“No. Well yes, it is or was. I was attending classes. I’m done and my dad, he’s going through some stuff and my mom needs help. So I’m all packed and driving back first thing in the morning.”
“Sorry, Allie. That sucks.” His smile falls.
“Thanks. So, yeah, I should probably get to sleep early. It’s not a long drive but it’s a boring one. I’ll need to be alert.”
“Where’s home?”
“New Braunfels.” I stand up but in an instant I’m back in Jesse’s lap and his arms are around me, holding me in place.
“You’re heading to New Braunfels?”
For some reason that causes him to grace me with a full on, bright smile.
“Yes.” I tilt my head at him.
“Then you’re going out with me tonight and I’ll drive back with you tomorrow.” He settles us back into his seat, still not letting me go.
What? Who the hell does this guy think he is?
“Jesse, yeah, um, I didn’t invite you to drive anywhere with me but out of curiosity, where are you headed?”
Jesse chuckles again sending a wave of goosebumps across my skin.
“Gruene. Just bought a home there. We’ll practically be neighbors. So close I can come over and borrow a cup of sugar.” He’s joking but something tells me he’s also very serious, and I should keep sugar on hand. “But I’m driving back with you. I’ll beg if I have to. I’ll pay for all the gas if you’ll just let me go with you. Jake’s girlfriend, Kore, is heading up tonight and I’ll be stuck as the third wheel with those two gross lovebirds for four hours driving back. But now fate has sent you to me. Allie, you have to save me or I'll surely throw myself out of the moving truck. I know those two will go on and on about how much they’re in love and sing sappy love songs. Plus, it’s fate, baby. Don’t mess with fate.” he declares all this while smirking, but I can see he’s serious as his eyes meet mine.
“Well, gosh, baby.” I throw back at him and his entire body shakes with laughter. “I wouldn’t want you to throw yourself out of a moving truck seeing we’re best friends and all and have known each other for years and years. Plus, I never mess with fate.” The sarcasm in my words is thick.
“Yeah, I know. That would make you a terrible friend and also mess with God’s plans for us.” His lips twitch. “How about we just go out tonight, hang out and then you can decide,” he offers.
God, fate and plans. I believe in none of those at the moment, but before I can inform him of that, the door opens and in walks the sheriff and his deputies.
“I’ll think about it.”
He finally releases me and I walk over to the bar and watch as the sheriff listens to Ashley whine and I swear I see his hands twitch for his gun a couple of times.
After Ashley and her friends try to get everyone arrested but fail, the sheriff walks out leaving Ashley alive to cause drama another day. I let out a sigh of relief when she and her posse of snobs leave soon after.
The two groups that were just fighting are now buying each other drinks. That doesn’t surprise me. I’ve witnessed a few bar fights between men and soldiers only to watch them become great friends after. They beat the ever-living crap of each other in a bar fight but will take a bullet and die for one another in war. My thoughts turn dark as I think of my brother. I wish Cody would have had something like this to help him. Watching the camaraderie between these men, I wonder where things went so wrong for him. Jesse and Jake, along with the hot looking tropical guy, talk with the others about where they’re all stationed. So Jesse is military too. That terrifies me and at the same time makes me feel nostalgic for home.
Soon, its closing time and Jesse and his friends leave along with the other patrons. As they all walk out, I can’t help but feel disappointed. I shake it off and start picking up the empty bottles and glasses, placing them in a bin. I’m startled when a voice rumbles from somewhere behind me.
“Here, you missed these.” Jesse. He has empty bottles and is grabbing more from the tables on his path to me. He puts them in the bin and then takes it from me. “Everyone is meeting back at Nick’s ranch and they’re going to have a bonfire. I have Jake’s truck keys. I’ll bring you back later. I’ll pick up the rest.” He gestures with his head for me to get moving.
“Jesse, it’ll be late. Probably not safe to drive.” I walk behind the bar and start throwing the empties in the recycling bin and loading glasses in the sink. “Just go on. Maybe we’ll run into to each other back home.” I rinse the glasses expecting him to leave, but he doesn’t.
“Oh, we’re going to be running into each other, but tonight, we’re going to a bonfire.” He walks around behind the counter and tosses the bin under the bar. “Let’s go.” He reaches for my hand.
“Jesse, stop. What are you doing? We don’t even know each other. It’s not that important.” Something inside me feels this just might be important. A connection has been made, but I don’t admit that to him. I just wait for his answer.
“Allie, I know. This is crazy but when I looked over and saw you, I can’t explain it. I just want you with me tonight. Just to hang as friends.”
I don’t know why, but I agree.
“I live upstairs.” He turns and looks at the door that leads to the stairs. “If you don’t mind, I’ll grab my stuff now and follow you in my car. This way we won’t have to make another trip back into town. We’re leaving early and it’s already past one. We should just stay wherever tonight. Separate of course.” I hastily add, my eyes bulging and my face turning red. “Plus, I don’t want to have to say goodbye to Shane twice,” I confess softly.
“I get it. Yeah, sounds like a better plan than mine. The ranch has plenty of space. There’s a bunch of cabins. You can bunk in one. You do what you need to. I’ll walk down to Zink’s where the truck is parked and pull it up. You can follow me to the ranch. Sound okay?”
“Sounds fine. I don’t have much. The place came furnished. Just have a couple of bags and my guitar.”
“Guitar? You play?” His eyes take on another look. A look I like but don’t understand.
“Yes. My dad taught me.” I don’t offer any more. “Just pull up out front next to my car. It’s the black Volvo.” I lower my head remembering how my dad insisted on buying that car because of its safety when I got my license. I’ve had it ever since.
“You got it. Take your time.”
I walk into Shane’s office and he’s sitting at his desk looking through the night receipts. “Shane, sorry to bother you.” He looks up from his papers and gives me a sad smile.
“You’re not a bother and never have been.” He scoots back in the chair, stands and walks over to me. “I heard everything.” He looks at me and then to the door. “You sure?” he questions with his eyebrows raised.
“I’ll be fine.”
“I know you will, Allie.” He strides back to his desk, opens a drawer and pulls out a box wrapped in pretty green and red Christmas wrapping paper and hands it me. “It’s from Birdie, Hank and I. So you won’t forget us. She wanted to be here, but Hank was sleeping and honestly, I don’t think she could handle it, saying goodbye again.”
Birdie and Hank came up this and shared breakfast with me this morning. We spent some time together and then reluctantly said our goodbyes.
I reach out, take the gift and open it. It’s a two-sided frame; on one side is a picture of Hank, Shane and Birdie and on the other side is me in my uniform. I’m standing next to a table full of customers, all men and they're staring at me. Some with their mouths hanging open. I’m smiling at them with one hand on my hip leaning against one of the chairs with the other. My fishnet hose covered legs are completely exposed and the leg with the garter is front and center. I burst out laughing. I had no idea I stood like that or that any men looked at me that way. I was just making conversation.
“I had no idea,” I admit, embarrassed.
“Birdie and I were working the bar when she tapped me on my arm and had me hand her my cell
phone. I looked over to see what she was aiming at and there you were. Every man at the table was about to fall out of the chair and you had no idea.” He laughs. “She took the picture and was going to place it over the bar, still is, but now that you’re leaving, we want you to have a copy. Don’t forget us, okay? Come back and see us,” he groans a little and pulls me into a hug.
“Of course I’ll be back. If it weren’t for you and Birdie, I’d have had no one these last couple of years.” I squeeze him tight in gratitude.
He pulls me back, and I look up at him smiling, but see he’s become serious.
“No, Allie, you have a family and you need to forgive them. Whatever you think you know, or don’t know, you need to forgive him, all of them and mend fences.” He wipes away a rogue tear rolling down my cheek.
“I don’t know if I can,” I whimper and catch the next few tears myself.
“Listen to me for a minute. I bought this bar and started it in hopes that it goes on and on. I would love for it to last for decades and get passed down from generation to generation. When I started this business, I did it for Hank. I want him to see me be successful and I want to leave him something. I want to set an example as a father. One he could be proud of. I will be honored if he decides to take it over one day but if he doesn’t, that’s okay too. But, Allie, what if he does take over and while he’s at work, he’s taken from us.” I start to argue but he stops me. “What if he gets robbed and the unthinkable happens? What if any number of things happened? Would you think I’m responsible for Hank’s death because he worked in the family business? Because he followed in my footsteps? Your dad, he was military. It was your family’s business, and Cody and Patrick decided to follow his example,” he reminds me gently.
I let his words soak in for a moment then look up at him and nod. But still my dad, when Cody and Patrick were gone, so was he. He wasn’t there for them or me and Mom. He could have retired. Stayed home. But I don’t confess that. I just pull Shane into another hug before turning and walking up to my loft.
I change out of my uniform and throw on some old Levi’s, my warm Uggs and my oversized wool sweater before walking over to the door and taking one more look around the tiny loft I’ve called home the last two years. I’m really going to miss it. I tuck the framed picture into the side of one of my suitcases and zip it before picking them and my guitar up and walking back down the stairs and out the door. I get to my car and load my things inside before I take one last look around.
This is it.
I turn when I see lights approaching me. Jesse pulls up in a big, back Chevy truck.
“Hey, did you already load everything? I was going to help.” Jesse calls from the truck’s window.
“It was just the two bags and my guitar. No big deal.”
“You okay?”
“Yeah, let’s go though, okay?” I slip my keys from my pocket and pull open my car door.
“Got it. Follow me.”
I get in my car and wait for him to pass me and then follow behind. I can’t see anything other than the truck’s red tail lights as I travel down the dark back roads of Lubbock heading to the Callaghan Ranch. Almost twenty minutes later, Jesse makes a turn and his brake lights brighten as he comes to a stop. I pull in behind him and watch the truck’s interior light comes on. Jesse hops out of the truck and walks over to my car. I can’t help but stare at him illuminated by my car lights. He’s much larger than he looked in the bar. I guess with everything that was happening, I didn’t notice how really hot he is. I mean, I knew he was good-looking but he's really actually drop-dead gorgeous. I try to calm my nerves as he gets closer. I look up at him as he stands outside my car waiting.
Shoot, the window.
I roll the window down and notice his grin.
“Sorry,” I mumble, embarrassed.
“It’s still a couple of miles down the road. Just making sure you’re still with me. By the way, were you checking me out, Allie?” he jokes but I don’t respond. He puts his hands on my window seal and leans down closer to me and my heartbeat picks up. “Well?” he taunts.
“Yes, I was trying to decide if you are the kind of guy that might, oh, I don’t know, maybe, own a chainsaw, possibly enjoy wearing other people’s skin?” I roll my window up on him and he throws his head back in laughter.
“No, I don’t, but my brother does,” he calls from through the window. “Come on, follow me. I’ll introduce you two.” He winks before climbing back up into the truck.
I can’t help but laugh as I follow him down the road but again he stops. Only this time he lets out a long horn honk and I jump in my seat and reach for my door lock button.
Oh, God, why did he do that? Maybe he really does have a brother and they want my skin?
I clutch my heart while frantically looking around. Then I see it. An armadillo is sitting in the middle of the road. It looks over at our vehicles before slowly, and I mean slowly, wiggling across the street and disappearing into the grass beside the road.
That armadillo is on a suicide mission or something.
A few seconds later we pull up next to a where other vehicles are parked. The bonfire is lit, but half of the group is screaming and running off and the other half are doubled over laughing. Two very large dogs are jumping around in circles and barking at everyone.
What in the world did I get myself into?
I’m still mumbling my concern under my breath as Jesse climbs down from the truck and makes his way to me. I don’t move, hands still on the steering wheel, eyes huge and darting back forth between him and the crazies by the campfire. Finally he stops by the car and again, I have not rolled the window down only this time on purpose. Jesse taps on the window and I meet his eyes apprehensively.
“You’ll be okay. Come on. It’s not too cold at all and they all brought a coat. They won’t need your skin.” He smirks.
Good Lord, help me. That smirk.
I smile. I can’t help it and a little reluctantly get out of my car.
“Shit, asshole. Why did you honk?” One of the guys demands clutching his chest.
“An armadillo had his ass parked in the middle of the road and wouldn’t move. Sorry.” Jesse takes my hand and pulls me with him towards the fire and grabs us each a beer.
After a few more nervous laughs, everyone settles in. Jesse introduces me, and I recognize most of them from earlier, except for one girl. It’s Kore, Jake’s girlfriend. The lovebirds.
We relax and listen to everyone tell us what happened when we arrived. Apparently, Star was telling a ghost story and right when she told everyone to listen for an eerie train whistle, Jesse honked the truck’s loud horn. Jesse and I can’t help but crack up at his unknowing part in everything.
Soon, we bid our goodnights and everyone heads for the cabins. I can’t help the feelings of sadness that settles over me. I thought being around people would make me feel better but as I see them all joking around and their wonderful brother-sister relationships, I find myself right back where I was two years ago. Bitter and angry.
Jesse hasn’t picked up on my mood as he leads us to one of the cabins. The inside is very nice. It has a fireplace, small table with a small kitchen and stainless steel appliances that sit off to the side. Near the fireplace, there’s a couple of sofa chairs and a deep brown cloth sofa sits along the wall across from the fireplace. A pretty nice looking flat screen is mounted on the wall and the floors are wood but have throw rugs along the floors. It’s actually a beautiful cabin.
“You can have my cabin. I’ll bunk with Nash and Chase.” Jesse offers.
“Oh. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to put you out. I can find a hotel.”
“Allie, you’re fine. I want you here. Where are your keys? I’ll run out and get your bags.” I reach into my pocket and hand them to him but as he starts to leave, I call out. “Just the small one. It has everything I need for tonight.”
Staring out the window, I'm face with nothing but my reflection. I’m lost i
n my thoughts over what could have been if Cody were still alive and I don’t hear Jesse come back inside and set my suitcase down. I don’t realize I’m crying until I see his reflection behind me and our eyes meet in the window. When he sees I’m crying, sadness fills his expression, as his eyes travel over my face.
“I’m sorry.” He steps in closer to me.
I keep my eyes on him and I finally confess something I’ve never admitted to another living soul. No one. Not even to myself.
“I miss them.” A violent sob wrenches from my body. A sob I’ve been holding in for an eternity. Holding it in so I don’t have to acknowledge the pain, the deep stabbing pain in my heart and the emptiness I feel all the way to my soul.
“Who do you miss, Allie?” He wraps his arms around my waist tight while still looking at my reflection.
“Cody,” I whisper. “My family. I miss Cody and my family.” I break down even more. “I miss them so much.” Two years of pain and anger falls from my eyes.
“You’ll see them all tomorrow. I’ll get you there,” his voice is full of anguish for me. He pulls me into a hug and holds me, trying to comfort me. “Shush. I’ll get you there. I promise.”
In that moment, I realize other than the hug Shane gave me earlier, this is first human contact I’ve had with anyone in two years. No one has touched me like this. No one has held me like this. I didn’t realize how much I need it as I collapse in his arms. Jesse picks me up and carries me into a bedroom and sits back against the headboard with me in his arms and starts rocking while trying to console me.
“Allie, you’ll see them all in just a few hours, baby.” He pulls my face from his shoulder, and holds it gently in his palms. “I’ll get you there,” he promises again looking into my eyes. His face is full of agony seeing me like this.
I should be embarrassed. I should offer to leave, but I can’t. Another sob escapes my soul. “I won’t see Cody.” I confide and shut my eyes tight causing a flood of tears to cascade down my cheeks.
“Why, baby? Where is he? You want me to take you to see Cody?” he asks as he wipes my tears.
His Forgotten Love (A McGinty's Of San Antonio Series Novel Book 4) Page 3