by Geri Foster
Aaron watched as the FBI guy walked Candi and the kid across the street. He wanted to kill the guy for that alone, but couldn’t do anything accept watch, and that didn’t sit well with him. He wanted that man hurt, and he intended to do it.
He couldn’t see her door from his vantage point, but he had a pretty good idea what might be taking place. He wondered if Candi had put out yet. She might have been tight kneed when they were going out, but she was a woman now. Maybe she really was the whore he made her out to be. He took a sip of his beer and shook his head. Squeezing the bridge of his nose, he took that thought back.
Ever since he’d known her, she’d been a decent, caring person. A lot more considerate than he or his daddy was. Grimacing, just the thought of Levi Travis turned his stomach. His daddy definitely wasn’t winning any awards for fatherhood but, still, how could a son hate his own father so much? It must run in his blood because he didn’t suspect his old man loved anyone. Didn’t even love his mother. If he did, he’d sure never shown it.
Growing up had been tough, the constant fighting driving him to drink at a very young age. He remembered coming home from school the day his mom had left. His dad had been away in Dallas on business, so the last few days had been quiet and peaceful. That day though, his dad had come back and his mom was gone. All his daddy ever said was that his mom had taken off, probably with another man.
He shouldn’t care and still had no reason to. It was she who left after all. It wasn’t good for her there, he knew that, but it wasn’t good for him either. How she could have just left her own kid with a man like his daddy still confused him. He used to wonder why she never called him. Checked to see how things were, but he never asked. One day he heard the housekeeper telling one of the ranch hands that his dad had the house number changed and unlisted. He hadn’t noticed because only his dad’s business partners ever called, so he never answered the phone anyway. He had a cellphone, but he hadn’t gotten that until he was sixteen, one year after she left, so there was no way for her to know his number. In the end, the easiest thing to think was she didn’t love him either, although she’d always been kind to him, so he could never really convince himself of that.
Taking a swig of beer, he told himself what he had repeated so many times over the years—at least now he could hear himself think without the house coming down around his head. Well, until his daddy came after him for one thing or another, which happened more often than not.
Several minutes later, Candi’s boyfriend waltzed across the street, stopped for a moment at his car then went into his dad’s house. Whatever. After all the beer, he decided to get out of his truck and take a leak. He’d no sooner shook it off and zipped his jeans when someone grabbed his neck from behind. In a panic he screamed and swung wildly. Whoever had him didn’t plan to let go.
Maybe snooping around on Candi hadn’t been such a good idea.
* * *
After Austin left, Candi went about putting Tyler in the shower and getting him ready for school the following day. Luckily, no one else was going to see her except Tyler tonight because she knew her face was still redder than the stop light in town. Lord, Austin had really laid everything out on the line. It had made more than her heart race, it had her hair standing up on its ends. Was that the way things went today? You planned sex in advance? On the one hand, she was happy that she wasn’t going to be blindsided by it, so she had time to prepare herself. On the other hand, the spontaneity of it would have made sure there was no time for her to get worked up and nervous.
She was crazy about Austin and he made her feel special, without being conceited. She pretty much figured he loved her and was secretly hoping that was what he wanted to talk about. But was she ready for that next step? She hadn’t said it herself, yet, but she loved him and she wanted to be with him. So, what was holding her back? Nothing, as it turned out. She inwardly smiled. It was just nerves. It had been eight years after all.
“I’m all ready for bed, Mom,” Tyler called out. “You want to hear my prayers?”
She scrubbed her hands down her face and rushed to the back bedroom. “Of course, I want to hear them.” She knelt beside her son, folded her hands and listened to the prayers of an innocent child. At the end of them, he’d taken to not only blessing Russ and Uncle Jeff, but Austin had been added to the list also. Looked like he was ready for Austin to be in their lives too.
Tucking him into bed, she decided she needed a glass of wine. After the trial that morning, the conversation with Austin, and working through her own feelings, wine was definitely in order. And maybe some conversation that didn’t include men.
After pouring herself a glass and taking several gulps, she dug her cellphone out of her purse and dialed Kendall, who answered right away. “Be honest, are you busy?”
“No, I’m free. Marcus had to meet another lawyer he’s teaming with on a case tomorrow. I didn’t want to go along. What’s up, girl? It looks like you might have snagged you an FBI guy.”
“That’s what I’m calling about. This is getting serious really quickly and I wanted to talk it out with a girlfriend.”
She heard Kendall moving around. “Like how serious? You two aren’t—”
“No, and that’s part of the reason I called.”
“Oh?”
“He wants to.”
“He wants to have sex?”
“Keep it down, please.”
“Listen, Candi. I’m home all by myself and you’re well beyond the age to discuss sex, so cut it out.”
“I know all that, but you and I never went into details about...you know.”
“I told you about my first night with Marcus.”
“Yeah, but you’d done it before. You were married.”
“But being with Marcus was different. Very different. So, what did you tell Mr. Tall, Dark and Gorgeous FBI Man?”
“His name is Austin, and you know it. He said he’d wait for me to decide I was ready.”
A long pause pursued. “Uh, you didn’t call me for advice on when and if you should have sex or not, did you?”
“No!”
“Okay, then, what are you wanting me to say?”
“I’m just nervous. It’s been a long time and, well, you know—the one and only time I did do it I got pregnant. I’m not sure there is anything you can tell me to ease my nerves.”
“Listen, I know you’re scared. You’re right, it has been a long time, but this is Austin we’re talking about. Remember, people do it all the time. Austin is a great guy. You have nothing to worry about.”
“I know. I really like him.”
“Then go for it, girl. Just make sure you go to Denton and get something for protection. And don’t go to Dr. Meyers. His nurse is a blabbermouth.”
“I hadn’t thought of that. I mean I’d thought about the possibility of getting pregnant, but not about the doctor.”
“Best to do that stuff in another town.”
“So, you think it’s going to be alright?”
“Yeah, of course I do. You deserve more, Candi, and Austin might be just the person you’ve been waiting for.”
“But, I’m not waiting for anyone.”
“We all want someone special in our lives. It’s natural.”
Feeling vulnerable and not wanting to talk about it, she abruptly ended the conversation. “I need to go, I’ll talk to you later.”
“Let me know how it goes. And I mean, all the details.” Kendall laughed and she blushed crimson.
“No,” she practically screamed into her phone.
Completely embarrassed, she hung up and drained her glass.
Chapter 17
Austin held on to Aaron and squeezed as hard as he could, hoping to break the stubborn idiot’s neck. “What are you doing here?” he gritted out. “You were told only hours ago to stay away from her.”
“I’m just out for a drive,” Aaron wheezed through the tight hold.
He released him so fast, Aaron dropped to th
e ground on his hands and knees, panting hard. It took all his power not to kick him in the gut. “Can’t you get it through your thick skull you’re breaking the law? I could haul you into the Sheriff’s office and have you arrested on the spot.”
Aaron struggled to stand. “I’m not going to hurt her.”
“Then explain why you’re here. You just spying on her? That’s against the law, too.”
“I’m not spying.” He walked a few feet away and stopped. “I am so sick of people telling me what I can and can’t do.”
“Aaron, that’s life. If you were a man used to handling responsibility you’d know that. I’m all grown too, but I have a boss I’m accountable to as well as the citizens of this country. I can’t go off and do whatever I please. That’s not real life. We all have boundaries. Things we’re not allowed to touch.”
Aaron thumbed over his shoulder. “I guess she’s my boundary, huh?”
He grabbed him by the shirt and turned him around, smelling the liquor on his breath. “Look at me, Aaron. Look me in the eyes.”
He did, but not because he wanted to. He yanked his collar harder. “Do you love Candi?”
Aaron reared back, putting space between them. “What?”
“Do you love her? And I mean really love her. Enough that you’d buck your daddy and hike out on your own? Just you and her and your son?”
Without a second of hesitation Aaron said, “I do. She’s mine. And the kid is mine.”
He let out a sigh. “Ownership is not love, Aaron. Sharing your DNA does not make you someone’s father.” Aaron scrunched his face, openly confused. “Look, your dad is clearly not a shining example of what love and fatherhood looks like, so let me make this simple for you. There’s no way you can be in love with Candi because, if you were, you would not have ever done a single thing to hurt her. And that is all you’ve done since you learned she was pregnant. In fact, if I recall, she may not have known it, but you did plenty of things to hurt her when you were dating as well, so maybe you never loved her.”
“No, that’s not true. I loved her once.”
“But that’s gone, isn’t it? You can’t stand to think that she just might be happy. Not while you’re so miserable. You don’t even think it’s okay for her to work her job, have a little apartment and raise your child all by herself. Even that much happiness pisses you off. That’s why you go into Gert’s Diner and give her a hard time. That’s the only way you can feel better. Knowing you’ve at least upset her. Maybe on a good day, you can make her cry. Then you feel like a big man.” He shook him again. “How big of a man do you feel right now?””
Aaron’s bottom lip quivered and he hoped he didn’t start bawling. Nothing he hated more than a crying drunk. “It’s not like that. I just…I don’t want to be alone.”
He shook his head. What a sad state this man was in. “Let me give you some advice. I’m not telling you what to do. No pressure for you to do this. Just think about what it would take to make you happy. You, Aaron Travis. Not your daddy or the townspeople or the thugs you hang out with. Just you. When you figure that out, go do it.”
“My daddy would never let me leave.”
“Oh, he’ll let you go. He won’t like it and he might disown you, but he has no choice but to let you go.”
“And if I don’t want to go anywhere? If I want to be a part of my kid’s life?”
“Then stop doing what you’re doing to his mother. Candi is an amazingly kind and forgiving woman. Become a better man and show her you’ve changed. Maybe she’ll give you a second chance.”
Aaron laughed a humorless laugh. “Really? After everything? Let’s say she does forgive me, you think she’d ever let me near the kid? Not a chance.”
Just that morning Aaron finally accepted his kid and now he wanted to be in his life bad enough to be willing to stand up to his dad to make that happen? And was asking him, of all people, how to do that? The night had sure taken a strange turn.
“Look, I don’t owe you anything. Not even close. But I will tell you this. I’ve seen first-hand what her forgiveness is like, because she lets Tyler be around my dad, and that man had a lot to answer for. So, quit being an asshole and honestly be a better person, and you might just have a chance.”
Releasing him, he shoved the rubber chicken into his chest. “And take this with you.” He pointed at the man. “Don’t ever come near my place of business again. Tomorrow security cameras go up. I catch you, you’re gone.”
Completely over it, Austin went back to his dad’s and they finished watching the game without saying much. When it ended, his dad said, “You’re welcome to sleep in the spare bedroom, if you’d like. The bed’s comfortable and there’ll be coffee in the morning.”
He looked at a man who hadn’t had an easy life and wanted to desperately make amends for the damage he’d done. “I might take you up on that. You sure Uncle Jeff isn’t coming back tonight?”
“No, his cattle are being delivered tomorrow so he’s gone to Decatur to supervise the loading. Then he’ll follow the trucks to the new place.”
“I’m glad he’s back.”
“I am too. I just wish he’d talk more about what happened to him over there.”
“You know, there’s a VA group that meets at the bank. Lots of veterans go there to get help.”
“I know. Nancy Wigan put that all together.”
“The manager of the bank?”
“Yes, she saw a need and decided to fill it. She’s not the counselor, but she rounds one up, provides the refreshments, and welcomes all the vets. I’ve volunteered there several times when they’ve had events.” He shook his head. “Jeff’s not interested. I keep asking, but he’s sewed up tight.”
“Well, maybe he just needs a little more time.”
His dad looked away. “Time isn’t the great healer people claim.”
* * *
The following weeks passed with Austin and Candi spending as much time together as they could. He thought back to all they’d done—camping, the fair, fishing, shopping for furniture, dinners out and spending time with friends—and it brought a smile to his face. They hadn’t gotten around to having that big conversation yet, but it didn’t worry him. They both knew what this was and where they were going, so it was only a matter of time before they got the chance to make it official. Between Tyler in school, her working, him putting an offer on the house they both liked, and dealing with opening a new office, they were lucky to spend a few hours alone at night.
It was October and they’d just finished shopping for Tyler’s Halloween costume when they headed to Grandma Faith’s for Sunday afternoon dinner. It bothered him that Candi and her mother hadn’t managed yet to formally bury the hatchet, but he tried to stay out of it.
Tyler still visited regularly, contrary to what Candi had said they would do last time they were there, but they only stayed briefly. She refused to sit down at the table with her mother and had made it clear that anything to do with how Tyler had come to be in this world was not to be discussed. It only took one look at Simone for Austin to know she suffered silently for what had occurred the last time they’d met for a meal together. If he were to guess, he imagined she’d give anything to turn back the clock.
Carrying his costume to show Grandma Faith, Tyler ran ahead while he and Candi sauntered slowly, walking hand in hand. “I have something I want to say,” Candi revealed. “It’s taken a lot of nerve for me to come up with the words, so don’t interrupt.”
He laughed. “I’ve never done that.” She looked so serious. “What is it?
“I thought we might go away next weekend. Kendall and Marcus agreed to watch Tyler.”
His heart did a flip flop in his chest and he nearly shouted to the heavens, but he controlled himself. Then, as always, his thoughts turned to Tyler. “Has Kendall watched him before?”
“Yes, but not overnight.”
“Then why don’t you ask your mom? She’d love the idea, and it might break the
ice between you two.”
She turned away. “I’m not sure I’m through being mad at her.”
He bent down and captured her lips in a brief kiss. “Thanksgiving and Christmas are right around the corner. You want to be mad at family during that time of the year?”
She nibbled her bottom lip and, by now, he knew that move. It meant she was considering his suggestion. It didn’t mean she’d agree, but she wouldn’t blow it off, either.
They arrived at Grandma Faith’s and entered the small, cape cod house filled with the aroma of a pot roast cooking. “That smells delicious,” Candi called from the door. “We’re all starving.”
Grandma Faith entered the living room looking pale and he stepped toward her, fearing she might faint. “What’s going on?”
“There’s about to be big trouble here in Rainwater.”
* * *
Afraid Grandma Faith might be having a heart attack, Candi rushed forward and led her to the couch, easing her down gently. She’d never seen her grandma so white, her eyes so wide, her voice so quiet. “What’s wrong?”
Her dad knelt in front of his aging mother. “Mama, are you feeling bad? Do we need to get you to the doctor?”
“No, no I’m fine, but I’m afraid.”
“Afraid of what?” Russ asked, his face etched with concern. “We’re all here and we won’t let anything happen.”
A loud noise sounded at the door. Her grandma stood, pressed down the front of her dress and marched to the door. “This is the beginning. The truth will have its say.”
She gasped when Grandma Faith threw open the door, revealing Aaron standing outside, huddled into a light jacket. “You said you wanted to see me.”
“I do, come in.”
“Grandma Faith,” Austin began, “it’s a breach of his probation to be this close to Candi.”
“I know that. You’re here, you can make sure everything stays calm.”
Austin looked around. “This may not be the best time.”
