Anything but Love

by Celya Bowers

  A few hours later, Kendall pulled up in her driveway, hit the garage remote, and sighed as the door slid up, revealing her mother’s Lexus already parked there. “Oh no. What’s she doing here?” The one thing she didn’t need was her mother’s weekly visit and plea for more grandchildren. She parked her Jaguar next to the Lexus, slid out of her car, and walked inside her house.

  Her mother was sitting on the couch reading one of Kendall’s medical journals. “Hi, Mom. Am I going to have to take my spare key from you, again?”

  Zenora Stone-Evans looked her daughter up and down, then placed the heavy journal on the marble coffee table. “It says here that it’s perfectly all right health-wise for a woman over forty to give birth to a healthy baby.”

  Kendall nodded. They’d had this same conversation every week for the last few years. It was her mother’s attempt at subtlety. “I know that, Mom. I am a reproductive endocrinologist. I deal with high-risk pregnancies all the time. A woman can be in her fifties and still give birth to a healthy baby.” She kissed her mom on her smooth brown cheek. “Now what brings you to my house today?”

  “I thought I would come by and see Jordan, since he’s the closest thing I have to a grandchild from you. I also talked to Martha Highpoint and she told me that you treated her son today. You know, that Cole is a handsome rascal. Too bad about his marriage.”

  Kendall looked sideways at her mother. “What marriage? When was Cole married?”

  Her mother smiled. “Well, it sounds like someone is a little curious. I’m glad to know that you at least still notice when your path crosses with that of a handsome man.”

  Her mother had the irritating habit of always baiting her. “Mom, what about his marriage? He didn’t mention that.”

  “Well, if you weren’t so quick to turn him down he might have told you.”

  Kendall sighed. Trust Cole to run to his momma at first chance. “I turned him down because I’m not looking for a mate, Mother.” She stood and whistled for Jordan, her black and white Pembroke corgi. She smiled when she heard the familiar sound of his paws tapping against the hardwood as he made his approach.

  Jordan bounded into the room, headed directly for Kendall, and attempted to climb her legs.

  Kendall picked up her canine companion and hugged him. “Mommy is glad to see you, too.”

  Zenora laughed. “You need to try doing that with a human being. Martha said Cole hasn’t been on a date in almost two years.”

  So much about Cole didn’t make sense to Kendall. “Okay, Mom, I’ll bite. How long has Cole been divorced?”

  Her mother patted the seat beside her. “Sit down.”

  Kendall complied.

  “I know you think I’m meddling in your life, and you’re right. I just don’t want to see you become one of those women leaving all her money to her dog because she didn’t have any children. I know you love kids because you’re always doing things for your nieces and nephews. You take them to the zoo, movies, and you baby sit when needed. You have too much love in your heart not to give another man a try. Just because James Matthews wasn’t worth the time of day and cheated on you at every turn, it doesn’t mean that there’s not another man out there waiting to love you.”

  “I know, Mom, but I’m not looking for love. James was thinking with his most used body part, rather than his brain. When I found out he’d gotten that girl pregnant, I thought I’d never live that down at the time, but it passed. That was almost five years ago.”

  Zenora hugged her daughter. “I know, baby. But now it’s time for you to find some happiness. You bring all those babies into the world. It’s your turn to have one.”

  Kendall rested her head on her mother’s shoulder. She’d always thought she was happy. Wasn’t she? She made a good living, had a comfortable home, but was she really happy? Maybe she could get her dating feet wet. She didn’t have to drown in a pool of love, just wade in a little to see how the water felt. But the last thing she wanted was to get involved with someone her family already knew. “Thanks, Mom. I will find a man. Just not right now.”

  “Well, at least you’re thinking about it. Why don’t you like Cole?”

  Kendall sat up and stared at her mother. “He’s too good-looking.”

  “And that’s bad because…?” her mother asked.

  “It just is.”

  “Spoken like my daughter with all those degrees. You better start listening to your heart. Now, what are you making for dinner?”

  Okay, something was definitely not right. Her mother didn’t approve of Kendall’s dietary lifestyle. “Mom, I’m making stir-fry. If you’re staying I can put chicken in it.”

  “Are you eating chicken?”

  “Maybe. Now tell me what’s really going on.”

  Her mother sighed. “Nothing. I just wanted to spend some time with my only daughter. Is that so wrong?”

  Kendall knew there were many things wrong with that statement, but like any good daughter she didn’t mention them.

  “No, Mom, there’s nothing wrong with that. We can enjoy a good meal and gossip.”

  “And we can talk about how you’re going to get me some grandkids.”

  Some things never change.

  * * *

  A few hours later, Kendall was at the end of her mental rope. She and her mother had finished dinner and were now sitting in her oversized kitchen sipping flavored coffee. Her mother still had not divulged the gossip. Instead, she was making Kendall stew in curiosity soup. “Mom, you were telling me about Cole. What happened in his marriage?”

  Zenora stood and placed her cup in the sink. “Well, Martha said he married Gabriella Hunt right after he moved to New York. The marriage was rocky from the start. They’ve been divorced about ten years.”

  Kendall nodded. “What happened?”

  “The usual. They had nothing in common. Gabriella was pretty and she gave him a son. But after that it was just downhill. She never came to Arlington and didn’t want to be married to someone more famous than her.”

  Kendall nodded, filling in all the blanks her mother didn’t. Gabriella Hunt was one of the most popular African-American actresses in New York and Hollywood. It seemed you couldn’t watch a movie without seeing her light-brown face on the screen. It must have been humbling watching Cole come into his own popularity as a premier fiction writer. Two creative types together was definitely a recipe for disaster.

  “Well,” her mother continued the story, “when Cole’s first book was optioned for the big screen about fifteen years ago, the bottom dropped out of the marriage. She couldn’t take it. It was fine when she was supporting his struggle to the top, but once he got to the top, it was a different story. They separated, then divorced, and his son refused to see him. After that Cole kind of shut that part of his life down. Martha said up until a few years ago he was all but living with some newswoman, but something awful happened and he came back to Arlington.”

  “Why would his son refuse to see him?”

  “Why do you think? His ex-wife was trying to get back at him, feeding that boy lies about his daddy. They just started mending fences last year.”

  Even though Kendall hated herself for it, she felt sorry for Cole and the hurt he’d experienced. God help her, it was just like she was sixteen again and she was reliving her crush on Coltrane Highpoint.

  * * *

  With the last of his energy Coltrane hobbled into his living room and collapsed on the couch. Thank God his mother wasn’t there fussing over him and embarrassing the holy crap out of him.

  “It’s about time you got here, baby.”

  Cole sighed. His mother was there. Even in a city as big as Arlington, news traveled fast. He glanced at Max. But Max just shrugged as if he’d expected it.

  Martha Highpoint entered the living room with a tray stacked with sandwiches and lemonade. She reminded Cole of a pleasingly plump Lena Horne. Her light-brown skin was flawless and didn’t look anywhere near her almost seven decades on this earth
. “Some reporter called me a few hours ago and told me you were rushed to the hospital. Were you unconscious? Is that why you couldn’t call your mother? I’ve been worried sick.”

  “Mom, slow down. I’m okay. It’s just a sprained ankle, nothing serious. By the way, this is Max. He works at the hospital.”

  Martha set the tray on the coffee table and shook Max’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you, Max. I’m glad Cole had someone to bring him home. I know he’s a famous writer and all, but he hates to lean on people.”

  “Mom,” Cole pleaded. “Max doesn’t want to hear that.” Cole himself certainly didn’t. That was the main reason he didn’t want to call his mother, brothers or sister. His family often treated him like fine china: something that could only be admired, and never handled.

  Max laughed. “It’s okay. I’m used to Kendall’s mom and stepdad. My family is in Washington State and I do miss them, but Kendall’s family fills that void for me.”

  That answer seemed to pacify Cole’s mother. “Yes, Zenora is one of my dearest friends. I just talked to her a few hours ago.”

  Max had the strangest look on his tanned face. If Cole didn’t know better and was more acquainted with Max, he’d swear Max was up to something.

  Max cleared his throat, grabbed the crutches and placed them against the wall. “Yeah, I talked with Zenora this morning as well. She said she was going to have dinner with Kendall.”

  Martha nodded. “What took you guys so long to get here? That was hours ago.”

  “We stopped for a bite to eat.” Cole didn’t mention the couple of beers he’d also consumed.

  “I guess you saw Kendall at the hospital. She turned out to be quite a beauty.”

  Cole nodded absently. “Yes, she’s pretty, Mom.” And for some reason she didn’t want to have dinner with him. “She said she was divorced.”

  Martha nodded. “Yes, that was so long ago. She’s not seeing anyone at the moment.”

  “Mom, could you stop? Max works for Kendall.”

  Max waved the remark away. “It’s okay, man. I’m used to everyone always speculating about her ’cause she’s totally dedicated to her job. Men have no reason for existing in her mind.”

  Martha laughed. “Sounds like a challenge if I ever heard one, baby.” She picked up the tray. “Since you apparently drank your lunch, I’ll return this to the kitchen.” She headed out of the living room. “You probably shouldn’t mix alcohol with your medication, but what do I know?”

  Cole shook his head and glanced at Max, glad his mother was out of the room. “Mothers. What can you do?”

  Max glanced at his watch and took a seat. “It’s cool, Cole. Like I said, I’m around Kendall’s family a lot. It’s nice to be loved.”

  He couldn’t argue with that statement as much as he’d like to. “Yeah, but sometimes I get smothered.” He sighed. “I’m sorry, Max. I’m sure it’s just the pain talking.”

  “It’s okay, Cole.”

  “When I’m up and mobile I want to repay you for your kindness.”

  Max shook his head. “That’s not necessary.”

  “Yes, it is.” But Cole wasn’t asking him to be nice. Well, partly he was, but partly he was being slightly devious. The only way he’d get to know the puzzle that was Kendall was through Max.

  “You got a deal. You should take some medicine for the pain before it gets unbearable.” Max handed him the vial of pills.

  Before Cole could agree, his mother walked in with a bottle of water. He smiled. Even after all this time, his mother apparently could still read his mind.

  He took the water from his mother and opened it. “Thanks, Mom.” He took the medicine with a long drink of water and let out a sigh. Soon the pain would ease and he could hobble to the guest room and collapse.

  Max rose, as if he too could read Cole’s mind. “If you need anything, Cole, give me a call.”

  Cole nodded. “Thanks, Max. I just may take you up on that.”

  Max waved and left the room. Cole watched his mother escort Max to the front door and shook his head in wonder. Max had never once asked for anything and was well on his way to becoming someone that Cole could call friend.

  A friend was one thing he needed the most.

  * * *

  That evening, Kendall watched her mother drive down the street. Finally she could breathe again. She knew her mother meant well, but sometimes that woman jumped on her last nerve.

  Like tonight. Her mother’s sole purpose in life was to point out every available single man in the Dallas-Fort Worth-Arlington area to Kendall. Zenora hadn’t let the issue of Cole just die, as a normal mother would have. She hadn’t stopped badgering Kendall until she promised to be nicer to him the next time she saw him. Which, if God were a woman, would be never.

  She needed something to settle her nerves. Once around the park should do it. Walking upstairs, she whistled for Jordan as she walked into her bedroom to change. She slipped on some nylon running shorts and a short T-shirt. Pulling her hair back in a ponytail, she was ready to skate away some frustration.

  Jordan ran into her bedroom and hopped on her king-sized bed. She ruffled his brown fur.

  “Ready for a run? Your granny has put me on edge, and this is the only way I have to release my frustration right now.”

  Jordan barked and shot out of the room.

  Kendall laughed. “I guess that means he’s ready.” She felt better already.

  Jordan was waiting for her by the front door. Kendall grabbed her in-line skates and Jordan’s retractable leash and they went out the front door. As was her custom, she put her skates on outside, so as not to hurt her hardwood floors.

  Soon the night air and the quiet calmed her nerves better than any alcoholic beverage. She used the skater’s path that outlined Biscayne Meadows. She’d lived in the pricey subdivision for the last three years and loved it. There were only twelve houses in the gated community and, as she skated by it, she noticed the last house had finally sold.

  Curiosity got the best of her and she skated closer. A black Range Rover was parked in the driveway. Kendall was nosy, a trait she’d inherited from her mother. She wanted to know who her new neighbor was. She hoped it wasn’t another professional athlete. The last one who’d moved in didn’t last too long after he learned about the party clause in the homeowner’s agreement. Parties could only be held at the clubhouse and had to end by midnight.

  She figured the house had to be about four bedrooms, three baths, like the rest of the community. It had to be a family, she reasoned. Who else would need all that room?

  “Hey baby, need a lift?”

  She froze at the words, then laughed as she recognized the voice. “Max, what are you doing here?”

  He walked up to her. His vehicle was nowhere in sight. He gave her a mock salute. “Reporting as ordered, ma’am.”

  “Ha ha. Not funny. Where’s your SUV?”

  “It’s a secret. You told me to report on Cole.”

  “I did not.”

  “Whatever. Anyway, he has a nice place. Plenty of room to have lots of parties,” Max said.

  “Good thing he doesn’t live here.”

  “Yeah.”

  Kendall didn’t like Max’s tone. “What are you up to, Max?”

  “Not a thing. I just came by to tell you that there was no mystery family hiding at the house. I met his mom. She’s a hoot.”

  “I know. I think that’s why she and Mom are such good friends. They’re both overbearing mothers.”

  “Yeah, there’s that little detail.”

  Kendall started skating around Max. “Do you know Cole told his momma I turned down his invitation to dinner? And she told my mother, of course. What a wimp.”

  “Actually, that was me,” Max admitted.

  “You blabbed to her!”

  Max shrugged. “You know I’m putty in her hands.”

  Kendall laughed. Here she was ready to hang Cole from the nearest tree, and it was Max’s fault. “I’m g
oing to have to remember how weak you are around mothers.”

  “It won’t do any good. Now why did you turn Cole down? He seems like a nice guy. And he fits your first requirement. He’s a brother. He also fits your second. He has a good job. And third, he doesn’t live with his mother.”

  “I don’t want to talk about it,” Kendall said.

  Max put his hands on her waist to stop her movement. “I think you’re afraid of him. You’re afraid there’s a freak inside you and Cole might unleash it.”

  Kendall was stunned. Her mouth hung open in astonishment.

  “You know I’m right. It’s been a long time since you had a date. We won’t even talk about the last time you got some. I say give the guy a break. Who knows, you might even like him.”

  CHAPTER 3

  Three weeks later, Kendall walked into her house exhausted and not quite ready to deal with a hyperactive corgi with pent-up energy. Jordan barked and jumped until she had to pick him up and give him a hug. She laughed as he then struggled to get down and started barking at her again.

  “Just like a man,” she teased. “You get what you want and you’re done. I guess this means you’re ready to go for your run?”

  Jordan continued barking at her.

  “This is what I get for spoiling you,” she said. “Do you know for the last two weeks I’ve been run off my feet at the hospital?” Kendall stopped as she realized she was whining to a dog. “Sorry, I’ll go change clothes.” She took the stairs two at a time.

  She quickly changed into her shorts and a T-shirt, grabbed her skates and joined Jordan at the front door. “See, that didn’t take long.”

  Dog and mistress headed outside into the hot Texas evening. Although it was almost eight o’clock, there was still a little daylight left. But Kendall knew it would be dark before she finished. She went back in the house and got the fluorescent retractable leash. “Now we’re ready.”

  They took off at a leisurely stroll. Jordan trotted quietly beside her, not making a sound. She loved skating at this time of day when everything was quiet. Most of the children were inside and the path was hers alone. Kendall could actually think while she skated.