Meat, buns, veggies, potatoes, drinks, desserts. She zipped back and forth, entering thoughtless oblivion as she scoured the shelves for anything she might have missed.
“Rachael?”
She turned and inhaled sharply at the pretty she-devil who stood there.
“Gina,” Rachael growled.
Gina’s black hair framed her olive skin and heart-shaped face. Rachael was surprised she had the nerve to approach her. They were close in height, but miles apart in how they treated her sister.
The traitorous jezebel smiled nervously. “How are you?”
Rachael removed her sunglasses and looked Gina in the eye. “Been better. How about you?”
Gina gawked at her black eye. “What happened?”
Sliding her glasses back on, Rachael turned away. “Ask your buddy, Brent.”
“What? Why?”
Rachael walked away, pushing her cart down the aisle until she felt a tugging at her arm. She muttered under her breath then cut Gina with a glare. “What do you want, Gina?”
“What happened? Brent told me he got jumped.”
Cackling, she shoved the glasses back on her face and walked away again, turning into the next aisle.
“Rachael?” Gina asked in a small voice.
She stopped and turned back. “What?”
“Can you tell Carlie that I’m sorry?”
“Go to hell. All the men you screw—yes, everyone knows—and you had to go and fuck Carlie’s man. Go crawl back to Brent. You two deserve each other.”
Furious, Rachael stalked off, leaving Gina standing by the ketchup and other condiments. She needed a bottle of mustard, but like hell she was going back anywhere near that bitch. They could do without. She stormed down the aisle toward the registers.
Calm down, Rach. Calm the F down.
“Rachael!”
Smiling, she turned toward a voice she needed to hear. “Marie!” Rachael glanced behind her and didn’t see Gina. At least she’d finally gotten the message to leave her alone.
“There’s my bluebird. What are you up to today? The boys are all in town. You girls want to come over? Carlie can bring Brent, too. We can watch the fireworks later.”
Rachael cringed and shook her head slowly. “Um. Carlie left Brent.”
Marie blinked. “What?”
“She found out he was having an affair. So she left.”
Marie puffed up, her righteous anger rising. “That boy doesn’t have one brain cell in his thick head. I always knew she was too good for him. Who was the hussy?”
“Hussy?” She giggled at the phrase.
“The tramp. She will not be welcome in my shop. Who was it?” Marie demanded.
My, my. This was a side of Marie she didn’t get to see very often. Rachael loved it. “One of Carlie’s friends. Ex-friends,” she said.
Rachael heard a gasp and turned to see Gina had reappeared behind her. The woman was every-fucking-where.
“What?” Rachael snapped, ripping her glasses off to glare at Gina. “Did you think you were still friends? After that?”
“Rachael! My God—your face! What happened?” Marie cried.
Shit. “Ask this hussy over here. Brent happened.”
Marie eyeballed Gina while Rachael walked to the open lane, ready to checkout in more ways than one.
“Brent did that?” Gina blinked in astonishment. Rachael shook her head at Gina’s absurd blend of obtuse innocence and man-stealing prowess.
“Yes. Though to be fair, it was his elbow. He was trying to break into the house. To patch things up with Carlie. He begged her to forgive him, pleaded with her to come home with him. He said she was the only one for him. That you were nothing to him—you were nothing but a mistake.” Let her stew on that.
Gina flinched, her cheeks stained with guilt.
“I hope to God she had the good sense to turn him down,” Marie huffed.
“Oh, yes. A friend of mine helped to take the trash to the curb.” Rachael turned back to Gina. “Now go away.”
Her head pounding, Rachael swept the groceries onto the conveyor belt and leaned on the cart handle, willing the cashier to move faster.
Marie wrapped her arms around Rachael. “I’m here if you or Carlie need anything at all. You girls come see me this week, yes?”
She nodded. “We will. Love you, Marie. Tell the boys I said hello.”
“I’ll do that, honey. Now you go home and rest. Dinner’s at seven if you change your mind. The door’s always open.”
“Thank you.”
“I have to go get some pie. But I’ll stand here and make sure she doesn’t bother you anymore until you’re done.”
Marie was truly the best.
* * *
“Hussy?” Her sister choked with laughter as she helped Rachael put groceries away.
“Hussy.” Rachael confirmed.
Carlie snorted. “That may be my new favorite word. What happened after that?”
“Not much. But I think it’s safe to assume that Gina will not be showing her face around that Kroger for a while.”
“Which makes it my new favorite place to shop.”
They dumped the chopped vegetables into the salad bowl and Carlie tossed it with the vinaigrette. “What’s next?” she asked.
“I think we’re all set. Now we just have to see if and when Kim and Owen show up. And Rick.”
“Are you nervous?” Carlie asked.
Hell yes. “No, I’m good.”
“Have you thought about what he asked? Living together?”
Nonstop. Rachael shook her head. “Been a little busy.”
Carlie grinned. “Liar. But you have nothing to worry about. I know you’ll make the right decision.”
That makes one of us. Ugh. “I’m going to touch up my makeup. Can you let Olive and Martini out for me?”
Nervous energy coursed through her as Rachael jogged up the stairs. She sat on the edge of her bed, trying to force herself to calm down. Why did this have to be so overwhelming? Shouldn’t it be easy? Dad always said when it was right, it was right. She knew without question that Rick was the right man. But why didn’t everything fit together? It was all wonky. Like puzzle pieces that hadn’t been cut properly.
She picked up her phone and hit send.
“Charles Eller at your service,” he answered on the second ring.
“Hi, Dad. How is your vacation?”
“It’s great, pumpkin. How are things at home? Feeling well? I assume you’re taking care of your sister?”
“Mhm. She’s here now, helping me get things ready. We’re having a cookout.”
“That sounds nice. You’re not cooking, are you? I’d like to come home to an intact kitchen.”
She rolled her eyes. “Ha, ha. Funny guy. But no, I’m not cooking. You can relax.”
His chuckle was contagious. “Are you girls going to watch the fireworks tonight?”
“That’s the plan, as long as the weather holds. How about you? Any fireworks?”
“Yes, your mother and I made some sparks.”
Her eyes widened. “Dad! Gross! I can’t unhear that!”
He laughed and she relaxed to the sound of his voice. “Now, you want to tell me why you’re calling?”
“Can’t a girl just call her dad?”
“Of course. But what else is concerning you?”
Rachael chewed on her lip and debated what to say, how much to share. “It’s been a rough couple of days. Gabe came back and said he can’t be friends. I basically had to choose all or nothing with him.”
“That’s not a fair proposition.”
At least he got it. “No. So I did what I had to do.”
He was quiet. “He’s gone?”
“Yes,” she whispered.
He muttered something under his breath. “I’m sorry, Rachael. I know he meant a lot to you.”
“And Rick is back in the picture.” She stretched her palm out across the bed where her life had become tied to his.
&nb
sp; “Olive’s vet? Is that good?”
“Yes, but what if things are moving too fast?”
“Then take a step back.”
He made it sound so simple. She leaned back on her arm and thought about Rick. About the future.
“I feel like things are right with Rick. But it doesn’t feel easy. I can’t make up my mind.”
“You’re confusing the two, honey. Right isn’t always easy and easy isn’t always right. Sometimes you have to trust yourself to make the choices that are right for the moment. Figure out what will keep things right. Change the things that are wrong. And trust yourself to learn from the wrong choices. That takes courage and more than a little bit of wisdom.”
She thought of Marie’s words. They sounded like they were cut from the same cloth. “How do you do it?”
“One decision at a time. One foot in front of the other, and just keep moving forward.”
“Easier said than done, but I’ll try. Thanks, Dad.”
“You’re welcome. And Rach? Your mother and I are both very proud of the young woman you’ve become. Any decision you make, good or bad, we are here for you. I love you, sweetheart.”
“Love you, too.”
She wiped the moisture from her face and mulled over his words. Courage and wisdom. She sure could use a little extra of each right about now.
41
“Knock, knock! Can I come in?” Kim poked her head around the bedroom door. Rachael waved her in and she plopped onto the bed. “Hussy, huh?”
“She told you?” Rachael asked.
“Classic Marie. She should write a book. I’d read every fucking word. Twice.” She whistled. “I’d hate to see what that looks like without the makeup. It’s not pretty now.”
“I did what I could,” Rachael shrugged, patting the concealer around her eye.
“Does Rick know?”
“No. But it will be easy enough to explain.”
Her skeptical look spoke volumes. “Uh-huh. Sure. You don’t think he’ll wonder how it got there? Who did it?”
“All easily explained.”
“And Gabe’s involvement?”
Crap. “What are you doing here already?” Rachael hedged. “I didn’t expect you until closer to sunset.”
“I thought you said five?”
“I know what I said, but you’re actually early? Are you feeling all right?”
“I do have a clock, you know.”
“Oh?” Rachael asked, all innocence. “Did someone show you how to use it?”
Kim flipped her the bird then shifted on the bed. “Actually, I was coming up here to see if Owen and I can steal Carlie away after we eat. A bunch of our old high school friends are in town. Going to catch a few drinks.”
“Are you asking me for permission?”
“Guess so. I don’t want to leave you here alone. Especially if . . .”
“If what?”
“If things don’t go so well,” Kim said bluntly. “You haven’t told him about Gabe. Don’t think I didn’t catch you skipping over my question.”
Oh.
Quirking her lips, Rachael tilted her head. “Things are going to go, whether they go well or not. I’ll be fine, Kim. But thank you for thinking of me. You guys go have fun.”
“You’re sure?”
“I’m sure. Now go pour me a glass of wine. I’ll be down in a minute.”
“’Kay. And Rach?”
“Hmm?”
“You look stunning. He’s not going to be able to take his eyes off you.”
Rachael blushed. “Thanks.”
Kim nodded and slipped out of the room.
Rachael took a last look in the floor-length mirror. Her short denim skirt and red tank top hugged her figure. She pulled on a breezy white lace shrug and flip flops. Backyard cookout casual, but still sexy. She could work it. Even if she did have another freaking black eye. She played with her long curls and tried to figure out if she could hide the eye, then gave up. Why bother trying to hide it? If she had to deal with it, they could deal with it.
“Here goes,” she whispered.
Now to see if he showed up.
Courage. Wisdom. Please, God. Let me make the right decisions, say the right things.
The clock edged past five, and still no sign of Rick. Rachael tried to not stress. She busied herself with straightening up the house, talking to the dogs, playing hostess to the girls and Owen, and obsessively not checking the time.
Owen and Kim were on the deck with Carlie. They took on the task of grilling the burgers. Rachael finished picking up in the kitchen and was kneeling on the floor, searching for a plastic bowl for the chips in a cabinet when she heard him arrive.
Trying not to drop the tower of dishes that housed the one she wanted, she glanced over her shoulder to see Rick lounging at the entrance to the kitchen. He looked simply delicious in his khaki cargo shorts and plain white t-shirt.
“Need help down there?” he asked.
“No, I’m good. I wasn’t sure you would come.”
“I wouldn’t miss it. And I certainly wouldn’t want to miss this view,” he whistled appreciatively.
That’s encouraging.
Time to get the first shock out of the way.
Taking a deep breath, Rachael shoved the extra dishes back in the cabinet and stood, turning fully toward him. His whistle took a turn for the dramatic as he saw her puffy, colorful eye. “What happened?”
“It wasn’t a door if that’s what you’re wondering,” she joked.
Rick frowned and touched the tender skin around her eye, noting her wince in pain. “Good God, Rachael. I need to cover you in bubble wrap and get you a helmet. Now tell me what happened.”
“Last night, after you left, Brent came over and tried to get in to see Carlie.” His face darkened and she set her palm against his chest. “It’s fine. He didn’t get in.” Rachael hesitated briefly. “Gabe showed up. He got rid of Brent.”
Rick digested this, his face tight. “Gabe? He was here?”
She nodded slowly. “Yes, but he left.”
“What happened?” His face was impassive, and she swallowed nervously.
“Can we sit down, please?” It was hard enough telling him this without the extra foot-and-a-half height difference. She wanted—no, she needed—to see his eyes as she explained what happened. He had to see the truth.
He stalked out to the living room and sat on the recliner. Rachael took a deep breath and settled on the edge of the sofa to face him. “Brent showed up, completely lit. He was a mess. I asked him to leave several times—I even threatened to call the cops. Gabe showed up then and went after Brent when he elbowed me in the face. Brent heard Carlie crying in here and went completely berserk. I don’t even think he realized he hit me.”
Rick’s hands tightened into fists and his mouth flattened. “Go on.”
“I came back in here to be with Carlie while Gabe beat the shit out of him.”
“Good.”
“Afterwards, he came in here and Carlie left to go calm down.”
“It was just the two of you?”
“Yes, but nothing happened, Rick. I told Gabe nothing was ever going to happen between us. I told him I couldn’t do this anymore. He left for good this time. He’s gone, out of my life.”
Rick rocked the recliner forward and leaned toward her over his knees, his hands steepled in front of him. “I believe you.”
“You do?”
“Yes. I trust you. I’m upset that I wasn’t the one here to protect you. But I believe you.”
Thank God. “I was worried when you left last night without a word,” she whispered.
“Sorry, baby. I was angry. But not at you.”
“It felt like you were angry with me. You didn’t text. Call. Nothing.”
He shook his head and ran a hand through his hair. “I can see I need to work on my communication skills. I didn’t know you were waiting to hear from me.”
Rachael narrowed her eyes. �
�Rick, come on. You left without a word. You didn’t think I would be worried?”
“I’m sorry. I’ll try harder.”
She stared in his eyes, seeing that he meant it.
“Rach? Burgers are ready!” Kim hollered.
“We’ll be right there! Ready to eat?” she asked him.
He stood and pulled her up. In flip flops, their height difference was almost funny. He ran a hand down the back of her head and kissed her gently. “Now I’m ready.”
42
Bringing the last of the dishes to the patio table, Rachael introduced Rick to Owen and the makeshift family conversation resumed. The air was heavy with hints of smoke from the bottle rockets and other Fourth of July explosives, and the distinctive odor of charred burgers.
“They’re not all burnt,” Owen pouted as Kim used the tongs to search through the platter of steaming meat.
“I suppose it depends on your definition of burnt. There are clearly different levels of char. Light burn, medium burn, and brittle black brick. Well done, handsome,” Kim teased. “Remind me not to let you grill again. Ever.”
Rick was walking around the yard with Carlie, talking and playing with the dogs. Rachael was tickled that they were making an effort to get to know each other. Carlie had her phone out, taking pictures of Olive and Martini. They began to return when Carlie’s phone rang. “Movers,” she said, nodding at Rick. “They want to confirm everything got delivered. They said they’d need to talk to you, too.” They descended back into the yard, taking turns talking to the moving company.
When they rejoined the rest of the group a few minutes later, everyone loaded up their plates and sat on the deck. Olive and Martini settled quickly at Rick’s feet, watching and hoping for further droppings.
“See this?” Rachael pouted. “He’s already stolen my dogs!”
Carlie giggled and tossed a pinch of hamburger bun to each of them. “He’s a clever one. He found the secret path to your heart, Rach—the dogs! Though I must warn you, Rick, don’t you dare try to come between the furballs and Auntie Carlie!”
He saluted her with his bottle of beer. “No worries on that front.”
A lone firework popped over the tree line and the dogs didn’t even glance away from the food-dropping humans. One less reason to stress. Rachael smiled. Looking around the table, she counted so many blessings to be thankful for.
Animal Attraction Page 25
