The Sweet Road Home

by Jacki Kelly

  His stomach constricted. There was no way to sidestep her this time. He held her gaze for several moments before speaking. “That’s not an option, Asa.” This was the conversation he’d dreaded. The destruction of her home was inevitable. Nothing, not even Asa, would change his mind about the project.

  “Then tell me what you’re hiding from me.” She straightened in her seat.

  He continued to look into her eyes.

  “Why are you pretending you want to do something for me? I only wanted one thing from you. I need my house.”

  Simeon gripped the steering wheel with both hands. “Look Asa, don’t twist this into something it’s not. We had a really good time last night, but please don’t think that means I want your advice on how to run my business.”

  “I’m not trying to run your business. I’m asking you to help me.” She turned toward the house. “Now that you’re wealthy, I’m sure you can have anything you want. You have plenty of money, a big house—you even have your own personal mechanic. The only thing I have is this house. Even though it means nothing to you, it means the world to me.” Asa sat back, her shoulders stiff with anger.

  “Just because you’ve shown up after several years, you expect me to change my plans?”

  Her eyes narrowed, gleaming with unshed tears. Her bottom lip trembled. Simeon prepared for the barrage that was coming.

  “The courier this morning, was that about your strip mall?” She glared at him.

  “As a matter of fact it was. I signed the contract to release the funds this morning.”

  She tilted her chin up. “Then what did you do, Simeon—run upstairs to make love...to have sex with me? Did that make you feel better? Was it supposed to make me feel better?” Her voice was barely audible. “You know, Simeon...” She pulled her hair back. “I thought you’d changed. But you’re still that mean, angry boy from high school. Back then I was scared of you, scared to approach you. I’m not that little girl anymore.” She grabbed the door handle.

  “Asa, wait.”

  “Why?”

  “Let’s talk.”

  “We’re beyond talk.” She turned toward him. “How much time do I have?”

  “A few weeks...maybe a month.” She stepped out of the car, slamming the door so hard it jolted him.

  Her shoulders squared as she walked up the stairs. He grabbed the driver’s side door handle. The steel cooled his hand. There wasn’t anything he could say that would change where they were.

  § § §

  Asa closed the door to the house with the same force she used on his car.

  What had she expected? For him to save her house because she loved him? Because she slept with him...because she asked him? When she left Atlanta she was supposed to leave stupidity behind, but some habits were hard to break.

  She fought back the sob that rose in her throat. Crying wouldn’t change anything. It was time to put her plan to work. Nobody could save her. She had to save herself.

  Scruffy ran out of the kitchen at full speed. His high-pitched yelp made her smile as he skidded into her.

  “Asa, is that you?” Dakota came around the corner.

  She stopped petting the dog and sighed. She didn’t want to see her sister right now. She swiped her eyes with the back of her hands. “I didn’t expect to see you this morning.”

  “So, you spent the night with Simeon, huh?” Dakota placed her hands on her hips and looked down at her sister.

  “I had car trouble and couldn’t get home.”

  “That’s a convenient excuse, but not one you should be proud of.”

  “Please, Dakota, not now. The last thing I need is a lecture. ”

  “Fine, Asa, but remember this is a small town. People in this neighborhood don’t have much going on, so they like to talk. Simeon is not some unknown man, everybody in the city knows him.”

  “I don’t want to talk about Simeon.” Asa turned away from her sister.

  “You’ve been crying. What happened?” Dakota reached for her.

  “I’m fine. Really, I’m fine.”

  “Then why are your eyes red?”

  “Dakota, leave it alone. I’m fine.”

  Asa dropped her purse on the couch. “Where do we stand on the rally?” Asa asked. “And if you have something negative to say about the rally, don’t. Just don’t.”

  Dakota raised one brow. “I think everything is in place. I made some calls last night. A few shop owners have agreed to donate food. The banner will be ready in a few days. You just need to make sure your friend Lara will be there. I’ve told everyone about the TV cameras. Don’t make a liar out of me.”

  “They’ll be there.” Asa nodded.

  “Did you tell Simeon about your plan?”

  “I don’t owe Simeon anything. And I’d rather he not know about it.”

  “He might get wind of what’s going on. Then what?”

  “By then everything will be planned and he can’t stop us. I’m leaving for New York on Monday to meet with suppliers and show organizers. I’ll be gone for several days, we’ll have the rally next Saturday. It doesn’t have to be big or extravagant.”

  “I’ve gotten several calls from folks in the neighborhood. They like the idea. They hope you can make a difference, but are you sure you want to do this.” Dakota searched her eyes.

  “I have to. It’s my last stand.”

  “You know Custer didn’t survive his last stand?”

  And I might not survive Simeon.

  Chapter Seventeen

  The whirlwind of the New York trip had done little to ease the stabbing ache in her heart. “Serves you right for being so gullible.”

  Asa sat at her kitchen table to scanned the list, checking off items with her red pen. Everything was in place. Simeon couldn’t do anything to stop the rally now. With any luck, he didn’t even know what she had planned. She folded the piece of paper and slipped it into the pocket of her shorts.

  Her plan to get the community involved in stopping his project might not save her house, but at least she hadn’t curled up in bed and cried. Fighting for something felt so much better than giving in. Putting her life back together was worth every nail clawing, back breaking effort she could think of.

  The last time she saw Simeon the dark, fiery look in his eyes made her wonder how far he would go for his project. At least he never misled her. Never once did he let her think her house was safe. She smiled as she admired his honesty. But she knew he wouldn’t change his mind.

  From the window she watched while Scruffy sniffed the hydrangea in the back yard and then she scrolled through her cell phone log. No calls from Simeon since he dropped her off a week ago. She wanted to call him, to hear his voice, or feel his arms around her, but that was silly. His position was clear, it always had been.

  She ran her thumb over the screen. The log was full. Eric’s name appeared twice. She studied the phone for several moments then shrugged her shoulders. Life was cruel.

  Her cell phone vibrated. Eric’s number blared at her. She didn’t answer. When the phone quieted she deleted his number from the phone then blocked his calls.

  She closed the phone just as it vibrated again.

  “Are we all ready for the big rally?” asked Dakota.

  She sighed. “It starts in an hour. And thanks to all your hard work we’re ready.” Asa spotted the dog as he raised his leg against the sad looking bush. She snapped her fingers to get Scruffy’s attention. “Thanks for all your support. I know you think I’m nuts, but--”

  “I want to support you and based on the number of calls I’m getting you have a lot of people that agree with you. So if you want the house, I don’t want Simeon to tear it down, either.”

  “I’m in a good place. No matter what happens I feel good because at least I’m doing something to help myself. Here in Bristol I don’t feel like I have to prove myself.

  “You never had to prove yourself to those that love you, Asa,” Dakota offered. “Did you call the counci
lman?”

  “The earliest I could get an appointment is next week,” Asa said. “A lot of good that will do me.”

  “What time do you want me at the rally?”

  “I’m heading down there in a few minutes. Come early, I can always use help setting up.”

  “Okay, I should be there in about thirty minutes.”

  Asa ended the call and gathered everything she needed.

  She held the car door open for the dog. He hopped into the passenger seat. Her car had been in front of her house when she returned from New York.

  No note.

  No call.

  No card.

  Simeon probably had someone drop it off. She should have called to thank him, but she refused to dial his number. Instead, she sent him a check for the new radiator. This way she owed him nothing.

  A tingle of guilt ran along her spine for inviting Simeon’s brother, Brian, to the rally. But he insisted on helping when she called to thank him for his help with the car. Brian was easy to talk to and valued community.

  She pulled her car into the parking lot. The park was crowded already. This was a good sign. A huge turnout was bound to get attention. It would look great for the media coverage.

  Scruffy yanked at his leash as Asa walked to the entrance of the park. She heard her neighbor, Mrs. Donald’s hearty laugh drifting across the field, but she couldn’t see the stout woman. A flash of warm air blew over her as happy memories of the block parties awakened in her. The smell of food, the laughter, the festive chatter all rushed back as if the last block party had taken place only few days ago. She half expected to see her grandfather and father standing behind a charcoal grill turning hot dogs and hamburgers.

  The vision vanished just as quickly as it had come when she spotted Mrs. Donald instructing the caterer how to set up the food table. The caterer’s lip disappeared behind a frown.

  Before Asa could rescue the woman Brian Harper stopped her. “There you are.”

  “Brian, I’m so glad you could make it.”

  “It was nice of you to allow the men at the mission to come along. They don’t often get invited to private affairs.”

  “You all helped me with the car, I wanted to say thank you again.” Asa leaned closer to him and asked, “Did you...”

  “No, I didn’t mention anything to Simeon. I’ll let you and him work that out.”

  She sighed with relief. “Thank you for keeping my secret. I don’t think he would have liked this idea.”

  “I’m sure of that.”

  “It won’t cause any problems between you, will it?”

  “I’m the older brother. It’s nothing I can’t handle. But if you really want to thank me and the mission, we’re always looking for volunteers. If you can fit a few hours into your busy schedule we’d really appreciate a helping hand.”

  “Between the rally and the organizers of Fashion Week, I’ve been busy, but I’ll be there next week. I’ll even try to drag my sister along with me.

  Before he could reply they were interrupted. Two rally supporters rolled out the banner. Golden Leaf Community danced across the white batting in thick green letters. “Where do you want us to hang the banner?”

  Asa pointed to a cluster of trees at the entrance of the park. “Hang it there. String it from one tree to the next, so everyone can see it as they walk up.”

  As she talked to the supporters, Brian walked away. His shoulders were as broad as his brother’s, but his demeanor was a little more relaxed than Simeon’s. He smiled more easily. There was a contentment in his eyes that she never saw with Simeon.

  “Asa, can you come over here and tell us where you want these pies?” Mrs. Donald called to her from a group of women gathered around the table. Mrs. Donald reminded her of Mim. The party couldn’t start until the food table was just right.

  Asa hurried to settle the pie argument. “The caterer can handle all of this. I’m sure whatever she decides will be fine.” She rubbed her hand along Mrs. Donald’s back hoping to relax the older woman.

  “Your caterer is fine, but Meryl from the church brought this pie anyway. Honey, look at this here apple pie. Meryl brought this pie and sat it in the middle of the table like it was some kind of prize. What little crust it has is burned. It looks about as runny as soup. We can’t serve this.”

  “Well...” Asa wasn’t certain how to respond. She didn’t know Meryl. She didn’t want to hurt the feeling of anyone that was nice enough to help make the rally successful. “Well, let’s cut it. We can scrape off the burned part. I’m sure it’ll be okay.”

  Mrs. Donald gave her a skeptical look. “You just don’t want to hurt her feelings do you?”

  “I really don’t.”

  “Okay, we’ll do things your way, but if anyone asks me for pie, I’m going to tell them to eat the peach or blueberry cobbler instead.” Mrs. Donald stuck her knife in the pie like she was butchering a piece of meat.

  “Look, the camera crew has arrived.” Asa motioned to the front gate. “Can you handle this?”

  “Yeah, baby, I got this.” She waved Asa away. “You go ahead.”

  Asa scurried to the other side of the park.

  “Oh good, Asa, there you are,” the news anchor said. “We’re going to set up right here. We’ll want to talk with a few of the neighbors first and we’ll talk with you last.” She waved a clipboard at her crew. “I also want to get a few shots of the area. It looks great. We’ll be live for the early news and then run a clip of the event on the evening segment.”

  “Thank you for doing this.”

  “It’s not a problem. We needed a human interest piece tonight. We’re always looking for local stuff that our viewers might be interested in. Once I heard your story, I thought the rally might make a good segment.” She looked around. “You’ve done your part of getting the people here. It’s a nice crowd.”

  “I think this crowd will send a message.”

  “Have you had any luck talking the developer into changing his plans?”

  Asa bit down on her lip. After several dates with Simeon, she was no closer to understanding him or negotiating with him. “No, no change. So I’m counting on you to make this good.”

  “I’ll do my best, sweetie. Go greet your guests and I’ll come find you shortly.”

  § § §

  Simeon dropped his pen and sat back in the chair. The house was too quiet. Deathly quiet. He massaged his temples. A tension headache was mounting an attack behind his eyes.

  He opened the folder on the desk. Everything was in order, his neat, tidy project. He pulled open the top drawer to his file cabinet, plucked through the files until he found the one labeled location alternatives. His finger rolled down the list of parcels of land that had been under consideration for the strip mall. One particular lot was larger, but more expensive and further away. He hunched over the specifications for a closer look.

  His pulse raced. He sat back in the chair. His skin prickled with interest. After a slow, measured breath he snatched open his desk drawer and took out his protractor and surveys. With the point pressed firmly in the drawing he measured the distance from both parcels of land. Switching the strip mall to the new site produced possibilities. It provided access to more people. Selecting the Golden Leaf Community had been easy, maybe too easy. A bitter taste formed in his mouth. He’d never intended to bully his way into Golden Leaf. Business was never personal, but maybe this time, this project came too close.

  Maybe she was right. There was an alternative worth considering. He picked up the phone to call her, but placed the receiver back in the cradle. They hadn’t spoken in over a week. He hadn’t even bothered to call her about the car. She wanted more than he could give. Moving the project to a new location didn’t mean they would settle in for happily-ever-after. But at least he could offer her some hope about her house.

  This news he had to deliver in person. He raced to the kitchen, grabbed his keys and jumped in the car. He chose the sporty Porsche. This wa
sn’t a leisurely drive. The sooner he shared his news with Asa, the sooner he could stop feeling like the Grinch that stole her Christmas joy. He shifted into fourth gear as he neared the turnpike. The thought of seeing her radiant smile and hearing her soft voice were enough to turn him on.

  His phone rang. He hit the voice control command, “Yeah, Simeon here.”

  “This is George, from The Plaid Group.”

  “Hello, George, what can I do for you?” Simeon turned onto Route 100 without tapping his brake. “Did you receive the contract?”

  “Do you know about this rally?”

  “What are you talking about?” The tone of George’s voice made his chest tighten. He pulled onto the shoulder of the road. “I don’t like guessing games, what are you talking about?”

  “There’s a rally taking place right now in the park near Golden Leaf. I don’t think it’s in support of the project. We don’t need negative publicity just as we’re getting ready to break ground. It makes the backers nervous.”

  Simeon closed his eyes. His free hand massaged his brow. “There’s nothing to worry about, George.”

  “You’re sure?”

  “George, this is not the first time you’ve done business with Harper Enterprise. You know how I operate. You have nothing to worry about.”

  “That’s what I figured.”

  “We’ll talk Monday.” Simeon ended the call. He sat frozen for several moments as cars sped past. He snorted. His fingers clenched the steering wheel baring his knuckles. This stunt had Asa Conroy written all over it.

  After several deep breaths, he punched the accelerator and headed for Golden Leaf. He knew exactly what was going on and who was behind it.

  Simeon rounded the corner of Buchanan Street. His car rims scraped the curb before screeching to a halt. He drummed his palm on the steering wheel as he tried to stem the anger igniting in his stomach. He searched the enormous crowd for Asa. The Conroy stamp was on this event from the banner, the music and the food. This might as well be one of their damned block parties.

  He continued to drum the steering wheel, each slap harder than the last. He swallowed the bile rising from his stomach. Had Asa intentionally betrayed him? Did she think he would give in to her because of this rally? Sitting in the car, watching from a distance was like observing ghosts from his past. The battle in his heart churned up feelings of emptiness, of not being good enough, that should have been gone.