by Alexis Lynne
“You are evil.” Justin squeezed her one more time before releasing her.
She laughed as she spooned dressing onto her plate. “You started it.”
“No, sweetheart. You started it the first time you smiled at me.”
Tara was too busy swooning to make a proper comeback, so she just bumped her shoulder against his arm. “Fill your plate so we can eat. I’ve been smelling this all morning, and I’m starving.”
“This is a lot of food.”
Tara nodded. “St. Mary’s is hosting this year, but several of the local churches contribute either monetarily or through food donations.”
“My cousin organizes volunteers for a soup kitchen during the holidays. There are a lot of people involved, but it’s nothing like this.”
“They try to make it more of a community event rather than a charity. We see people who have no family to celebrate with or those who do but couldn’t be with them for whatever reason, as well as those who could not afford the meal. Shelby, Charlotte, and I have been helping every year since our parents got married.”
“Avoiding family?”
“Yep, though they will show up eventually. Tom and Fran never miss a photo op.”
They reached the table where Shelby had saved seats for them on the end. Brandon and Charlotte were across from them, and Marley was sandwiched between Shelby and Aunt Lady. Tara watched Justin catch his sister’s eye with a questioning smile. The smile she gave him in return seemed genuine. Justin must have thought so, too, because he turned to Brandon.
“I assume I have you to thank for the enormous tree that was on my porch this morning.”
Brandon shrugged. “I was cutting another one down and thought I’d save you and the runt the trouble.”
“Well, the runt and I appreciate it. It’s a good thing we started widening the doorways, otherwise I don’t think it would fit.” He looked at Tara. “Speaking of the doors, Marley thought you might like to have all the old hardware? I understand some of it is at least fifty years old.”
Surprised by the offer, again stated so casually, Tara looked at Marley, who seemed as nervous as she had when making the soaps.
“I went to a children’s museum once, and in the toddler area, they had old doors laying on their sides with knobs and locks drilled into them. The little kids loved to latch and unlatch the locks and spin the knobs. It was a toy but still really pretty. I know you do clay and stuff, but maybe you could do something with them.”
Tara thought she might cry. She did not know for sure if Justin knew what the offer meant to her, but Marley did. It was clear in the worried tone of her voice. The two of them had to stop knocking her to the ground like this.
“My grandfather installed many of those when he inherited the farm. I would like to have them. Thank you.”
“You expect the mayor to be here?”
She was a bit jarred by the change of subject. She looked around and realized her family had been staring at her. She felt Justin squeeze her knee. He did know. “Mmm-hmm, why?”
“I’ve been trying to get an appointment with him. I want to talk to him about the buildings he owns downtown.”
“You trying to take over the whole town, Justin?” Tara teased.
He smiled. “No, just trying to guarantee access for the whole town as well as any visitors. Several buildings, including the ones he owns and rents out, do not have wheelchair access.”
“So, it’s a lawyer thing. Aren’t those buildings historic and exempt from having to make changes like that?”
“It’s a concerned citizen thing, and no, they are not. Your step-father made extensive renovations to those building and should have provided access then but didn’t. He’s clearly breaking the law.”
He must have just remembered that Charlotte was sitting with them. He looked at her ruefully. “Sorry, Charlotte.”
She shook her head. “Don’t be. For all he’s become since he remarried, he’s still a lawyer with a good sense of the law. If he broke it, he probably knew well what he was doing.”
Tara thought for a moment about the buildings Justin was talking about. Before the renovations, they had been ordinary, brick-faced facades. Tom added features to make them seem older and, hopefully, more appealing to tourists. Tourists those businesses counted on. Tara didn’t know what was involved in creating access but assumed ramps or lifts would take away from the historic appearance.
“If you pursue this, the shop owners who rent those building will likely be angry and possibly even move their businesses. They rent downtown for the historic appeal. Major renovations could change that.”
“If we use that as an excuse to deny access, then we haven’t learned anything from history. It’s discrimination, and the mayor is sanctioning it.”
“He’s right, my dear.” Lady joined the discussion. “My brilliant contractor informed me I was not in compliance a few years ago when I took down an interior wall and added the public bathroom to the store. It didn’t take much more effort or money, but if Brandon hadn’t told me what needed to be done, I wouldn’t have known. Code enforcement isn’t what it should be.”
They all turned to Brandon, who ignored them in favor of his pie. Tara did the same for a moment and then realized that Justin had noticed all this when he was first in town.
“Is that why you won’t eat at Proud Larry’s?”
He nodded as he took a fork full of turkey. “I refuse to patronize businesses that discriminate. They might as well hang a sign that says people with disabilities not welcome. This country was supposed to be done with that sort of thing half a century ago.”
She was surprised by the hard determination of his voice. So far, he had only used that tone in relation to Marley. “Is this what you did in New York?”
“Not for work. My cousin Ann is a wheelchair user, and she used to drag me to all sorts of advocacy meetings. I guess I paid attention. Plus, it’s the law. I suppose my training makes me a bit of a stickler.”
He had talked about Ann, but never once had he mentioned a wheelchair. “And she’s why you are tearing out doorways?”
“She’s my best friend. I want her to have access to my home. And, she’s pregnant. Her rug rat will need a place to visit in the country. I’ve already told her I’ll have him or her on the tractor as soon as possible. Of course, I’ll have to learn how to drive it, first. After I buy one.”
The chorus of chuckles that sounded through their small group was interrupted by a much less pleasant sound. Tara did not have time to process everything Justin had said before she had to deal with the one part of living in Sylvan Hills that she hated.
“Well. Here you all are. Tom and I have been here a full ten minutes, and none of you have come to greet us.”
Fran McNair Crowley Jackson had arrived and, as usual, sucked all levels of enjoyment from the room. She stood there for a moment in her fashionable political wife suit, looking very much like an older, less motherly version of Shelby. When no one greeted her, she continued her saccharine-laced effusions.
“Charlotte, dear, your father is waiting with the photographer. We’ve already gotten several shots with Father Alex, but they want some with you as well.”
Charlotte and Brandon rose from the table almost simultaneously. “Sorry to disappoint them, Fran, but we’re on clean-up duty. If they want a picture of me hauling trash to the dumpster, then send them on back.”
Brandon shot Fran a scathing look as he placed his arm around Charlotte’s shoulders and led her out of the room. For someone as honest and forthright as Brandon, being around a narcissistic manipulator was never easy. He had a special kind of hatred for Fran, however, knowing how much her very existence had hurt Charlotte.
“Well, Tara, Shelby, I guess that just leaves you two. We have to have some family shots for the paper. The citizens need to know that we are all here supporting the community.”
“They already know who was here supporting and who was here for pictures. You don�
��t really want to document that, Fran.”
Tara’s mother leveled a Brandon-worthy glare on her but composed herself quickly as she looked around their table.
“I see you have some new friends with you. I suppose I can forgive you for not wanting to leave such company.”
Seeing the predatory look in Fran’s eyes, Tara finally stood. Justin was just the type of man Fran would try to get her claws into—young, rich, and good looking. But Marley’s vulnerability was what Fran would feed on if allowed. She needed to feel important and be admired, and needy children were easy to manipulate into giving her the kind of attention she craved. At least until she tired of them and turned cruel or just left. Tara had not been pretty or sweet natured enough to gain Fran’s attention, but Shelby had not been so lucky. True to form, Fran looked around Tara to Marley.
“What’s your name, sweetie?”
Tara interrupted. “You have citizens to greet, don’t you, Fran? She can’t vote, so she’s of no use to you.”
“It’s Marley.”
Tara looked around to see that Marley’s usual bewildered look was hidden behind one of complete awareness. She didn’t need Tara’s protection. She could see right through the harpy speaking to her. Tara realized she should not have been surprised. Marley had been raised in a multi-layerd city filled with a variety of personalities and backgrounds. Her mother’s artist lifestyle likely drew from an even more diverse crowd. Tara was surprised Justin had not intervened. He was likely as intrigued by this new version of his sister as she was.
“That’s a pretty name. Is it short for something?”
“Marlena. My mother was an actress.”
“And she named you after Marlene Deitrich. I can see why. You certainly have the charm of an old Hollywood glamour girl.”
“Not Marlene, Marlena, after her favorite soap opera character. So I’m not as charming as I look.”
Shelby, who had been looking on with amusement, wrapped her arms around Marley. “You have charm through the roof, sweet girl. Let’s go find dessert.”
Tara heard Justin’s deep, soft laugh as he rose to stand beside her. Tara stiffened in preparation. After being thwarted, Fran would double her efforts to get in Justin’s good graces. Justin wrapped an arm around Tara’s waist and pressed his lips to her ear.
“Thank you for trying to protect us, sweetheart, but we’ll have to deal with your mother sooner or later.”
His voice had returned to the laid-back version of earlier, as if they were not about to do battle with the devil. She looked at him, seeing a glint in his eye, as if he had figured out some great secret and wasn’t telling anybody. He kissed her temple then turned to Fran.
“Mrs. Jackson, my name is Justin. Happy Thanksgiving. I had hoped you would be here today.”
“Oh?” Fran preened at the attention.
“Yes, I would like to meet your husband, if you would be so kind as to introduce us.”
“Of course. Let me get him for you.” In a practiced move, Fran caught her husband’s eye, signaling him to her side. Tom came like an obedient lap dog. Tara shook her head. He had seemed like a good man when they were children and would gather at Charlotte’s place. His sweet nature was mirrored in his wife, Elizabeth. They lived in town, not far from Shelby and Tara before their parents’ divorce. When the fights were bad, they escaped to Charlotte’s, where her parents would dote on them all as if they were treasures.
Now Tom was as slick a politician as a small town could make, and his relationship with Charlotte was almost non-existent. There must be some weakness in Tom that allowed Fran to manipulate him so easily, but Tara’s anger rested firmly with her mother.
“My dear.” Tara was glad Charlotte had left and was spared the sight of Tom’s complacent smile.
“This young man wanted to meet you. This is Justin—I didn’t catch your last name.”
Justin removed his hand from Tara’s waist and offered it to Tom. “Justin Hunter. I’ve been calling your office for weeks trying to get an appointment with you.”
Tara watched Justin expertly move Tom away from the crowd, not letting him speak until they were out of earshot. She had to admire his poise. Once again, he was all city lawyer, full of authority. He said he didn’t have the killer instinct, but he certainly had something.
“I must say, I’m impressed. I didn’t think you had it in you.”
Tara tore her eyes away from Justin to focus once more on her mother. “What?”
“I’ve heard his name in town. It looks like you found a way to get the farm after all.”
Leave it to Fran to turn what Tara felt for Justin into something conniving and dirty.
“As wrong as ever, Fran. Sleeping your way into the right positions is your domain, not mine.”
“And, yet, your new boyfriend has everything you ever wanted.”
Tara looked at Justin once more and smiled. “For once, Fran, I think you are right.”
Her mother frowned and followed her gaze to where the two men stood talking. She obviously was displeased with what she saw and left to join them without another word. Tara’s smile grew. Fran was right to be concerned. Justin was definitely a man you wanted on your side.
* * *
“What’s wrong, Tara?”
Justin’s warm hand engulfed hers as they walked up the hill from St. Mary’s to her house. Shelby had convinced him to leave Marley with her to help pack up left over food to take to homebound parishioners. Justin offered to drive Tara home, but she wanted to walk instead. It was not yet dark and just cold enough to keep them awake after the feast.
“Nothing. I guess I’m always a little out of sorts when I have to deal with Fran.”
It wasn’t a lie. She avoided her mother as much as possible, but when she did see Fran, too much of the past was brought forward again, picking at wounds that were only half healed.
“Well. Other than your mother and the mess I made of my own turkey, I had a great day. Thank you for including us. Marley was disappointed, but she seemed to enjoy her time with Shelby and Lady.”
“I’m glad you were with us.”
They had reached her house, and Justin laughed loudly as they walked up the steps. Tara was pleased to see he appreciated their eclectic Thanksgiving decorations of turkeys sitting down to a feast of Pilgrims alongside streaking scarecrows with leaves hiding the more interesting parts.
“Now, I know Shelby isn’t responsible for this, so that leaves you or Charlotte.”
Tara laughed as he leaned over the deck railing to get a better look. “It’s a collective effort. Charlotte came up with the idea, and I painted it. Shelby placed the leaves on the scarecrows. We try to do something different every year. Our Christmas decorations will be a bit tamer since they will be visible from downtown. The leaves are pretty much all gone.”
“This view is incredible. I can see why you paint it.”
He pushed off the rail and smiled at her, pulling her close just as the wind began to swirl around them.
“What are you doing this weekend?”
“I’m helping Lady in the shop all weekend. Main Street gets hit pretty hard during Black Friday, and the crowds don’t usually dissipate much through the weekend. She’ll even open for a few hours on Sunday. After I’m off there, I have to help with the decorations here and Shelby’s usual gingerbread madness. Don’t ask.”
“Are you going to be this busy all through the holidays?”
“No. It will slow down by Monday.”
“Hmm. I guess this will have to hold me over until then.”
Though she had been anticipating it since he took her hand and led her out of the church, the warmth of his kiss still had her reeling. His lips gently caressed hers, slowly drawing out her response as his hands moved from her back to stroke her jaw.
Tara sighed as her own hands roamed in time with his movements. Grateful he had not worn a jacket, she felt every hard muscle of his chest and shoulders beneath her fingers, relishing in
the hard strength that his gentle nature disguised.
He tipped her head back to deepen the kiss, and when she opened to his explorations, he groaned, releasing her face to untie the belt of her coat. His arms slipped around her, pulling her against him. Tara straightened her arms at her side, allowing the garment to slide off completely, content with the warmth of his arms around her.
As she wrapped her arms around his neck, the hem of her dress rose, and his hands moved down. Tara trembled when she felt his palms on her thighs and then gasped as he lifted her onto the railing. Her hands left him to clutch the hard wood beneath her.
“Let go, Tara.”
His words caused her heart to beat even faster than his kisses. She somehow managed to find the breath to speak. “But I’ll fall.”
He tightened his arm around her waist and lowered his lips to where they barely touched hers.
“Then we’ll fall together.”
Chapter Fifteen
Justin had never been shopping on Black Friday. In previous years, he had done all his Christmas shopping online or in quick trips during his lunch hour. This kind of buying frenzy was completely new to him, and it left him with one conclusion: people were freaking nuts.
He and Marley had spent the morning at the local box store picking out a new stove. While there, Justin noticed shelves quickly become bare, ravished by bargain-hunting locusts. He was standing too close to a discounted smoothie maker at one point and was given the stink eye by an old lady until he moved out of the way. She kept her eyes on him as she slowly reached for the appliance and placed it in her overflowing cart, as if she were hypnotizing him out of the desire to grab the thing himself. If Marley had not been with him, he might have done just that, just to see what the woman’s reaction would be.
Now he and Marley were at the coffee shop on Main Street, taking a break from the madness and enjoying the smell of pine and peppermint as they sipped their drinks at a small bistro table in the corner. Justin was amazed at the transformation downtown had undergone seemingly overnight. All the decorative turkeys, leaves, and pumpkins had been replaced by garlands and ornaments in the stores and on the street. He had not noticed any Christmas decorations the evening before when he was admiring the view of the town from Tara’s deck. A team of elves must have come through spraying Christmas spirit through the streets.