Luanne replaced the photo then curled into the corner of the sofa. “You cook? Marry me.”
Kyle raised his left hand and wiggled his ring finger. The sun glinted off the gold band there. “Sorry, doll. I’m already taken.”
“All the good ones are.”
“True.”
“Shame.”
He began slipping the photos into the sleeves of a photo album on the coffee table. “So you don’t cook?”
She shrugged. “I can cook the basics—scrambled eggs, grilled cheese, ramen noodles. But we had a cook when I was growing up, so I never learned.”
“Well, la-te-da.” He gave her a playful slap on the leg. “You had a cook.”
Heat burned her cheeks. Why had she said that? She hated drawing attention to her family’s wealth. “I didn’t mean…it wasn’t like I had a cook…my grandmother—”
“Hey.” He placed his hand over hers. “I was only joking.” He squeezed her fingers. “Sore subject?”
“Sort of.” She tried to arrange her expression like she didn’t care, but didn’t think she quite pulled it off when his brows knit together.
“Want to talk about it?”
“Not really.”
He stood and held out his hand. “Come with me then.”
She looked at his hand and then at his face. “To where?”
“The kitchen. I’m making chicken and dumplings for dinner. They’re Mimi’s favorite, and I could use some help.”
“I’m not sure how much help I’ll be, but I’ll come with you.”
His smile was brighter than a Texas sunrise. “Fabulous.”
“Now that you have the flour in a nice pile, stick your fingers into the top and make a little well.”
Luanne did as Kyle instructed. “Like this?”
“Exactly like that, clever girl.” Kyle praised her like she’d figured out the solution to world peace instead of making a hole in a pile of flour with her two fingers.
“Kyle, it doesn’t take a genius to do this.”
“I beg to differ. Anyone can make dumplings, but under my tutelage you’re on your way to making world-famous dumplings.”
It hadn’t taken long to realize that Kyle had a flair for the dramatic.
“Listen to him, Luanne. He makes the best I’ve ever tasted.” Mimi was slicing vegetables from her garden for a salad.
She placed her palms together like she was praying and bent at the waist. “Then teach me, Obi Wan. I’m yours to mold.”
They laughed. “That’s right, missy,” he said. “And don’t you forget it.” He handed her an egg to put into the well she’d made.
“So, Luanne, where’re your people from?” Mimi asked.
“I grew up in Zachsville, Texas. The only people I have are my grandmother and my father.”
Mimi stopped chopping. “Just the three of you? Lord, I wouldn’t know what to do if there were only three of us.”
“You’d do what you’ve already done and adopt every stray in the county.” Kyle went to her and kissed the top of her head.
“Don’t make me clean your plow, boy. You know I will.” Even as she made the threat she leaned into his hip when he hugged her.
“How exactly do you clean someone’s plow?” Luanne asked. It sounded like something Scarlett’s aunt Honey would say.
“I’ve always wondered that myself.” Kyle wiped down the counter with a cup towel.
Mimi pointed the knife at him. “Slowly and painfully.”
They laughed and Luanne realized she felt more at home with this family she barely knew than she ever had with her own family. Sadness over what could have been enveloped her like a wet wool sweater.
“Where are Mitch and Jack?” Mimi asked.
“They’re working through some stuff.” Luanne and Kyle said at the same time.
“Together?” The hopeful tone in Mimi’s voice kind of broke Luanne’s heart.
She shook her head. “No, Jack went upstairs, and Mitch was on the porch when we came in here.”
“Oh.” Mimi chopped with a little less enthusiasm.
“Luanne, what’s your story?” Kyle must’ve felt Mimi’s disappointment too because he jumped in with that question rather quickly.
She rubbed her face with the back of her hand. “Oh, it’s lengthy and boring. How long do the dumplings cook?”
“Until they’re done.” Kyle slapped the cup towel he was holding on the table. “Spill it, sister. Lengthy and boring stories are mine and Mimi’s favorite kind. Am I right, Mimi?”
“You bet cha.” She looked at Luanne and said, “You may as well talk. He won’t leave you alone until you do. He’s worrisome that way.”
“And you love it.” Kyle blew her a kiss from across the room.
Mimi tittered like a ninth grader crushing on the captain of the varsity football team.
“I’m not sure where to start.”
“I’ve always found that it’s best to start at the beginning.” Kyle opened the fridge and pulled out a pitcher of iced tea and retrieved three glasses from the cupboard. Evidently, they were settling in for a good, long story.
So she told them everything, about her sad mother, Gigi’s indifference, her father’s manipulation, and the whole wedding debacle. “I know it seems ridiculous that a grown, educated woman would let her father pick the person she was going to marry, but you’d have to know my father to understand.”
Kyle stirred the chicken broth on the stove. “I don’t think I have to know him. You’re a daughter who wanted to believe that her father loved her and wanted the best for her. Unfortunately, you put your trust in the wrong person.”
“Thankfully you came to your senses before the wedding and Jack was around to get you out of there,” Mimi said.
She smiled at the memory. “Yeah, I owe Jack—” Then she realized she didn’t owe Jack, because he would never hold that over her head. He would never make her pay for his kindness. “Yes, thank goodness he was there.”
Kyle flipped the faucet on and spoke over the spray of the water. “What are you going to do about your father?”
“I…I don’t know.”
He grabbed a cup towel and dried his hands. “Can I give you some advice?”
She shrugged. “Sure.”
“You can’t keep running. You need to deal with him. The longer you avoid this the longer he has a hold on you. You need to cut ties with him or try to work things out, but either way, you can’t keep running from your problems.”
“The only way to work things out with him is to do what he wants.” She ran her finger through some of the excess flour on the counter.
Kyle refilled his glass of tea. “You don’t know that. Deal with him like the capable woman you are and draw your boundaries. Then the ball’s in his court. He can either have a relationship with his beautiful, intelligent daughter on her terms or he can’t. It’s his choice.”
The whack, whack, whack of Mimi’s knife stopped. “He sounds like a bully to me, and the only way to deal with a bully is to stand up to them and don’t back down.”
She dusted the remnants of the flour from her hands. “You’re right. I know you’re right. It’s just…”
“He’s your father and you think even a screwed-up relationship with him is better than no relationship at all.” Kyle folded his arms across his chest. “And I’m here to tell you that you deserve more than that.”
A smile spread across her face, unbidden. “Thank you.” Exactly what she’d told herself last night. If she needed more validation of her decisions, she’d gotten it hand-delivered with chicken and dumplings. “Do you mind if we talk about something else?”
He carefully removed the chicken from the boiling pot. “Alright. Why don’t you tell us how long you’ve been in love with Jack?”
She dropped the fork she was beating the egg with and flipped flour into the air. “What? I’m not in love with Jack. We’re barely friends.”
“Really? Because the looks you two
have been giving each other don’t look all that friendly,” Mimi said, and popped a piece of carrot in her mouth.
“With all due respect you two, you’re wrong. I’m not in love with Jack. I don’t do love.”
“Why on earth would you say that?” Mimi asked.
Luanne’s hands moved in jerky motions as she tried to follow the directions of the recipe. “I’d think after what I’ve told you, that would be obvious. Love makes you weak and stupid, and I’m neither.”
Warm hands cupped her cheeks and Kyle turned her face to his. “I’m sorry that your family taught you that. But they’re wrong, and so are you. Love with the right person makes you brave and fearless. It gives you strength to get through the worst days of your life and makes the best days that much sweeter. I hope you find that someday.”
It wasn’t a reprimand but a blessing, and it caused tears to gather in her eyes. “Thank you.” She had no idea why she was thanking him, but it seemed appropriate and important that she recognize his words for what they were.
He kissed her forehead and went back to his task.
Even though she disagreed with him, the power of his statement burrowed into the hopeful places in her heart. It expanded, pulsated, and became a living breathing thing in her soul.
Chapter 25
Jack rinsed toothpaste from his mouth, grabbed a towel, and wiped. The three-day stubble that he never let grow covered his face. But Luanne said she liked it, so maybe he’d keep it. Who the hell knew?
He glided his hand over his jaw. The man in the mirror was a stranger to him. Along with the facial scruff, his hair was too long, and he wore a Gladiola High School t-shirt he’d picked up at the Gladiola Walmart. It was wrinkled and had a grease stain that hadn’t come out in the wash.
But mostly it was his eyes. They looked…well, not like his own. His always had the glint of a winner, someone who had the world by the tail and knew how to make it submit to his will. This guy staring back at him looked like life had punched him in the balls and wasn’t done kicking his ass yet.
Self-doubt wasn’t something he suffered from, not as an adult anyway, but he sure had a bad case of it right now. He had no idea how to feel about Mitch, except that he wished he’d never found out about him. Guilt swam in his stomach. The man seemed sincere and like a genuinely nice guy. A father who’d made the ultimate sacrifice for his son. But none of that was enough to crush the desire to run far, far away.
He punched the mirror, then grabbed it as it shuddered from the blow. When had he become so shallow that he couldn’t even give Mitch a chance? His mother would be ashamed of him. She’d loved Mitch, and for that reason alone, he’d somehow find it in him to be kind.
Suddenly, he desperately needed Luanne. It’d taken all of his willpower not to try and seduce her the last several nights, but something about her body language—or maybe it was the fact that she bedded down on the sofa—told him she wouldn’t be open to his advances. But that hadn’t stopped him from having plenty of dirty dreams about her blazing blue eyes and willing body every damn night.
He heard her before he saw her. She was on the porch talking to Beau.
Son of a bitch.
What the hell was that pretty boy doing spending a private moment with his woman? Okay, true, she didn’t know she was his woman yet, and they weren’t exactly having a clandestine meeting, but that hardly mattered to the caveman who apparently lived inside him.
“I’m so sorry, Beau. I can’t imagine how painful that is.” Luanne’s voice was full of compassion.
“Thanks, Luanne. It’s really hard, you know? He’s all I’ve ever had. It guts me to think of him being so damn sick.” Beau’s voice vibrated with emotion.
“I’m sure it does.”
“And if I’m honest, it messes with my head to think about being alone in the world. Damn. I can’t believe I’m unloading all of this on you.”
Jack couldn’t believe it either. Did the guy have no pride? Beau had emotionally thrown up in front of a beautiful woman. What in the hell did he think would happen? Jack almost felt sorry for the guy.
“Oh, Beau.” Luanne’s voice was so gentle that it made Jack want to go to her.
He peeked through the front window and saw Beau with his head bowed and Luanne holding his hand. He nearly went through the window when she rubbed her hand up his cousin’s arm. Confusion, jealousy, and fear smashed into each other in his brain. What was happening?
Beau looked away from Luanne while taking several shuddering breaths. “Sorry.”
Luanne sat back in her chair. “You never have to be sorry for being honest about your feelings. Besides, chicks dig it.”
Beau chuckled and scrubbed his face with his hands. “How about you? Do you dig it?”
“I do. A man who can be vulnerable in front of a woman is sexy.”
Is that what she wanted from him? Jack knew the answer—yes. But he’d not wanted to appear weak in front of her. Maybe he’d been playing this whole thing the wrong way.
“Sooooo, you and me…” Beau grinned and let the question hang in the air between them.
Luanne grinned back. “No, I’m afraid not. I’m kind of…well, I’m not available.”
Jack let out the breath he’d been holding. Thank goodness.
“I’m not surprised you’re already taken. You’re so nice, Luanne. Jack’s a lucky guy.”
Luanne snorted, and Jack had a hard time holding back a belly laugh.
“What?” Beau asked.
“Many would strongly disagree with you, your cousin for one.”
“But I thought y’all were together.”
She pushed off the porch with her toes, rocking the chair she was in. “It’s complicated.”
“Ah, I’ve had a few of those relationships.”
“I don’t want to date you, Beau, but I do want to speak to you about your career.”
Jack’s ears perked up at that. What the hell was she talking about?
“What about it?”
“I know Jack spoke with you the other night, but I couldn’t tell how seriously you were taking him. I can assure you he’s quite serious about signing you. You have an incredible voice, and amazing stage presence, and I could see you crossing over from country to southern rock very easily.” She picked up her coffee cup and sipped, then replaced it on the table next to her. “You’ll need a good manager, someone who won’t take any crap, and who will look out for your best interests. You won’t find anyone better than Jack. And if you tell him I said that, I’ll swear you’re lying.”
They both laughed and Jack’s heart nearly swelled out of his chest.
“Yeah, I knew he was serious, and I’m interested. It’s all I’ve ever wanted, but to tell the truth, I’ve never really played for anybody who doesn’t know me. I play fairs and honky-tonks around here and the next county over, but I’m not sure if I’m big-time star material like Gavin Bain. And I think I’d like you to represent me.”
“Me?” The shock in Luanne’s voice rang through the morning air.
Her? Jack had to admit it had merit. She was smart and she fought for the people she cared about. He’d need to work with her, and she had things to learn about entertainment law, and client representation, but they were all things she was capable of doing.
Beau chuckled. “Yeah, you.”
“I’m flattered, but it’s my duty as an attorney to tell you that I’m not the best person for the job. I don’t practice entertainment law.”
Jack decided it was time to join the conversation. The screen door squeaked when he opened it and they both turned to him. “Beau, you might be onto something.”
Luanne stared at Jack like he’d lost his mind. “Have you lost your mind?”
Jack unfolded a lawn chair and sat between Luanne and Beau. “I think it is something you should consider.”
Beau grinned. “See, I told you.”
Jack held his hand up. “Back off, pretty boy. You won’t be her first client. She
has a lot to learn before she can handle the likes of you.”
“Oh, I think she could handle me just fine.” The challenge in his cousin’s voice was undeniable.
“I swear, I will set you both on fire if you don’t stop talkin’ like I’m not here.” Barbed wire wrapped around every one of her words.
“She means it, cuz. I’ve seen her in action. She is a force to be reckoned with, our Luanne.” Jack picked up her coffee and took a sip.
She grabbed the cup from him and ignored the warm fuzzy feeling his words caused. “Give me that and quit talking crazy.”
“It’s not crazy. You’d be great. I think you should seriously think about it. You could come to work with Gavin and me. I’ll teach you about entertainment law—you’ll learn the job from the inside out.”
“Are you forgetting I already have a law practice?”
“No.”
“Then why are we even talking about this?”
Beau’s head swiveled back and forth between them. “I see what you mean by complicated.”
Luanne laughed. “Yeah, well…”
“I better get going. I need to take Clyde to the feed store.” He rose and kissed Luanne on the cheek. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He was pretty, but she felt nothing at all at his nearness. All her attention was on the brooding man sitting next to her.
They watched him get into his truck and drive away, then sat in silence for several minutes. “I’ll think about it,” she finally said.
Jack’s flash of white teeth could’ve lit up three counties. “That’s all I ask.”
“I don’t want to talk about it anymore.”
“That’s fine. What do you want to talk about?”
“You.” She wondered what he’d say. He’d probably find some excuse to run away.
“Okay. What do you want to know?”
She almost fell out of her chair. That was the last thing she’d expected him to say. “Um…how are you doing? I mean, with Mitch being here?”
He glanced out over the lawn. “It’s hard. There’s a part of me that’s so fuckin’ angry that I have to deal with this whole thing. Then I feel guilty because the guy made this huge sacrifice for me, and I just want him to go away. And then there’s my mom.” He turned back to her. “Hell, I don’t even know…”
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