by Louise, Tia
“Yeah,” he laughs. “Who says girls can’t do math?”
“Nobody!” Dove holds his neck as he gives her a bounce. I give him a quick peck on the cheek. Leon makes her so hyper.
“Hey, weirdo. How was your day?”
“Fine. When’s dinner? I’m starving.”
“You are always starving.” Going to the refrigerator, I take out a plastic bag with three marinating steaks inside. “I’m giving you a worm treatment.”
“Uncle Leon has worms?” Dove crinkles her nose at him, and he puts her down.
“I’ll worm you.”
“Ew!” She squeals and runs into the other room. I cut up carrots and celery, asparagus and red potatoes and start them in the cast iron skillet on top of the stove. It’s the same old recipe I’ve been making for years, but I try to mix it up a little bit.
“Where’s Sawyer?”
“He’s talking to Deacon about buying trees and shit.”
“Leon!” I hiss but the music of a harp and flutes playing the Angelina Ballerina theme is loud in the living room.
“She’s not listening to us.”
“Still. Watch your mouth.” I give him a pinch and return to the stove, moving everything into the oven.
Deacon Dring has become our financial adviser since returning from Dallas again. Mindy’s the only one who knows the whole story on the handsome man who keeps coming back to our town. I only know he gives sound financial advice. He’s guided me a few times on my own business.
“I need him to set some traps down at the feed shed.”
“You finally getting back to your dream?” His hazel eyes soften, and as much as I try to keep Leon as a kid in my head, I know he’s a twenty-two-year-old man.
“I never gave up on it. I had to put a comma there. Take care of more important matters before I could come back to it.”
“A comma.” He nods, a hint of a grin in his voice. “Some comma.”
We look in the catalog at the peach tree varieties and how long it’ll take for them to be shipped, whether they’ll be bare root or in burlap.
“We can pretty much plant these any time, but I think he wants to prep the soil for now and wait for April first.”
I’m about to mention the store when my older brother comes through the door. “Smells good in here.”
“Oh!” I step back to the stove, taking the skillet of sizzling meat, potatoes, and vegetables out of the oven. “Supper’s ready when you are.”
We sit down to eat, and Dove splits my steak with me. “Mamma saw a mouse in the old shed and she screamed real loud. Akela tried to eat it!”
Sawyer grins at her warmly then glances up at me. “I’ll set some traps before I go to bed tonight.”
I want to say he doesn’t have to… but I decide to let him this time.
After we’ve eaten, Dove helps Leon clean the dishes and load the dishwasher. Sawyer steps out onto the porch, and I follow him, looking out over the hills of peach trees, our family land.
I know this job is heavy on his mind. It’s going to require a huge initial investment, and establishing a new crop of trees has its own set of risks and problems. Not to mention the need for additional hands.
“Did Deacon find a full-time salary in our books?”
He glances up at me and puts a strong arm around my shoulders. “It’s interesting how things come together, timing and all. Sometimes it feels like providence.”
This surprises me. My brother has never been particularly spiritual. “What do you mean?”
“I found someone who’ll work for room and board.”
My chin pulls back. “Who?”
The screen door opens and my little whirlwind runs out onto the porch. “Mamma! I brushed my teeth—it’s bedtime!”
She grabs my brother’s hand and gives it a tug. He lifts her easily, and she hugs him around the neck. “Night, Uncle Sawyer.”
“Night, baby girl.” Sawyer’s big hand smooths her little back, and warmth fills my chest. His eyes meet mine. “We can talk about it tomorrow. Get some sleep.”
Stepping forward, I kiss his scruffy cheek and take my girl from his arms. She wiggles down and leads me into the house, where we curl up like always with an Angelina Ballerina board book and her stuffed Alice mouse.
Dove snuggles lower into the blankets at my side, and I rest my head on my arm, tracing my finger along a golden curl. As always, I’m amazed by her. She changed my life so much… She saved my life.
When my heart was torn apart, she came and brought me peace. She calmed the storm and brought back the sunshine.
It’s like all the happiness and love we found that summer is enclosed in her little body. Even with those blue-green eyes that twist the ache in my chest at times, she brings me so much joy.
My eyes drift shut and the sounds of her breathing carries us to sleep.
22
Taron
Patton’s office is my last stop before heading out of town this afternoon.
He sits behind his massive mahogany desk in Armani with his dark brow lowered, dark eyes leveled, growing more irritated with my every word. I’ve actually seen men older than me sweat under the intimidating gaze of Patton Fletcher.
I’m not sweating.
I give him the good news first. “The Dubai contract came in overnight. Sandra’s scanning the signed documents into the system.”
Our office manager Sandra already knows what’s coming. She predicted an earthquake, but Patton and I have known each other way too long for that.
“Why do I feel like there’s more coming?” He leans back, crossing an ankle over his knee.
“Because you’re good at what you do.” I shift in the leather chair, trying to keep the mood light. “It’s my last day, Patton. I talked to Sawyer, and I’m resigning as of—”
He’s on his feet. “You’re not going anywhere. I don’t accept your resignation.”
Standing, I exhale slowly. “It’s done, Patton. I can’t do this anymore. Not physically, not mentally…”
“Is this about your back? We’ll get you the best physical therapy, a standing desk, whatever you need. Charge it to the firm.”
“It’s not about that.” Going to the window, I pick up a framed photo of the four of us in Mexico. We look so fucking young. “You don’t need me, brother. And I’ve got to see if there’s any chance…”
“Is this about Noel?”
I glance over my shoulder, and I don’t have to tell him yes. Setting the photo down again, I reach out to shake his hand. “I’m sorry, Patton.”
Several seconds pass. His frown-game is solid, but I guess he sees something in my eyes—the truth. I’m already gone.
With a deep exhale, he begrudgingly shakes my hand, and I know he’s going to be fine. Raquel is sharp as a tack, and she cares way more about this job than I ever did.
Before I leave, I consider trading in my Tahoe for a pickup, but I don’t want to lose any more time. I’m four hours into the drive, somewhere between Memphis and Little Rock when my phone rings in the car.
Remington Key appears on the dash, and I tap the answer button on my steering wheel. “Remi, what’s up?”
“What’s this I hear about you leaving Fletcher?” The friendly voice of our young investment partner fills the cab.
Remi and I got to be friends after he and his partner Stephen Hastings put up the seed money to take Patton’s company global. He’s a Navy guy, and we clicked. We’re both far more laid-back than our no-nonsense business partners.
“I’m headed south. Going to see if there’s more to life than the grind.”
“And leaving me alone with Stephen and Patton. They might kill each other. Or spontaneously combust.”
I chuckle at the thought. “I bet they work it out—and you’ll like Raquel. She’ll keep Patton on his toes.”
“Already met her. Already like her. Now tell me what’s behind this desertion?”
He’s got me on the spot. I’ve only thought a
bout this in my head, and saying it out loud makes me feel self-conscious.
“I’ve made too many bad memories in Nashville.” My eyes travel along the road ahead, and my mind fills with images of soft arms, silky hair, pillow kisses, all the things I had that summer. “I’m hoping there’s still something better for me down here.”
It’s a fucking longshot, but I’m taking it.
“Down on the farm?”
“It’s an orchard, but yeah.”
He’s quiet a beat. Still, Remi’s easy. “Can’t say I blame you. It’s beautiful there.”
“I didn’t know you knew the place.”
“Patton showed me some investment property on Lake D’Arbonne. While we were there, we stopped in to see your Marine buddy.”
“Sawyer. He’s a good man.”
“He is, and his little niece is a show stopper. I was homesick for my girls, but she kept me busy.”
“Niece?” My stomach tightens. “I don’t know her…”
“His sister Noel’s little girl? She must be six now.”
My chest is on fire, and I notice I’ve accelerated to ninety. Easing off the gas, I realize I’m not even listening to my friend as my mind races through all the possibilities. Digger? The thought makes want to pull over and retch. Or punch the lights out of somebody.
I tune in and realize Remi’s signing off. “…wish you the best, my friend.”
“Thanks, man. I’ll be in touch.”
We disconnect, and my fists tighten on the steering wheel. The remaining four hours of the drive are like moving through molasses. It’s like I’ve passed through a fucking wormhole and time has slowed to a crawl. I’m tormented by images of Digger with his arms around my girl. If she’s married to him… If they have a baby…
It’s after midnight when I finally turn onto the long dirt road that runs the length of the hundred-acre orchard up to the house. My SUV doesn’t make a sound as I pull in behind the foreman’s cottage.
The door is unlocked, and as promised, Sawyer has left the place ready for me. Stepping inside, the smell of old books and peach lotion brings the memories rushing back. The chair is in front of the small flat screen television… It’s all the same.
Light from the post across the yard shines through the window onto the double bed, and I can still see Noel there, beautiful as the sunset, her dark hair hanging long and silky over her small breasts. Whiskey eyes would look up at me full of so much love… Pain twists in my chest.
Turning, I pause before I close the door and look up toward the house. Her bedroom window is dark, and I realize she probably doesn’t live here anymore. I actually believed nothing would change in almost seven years? What the fuck is wrong with me?
Shutting the door, I go to the bed and sit. “What the hell am I doing here?”
Toeing off my boots and slipping out of my clothes, I crawl between the blankets and drift into a troubled sleep.
My eyes open with the sun streaming through the window, and the delicious scent of breakfast is in the air. Whatever else has changed, it still smells like it did that summer…
Sitting up in the bed, my back aches, and I can tell I drove eight hours yesterday. I wonder if I’m even up to the work I promised to do for Sawyer. Moving around the small cottage, I pull on my jeans and a long-sleeved tee, step into my boots. My hair’s longer now, and I use my fingers to slide it back, sticking a ball cap on my head.
In Nashville, coming back seemed like a dream. In reality, it feels like utter foolishness. I thought she’d still be waiting? After what I did?
A cold burst of air hits me outside. “Shit.” I step back and grab my denim jacket.
When I finally reach the back door, I hear their voices. I pause, looking inside before opening it. Noel is the first thing my eyes go to…
She’s in faded burgundy sweatpants that hang on her small waist, and she’s still so fucking gorgeous. Again, she’s reaching too far over her head for a platter, and the long-sleeved white tee she’s wearing rises, giving me a glimpse of her midriff. My breath stills at the sight of her olive skin. I remember putting my mouth on it. I remember the day she fell into my arms like an angel out of heaven.
Leon stops behind her and takes down the bowl and platter.
“Thanks.” She turns to the stove, her hair in a high ponytail with the ends grazing her shoulders.
A little voice I guess is Sawyer’s niece breaks the scene. “I want to ice skate. Uncle Leon, will you take me to ice skate?”
Leon’s voice is deeper than I remember. “I wonder if that old pond on the Hayes property ever freezes?”
“It does if it gets cold enough.” Sawyer is at the table looking at his phone. “The reservoir would, but the current is stronger in the winter.”
“I’m surprised it’s not frozen year-round. My nuts almost fell off the last time I went in there.”
“I want nuts! Pecans please!” The little girl raises her hand, and I chuckle.
“Different nuts, baby.” Noel smacks the back of Leon’s head, and he ducks.
“Ow! Hands off, woman!”
“I’ll check and see if they’re planning to do an ice-skating rink at the coliseum in Shreveport.” Noel’s voice is a touch lower, still with that slight rasp that makes it so sexy.
The memory of that freezing as shit reservoir and the day I threw her in drifts to my mind, and my stomach tightens. My heart beats in my chest as I reach for the door. This is either the best or the worst decision I’ve ever made.
“Taron?” Sawyer sees me first. “When did you get in?”
He stands out of his chair and circles the table to greet me.
“Late. After midnight. Thanks for having the place ready—”
A hollow Crash! cuts me off.
“Oh, shit…” Noel squats beside the bar cleaning up broken eggs all over the floor. The cardboard carton is on top of them.
“Mamma! You dropped all the eggs and you said a bad word…” The little girl stands in her chair, putting her head at the level of my chest.
“Dove, stay there.” Noel doesn’t face me, but the little girl does.
“Hi!” She smiles up at me.
I turn to her, and my throat knots.
All the air seems to be sucked out of the room as I look at her looking back at me with round, blue-green eyes impossible not to recognize. They’re fringed in thick lashes, and her hair is golden blonde… just like my mother’s.
Reaching out, I hold the wall, trying to stop the onslaught of emotion. This little girl… Remi’s words are in my head… She must be six now.
Six years…
My eyes cut back to Noel, and she’s standing, the messy carton in her hands, her amber eyes wide.
“Is she…” My voice breaks on the sentence.
Her full lips part as if she’ll speak. Instead, her chin dips slightly in a nod.
I step back, catching the door handle and charging down the steps. I need to catch my breath. I need to process this.
Images of the night she came to me all those years ago slam to the front of my brain. I was so broken, so fucked up and high all the time. Oxy was the only thing keeping the nonstop pain at bay, the only thing drowning the memories of a dead girl…
I was addicted as hell. I’d written Noel some probably incoherent letter telling her it was over between us. I couldn’t stand the thought of her seeing me that way, loving me when I had fallen so far from what I wanted to be for her.
Still, she showed up at my door. I should have known she would.
One kiss, and all the months of longing for her, needing her, dreaming of her came rushing back. I couldn’t stop myself. Pain was consumed by desire. We made love… Once? Twice? Her body was so beautiful. It was the briefest light shining in all that darkness.
Stopping at a tree I reach out to hold the trunk as the waves of emotion sucker-punch me in the gut. A daughter?
I try to imagine Noel so young, so beautiful carrying my baby. I try to imagine w
hat it must have been like for her to be alone… I try to imagine a world where everything didn’t fall to pieces…
Leon’s voice cuts through my spiraling. “I owe you an ass-kicking.”
Lifting my chin, I see the kid I liked so much has grown into a man. A man with anger burning in his eyes at me from under a lowered brow.
“Leon…” My voice is ragged.
“I told you if you hurt my sister, I’d kick your ass, and you hurt her. Bad.”
I wince at his words, hating the fact of them. “I won’t fight you, Leon.”
“I know you have specialized Marine moves or whatever, but I can hold my own.”
I do, but what he wants is not happening. “I’m sorry I let you down. I’d give anything to go back and change the past.”
“I’ve never seen my sister like that. I didn’t think she was going to come out of it… until Dove.” The little girl… My daughter. “I won’t let you hurt her again.”
“I won’t hurt her again.” My voice is certain, and my eyes meet his.
“You’re right. You won’t.”
Broad shoulders stretch the sweatshirt he’s wearing, and while he’s not as tall as I am, he’s clearly in good shape. He lunges, slamming into my side with his shoulder, arms around my waist. I barely have time to brace for the hit, and a grunt pushes from my lungs as I catch him.
Pain blasts from my old injury, nearly blinding me. “Leon…” I grind out, doing my best to hold him.
“Stop!” Sawyer’s voice is loud at my side. “Leon, get off him!”
He grabs his brother around the arms, pulling him away from me.
“Let me go, Sawyer. I’m going to wipe the ground with his sorry ass.”
“I said stop!” Sawyer turns, shoving Leon in the opposite direction from me. “Go back to the house and cool off.”
We’re all breathing hard, and Leon shouts at his brother. “You’re going to let him come back here after what he did?”
I’m holding my side, leaning my back against the tree, trying to breathe through the pain.
“You don’t know the whole story, Leon.” Sawyer stands between us, blocking my view.
“I know enough. I know what he did to Noel.”
