His eyebrows rose. “That’s an interesting analogy. But what are your plans?”
“She needs more encouragement. She needs lots of it to even contemplate mustering up the guts to use a phone for help. If there were someone like you in the picture, it might make all the difference for her.”
He considered her words before he started pacing. She stepped farther into his house, taking a moment to glance around. It was such a stately house, with old fashioned décor suitable for the period in which it was built. There was mostly dark hardwood, and dark woodwork and crown moldings. All of it was new, but looked strikingly original. Penny helped Noah with antique shopping, resulting in a unique, but very comfortable house.
She swung her gaze back to his. “Giving her the number was just my first contact. It will take a lot more than that before she calls for help. Do you think the police around here would care? If they pulled in and found her nearly beaten to death, would they consider it a minor dispute between spouses? Or would they treat her as victim of murderous assault?”
Wow, she didn’t have much faith in humanity. “Of course, they’d care. This is a good town, with good people.”
She rolled her eyes and shook her head in disgust. “Oh for God’s sake, Noah, this is everywhere, in every small town and large city. You know women who are currently being beaten. You talk to them every day. You just don’t realize it. Not usually. I just want to help out one woman.”
Noah appreciated her sentiment, but wondered why Tessa struck such a deep chord in Lindsey? Lindsey was barely comfortable talking to him, and seemed connected to no one but Jessie. Now she wanted to befriend Tessa? They seemed to be the least likely acquaintances. Tessa was a harried, busy, poor mother of six. Lindsey was a hopeful for becoming the first lady of Virginia State, and then, who knew what?
Yet, there she stood in the house, looking quite inflamed at him about Tessa. He slowly exhaled a breath. Maybe there was more to her than he ever imagined.
“Like your sister?”
She paused and shrunk her shoulders before she spun around and marched over to a window to stare out of it. “Yes. My father used to hit and kick her. But, I never saw it. I never experienced it. I just, I can’t stand the image of that in my head. So I became involved with this charity. Trust me, I know the signs.”
Her cell suddenly chimed, causing her shoulders to shrink even further as her head dropped. It rang three times before she seemed to snap out of it and snatched the phone up to her ear with a cheery, “Hello Elliot.”
She glanced at Noah before stepping away, but saw he turned and was headed into the kitchen. Fucking Elliot. Each time she took his call, it made him instantly grumpy.
Noah looked at the crock-pot full of a roast beef and vegetables. He lifted the lid and the succulent aroma filled the kitchen. When he grabbed a bowl to put the roast in, Lindsey suddenly appeared in the entry. She started in again, as if the intrusive phone call hadn’t even interrupted them.
“So, will you help me? I was thinking in a few days, maybe we could both go out there. We could talk to the cops and see what kinds of protection and sanctuary she can apply for.”
Why him? He was a simple veterinarian. He had no clue how to prevent domestic violence. “Why me?”
She raised her head up as her eyes filled with honest surprise. “Why you? Because you’re the most upstanding, upfront, truthful and kind man I’ve ever met. Well, that is, besides Will.”
He dropped the roast into the bowl and started shredding it. The tender meat seemed to fall apart. He grunted at her description of him. “I’m just a country vet.”
“Just a country vet? Are you for real? Everyone loves you. They all come to you in near reverence of you. Every woman, married or single, wants to take you home, despite not being sure if they want to cuddle or sleep with you, but certainly willing to replace their husbands with you.”
He set the butcher knife down and stared at her in disbelief. She’d never said any such thing to him before. She blushed and glanced away. “You know what I mean. You’re just extremely well liked and well respected. And I think Tessa would respond to that. To you. You carry a sizeable amount of authority in your very quiet tone and manner of speaking. She won’t believe me. I’m nothing. But if you promise her safety and help, you might just get through to her.”
He didn’t answer at first, but scooped out some vegetables and broth. “Have you eaten dinner?”
“What? No. Noah, are you listening to me?”
“Hard not to when you’re standing right there lecturing me. I don’t know yet, Lindsey. This is all strange for me. Let me think it over. In the meantime, do you want to eat some dinner with me? Otherwise, you’re going to have to watch me eat.”
She stepped back as her passion suddenly flowed out of her. Her face fell as she bit her lip. What was this unexpected barrier? Why did all her boundaries abruptly return?
“I don’t know.”
He sighed. Back to weird Lindsey again. Tessa seemed to be the only subject that brought anything real in her out. “Yes or no question, Lindsey. It’s really not that big a deal.”
She suddenly stiffened her spine and nodded. “You’re right. It’s not. And yes, yes, I’d love to have dinner with you.”
Her tone sounded like she were daring him, or anyone else to tell her differently. He stared at her for a second before turning away to set the dining room table. Might as well make it a bit nicer than his normal TV tray in front of the living room television.
She followed him into the dining room. It had an old, antique, dark, wooden table with a lace table runner. He set out placemats and silverware, then hunted for some wine glasses before producing a bottle from the wine cabinet in the built-in serving station. He was also an amateur wine connoisseur.
“Oh, I don’t drink,” she said when she noticed the wine in his hand.
“You don’t like it?”
“No, Elliot does—”
She stopped mid-sentence and her eyes grew large as she realized what she almost said. Obviously, the esteemed asswipe, Elliot, didn’t allow her to drink. She suddenly smiled softly. “Yes, I’ll have a glass, please.”
He nodded and poured her a glass. She accepted it as he continued setting out the plates and utensils. She stood off to the side, scrutinizing him, almost appearing transfixed.
“May I help you?”
He turned when she entered the kitchen from gathering the dishes, and indicated for her to grab the gravy bowl. Once their place settings were assembled, they sat down. It was casual. The chandelier was on, brightly illuminating the house. The plates were from a mismatched set, and the helpings were self-served. He threw a large portion of meat and vegetables on his plate before smothering it in the stew drippings.
“If I’d known I was having company, I would have made some bread or rolls to go with it. I don’t bother, however, when it’s just me.”
She smiled, staring down at her plate. What was that little secretive smile for? She was impossible to read.
“I’m glad you didn’t bother. It’s nice to be so casual. And spontaneous. Something I am never. Ever. So, no apologies. Besides, I barged in on your meal, not the other way around.”
She lifted her face and shyly smiled. He smiled back. “I’m glad you did. But no more talk about saving the world tonight, okay? I will think about it seriously, and let you know. But understand, I have to live here. I don’t know how I feel about getting involved in something I wasn’t invited to try and prevent.”
She nodded and put a bite of food in her mouth. “That’s fair, Noah. Something I know you are, and count on you being. And that’s all I could ask for.”
It surprised him when they managed to have several conversations, but none like the strained, formal discussions that he suffered through with her at work. Here, she seemed calmer, more casual, and almost friendly. The awkward self-consciousness wasn’t there, and it was a nice change.
She finished some of her meal
and pushed back from the table, holding the wine glass in her hand. She watched him for a long moment. “Tell me something. How is it you’re not married yet? Do you have commitment issues? Or something else I don’t know about?”
He shrugged as he wiped his mouth on a paper napkin. “Not that I know of. I don’t know. I haven’t met anyone to whom I felt the urge to marry. I always assumed I would know. My sister often tells me all the wonderful things I’ll feel when it happens. I just… haven’t so far. I figure, why waste my time, or hers, on something that isn’t going anywhere? I don’t bother. I date. I’m always upfront and honest, but if it gets to where it becomes more of an annoyance than a pleasure for me, I end it.”
“What about Hannah, the gingersnap baker?”
He shook his head. “You sound disturbingly like Jessie now. Don’t think you need to become like her when it involves my personal life. But Hannah and I fizzled out to nothing. Friends. No… more like uncomfortable acquaintances.”
“And… my sister? Did you foresee her as being different for you?”
He chuckled. “Ah, I see what you want to know. You have to understand: this is a very small town. Your sister was a refreshing surprise to find here. She is quite pretty and full of personality. So for a little while, of course, I was interested. But anymore? No. I don’t long for her. I never think of her like that.”
“Did you guys ever…”
His eyebrows shot up, shocked beyond words that Lindsey would ask that. She kept her gaze pinned on her plate, but her wine glass was almost completely empty. Perhaps that was why the stick came out of her ass and she voiced the inquiry.
“No. Do you suppose Will would tolerate us working together if we did?”
Lindsey considered it before grinning. “I do! She tells him what the deal is, and he usually goes with it.”
He stared at her downturned profile. She was such a cool, elegant beauty. Her ash-blond hair framed her lovely face and cascaded over her slender shoulders. “Do you ever tell your husband the deal?” He kept his tone soft and non-threatening.
Her eyes shot up to his face and widened in what nearly looked like panic. Why did any personal questions always turn her half crazy? Like a cornered wild animal. She took a deep breath and released it, her shoulders sinking with her exhale. “No. I never tell my husband what to do. We don’t work that way.”
“I know. I shouldn’t have asked it. I just wonder sometimes—”
“What?”
He set his glass down and watched the liquid swoosh up the sides of it. “Does it bother you? The way he is so possessive and makes you account for all your time? Is that what it’s called? The way he calls you and expects you to respond no matter what? The way he doesn’t want you to work? Don’t you think it’s a bit of an odd attitude nowadays?”
She folded her hands in her lap and stared at them. “Yes.”
He turned his head to the side and considered her profile. Yes, it bothered her? Yes, it was odd? What? He waited, but she said nothing more. He let out a sigh. “You don’t want to talk about it, do you?”
She shook her head. “No, it makes me uncomfortable and I don’t think it’s appropriate. It’s private. Between Elliot and me.”
“You and Jessie are really nothing alike, are you?”
“No, we never have been. That must disappoint you. You do enjoy her company a lot, don’t you?”
He grabbed his napkin and pressed his lips together. Yeah, he enjoyed Jessie. But Lindsey’s tone certainly implied she cared about that. In fact, if he didn’t know better, it sounded to him like the friendship he shared with Jessie bothered her. “Yes. I think she’s great. I respect what she’s been through and how she managed to overcome it. I would feel the same about anyone who did what she did. But she’s also a lot of fun to have around. She does a good job. And she acts like she and Penny are both my sisters. So it makes our relationship easy and uncomplicated. Unlike with you.”
Her head shot up and he inclined his with a small nod. “Well, you have to admit, it is rather awkward between us.”
She bit her lip. “I don’t mean to make it awkward. I tend to make it that way with everyone. I don’t know why.”
Except, Noah believed in his heart, she did know why. It was to keep everyone from asking her about Elliot and the incessant phone calls. Elliot and the controlling way he kept her at home and isolated from the rest of the world. “You know why you’re working for me, don’t you?”
Her expression turned puzzled. “Well, sure: to fill in while Jessie takes it easy.”
“And because your sister wanted you to work. Just to get away from Elliot. To remind you of the woman who used to be a soldier. She set this whole thing up so you would have to remember when you were a competent, able-bodied, and capable adult. I resisted her at first. But she really wanted this for you. So I relented, and regretted it for awhile. But you know what? Despite all the valid reasons why I shouldn’t tell you the truth behind this, I am going to. You are not a child who needs be told what to do, and the motives behind certain actions should not be hidden from you. You are not, as Elliot insists, in any way incapable of deciding for yourself what you want to do or how you want to do it. So, I’m going to tell you the truth. She believes he dominates you to keep you under his control. And she hoped by giving you some autonomy back, you’d remember the confidence she claims you once had overflowing inside of you.”
The color started in her throat and climbed all the way to her hairline. Was it anger? Embarrassment? Was she mad at Jessie? Or Noah? Or horrified he dared talk that way about her husband? He waited to find out.
“She shouldn’t have done that.”
“Done what? Worried that you seem to be half the woman you were five years ago? Even I noticed it, Lindsey. When I met you in North Carolina, you were outgoing. You held your head high, and looked people directly in the eyes. You spoke up. You had opinions. You had a lot to say. You helped Jessie take on her father. No one else could have accomplished that. And now? Now you’re a submissive doormat who is chained to her husband by a cell phone.”
She suddenly stood up, pushing her chair back. “How dare you?!”
Noah stayed seated and raised his eyebrows. “How dare I what? Point out the truth? It might piss you off, which I have to mention, I didn’t even know you ever got, but you can’t argue with me and tell me what I say isn’t true. You know it is. My question is, why doesn’t it bother you?”
“I don’t have to explain myself to you. Or my marriage. Who do you think you are to even say that to me? Don’t you realize who I am? I am the future first lady of Virginia State, maybe even the country some day. Elliot is a millionaire with connections from Washington D.C. to any major city around the world. He changes lives and will do even more so after the election. And you dare comment on us? On me? You’re just some inferior nobody, a country veterinarian who spends all day giving dogs and cats vaccines. Not exactly life-changing work, Dr. Clark.”
Noah had no clue she even knew how to speak sarcastically, let alone, strike with such lethal precision. She was breathing hard and he slowly rose to his full height, gently nudging the chair out of his way. “If I run such an inferior, nothing vet clinic, then please tell me why you couldn’t even manage to figure how to be the receptionist there! So you know what, Lindsey? Maybe it’s not so inferior. Really? You’re about to list your husband’s virtues and accomplishments? Is that because you have none of your own to claim?”
“I don’t have to prove anything to you! You live nowhere, and are going nowhere. This is it, right? How much further do you have to climb?”
He stepped closer to her, and his eye twitched in anger. “Well, tell me this then, why couldn’t you manage to figure out how to function at work? You haven’t yet answered me about what you can do now, not five years ago. Now, as in today. Can you do anything besides answering your cell phone?”
Said cell phone started ringing right then and Noah banged his fist on the table in annoy
ance. It was no more than an hour since she last spoke to him.
She stared at him as he did her before lifting her phone to her ear and answering, “Hello Elliot… Yes, I was having dinner with a friend of Jessie’s. No, it’s no one you know. A neighbor. Yes, yes I know. I’m sorry.”
She looked away from him as her husband berated her for several long moments. Then she nodded as if he could see her.
Why was she always so apologetic to Elliot? She finally had to whisper her goodbye before slowly disengaging the phone from her ear and clutching it with both hands. She stared down at it and the silence grew longer and more viscous.
“It bugs me how you act with him. I might not have the right, I know. I’m nothing to you and my opinion means nothing. It’s just that you once were such a capable woman. And to actually observe how you’ve succumbed to becoming some kind of Stepford wife for Elliot, it just seems wrong. But I have no right to say that to you. When you got here, you were an advocate for Tessa Backerman. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you like that. For a while there, I guess I forgot who the real you was. The real you is the one I usually deal with.”
Her fingers tightened on the cell phone. It was like some kind of freaky lifeline to her. Was it because it connected her to the precious Elliot?
“I shouldn’t have said you were nothing. But then, you’re not me. You have no problem with who you are and you know you’re worth something without my saying so.”
“It’s not usually a bad thing to have a little confidence in yourself.”
“No. It’s usually not.”
“Lindsey?” he said finally, and more gently. “I’m sorry. Please accept it. I think you should keep working at the clinic, at least until you return home. Jessie’s heart was in the right place about this. And in telling you about it, so was mine. I shouldn’t have started an argument over it. Please, say you’ll come back to work.”
The Good Sister (Sister Series, #2) Page 12