Lacy's Lane

by Patricia Strefling

  “Well, because I have the farm to look after and…”

  “And what? Your excuse for not living has been this farm, my grandfather’s farm, the fact you had to be mother and father to Allison. But now those responsibilities are no longer yours, with the exception of this farm.”

  “Yes. But I have Kew and Ting now. And they need stability and security. I have to find a job.”

  “I’ll pay you good wages to come with me, and bring the girls. Call it therapy.”

  Lacy raised her eyebrows and looked at the obstinate Thad Gannon.

  “If looks could kill,” the good half of his mouth curled up into a mischievous smile as he said the words.

  “Good wages to do what? Babysit you?”

  “Whoa, that was low…”

  “Yeah, it was. Sorry. Guess I’m used to taking care of people.”

  “Yep, everybody but yourself.”

  “Sounds like psych class.”

  “It is.” He laughed out loud. You help me, I help you. When was the last time you had a vacation Lace?”

  She didn’t have an answer.

  “That’s what I thought.”

  Lacy kept her eyes on the road.

  “You know, it feels good to laugh without worrying how I represent myself every time I open my mouth. Pretty freeing actually.”

  “Ready to go back to the house?”

  “Already? We’ve only been gone twenty minutes. Kew knows how to use the phone.”

  His tone suggested the next word out of his mouth should have been “duhhhhh.”

  “I know, it’s just …”

  “What? Are you uncomfortable being alone with me?”

  “No,” her voice cracked with sarcasm.

  “Well, get used to me. Because I’ve got plans and they include you, Kew and Ting.”

  “Oh boy, I don’t like the sound of that.” She just established her new life, now he wanted to invade?

  “You aren’t in charge of everybody, Lace. Don’t forget that. You might use this time to live a little bit. See the ocean, actually get in it with the girls. What I’m thinking is I’ll need someone to help me pack up stuff and get moved out of my Hollywood house and put it on the market, keep the Malibu house until I can’t make the payments.

  “We are to help you pack? Is that it?”

  “Yep. And give the girls and yourself a vacation. Good Samaritan, you know.”

  “Yeah right.”

  “Plan on it, woman.”

  Lacy didn’t let him see her smile, but she was glad he was getting a bit sassy. He was going to be all right. She’d just have to let him down easy.

  Chapter 36

  Three weeks later she was making plans. Lacy didn’t know how he did it, but because of his big mouth telling everyone she and the girls were coming out to LA to help him clean out his Hollywood apartment and then to Malibu to help get the house ready to sell, everyone had assumed she was going and congratulated her and the girls on their good fortune.

  She’d tried to tell Allison, Kippy, even Mei Le that she wasn’t going but none of them heard a word. Especially when the entire trip was already paid for. How could she refuse? Thad bought four airline tickets and presented them to her in front of everyone at her surprise birthday party, which he and Kippy also arranged behind her back.

  She knew Thad Gannon did not know her birthday, so blamed Kippy for her big mouth. Once he made the public scene with the tickets, everyone in Marston knew about it.

  One day, a week later, Thad borrowed her truck to keep a doctor’s appointment and had just returned. It was the first time he’d driven. Lacy had just finished mowing and was heading out to rake up the grass clippings. Thad announced he just rented a small apartment in Marston, so he’d have a place to stay once he returned.

  “You’re returning? What for?” She stopped long enough to push her sunglasses on top of her head and run her forearm across her sweaty forehead.

  “I can’t stay at your place. Your church folks have let me know it’s not a good arrangement, especially with the girls here, too.”

  Lacy averted her eyes and stared over the field for a moment. She hadn’t thought about how it might look if Thad was well now and still at her place. She turned the topic.

  “I can’t imagine how you could have all that money, power, women, wine and song and want to come back to Marston. I figured you would try to get some new parts in the movies…the great-looking rugged guy with the scars on his face would be a great marketing angle. Sort of like James Cagney?”

  “Hmmm, you think I’m great looking?” He grabbed the rake and gave her a teasing look.

  “It’s pretty obvious the way the women chase you.”

  “Your face is turning pink again.”

  She turned, frustrated, and grabbed the porch broom and swept furiously.

  “You mad? Again?”

  “No. You…you just took over my job.” She sputtered.

  “Hey.” Thad set the rake against the tree, moseyed up to the porch, and sat on the steps, his back to her. He knew enough about Lacy Linden that she’d expertly find someplace else to be if he didn’t step lightly. She was good at running when she didn’t like something. He changed the topic.

  “Looks like fall is coming early this year.”

  When she didn’t answer he leaned his head back against the porch and propped his leg up. He could hear that broom scraping the porch at full speed.

  “Sure felt good to get those bandages off for good. I’m sick of looking out of one eye. It felt great to get out for a drive, too.”

  “Are you nervous behind the wheel?” She leaned on the broom.

  “No. Should I be?”

  “Well I just thought maybe since the crash…”

  “Too tired of sitting around. A guy could go crazy. I’m used to activity.”

  Yeah, activity like four ladies from L.A. calling constantly on her phone to talk to him. She pressed her lips together. Someone must have given her number out.

  “You don’t have to come with me, you know.”

  She stopped sweeping. “I know.”

  “If you really don’t want to go, I won’t force you. I just thought…”

  “You just thought that poor Lacy needed saving. She hasn’t had a date in what seven or eight years, and then you show up and now everybody thinks . . .”

  Thad was up on his feet. Joined her on the porch keeping his distance and shoved his good hand in his back pocket. “Look Lace, I should have asked you. I didn’t. I know that now. I just thought it would be great for you and the girls to see everything out there. It’s really beautiful.”

  “I know.” She turned, set the broom aside, crossed her arms over her chest and stared out at the trees out front. “Everybody thinks they know what is good for me. The fact is, Thad, I don’t know what I’m supposed to be doing. How can I tell anyone else?” She hated the weakness in her voice.

  Thad chose his words carefully. “You’ve got the girls. Taking them out of the mess they were in, I’d say that was something.”

  She nodded, her fingertips resting on her lips. The wind felt good in her hair. She closed her eyes for a moment.

  “I think, Miss Linden that you and I are both lost. I had what I loved and I lost it. You had people you loved and lost them. Maybe we’re both here to help each other start over.” He said softly.

  “As friends.” He added immediately, realizing Lacy would buck at the thought he was suggesting anything more. “Childhood friends. That’s a good thing isn’t it?”

  “Yeah, it’s a good thing.” Lacy looked up. “Someone’s coming. Two cars.”

  “Yeah I rented a car. They’re dropping it off.”

  “Oh.” She sat back down in the chair.

  “Look if you really don’t want to go, you don’t have to. I’ll cancel your tickets and go back myself.”

  With those words, he put the rake back in the barn and met the driver to sign the papers. Then she watched as Thad gave her a qui
ck wave and got into the rental. He hadn’t said he was leaving. He had all his stuff here. She wondered where he was going. Then remembered he had rented his own apartment.

  Lacy wondered how many times she would watch someone leave. Would she end up an old spinster watching everyone go out and live their lives while she stayed on the porch watching red lights bob down the lane?

  Chapter 37

  When Thad came for her and the girls nine days later, they were waiting on the front porch. The house had been locked up, the keys duly sitting on Allison’s coffee table, and the water shut off for good measure.

  Kew and Ting had their backpacks. They did not like pulling a suitcase and Lacy had not made them. They were used to living light and tight. She meant to take a lesson from them. Having never set foot out of Jackson County, Michigan, except that one time she flew out for her dad and the family camping trip to upstate New York, she knew very little what to expect. And for once in her life, she was going to go someplace. Do something different.

  With Thad.

  She saw lights coming down the drive. The sun was not yet up. They had a ridiculously early flight and had to get to Chicago. Thad would turn in his rental car there and they would fly the rest of the way. That’s about all she knew. She hadn’t flown since she was nineteen.

  No black limo from the studio would be waiting there to rescue him from the crowds that would no doubt have formed had he flown into L.A. any other time. By now, he said, he was probably old news.

  “Hey.” He jumped out of the car and lifted Lacy’s suitcase into the trunk. Opened all three doors for the girls, making sure to keep his distance from them, and then put Lacy in the front. “We’re on our way.” He turned the car around, noting Lacy took one last look, he knew, to make sure everything was as it should be.

  “No looking back. We’re on an adventure here.”

  Lacy gazed at him with sleepy eyes. The girls were also quiet.

  Two hours later Lacy felt something near her ear.

  “Wake up Lacy we’re here.”

  “Oh. We’re here?” She repeated. “I guess I fell asleep.”

  “Yep. Wake the girls up. Time to turn the rental in. We have to get going.”

  “Yes, Okay.”

  “Ting, Kew. Wake up. Time to go.”

  Two sleepy pairs of eyes met hers. They had flown to the United States, so they were more experienced that she was.

  They grabbed their backpacks and standing outside the car, slipped them onto their backs and waited.

  Thad already had her case out and brought it to her. “Come on, let’s check in and we’ll get something to eat.”

  Lacy was glad he led the way because she had no clue what to do. There were people everywhere and it wasn’t even eight o’clock yet. She saw Thad pull a knitted skull cap over his head. Quickly she fell into line behind him with Kew and Ting beside her.

  Thad took her case and set it next to his. He made the arrangements and took a breath and with a smile said, “We’re checked. Kew, Ting, keep your backpacks with you at all times. Don’t leave them or set them down.”

  Both nodded.

  “We’ll eat first then we go through security and rest for a few minutes. We’ve got about an hour and a half. Follow me. I know a good restaurant that should have something for everyone.”

  Lacy watched people, running and hustling down the long halls, and some who rode the moving elevator. They walked for about ten minutes before Thad stopped.

  “Here we go.” He gazed around as though looking for someone.

  “Let’s go to the back. It’s quieter.” He pulled out a chair for each of the girls.

  “It’s pretty crazy around here. Mother and Daddy were never much to travel, the farm always needed us.” Lacy looked around.

  “Yeah, it’s a lifestyle. Farming and Traveling. Each have their good points and bad.”

  The waiter came and the orders were given, Kew helping Ting read the menu.

  “So. What is it you most want to see in California, girls?’ He asked.

  Kew knew right away. “I want to see the aquarium in Monterey Bay.”

  “You’ve been doing your homework. “ Thad laughed out loud.

  “Ting?”

  “I not know California.”

  “That’s okay. I’ll show you okay?”

  Lacy watched Ting’s face and saw no fear. Thad was making headway.

  Suddenly excited voices seemed to surround them. Several young girls were whispering behind their hands.

  “Oh no.” Thad groaned. “We didn’t even get our food yet.”

  “Ladies.” He stood up and motioned for them to follow, causing the group to grow larger.

  “We heard you were in a motorcycle crash.” He heard several times.

  Thad turned his face so they could see. May as well get it over with.

  “No pics girls. Promise? I’m still healing.”

  The girls oohed over the injury and after he signed what looked like at least a dozen signatures on whatever the girls had including the backs of their shirts, the group dwindled.

  “Sorry.”

  “It’s like this all the time isn’t it?’ Lacy looked him in the eye.

  “Yep. At first it was fun. It isn’t any more.”

  “I imagine. You can’t even eat in peace.”

  “Trade me places, Lacy. I wanted to sit looking out so I could watch, but I think it would be better if my back was to the crowd. I put the hat on so I could hide my face.”

  Lacy traded chairs.

  “Let me know if you see a group gathering behind me. Meanwhile, our food is here. Let’s eat while we can.”

  Lacy kept her eyes peeled. Somehow she wanted to protect him. Wasn’t it enough he’d been injured, let alone being dumped from the show.

  “It’s good to have you and the girls with me, they’re not used to seeing me with…with, well you’re helping me stay undercover.”

  “Good. I’m glad we can help. This would drive me crazy.”

  “I know that’s true. You wouldn’t even believe…”

  “Don’t say it.” Lacy warned. “None of my business.”

  “Zipped lips.” He smiled at her.

  “Better stay that way, too.” She popped back.

  “Oh Miss Linden already getting sassy.”

  Lacy smiled. It felt good. She was beginning to think she might like this adventure as Thad called it.

  They finished eating in peace. Thad giving his back to the crowd worked.

  Lacy watched him pull his hat down lower over his head and noted that he had dressed in jeans and was wearing an old t-shirt. Part of his incognito plan, she assumed.

  Plus the fact that the soap opera star Thad Gannon would never be seen with a farm girl from Michigan and two Asian young ladies.

  She smiled at that. Now to step foot on a plane. She’d been on one once. But had not flown this far.

  Thad kept his head down and walked like the others. Fast. She had to run to keep up with him. “Is there a fire?”

  “No fire.” He laughed. “Just used to hiding. Come on. We need to get through security and make sure to be at the gate to check the flight, in case they move us to a different one.”

  Lacy picked up her pace following behind the girls.

  Once they were through security, and after a ten-minute walk, Thad spotted their gate, checked, “Yep, Chicago to LA leaving on time”. They settled into chairs. The girls chatted. Lacy loved watching them watching people, talking in their own language and bonding. Her heartbeat had slowed. She felt no anxiety at all and wondered why.

  Chapter 38

  “We’re here.” Thad touched her arm four hours later.

  “We are?” She sat up, peeked out the tiny plane window and over to the girls. They were asleep.”

  “Oh my goodness. I stayed awake the whole time, then must have just dozed off.”

  “About an hour ago.” He informed and waited for the crowd to pass, stepped in the aisle and p
ulled down his carry on and Lacy’s bag.

  “You travel light for a girl.” He handed it to her.

  “Do I?” Her heart fluttered with excitement. “I’ll wake the girls.”

  She touched Ting’s arm and Ting woke Kew. They were up in a flash and slipping their backpacks over their shoulders.

  Thad led her and the girls out and they scurried down the narrow aisle, anxious to see California.

  They walked out into breezy winds and sunshine. Huge bushes of pink Azaleas lined the walkway. “It’s so warm here.” Lacy’s eyes took in everything. She pulled the soft fragrance of sweet smelling flowers into her nostrils and let out a deep breath. “I can’t believe were in California.”

  “My home state.” He smiled but kept his head down.

  Lacy saw it before he did and whispered, “There’s a large group with a sign Welcome Home Thad up ahead.”

  Before she utter another word a crowd of well wishers flocked to the fence, mostly young girls, waving banners and welcome home signs.

  Lacy saw him hesitate and then he stopped, pulled off his hat, exposing his still healing scars and greeted them. He even shook hands and waved. Thanked them and went on his way, cameras pointing and shooting the entire time.

  Before she knew what was happening, Thad grabbed her hand, made sure Kew and Ting were with them and pulled her along.

  “Oh no.”

  “What?” Lacy stopped. Then she heard camera clicks.

  “Don’t stop.” He said and abruptly let go of her hand. “I just gave the paparazzi their next headline, NEW WOMAN IN GANNON’S LIFE. Sorry Lace.”

  “Don’t worry. No one will remember me anyway.” She laughed it off, but kept up with him, the girls on either side of her. She didn’t want to get left behind.

  “Let’s get out of here.” He walked faster, his hat forgotten.

  When they were finally in a rental car windows down and driving toward Hollywood, Thad noted the three of them were all eyes.

  “You like what you see?” He asked the girls.

  Lacy saw them nod. They were too busy rubber-necking, she said aloud.

  Thad chuckled. “This is just the beginning.”

  “My house is only seventeen miles from LAX but we have so much traffic it takes awhile to get there.”