Love After Hours

by Radclyffe

  Chapter Fifteen

  Carrie arrived at Presley and Harper’s farm at ten to six, and as she drove down the driveway, she’d already begun to think of it as their house, not hers any longer, even though she’d only been gone a short time. Her mother had asked her if she was lonely, the first night they’d talked on the phone after her move, and she was surprised to realize she wasn’t. She was rapidly coming to like her own little corner of the countryside, something that prompted her parents to express wonder over and her sister to proclaim she’d lost her mind. Of course, she’d like it a lot more when she had a bigger bathroom. Just thinking about the house and the changes she wanted to make immediately made her think of Gina. She’d been debating calling her since she left the hospital, and the indecision alone had made her hold off.

  She glanced at her phone in the console as she drove past the rambling three-story farmhouse and parked in front of the barn. She did have a good excuse—it wasn’t as if she was calling her just to hear her voice or aimlessly chat, after all.

  “Oh, what the hell,” she muttered, and brought up Gina’s number. When she was switched through to voice mail, a pang of disappointment almost had her hanging up. Now, that was silly. “Hi, Gina. It’s Carrie. Carrie Longmire. I have an update for you—nothing urgent. It can wait until tomorrow. Have a good night.”

  She disconnected and closed her eyes. How about being a little more obvious, Carrie? If it could wait, why bother calling in the first place?

  Since she couldn’t undo the call, she resolutely decided to forget it. As she walked to the house, a series of squawks and the fluttering of wings signaled the arrival of a brightly plumed maroon and midnight blue bird who hopped toward her adroitly on one leg, head cocked as he stopped a few feet away to study her.

  “Hi, Rooster,” Carrie said, holding out her empty hands. “Sorry, buddy. No grapes at the moment. Isn’t it about time you started rounding up your girls and getting them to bed?”

  Rooster merely squawked, expressing his disdain that she had arrived with nothing to offer him. A gaggle of pullets straggled around the side of the barn, seeming to have grown much bigger than they had been only a few days before. She smiled at the young chickens, Rooster’s new flock. Deciding that she was no longer of interest, Rooster strutted away in his entirely arrogant if slightly lopsided fashion across the yard with the chickens following along. Smiling, Carrie headed for the back porch. She could definitely do chickens. She could do without the five a.m. crowing, however, and decided that one rooster in the extended family was plenty. Presley and Harper, carrying glasses of wine, walked out from the kitchen at the same time as she climbed the stairs.

  “Hey,” Presley said. “Help yourself on the counter inside.”

  “Thanks,” Carrie said. “Hi, Harp.”

  “Hey, Carrie. How’s it going?”

  “It’s all good.” She realized after she’d given the stock answer that things did feel good, maybe even exciting in a way she hadn’t noticed in a long time. Must be the new digs, a new adventure. She poured herself some wine and joined them on the porch, settling onto the top step and sipping the merlot as she watched Rooster and the chickens busily peck and scratch.

  “Presley says the contractor’s shown up out at the little farm.” Harper stretched a hand out, and Presley twined her fingers through Harper’s.

  Their unconscious movements, automatic and perfectly in sync, were yet another reason Carrie had decided it was time to move out. They were a couple in a way she hadn’t noticed so much before. She didn’t know if the wedding was what had made the difference, or, more likely, the promises they had made that had nothing to do with the ceremony itself.

  “She arrived with a dumpster bright and early this morning.” She probably winced because Harper laughed and Presley smiled. Feigning indignation, she said, “Really? Does everyone around here have to get up before daybreak? Is it some kind of rule?”

  “You know what they say—” Harper began.

  “Don’t even think about mentioning worms before I’ve had anything to eat,” Carrie said. “In fact, don’t mention them at any time.”

  “I can see I’m going to have to take you fishing.”

  Presley laughed. “Oh, darling. The day that happens, I’m going to be very worried the apocalypse will be next.”

  Harper grinned.

  “Anyhow,” Carrie said, deciding she wasn’t going to rise to the bait, “that’s what I wanted to talk to you about. I know you said you were planning on renovating the place even if you’d stayed, but it’s turning into a much bigger project.” She shrugged, smiled a little sheepishly. “I’m afraid I’ve got some ideas that might be a little more than you planned for.”

  Harper glanced at Presley. “So before we get to that, we’ve been talking.”

  “You’ve changed your mind. You’re going to sell the place?” Carrie swallowed her disappointment. “No, wait. Margie wants it. Of course it should be hers. After all, it’s been in the family—”

  Harper shook her head. “No, that’s not it. Margie isn’t ready to think about where she wants to live, but if she plans to stay local, my father will likely deed part of the homestead land to her and build. Otherwise she’ll buy somewhere like we did. But we do want to sell.”

  “Oh. Well, then I guess I should start looking—”

  “What we were thinking,” Presley said, “is a lease-to-buy plan with you, unless you’ve got some long-range plans I don’t know about?”

  “You mean, like looking for another job?” Carrie said it lightly, but Presley wasn’t smiling. Carrie put her glass down and looked from Harper to Presley. “Wow, don’t you know me better than that?”

  “Living here is a lot different than Phoenix,” Presley said.

  “No kidding. For one thing, I understand it snows here. I can’t wait.”

  Harper smiled at the sarcasm in her voice.

  “I was just thinking last night when I got home from work and I sat on the back porch,” Carrie said, “that I liked the way the air smelled. I can’t ever remember thinking that before about any place I’ve lived. I was also considering getting some animals—a dog or cat, or a chicken. Or two.”

  Presley laughed softly. “Oh. I think you’ve got the country bug.”

  “Yeah, I totally love this place. You happen to be pretty important too.” Carrie huffed. “I can’t believe you don’t know how much you mean to me. Considering all of that, and since I happen to be kick-ass at my job and I’m only going to be getting better, why would I want to be anywhere else?”

  “If you get any better at your job,” Presley said, “I’m going to start worrying about mine.” She let out a long breath. “It’s just that we’ve never talked about this before and a lot has changed since we arrived. I don’t know what I would do without you at the hospital, but especially here.” She touched her chest over her heart.

  “So, the answer is,” Carrie said around the rush of feeling that filled her throat, “I’m not going anywhere, and yes, I want the house!”

  “I’ll set something up with an attorney,” Presley said.

  “Let me know what I need to do,” Carrie said. “In the meantime, about the renovations—I want to add a bathroom downstairs. Gina came up with this amazing plan to tuck one under the stairs.”

  “Like I said,” Harper put in, “I was planning to renovate regardless, but we can look at all the numbers when we sit down with the attorney.”

  “All right. I’d like to tell Gina to go ahead, if that works for you two.”

  Presley eyed her with a speculative expression. “Absolutely.”

  “Well, that takes one problem off my plate, then.” Carrie paused as two cars pulled in beside hers across the yard. Abby and Mari climbed out of one and Carson Rivers from the other. The three approached the back porch and everyone called greetings.

  Carson was unmistakably a Rivers sister with Harper’s quiet humor and Flann’s ceaseless energy and drive.

&nb
sp; “Where’s the munchkin?” Harper asked, referring to her nephew Davey, Carson’s son.

  “I left him with Mama.” Carson lifted her arms and twirled in a circle. “Free as a bird for a couple of hours.”

  Presley said, “There’s wine and salad and Lila’s cold chicken inside. More wine in the rack.”

  “I’m only having one glass.” Carson headed for the kitchen. “But I’m going to enjoy every drop.”

  “I’ll bring out the chicken,” Abby offered and followed her in.

  When Mari sat down, Carrie shoulder bumped her. “Hi, cuz. How are things?”

  “Good. Busy.”

  “And outside of work?”

  Mari smiled shyly. “Glenn and I are looking for a place to rent.”

  “Oh hey, that’s fabulous.” Carrie inwardly chided herself for the brief flare of envy. She couldn’t be happier for Mari and Glenn, who were clearly mad for one another. And since when did it bother her when her friends were happy? “I better be the first one to hear when you decide.”

  “Promise,” Mari said.

  Abby came out with a tray of chicken piled high on a platter along with plates and napkins. “We have nourishment. On to the battle.”

  Harper rose and snatched a chicken leg from the heap. “Well, I’m outta here.”

  Presley grabbed her by the back pocket and pulled her to a halt. “Really? You think you’re getting out of helping?”

  “Hey. I’m available for manual labor, chauffeuring, and moral support. But menus, flowers, and music? I respectfully pass.”

  Presley laughed. “Just remember what you volunteered for.”

  Harper leaned down and kissed her on her way inside. “Always.”

  Mari pulled her tablet from her bag, swiped several times, and then said, “Alrighty. Item number one. Dates, preferred and backup.”

  Forty-five minutes later, they had outlined all the basic areas of attack, apportioned tasks, and set a calendar for getting back together with updates.

  Abby shook her head. “I don’t know how I would’ve managed any of this without all of you.”

  “That’s the whole point—you’re not supposed to.” Mari slid her tablet away, looking happy with the initial plan.

  Conversation shifted as they all caught up, and at 8:42, Carrie said, “I should get home. Gina and the rest will probably be showing up at first light again tomorrow.”

  Carson began picking up empty glasses. “Who’s Gina?”

  “The contractor who’s doing the renovations. Gina Antonelli.”

  Carson paused, empty wineglasses dangling between her fingers. “I know that name. She’s local, right?”

  “I don’t know,” Carrie said, realizing she knew little about Gina personally. Gina somehow managed never to talk about herself. “I think so, though—she coaches a local ball team and seems to know everyone around here.”

  Mari interjected, “Her brother Joe is a PA student interning with us in the ER, and he mentioned family nearby.”

  “Okay,” Carson said. “I know them. Gina was the one in the accident.”

  Carrie carefully set her glass down, torn between wanting to know more and uncomfortable that they were talking about Gina when she wasn’t around.

  “What accident?” Mari asked.

  “It was a while ago, but you know how it is around here,” Carson said. “When anything out of the ordinary happens, everyone either knows the person or knows someone who does. Gina’s sister was in my class.” She shook her head. “And the tragedies are never forgotten.”

  “A tragedy?” Carrie asked quietly, her stomach knotting.

  “Yeah, Gina and another girl in her class were in a car accident right at the end of their senior year. The girl was killed, and Gina was pretty badly injured, as I remember.”

  “Oh. Oh God.” Carrie shuddered. The haunted look in Gina’s eyes made sense now, as did her veiled references to an old injury that she obviously didn’t want to talk about. Her heart hurt just thinking about it.

  Mari asked, “Who was driving?”

  “Um, the friend. Emily Wilcox, that was her name,” Carson said. “Gina was a passenger. I remember there was a lot of speculation about what exactly had happened. No one really talked about all the details, but I know they were going pretty fast. It wasn’t a drug or alcohol situation. Just careless driving.” She shook her head. “Teenagers. They think they’re going to live forever.”

  Mari gathered up the plates. “Don’t I know it. We see too many of them in the ER.”

  The conversation shifted again, and Carrie stood to help clean up, unable to think of anything except Gina.

  *****

  Abby walked beside Carrie to the cars. “You okay? You’re quiet tonight.”

  “What?” Carrie said. “Oh. Yes. Fine. Just a lot going on.”

  “I know.” Abby sighed. “I keep waiting for things to slow down, but they never do.”

  “How’s Blake? I was thinking of stopping by to see him. Do you think he’ll still be awake?”

  “He’s back to keeping teen hours,” Abby said with fond exasperation. “He’ll be up late tonight and up late in the morning, at least until he feels well enough and Flann gives him the green light to go back to his shifts in the ER. He’ll be glad to see you.”

  “Do you mind the interruption?” Carrie said.

  “Not at all.” Abby smiled. “Flann is late doing a gallbladder, so I’m planning on curling up in bed with a book after I stop at Stewart’s and get the ice cream I promised Blake.”

  “I’m just going to say hello, so if I don’t see you, I’ll catch up with you soon,” Carrie said.

  “’Night,” Abby called.

  Carrie waved good-bye, got into the car, and put the top down. She’d always been an air-conditioning addict until this summer, when she decided she liked the way the breezes played across her skin, even if they were warm. Every now and then, a cool one snuck in like a gift, and the wait was worth mussing her hair and sweating a little. Besides, she had a better view with the top down. The sky was bright, the stars brighter, and the clouds silvered along the edges as the moon danced in and out behind them. Town was quiet as she drove through and parked in front of Abby and Flann’s. A light burned in the first floor, and as always, just the screen door separated the inside from the night.

  “Hello?” she called as she climbed the stairs, not wanting to surprise Blake if he was dozing.

  “Hey,” Blake called, “come on in.”

  Blake and Margie were sprawled on the couch, each with a book propped open in their lap. Blake wore a baggy T and loose sweatpants. Margie had on shorts and a tank top. Both were barefoot, a bag of chips between them.

  Carrie laughed. “Hey, sorry to barge in. I just wanted to see how you were doing.”

  “Pretty good,” Blake said, looking more like himself than he had the last time she’d seen him. His color was back, and his eyes were bright and happy.

  “That’s terrific. Your mom’s getting ice cream, but you need anything else?”

  “Just to get these drains out.” He made a face and pointed to the two plastic bulbs protruding from below his shirt. “Flann said maybe before I go to bed. I’m waiting up for her no matter how late she is.”

  “That’s good news, then.”

  “I’ll say.”

  Margie said, “You want something to drink or anything? We’ve got chips and soda, and I’m pretty sure Flann has beer.”

  “No, thanks. I had my one glass of wine for the night already.”

  “Oh yeah,” Margie said. “Wedding planning, right?”

  “Yep.”

  “How’d it go?” Blake asked.

  “Great. We’re getting to be old hands at this.”

  “Maybe you should start a sideline,” Margie said. “The Wedding Doctors or something.”

  Carrie laughed. “No way. It’s fun doing it for your friends, but I don’t think I’d want to do it for strangers. Too much pressure.”

&nb
sp; “Oh yeah, like your regular job is so easy.”

  “Nah,” Carrie said, “piece of cake.”

  “So when are we going to get our new MRI suite?” Blake said.

  Carrie grimaced. “Not you too.”

  “Mom was telling Flann about the delays. It’s good we’re getting more patients through the ER, but it can get pretty crowded at peak hours.”

  “I know. I know. And I’m working on it. Soon.”

  “Awesome.”

  Obviously Blake was on the mend. Carrie tilted her head toward the door. “I’ll let you two get back to your exciting entertainment. I just wanted to see how you were doing.”

  “Thanks,” Blake said, suddenly seeming shy. “That was nice of you.”

  “Just get well quick. Hey, you two going to be able to come to the games this weekend?”

  “Absolutely,” Margie and Blake said together, then looked at each other and laughed.

  “Good. Then I’ll see you in a few.” Carrie waved and let herself out. She turned the car around and headed back out of town, thinking they were cute together. She wondered briefly if they were just friends, and then thought just friends was a good thing. Sometimes friendships lasted a whole lot longer than anything else. She had good friends and they meant everything, but now and then, she thought about more. And she seemed to be doing that more often lately.

  Just as she pulled in behind her house, her cell phone rang. She grabbed it and answered as she headed toward the porch. “Hello?”

  “Is this too late to be calling?”

  Carrie thumped her bag down on the top step and sat beside it. “No. Gina?”

  “I got your message.”

  Carrie blushed. Thankfully, Gina couldn’t see her. “Oh. Sorry. I should’ve waited until tomorrow.”

  “I thought it must be important, since you did say no business after hours.”

  Carrie smiled at the teasing hint in Gina’s voice. “And you never forget anything. Apparently.”