“What kind of lawyer is she?”
“Family. She does divorces and custody…things like that.” He explains. “Probably why she’s not married.”
“Is she older or younger?”
He clears his throat and sits back, resting an ankle on the opposite knee. “Younger. But she’s way older in her own way.”
“Are you close with her?”
“Not as close as I am with my other siblings, but we talk on a semi-regular basis. I just don’t see her much.”
“You have any female friends?” I ask. Why I’m probing him I don’t know. For some reason, I find the silence awkward tonight. And for some reason, I don’t want him to bring up last night, so I’m tabling the conversation.
“Used to. But they were drinking buddies.”
“Ah,” I nod.
“What about you?”
“I have a lot of male acquaintances, but none that I would classify as friends.” Then I ask something that I wish like hell I could take back before it exits my mouth.
…but it’s too late.
Chapter 13
Grayson
“Was your wife your best friend?” she asks, and then she can’t look at me. Laura turns her head, picking at an imaginary piece of lint on her jeans.
I look at her. “Hey,”
She looks up. “Sorry. I had no right to ask you that. It’s none of my business.”
“Laura, I’m not offended.”
“Well, you should be.” She says. “If someone that I barely knew had asked me that, five years after Quentin died, I would have told them to mind their own business.”
“Well, you and I are different people.” I state. “And, give me a little credit; we don’t barely know each other…I think we’ve gotten to know each other quite well.”
She nods. “Yes.”
“Kelly and I were never friends. We dated in high school from the very beginning. So, no, she wasn’t my best friend. If I were to label anyone that, it would be my brother Kurt.” I pause. “There.” I nudge her with my elbow. “Now, quid quo pro.”
“Lisa has been my best friend since Quentin and I met. She’s the reason I got so close to him. If it weren’t for Quentin, Lisa and I would never have been best friends. So, no, Quentin was not my best friend.”
“Well, now, see? Not such offensive questions or answers at all.”
“No, I suppose you’re right.”
This woman is so guarded it’s disarming. “You can ask me whatever you want, Laura.” I pause for emphasis. “I trust you.”
“Thank you.” She looks at me. “I trust you, too.”
She sighs. “I should get inside. Tomorrow is going to be a long day.”
“Sure. Goodnight, Laura.”
“Goodnight, Grayson.”
All us boys get up bright and early to get the ranch work done before the party preparations have to start. Picnic tables that we keep way in the back of the barn are brought out, and folding tables, too, for food. Extra garbage bins are brought out from storage and placed around the tables. The ladies take care of the decorations like balloons, and some streamers are hung from some of the trees. It doesn’t take more than a couple of hours.
Laura, Grace and Wendy start bringing out coolers filled with ice, full of drinks, and I notice that there is no alcohol. I assume that someone has been tasked with that deed for later. We head inside for lunch, and then Laura disappears upstairs. When she re-emerges, she’s wearing the most fetching little dress. And she’s let her hair out. I have to look twice when she comes into the kitchen, just as I’m placing my dishes in the sink.
“Wow,” Is all I can say. Her dress is light blue, which brings out her eyes. It has spaghetti straps, and the neck of it comes down just enough to frame a breath of her cleavage. A tiny droplet necklace hangs from her neck, and the dress is caught just above her waist with a slim, black belt. Then it hangs freely, landing just above her knee. I’ve never seen her feet before, as she’s always wearing boots, but her toes are perfect, and they’re displayed daintily in a pair of leather sandals. “You look…wonderful.”
She blushes. “Thank you. Don’t get used to it.” she points. “I turn into a pumpkin again at midnight.”
Her hair is long and in soft waves, caressing her back. She’s got it pulled up on each side with combs that match her hair color. Not a stitch of makeup is on her face, except for a small smattering of clear lip gloss. “You clean up real nice, Laura.” I say, smiling.
She draws in a deep breath, and I sense that she feels awkward. “We should start seeing guests show up anytime. I’ll start bringing the food out.”
“Okay. I’ll go get changed and lend a hand.”
“Oh, you don’t have to change clothes, Grayson. I’m the host and the guest of honor is my brother; it’s expected that I look the part.”
“You don’t honestly expect me to wear my work clothes to a party, do you?” I give a soft chuckle. “Don’t worry. I don’t own a suit or a tux, so that’s not happening.” I wink.
“Okay, then. But it isn’t expected.” She says, and the grin on her face is so sweet.
An hour later, the ranch is filling with people. When Clint arrives, I see Laura’s face brighten from afar. God, she’s luminous. Her brothers seem to bring out the best in her. Will comes in from behind and slaps Clint on the back. “I got you something real different this year for a present.”
“Oh yeah? I’m almost afraid to ask after last year’s stuffed bobcat.” Clint scoffs.
They are surrounded by similar-looking people whom I imagine are all related to Laura. There are so many of them, I can’t keep track. I see Lisa, and she gives me a little wave, as she comes over to chat with me. I feel the hair on my neck stand up.
“Hey there. You look rather dashing.” She comments.
“Thank you. You look nice, too.” I say, but I don’t actually look. This woman gets spurred on by you breathing next to her.
“You know, I have a little secret to tell you.” Her voice isn’t the usual purr, like she’s trying to come on to me, which makes me relax a notch.
“Oh yeah? What’s that.” I ask, as I see a truck pull up out front. The truck has a trailer attached by a hitch, and it’s carrying what looks like a dunk tank, with a picture of Clint’s face plastered on the front. I look over at Will, and he has his arm around Clint, holding his other arm way out, presenting him with what I’m guessing is his birthday gift.
Clint is shaking his head, laughing so hard his face is red. So are the rest of what I’m guessing are the Kelsey family. The whole crowd is in a flutter of laughter and whistles as the driver of the truck exits the vehicle and starts removing the dunk tank from the truck.
“Oh, Lord, Will outdid himself this time!” Lisa laughs.
“He sure is a card.” I comment.
After a beat, she directs her attention back to me. “I know someone who likes you…” she says, lifting her brows. She’s rather impressed with herself.
“Are you talking in third person here?” I ask condescendingly. “Because it’s pretty obvious that you like anyone of the male species.”
She’s not rattled by my snide comment. “Laura likes you.”
I look at her for a second, and then my eyes slide over to Laura. She’s still laughing, which suits her.
“Laura’s my boss. I’d never cross that line, ma’am.” I refuse to be another one of her matchmaking schemes gone awry.
“She would never, either.” Lisa states. “That’s why I need to intervene.”
I scoff. “There’s no need for an intervention, Lisa.” I say, hoping that my use of her first name will indicate the levity of what I’m trying to say.
“But there is, Grayson.”
I’m getting irritated. “Look. I’ve been here a week. I came here for a new start. I’m not about to stamp that out by making a mistake in my first week.”
“But it’s already d
one, Grayson.” She says, as if mocking me. “She told me that you two spent the night together the other night.” she raises a hand defensively. “I know it was innocent…but was it? She said you had your arm around her.”
“That’s because in her sleep, she pulled me to her.” I seethe. “I didn’t lay a hand on her that wasn’t forced. She…must have thought I was Quentin. There was no harm done, and that’s the truth.”
She looks at me pointedly. “She was saying that it was the other way around. That you pulled your arm around her, and she figured that you thought that she was your beloved wife.”
I think about that for a second. “Well, then, see…there’s no harm done all the same. We both thought we were each other’s deceased spouses.”
She turns around as we both watch the dunk tank being carried over by four men. It’s empty, so the tank itself is just awkward, not so much heavy. Will has the hose dragged out from the barn by Simon, who is all too pleased to help out. The smile on his face is telling. As the tank is positioned, the hose is inserted at the top. “Gonna be mighty cold in there, Clint.” Simon says matter-of-factly.
Lisa addresses me after a little giggle. “The problem is…Laura was hoping that you were holding her…not your dead wife.”
“What?” my eyes dart to her. “You’re lying.”
“She told me herself yesterday morning.” Lisa nods once. “Said she hasn’t slept that well in years.”
“That’s a lie.” I say firmly. “She…” I look over at her, and she sees me from the throng of family. The smile she gives me is contagious. After I smile at her, my gaze goes back to Lisa for a quick second, and I see her satisfied grin. “Shit.” I swear under my breath.
“Told you.” Lisa shrugs and walks away.
***
“Dang, Laura! We ought to do this for every birthday! Have neighbors line up and take a cover charge for this!” Will shouts, as he aims another ball towards the target beside the tank. Clint sits on the platform inside, looking like a drowned rat, and none too pleased. “We could do it for charity. Look how many of Clint’s patients would love to dunk him!”
“I’d like to see you get in here, Will.” Clint comments from inside the tank. “Or you, Laura. And get all your hands to throw for you. See how many people would like to see you all cold and wet and waiting for the next punishing fall into icy water.”
“But I’m in a dress.” Laura retorts pathetically, trying to hide her smile.
“That’s the weakest argument I’ve ever heard.” Clint says.
Will throws a ball, and Clint plunges into the freezing water, screaming like a girl as his head emerges from the surface seconds later. “Alright, little brother! You’re next! I’m done! My bits are damn near frozen!” Clint says, climbing out of the receptacle.
Shaking his head, Will says. “Any takers?”
Suddenly, two men come and take Will, lifting him above their heads like he’s just won the Superbowl, and drop him into the tank. He’s soaking wet but smiling as his head bobs up from the surface. “I’ll get you two.” He mutters, but there is a smile on his face. Clint walks over my way, toweling his head. “Nice to see you again, Grayson.” He says. “Glad you haven’t worked here long enough to have any interest in dunking me in there.”
“I wouldn’t do it anyway. Maybe if my own brother was up for it.”
He chuckles. “I’m going to go get out of these wet clothes.”
I nod.
Laura walks up to me. “Are you having fun?”
“I don’t believe I’ve ever witnessed a dunk tank before, except for at the county fair once, when I was a boy.”
“Will is famous for coming up with unique ways to both have fun and get a little bit of sibling revenge.”
Laura’s smile fades suddenly. Her gaze is over by the food table.
I turn around to see that same man from the lumber store, who Lisa warned me about, is helping himself to a plate of food. Lisa trots over. “Who invited that loser?”
“Not me.” Laura says. “He must have heard about it from someone in town. I mean, it’s no secret, we have them so often.”
“Well, this is the first one he’s ever shown up to.” Lisa observes.
I chime in. “You want me to make it his last?”
Lisa is about to take a step towards the food table. “I’ll deal with him.”
But Laura stops her. “No, you won’t. I’ll deal with him.”
Just as she’s about to walk over, Will lands beside him, says something to him, and two seconds later, Matty sets his plate down nonchalantly, and walks back to his expensive car.
“Good ol’ Will.” I chuckle, and then smile. “You want me to start the barbecue?” I offer. “People seem to be eating all the finger foods.”
“Sure, that’s a great idea. I’ll run in and grab the hot dogs and buns.” Laura says, shaking the whole Matty situation off quickly.
A few minutes later, I’m manning the barbecue, while Laura and Grace are setting buns on waxed paper on the table, opening them so the hot dogs can be easily laid on them. Wendy brings out the condiments and sets them on the table.
As I man the barbecue, I get to meet lots of Laura’s family, and many of the people in town. It’s kind of nice to be acquainted. I’d forgotten how nice it is to be in a small town. After about an hour, Lloyd comes over. “Hey, Grayson. Go grab a hot dog and take a load off.”
“No, I’m okay.” I say, even though my stomach is rumbling from the smell of hot dogs and burgers. I’m eying the leftover potato salad on the table, too, and I’m eager to grab a plate before Grace takes it away.
“Boss’s orders, man.” Lloyd says from behind his hand.
I look over, scanning the crowd for Laura. She’s talking to Clint, who is freshly clothed and dry, looking much happier than he did after being in the dunk tank. He looks over my way and starts walking towards the barbecue.
Lloyd sees him. “Hey, Clint. You up for a burger or a dog?”
“I’m starved. I’ll take anything.”
I hand him my untouched burger. “Here you go, man.”
“Thanks.”
Lloyd hands me another burger and I nod in thanks. Clint and I load up our burgers and I make sure to get a good dollop of potato salad. “So, how do you like it here, so far?” Clint asks conversationally. He starts chewing, waiting for my answer, and he gestures with his head for me to follow him.
“I like it just fine. Laura’s great to work for, and the boys are really swell.”
“Yeah? You enjoy working with the horses, too?” he asks as we find two vacant chairs.
“Love them. Grew up with them, in fact.”
“You grew up on a ranch as well then.”
“I did. My brother still owns the ranch out in El Paso.”
“I loved it, too. But after I started high school, I started getting the nose for biology. Before I knew it, I was talking my parents into sending me to medical school.”
I don’t know how much is safe to share with Clint. But I see how affectionately Laura regards him, and something tells me that it’s safe territory. “I did, too, as a matter-of-fact.”
“Did you end up taking a bunch of biology courses in high school?”
“You could say that.” I admit. “Took them in University, too.”
Clint hesitates. “Look, man, I feel bad for this. I’m not going to lie to you. Laura told me that you’re a doctor.”
I look at him and he nods. “It’s okay, man. I’m not one to judge.”
“I appreciate that.”
“And don’t be mad at Laura for telling me. She’s a horrible liar by default. I asked her what your story was. It’s my fault.”
“Can’t blame you there. I’d look out for my sister, too, if some stranger from out of town was suddenly living under her roof.” I pause. “I’d want to know everything about him, too.”
He pats my shoulder. “You’re okay,
Grayson. She seems to be very impressed by you.”
“She treats all her staff very well.” I agree. “Eats with us. Treats us all like family. She was real torn up about Louie, too. It’s very honorable how she’s helping Myrtle out.”
“That’s Laura. She’d help anyone out if she could.”
“That’s the truth.”
Clint changes the subject. “Were you at all unhappy with the set up you had back in El Paso?”
“What do you mean?”
“Like…with your practice. I understand that you had your own office. Did you like working alone?”
I see where this conversation is headed, but I let it go. Clint seems good-natured. “I liked it just fine. It was tough when I first started. But then, that’s the way when your license is fresh, you’re newly married, and you’ve still got your education to finish paying off.”
He chuckles softly. “I hear you there. I was lucky. I didn’t have any of those things to worry about. I’m not married, and my parents paid for most of my education.” He looks at me. “My daddy always told me to pay it forward if I ever could. Since I was so blessed not to be saddled with the kind of worries that you had.”
I figure I’ll level with him. “What are you getting at?”
He takes another bite of his hamburger, chews and swallows. “You ever think about going back into medicine, I’ve got plenty of space in the office. I’d welcome the help, in fact.”
“And you wouldn’t be set off at all by the fact that I’m an alcoholic? Laura mention that?” I don’t hide the slight chill in my tone.
He nods once for emphasis. “She did. But you’re clean now, aren’t you?”
“For a year.”
“And how much do you want a drink right now, Grayson?”
I look at Laura, and for the first time, I realize something important. “After I rolled up the carpets in El Paso, that’s all I could think about. When my brother Kurt dragged my sorry ass into rehab, I swore I’d never put another drink to my lips, even though every cell in my body wanted to. I figure my body still wanted it, and my mind still wanted it, and then since packing up and abandoning ship, moving here, frankly, the thought makes me sick. Never thought I’d feel like that, but I do.” What I want to say out loud, but I say it only in my mind, is…now my heart doesn’t want it.
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