“Well, what do you think?” Clarice put her mouth against Cora’s ear.
Cora smelled Clarice’s spearmint gum. “It’s alive in here, that’s for sure. This place is huge. How big is it?”
Matt rolled his eyes at his sister, and Clarice shrugged. “She wouldn’t know. It’s about 8,000 square feet. It’s made like a barn. The loft area up there is where you play pool and video games.” Matt nodded toward the loft.
This place was like the pool hall she and Clark had frequented in their early days. A stabbing pain shot through her stomach. They had wasted so much time. “I’ve never seen a place like this...not even near the beach in Panama City.” People danced nearby as the band played a two-steppin’ song. She tapped her foot and slapped her hands on her knees. Her shoulders loosened a bit.
“Justin, dance with me.” Clarice put her hand on her hip and popped her hip out, her usual stance. Clarice was an expert at working her charms on Justin. She moved across the floor, pulling him by the hand.
“Matt, is Clarice dating your friend Justin?” Cora hollered over the loud music as she and Matt found a table in the smoky room.
“No, I think she’d like to date him. But, then again, Clarice would like to date every man in this place.” Matt gave her a look Cora unmistakably understood.
“One day she’s going to find herself in a terrible situation, pick the wrong man to flirt with, and end up getting hurt or kidnapped like I was.”
“Hey, Cora.”
Cora glanced up to see who had called her name. “Hey, Bobby. Matt, this is Bobby Millburn from town. Do you know him? He owns the car repair place near Ms. Lottie’s.”
“No, I don’t know him.” Matt looked Bobby up and down. He stood and puffed out his chest, shaking hands with him. The difference between Matt’s soft, clean hands and Bobby’s rough, grease-stained hands represented the gap between two classes of people.
“Nice to meet you.” Bobby squeezed Matt’s hand.
“Same here.” Matt returned to his seat.
“So, Cora, how are ya doin’?”
“I’m doing fine. And you?” Should she invite him to sit down?
“Good. How’s the car?” He stared at her through narrow slits, shadowed by thick, unkempt eyebrows.
“It’s banged up a little bit from the accident, but it runs great. Thanks again for all you did.” Cora smiled. Why was he looking at her like that?
“Sure. How are your wrists and feet doin’?” He stared at her hands.
“Healing up nicely. Thanks.” Cora tapped her fingers on the table and quietly sighed.
“Well, I’ll see ya later.”
“Bye, Bobby.” Cora waved at him.
“He’s a strange character.” Matt made a funny face at Bobby’s back, curling up his lips.
“Be nice. He’s not so bad, Matt. He’s probably better with cars than he is with people. He seems a bit introverted.”
“Whatever.” Matt shrugged. “Hey, you want to dance?”
“No, I’ll just watch. You go ask someone else. I’m sure there are plenty of girls here you’d like to dance with, and any one of them would die for a dance with you probably.” Cora wiped peanut shells off the table and peered at where mounds of them rested on the floor. How strange and unnatural to have them scattered on the floor and underneath her boots. It almost matched the awkwardness being here with Matt trying to woo her.
“Well, probably.” He stuck out his chest boastfully. “But the woman I want to dance with is sittin’ right here with me.” He winked at her.
“Please, Matt. You’re just saying that.”
“No, I’m not. If you don’t want to dance, I’ll stay here with you until you do.”
“Really, you don’t have to sit with me. Go, have fun.” Cora shooed him with her hand, amazed at his vainglory.
“I want to dance with you.” Matt got up from his seat and pulled Cora from hers. Taking her by the hand, he led her to the dance floor. He took her other hand and lead her in the two-step.
The song they danced to ended about a minute later, and next a slow love song started. Cora laughed at the words, which said something about crying and leaving on a train. Matt released Cora’s hands and placed his hands around her waist. Great!
Cora cleared her throat and put her hands on Matt’s upper arms. She moved in a little bit closer to him but kept a safe distance. “I really can’t dance very well. I don’t have much experience at it.”
“I think you’re doin’ great. I’ve wanted to bring you here for a couple of weeks, just so I could hold you in my arms.” Matt stared into Cora’s eyes and swooped her up against him.
Cora put her arms around his neck and placed her head on his shoulder. That was the only way she could avoid looking him in the eye. He wore an intoxicating cologne. He was a younger version of Rex as far as his looks went, except for his blue eyes and lack of facial hair. How much more like Rex was he? What was Rex really like?
Two women walked by and sang out their greetings to Matt, wiggling their fingers in a flirtatious wave. Cora felt his attentions turn to them. The restless soul with wandering eyes. She lifted her head from his shoulder and looked at him.
“You’re kind of tense. I know what would relax you.” Matt winked.
“Matt, cut it out!” This guy was about the slickest guy she’d ever met.
“Can’t blame a guy for tryin’.”
“Whatever.”
“Do you want to go sit down and get somethin’ to drink?”
“Sure.” Thankfully the dancing and the closeness was over. “Thanks for encouraging me to come tonight. I really did need some time away from Susie. Taking care of a child all the time can be pretty tiring.”
“I’m sure it is.” He scanned the adjacent tables, and sat in the chair next to Cora, instead of across from her, as before. She scooted over a little to keep a comfortable distance.
“What do you want to drink?”
“I’ll take half and half sweet tea and lemonade.”
Matt laughed in response to Cora’s order and returned with two Jack and Cokes.
Seriously? This guy was out of control. “No thanks.”
“You weren’t kiddin’, were you?”
“No. I’m dry.”
He nodded. “I’ll be right back.” Matt went back to the bar and got Cora what she ordered. “I’m sorry, Cora. I thought you were only kiddin’ me about the liquor.” Matt settled in the chair next to her, loosening his tie.
“No. I really don’t drink. Most people can’t believe it, but I don’t.”
“Why is that? Have you never tried it?” Matt pushed his glass over to her.
“Plenty of times. And plenty of times it got me into trouble. Let’s just leave it at that. Since I’ve been taking care of Susie, I see things in a new way.”
“I see. But Susie isn’t here.”
“Just the same, I’ll pass.”
“You don’t mind if I have this, do you?” Matt took a big swig.
How could he ask if she minded and then drink it anyway before she could answer? “You’re free to do whatever you want to do.”
Cora listened to song after country song until the once-entertaining sound of the steel guitar sounded much like an out-of-tune piano. Matt soon lost interest in her, as she’d guessed he would, and moved on to a woman at another table. Cora searched for Clarice in the dim light of the bar but never saw her. She gritted her teeth and tapped her fingers on the table, where she now sat alone. If only she’d brought her car she could leave.
Cora turned down several offers to dance, preferring to survey the dancers through the cloud of smoke instead of joining them. She could tell the difference between the steady couples and the potential one-night-stands. Her heart ached for the ones seeking love in a bar.
Then a familiar voice talking at the table beside her tickled her ear, and she turned toward it. Rex! He was dressed like a city cowboy. He greeted the people seated at the adjacent table, shaking the
ir hands and patting their backs. Rex was friendly...almost jolly.
Since the music was loud and she’d risk him not hearing her, she didn’t call out to him. Instead, she waited to see if he noticed her sitting alone. She took a sip of her drink.
A few minutes later, Rex faced her and came over to her. “Cora? What are you doing here? Why are you alone?” He pulled out a chair and sat down across from her. “Do you mind?”
“Of course not. I came with Matt and Clarice and their friend Justin. But they’ve all left me, I hate to say.” The music got louder, and Cora had to lean toward Rex and yell.
“Left you? They left here and didn’t take you home?” Rex’s jaw clamped shut, and his eyes flickered.
Cora waved her hands in the air, protesting Rex’s assumption. “No, no. I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to imply that. They’re dancing.”
“And you?” He raised his right eyebrow.
“Nope. A few offers, though. I danced with Matt, but he soon tired of me and moved on.” She played with the water droplets on the table.
“Why’s that?” Rex leaned forward.
“A difference of opinion about alcohol.”
“Did he try to put the moves on you?” Rex asked calmly.
“Yeah. No harm done, though. He didn’t push the issue.” Cora relaxed her shoulders for the first time that night. She and Rex locked eyes.
“I’m glad. Matt’s pretty slick with the ladies. He should stay away from you.”
“Slick, huh? Must run in the family.” Cora grinned, not asking why Rex wanted him to stay away from her. The question lingered on her tongue, however.
“Good one. Would you care to dance?” Rex invited.
“Of course, I would.” He didn’t have to ask her twice.
She got up from her chair and took Rex’s offered hand, so warm and big with calluses, which proved he was a working man. His fresh scent triggered emotions in her which had been asleep in Cora for far too long as they began the two-step, the same dance Cora had danced with Matt. However, this dance was different. Her feet moved in unison with Rex’s, shuffling across the sawdust floor, as Rex led Cora all around the room. When a slow song started, Rex pulled Cora in closer to him, and she didn’t resist.
Cora felt light-headed. If Rex felt what she was feeling, this could mean trouble. In the back of her mind, as they swayed to the music, was the fact that Rex was so different from her. It was obvious by his lifestyle. He needed to change, but she couldn’t make it happen. She’d tried that with Clark, and it hadn’t worked. Lord, what’s happening here?
She closed her eyes and moved in closer to Rex, placing her head on his chest. His shirt was soft on her cheek. He was a head taller than her, and she couldn’t reach his shoulder unless she stood on her tiptoes. His arms, strong around her waist, offered security from the world.
After the third song, Rex whispered in her ear, “Let’s go sit down for a while.”
“Okay,” she whispered.
Rex went to the bar and brought back water for them both. She smiled. Rex smiled back, but he said nothing. As they sat and talked, he played with the cuff on her shirtsleeve, and she occasionally rubbed her index finger across his hand.
They both jumped when Veronica threw her purse down on their table. Startled, they moved their hands away from each other. Cora looked wild-eyed back and forth from Rex to Veronica.
“How dare you bring her here! You knew I’d be here. What do you have to say for yourself?” Veronica hissed, eyes flashing lightning rods at Cora.
Standing, Rex walked around Cora and took Veronica by the arm. “Don’t make a scene in here. Now sit down!” Rex shoved Veronica into a chair opposite Cora. Cora jumped. Then he threw his leg over the back of the chair and reclaimed his seat next to her. “I didn’t bring her here. She came with Matt and Clarice. I just happened to run into her.”
“Well, it sure looked like something else was happening here besides casual conversation. I’ve been watching you,” Veronica sneered. Her painted eyelids and nails made her look like a saloon girl…a jealous saloon girl.
Rex said nothing. He only looked at Veronica.
Seconds went by like hours. Cora’s heart pounded in her ears. What was Veronica capable of doing?
Matt came to their table. “What’s going on, big brother?”
“None of your business, Matt.” Veronica’s words dripped with venom.
Matt held up his hands in mock surrender.
Rex growled, and Cora heaved a sigh over the broken silence. “Veronica, I told you the truth. It’s obvious you don’t trust me. I guess you’re not what I’m lookin’ for in a woman.” Rex kept his voice low, seeming not to want to embarrass Veronica.
“What? And I suppose she is!” Veronica glared at Cora.
Cora shifted in her seat. Matt never took his widened eyes off Rex.
“I’m not gonna dignify that question with an answer.” Rex turned to Cora and took her hand. “Come on, I’m takin’ you back to the ranch.”
Cora got up without a moment’s hesitation and let out the breath she’d held for over a minute. As the two left the bar, Veronica threw something at them, hitting them in the backs of their legs, but they didn’t stop to see what it was.
When they got out to Rex’s truck, they jumped in, and he pulled away from the bar. Once they were down the road a bit, Rex spoke. “Cora, I’m so sorry.”
“That’s okay. It wasn’t your fault. It proves to me I don’t belong in a place like that.” She looked at Rex through the glow of car lights.
“You know somethin’? I don’t either.” He chuckled.
In the dark cab of the truck, she could barely see his face as they passed a streetlight. She liked hearing him laugh. “I know it probably isn’t any of my business, but is something going on between the two of you?”
“How did you guess? We haven’t been getting along lately. She’s turned into a possessive...well, you know what I mean? I don’t like being around her.”
“Why not?”
“I think it’s you.” Rex glanced over at Cora.
Cora gulped, something she’d had to do a lot of lately. “Me?”
“Compared to Veronica, you’re like Mother Teresa. And now that I’ve gotten to know you and respect what you do for my daughter, I can’t settle for someone like her.”
“Thank you. That’s a kind thing to say.” Rex’s words soothed the rough edges of her nerves. She traced her lips with her finger, remembering his lips on them. She stretched her legs out and crossed her feet, avoiding the cans and box that were still there from the other day.
“I’m also attracted to you. Not because of the type of person you are and how you are compared to Veronica, but for who you are, just for you. You have this glow about you. I can’t be with her when I see there’s someone like you.”
“Rex, I thank you for what you’re saying. But I told you before...”
“Cora, I’m not tryin’ to make you go against your beliefs. I’m just sayin’ I can’t settle for Veronica when there might be a Cora out there somewhere for me. I know you’d never settle for me. I wouldn’t want you to. You deserve someone much better than me. Maybe if I keep working at it, I’ll deserve someone like you one day.”
There was obvious sadness in Rex’s eyes, the laugh lines at their corners barely visible. “Rex, I never meant to imply you weren’t good enough for me. We just have different values. We’ve talked about this before. But…”
“But what?”
“We got off to a rough start. I misjudged you. The more I know you, the more I like you though. Especially when we were dancing tonight.”
“Oh?” Rex smirked.
“Oh yes.” Cora boldly shrugged her eyebrows at him. “But I’m still grieving. And I think you are too.”
“Forbidden love, huh?” Rex pulled into the gates of the Southern Hope ranch.
“I guess so.” They both laughed.
At midnight, they arrived home. The O’Reillys were
in bed, so they tiptoed up the stairs together. “Good night, Cora.” Rex stood at the entrance to Cora’s bedroom.
As he turned to leave, Cora whispered to him, “Rex, thanks for bringing me home…and for the conversation.” She leaned up and kissed him on the cheek. He leaned toward her to kiss her mouth, but she pulled away, uncertain where that might lead.
Once in her room, Cora dressed for bed and climbed between her sheets. But as soon as she relaxed underneath the covers, she remembered. She flung them back and slid from her four-poster bed. Pulling on her robe, she exited her room, walking quietly down the hall to Susie’s room. She entered and closed the door behind her. A promise was a promise. When she turned around, Rex was there, kissing his daughter and tucking her in. He was tenderhearted, more than she’d ever imagined.
Rex smiled at Cora as she walked over to the bed. The child lay in gentle slumber. Cora hated to disturb her even with a kiss. They made sure Susie was tucked in and then left her room.
Once out in the hall again, they stood together for a moment. Rex studied her robe. Loneliness threatened to overtake her. The past year without Clark had left not only an emotional void in Cora’s life, but a physical void as well. Their kiss had stirred a forbidden fire in her. She said good night again and scurried down the hall to the safety of her room.
When she climbed back in the bed, her tiredness from before was something of the past. She turned on her television and flipped through the channels. She settled on the late-night news in time to see a report about another missing woman, this time from Lewistown, where Ms. Lottie’s place was.
Oh Lord, God, please! Let them catch this guy! Please don’t let anyone die because of this psychopath.
Chapter 9
The following morning, Cora awoke with a smile, her ride home with Rex the night before still fresh on her mind. She stretched and her spine tingled from her encounter. The August sun blazed in through her curtains, dancing across her bed. She stretched again, yawned, and protested having to get up.
Song of the Meadowlark (Intertwined Book 1) Page 9
