In the Stars_The Friessens

by Lorhainne Eckhart

  “Charlie was mentioning that you’re at the top of your class. Any chances you’re thinking of maybe trying out one of the big law firms out east? You can learn a lot out there, trying cases you’d never see here. Getting your feet wet in that arena can open a lot of doors anywhere for you,” Hank added.

  Danny didn’t say anything as he slid his glance to the side, taking in Charlie, who was taking a sip of her wine. This was supposed to have been just dinner.

  “Oh, I’m still working on Danny,” she said, “hoping to convince him to give Chicago a try.”

  He couldn’t get over this thing she seemed to have with Chicago. Her dad laughed, holding his glass up.

  “Danny, one thing you’ll learn soon enough about my daughter, and her mother is the same, is that once she’s set her mind on something, there’s little chance you have of changing it. My advice is that it’s best to just align yourself with whatever it is she’s thinking and get good and comfortable with it. You know, happy wife, happy life. My girl has had her heart set on moving to Chicago since visiting Hank there before he hung up his shingle. When you get a bug for a place, it kind of sticks with you. You ever been to Chicago, Danny?”

  What could he say? He wasn’t interested. “No, never been out east. Would be nice to visit, I suppose,” he said—sometime down the road, that was, when he wasn’t cramming for tests and studying but was established with a law degree and a life. Then he’d travel and see some places with his wife and kids. He fidgeted in his chair over that thought, because that picture was down the road, and the face of his wife wasn’t clear. He glanced over to Charlie, who leaned his way and smiled.

  “You should give it a chance,” Hank said. “It’s not for everyone, but before you make your decision on where you want to be and settle and practice, you should check out all your options. Opportunities are vast in bigger places. I think Charlie here is planning on August out there, am I right?” He gestured to her where she sat comfortably beside Danny.

  “We’ll see. I guess plans change.” She was looking right at Danny. “Sometimes you meet a person who becomes more important than a place you’ve always wanted to go.”

  Danny didn’t know what to say, how to respond to that, because he’d never expected Charlie to be the kind of girl who would consider changing her life and wants for him. Instead of warming his heart or making him feel as if she was the one, it had him questioning everything about what he wanted and feeling worse than he was now, leading Charlie on in some way, giving her a false hope that there could be something everlasting with him.

  “Charlie, can you give me a hand putting everything out on the table?” Her mom appeared in the door, and Charlie excused herself and went inside.

  Danny took in her father and Hank watching him, their expressions questioning.

  “You know, Danny,” Perry set his glass on the table, “my daughter has never had the kind of feelings for a young man that she has for you. I sincerely hope you’re not toying with her and that this thing between the two of you makes her happy. If my daughter is happy, then I’m happy. For her to say she’s willing to give up moving to a place she’s dreamed of going for as long as I can remember, well, that gives me pause and leads me to ask you what you’re willing to give up for my daughter.”

  Danny squeezed the bottle of beer, feeling the scrutiny of a father. If he were wearing a collar, he’d likely be pulling at it, as he felt the dampness soaking through his shirt at his underarms. “Charlie and I have only started dating. We’re getting to know each other. I care for her, but there’s no more than that,” he stated.

  The two men exchanged a glance. Hank Billows excused himself and left.

  “I can see that,” Perry said, “but my daughter is already seeing a future with you. So if you’re not comfortable with that or she’s just a phase for you and you’ll be moving on…”

  Whoa! Geez, two dates in and everyone was thinking they were heading down the aisle to marriage. “You know what, Mr. Adams? I can understand you wanting to make sure your daughter doesn’t get hurt, and I’m not the kind of guy who would treat her with any disrespect or disregard her feelings, but I think everyone needs to dial it back a bit. We’ve only dated a few times, and we’re just getting to know each other, so…” He took in the smile on Perry Adams’ face before he lifted his glass and downed the rest of the bourbon.

  “Point taken, son, and glad to hear you have some values—but let me also give you some advice. Women will already have the wedding planned before you even get around to that line of thinking.” He raised his brows just as Charlie and her mom appeared with plates and a dinner of chicken and cut potatoes.

  Danny was stuck on the need to pull Charlie aside before he left and have a sit down about where things were, exactly, with them.

  Chapter 12

  It was Monday morning, and her dad and mom were both gone. Evie powered up the desktop to polish up what she could of her resume. She heard a car and went to the door, seeing the familiar black pickup. Danny’s mom stepped out, her vibrant red hair hanging in waves. She wore a blue and white shirt over a plain skirt that went to her knees.

  “Evie, hope you don’t mind me dropping by like this,” Diana said. She was so warm, and Evie had known her forever. She’d had her cuts and scrapes patched up by her, and she still had a fondness for her.

  “No, not at all, come on in. Sorry for the…” Disarray, mess, unkemptness? There had been a lack of everything, time, focus, and money, as of late.

  Diana just swept her hand as if it were no big deal. “I came to see you. Don’t worry so much. How are you doing, anyways?”

  Evie heard the door close as Diana stepped in. The light spilled into the living room. The dark brown sofa was covered with a flowered blanket to hide a stain, the shag carpet was from the seventies, and the paneling was light oak and had been there since she could remember. “I’m good, you know. Do you want some tea?” She wandered into the kitchen, hoping to all hell they had tea. She knew there was only half a tin of coffee left.

  “No, no, don’t trouble yourself. Listen, I wanted to stop in and have a talk with you. You know we’ve known each other for how long, sixteen, seventeen years? Danny and you have been friends all that time.” Diana took a seat at the kitchen table. It was clean and wiped down, but then, the house was just old and dated, not untidy.

  Evie took the seat across from Diana, seeing something there in her expression, and for a moment she didn’t want her to say anything. “Did Danny talk to you?” she said. She was mortified, thinking Diana was there on Danny’s behalf.

  “Well, he talked with me about helping you out with a job. We’ve known for a while your dad has been struggling to keep that restaurant afloat, but it’s just the industry. It’s a great place, great food, but sometimes it’s just not enough. Economics, location, and marketing, it’s all tied together, and you’ve stuck around to help out your folks, which is admirable, but…”

  Did everyone know how dire a spot her parents were in, she was in? “Look, I’m looking for a job, so it’s nothing to worry about. I’ll pick up something. It’s just life, you know.”

  Diana shrugged. “Hey, I get it better than anyone, Evie. You have a great family, I like your mom and dad, and you’re right: Hard times hit everyone at some point in their life and in some way. I’m here to help, to do something. I mean I’d like to hire you. Come and work for me. You have…”

  Evie just stared at Diana, feeling like crap because this seemed like pity. “So is this from Danny?” she asked, and Diana gave her a hard look.

  “No, this is from me. I know the kind of girl you are, Evie, and I do need help. My case load is getting so heavy…”

  Evie started shaking her head. “I’m not sure what you think I can do, but I can tell you that for paper and legal stuff, you should probably look at one of the academic types. I can’t type for the life of me, I’m a two-finger girl on the keyboard, and my people skills are—”

  “Are yo
u kidding me? Your skills with everyone are what set you apart,” Diana said.

  Evie wondered, as she took in Danny’s mom, whether she was kidding.

  Diana laughed. “Your face right now, the way you’re looking at me, I want that. You say it like it is, girl, and I like that. Besides, you won’t be pushing paper, per se—some, yes, but I need some help staying organized, and Jed and I also need someone to help out with the riding school. There’s a lot to do to stay on top of things, and we keep talking about hiring someone full time, but we never do. We’ve been dividing it up between Danny and Christopher and Mark helping out, which is almost painful, and Jed is about the worst for organizing. It doesn’t take someone with a degree. It’s going to take someone who knows us, who can fit in.”

  Evie crossed her arms, feeling a light being held out to her as if she could breathe easy for a minute, but then it hit her: This would mean seeing Danny. Ugh, that darkness and ache in her gut came back even stronger. She felt her shoulders pull and sag as she leaned in more. “You know what? I would love nothing more than to give it a try even though I know Danny put you up to it, but being there…” She had to clear her throat, taking in the way Diana was staring at her, leaning on the table, waiting her out. “I don’t think it would be the best idea, considering where Danny and I are right now, for me to be around.”

  To see him with Charlie… No, maybe it was best that she looked at other options that wouldn’t have her seeing Danny every time she turned around.

  There it was, such sadness on Diana’s face. “Don’t do that, Evie. I know you think things are about as bad as they can be, and honestly, Jed and I are concerned with what may or may not have happened with Danny, but we know for a fact how much he cares about you.”

  She pressed her hands to the tabletop, needing to end this discussion even though she wanted to ask Diana a hundred questions about Danny, what he’d do, what he thought, where he was. She couldn’t do that to herself. It was like driving into an impending train wreck, so she shook her head again. “I know he does, but that’s not the issue. I’m not the kind of girl who can sit on the sidelines while he decides who he wants.”

  She wanted to take it back, as Diana’s blue eyes bored into her. They were just like Danny’s, the same intensity.

  “I don’t know what Danny said to you, Evie, but I want you to listen to me good and hear me. I knew for a while you had feelings for Danny. You may not have been willing to admit it to yourself or to Danny, and I know the closeness you and Danny have shared, the buddies you’ve been. You’ve become a man and a woman, yet your friendship has stayed so strong. And Danny…I know my son well. He’s got a good heart and a good head on his shoulders, and he’s reliable and smart, but I could give him a kick in the ass for not seeing what he has with you right in front of him. I’ve seen for a while that he’s loved you, though he may think it’s just as a friend. Whatever this was that happened the other day, whatever both his father and I heard you two talking about…” Diana stopped talking, and Evie had to place both hands over her face to hide the blush. She realized his mom knew, and of course she did, because hadn’t she blurted it out from the open window of her truck in her anger and frustration? She felt Diana’s hand on her wrist, pulling, and she peeked through her fingers.

  “I have a pretty good idea of what happened, and maybe Danny hasn’t yet admitted it to himself, but he and you…” Diana pressed her hands together. “He just hasn’t admitted to himself that his love for you as a friend has evolved into something deeper.” She scooted back the chair. “So the job, think about it,” she said, then started to the door.

  Evie just sat there and listened as Diana started the pickup and drove away, thinking of the job, the offer, and what she’d said about Danny. As much as she wanted it to be true and to believe that Diana was right, she knew better. Danny may have been confused on some things, but she’d also seen how he was with Charlie, and the fact he had to give it consideration told her everything.

  Chapter 13

  Danny had kicked the box at the bottom of the stairs in the barn and hit concrete, and the leather of his boots hadn’t quite protected him from that sharp jab. He swore and took a second, listening to the nickering of horses in the early morning light. He should have grabbed a coffee to go instead of just downing the cereal, but then he’d tossed and turned most of the night after giving up studying, having read the same chapter three times without figuring out what it said.

  “You running late this morning?” His dad came out of one of the stalls and latched the gate, looking at him.

  “Yes—no, I have a spare first class, but I wanted to get in early and try to get some studying in.” He still needed to talk to Charlie, since he’d left after dinner three nights ago without that talk. She’d slid her body against him, her arms around his neck, and kissed him long and deep. It was nice, and he should have wanted it to go further, but at the same time it wasn’t her he realized he was seeing himself with.

  “Can’t say I’ve ever seen you this rattled,” His dad said, resting his forearms on the stall gate and glancing to the mare, who hung her head over as he rubbed her neck. “This is something only a girl can do. You figure anything out?”

  “Yeah, I don’t know. Why do I have to decide on anyone? You know, it’s like, I’m at dinner, and I’m feeling myself being dragged down the aisle to make a commitment to a girl when I’ve been out, what, two, three times? She’s great and fun and…”

  His dad glanced his way but said nothing.

  “I spoke to Evie,” Danny said. He let out a sigh and felt as if he’d cracked open his chest and yanked out his heart from the hurt he’d seen in her face, then the way she’d walked away. “I think I made it worse.”

  His dad kicked at something on the barn floor. “You tell her how you feel?” He patted the horse again and faced Danny, his one arm leaning on the stall. He gave him all his attention.

  “I tried, you know. I told her I needed some time just to figure out some things, and there’s Charlie. I told her as well I need to figure things out, and you should have seen Evie’s face. The moment I said it, I wanted to take it back, but at the same time, I couldn’t lie to her, because that wouldn’t be fair.”

  His dad glanced to the ground and then back up to him, squinting as if the sun were in his eyes. “You tell a woman you’re thinking of another, what kind of reaction do you think you’re going to get?”

  “So, what, are you saying I should have lied to her? I don’t know what I want.”

  His dad was shaking his head. “Well, therein lies the problem, because if you don’t know what you want, who you want, you can’t expect her to hang around and wait until you figure it out. You’re old enough, Danny, to know, especially when you have feelings like this for a woman, if you’ve got a future with her or you don’t. If you’re really struggling to think of who it is you want beside you in your future, then maybe it’s neither, but toying with both and letting them both think they have a chance with you…” His dad paused, and instead of feeling better, Danny felt like absolute crap.

  “Well, that’s the thing, Dad. Evie told me pretty much to get lost. She wasn’t waiting around and took herself out of the equation, which I deserved. I haven’t been able to get her out of my head.”

  His dad said nothing as he stared at him. From that look, the intensity, he knew his dad wouldn’t give him the answer or tell him what he needed to do. He wasn’t going to help him out, and instead he took a step over to him and rested his hand on his shoulder. “Well, that’s a shame,” his dad said. “You should know that your mom stopped by to see Evie the other day and offer her a job.”

  Danny was hit with a wave of joy for a moment, a chance of something. Just the thought of seeing her and having her working around him all the time, being there when he drove in… Then his dad’s expression changed.

  “She called your mom yesterday and turned her down,” he said.

  His heart sank.

 
; His dad squeezed his shoulder and then walked out of the barn, calling back over his shoulder, “You’d better get going or you’ll be late.”

  The entire drive to school, Danny fought the burning ache. It was huge, this loss that seemed to rip apart his insides. For the first time in his life, he didn’t have a clue what to do. The fact was that he was starting to realize that Evie likely hated him in a way he couldn’t blame her for, and the thought of not having her in his life didn’t fill him with just sadness; it was a loss so deep he wondered whether he’d ever get past it. Then there was Charlie. She wasn’t quite the airhead he’d thought she was, and he liked her, but that was it. Not seeing her again didn’t fill him with that same heartache. He thought of her dazzling some big city, setting Chicago on fire, but he didn’t see himself with her.

  He pulled into the parking lot and climbed out of his Bronco, then locked the door and slung his leather backpack over his shoulder.

  “Danny…” It was Charlie in her sports car, shades on, the top down. “Just wait up,” she said, then pulled in and parked two spots down.

  Danny walked over to her car as she put up the top and then stepped out, locking the door. She pressed her hand to his chest and went to kiss him when he gripped her wrist gently and stepped back. “I’m sorry,” he said and took in the moment she understood what he was saying. He shook his head and smiled at her.

  “Danny, really?”

  He touched her cheek and chin, seeing the perfection, the flawless skin, the beauty that any guy would love to have hanging off his arm. “You’re beautiful, gorgeous, and are likely going to do all kinds of great things, but…”

  “Not with you,” she finished for him. She was about to convince him, or try to, so he shook his head.

  “Charlie, I belong here. This is the life I want, and when I dream of my future and happiness, I don’t see it all, but what I do see is being here, and Evie is a part of that. I’m sorry,” he said. He wouldn’t have been surprised if she’d yelled at him or maybe slapped his face, but instead she just shrugged and made a face as she stepped away.