by Geri Foster
Aaron reached between the bars, trying to grab him. “You shut your mouth. I don’t care if you’re FBI, CIA or the whole damn Army. You don’t scare me.”
He grinned. “I did this morning. As I recall you were on your knees kissing the gravel parking lot at the diner.”
“Shut up. Just shut up and get out of here.”
Austin put his arm around Grandma Faith’s narrow shoulders and walked toward the exit. “Let’s get you out of here before you get in trouble for carrying that shotgun.”
“I ain’t carrying it. I have a permit for this and I damn sure know how to use it.”
“I never doubted it for a minute.”
Lucas grabbed Levi by the sleeve of his shirt. “Let’s go. Visiting hours are over.”
“I’m getting my son a lawyer and, while I’m at it, I’ll take your badge as well.”
“Go right ahead. Hell, there are days I’d give it to you.”
Suddenly, Grandma Faith spun around, shoved up against Levi and stuck her finger against his nose. “Let me give you this warning, Levi.” She lifted her thin brows. “I’m one of the few people in town who knows the truth. The real truth. So, you better watch yourself, buster.”
Finished, she turned and stomped out the door. Bewildered, he looked at Lucas. “What did she mean by that?”
Levi shoved past them. “Nothing, nothing at all. She’s just an old busybody who needs to keep her mouth shut.”
Sighing, Lucas locked the door leading to the jail, then he and Austin walked to his office.
“What was that all about?” he asked. “What truth?”
Lucas shook his head. “I honestly don’t know what truth Grandma Faith is talking about and there’s no telling. Those three women harbor more secrets than you can fill a book with. They know everyone’s secrets.”
“Well, they’ve been around forever.”
“Yeah, and they don’t forget a thing.”
He laughed. “I do need to tell you she’s right. Aaron was waiting for Candi in the parking lot this morning. I actually came here to tell you what happened. I didn’t know he’d been arrested.”
Lucas sat on the edge of his desk. “He actually came in here hoping I’d arrest you for breaking his hand.”
“I hope it’s broken. His plan was to use it to hurt Candi.”
“Lucky you came by when you did.”
“I was going to just do a drive through this morning, grab some coffee and head for Dallas, then I changed my mind and went to Gert’s Diner. I drove up on him brow-beating her.”
“Right after I warned him to stay away from her.”
“Well, you know how he is.”
“I hope that changes, because I am pressing charges. He’ll have his day in court, but I don’t think the judge will take kindly to Levi’s son beating up on Candi. He’s very good friends with the grandmas.”
“That might be the only way to stop him. He’s completely out of control and I don’t think Candi can do anything to stop him.”
“No, and he’s made her life a living hell. I wish he’d find someone, get married and leave her alone.”
“I don’t think he’ll ever do that. According to her, he’s too in love with her.”
“In love?” Lucas chuckled. “If that’s love I don’t want any part of it. And believe me, she’s made it clear how she feels about him.”
He stood. “I know that’s right. Well, maybe the judge can talk some sense into him, but I doubt it.” He turned to leave. “By the way, I’m taking Candi to dinner tonight.”
“What?” Lucas slid off the desk. “Really?” A crooked grin tugged at his mouth. “She actually accepted?”
“What does that mean?” he asked, laughing.
“Nothing!” Lucas chuckled in return. “I just meant, she hasn’t dated since Aaron. I was beginning to think she never would.”
“Well she said yes…in a way. Don’t worry about it. I have to get back to my room and clean up. I’m picking her up in an hour.”
“Let me know how it goes.”
“It’s just dinner, but I will.”
“Yeah, yeah, like that thing at the lake was just a kiss.”
Chapter 6
Candi handed Tyler the backpack she’d crammed full of everything a young boy might need for an overnight stay, then, walked him to the door. “Be polite, do what Mrs. Sherwood says and be in before dark.”
“Okay, Mom. I’ll be fine. Don’t worry.”
Her stomach churned. “I’m not worried. I just want you to mind your manners.”
She hated him growing up before her eyes so quickly. Only yesterday she had rocked him to sleep, now he barely let her kiss him goodnight. Tonight, he’d be attending his first ever sleepover and the idea made her a nervous wreck.
As soon as the door closed, her mind went on to the next set of worries she had. Austin Crawley would be there in less than an hour and she had no idea what to wear or where they’d be going. More disturbing, she didn’t know why she had agreed to go with him on a date. That wasn’t like her.
Yet, the thought had her palms sweaty and her heart thudding loudly against her ribs. She bit her bottom lip and tried to calm the jitters invading her stomach. What on earth did she think would come of this? They barely knew each other anymore and, yet, she wanted to learn all she could about the man who left Rainwater years ago.
Shoving away from the door she headed to the shower and hoped, while there, something suitable to wear would pop into her mind. Casual, but not too casual, and absolutely nothing sexy. Who was she kidding? She didn’t own a single provocative item of clothing. Besides, she wouldn’t have the nerve to wear it even if she did. Not her style and it wouldn’t help her reputation. When you were a single mother in Rainwater, you walked a tight line. One wrong move and the whole community turned against you. Not that they were mean or judgmental, they simply expected people to be at their best.
The Travis’ hadn’t been given a pass on behavior, either. People might fear them, but that was not respect. No one in town liked the father or the son. Though they bounced back after Aaron’s mom left and all the rumors that surrounded that, you couldn’t say the same for their reputation after what they’d done to her and Tyler. The first event wasn’t something they decided on, but the second certainly was. For months she’d expected them to be run out of town, but when that hadn’t happened, the residents simply ignored them instead.
Levi ended up kicked off the council, the community board and out of the church. If that hadn’t been enough, no one local bought their cattle anymore. They had to ship it to Dallas or further. Considering there were two meat-packing plants between Rainwater and Dallas, Levi had to feel the pinch.
That only made her Grandma Faith gloat more.
Out of the shower, with a towel around her head, she went through her closet. Money was tight and she didn’t have a big selection. Settling on a fitted skirt, white men’s shirt and a matching jacket, she went about getting dressed. Looking at her unwrapped hair, she decided to start there. Untangling that mess would take the longest.
Forty-five minutes later she slipped into the skirt then slid her feet into a nice, but comfortable, pair of heels. Nothing fancy, and she carefully covered everything. Spritzing on the last of her expensive perfume she got last year for Christmas, she stood back and looked in the mirror.
She carefully studied the tiny lines on her face, her blonde hair, and the curve of her mouth. All could be improved on, which made her wonder again why Austin asked her out on a date. Then it hit her.
Did he feel sorry for her?
She dropped down, sitting on the foot of her bed. Poor little jilted woman who’d gotten pregnant by a daddy’s boy not willing to accept responsibility for his own son. Did Austin hope to get what Aaron got? He’d been away for a while. Did he believe the things her ex accused her of?
Her heart slowed down and it began to crack. All excited to be asked out for the first time in years and now she wonde
red why. Sadness washed over her chest and she batted back tears. Why on earth would she think there was any happiness in the future for her?
In the middle of her doubt, the doorbell rang and she jumped to her feet. For a nanosecond she considered hiding, not answering. But, then, she realized that, in the small town where they both lived, there could be no hiding. No matter what happened, she would be seeing Austin around Rainwater. Besides, when had she become a coward?
Sucking in a deep breath, she pressed down the front of her outfit and strode calmly to the door, flinging it open. Austin stood on the other side dressed in a crisp pair of black slacks, a white shirt and over that a light grey jacket.
He leaned back, surprised when she opened the door so quickly. “Good evening, you look nice. I—”
“Do you feel sorry for me?” she demanded in a voice gruffer than she expected. She jammed her hands on her hips and scrunched up her face. “Do you?”
His eyes widened. “No, not really.”
“And do you think because I had an affair with Aaron Travis I’d do the same with you?”
He stepped back, three lines etched across his forehead as his brows pulled closer. “No,” he stretched out the word.
Satisfied, she opened the door wider to invite him in. “Good, then please come in.”
* * *
Austin looked inside carefully and wondered if she had a baseball bat waiting for him. He’d never been greeted so hostilely by a date in his life. Maybe this wasn’t such a good idea.
“Listen, if you’d rather call tonight off, I’ll understand.”
“Oh, now you don’t want to take me out?”
“I do.” He stopped and held up his hand in surrender. “Let’s get to the bottom of this.”
She lifted her chin defiantly. “The bottom of what?”
He circled his right palm in the air between them. “Whatever this is.” He cleared his throat and offered her a weak smile. “I asked you out for one reason. I want to spend time with you. Have dinner, a few drinks, then I plan to bring you right home.” He tapped her nose playfully. “And leave immediately.”
Talk about taking the wind out of someone’s sail. She practically deflated right before his eyes. He didn’t know what had her so worked up, but she’d managed to get her panties in a pretty tight wad, though he’d never tell her that.
“Oh,” she replied weakly. “I’m sorry. I don’t get asked out a lot and since you’ve recently returned to town I didn’t want you getting the wrong idea.”
He reached out and took her by the arm. “I have no preconceived notions. We’re just talking dinner here.” He smiled, hoping the incident was behind them and they could start fresh. “Are you ready to go? We have reservations in about twenty minutes.”
She pulled her arm away and stepped back. “I’m so sorry, Austin. It doesn’t take much for me to get all in a tizzy and to begin thinking the worse. I just don’t want you to get the wrong idea about me.”
He put his hands out and cocked his right hip. “Is all this because you have a child? We knew each other pretty well once. I’m not all that different now. Older, wiser, more handsome…” he attempted a joke and got a small laugh for his effort. “Once you know me better again, you’ll remember I don’t judge. Now let’s go have a nice evening.”
Nodding with a smile, she dashed to the other side of the room and took her purse off the counter. “I’m ready.”
Truer words could never be spoken. Candi Matthews looked good enough to serve up on a plate to eat. Her beauty nearly stole his breath. Her long blonde hair hung down well past her shoulders in soft, caressing curls. Her lips were painted a soft coral and her blue eyes, surrounded by dark, thick lashes, absolutely sparkled.
She was totally and absolutely gorgeous and he’d be proud to have her on his arm tonight. He held the door while she exited and they walked to his car, which he’d left parked in front of his dad’s house. He didn’t want to block the Humphries driveway.
They arrived at the restaurant and he noticed her eyes widen. He’d gone the extra mile tonight to show her a nice time. He wanted to impress her, for one, and for another, he wanted her to know she was special and he cared for her. By all appearances, he’d succeeded.
They entered the restaurant and their waiter showed them to a nice table in the depths of the place, away from the door. The noise stayed at a nice hum and he realized he’d made the best selection for dinner since there were very few kids in the restaurant.
He ordered a moderately priced bottle of wine as they both studied the menu. “What looks good to you, Candi?”
“My mouth is watering for the steak and lobster. Working at the diner, I’ve grown to hate burgers and fries.”
He quickly scanned the menu. “I don’t see any burgers and fries.”
“Good, I don’t even want to smell them.”
“I think I might have the same thing. It sounds delicious.”
Their waiter returned with the wine and they ordered. She tilted her glass, set it down and smiled. “I’m not much of a wine drinker, but this is delicious.”
He wouldn’t admit to it, because she might take it the wrong way, but his ex-girlfriend was and this happened to be her favorite, so he knew it was good. He wasn’t much of a wine connoisseur himself. “I’ve had it a few times and I enjoyed it. I thought you might like it too.”
She braced her folded arms on the table. “I do and I’m glad you ordered it.”
He took another sip and relaxed back in his chair, his finger spinning the stem on the glass around. “Drink up, we have a whole bottle.”
“I can’t drink that much. I’m not much of a boozer. I normally enjoy a soda as much as a glass of wine. Must be the Texan in me.”
“I don’t know, my old man could sure put it away.”
Her face turned sober. “I remember those days. I’m sorry you had to live through that.”
“That old saying, what doesn’t kill you, makes you stronger, right?”
“Yeah, but every child deserves a good home life. Yours was really sad and sometimes scary.”
“The good thing is Dad’s better now. He’s off the liquor and trying to make up for the times he wasn’t quite himself.”
“Have you been able to forgive him?” she asked in a soft voice. “Can you move forward?”
At his silence, she jumped in. “I’m so sorry, was that too forward? I shouldn’t have asked.”
“No, no. It’s okay. I won’t claim it doesn’t bother me at times, but a man is entitled to a few mistakes.”
She lowered her chin and shook her head. “We’re not talking about a few slip ups. You came to school with bruises all over you.”
He faked a smile. “It’s not really forgiveness if you keep looking back, is it? Anyway, let’s not talk about the past. There isn’t anything there for either of us. The future is where I’m looking.”
She propped her chin on her palm. “That sounds nice. I try to look forward too, for Tyler. So, what does your future look like?”
“I don’t know, but I plan to make it as amazing as I can.”
She picked up her glass and took another sip. “That’s a good plan. But what about getting married and settling down to have a family?”
He leaned closer. “Are you offering?”
She shot backward and shook her head. “No, no. I’m only making conversation.”
He chuckled. “I’m just yanking your chain, Candi. Don’t take me seriously.”
A darkness settled over her bright features and he regretted saying something so off-handed. Reaching out, he took her palm in his. “I’m only kidding. You know that, don’t you?”
“Sure,” she said softly. “You just surprised me, that’s all.”
“Are you sure?”
She waved her hand in the air. “Of course. I mean, why on earth would you propose like that? Like I said, you just surprised me.”
He’d done a damn good job of surprising himself. Where had t
hat come from and what had he been thinking, popping off something so serious? A remark like that would scare off any woman, especially one as skittish as Candi. But it was more than that. Her reaction niggled at something in the back of his mind.
“Candi, you do know any guy would be lucky to have you, right? You’re beautiful, smart, courageous, and fierce.”
She blushed and shook her head. “Stop it. Smart? I never went to college. And courageous? I’m scared, all the time. Scared that Tyler might hear what people say about me, scared that he won’t ever have a dad, scared that I won’t be able to pay my bills next month.”
He squeezed her hand. “Candi, you are brilliant. You’ve made a life for you and Tyler and it is a good one. And as for what people say about you? I don’t know what you think you hear, but all I hear is that you are an amazing mom, kind, and genuine. I’d be honored to have you on my arm any day of the week.”
She looked into his eyes and he prayed she saw the truth in his words there. Damn, this woman had him in knots and he didn’t know what to do about it.
Their food came and the table grew quiet as they ate. He might as well be eating sawdust for all he tasted. Looking across the table, he noticed Candi kept her head down, eyes on her plate.
So much for a successful date. She’d probably never speak to him again. He had to make this right. He cared about her and her opinion of him mattered. “How’s your food?”
She glanced up and smiled. “Delicious. Yours?”
“Same here. Good choice.”
She put her fork down and dabbed her lips with the linen napkin. “So, what’s it like to be an FBI agent?”
Finally, a safe subject. One he could handle with ease and talk long enough for her to hopefully forget his earlier blunder. “It’s interesting. Always something new, different situations and, at times, a little frustrating.”
“You must’ve worked some pretty exciting cases.”
“Some,” he said, slicing a piece off his steak. “But mostly it’s a lot of paperwork.”
“I imagine.”
“I always thought you wanted to be a teacher or a nurse. You used to talk about it in school.”
