by A. J. Pine
“Mama and Lila were cutting cakes together,” Jace whispered to his sister.
“Sweet Jesus!” Kasey looked over her shoulder at Brody.
His wide shoulders raised slightly. “Mama needs to get over it.”
“Y’all need to go first.” Paul took the stroller from Kasey and led them all to the front of the line. “And don’t worry, Kasey. I’ll see to it that Rustin eats more than chocolate. Oh, and did Gracie tell you guys?” He handed the stroller back to her. “Y’all are taking care of the bouncy house right after we eat. You might need one more person to help out, though.”
“Why’s that?” Jace asked.
“Not me.” Kasey shook her head. “I’ve got my hands full with my own brood.”
“I’ll watch after Rustin,” Paul offered. “I bet Valerie will take care of Silas so you can take care of Emma.”
“Grandpa, don’t make me eat those old nasty green beans that’s got white stuff in them.” Rustin wrinkled his nose.
“I won’t if you’ll eat all your fried chicken and potato salad.” Paul grinned at Kasey.
“I’ll even eat baked beans,” Rustin said seriously.
Molly threw open the double doors into the fellowship hall and folks flowed inside, laughing, talking, and getting into a line behind the Dawsons.
“Lila!” Emma yelled so loud that everyone in the place turned around and silence filled the room. “Mama, I want Lila to help me. She won’t make me eat Russell sprouts.”
Brody’s mouth went dry at the sight of her crossing the room. Her hips swayed, swishing that skirt about her legs. Her eyes were all soft and dreamy as she zeroed in on Emma.
“I’d love to help,” Lila said, and slipped in between the stroller and Brody. “What does Emma want for dinner?”
“No Brussels sprouts,” Brody whispered.
“I understood that much.” Lila smiled.
She filled a plate for Emma and let her pick out the table where she wanted to sit and was back around the table by the time Brody reached the dessert end of the tables.
“Pecan pie, right?” she said, and heard someone say her name right behind her.
“What?”
“Brody said that he and Jace need a third person to help with the bouncy house. I just volunteered you.” Molly set a pumpkin pie on the dessert table. “She loves kids.”
“Thanks, Lila.” Brody flashed a smile her way. “And yes, ma’am, I do want a slice of Mama’s pecan pie.”
Closed inside a bouncy house with Lila—now that’s what Brody called a stroke of fate. He felt as if he were floating on air as he carried his plate to the table where Kasey and the rest of the family were sitting.
Lila cornered Molly as she headed back to the kitchen. “Why did you do that? You fuss every time his name is even mentioned and now you’re putting me right with him?”
“If I didn’t, folks would think y’all was carryin’ on in secret, especially after the looks that was goin’ on between the two of you in church this mornin’. This way they’ll know there is nothing between you,” Molly whispered. “Go on and fix your plate since you’re going to help out with the kids.” Molly gave her a quick hug. “I told your mama I’d watch out for you and I know what I’m doin’.”
Lila had planned to sit in the kitchen when she’d gotten her food but Brody had come back to get a plate of hot rolls for the folks at his table. “We’ve got an empty chair at our table. Emma would love it if you’d come sit with us.”
“No!” Molly hissed at her elbow. “That’s going too far.”
“I’d be glad to. Save me a seat and I’ll be right there,” Lila said.
“You’re going to be the death of me,” Molly groaned.
“Don’t die this week. My black dress is a little snug.”
She inhaled deeply and made her knees take her across the floor to sit with the Dawson family. Kasey was smiling. Jace and Hope were both leaning forward to look at Valerie.
Emma waved and yelled out, “My friend Lila! Look, Mama. She’s goin’ to sit with me.”
“Hello, Emma,” Lila said as she sank into the chair that Brody held for her.
Then he sat down right beside her. “Lila is going to help us in the bouncy house.”
“I saved you this seat,” Emma said.
“Well, thank you.” Lila’s knee brushed against Brody’s under the table. “So sorry, Brody.”
“No problem.” He grinned.
Yes, there was a problem. Every time she was around him, that inner wild child begged to be released. She’d started to feel like a person with multiple personalities.
“So, Emma, are you ready to play in the bouncy house?” Lila hoped her cheeks weren’t as red as they felt. Or if they were, that everyone at the table thought it was from working near the hot kitchen.
“Yes, and the pool too. My bathing suit is in Silas’s bag,” Emma answered.
“About twenty minutes in each one and then one of the games inside the church and we’re goin’ home to get our naps,” Kasey said.
Emma stuck out her lower lip. “I want to stay with Lila all day.”
“Naps are wonderful.” She leaned down close to Emma’s ear and whispered, “And I’m going home when you do so I can have a nap too,” Lila said.
“Thank you!” Kasey sighed from across the table.
“What else is new? I don’t remember bouncy houses and kiddy pools when I was a kid and coming to these things. I don’t even remember having anything when I was a teenager,” Lila said.
“I know.” Kasey shrugged. “They didn’t have anything to entertain us when we were kids, did they? All we got was lectures if we whined.”
“Uncle Brody.” Emma tugged on his arm. “Did I eat enough mean beans?”
Brody scooped up the last spoonful of green beans and ate them for her. “Looks to me like they’re all gone.”
“Look, Mommy, I made a happy plate.” Emma beamed.
“Good job,” Kasey said, and turned back to Lila. “Has anyone shown an interest in buying the cafe?”
“Not yet but it’s only been on the market a couple of weeks.”
“Be a shame if it closed. Not much left of the town as it is,” Hope said.
Lila was shocked that Hope was talking to her and daggers were not shooting from her eyes. She ate a small bite of the pecan pie. “Oh. My. Goodness. This is amazing. What’s your secret?”
“A little bit of cream cheese between the crust and filling keeps it from getting soggy.” Valerie’s eyes went to Brody. There was definitely a heavy dose of pride there. “It’s Brody’s favorite.”
“Yes, it is,” Brody said. “And Kasey’s pumpkin pie comes in second.”
Emma tugged on her arm. “Are you going to get in the pool with me?”
Lila’s attention went to Emma. “I didn’t bring my bathing suit, but I am going to get into the bouncy house with you. I’ll sit in the corner and you can bounce all the way to me.”
Emma pumped her fist in the air. “Yay!”
“Hey, Brody.” Kasey grinned. “I forgot to tell you. Gracie said that we’re getting a new pianist at the church. She’s moving here from Abilene to teach junior high English at the end of summer and she’s already contacted the preacher about transferring her church membership. You should think about asking her out.”
He shook his head emphatically. “No thank you.”
Valerie’s eyes cut across the table like a machete through warm butter. “I know her family very well. They live in Canyon and are in the Angus Association with me. You’ll remember her if you think about it. Tara McDowell—she’s a good woman.”
“Not interested, Mama,” Brody said. “Jace can ask her out.”
“Don’t throw me under the bus,” Jace protested.
Valerie turned her gaze on her younger son. “She might be the very thing to settle you down. I’m going to invite her to supper on Friday night and you will be there.”
“Can’t. I have a date,” Jace pro
tested.
“With whom?” Valerie asked.
“You don’t know her. I don’t bring a woman home unless it’s serious.”
“You’re both too late,” Hope said. “I heard that the preacher himself has already been out with her a couple of times.”
“Well, you could beat the other guy’s time.” Lila looked around Emma toward Brody.
“No, I will take the higher road and not interfere with true love. Jace can work on taking her away from the preacher.” Brody sighed and then a wide grin spread across his face.
“Is your heart shattered in a thousand pieces too?” Kasey looked down the table toward Jace.
“Humpty Dumpty could never put it together again,” Jace joked.
“You’re all horrible,” Valerie snapped.
“Hey, Paul, I hear you got some kittens out in Henry’s barn.” Kasey changed the subject before it went into a full-fledged argument. “Emma’s wanted one for a long time. Got one I could have?”
“Go get whatever you can catch. Gracie is going to make me take a couple more mama cats out there this afternoon. Someone dumped them on us and they’re about to pop. If you can’t find one you like right now, there will be more in six weeks,” Paul said. “You want one, too, Rustin?”
“No, Grandpa Paul. I want a puppy. It can be an old mutt and I’m askin’ Santa for one if I don’t get it before Christmas,” Rustin answered.
“Gracie already told Lila to go out there and get however many she wanted too. Why don’t y’all take that big white mama cat that’s in the barn and whatever kittens she didn’t already take?” Paul said.
“I want a baby cat, not a mama cat,” Emma declared.
“Then that’s what you should have.” Brody gave her a sideways hug. “Hey, Paul, have you got your hay all cut and in the barn?”
“Yep, got the second cutting done this week. Why?”
“I’d like to hire the kids you had workin’ for you. Reckon you could send them over to my place tomorrow?”
“Be glad to.” Paul nodded. “They were wonderin’ where they could find some more work.”
Fred stopped by and laid a hand on Brody’s shoulder. “Did that prize heifer of yours ever throw that calf?”
“Not yet but she’s been keepin’ me awake,” Brody answered. “I sure don’t want to lose her and didn’t mean for her to even get bred this year.”
“So that’s why you’ve got dark circles under your eyes. I thought it might be you was worryin’ about something else.” Fred winked and chuckled. “Let me know when that calf is born. I’d sure like to see the critter. Maybe it’ll be one of Sundance’s boys and turn out to be good breeder stock.”
“Don’t know what bull got in with her but the way Sundance can jump a fence, I wouldn’t be surprised,” Brody said.
“Y’all ready to get that fun house goin’ for the younguns?” Jace finished off the last bite of food on his plate.
“Yes,” Emma squealed. “Me and Lila are going to have fun.”
“Yes, we are, sweet girl. Kasey, is it all right if I take her with me now?” Lila asked.
“Of course. I’ll come get her in about twenty minutes. She’ll be ready for the kiddy pool by then.”
“Glad you got that job.” Fred squeezed Brody’s shoulder. “With my arthritis, I’d be moanin’ for a week if I had to crawl inside that bouncy house thing.”
“We might be groanin’ after today,” Lila said.
“Oh, so you’re goin’ to help him?” Fred raised an eyebrow.
“Yes, she is,” Emma piped up.
“Okay, let’s get the show on the road.” Jace led the way outside.
Emma tucked her hand into Lila’s and chattered all the way out to the children’s area. “Do you like my granny Hope?”
Lila wasn’t sure how to answer that question. It was loaded like a double-barreled shotgun. Finally she said, “Of course. She’s a lovely lady.”
“I like her too. She reads to me like you do and makes the voices.” Emma skipped along beside her. That kid was brilliant. The teachers were going to absolutely love working with her when she got to school.
“Here we are.” Brody unzipped the house and stepped back to let Lila and Emma in first.
“You’ve got a bouncy house and the kiddy pools for the little kids. What about the older kids?” Lila crawled inside with Emma right behind her.
“There’s Ping-Pong and games going on in the Sunday school rooms,” he answered.
“No poker, though,” Jace teased.
“You remembered.” Lila smiled.
“Oh, yeah,” Brody said. “You wiped all us boys out over there under that old lonesome scrub oak tree that summer after our sophomore year.”
“I’d just finished the eighth grade and thought I was a better poker player than anyone, especially a girl. By the time we went home that day, I was just glad we weren’t playing strip poker,” Jace said. “I’d have lost my socks and everything else. As it was, I lost my lunch money for a whole week. Had to eat in the lunch room.”
“Poor baby. Did you lose your lunch money too?” she asked Brody.
“I lost a big chunk of my pride.” He crawled inside behind Emma and Lila. “Jace, you see to it they take off their shoes and know the rules. No shoving or hitting or spitting or fighting. I’ll sit in one of the supervisor’s corners and Lila can sit in the other.”
Within ten minutes the noise was deafening and Lila couldn’t stop laughing at the antics of the kids. Give them something to jump up and down on and they were happy critters. Too bad adults weren’t as easily pleased. Half an hour later, Kasey took Emma out of the crowd and in a little more than an hour the rest of the children had had their fill and had one by one run off to play in the kiddy pool or to go inside to one of the rooms where popcorn was being served while an animated movie played.
“Break time,” Brody said from his corner. “Let’s call it a day and go get something cold to drink. It’s hot in this place even with the fan running.”
“You don’t have to twist my arm.”
Lila tried to get to her feet but tumbled right over onto Brody. He wrapped his arms around her but still they wound up tangled together like a basketful of baby kittens. Pushing away from him only made her roll toward him more.
When she finally got a grip on his broad chest and was able to sit up, her first thought was that adult toy stores needed to sell these houses. Then two strong hands gripped her around the waist and drew her toward him like she weighed no more than Emma. One second she was floating; the next she was sitting firmly in Brody’s lap.
She started to thank him but his dark lashes fluttered closed and his lips came down on hers. The kiss started off sweet and tender, then the embers turned into a blaze and the heat came close to melting the bouncy house into nothing but a pile of plastic right there on the church parking lot.
Her arms went around his neck and her fingers tangled into his dark hair as she pressed closer and closer to him. The entire world disappeared and they were in a special vacuum created just for them. Desire for more than scalding hot kisses filled her body. Then she realized where she was, who she was with, and what was going on. Thank God they were still zipped inside the bouncy house and no one saw them.
She pulled away quickly.
“You’re still that famous wild child.” He grinned.
“But it’s time for me to be something else,” she whispered. “I need a glass of cold water or lemonade. I’ll see you inside.”
“We should really talk,” he said.
“About what? This is Happy, Texas, where nothing ever changes, not even when it wants to,” she said as she crawled out of the house.
Chapter Nine
Slow days in the café were much worse than busy ones. Time dragged and the tips for the whole day wouldn’t buy an Orange Julius at the mall in Amarillo. But that was Wednesdays—always had been and most likely always would be—especially on rainy days. Molly left six o’clock sh
arp. It was time to lock up the place and go on back to the cats but Lila was sitting in a booth finishing the last bites of a grilled cheese sandwich when Kasey darted inside out of the drizzling rain.
“Oh my gosh. It’s closing time for you, isn’t it? I thought I had half an hour, but I guess I lost track of time.” Kasey threw back the hood on her shirt and nodded toward the clock on the wall above the cash register.
“No problem. Come on in. What can I get you? The grill and grease are still hot,” Lila said.
“I wanted a burger basket and a glass of lemonade but…”
“Have a seat and it’ll be right out,” Lila said. “Where are the kids?”
“Mama wanted them for the day and she’s taken them to Bible school tonight. My brothers drove down to Plainview to talk to a man about the fall cattle sale on the ranch,” she said. “First time in weeks that I’ve had a day to myself.”
“What’d you do?” Lila called out as she flipped a patty on the grill and dumped a bunch of fries into the grease.
“Errands that have been piling up. What I wanted to do was spend the whole day at the spa. Adam gave me a gift certificate for my birthday the first year we were married to that fancy place and I’ve always wanted to go back. Believe me, he got lucky that night.” She smiled.
“I can’t imagine how tough losing him would be. Everything on the burger?” Lila asked.
“Mustard and no onions. I’m not sure I’ll ever get over it. Crazy talking about food and him at the same time,” Kasey said. “I can say his name now without crying, so I guess that’s progress.”
“I can’t even imagine the shock,” Lila said seriously.
“It’s like an earthquake. You know it’s possible, even in Texas, but you never expect it to happen in your area. Then it does and it upsets everything in your life. But it doesn’t end there. There’s the after-tremors that keep shaking things up. I got used to him being away pretty often. I keep thinking that in two days or two weeks, he’ll be back and things will be fine, but then reality hits, and it hurts all over again.” Kasey’s eyes went all misty but she kept the tears back.
Lila could relate to that better than Kasey realized. There was the shock of leaving Happy and settling into a new place. Her mother and aunt started working at the new café they bought and Lila and Daisy moved into the apartment above the business. She’d thought that the loneliness would kill her. Then she went to college and found out that being away from her mother and relatives was even worse.
