by Leger, Lori
“Sam—from work? What did y’all talk about?”
“I’m warning you now, Chris, this is one of those drag-me-to-hell-and-back stories that’ll make you want to pop a Prozac.”
“I’ve got time. What’s going on?”
Carrie filled her in on the events of the previous evening.
“So, you’re telling me that guy not only knows my phone number, but also where I live, and he’s getting closer all the time?”
“Afraid so, Sis. In addition, I feel like I brought it all on you myself. I need to find another place to stay.”
“Where could you go, Carrie? You shouldn’t be alone.”
“Are you saying I should have my kids with me when this guy shows up? Or how about you and Max, would that be better?” Carrie’s voice rose to a level of near hysteria. Silence on the other end of the phone told her the reality of the situation had finally sunk in. “The longer I stay here, the more danger I put you and Max in, Chris.”
“But what will you do? Where will you go?”
“I have no idea, but I sure don’t want to drag anyone else in my family into this situation. Since you’re not coming back tonight, I guess I don’t have to worry about it until tomorrow. Rob said he’d post someone outside the house again tonight. I’m just glad I had Sam to talk to last night.”
“Is this Sam guy really that nice, or is your judgment impaired because of HWS?”
“What the hell is HWS?”
“A little condition I call Horny Woman Syndrome.”
The small living room echoed with Carrie’s laughter. “As it happens, I’m quite familiar with the condition, but I really think he is that nice, Chris. He’s funny too. He had me laughing so hard I choked on my drink. Trust me, Southern Comfort is smooth going down, but it bites like hell when it comes up through your nose.”
Christie’s laugh rang across the phone line. “Was that my Southern Comfort?”
“Not anymore, but I’ll buy you some more.”
“Don’t worry about it, but I tell you what. You arrange for me to meet Mr. Sam Langley, and I’ll let you know if your condition isn’t making you biased. A woman will allow some crazy things when she’s gone without it for a while.”
“It?” Carrie asked, anxious to hear what her sister would add.
“Yes, it…and I’m not just talking about sex. I’m talking about all the other stuff that can’t be replaced by silicone and batteries.”
“You’re a sick puppy.”
“Uh huh, wait and see.”
Carrie chuckled into the phone. “You could be right, you know. Everyone’s on their best behavior when they first meet. Sure, he may look normal, but how do I know he doesn’t have a closet full of black leather, whips, and ball gags?”
“Ew!” Christie groaned. “Who’s the sick puppy now?”
Carrie’s mom, Elaine Hebert, met her at the front door of her home, three miles south of town. “Hey, darlin’, how are you?”
Carrie bent at the waist to hug the woman who’d given birth to eight children in fourteen years. “I’m good, Mom.”
Elaine studied her daughter’s face. “You’ve been crying, haven’t you? What did Dave do?”
Carrie smiled at her mother. “Nothing, but I thought I did a good job of getting rid of the puffiness.”
Elaine reached up to touch her daughter’s cheek below one eye. “Just a touch around the eyes. Now, what happened?”
“I wish it was just Dave, Mom.” Carrie sat with her mother as she explained the situation.
“You need to move in here with me.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Why not? Your brother Mack is right next door.”
“Yeah, along with his pregnant wife and child. Nope, I’m not going to do that.”
“What will you do then, if you don’t want to stay with me or Christie?”
“Well, I was thinking maybe I’d call Dave and ask him to stay in the house until this situation is behind me.”
Elaine stared at her daughter, then got up to jerk open the door of her fridge. She reached inside for the massive turkey. “Surely we can think of a better solution than that.”
Carrie maneuvered her mother gently out of the way to lift the bird from the fridge and placed it in the stainless steel sink. “I don’t see anything else to do right now, Mom.”
“Maybe it’s Dave making the phone calls to get you to do exactly this.”
Carrie turned to stare at her mother. “Oh, my God, you sound like Sam.”
“Sam who?”
Carrie closed her eyes and sighed. “Somebody I work with. It doesn’t matter, because you’re both on the wrong track.”
“So, the phone was off the hook, and that’s why I couldn’t get hold of you last night. I nearly called Kathleen to go check on you.”
“Kathleen? Oh, Rob LeDoux’s mom. I keep forgetting she lives next door to Christie.” She sucked in her breath, suddenly feeling guilty for making her mom worry. “Glad you didn’t do that. I was fine.” Carrie placed her hand on her mother’s shoulder. “I’d like your opinion on something.”
Elaine filled two stoneware mugs with steaming coffee and placed them on the table before seating herself. “What’s going on?”
Carrie stared into her mother’s eyes, wishing she knew beforehand what her reaction would be. “The phone wasn’t off the hook the entire time last night. I was talking to a friend of mine.”
Elaine’s mouth opened and she nodded, giving Carrie her classic I’m-not-surprised look. “Was it Sam, the guy you work with?”
“Uh, yes it was. How’d you know?”
“Just a feeling, dear,” Elaine said. “So, it’s happened.”
Carrie’s mouth snapped closed. “What’s happened?”
“You’ve found someone new.”
Her mother poured creamer into her coffee, acting as calmly as though her daughter—this daughter—found a new man every other week. “Well, Sam and I are friends, but that’s as far as it’s gone.” She faltered and gazed down at the table, turning her cup nervously until the hot liquid splashed over the top. “He’s asked, but I haven’t accepted any dates from him.”
Elaine raised her cup to her mouth, one brow lifting noticeably. “Why not? Don’t you like him?”
“I like him a lot.”
“Is he married?”
“Divorced.”
“Is he a criminal?”
“No.” Carrie bit on her lower lip to keep a straight face, torn between wanting to and not wanting to tell Sam about this conversation.
Elaine brought her cup to her lips and paused. “What’s your dilemma?”
“It’s too soon to date. I’ve only been divorced four months. I’m afraid my kids would have a fit. I don’t think Lauren could handle this now—”
“Good Lord, it sounds like you’re reading from one of Letterman’s Lists.” She splayed her hands up as though she were framing a marquis. “The Top Ten Reasons Carrie Should Never Date Again.”
Carrie released a tortured sigh as she gazed across at her mother. “It’s too soon for me to date … isn’t it?”
Elaine lifted her mug. “I don’t know. Are you grieving over the divorce?”
“God, no.”
“Is he a good man?”
“I think so.”
“Then he probably is. You’d know all the danger signals, thanks to the father of my three gorgeous grandchildren.” She sipped her coffee and threw in the traditional southern accompaniment to any insult. “Bless his heart.”
“Jesus, Mom. I thought for sure you’d give me the old ‘find yourself first’ speech.”
“Are you lost?”
“No, I don’t think so.”
Elaine’s laughter echoed through the cozy kitchen. “Well, I’d think you’d know if you were.”
Carrie blinked several times in an effort to process this conversation.
Elaine covered her daughter’s hand. “Look, Honey, I’m over seventy years old, a
nd if there’s one thing I’ve learned over the years it’s this: It’s never too late or too soon to find joy in your life. If you think you need some time alone to ‘find yourself,’ then take that time. If not, go for it. You make the rules now, remember?”
Carrie’s worried brow lifted. “I do, don’t I?” She gazed into the eyes of the woman who’d doled out unconditional love to eight children. “But, you’re happy alone.”
“I am. If I want to read until five o’clock in the morning and sleep until noon, there’s no one to stop me, except maybe someone from the Garden Club Committee.”
“Or the Museum Committee,” Carrie added.
“Or the Ladies’ Altar Society.”
Carrie smiled at her mother. “The point is, maybe I should be more like you.”
“You mean alone for the rest of your life?” Elaine asked. “Why the hell would you want to do that? Your dad and I were married over forty years when he died.”
“You could have remarried. Remember when Mr. Potier called you for a date a few years back?”
“He was an old man then, and he’s even older now.” She waved her hands before her. “I’ve had my great love. I married your father when he was young, gorgeous, and in his prime. It took years to train him the little I could. I have no desire to start whipping another old man into shape at my age.” She patted Carrie’s hand. “You’re too young to give up on finding love again.”
“But the kids—”
“Will go to college, leave home, and have families of their own one day.” She caught Carrie’s hand in her own. “And it’ll happen sooner than you care to admit. Do you want to be alone when that happens?”
Carrie studied her mother’s face, still beautiful for a woman her age. “I don’t want to hurt them.”
“You’re a good mother, and your children love you. They’ll adjust to any changes you make right now. This is your time, Carrie—your time to make the changes that will affect the rest of your lives. They’ll have their time later.”
She passed her hands through hair white as a cotton ball. “I can’t tell you what you should or shouldn’t do. I just want to see you happy for a change. If you can do that alone, fine. But if finding a good man who you can be happy and grow old with makes it easier for you, that’s fine too.” Elaine sat back and relaxed in her chair. “So, tell me about this Sam who wants to date you.”
“Sam Langley is from Kenton.” She placed one hand on her stomach to calm the butterflies she felt just from speaking his name. Carrie gave her the low down on Sam then lifted her gaze to meet her mothers. “He makes me laugh.”
Elaine’s face creased with a knowing smile. “And those are all qualities you want in a man, but does he melt your butter?”
Carrie’s mouth fell open at her mother’s frankness. “Ew—I so don’t want to have this conversation with you.”
Her mother’s eyes twinkled with mischievous laughter. “Well, he sure has put a smile on your face and a sparkle back in your eye. As your mother,” Elaine said the word with emphasis, “I can tell you it’s been too damn long since I’ve seen you like this. Will you see him over the holidays?”
“I wasn’t planning to.”
“Didn’t you say Grant and the twins would be with Dave tonight and tomorrow night?”
Carrie used a paper towel to wipe up her coffee spill from the table. “Yes, so they can visit with their Texas cousins, but they’ll be here tomorrow for lunch.”
“Does Sam have plans tonight?”
“No, he’s alone tonight too.” Carrie drained her cup and set it in the sink. “His kids have something with their mom tonight and tomorrow. Where’s the pan for the turkey?”
Elaine pulled a large aluminum roaster from a bottom shelf and handed it to Carrie. “I don’t see a reason in the world why you two can’t go on a friendly date. Why don’t you go out and have some fun?”
Carrie pulled out what she needed to inject the turkey, then paused as she thought about her mother’s comment. “You really think it would be okay?”
“Go on, sweetie. Have some fun while you’re young.”
Sam studied the number flashing on his phone’s screen, recognizing the number Carrie had given him to her mom’s place in Gardiner. “Carrie, is everything all right?”
“Everything’s fine, Sam. Is this a bad time to call?”
“Not at all. What’s up, pretty girl?”
“Christie won’t be home until tomorrow, and I don’t care to sit at home all night.”
Sam held his breath as his heart pounded out the George of the Jungle kettledrum rhythm in his chest.
“So, I was wondering … ”
God, I want to see her so bad.
“If you don’t have anything to do tonight …”
“I don’t.” Come on baby. Say the words I want to hear.
“How about we go on that first date?”
He clenched his fist in victory while struggling to keep his voice calm. “Sure. We still talking dinner and a movie?”
“Sounds great.”
“What time can I pick you up?”
“Maybe I should meet you in Kenton. There’s not much to do here in Gardiner.”
Sam glanced around, thinking of everything that he’d need to do before she got here. “I’d love to have you here, but I hate the idea of you driving all the way to Kenton.”
“The nearest theater to Gardiner is an hour drive. Besides, I need to get away. I’m on edge over here.”
“We’ll do whatever you want.” He gave her directions, and they ended the call. Sam set down the phone, unable to believe his luck. “Time to crank it up, old boy. You’ve got a date.”
By two o’clock, Carrie and Elaine had finished with the meal preparations. She drove back to town and pulled in at a gift shop boasting a huge sale. Fifteen minutes later, she walked out with a small gift box for Sam, along with a card.
At four-thirty sharp, she slipped into short leather boots and smoothed down a burgundy sweater over black jeans. Trying to ignore the battle of nerves playing out inside her stomach, she applied her favorite perfume and grabbed her purse. Carrie took one last look at the mirror over the entry table and pulled open the front door. Her breath rushed out of her lungs at the sight before her.
Dave stood in her doorway, one hand fisted midair in pre-knock position. The other gripped a huge bouquet of red and white roses in a cut crystal vase. His gaze seared her as though she were a piece of meat on a hot grill.
“Where the hell you going looking like that?”
The accusation in his tone turned the ball of nervousness inside her stomach into anger. Instead of trying to come up with a way to defend her actions, she remembered her mother’s words from that morning. You make the rules now.
She stiffened her spine. “Is there something you need? I’m about to leave.”
He shoved the flowers at her. “I brought you these as an early Christmas gift.”
Carrie grabbed at the flowers and raised a one brow skeptically. “You never brought me real roses in all the years we were together. Why now?”
“Because I want to make amends for all the times I didn’t bring you any.”
Her eyes narrowed suspiciously. “What are you up to?”
“Nothing. I’m not up to anything.”
“Dave—”
“Look, that house just isn’t the same without you there, Babe. I want you to come back home.”
“So, you’re saying you want me to move back home.”
His face lit up. “Yes! Exactly.”
“And you’ll be—where? At your mom’s?”
“No, I’ll be at the house with you, of course.”
“With me. As a couple, you mean?”
“Well, sure, as a couple.”
“No, thank you.”
His brow furrowed. “You took the roses.”
She shoved them back at him, forcing him to take hold of the vase. “No, I didn’t.”
“You didn’t a
nswer my question. Where are you going all dolled up like that?” His tone was hard and edgy.
“I don’t believe that’s any of your business.” She leaned around him, glancing at his pick-up. “Where are the kids?”
He moved to block her view of his truck as well as her path out of the door. “At Mom’s. You didn’t answer me.”
Carrie’s mood darkened considerably. “I don’t have to answer you.”
He leaned in closer. “I asked you a question.”
She didn’t reply, but tapped her foot and raised her wrist to glance at her watch. “You’ve got thirty seconds to tell me why you’re here.” She pushed the sleeves of her sweater up to her elbows. “And then I’m leaving.”
“You bitch! I see right through you, you know. Who are you screwing?”
She stuck her finger in his face. “You almost had me going Dave. Who did you get to make those phone calls? Some guy you work with? To think I chewed Sam’s butt for accusing you of doing exactly what you did. And Mom agreed with him.”
“What the hell are you talking about? What phone calls? And who the hell is Sam?” Dave’s face scrunched in a mask of confusion that would have convinced her any other time. Now she knew better than to fall for it.
“I defended you.” She shook her head. “I should have known better. God, I’m such an idiot.”
Dave splayed one hand. “I don’t know wh—”
“Sure you don’t, jerk. I’m leaving now.” She pushed past him, then closed and locked the door. She’d only taken two steps before he jerked her around by the arm.
“Stop, dammit. I want to talk to you.”
The old version of Carrie, the 1.0 version, would have attempted to reason with him. The newer, improved version knew reasoning wouldn’t work and had no desire to try. Not with Sam waiting.
Carrie wrenched her arm away and glared at him. “Get your hands off of me.” Clutching her keys tightly, she spun around and walked to her car. Just when she thought she’d escape without any further trouble, he pinned her against the car door from behind.
“I want you, Carrie.” His breath was hot and moist near her ear. “You know you want me. We were always so damned good together.”