Every Yesterday (Boot Creek)

by Nancy Naigle

  “They are so cute together,” Katy said.

  “He doesn’t seem the lawyer type.”

  “He’s not,” Katy said, leaning in. “He has his law degree, but he decided that wasn’t how he wanted to spend his life. Now he’s a craftsman.”

  A craftsman? Visions of taxidermy flashed in Megan’s mind. Whalebone carving. Followed by a not-quite-so-elegant hat covered in hand-tied fishing lures in every highlighter color imagined.

  Katy pushed those images away quickly with more details. “He’s a glassblower. Apparently a pretty darned good one. He’s going to meet up with a glassblowing company not far from here while he’s in town. That’s why he rented his own car.”

  “Glass? Really?” She looked back in his direction. She could picture him in a long lab coat and safety glasses working the hot molten glass. But right now he was working Flynn, and it was nice to see her with a genuine smile on her face. “I need another glass of wine. Want one?”

  “I could use a refill,” Katy said.

  “Good. Because this maid of honor needs to probably do that whole toasting thing and I make much better toasts with a couple glasses of courage in the hopper.”

  “Better you than me. I can never come up with anything clever to say for those things.”

  They went over to the lunch counter that had been turned into a bar for the night and the bartender set them up.

  Megan and Katy sipped their wine as the crowd continued to grow, and the noise level rose to nearly shouting level.

  “Okay, here goes nothing. If I don’t say something soon, it’ll be too loud to get anyone’s attention. Give me a hand up onto this chair.”

  Katy spotted Megan until she was steady, then kept one hand on the back of her leg for safe measure.

  Megan tapped the side of her glass with a spoon. “Can I have your attention?”

  Friends, neighbors, and family hushed and pulled in closer. “Welcome!” She raised her glass in the air. It was nice to see so many of the people they’d known all of their lives together having a good time. “I’m Megan. I know most of you, but for those I haven’t yet met, I’ve known Angie since grade school. Thank y’all for joining us to celebrate Angie’s retirement from Blue Skies.”

  Her customers hooted and whistled.

  “And help me wish her well on her upcoming nuptials.”

  Megan watched Jackson tug Angie closer and kiss her on the temple. It made her ache just a little for that kind of love, but she knew she could never risk that kind of hurt again. You love too much, you hurt too much. That was a simple equation.

  “Angie and I’ve been best friends since the day we met at Boot Creek Elementary School. If we could have gotten air miles for each minute we spent talking on the phone over the years, we could’ve traveled around the world a few times. We’ve laughed together, cried together, laughed until we cried, okay fine, or until I snorted, which always made her laugh even harder, but all the same it was good. We’ve been there for each other through the hardest times in our lives, and I couldn’t be more delighted to see her happier than I’ve ever seen her . . . with you, Jackson.”

  Everyone clapped and Jackson kissed Angie as the onlookers aaaawwwwwed in response.

  “How many of y’all believe in love at first sight? Show of hands.” Megan raised a hand in the air.

  A smattering of hands rose. Noah stood across the way with his hands folded across his chest, a beer in one hand. He had one of those, “Really?” looks on his face, which she promptly ignored.

  “Yeah, I used to be a skeptic too,” Megan said, making eye contact with Noah. “But these two are proof that it happens. The smile on Angie’s face the first time she mentioned Jackson’s name was the widest, brightest smile I’d ever seen. And when I met Jackson, I knew why. I love the way you love her, Jackson. You made this girl believe in love at first sight. Help me give our host tonight, ol’ man Johnson, a round of applause to thank him for this fabulous night.”

  Derek stepped over and reached for Megan’s hand to help her down. The volume in the room soared back to where it had been a few moments ago, and folks went back to mingling.

  From across the room someone let out a loud whistle, the kind that usually requires a couple fingers in your mouth. All heads turned in that direction.

  Noah didn’t bother to stand on a chair. Didn’t need to at over six feet tall, but he had everyone’s attention.

  Show off.

  “I’m Noah Black. Jackson and I go way back to our days in Tennessee. I’m from California and Ford here traveled all the way from Alaska. Angie, when Jackson called and told me he was getting married, I couldn’t believe it, but after meeting you I can see how and why he fell so deeply in love with you. I believe marriage is a wonderful thing for Jackson. It will teach him loyalty, self-restraint, and compromise. It’ll even develop his sense of responsibility and so many other things he wouldn’t have even needed if he’d stayed single.”

  The men laughed, the women groaned.

  Megan grabbed a fresh glass of wine from the bar and took a long sip. Well, if that wasn’t the most backhanded compliment she’d ever heard. Even if he did have a point.

  “Seriously, everyone is here tonight to wish you two well, and I think I speak for everyone when I say we are so happy you included us in this very special occasion. This time next week you’ll be honeymooning.” Noah leaned toward Jackson. “Not mooning. Those days are now in the past. May the countdown begin?”

  Guys slapped Jackson on the back, but Megan heard the undertones, the unspoken in Noah’s speech. She couldn’t agree with him more. Being married changed a person. That was one heck of a price to snare a long-term roommate. At least he was straight up about what he felt, unlike the men that would tell you what they thought you wanted to hear.

  Megan grabbed a plate off the buffet line and headed out back to grab a burger and to keep herself from chastising Noah. It wasn’t her place, but really why had he seen the need to make a second announcement?

  Several couples were eating out on the back lot. It was cooler out here without all the body heat of the packed restaurant. But the party was inside. With her plate politely full of a little bit of everything ol’ man Johnson had cooked up, Megan went back in.

  “Mind if I slip in here with y’all?” Megan asked Derek before she registered that Noah sat on the other side of the table.

  Keep your enemies closer.

  Derek slid over to make room. “Sure. Join us.”

  The atmosphere was casual and fun, but something about Noah set her on alert. She wasn’t sure why. Derek was telling a couple she didn’t know and Noah about his plans for the retreat.

  “The retreat is for the doctors. A place where medical professionals can renew themselves. Regain balance.”

  The woman sitting across from Derek said, “I can’t imagine dealing with end-stage cancer like you did. It has to tear you apart.”

  “It is hard. Wears on you emotionally. But the drive to heal, to find something that will work, keeps you going. I was burned out way before I realized it. Even before Laney had fallen ill.”

  Megan caught the subtle choke in Derek’s words. “Keep them healthy so they can heal more people,” she offered.

  “That’s the plan.”

  Megan ate while the others made small talk and drank. An older couple walked up to the table, Flynn in their wake.

  “Hello, Derek. How have you been doing? Flynn tells me you are doing very well.” Her eyes twinkled. “You deserve happiness again.”

  “Thank you, Mrs. Crane. I’ll have to introduce you to Katy. I’d love for you to meet her.”

  “Then we will,” the woman said.

  “Rich.” Derek shook the old man’s hand.

  “It is a small world,” Noah said, reaching across the table to shake Rich’s hand too.

  “You know them?” Megan asked.

  “He is the sweetest boy.”

  Somehow Megan doubted that. And the guy sitting a
cross from her was far from a boy.

  Rich Crane bobbed his head. “Nice young man. Johnny-on-the-spot to help us out at the airport. He didn’t have to do that either. Just walked right up and offered. Appreciate that, son.”

  “It was my pleasure,” Noah said. “I’m sure you’d have done the same.”

  Flynn wrapped her hands around her grandparents. She was inches taller than both of them. “What are the odds y’all would have been on the same plane, much less had a conversation, and then be sleeping under the same roof? It was like fate that we were all supposed to meet.”

  Megan tried not to roll her eyes, but she had a terrible poker face. She knew full well what was going through Flynn’s head. First it was Ford. Now Noah. They were going to have to hide Flynn just to protect all the other single men from her relentless flirting. Bless her heart.

  Suzy Crane beamed in Noah’s direction, like she might be hoping pretty boy Noah was the right boy for Flynn too. “Flynn told us that you’re the best man in Angie’s wedding.”

  “Yes, ma’am. Jackson and I have been friends for years. Since high school days. Angie seems like a sweet girl. I’m honored to be a part of their big day.”

  Puh-lease. Megan wasn’t buying that for a minute. She heard the subtext in his little toast earlier. He wasn’t happy that his friend was getting married. He’d probably be the first one to give him a ride out of town.

  “And sweet Megan. How’s your momma doing? Is she here tonight?”

  “She’s doing great. You know how she is. Working nonstop. She and her flowers are inseparable. I’m sure if you walk down to the shop she’s there whipping up corsages for the big football game Friday night. She had a ton of orders.”

  “Such a sweet woman. You look just like her.”

  “Thank you.” When she glanced up Noah was staring at her. She pressed her hands down on the table and smiled, focusing her attention back on the Cranes.

  “Angie tried to get Derek here to be the maid of honor. But he refused.”

  Noah almost choked on his beer.

  Derek took a sip of his. “My reaction exactly.” They tapped their beer bottles together across the table. “Some things are best left the way they were meant to be. And I personally think Megan makes a much prettier maid of honor than I would have.”

  “I’m sure of that,” Noah said, giving her a little nod. Darn if his mouth didn’t look good with the beer dampening his lips. He licked the droplet away.

  With that, Megan excused herself from the table. “It was so good to see you,” she said to the Cranes. “I’m sure we’ll get to spend some more time together this week.” She couldn’t get away from that table and Noah’s constant staring quick enough. She put her plate on one of the trays near the kitchen and then headed for the bathroom. She just needed a minute. She wasn’t even sure why she was so bothered by that guy. He hadn’t done or said a thing wrong. Maybe it was the heat in this joint. She’d never been one much for crowds anyway. She ran her hands under some cool water and took a breath. It was the heat, she told herself as she tried to relax, the heat hung mercilessly, there was no way the air-conditioning could keep up with everyone coming in and out of the place.

  I’m fine.

  I’m overreacting.

  Definitely just the heat. And the wine. And the press of all of those people. She felt better already. She checked her makeup and reapplied her lipstick, a soft pink that made her skin look more tan.

  Angie was standing outside of the door, probably trying to take a potty break, but no one would give her a moment’s peace.

  “Hey, gal,” Megan said, giving Angie’s shoulder a casual squeeze. “You doing okay?”

  “Great.”

  The couple that had been talking to Angie excused themselves and she gave them a wiggly finger wave. “Drink this,” Angie said. “I can’t have another drink. I don’t know how many I’ve even had.”

  “Well, it is a party. And you’re the guest of honor.”

  “Who’d like to be able to walk out of here at the end of the night.”

  Megan snagged the glass of wine from Angie’s hand. “My duty as maid of honor.” She took a generous sip of the cool liquid.

  “Thanks so much for that sweet toast earlier. You didn’t have to do that.”

  “I know. But it seemed appropriate. And I knew ol’ man Johnson would love the round of applause.”

  “Oh, he ate that up. Big ol’ teddy bear. He’ll never admit it, but I could tell.”

  “I thought you’d appreciate that.”

  “So much. One of my regular customers just walked in. I guess I’d better go say hello.”

  Megan raised the glass of wine in a silent toast as Angie hurried off. Most of the people in the room were coupled. She didn’t want a husband, or even a boyfriend, but at times like these, being single in a sea of duos made her feel like the odd man out.

  No one would notice if she disappeared for a little while. She slipped out the backdoor and hung close to the building, in the shadows. She could catch some night air and quiet before going back in.

  The smell of the burgers on that big cooker reminded her of Daddy grilling when she was a kid. He was a master of the barbecue. It was a nice night, and the crowd of people that had been out here eating earlier had dissipated. Seemed most were enjoying the bar and desserts inside now.

  “Hey. Too much going on in there for you?”

  She stumbled over her own foot as she noticed Noah. “Hi. No. I was just getting some fresh air. You found my secret hiding spot.”

  “Not that good of a secret if the new guy in town can find it.”

  “True.”

  “Don’t let me stop you. There’s plenty of room.”

  Walking away would be rude, so she took a seat.

  “I like your outfit. That color blue is really pretty on you.”

  Charmer. “Thank you,” she answered politely, not really taking much from the compliment. He probably handed them out like handing out speeding tickets at the Indy 500. Pointless.

  “I know what you mean about the fresh air. All that lovey-dovey stuff going on in there can get a little suffocating.” He tugged at his shirt collar.

  Okay. She liked him better. A little anyway. “True that.”

  “You ever been married?”

  “Kind of personal for a first question, don’t you think?”

  “You don’t want to answer it?” He folded his arms.

  “Nope. You?”

  “Nope. Never been married? Or nope, you don’t want to answer, which means you have been . . . probably several times.”

  Touché. “I’ve never been married. A status I rather embrace.” His quick wit tickled her.

  “Looking?”

  “You asking?” she challenged.

  “Hell, no,” he said, without even a nanosecond’s hesitation.

  “Thank God.”

  “I’m not your type?”

  He almost sounded disappointed, and she wasn’t quite sure why she found that a bit appealing. “I don’t have a type,” she said. “I like doing what I want, when I want. It works for me.”

  “I know what you mean. Me too.” He leaned forward on the concrete table—the striation of his biceps noticeable even under the dim glow from the moon. He tapped her ring finger. “So why the ring?”

  He noticed. She wiggled her fingers. “This? My dad gave it to me when I turned sixteen. It fits on this finger best. And it’s not a bad way to keep guys at arm’s length if they are the type on the prowl for a single gal to turn into their happy homemaking bride.” She caught his gaze. “Or the kind that will be gone the next day anyway.”

  He leaned back. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

  “You seem like the latter.”

  “Well, I’m definitely not the first one. Not looking for a bride. But I’ll be here through at least next weekend, so I’m not the latter either.” He held her gaze for a long moment. “So . . . the ring. Good idea. And way more s
ubtle than the ‘Stay Ten Feet Back’ sign I usually hang around my neck. Maybe I need one of those.”

  She scrunched her nose. “I’m not so sure diamonds and sapphires would be a real good look on you. In fact, might send the wrong message altogether.”

  “Don’t think I could carry off the gems, huh? Well, maybe just a band then.” He gave her a wink, and she liked that he thought he could match her wits for wits. But she had her doubts that he could. “You always a smarty-pants?” he asked.

  “I may have been accused of that a time or two . . . or twenty before.”

  “Cute as you are I guess you can get away with it.”

  Was he flirting? Or just a kindred spirit? “You think I’m cute?”

  “I said it, didn’t I?” He turned and watched his friends. Shaking his head. “I used to think I knew these guys as well as I know myself, but things are changing now that Jackson is getting married.”

  “Maybe you’re next.”

  “No, ma’am.” He took her hand in his and stroked the ring on her finger. “I like the idea of a woman independent enough not to want to be tied down.”

  “That sounds like a man who has had his heart broken.”

  “Don’t need a broken heart to know you don’t want one. I’m a solitary man. I like it that way.”

  Megan wasn’t sure how to respond to his very serious tone. So she kept her mouth shut. Wasn’t so far from her own beliefs anyway, so who was she to judge?

  The tension in his jaw eased and a slight smile teased the corners of his mouth. “So, Megan-who-wears-a-ring, I get the feeling you don’t like me so much.”

  “I don’t even know you.”

  “My point exactly. So, do I remind you of someone? Did I say something wrong?”

  His honesty caught her off guard. And the truth was she didn’t even have an answer. Not a good one anyway. “No. I’m not even sure why, but you’re right. My guard went up. I can’t put my finger on it. You gonna tell me what it is I’m feeling?”