Leave yesterday behind, p.11
Leave Yesterday Behind, page 11
“I see you’re ready for your outing,” Callandra said, her eyes sparkling with approval.
Essie rose. “Let me get you that slaw, else Miz Pam’ll make you turn around and come back. She is one bossy gal.” The cook opened the refrigerator and took out a large glass bowl covered in Saran wrap and handed it to Callie.
“You have a nice time, hear?” Essie gently squeezed Callie’s shoulder. “Eat something of everything for me.”
“I’ll do that. Bye now.”
She left the kitchen and went to the foyer table. She slung her purse over her shoulder and grabbed the car keys to the SUV they’d rented and headed out the door.
“Better lock it.”
She froze at the low, deep voice. She whipped around and found Nick seated on the porch swing, his long legs stretched out in front of him. A slight breeze ruffled his dark hair as those midnight blue eyes focused on her with intensity.
“You about made me drop this,” she accused him, hugging the glass bowl tightly. “How dare you sneak up on people like that.”
He stood as she stormed down the steps.
“Wait a minute,” he called after her.
She stopped and watched him slip a key into the front door and turn the dead bolt before he moved down the steps with a grace that screamed his athletic roots.
“I told you to lock it,” he said. “Miz C is careless about that. I tell her all the time that times have changed. It’s a different world now than the one she grew up in.”
He placed his palm against the small of her back. “Let’s go.”
Callie stiffened at the touch and turned to face him. “What are you talking about?”
“I’m your ride to Pam and Tom’s.” Nick paused a moment. “I thought Pam told you.”
“No. She didn’t.” She took a deep yoga breath to calm her racing heart. “That’s okay. I’ll see you there.” She turned to go.
“Wait.” Nick took her elbow in his hand. She winced and he dropped his hand.
“We’re going to the same place. We might as well go together.”
She hesitated. “I... I might have to... leave early. I wouldn’t want—”
“Then I’ll leave early, too.” He gave her a crooked smile. “I’m not much on get-togethers myself. You give me a sign when you want to leave. I’ll do the same.” He stuck out his hand. “Deal?”
Callie held the bowl close to her with her left hand and moved to place her right hand in his. “Deal.”
He clasped her hand in his. Warmth flooded her at his touch. It felt... nice. Reluctantly, she pulled her hand from his. He reached and took the slaw from her.
“Come on. Pam’s a-waiting.”
He escorted her to his red convertible, which sat in the front drive. She was disappointed for a moment that the top was up. She hadn’t ridden in a convertible in fifteen years and realized she’d missed the feeling of the wind blowing through her hair.
Nick opened the door for her. “Don’t sit on the buns,” he warned.
She located two packages of Mrs. Baird’s hamburger buns in the passenger seat and picked them up before she slipped into the car. Nick handed her the bowl and closed the door as she fastened her seat belt.
The car smelled of its leather seats and Nick’s cologne. Utterly male. Callie shivered. She didn’t know if it was in fear or anticipation.
He backed out and headed toward town. He didn’t attempt any small talk. Neither did she. Yet the silence between them wasn’t strained. She felt a small victory when they pulled down the long driveway of Pam’s rambling two-story. Her breathing was still normal. She hadn’t panicked in Nick’s presence or needed him to stop the car.
Maybe this night out would be good for her, after all.
Before she had unbuckled her seat belt, Nick was already out of the car and opening her door. He took the food items and gave her a hand to get out of the low-slung car. Once again, she experienced a feeling of security for the few moments her hand rested in his. As if everything was right with the world.
“Hey, guys.”
She watched Pam’s husband headed toward them. Tom hesitated a moment before he gave her a swift hug. Callie was certain Pam had told him of her feelings about men. But the hug was brief and she didn’t feel like a trapped prisoner because it was over so quickly.
“How’s the team this year?” she asked, glad to hear her voice sounded natural. “Pam said you made it to regionals last year.”
Tom snorted. “This football team is headed all the way to state, honey. I have a quarterback with an arm on him that you haven’t seen the likes of. The kid’s six-three and still growing. Accurate as hell. And he reads defenses like a dream.”
He smiled at her. “You’ll have to come to a few games.”
She returned the smile, relaxing in the presence of someone she’d known for many years. “I’ll do that. It’ll be odd, though, seeing you coaching on the sidelines instead of out there making tackles and forcing fumbles.”
“You’ll get used to it. Besides, it’s the only place I get to boss anyone around.” Tom winked at her.
“You aren’t saying that you’re henpecked, are you, Tom?” Nick asked, a teasing light in his eyes.
“I prefer to think of myself as a modern man. One who knows he pleases his wife and yet knows his place.”
“I’d say your place is back at those coals, buster,” Pam said. “Go nurse them so Nick can get things rolling. I’m starving.”
Tom rolled his eyes dramatically. “It’ll be another ten minutes, Nick. No need to rush back. I’ve got it covered.” He headed toward the grill.
Pam hugged her. “Glad you’re here. Elvis just called. He said to say hello.”
“How are things going for our newest state legislator?”
Pam took the bowl of slaw and set it on a picnic table dressed in red-and-white gingham.
“You know Elvis. Politics is his life. It wasn’t enough being Aurora’s district attorney. He had to aim for the big leagues.”
“I know you must miss him not being around. How is Eric taking it? I think it would be hard to be separated from your twin after so many years. I mean, they even roomed together in college. And married sisters from their same hometown.”
“Elvis definitely got the better part of that deal. His wife is the sweetheart in that pathetic excuse for a family. Poor Eric got saddled with the Queen Bitch for what thankfully turned out to be a very short ride.” Pam sighed. “But he’s perked up, for sure. Gretchen’s only been here for a few days. Even Elvis said that Eric sounded like a new man on the phone.”
She nodded. “They are already thicker than thieves.”
A dark sedan pulled up as they spoke. “Why, there’s the devil himself, with an angel by his side,” Pam said. They watched as the couple got out of the car and came up the drive, and Pam went to greet them.
Callie always thought Gretchen vivacious. She had a rich love for life written across her heart-shaped face. Yet this Gretchen seemed even more alive and vital than the woman Callie had lived with these past few months.
“He’s smitten,” muttered Nick under his breath, but she caught the comment all the same. She turned to him.
“Look at her. She seems pretty taken, too.”
Nick frowned. “Yeah. After she made a play for me.” He shrugged. “Redheads are supposed to be notoriously fickle.”
“Gretchen is not fickle,” she hissed between her teeth. “She’s had a rough time of it. A man who never tried to understand her. A very messy divorce. She deserves a little happiness.”
“Don’t we all,” he added sarcastically.
She chose to ignore him and walked over to her friend. “How was New Orleans?”
“Divine,” Gretchen drawled in an imitation Southern accent. Eric came up beside her and draped an arm around her shoulder. She smiled up at him. “I couldn’t have had a better tour guide.”
Eric beamed. “This little lady can move.” He shook his head. “Hey, Cal, do all you New Yorkers walk so fast? I had to about tie her ankles together to slow her down so she could actually see the sights and not race by everything.”
She laughed. “Everyone is pretty much in a hurry in New York. Of course, down here the heat’ll slow anyone to a crawl.”
Gretchen collapsed on a nearby lawn chair. “You are not kidding me. I could use a cold one.”
Callie had worried about standing around feeling useless. Now, she had a job. “I’ll get you something. I’ll get everyone something. Be right back.”
She hurried into the kitchen, pleased that she’d made small talk and actually enjoyed it. She spied a pitcher of iced tea sitting on the counter, but she knew most people would want something a little stronger. As she opened the refrigerator, she heard the kitchen door open behind her. Thinking it was Pam, she said, “Go back and poll the guys if they want beer or wine. I know what you’ll want.”
“That so?”
She popped up her head and found Nick standing there. “I... thought you were Pam.”
“Pam sent me in to help. She didn’t think you should have to make so many trips. Don’t worry. I know where everything is.”
“I’m fine. You can go.”
He stayed.
She pulled out several beers and a bottle of white wine and set them on the counter.
“I had you pegged as a white-wine kinda gal,” he said.
She stiffened. “For your information, I don’t drink wine. I don’t drink. Period. My daddy did enough drinking for the entire family—and he turned mean when he did it. Mama and I got slapped around enough times because of it. I supposed I’d be prone to it, so I’ve never touched a drop.”
She slammed the refrigerator for emphasis and crossed her arms protectively in front of her.
Why did she go blurt all that out?
She rarely mentioned her father to anyone, much less the abuse she and her mother endured. She kept opening up to this man at the oddest moments. For the life of her, she couldn’t understand why.
Nick’s brow creased. If Callie didn’t know better, she might have thought it was in anger.
“I’m sorry,” he said quietly.
She almost aimed another retort, but she recognized true sympathy on his features. Her heart did a back flip that would have made an Olympic gymnast proud.
“I’m not,” she continued, her voice calming. “When he died, Mama and I came to Noble Oaks. I never felt as safe as I did that first night. I got more than enough to eat and I was always starving back then. Aunt C herself scrubbed me from head to toe that night and she read me a story from a fairy tale book. I fell asleep lying in a big bed with clean sheets and frilly curtains hanging around the windows. I thought I’d died and gone to Heaven.”
“Noble Oaks has that effect on people.” He acted as if he wanted to share a confidence, but he turned away and opened a cabinet instead. He took out several coozies and slipped the canned beers into them.
“What would you like to drink?” she asked, her anger evaporating.
“Iced tea would be great.” He swallowed and said hesitantly, “I had a little drinking problem myself at one point. Drugs, too. My mom marched herself into her big league son’s life and straightened me out but good.” He smiled. “I don’t even like to take aspirin nowadays.”
He gathered the beers up in his arms and took them outside. Callie watched out the window as he distributed them to Gretchen, Eric, and Tom. She poured a glass of wine for Pam and two tall glasses of iced tea for herself and Nick as she reflected at his surprising candor.
As she reached the door, Nick came back. “Thanks.” He took the glass from her and gulped a big swig. He turned and headed over to the grill, and he and Eric good-naturedly started teasing about who was the best grill master.
Callie took Pam her wine and then went and sat on a picnic bench.
There was a lot more to Nick La Chappelle than she’d first thought.
Chapter Seventeen
Callie viewed the group gathered around the picnic table. She had enjoyed the leisurely meal and the company. She couldn’t remember the last time she’d been so relaxed and unguarded. Laughing as she listened to Eric’s story about a couple of teenagers who’d taken a prank to embarrassing levels, and how he’d called their fathers rather than book them for being in the town square’s public fountain without any attire.
“I seem to recall a streaking incident in your and Elvis’ past,” Tom said. “Your parents would’ve sooner killed you than come get you, I’d imagine.”
“All the more reason to show a little compassion, Thomas,” Eric said, grinning. “Hell, Mama’s still bent out of shape about us getting suspended for spiking the tutti-frutti punch at the junior-senior prom. Best we not divulge anything about running around buck nekkid at the Sunday school’s Fourth of July social.”
Pam shook her head. “I still can’t believe Mama didn’t recognize either of you.”
Eric laughed. “Never can say enough for a good Halloween mask and a fast pair of Nikes.”
“To think you and Elvis are now considered upstanding, model citizens. Boy, this town is fooled by charm, I’ll tell you,” Nick added.
Pam stood. “The sun’s about to go down. Let’s clear away these dishes, girls. The guys can scrub the grill and gather up trash. Tom, be sure to light the citronellas before the mosquitoes declare open season on us and try to eat us alive.” She started picking up empty cans. “Anyone need another beer or Coke? Tea? We’ve still got dessert coming.”
A collective groan echoed around the table.
Callie began to gather silverware off the paper plates. She reached across the table, where her fingers brushed against Nick’s as he handed over his fork and knife. She dropped what she had in her hands.
“Sorry,” he said. “Just trying to help.”
He eyed her steadily, and she knew the telltale blush racing up her neck and across her cheeks gave away that she wasn’t as calm and collected as she let on.
“No, just me being clumsy. It’s a good thing I got an acting gig pretty soon after arriving in New York, because I never would’ve made a living waiting tables.”
Actually, she’d been thrown for a loop. When they shook hands earlier, her hand in his had seemed like a warm, fuzzy fit. Yet now the contact between them was the stuff she’d read about in books—sudden, instantaneous lightning that rocked her world. She decided it was time to leave.
But not with Nick.
She peered at Gretchen, who had gathered up the empty bowls of beans and slaw as she flirted with Eric. She couldn’t ask Eric to run her home now. Not when Gretchen appeared so happy.
“We can leave right after dessert,” Nick said, his voice low enough so that no one could hear. “Just don’t deny my sweet tooth.” He crossed his heart. “I promise—three bites and we’re outta here.”
“No, I’m fine,” she said quickly. She reached to pick up the scattered silverware.
“Are you sure?”
Her gaze met his. The stormy blue had warmed somewhat. They were now the cool blue of a summer pond in the fading light.
“Sure, I’m sure. Uh, I need to help now.” She threw the cutlery into the empty potato salad bowl and scooped it up. Hurrying across the lawn and up the steps of the back porch, she entered the kitchen.
“Just set it in the sink,” Pam instructed. “Run a little water in it to soak. The dishes can wait.” Pam hugged her. “It’s so good to have you back. Let’s get dessert out there before the guys come looking for it.”
Pam handed Callie a stack of colorful plastic bowls and spoons and a tub of Cool Whip. “Take those out for me. I’ll bring the cobbler and then the ice cream. I’m sure Eric will be the only one who thinks he needs the Cool Whip.”
They brought the items to the picnic table and Pam removed the foil from the oblong glass dish.
“Do I smell peach cobbler?” Tom slipped his arms around his wife’s waist as he leaned over her shoulder to inhale the aroma wafting up. “My dear, you are a keeper.” He kissed her neck and growled.
Eric looked around expectantly. “Any Blue Bell? I can’t have hot cobbler without ice cream.”
“It’s in the kitchen,” Callie said. “I’ll get it.” She walked back inside, a part of her heart aching for her friends. Pam and Tom were so good together, and they had wanted kids as long as they’d been married, close to ten years now. She was grateful they still seemed as much in love as ever, despite their infertility troubles.
She brought the ice cream and scoop to the table. Nick opened the carton and faced Gretchen.
He pointed the utensil at her for emphasis. “This is one of the best things you’ll ever put in your mouth, Yankee Girl. Blue Bell Homemade Vanilla, from the little creamery in Brenham, Texas. Not far from where I grew up.” He eyed the ice cream appreciatively. “I used to dream about this when I lived in L.A. I would’ve traded a good half-dozen strikeouts for a bowl of Blue Bell on any given day.”
As Pam dished out the cobbler, Nick plopped scoops of ice cream on top of it. Only Eric dumped the whipped topping over both of those. Callie was glad Nick was making an effort to be nice to Gretchen, especially after his earlier comment on her fickleness. It was obvious to all present, though, that she and Eric already had strong feelings toward one another. Maybe Nick believed that it would only be right to welcome Gretchen into his cousin’s life for the time she would be in Aurora, instead of causing trouble.
Callie stared at the full bowl Nick placed in front of her and her eyes widened. “I don’t know how I’m going to eat all of this,” she proclaimed.
“I’m a little full myself after two burgers and all the sides,” he admitted. “Mind if we share?”
“Okay.” She hoped her voice didn’t betray her reluctance. Sharing food seemed intimate to her.
“Here, trade spots with me, Nick,” Pam insisted. “It’ll be easier than you leaning across the table.”
