He's Got Her Goat

by Christine

  Paige and Sterling laughed. “We know,” they said at the same time.

  HEADING BACK TO THE HOUSE, Paige held Sterling’s hand tight. “I think Misty has a little crush on our boy Austin.”

  “Could be.” Sterling said, but she could tell his mind was somewhere else.

  “What is it?”

  “I made plans for us today. I’m not sure with all that’s gone on that you’re up to them.”

  “What plans? Does it have to do with that CD Misty was talking about?” Paige bit her lip. She wanted this to last forever, surrounded with family and people you could count on.

  “Yes.” He squeezed her hand. “Tonight’s the dance at the Pit, and I thought we might practice. Misty dropped off some music, and I got the key to the high school gym. What do you think?”

  A smile blossomed across her face. “Sounds fun.” She was happy to keep reality at bay for a few hours longer, but in the back of her mind she knew it wouldn’t be kept there for long.

  Chapter Thirty-Seven

  THE HOUSE SEEMED UNUSUALLY QUIET, and the pickup was gone as they approached. Sterling hustled to the barn while Paige peeked in the kitchen. It looked like Linda had only gotten through the first three molds before she’d been interrupted. The wire was still laced through a block of hardened soap.

  The slam of the screen door signaled Sterling’s entrance. “The boys are gone, too. Dad must have taken everyone out for lunch.”

  “Great.” Paige said. “I’ll take a quick shower and be ready in a few minutes, alright?”

  “And I’ll shower in the garage.”

  She laughed. “You’re kidding, right?”

  “Nope.” Sterling ducked in the laundry room to grab a towel. “Dad’s office is out there with a full bath. Believe me, it’s best to avoid temptation. Especially if dad comes home while I’m sneaking in on you.” He pecked her cheek.

  She shoved him lightly toward the door. “Then get a move on. I’d like to be ready before your family comes home.”

  With the house empty, Paige mounted the stairs and walked down the hall. The normal groans and creaks of an old house was something she was used to, but another sound came to her ears that didn’t fit. It was so soft, she could barely hear it, like muffled breathing or someone with a cold. Instead of turning to the right at the hall, she went left and came to a closed door. She rapped on it gently.

  “Come in.” It sounded like one of the little boys, the tenor was so high.

  Turning the knob, Paige immediately recognized the master bedroom. On the other side of the bed next to an end table with an ancient phone on it, Linda held a tissue balled in her fist. Her nose was red. Her eyes puffy. She gestured for Paige to come in.

  Paige sat beside her. She didn’t want to pry but wanted to help in some way. “Is there anything I can do?”

  “Not unless you can change history.” Linda wiped her nose. “It amazes me that a man can chew on the same bone for twelve years and still hasn’t had enough of it.”

  “This is your husband you’re talking about?” Paige said, still unsure what was going on.

  She bobbed her head. “Yes, Darryl.”

  The glowing name on the ceiling suddenly made sense. “So you’ve known each other since high school?”

  “Before that.” Her cheeks lifted in what must have been pleasant memories. “I knew I wanted to marry Darryl since the second grade. Everything would have been fine if he hadn’t gotten appendicitis as a senior. He had an allergic reaction to the pain meds and missed three months of school. They decided to let him repeat his final year of high school.”

  “That’s got to be hard, but why would it affect him for twelve years?” Paige was still trying to understand.

  “You don’t know?” Linda looked at her, seeming a little dazed.

  “Nothing about this,” Paige said.

  “Darryl’s wanted to play professional baseball all his life. A bunch of scouts were scheduled to come to the game he missed because he got sick, so the next year he was given the same position on the baseball team. The problem was that Sterling was a year behind us in school and planned on taking that spot.” Linda bowed her head.

  “Oh, I see,” Paige said.

  Linda turned toward Paige. “It wasn’t just baseball for Sterling, like it was for Darryl. Sterling had been captain of the football team and the basketball team. He wanted all three, and when Sterling latches on to something, he’s a pit bull.”

  “I believe that.” From what she’d seen of his business dealings, Paige knew it was an accurate statement.

  “Anyway, when Darryl was named captain of the team instead of Sterling, my brother threw him a party. We all thought he was being a great sport. What I didn’t know until we got there is that Sterling had talked the Freeman boys into bringing a keg.” Linda stared at her like it was significant.

  “That seems like something all stupid seniors do,” Paige said.

  Linda lifted one brow. “Except the school board had signed a zero tolerance rule for drinking if you wanted to play on a sports team. No one knows who called the cops on us, but we all had to take Breathalyzer tests. Sterling was the only one who hadn’t had a drop.”

  “Really?” Paige was getting the picture.

  “And none of the other key baseball players were even invited to the party.”

  “Oh,” Paige said.

  “When Dad found out, he was furious. You could hear them screaming at each other all the way from the barn. Dad felt Sterling had hurt our family’s good name. Sterling said what he did was entirely legal and thought Dad was overreacting. The next morning Sterling was gone, but Darryl was still off the team. They haven’t spoken since.”

  Paige looked at the old rotary phone. “So now Darryl knows Sterling’s here?”

  Linda nodded. “It’s funny. The night I came here we were fighting about this very thing. Darryl still blames Sterling for his failures. I couldn’t take it anymore and came home for a break.” Linda huffed out of frustration.

  “How did he find out about Sterling?” Paige asked.

  “Josh told his father about Daffodil. I suppose it had to be faced some time. He’s on his way.” Linda stood. “I guess I’ll go warn Sterling.”

  Paige’s hand shot out and caught Linda’s. “Don’t. We’re going to the high school gym to dance. That should give you time to calm down Darryl enough for them to face each other. I knew something was up with Sterling being gone for so long. This makes total sense. If he can fix this, it will help them both.”

  Linda put her other hand over Paige’s. “I thought the same thing, but I couldn’t do it alone. Dad didn’t want to talk about it, and Sterling was in hiding. With Mom gone, I didn’t know what to do.”

  “We’ll tackle this together,” Paige said. “It’s time we all face the monsters in our closets.”

  Chapter Thirty-Eight

  THE OFFICE AND ADJOINING BATHROOM were definitely a male domain. Sterling tried to ignore the active spider webs in the corner of the unused shower as he lathered up and was out in record time. After yanking on new jeans and a fresh shirt, he went to look for the CD Misty said she'd dropped by while he was gone. In the office he found his dad had the same Holstein hide chair that he remembered as a schoolboy. The desk was piled high with bills and notices.

  Though it would kill his dad to know he did it, he sorted through them. They told an all too common story. The taxes on the property were equivalent to a mortgage. He found installment payments his father was still making on dairy equipment he’d lost. Anyone else would go to court to declare bankruptcy and have these obligations removed, but he knew his dad would never do such a thing. It was a matter of honor with him. If he signed an agreement, he’d hold to it, even if it took the last ounce of his life’s blood.

  Sterling’s eyes lifted. On the front edge of the desk was a carved frame. Inside sat a picture he had forgotten about. It was taken Sterling’s junior year, right before Darryl got sick. His mom and dad sto
od all smiles, arm in arm, surrounded by the three of them, Linda, Sterling and Darryl. Everyone was so happy, so innocent of what would tear them apart in the next few months. Under the frame sat the CD. Sterling shook his head, wondering if his dad had put it there intentionally, so he’d see the picture.

  If he could fix things, he would, but Darryl would never talk to him again. He knew that. Sterling had just been young and stupid, and it was twelve years ago. Maybe Linda and the boys could talk some sense into his brother-in-law.

  The sound of the pickup rolling into the driveway got him to his feet. Sterling hurried to the door and met Paige leaving the kitchen. Her hair was pulled up in a ribbon and tawny ringlets framed her face. They strolled arm in arm to the pickup as the boys leapt from the back of the truck with overloaded ice cream cones.

  Sterling rubbed the top of Josh’s head. “I see you went to the drugstore. Best ice cream ever.”

  His dad approached him, his expression serious. “Bob Newell says you’re planning to make a visit there later.”

  “I’m just bringing back the key I borrowed. It’s nothing, Dad.”

  His dad seemed to grow old before his eyes. “That man is no friend of yours. When we parted ways, my anger was turned the wrong direction. He may not have done it, but he fueled it. You stay clear of him. Ya’ hear?” His brows were lifted as high as they’d go and his mouth formed a little slit.

  It broke Sterling’s heart that he’d caused his dad such pain. It wasn’t the coach’s fault. It was his and his alone. Wherever a person went, they could find people like the coach who loved to pit people against each other and watch the fireworks. The key was not to play. He was so blind then.

  He hugged his father. “I love you, Dad.” As he pulled away, Sterling smiled. “Can I take your truck?”

  His father returned the smile, struggling to keep the moisture in his eyes where it belonged. “Go on then,” he said gruffly.

  Sterling opened the passenger door first for Paige and then trotted around the square front of the full-size pickup to take his place behind the wheel. The bench seat allowed her to snuggle right up next to him. As he pulled onto the highway, Sterling felt at peace. There was something about the rumble of a diesel engine that made him feel he could conquer anything.

  Though the high school was less than half a mile down the road, the gymnasium was tucked in the far corner of the parking lot and shaded by a copse of trees. They let themselves in the huge square room lined with bleachers. Sterling opened a door to a room partitioned off with glass and put a CD into a slot on the wall. Soon the sounds of “Cotton-Eyed Joe” were blaring over the PA system.

  He turned down the volume and took Paige’s hand. “Have you ever done this before?”

  “What are you talking about? Dance alone in a school gym with the football captain or learn the steps to this song?” Sterling began to answer, but she lifted her hands. “It doesn’t matter because the answer to both is no. This is entirely new territory for me.”

  “Me too,” he said, taking her in his arms. If it weren’t for Paige, he may never have come home. He’d never have met his nephews or hugged his dad. His arms tightened around her. “Thank you. You don’t even know how you’ve changed my life.”

  “That’s truer than you know,” she whispered.

  He held her by the shoulders and looked into her eyes. The music changed to a slow ballad. “These past few days have been crazy, and it doesn’t look like it’s stopping anytime soon, but for right now, can we just dance?”

  “For now.” Her ringlets jiggled with her nod.

  They rocked back and forth to the music as one. He relished being with her, feeling free of the anger he’d been holding onto for years. It was through her he was healed, and he would do anything he could to repay her. He somehow knew from the minute he walked into her living room two weeks ago that step by step she’d bring him home. He thought back to when the goats were taken, and he found her in the meadow with Petunia. She had asked him two things of him. He never answered back. It was time.

  “Paige, do you remember when I held you in the meadow behind your house?”

  “Mm-hmm.” Her eyes were closed as she nuzzled against his chest.

  “You asked me then if I’d ever lied to you.”

  She opened her eyes. “Yes?” Now he had her attention.

  “Well, I didn’t, but I didn’t tell you everything either. You’ve wondered over and over why I left here. I told you that my dad and I got in a fight, but I never told you what it was about.”

  Paige kissed his hand which was right beside her cheek. “Linda told me about Darryl. What I want to know is what would you do if you saw him again?”

  “I’d tell him I was wrong. I was a jerk back then, and I’ve been one for years since. You were right about the second thing, too. I do push people into things, and I’ll never do that to you. I’ll respect it when you tell me to stop or back away.”

  She grinned. “Well, you’re lucky because I don’t remember saying no to you for quite some time.”

  The music swelled into a second chorus. As they danced, Sterling remembered another vow he’d made to himself that he was fulfilling. “You know,” he whispered in her ear, “I thought we’d dance in Dallas together with you in that sapphire dress, but it’s even nicer here.”

  Paige agreed. “That was a beautiful dress. I’m sad I left it behind.”

  “It’s in the trunk of my Lexus right now.” Sterling twirled her with the last note. “When you left Dallas, I determined that things would work out between us.”

  Folding her arms, Paige gave him a censuring look. “Really.”

  “But if you had said no, I would have respected that.”

  She laughed and hugged him.

  Chapter Thirty-Nine

  PAIGE BIT HER THUMBNAIL and peered out the truck window. One last errand, and it would be over. They pulled in front of a white brick building with a large front porch and two empty rockers. Above the porch a painted sign read Mike’s Drugstore. The place looked quaint, except for the sheriff’s car parked out front.

  “He’s still here. Come on, Paige, this shouldn’t take long,” Sterling said.

  “I’ll wait in the car.” They’d been gone two hours, and Paige worried Darryl was already there. She could imagine Linda waiting for them and wanted to hurry. Paige hadn’t told Sterling he was coming, but somehow felt it would be better if he didn’t know they had sort of arranged it. Besides, with his current attitude, it had to work out well. And if Darryl wasn’t open to forgiving Sterling, at least no one in the family could hold it against him. Rifts would be repaired, and Paige knew she could live with that.

  Sterling opened her car door. “Please come. Coach Newell said he wanted to meet you. It will only be a second.”

  “Fine.” Paige agreed against her will. She hadn’t actually refused but somehow knew she didn’t want to. As she drew closer to the drugstore, it wasn’t quite what it seemed. It had a sour smell to it, and the front door was banged up rather badly. Inside, there was a rack of yellowed greeting cards that looked as though they hadn’t been touched in years and a shelf of aspirin and personal items common to any gas station seemed equally ignored. On the far wall a counter ran the length of the store lined with padded stools. Behind the counter was an antique soda dispenser and a chest freezer with ice cream where a teenage girl talked on her cellphone.

  A group of older men sat in folding chairs at a card table in the corner with cups of coffee in front of them. Rather than the happy Jimmy Stewart type of old men, these were the grumpy Walter Matthau kind. Paige didn’t want to have anything to do with them.

  Sterling held out the key to the leader of the bunch, who wore a tan police officer’s uniform. “Thanks, Coach.”

  The hardened man leered at her and winked at Sterling. “Hope you made good use of it.”

  Sterling seemed oblivious to his innuendo. “Yes, sir. Paige is ready for the Pit tonight. We practiced all the best
dances.”

  “What about the mattress mambo?” one of the men said.

  They all burst into harsh laughter, and Paige reddened.

  Sterling seemed not to notice or care. “So, Coach, we’ll see you tonight.” He touched Paige’s arm ready to go, and she was grateful he was cutting the visit short.

  The coach got to his feet. “Not so fast, son. We want to catch up. Take a seat.” He held out his chair for him.

  “Sterling,” she whispered. “I think we should go.”

  The garbled crackle of a police radio sounded through the room with an announcement. “10-91J that’s a 10-91J. Assistance required.” Newel reached into the center of the table and turned down the volume of his scanner.

  “Don’t you need to get that?” Sterling asked.

  Newell took him by the shoulder. “You’re more important, son. Now sit.”

  Paige blew out a breath to calm herself. He promised not ten minutes ago that he’d listen to her. Now she felt invisible. It wasn’t that she wanted to control him, but she had a bad feeling about this guy. The fact that Mr. Newell caught up with Sterling by sharing news about divorces, job losses and suicides explained a lot. If he was the athletic coach when Sterling had all his problems, no wonder he was in such a competitive and angry place back then. And if Sterling was really over it, why would he even want to converse with someone who had added to the problem? All the confidence and safety that Paige felt in Sterling’s arms in the gym was rinsing away bit by bit.

  Another explosion of laughter over a new teacher quitting after being hazed by the football team, and Paige had had enough. “I’m going to the car.”

  Sterling didn’t even look her direction. “I’ll be there soon.”

  HALF AN HOUR LATER HE MADE HIS WAY BACK to the pickup, a broad grin plastered across his face. He sat in the driver’s seat and started the engine. “Sorry about that.”

  “Are you?” Paige said and bit her tongue. She wasn’t going to lecture him, though she wanted to. Her Uncle Bill would have told him that when you lie down with dogs, you wake up with fleas.