Broken Lies

by Rachel Branton

  “Like it?” She twirled for him. “I bought this outfit in a little store by the beach yesterday. It was insanely discounted.”

  “I do like it.” He bowed. “Milady.”

  Her laughter fell over him like a gentle waterfall. “Your turn to shower,” she said. “Oh, and if you brought my car, we’ll need to talk about how to get you back to Phoenix. Especially if you need to leave before Halla comes on Friday.”

  “I did bring your car, but I’m in no hurry.” He wasn’t going to think about leaving her yet. “While you were in the bathroom, I made my appointment with Datatoon for Friday morning at ten.”

  “Oh, that’s great. But how much do I owe you for my car? I’m betting they charged at least a couple hundred.”

  He looked away, one finger scratching a spot on his neck. “Uh, I didn’t actually take it in.”

  “What?” She looked at him, a hand on her hip. “But you said . . . Oh, I know that look. What did you do?”

  He shrugged. “It was an easy fix, and I do my own repairs when I can’t get my car into a mechanic I trust. The brake parts were only fifty bucks, and the belt that was making the funny noise was ten.”

  “Thank you.” Saffron hugged him. “You didn’t have to do that.”

  “I wanted to.” He held onto her at least two seconds longer than necessary, but she didn’t seem to mind. She smelled of lavender, aloe gel, and a hint of something else. Something that made him want to bury his face in her neck and never let go.

  “I was hoping we could go parasailing during my trip,” he said after retreating a step. “But that wouldn’t be fun today with your sunburn. So how about we go to Catalina Island for lunch?”

  Her jaw dropped in protest. “No! Let’s go parasailing. My sunburn’s much better today.” She pulled the elastic neck of her top out to show a bit of her shoulder, but winced as her nail scraped her skin.

  He moved closer to examine it. “Still red,” he murmured. “The herbs and aloe gel are great, but you’d be miserable. We can do it tomorrow or Friday after my appointment instead.”

  Her shoulders slumped. “I know you’re right, but I wish you weren’t.”

  He touched her back over the thin material of her shirt. “You don’t feel hot, at least.”

  “I just took a cold shower.”

  He gave her a slow grin. “I have that effect on women.”

  She started laughing, slugging him in the arm. “Yeah. Okay. I see where that’s going. Get ready, or I’m going to eat without you.”

  Vaughn walked to the bathroom door, where he stopped for a second and stared at Saffron, who was putting away her nightclothes. He took a mental picture, hope battling against the feeling of loss in his chest. His mouth tasted like sand, and his heart pounded as if he were headed down a run of particularly rough rapids with no life preserver or paddle.

  With an internal sigh, he forced himself into the bathroom and took his own cold shower.

  22

  Saffron surveyed the organization Vaughn had made of the room. She should have done it herself, but with all that had been going on, she hadn’t even thought about it. She was accustomed to periodic chaos, having been so many years at Lily’s House, but it was amazing how much better she felt without Kendall’s clutter everywhere.

  Her back was feeling better too, when she wasn’t accidentally scratching it. She’d lathered her skin not only with the aloe, but with two layers of sunscreen to prevent further rays from sneaking in through her blouse.

  The day stretched out before her with promise. Lunch at Catalina with Vaughn and then dinner with Tyson. She should let Tyson know she had a car now, so he wouldn’t need to send one. Or should she? She didn’t want to strand Vaughn without transportation. And the last thing she needed was for Tyson to bring her back to Temecula and find Vaughn here.

  How would Vaughn feel if he was here and she didn’t come back tonight? Saffron’s stomach churned. We’re just friends, she told herself. He doesn’t have a say in this.

  She hurried to her phone and saw that Tyson had been texting her since last night and had called this morning shortly before she’d woken up.

  Is something wrong? His last text said. I’m about ready to abandon my parents and come knocking on your window! But I keep telling myself you’re sleeping. Or maybe you forgot to charge your phone.

  He’d sent this last text when she’d been watching the movie with Vaughn, and that brought a twinge of guilt. She should have called Tyson after her mother’s visit, not Vaughn. Yet she couldn’t find it in herself to regret doing so.

  She texted back. Sorry, rough night. I got sunburned yesterday and had an awful confrontation with my mom. But I’m okay. How did your dad’s treatment go? I’m still planning on tonight.

  There was no reply, and she hadn’t expected one. He’d be at the hospital now with patients. Well, she wasn’t going to worry about him or Vaughn right now. She was going to enjoy herself at Catalina and forget everything difficult.

  Her eyes landed on another text that had come in from Kendall this morning. PLEASE CALL ME, it said in all capital letters. Worry sliced through the contentment she’d been feeling. Hurriedly, she pushed Kendall’s call icon. Three rings with no answer and then a breathless, “Hi.” A slight hesitation before Kendall added, “Oh, thank you so much.”

  This last sounded far away and not directed at Saffron. “What’s up?” Saffron said. “Your text got me worried.”

  “Sorry, I was paying for breakfast. But I need your help. I’m stranded in Las Vegas.”

  “You’re what? What happened to Joel?”

  “He left me here.” A heavy sigh. “It’s not entirely his fault. They kept smoking, and I got really car sick, even though I kept putting my head out the window. Then I started throwing up and Joel had to stop like five times. It was so embarrassing, throwing up all over the road like that. When they left this morning, Joel told me I couldn’t go with them. I don’t know what to do. I took out some money yesterday on my credit card, but it’s not working anymore. I used the last of my cash just now on food.”

  Suspicion crawled through Saffron. “You got money out yesterday?”’

  “Yeah, some money for the road. Everyone had to put in five hundred bucks. So I paid for a car part Joel needed to get his car working because the guy who was planning to drive bailed, and I didn’t want them smoking in my car. Look, it doesn’t matter. I’m glad not to be going with them.”

  “Joel just left you there?”

  “Well, he thought you or Mom could help me.”

  “What a jerk,” Saffron couldn’t help saying.

  “I know. But please let’s stop talking about him. I don’t want to hear even his name right now. I need help.” Kendall’s voice held a hint of panic. “Can you go get my car and come pick me up? I left it where Joel’s been staying. You’ll have to go see Mom first for the key. She has an extra. I know you don’t want to see her, but I can’t stay here. Please.”

  “Look, I’m coming, okay? Calm down. It’ll take me hours to get there, though. Will you be okay until then?”

  Kendall sniffed, but when she spoke, she sounded calmer. “Yeah. I asked for late check-out, and if you don’t get here before two, I can hang out in the lobby. They won’t care.”

  “Okay, I’m coming.”

  “I knew you would. Thank you. I’ll text you Joel’s friend’s address, and the hotel’s. And I’m sorry about having to go to Mom’s.”

  “I won’t have to. My friend drove my car down for me last night, so I have a car again.”

  “Really? You mean the guy who’s head-over-heels in love with you?”

  “He’s a friend.” Saffron could strangle Halla for talking too much.

  “Well, I can’t wait to meet him. Hurry, okay? But drive safely.”

  “I will. Goodbye.” Saffron hung up and turned, nearly running into Vaughn. How long had he been there?

  “What’s wrong?” he asked, steadying her with his strong hands.r />
  “Change of plans. I have to pick up my sister. She’s stranded in Las Vegas.” Saffron quickly gave him a rundown, aware of his closeness. He looked really good, muscles taut under his patterned button-up shirt and his blond hair slightly spiked. In the khaki shorts, his legs looked tanned and strong. When she dragged her eyes back to his, he seemed to be laughing at her.

  “Let’s go then,” he said.

  She blinked. “You don’t have to waste your day. But I will need the car.” She paused before rushing on. “Otherwise, I’ll have to go get my sister’s key from my mother, and she’s probably at work. I’m not sure how to track her down.”

  Vaughn pulled her key from his pocket, tossing it to her. “Definitely take your car, but I’d like to go with, if that’s okay. We’ll grab some breakfast downstairs, and we’ll eat lunch in Vegas instead of Catalina.”

  Having the company for the long drive did sound good. “Okay. But lunch is my treat.”

  He winked. “I don’t think so. I’m the one who asked you to lunch first. Now, do you want me to drive?”

  “Not on your life, mister.” She always drove when they took her car, and he drove when they took his car. She hated going out with guys who expected to drive her car just because they were male.

  “Good, because I have a little work on my laptop I can do.”

  She laughed. “When you were cleaning up, did you see my purse?”

  “Over there on a box—oh, it looks like it slipped between the two boxes on top of that big suitcase.”

  Saffron hurried over to the bag, but the text on the nearest box called her attention: For Saffron. I’m so sorry.

  Even after all these years, she recognized the handwriting as her mother’s. She was every bit as sure that the box hadn’t been here yesterday. It was about eighteen square inches and white instead of brown like Kendall’s boxes that were stamped with brand logos. Instead of four flaps, the top lifted off.

  Mesmerized, she grabbed the sides of the box, shaking it to pull the top free. The box was heavier than it looked, and the top fit tightly, but she finally pulled it off. A gasp escaped her lips.

  “What is it?” Vaughn was at her side in an instant, his warm hand on her back near her waist.

  She stared at the cellophane packages of beads. This was the collection she’d left behind. But there were five times more beads at least, and this box wasn’t the one she’d kept them in.

  She dug in, picking up a handful. The new beads were all colors and designs, each one as tasteful as if she’d picked them out herself. Some were single and large, others were smaller and came in packages of a dozen. There was a gold one she was sure she could make into a necklace that would sell for a hundred bucks. Mixed in with these unfamiliar beads were beloved ones she recognized. Some she’d purchased new and others, the ones in plastic sandwich bags, were beads she’d found at vintage stores.

  Vaughn picked up a few of the packages. “Did you bring these? Is something missing?”

  She shook her head, letting the cellophane slip between her fingers. “I think this is my mom’s strange way of giving me a hug.”

  “Really?”

  Saffron nodded, hardly knowing how to feel. “After I left home, my beads were one of the things I regretted not taking. But many of these . . . they’re new. I’ve never seen them before. And Kendall would have shown me if she’d brought them. My mother must have brought the box when she came yesterday.”

  “So the dragon has a heart after all?” He studied her with sympathy. “Does that change anything, do you think?”

  “I don’t know.” She paused, struggling to gather her thoughts. She wavered between joy at being reunited with her collection and upset at her mother’s additions. Not that the new beads weren’t great, but they paled in comparison to what Saffron had suffered. “I’m not sure how they got here, actually. I didn’t see her bring the box in. When she left I was in the bathroom, and I only heard the door shut once.” Or maybe she wasn’t remembering correctly. The whole confrontation was foggy in her mind.

  “Well, I’d keep them.”

  “Oh, yeah. Of course.” Saffron gave the beads a pat and pushed back on the lid. But did she need to say thank you? She wasn’t sure she could. Unless . . .

  “It might be a peace offering,” Vaughn said, reading her mind. He was rubbing her back near her waist lightly as he often had after a busy shift at the sports store, obviously being careful to stick to the lower part of her back that wasn’t burned. His touch felt so natural, it took her a moment to remember she should step away.

  She picked up her purse and headed for the door. “Let’s go. I’ll figure out how to deal with my mother later.”

  After an hour on the road, Vaughn still hadn’t taken out his laptop, and when Saffron questioned him, he admitted that he’d left it at the inn on purpose. “I decided it would be much more fun to beat you at the alphabet game,” he said.

  She glanced his way. “You’re only beating me because I’m driving.”

  “Hey, a guy has to push whatever advantage he has. You know, it’s genetically proven that women are better at word games.”

  “Really?”

  “I don’t know. I just made it up.” His grin made her laugh.

  As the city they were passing through gave way to desert, they talked about his students and his next planned river run. She also told him about her recent jewelry orders and how Lily had invited Kendall to stay with her.

  “That’s a great idea,” he said. “This guy Joel sounds like a real loser.”

  “I know.” Saffron frowned at the road for a long, silent moment.

  “What?”

  “It’s just . . . how can I know that he’s really a jerk? What if he acts this way because he’s young? What if he’s her soul mate? The one who’ll make her life complete if she can wait for him to grow up a little?”

  Vaughn shook his head. “Then he’d stand up and be the man she needs now. She can’t wait until later.”

  Saffron felt him watching her, and she wondered if he suspected she was thinking of Tyson and what they’d lost. No, he couldn’t even begin to imagine how it felt to lose the person you were supposed to be with forever.

  “How is your sister?” she asked, wanting to change the subject.

  “Good. My mom’s over the moon about finally becoming a grandmother. She’s going to be at the actual birth, while my dad and I hang out in the waiting room, but before that, my sister and her husband have all sorts of plans: Facebook posts from the hospital, games we’re all going to play while we wait for things to progress, food we’ll sneak in to my sister, and I’m under strict orders to film my dad’s reaction when he first sees the baby. If you could hear all the hints my mom’s sending my way about making my own babies, you’d tell me to run for the hills.”

  Saffron had only met his mother once at the sports store near the beginning of their dating. She’d reminded Saffron of an older Lily, but with a lot quieter house. She’d been friendly—almost too much so—and Saffron had avoided her after that meeting. Mothers tended to love her, and sometimes it was worse hurting them when she broke up with her boyfriends than it was hurting the guy. She’d made it a habit not to get close.

  “I don’t know,” Saffron said. “You’d make a good dad.” He would, too, if the way he handled the Boy Scouts during their river runs was any indication.

  “I can’t wait to try.” His hand closed over hers, the one resting on her lap. “You’ll make a good mother too.”

  She squeezed his hand, surprised to feel no rush of pain when she thought of her son. “Thanks.” She wanted a baby, she could admit that to herself now as she hadn’t before. Maybe with Tyson. Did he want children right away? She felt an odd catch in her throat, but she pushed it away.

  “Let’s sing.” Vaughn began rifling through her CDs. “We’ll pick one at random.”

  For the next hour, they sang along to random songs on various CDs and laughed until Saffron felt hoarse.
Both of them were decidedly bad at singing, which made it that much more fun.

  The next few miles passed as they chatted about Vaughn leaving the university and going back to animation full time. “I miss it,” he admitted. “I loved designing game characters, but I’m not too sure about going back to Datatoon. I might want to try my hand at movie animation or maybe dip my toes into animated marketing videos.”

  “Well, you don’t have to decide until you need to sign a new teaching contract, right?”

  “I’ve pretty much let them know I won’t be returning.” He paused, and the joviality dropped away. “You know, I’ve been animating for ten years now, even before I left high school, and I love it, but it’s not as fulfilling as it used to be. I think I might be . . . well, people my age, they’re beginning to settle down. With my sister becoming a mom, and all my friends going in different directions, it’s like I told you in Phoenix, I think I’m ready for something new.”

  The words hung between them . . . settling down . . . something new. She hadn’t thought about his words in Phoenix, but she could see how it must have felt to him—that she was standing still, while he was ready to get on with living. Except now, since coming back home, settling down and finding something new was exactly what Saffron wanted. She loved her job, her foster family, and dating different men, but somewhere along the line, all of it had lost a little bit of shine. Maybe it was revisiting her past, the old wounds laid bare, but she was taking care of that. With Tyson, she’d be able to move forward.

  “Why so sad?” he asked, concern in his eyes.

  “I’m not. Just thinking.” To her surprise, it was true. Even though she wasn’t spending the day like she’d expected, it still stretched invitingly like the road before her. Waiting for her footprints.