by Jamie Begley
A small smile tugged at his lips. Her temper had surprised him today. Over the last couple of years, he had seen a few flashes of it, but today it had passed her barricade and broken loose. She had been jealous, and she didn’t even realize that was the emotion she was feeling, yet he had known it when he’d opened the office door and seen her face.
He hadn’t touched Jewell in his office. He had told Lily the truth. He hadn’t touched a woman since he had almost lost her and had seen her lying on that hospital bed. The sight of her had made him come to the conclusion he couldn’t wait for her anymore. Lily needed him as much as he needed her.
All summer, he had worked toward one goal—luring her to him. He had almost succeeded, too, if not for that bitch Kaley. Now she believed she hated him and he couldn’t blame her, but it didn’t make a difference because, either way, she wasn’t ready to admit to herself that she cared about him.
* * *
Lily woke the next morning to an empty bed. She showered and dressed and then, leaving the bedroom, she found Shade working out.
“I need to get to the church.”
“Grab some breakfast while I get dressed,” Shade said, setting his weights down.
“All right.” Lily went upstairs.
No one was in the kitchen as she prepared herself a bowl of cereal. She had just finished when Shade came in.
“Ready?”
“Yes,” she answered, putting her bowl into the dishwasher. “Aren’t you going to eat breakfast?”
“Rider and I are going to eat at the diner.”
They walked outside and down the path to Shade’s bike. Rider nodded at her as he came outside, getting on his own bike. Lily put on the helmet that Shade handed her and then got on behind him. Her car was still at the college. She needed to make arrangements to get it back to Treepoint so she wouldn’t have to depend on others for transportation.
The ride down the mountain was spectacular in the fall with the changing leaf colors. Lily couldn’t imagine a more beautiful sight.
Shade pulled into the church’s parking lot by the door that led to the room she and Rachel would be working in for the day.
Lily climbed off the bike, handing Shade his helmet.
“Thanks,” Lily said, starting toward the door.
“Lily.” She paused, turning back toward him. “Call when you’re finished.”
Lily nodded, going inside the building. She needed her car.
Rachel was already there, sorting clothes.
“Hey, Lily.”
“Good morning, Rachel. You’re hard at work, I see.” Lily picked up a handful of socks that the woman was sorting.
Rachel laughed. “Someone donated a whole bag of socks that had no matches.”
Lily looked down at the colorful assortment. “Just bag them into smaller bags. They won’t care. Most of the people we’ll be helping will just be happy to have something warm on their feet this winter.”
“Good idea,” Rachel said, dividing the socks into smaller piles.
The women worked steadily, talking about their week. Lily felt Rachel’s hesitance at broaching the subject of her breakdown.
“Were you okay when you woke up?”
Lily paused before opening another bag. “Yes, but I couldn’t remember what had set off the panic attack.”
Rachel nodded, reaching out to open the bag for her. “I’ve never seen anyone have a panic attack before. It was scary for me to watch. I can only imagine how Beth and Shade felt.”
Lily looked at Rachel. “Shade?”
Rachel looked her in the eye. “It’s obvious he cares about you, Lily. The man never lets you out of his sight unless you’re with Beth and Razer or at church.”
“I don’t like him… sometimes.”
“Why not? It certainly can’t be his looks that don’t attract you. I was in town last week when a woman practically walked into a parking meter while she was watching him.”
“He’s too... well... too...” Lily couldn’t think of the word she was looking for.
“Much?”
Lily nodded. “He’s too handsome, bossy, aggravating, and he can be mean, too.”
Rachel started to get angry. “He’s mean to you?”
“Not exactly,” Lily conceded.
Rachel gave a relieved sigh. “Thank God. I wasn’t looking forward to kicking his ass for you.”
Lily giggled. “You don’t have to; I can do it for myself.” She told Rachel what she had done the day before.
“Stop. I’m going to pee on myself if you don’t.” It took several minutes for Rachel to get herself back under control. “You actually grabbed Shade by the balls?”
Lily nodded her head.
“Why?”
“Because he made me angry with the way he treated Kaley.” Rachel gave her a wry glance before she began to fold the clothes from the bag.
“Are you sure that’s all there was to it? You weren’t just a little bit jealous?” Rachel probed.
“No, I wasn’t. Shade’s just Beth and Razer’s friend, that’s all.”
“Um, hm… I think the lady protests too much.”
Lily tossed one of the t-shirts at her and Rachel laughed, dodging her.
The door opening had both women turning to see who had entered.
“Hi, girls.”
“Hi, Willa.” Willa Weeks was in her early thirties. She was a caterer who specialized in cakes. Her creations had even made a few food magazines. Her cupcakes were also just as delicious-looking, more like little creations of art that didn’t deserve to be eaten.
“I have several bags of old clothes to donate if you can use them. I also updated my kitchen if you need any kitchen appliances. I have the clothes in the car, but the appliances are in my garage at home. I couldn’t move them by myself, so if you can get them picked up, the church can have them.”
“That’s great. The church could give them to someone who really needs them,” Rachel said.
“I thought of a couple of families who I know are cooking on hot plates because they couldn’t afford a new stove,” Willa said.
“I’ll tell Pastor Dean and he can get some volunteers to pick them up,” Lily said.
“Okay. I’m usually home unless I’m making a delivery so anytime is convenient,” Willa responded. “I’ll get the clothes out of my car.”
“I’ll help,” Lily offered.
“Let me,” Rachel said. “I need to work off my dinner from last night.”
Rachel followed Willa out the door. Lily continued to sort clothes while they packed in several more bags.
“That’s a lot of clothes,” Lily commented.
“I cleaned out my closets. I’m afraid my baking isn’t helping my figure any.” Willa was a pretty brunette who both Lily and Rachel had to glance down at because of her barely five-foot frame. “I keep telling myself they’ll invent a diet that will make cupcakes an option.”
“When you find one, let me know.” Rachel laughed.
“There’s one more bag. I’ll get it,” Willa said, going back out the door.
Lily put the bags of clothes to the side for them to work on next. The way everyone was donating, it was going to take several weeks for both her and Rachel to get everything organized.
“Are you thinking what I’m thinking?” Rachel asked.
“I’m afraid so,” Lily answered. “If we’re going to get this shop opened anytime soon, then we need another volunteer or we have to work days during the week.”
Willa walked back into the store carrying another bag of clothes and a small box.
“We appreciate the donations.” Rachel smiled at Willa who laid the clothes on the counter and then the small box, which she pushed toward Lily and Rachel.
Lily opened the box to see two cupcakes, which looked like little clouds of perfection. The pink frosting with chocolate chips was immediately grabbed by the women.
“I thought you two deserved a treat for the time you are donating,” Wil
la said, watching the two women eat her cupcakes.
“None for me?” Pastor Dean said, coming into the room from the church entrance.
Lily watched Willa’s face flame red in embarrassment.
“I’m sorry, Pastor Dean. I didn’t think you would be in the store.”
Pastor Dean eyed them enviously eating the remains of the cupcakes.
“It was delicious,” Lily complimented.
“I wouldn’t know,” Pastor Dean said woefully.
Lily and Rachel laughed while Willa looked embarrassed.
“I better go. I have an order I need to get started.” Willa edged closer to the door.
“Wait a minute, Willa,” Rachel forestalled the woman. “Pastor Dean, Willa has some appliances to donate, but she needs some help getting them here.”
“I’ll take care of it. When would be a good time?”
“Anytime would be fine. I’m usually home,” Willa told him.
“This evening around five sound good? I should be able to round up a couple of men to stop by and pick them up.”
“That’s fine.”
“I appreciate the donations to the church.”
“You’re welcome. Well, I better go. See you tomorrow, Rachel and Lily. Pastor Dean.”
Willa left and Lily looked at Pastor Dean.
“I think she thought you would break into a spontaneous sermon the way she took off from here,” Rachel said.
“She always acts like that. I don’t know why. Am I one of those preachers who puts the fear of God into you by being in the room?” he asked with a frown. “None of the other women in the church act like that. They like to make desserts for me, but she has a kitchen full of baked goods and never brings me anything.” If Lily didn’t know better, she would have thought the Pastor was pouting.
“Those women bring you food trying to catch you. They want to impress you with their cooking skills,” Lily told him.
It was no secret that Pastor Dean was the most eligible bachelor in town. Ever since he had taken over the church after her father’s death, the single women in the congregation had been vying for his attention.
“Willa doesn’t need to worry that she’ll give me that impression. She doesn’t give me the time of day if she can help it. I think if there was another Baptist church in town, she would have left ours already,” Pastor Dean said.
Lily could hear the concern in his voice. “I don’t think that’s true at all. She was probably in a rush.”
“Could be,” Pastor Dean said, yet he didn’t sound like he believed his own words.
Rachel and Lily shared a glance. It was unusual to see Pastor Dean unsure of himself. He was loved and respected by the whole congregation. Lily was sure he had over-thought Willa’s reaction to his presence.
“How soon do you think we’ll be able to open the store for the community?” Pastor Dean asked, changing the conversation.
“We were just talking about that,” Lily answered. “We think we need another helper or we need to do an extra night.”
“I don’t want to impose on your time, but I’ve already asked several to help out and been given every excuse they can come up with.”
“I don’t mind. How about Wednesday, Rachel? We could do it after service.”
“I think that will be fine. I have the time.”
“If you’re both sure?” Pastor Dean asked.
“We’re sure,” Lily answered. It would give her a few extra hours away from the club a week.
“I’ll see you both in the morning then,” Pastor Dean excused himself.
Lily and Rachel spent the rest of the day making headway with the large job ahead of them.
They were going through the last bag when Rachel pulled out a sheer nightgown. She stared down at it then broke out laughing. “Do you think it was a mistake or do you suppose they were trying to give Pastor Dean a message?”
Lily blushed, folding clothes on the table next to her. “What should we do with it?” Lily asked.
“Put it out. We’ll have to watch and see who takes it.” Rachel raised it up so Lily could see it better. “Are you sure you don’t want to take it home?”
“I wouldn’t need it. I don’t believe in premarital sex.”
Rachel just stared at her in disbelief. “Good luck with that.”
“What does that mean?” Lily asked, insulted.
Rachel just shook her head. “I’m not going there.”
“I don’t know why you think it’s strange. I don’t see you getting any man past your brothers.”
Rachel grinned conspiratorially. “No one’s tempted me enough to make me want to go against those knuckleheads, but believe me, when I do, I’ll have no problem saying yes.”
Lily looked at her in surprise. Lily had thought as religious as Rachel was that she would share her own view.
“You would?”
“Oh, yes. I’ve been looking forward to losing my v-card. I just can’t find the man worth giving it up.” Rachel grinned. “You should see your face, Lily.”
“I want my first time to be special,” Lily said, looking down at the clothes held tightly in her hands, not sure why she wanted to cry all of a sudden.
“I do, too,” Rachel said, reaching over to touch her hand lightly. “I didn’t say I wouldn’t love him with my whole heart, just that I don’t need a piece of paper saying it’s all right to express my love in a physical way.”
“But I would want my minister’s blessing.”
“I’m sure Pastor Dean would know and give his blessing if he was aware that you cared about him.” Rachel’s hand tightened on hers before letting go. Lily missed the soothing warmth of her touch.
“I want to wait.”
“Then you should. No one is pressuring you, are they?”
Lily thought hard on Shade’s words from last night. He had told her he wanted her, but he hadn’t demanded anything from her sexually. The man was going to need the patience of Job if he thought she would ever marry him and have his children.
“No.”
“There you go then. Don’t worry about something before you have to. Life is stressful enough.”
“You’re right. I won’t. I’m sure that whoever I pick to spend my life with will understand,” Lily said confidently.
“I wouldn’t go that far, but I believe you’ve got to roll with what life gives you,” she said, nodding her head to the window, seeing Shade pull up in front. “Just remember that promise to yourself when that bad boy is tempting you.”
Lily looked out the window. “He’s not the type of man I pictured my life with.”
“Still hung up on getting a cowboy?”
“Yes,” Lily replied, stubbornly determined to find a way to save Beth’s house.
“Well, all I can say is, I hope he can shoot as good as he can ride a horse.”
Chapter 19
Lily got on the motorcycle behind Shade. “I need to get my car from school,” she told him as she put on the helmet.
“I’ve already taken care of it; it’s parked at your house,” Shade told her before starting his bike.
Lily was happy it was already in town. “Can you drop me off to pick it up?”
“Later,” Shade replied, driving off the parking lot as Lily stiffened at his noncommittal response.
Shade drove through town, turning down a side street and then another before pulling up in front of a pretty two-story home.
“What are we doing here?” Lily asked.
“This is where Diamond and Knox live. I’ll wait here while you talk to her.”
Lily was angry at herself for not remembering she needed to talk to Diamond.
Getting jerkily off the bike, she handed him the helmet, but before she could turn away, he reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a now-familiar envelope.
“You might need these.”
Lily snatched the envelope from his hand, ignoring his confident grin. His sunglasses hid his eyes, but she was sure t
hey contained amusement that he was making no effort to hide.
She headed up the walkway and rang the doorbell. It took several minutes before she heard someone approaching from the other side of the door.
The disheveled woman who answered was not the cool and calm lawyer she was becoming acquainted with.
“Lily.” Her eyes went to Shade sitting in the driveway. “What can I do for you?”
“I’m sorry to bother you, but I have a legal question to ask, if you’re not too busy.”
“Not at all. Come in.” Diamond opened the door wider for her to enter.
“I’m sorry. I should have made an appointment at your office.”
“I wasn’t doing anything important,” Diamond protested.
“Yes, she was,” Knox said, coming into the room as he buckled his gun belt around his waist.
Lily wanted to die of embarrassment at what she had interrupted.
“I’m sorry. I should have called first.” Lily’s face flamed.
“It’s all right. She can make it up to me later. I need to get back to work anyway.” Knox teased his wife before bending down and kissing her goodbye. Lily looked away as the kiss became passionate before breaking apart.
“Bye, Diamond. Lily, everything okay?” Knox asked.
“Yes, I just need a piece of legal advice.”
“All right. I’ll leave you with Diamond then. Take care.”
“I will,” Lily responded to the huge man who didn’t need the uniform to make him look frightening as heck.
Diamond waited for the door to close behind him before asking, “What’s up?” Lily handed her the envelope. “I have a feeling I’m going to need a cup of coffee for this,” she said, leading Lily into the kitchen.
“Have a seat.”
Lily took a seat at her counter while Diamond poured them both a cup of hot coffee.
Diamond opened the envelope on the counter and read as she sipped her coffee. “What am I looking for?” she asked. “Everything looks straightforward.”
Lily pointed to a section that showed the property. “That’s where Beth and Razer built their house.”
Diamond flipped back through the paperwork. “Fuck,” she said. That pretty much summed up what Lily had been afraid of; she was in trouble.