you I’m like this old truck?” He risked running his hand over her shoulder, relieved when she didn’t flinch away. Did she even realize she rarely pulled away or flinched anymore when he touched her? “I won’t let you down. I’ll stick by your side tonight. You have my promise. Nobody is going to get between us.”

  “Sucks.” She gave a slight nod. “PTSD sucks.”

  “I know it does.” He made no move to climb out of the cab. Letting her take the lead was important. “Breathe now.”

  She shot him a disgruntled look, and he bit the inside of his cheek to keep from grinning. She wouldn’t be disgruntled if she wasn’t coming out of her panic.

  “It’s not like I can stop myself.” She inhaled deeply as if to prove her point.

  “Right. Sorry.”

  She stared out the windshield at the building before them. “This place is old. It looks like it’s been around since Indiana became a state.”

  He glanced at the tavern. It had been built to resemble a two-storied German inn, with light-colored stucco and exposed wooden beams stained a dark brown. The bowling alley had been added years later, and the brick-fronted squat addition didn’t match the tavern part at all. “Could be. The bar and grill, anyway.” Just then he spotted Brenda and Kyle crossing the parking lot toward the front doors. “There they are. If you aren’t ready, I’m perfectly content to sit here until you are.”

  “You’re such a great guy.”

  “I know.” He cocked an eyebrow. “You ought to snap me up before anyone else catches on.” Wrong thing to say. The corners of her mouth turned down, and she fell back into that place called Sorrowful. No GPS system in the world could help him follow her there. “Come on, Cory. Let’s team up and pulverize Kyle and Brenda with our combined bowling skill.”

  “No wagers.” She shot him a pointed look and reached for her door handle.

  “No promises.” He climbed out, and they walked side by side toward the couple waiting for them by the large wooden double doors. “I can’t help it if I have a competitive streak.”

  “OK, but don’t bet against me, just against them.”

  “Deal.” He wanted to take her hand in his so badly he had to force himself to keep from reaching for her. Lord, it was painful, all the loving and affection he longed to give her and couldn’t. Frustration and anger tightened his jaw again, and his pulse raced. If only he could vent his anger on the asshole who’d done this to his girl. Nothing would satisfy him more.

  Cory was the genuine article, sweet, compassionate and sincere—not to mention beautiful inside and out. She was smart, quick-witted and talented, everything he wanted and more, and he ached to make her his. Knocking down a bunch of wooden pins with a twelve-pound ball appealed to him about now.

  “Hey, Kyle.” Ted held out his hand, and the two of them shook. “Evening, Brenda. It’s nice to see you again.”

  She flashed him a dazzling smile. “It’s nice to see you too. Are you two hungry? Do we want to eat or b
owl first?”

  Kyle opened the door and held it. “Let’s eat. I’m starving. How about you, Cory?” He smiled warmly in her direction. “Eat or bowl first?”

  “Food first. I can’t bowl on an empty stomach.” She shot Ted a questioning look. “Do they have other stuff besides pizza?”

  “Sure.” Ted took the risk and placed his hand at the small of Cory’s back, ushering her through the double doors. No cringe or flinch. He withdrew the touch before it registered with her. Progress? Was it possible she was growing more and more accustomed to his nearness? His pulse surged in hopeful anticipation.

  Pins knocking together, the rumble of voices and blaring country music reverberated down the hall from the right. They veered toward another set of opened double doors leading to the dark interior of the bar and grill. Cory stopped in her tracks, her posture rigid with tension.

  He came around to stand in front of her, leaning down to whisper in her ear, “It’s OK. I’m right here, and I won’t let any harm come to you.”

  She shot him a grateful smile, and her gaze roamed over his face. He caught a glimpse of something deep in her lovely brown eyes. Trust. Affection. Damn, it felt good to see his own emotions reflected back. Their eyes locked. His lungs seized, and for the life of him, he couldn’t catch his breath or move from the spot. He didn’t want it to end.

  “Break it up, you two,” Kyle called. “We have a table. Brenda’s already ordered a pitcher of beer.”

  Color flooded Cory’s cheeks, and she followed Kyle. The interior of the restaurant was typical for the era it had been built, with heavy dark wood, burgundy carpet, dim lighting and votive candles in glass containers on each table. The bar formed a rectangle in the center of the room, also constructed of bulky pine stained almost black. Stairs off to their left led to a second floor with more tables and a balcony overlooking the bar.

  Kyle led them to a large booth in the back corner of the first floor. Menus and ice water had already been delivered. Kyle claimed the side with his back to the wall, and took his place next to Brenda. Ted slid into their side first, knowing Cory hated being hemmed in.

  She sat beside him and smiled at Brenda. “It’s been awhile since we’ve bowled together, hasn’t it? What made you decide on this particular activity for tonight?”

  Brenda shrugged. “It made sense. Kyle and I live in Evansville, and you two live out in Podunk. This is halfway between the two.” She turned her high-octane smile his way. “What do you like to do for fun, Ted?”

  Was it his imagination, or did Cory just lean a little closer to him? “I don’t have a lot of free time. I put in a lot of hours at L&L, and I help my dad farm. I do have a few hobbies I enjoy, though. I manage to keep busy.”

  “Speaking of hobbies, I’m buying an old Chevy pickup truck he rebuilt,” Cory added, her voice tinged with unmistakable pride. “We drove it here tonight. You’ll have to come take a look at my new wheels. It’s got a lot of character, just like Ted.” She graced him with an admiring look.

  OK, this is new. He forced himself to keep his expression neutral and glanced at Kyle. “How’s school coming along?”

  “It’s coming.” Kyle slid his arm over the back of the seat so that it almost draped around Brenda’s shoulders. “You know how it is. School and working full-time can be a grind.”

  “You’re in school?” Brenda turned to study her date. “What are you studying?”

  Kyle nodded. “I have a few prerequisites I’m finishing up before I can apply for programs to become a physician’s assistant. I was in the medical corps in the army.”

  New appreciation shone in Brenda’s eyes. “Huh, I had no idea you were so ambitious.”

  “There’s a lot you don’t know about me.” He studied her right back. “That’s what dating is all about, right? We’re here to get to know each other.”

  “Exactly.”

  Their server, a young man wearing black slacks, a red shirt and a white apron, delivered a pitcher of beer and four frosted mugs. “Do you need a few minutes, or are you ready to order?”

  “We need a few minutes,” Kyle answered. He brought his arm back down and picked up the menus, passing one to each of them. “Haven’t even looked yet.”

  “You’re not really shy at all, are you?” Brenda asked, casting Kyle a speculative glance.

  He answered with a cocky grin, “Nope, not really.”

  Confusion clouded Brenda’s face. “But you didn’t say a word that afternoon I came to L&L.”

  “That wasn’t shyness.” Kyle stared deeply into her eyes. “I was just stunned speechless by your sudden appearance in our midst. All the while you were flirting with those other guys, I was busy strategizing.”

  “Strategizing?” She blinked.

  “Yes, ma’am.” Kyle picked up his menu and started reading. “I know a good thing when I see it. I plan to make you mine.”

  Brenda gasped, and Cory made a choked, snorting sound.

  Ted laughed. “You two want to be alone? Cory and I can move to a different table.”

  “Don’t you dare.” Brenda’s cheeks grew pink, and she shot Cory a pleading look. “I had no idea…”

  “So much for Shy Guy.” Cory grinned back. “Read the menu, Bren. Have a beer, and let’s eat. Ted and I aren’t going anywhere.”

  Ted and I. He loved the easy way those words rolled off her tongue, the way she took it for granted that they were in agreement. It felt as if they were a couple—for the moment, anyway. “You don’t want pizza, do you?” He reached for the pitcher and filled their mugs.

  “Nope. I’m going to have a Reuben with fries.” She told him. “What about you?”

  “I’m a big fan of their sauerkraut-and-sausage pizza.” He nudged her shoulder with his. “Want to share one with me? They’re great.”

  “Hmm.” Cory continued to study her menu. “Sounds like a very weird combination if you ask me.”

  “Chicken.”

  Her head snapped up, and she scowled. “Do I sense a wager coming on? Because we did talk about this on the way in.”

  “No.” He shook his head and winked. “Not a wager. A challenge. Try something new.”

  Her eyes filled with amusement. “A challenge? All right. I’ll share a sauerkraut-and-sausage pizza with you on one condition.”

  “Agreed, and I already know what the condition is.”

  “Do you?” She put her menu in the middle of the table with the others.

  “Sure. If you don’t like the pizza, I’ll order a Reuben for you.”

  “You’re a good man, Ted, and smart.” She graced him with a heart-stopping smile.

  “That’s what I keep trying to tell you,” he whispered, reveling in the way her breath hitched.

  A few pitchers of beer and an equal number of bowling games later, Ted was eager to have Cory all to himself again. After her initial reaction to the new surroundings, she’d relaxed and enjoyed herself, and true to his word, he’d stuck close all night. He stood and stretched. “This was fun, but it’s getting late, and I’m ready to head out. We’ll have to do this again sometime.”

  “It was fun.” Brenda gathered her things. “Next time it’ll be the boys against the girls.”

  “Ha!” Cory straightened from unlacing her shoes, a smug expression on her face. “You just want to switch it up because Ted and I trounced you two.”

  “Not by much,” Kyle muttered.

  “We rock.” Ted held his hands in the air, and Cory stood up and slapped her palms against his.

  “You ready to go?” he asked her. “I’ve got to be up early tomorrow to help my dad.”

  “Good night, you two,” Cory called out. “I’ll phone you tomorrow, Bren. We can figure out a time to head to the outlet mall.”

  “Sounds good.” Brenda waved them away, her eyes on Kyle. “Later.”

  Cory let out a happy sigh as they walked together to the counter to turn in their borrowed shoes.

  “You enjoyed yourself tonight, didn’t you
?” he asked.

  “I did. Thanks. I even liked the pizza you ordered.”

  “I noticed.”

  “I think Kyle and Brenda hit it off really well, don’t you?” She placed her bowling shoes next to his on the counter.

  “Sure.”

  “I’m glad. For a minute there, I was worried that she’d…”

  “That she’d what?” He recalled the way Brenda had flirted with him earlier, and the way Cory had moved closer to his side. “Make a pass at me?” Her face scrunched up like she’d bitten into something distasteful, and he had to laugh. Her expression confirmed his wild hope.

  “I’ve had too much beer,” she grumbled. “Do not pay any attention to anything I say. I was just concerned for you, is all.” She hiccupped. “Dang. I always get the hiccups when I drink carbonated beverages.”

  His spirits soared. “Concerned?”

  “Sure.” She hiccupped again.

  “You don’t believe Brenda is right for me?” he teased, ushering her toward the hall leading to the front door.

  “I don’t even want to think about that.” Her expression turned pensive. The corners of her luscious mouth turned down and sadness filled her pretty brown eyes again.

  He hadn’t meant to steer her onto the road to Sorrowful, but it looked like she might be headed that way. He scrambled to head her off. “You sure can bowl.”

  Her expression brightened. “I know, huh? So can you.” She slugged his shoulder. “A man of many talents.”

  “And you’re a woman who’s had a few too many beers.” He chuckled as she hiccupped again. “We’d better get you home.” He took her arm and led her out into the soft warmth of a southern Indiana night.

  “I don’t suppose we could have another driving lesson right now.” She turned a wide-eyed, hopeful expression his way.

  His heart melted. “Not tonight.”

  “Bummer. I really want that Chevy.”

  “I’ll be done on the farm fairly early tomorrow. How about we give that stick shift another go in the afternoon, say around two?”

  “Yeah. Let’s do that. And afterwards, I can give you a ride home in my truck.”