by Jodi Thomas
“That was nice of her.” Denver was barely following the story. Aunt Pat was a Matheson, and the Matheson ranch bordered the Truman farm.
“You don’t get it.” Gabe said. “Aunt Pat sent Jeremiah a Dear John letter in WWII and he hasn’t spoken to her since. But Pat said it was her duty because Noah’s sister is a Matheson now, so she had to cross onto Truman land. They’re like warring family. Old Aunt Pat crossed into hostile territory.”
“And . . .”
Gabe waited a moment, then said, “She hasn’t been back home and that was three days ago.”
Denver laughed. “Well, either the old man killed her, or they’re shacking up. Do you think you could stop gossiping long enough to meet me for a beer?”
“I’d better. My brain is turning to oatmeal. I’ve been around too many women too long. I love my wife, but I miss those quiet days with just me, the dog, and a security system that kept everyone off my land.”
“Any idea if the twins are boys or girls?”
“Liz made the doctor swear not to tell us. She wants it to be a surprise, but I’m telling you if it’s girls I have a feeling I’ll be re-enlisting about the time they learn to talk. With all the Matheson women around, I already feel like I’m sleeping in the enemy camp.”
Denver hung up, bought his groceries, then drove to Buffalo’s Bar. He’d just taken his first swallow of beer when a tall woman dressed totally in white walked in. She was so out of place all three people in the bar stopped what they were doing and watched her cross the floor.
He tried not to move, but he couldn’t stop the slow smile that spread across his face.
When she was a foot in front of him, she stopped, took his beer, and gulped half of it down without saying a word.
“Morning, Claire.” Denver tried to keep his voice low. “Do you come here often?”
“I do when your car is parked out front.”
“Want to join me and your brother-in-law for lunch?”
“No. I’ll be at your place in ten minutes. If you’re not there, I’ll be gone in eleven.” She sat the bottle down and walked back out.
Denver threw a twenty toward the bartender. “You know Gabe Leary?”
“I know him.”
“Well, I’m buying him a beer and wings when he comes in.”
“Who do I say it’s from?”
Denver grinned. “Tell him it’s from his friend who just went over to the enemy.”
He drove eighty all the way down Lone Oak Road. When he reached his house, Claire was stepping out of her car. She’d parked at his front door so anyone driving down Lone Oak Road would notice her car.
She leaned against the hood of her car waiting for him.
When he reached her, he took her hand in his and tugged her toward the front door. “About time you came,” he said, more to himself than to her.
He pulled her in front of him, pressing her back against the door frame as he unlocked his home and reached in to flip off the alarm. With one arm tightly around her waist, he lifted her inside and into his arms.
His hands slid beneath her white coat and moved across the silk of her blouse as he kissed her with all the bottled-up need he’d been saving for far too long.
As always, she hesitated, tried to pull away, break free. But she’d come to him this time, and Denver wasn’t interested in playing games. As always, when he finished one long kiss, she’d melted into him.
He pulled away and looked down at the one woman in the world he couldn’t seem to turn away from. “How long do you have?” he asked.
“Until I pick Saralynn up from school.”
“Good.” He smiled down at her. “I’m starving. I’ll open a can of soup and we’ll have lunch. I want to talk to you and then show you the house, one room at a time.”
She tugged off her coat. “What do I do while you’re cooking?”
He smiled. “Take off your clothes.”
She pouted, and he knew she’d never be a woman who took orders. He walked outside, hardly noticing the cloudy day as he grabbed the bags of groceries. They needed to talk, to make plans. From the public display she’d made in Buffalo’s Bar, he guessed she was open to the idea of them becoming a couple. He liked the idea too.
When he walked back inside and closed the door, Claire wasn’t there. In the shadowy house, he didn’t see her for a moment, and then he saw her tall, slim silhouette against the long windows of the living room. With the low brooding clouds behind her and the earth tones of her surroundings, she looked more like a painting than a woman.
She was beautiful. And she was nude.
Denver forgot all about the soup and the tour of the house.
Chapter 31
FRIDAY
MARCH 12
BLUE MOON DINER
THE NEXT MORNING, DENVER WAITED IN THE BLUE MOON Diner for Claire. A heavy March rain had kept many of the regulars away. He half expected her to stand him up. Yesterday they’d spent the afternoon making love and hadn’t said anything that needed to be said between them. He thought of how little he knew about her, and he couldn’t remember a single question she’d ever asked him.
He was on his third cup of coffee when she walked in. He stood and waited for her to take her seat across from him.
“You’ve got the drowned-rat look about you,” she said.
He shook his still-wet hair. “When it starts raining, my plan is usually just to run. I don’t think I own an umbrella.”
“Because you always travel light?”
He grinned. “Because I always travel light.” At least she’d listened to one thing he’d told her about himself. “You, however, with your raincoat and umbrella, look terrific.” The thought crossed his mind that in another month the rain would be warm enough to make love outside on a rainy night. The hammock on his back patio might be the perfect place. They could finish off a bottle of wine first to warm their blood, then strip so neither would have to worry about getting clothes wet, then . . .
Denver slapped himself mentally. He had to stop thinking about her that way all the time or he’d never be able to carry on a conversation. “What looks good?” He tried distraction as he picked up the menu. “This time maybe you’d like to order your own food instead of just eating mine.”
She didn’t look at the menu. “All right.”
The waitress showed up to fill her coffee cup and they ordered, then just stared at one another.
Denver had never been one to waste words, and he didn’t now. “So, we’re going public, me and you?”
“It’s on the table for discussion.”
“When I’m here in town, you’ll come over to my place so we can spend some time alone. I’ll come to your place, maybe watch a game or cook out. I like being around your family; except for you, they all seem to enjoy company.”
She pouted and he almost leaned across the table to kiss her.
“We could take Saralynn with us to the show, and I’ll go to anything she has at school. We’ll just be an ordinary couple as soon as we figure out what ordinary couples do.”
She shook her head. “It sounds so boring.”
He laughed. “It does, doesn’t it?”
“Maybe Saralynn and I could meet you in New York or Dallas one weekend? She’s getting stronger and she’s already old enough to travel well. We could see a few shows, take a carriage ride in the park.”
“Sleep in separate rooms,” he added, then smiled. “I could handle it as long as I get to see you.”
“It would be hard on me too, but Saralynn is my life. If we’re to go public, she has to be a part of that.”
“I agree. I love talking to that kid. She may be only eight, but I got a feeling she’s smarter than both of us.” He raised one eyebrow. “But after a weekend of seeing you on a hands-off basis, promise me time alone next. I’ve become addicted to you.”
She nodded as if she understood. They both seemed to have the same addiction.
The conversation died there. He c
ouldn’t think of anything else to say, and Claire didn’t seem interested in small talk. Denver just stared at her. Every woman he’d ever met could carry on a conversation even if all he did was nod now and then, but not Claire.
When the waitress brought their food, he managed to comment on how hers looked better than his, and she claimed his might taste better. Without another word they began eating off each other’s plates. Sharing the eggs, fighting over the sausages. As the food disappeared, they got in a sword fight over the last bit of pancake.
Denver laughed as he let her win. He watched her eat her prize bite and whispered, “You’re so beautiful, darlin’. Any chance you’d consider sliding under the table and making love right now?”
“That’s why I wanted to meet you somewhere for breakfast. If I’d gone to your house, I’d be naked and starving right about now.”
“I love you naked and starving. Remember last fall when we were snowed in near the D.C. airport? No planes were in the air, but we didn’t care. We’d make love and order room service, then do it all over again. I think we had breakfast brought up three times that day.”
“Four.” She winked at him.
He’d made enough memories that day to keep him in daydreams for a month. “I love the way you make love, but I want to know more about you, Claire. I want to know everything about you.”
“I’m not sure.”
He saw the worry and the fear flash in her eyes. “I swore I’d never get involved with a man again. Maybe all we have is this attraction, nothing more. Maybe all the rest would just be boring details.”
“Maybe. But if we could have more, isn’t it worth the risk?”
She looked down and the world went silent for him. They could debate all day, but if she wasn’t willing to try, she wouldn’t try.
Denver waited as long as he could, and then he stood. Dropping bills on the table, he reached for her hand. “Walk with me, Claire.”
She glanced out the window. “It’s still raining.”
“I don’t care.”
He didn’t let go of her hand until they were at the door. She lifted her umbrella as he put his arm around her shoulders. Claire was tall for a woman and with her heels they were now almost the same height. They fit, he thought. A perfect match.
Walking in step, he held her close as they rushed in the rain past stores and offices, past the town square, past the funeral home and along the tree-lined streets everyone called the old part of town. Neither said a word, neither seemed to care that they were getting soaked to the bone. They just walked.
Finally they reached the city park, long forgotten in winter. Leafless branches waved over brown grass. A trash can rattled in the wind as if fighting to escape the chain that bound it to the ground, and empty swings jerked as if angry that they’d been forgotten.
Denver pulled her into a corner of one of the buildings that surrounded the public swimming pool. The space was dark and littered with trash, but it was dry. She lowered the umbrella and moved into his arms.
For a while he just held her as she shivered.
When she raised her head, she laughed. “This is crazy.”
“I agree.” He kissed her cold cheek. “So, why’d you come?”
Without hesitation, she said, “Because you asked me.”
And, just like that, for the first time since he’d met her, Denver believed it might work between them.
Chapter 32
WRIGHT FUNERAL HOME
TYLER LIT THE FIREPLACE IN HIS OFFICE FOR WHAT HE hoped would be the last time this winter. After all, it was March; spring had to be just around the corner. He watched the firelight’s reflection off the beveled cut-glass window. Rain ran in tiny rivers along the outside of the glass. He’d had to cancel two funerals for today, which would probably mean working all weekend. Tyler didn’t really mind, but if he didn’t get his paperwork done on Saturday he wouldn’t allow himself to take his Sunday drive. Even with the rain, he hated the thought of missing it.
He loved the long drives where he could take forgotten trails and back roads. Only with the rain, it would probably still be too muddy on Sunday to venture too far off the highway. He knew every road mark and back path in this part of the state.
Lightning flashed, mirroring the flames.
Autumn poked her head inside his office. “You busy?”
“No,” he said, smiling. He’d told Autumn several times not to interrupt him unless it was important, but in the days she’d been with him, he’d learned that her “important” level and his were vastly different.
She took one step into the room. “Don’t you find this place a little scary when it’s storming like this?”
“No,” he answered. “Maybe a little gloomy, but not scary.”
She took another step inside. “You know, Mr. Wright, you should rent this old building out for one of those horror films where a group of people are trapped for a night and picked off one by one. Some evil spirit would have a field day in this place. I found a passage in the back of my closet that drops down to the basement.”
Tyler grinned. He’d forgotten all about that hole in the floor. “Years ago when they used coal, the housekeeper could lower a bucket from there and the guys in the basement would fill it with coal. She’d stomp her foot three times and they’d send up enough to supply the stove in her bedroom. My father took the stove out when he put in central heating. I guess he forgot about the hole in the closet.”
She moved a little closer to his desk. “Speaking of scary things, Leland is due to make bail today. Willie told me last night that one of the deputies told him that Leland’s mother was wiring him the money. If they let him out, this town will never see him again. When they call his name at his hearing, he’ll be three states away.”
“That’s fine with me.” Tyler just wanted him gone, but he figured Autumn might want justice. “Of course, for your sake, I hope he pays for his crimes.”
She sat on the arm of an overstuffed chair. “As long as he’s gone, I think I’m all right. I think I was just a thing to him, not a person. He didn’t hit me any harder than my step-mom used to when I was a kid.” She brushed her hand over her middle. “I swear I’m never going to do that to this child.”
“I’m glad.” Tyler smiled. “But just in case Leland doesn’t leave town, I’ve told everyone to make sure the doors are kept locked except for the front door during business hours. You’re in charge of checking the kitchen door.”
“I won’t forget.” She stood and started for the door. “I’ll bring in your lunch in about half an hour.”
“I thought we agreed that today would be your day off.”
She grinned, guilty. “I know, but it’s so cold and I don’t have anywhere I wanted to go in this rain. If I hadn’t cooked, everyone who works here would have to go out. Besides, stew is easy.”
“You’re very thoughtful, Autumn.”
She looked like she didn’t want to take the compliment. “Oh, one more thing. I asked Willie and Bran if they wanted to drop by. I have a feeling it will be around lunchtime.”
Tyler smiled. “I’m always happy to feed the fire department. You sure we have enough?”
She grinned. “Sure. I baked an extra pie. I figured they could split it.”
Autumn was gone before he could comment.
Tyler sat down at his desk, smiling. He wasn’t too worried about Leland showing up. Men like him tended to pick on women they think are helpless and alone. Autumn was no longer either. Even Calvin in the basement set a shovel beside the back door and bragged that he’d just like to see Leland try to get past him.
Tyler also suspected the two young firemen would be circling by today if Leland did get out on bail.
He wished Kate would contact him so he could tell her all about his little adventure, but he guessed she was off working somewhere and hadn’t had time to check her mail.
Chapter 33
POST OFFICE
RONELLE LOGAN DELIVERED THE MAIL
TWICE DURING THE week. Both times Marty was working. When she handed him his letters he held the phone away from him and said, “See you Friday, right?”
She nodded and left.
One lunch hour she spent her time looking for a new blouse. Her mother had told her more than once that top-heavy girls like her only looked appropriate when well covered, but Ronelle wanted something new. But on Friday she walked to his house in the same old clothes she always wore, telling herself he’d simply invited her to lunch, nothing more. It wasn’t like a real date.
The afternoon was stormy. She wore a plastic rain slicker that was held together with duct tape. She delivered mail to the fire station and then stopped in at the diner and ordered the takeout special and two slices of pie. No one noticed her.
At the corner she turned toward the dried-up riverbed. After glancing around, she opened the takeout meal and left it beneath the bushes where she’d seen a mother cat. Then she stuffed the pies in her satchel and walked to the duplex.
Marty was waiting for her, the table already set. “You’re late,” he said without greeting her. “I thought you weren’t coming.” His mood seemed as dark as the clouds.
He looked out the window, not at her. The strong line of his jaw was clamped closed. She couldn’t help feeling that something haunted him. He seemed a man in a prison of his own making. She guessed he was angry, but not at her.
She walked all the way across the room and held up the pies. “I brought dessert.”
The corner of his mouth lifted slightly. “If you think you can bribe me into a better mood, you’re out of luck. I only have two moods, dark and darker.”
“That’s all right. I hate cheery people.”
He winked at her. “Me too. Promise me we’ll never try to cheer each other up. Promise to always be straight with me, Ronny. If I get too moody, curse and yell, but don’t spread false sunshine.”