An Accidental Family

by Loree Lough

  “If you hadn’t shown up when you did, no telling—” Adam said again when Lamont finished.

  “Mr. London,” Amy interrupted, “did Grandmom get burnt?”

  Honestly, he had no earthly idea. Everything happened so fast, he hadn’t had a chance to check. Lamont tucked a stray blond curl behind her ear. “I don’t think so, darlin’. She got a little smoke in her lungs, but the doctors at the hospital are going to fix her right up.”

  She put one tiny hand on either side of her father’s face, exactly as Nadine had with Lamont earlier. “Will she die, Daddy?”

  Adam’s brow furrowed for a fleeing moment. “’Course not,” he said, forcing a grin. “You know Grandmom. Nothing can keep her down!”

  When Amy looked to Lamont for confirmation, he nodded. “She’ll be good as new and home again in no time.”

  “Can we go to the hop-sital, Daddy?” Amy asked. “I want to see her.”

  Adam swallowed, hard. “Well,” he began, “I—”

  “Tell you what,” Lamont said. “It’s late, and your grandmom had quite a night. She needs her rest. So how ’bout you and your mom and dad come on over to my house and try to get some shut-eye while your daddy checks up on Grandmom. And after a nice big breakfast tomorrow morning, we’ll all go to the hospital together.”

  Her face brightened a bit. “Can we spend the night at Mr. London’s house, Daddy? Can we?”

  Adam exhaled a deep sigh. “Thanks, Lamont. That’s mighty generous of you.”

  He waved the comment away. “Hey, what’re friends for?” And, laughing, he added, “Besides, it’ll be nice having y’all there. That place is way too big for one man.”

  Shoulders sagging, Adam heaved a heavy sigh and stared at what had been his childhood home. “Well, I guess there’s nothing more we can do here.”

  “Meet you at River Valley,” Lamont said. “If you should get there before I do, the back door’s unlocked.” To Amy, he added, “Obnoxious is probably outside. He’s gonna be one happy pup to have a little girl around to play with!”

  Resting her head on her father’s chest, she smiled sadly and nodded.

  All the way back to the ranch, Adam’s headlights danced in Lamont’s rearview mirror. It dawned on him that Nadine, her son and his family had nowhere else to go. Would they accept his offer to stay at the ranch house until her own could be rebuilt? He wasn’t at all sure, because Nadine could be mighty proud and stubborn when she put her mind to it.

  Times had been hard for her these past few years, what with the drought and all. Now her house and everything in it was gone. The few pieces of furniture or clothing that hadn’t burned to a crisp were too water-logged from the fire hoses to be of any use. Maybe he could scare up something from one of his girls’ boxes in the attic for her and Julie and Amy. His own clothes would be a tad big for Adam, but they’d do for the time being.

  The welcoming golden glow of his ranch house came into view and, despite the horrible night, he managed a half grin, imagining Amy’s tiny sneakered feet thumping up and down the hardwood stairs, giggling as Obnoxious ran close on her heels.

  Sure would be nice having a little girl in the house again.

  And in a few days, Nadine, big-eyed and gorgeous, would be smiling across the kitchen table at him. It would be even nicer having a big girl in the house again.

  “I’m glad Adam decided to stay home and rest,” Nadine said. “He was here all night.”

  Lamont nodded. “Julie is getting them settled in. Making breakfast. Unpacking the boxes of my girls’ old clothes to see what might fit her.” He chuckled. “She asked me to show her how to use the washing machine.”

  “I can’t wait to get out of this place and plop myself into a chair at Kaye’s salon. I guess that doesn’t make much sense to you, though, does it?”

  “No need to explain yourself to me,” Lamont said, hands up like a robbery victim. “I understand. Completely.”

  Nadine shook a finger under his nose. “Don’t give me that, cowboy. You don’t understand diddly.” She watched his dark brows move closer together.

  He crossed both arms over his chest and, boots shoulder-width apart, cocked his head. “You’re mighty sure of yourself.”

  “I’d bet my house, if I still had one.” She lifted her chin to hide the ache caused by stating the awful fact. “Because it’s written all over your face.”

  Now the well-arched brows rose high on his forehead. “What’s written all over my face?”

  “You’re confused. Bewildered—”

  He closed one eye. “Mmm, wasn’t that a song back in the ’40s?”

  Tempted to grin, she set her mouth in a taut line. She couldn’t let him get away with changing the subject that easily. “You don’t have a clue why I want to stop off at the beauty parlor on the way home.”

  “’Course I do.” He tucked his fingertips into his jeans pockets. “You don’t want your kids to see what the fire did to your hair, ’cause it might scare ’em.”

  Self-consciously, she put a hand on her flame-frizzed locks. He’d said it so matter-of-factly. And hit the nail square on the head, as her daddy used to say. Which shocked her, more than she cared to admit, because Ernest had never understood anything about her, least of all something as frivolous and vain as this. He’d have called the mission silly, a ridiculous waste of money.

  Thankfully, Lamont broke the moment tension by making himself comfortable in the dusty-pink chair beside her hospital bed. “Soon as the nurse gives the nod, we’ll head out. Need anything in the meantime?”

  Closing her eyes, she bobbed her head left, then right, trying to flex kinked muscles. Evidently, she’d lain long enough in a pretzel position near the pantry to put a serious cramp in her neck. Good old-fashioned massage would be nice, she thought, rubbing her temples.

  Nadine heard the shuffle of his boots on the fleck-tiled floor, then felt his big, warm hands on her shoulders. “Lamont London, what do you think you’re—”

  “Doc said you need some of this antibiotic ointment on your burns. Besides, looks to me like you could use a good old-fashioned rubdown. Between the concussion and everything else…”

  Had she spoken her thoughts aloud? She must have; how else could he have known exactly what she’d been thinking?

  Gently, he rubbed the healing salve into her knotted shoulder muscles. “Tell me if I get too rough,” he said. “Sometimes, I don’t know my own strength.”

  How many times had Ernest said that? Only every time he’d left her bloodied and bruised, which would amount to hundreds of times over their years together. For some reason she couldn’t explain, Lamont’s simple comment made her think of the time when she’d seen him lose his temper at the hardware store. His coupon was valid, he’d insisted, the sale on screwdrivers wouldn’t officially end until closing. The gum-chewing teenager behind the counter relented, with one minute to spare, and Lamont filled it with a stern lecture about respect for one’s elders and paying attention to details.

  Suddenly, Nadine felt uncomfortable, having his hands on her, having him this close. Lamont must have sensed her tension, because he stepped back and gingerly wiped his oily palms on a tissue, plucked from the box on her bedside table.

  She knew why he was being so careful with his hands, and felt horrible for comparing him to Ernest, especially when she could plainly see that the fire had turned his face sunburn red, how tiny pocks of the exploding windowpanes had dotted his cheeks, forearms and knuckles. He’d risked his life to save hers.

  “Want me to check with the nurses’ station?” he asked, tossing the tissue into the trash can. “See what’s holding up your release?”

  Unable to meet his eyes, Nadine shook her head. Once they left the hospital, there’d be the long ride home, and a stopover at the salon next door to Georgia’s Diner. She needed to collect her thoughts, stiffen her resolve before spending that much time alone with Lamont. She’d made a promise to herself, and she aimed to keep it. She had no busi
ness entertaining romantic feelings for him because, fair or not, he too often reminded her of Ernest. She couldn’t, wouldn’t go back to hiding cuts and bruises, not even for the man who’d saved her life.

  But wasn’t she putting the cart before the horse? Because what made her think Lamont was interested in anything more than continuing their friendship?

  Then she remembered the way he’d held her, how tenderly he’d looked at her after her party, just before Julie had called out. He would have kissed her, if not for the interruption.

  That shouldn’t change a thing. She was still the dirt-poor widow who’d just lost everything in a fire. He had a ranch of his own to run and surely he didn’t need another burden to bear.

  So why was he standing there, looking like a pup who’d just had his nose whacked with a rolled-up newspaper? He reminded her of Adam as a boy, when she’d said, “No cookies before dinner” or “You can’t spend the night at Timmy’s house.” What stirred in her heart right now couldn’t begin to compare with what she’d felt when her son wore that hangdog look. Moments ago, she’d accused Lamont of being confused when, in truth, it was she who had no explanation for the emotions warring within her.

  Perhaps it was the concussion, or knowing she’d lost the house and everything in it, or the fact that Adam and Julie and Amy were homeless now, too, that made her want hide in Lamont’s big, warm embrace, recapture the sensation of utter safety she’d felt when he’d held her after the fire. How strange it had been, feeling soothed by a man’s hands after years of torture from Ernest’s. Stranger still, feeling protected—even for a moment—in the arms of a man whose behavior occasionally raised ugly memories…

  Had it been his deep, soothing voice, promising that everything would be all right, that started this battle between her sensible head and her romantic heart? Or that way he had of looking at her, reminding her that she was still a woman, despite having lived alone for years?

  As he stared at the toes of his boots, the ceiling lights glinted from the silver strands peppering his dark hair. Nadine wondered if it would feel as think and soft as it looked.

  He looked up just then and caught her staring. She tried…tried to pretend he wasn’t standing there, boring into her with those long-lashed glittering gray eyes of his. Tried to ignore the captivating smile.

  One thing was sure: It would be definitely be a long ride home.

  Chapter Five

  From her vantage point in the big mirror at Kaye Turner’s salon, Nadine had a perfect view of Lamont. At first he’d paced near the wide window at the front of the shop. Now, a mini-traffic snarl outside captured his attention, and as he stopped to watch it, Nadine watched him. Something her Irish grandmother once said popped into her head. A year or so before the old woman died, she’d visited Nadine and, after being introduced to Lamont, fanned herself with a lacy hanky. “Ooo-eee!” she’d said. “Ye’d be smart not to let that one get away, Deenie. Why, he could star in a Hollywood movie, all tall, dark and handsome like he is.” Winking, she’d added, “Yes indeedie, he’s a…he’s a fine fig’re of a man!”

  Thankfully, Lamont had been too far away to hear. “Gamma O’Riley, Sunday services are barely over!”

  Winking one blue eye, she’d said, “God knows I’m right.” She’d nodded toward the parking lot, where Lamont was climbing into his pickup. To this day, Nadine didn’t know what made him look up just then, but he had, and when he’d waved, her heart did a little flip. “I might be an old woman, Deenie, but I know what I see, and that boy is moony-eyed for you.”

  Now, just as he had all those years ago, Lamont looked up again, this time meeting her eyes in the mirror. And, just as it had all those years ago, her heart did a little flip. If anybody’s moony-eyed, she thought, pretending Kaye’s movements had distracted her, it’s me.

  “You know I think the world of you,” the stylist said, interrupting her reverie, “’cause I’d never open my shop on a Sunday for just anybody.”

  “You’re a peach to do it.”

  “Well, when I heard about the fire and all, how could I not?”

  Nadine patted the woman’s red-taloned hand. “Thanks, Kaye. You’re terrific.”

  “And so are you, kiddo.”

  He smirked. “This meeting of the mutual admiration society is now in session…”

  Kaye clucked her tongue. “You’re just jealous.”

  He chuckled. “Of what?”

  She rested a fist on one plump hip, and pointed at him with the rattail of her black plastic comb. “That you’re not a member of the club.”

  His merry laugh echoed in the nearly empty shop. Nadine loved the sound of it, rich and full-bodied, starting somewhere deep in his chest and resonating upward.

  “Only one who admires me is Obnoxious.”

  “That poor mutt,” Kaye huffed. “Anybody named me ‘Obnoxious,’ I’d bite him.” And without missing a beat, she pinched a few strands of Nadine’s freshly shampooed hair between thumb and forefinger. “Mmm-mmm-mmm,” she said, crimson lips pulled back in a teasing smile, “it’d be easier to shave you bald than try to clean up this mess.”

  “Which isn’t out of the question,” Lamont said, “considering who’s wielding the shears.” Another shrug. “But that’s just my opinion.”

  He sat in one of the chairs under the window and began leafing through a fashion magazine. His body posture and facial expressions made it clear that he’d never set foot in a beauty parlor before. Still, he’d readily agreed to make the stop, and though Nadine suggested that he pass the time over a mug of coffee at Georgia’s, he’d insisted on waiting for her here.

  As Kaye’s scissors flashed, Nadine tried to imagine a circumstance that would prompt Ernest to do something as kindhearted and understanding as this. When none came to mind, she sighed. And shrugged, unable to figure out why one minute she felt drawn to Lamont, the next, apprehensive.

  “Nadine, honey, you’re gonna look adorable with short hair,” Kaye said as blond strands floated to the floor.

  “Nadine, honey,” Lamont echoed, “you’d look adorable bald.”

  Blinking, she looked into the mirror, hoping to get a glimpse of that same warm expression she’d seen moments ago. Unfortunately, Kaye blocked her view.

  “If you think half-baked flattery will get you into the mutual admiration society,” the hairdresser said, “you’ve got another think coming.”

  Nadine heard Lamont feign an exaggerated yawn as he went back to turning the pages of the magazine. Thankfully, Kaye’s position hid the blush his compliment had caused. Since she couldn’t thank the hairdresser out loud for unwittingly protecting her, Nadine decided to show her appreciation later with a generous tip.

  But how could she do that when she didn’t have a penny to her name? Her purse, with her wallet and checkbook inside, had gone up in flames, along with everything else in the house. Not that her bank book would’ve been much help, because she’d been running a zero balance for months. Not only couldn’t she tip Kaye, she couldn’t rent a place in town big enough for herself, Adam, Julie and Amy. What would become of her herd dogs and goats, and Julie’s cat, Peepers?

  Kaye’s scissors click-clacked around her face, as bristly flaxen strands piled up on the polished linoleum. She closed her eyes, hoping the new shorter hairdo would be flattering. Her hair grew slowly and it had taken months to get it to shoulder length. Then, feeling like a feeble-minded twit for even having such a vain thought amid all the mayhem, Nadine sighed again.

  As the blow dryer hummed, she forced herself to think positive thoughts. Maybe things weren’t as bad as they’d seemed, and she and the kids could live in the basement until repairs could be made. But even if that wasn’t possible, and things were every bit as bad as they looked, the Lord would pull her through. He always had in the past.

  “There y’go,” Kaye said, spinning the chair to face the mirror. “What do you think?”

  Nadine turned right, then left. She’d never worn her hair this
short, but she’d get used to it. With God’s help, she’d adjust to an apartment in the city and life without her critters, too.

  “All the dead stuff’s gone,” Kaye added, ruffling Nadine’s bouncy curls. “Nothing left but healthy, shining waves!” She whipped the pink smock from her client’s shoulders. “You’re gonna love having wash ’n’ wear hair.”

  Good point, Nadine thought. With all she had to do in the next weeks, easy-care hair would be a blessing. “I’ll have to pay you next time,” she said. “My wallet was lost in the—”

  “It’s all taken care of, my dear.” Kaye winked at Lamont, whose fire-reddened cheeks darkened with a blush.

  In place of an explanation, he held open the door. “We’d better skedaddle if we want to get back in time to have supper with the kids.”

  Kaye draped a pearl-buttoned sweater over Nadine’s shoulders. “Put this on,” she said, shoving her friend toward Lamont.

  Too much had happened in too short a time, and Nadine was having trouble taking it all in. Blinking back tears of gratitude and helplessness, Nadine said, “I’ll return the sweater soon as—”

  “Honey, don’t you worry your pretty head about it. I have three more just like it upstairs.” She gave Nadine a bear hug and bussed her cheek. “You need anything,” Kaye said, holding her at arm’s length, “anything at all, you call, hear?”

  Nodding, Nadine followed Lamont to his pickup. They rode in silence for a few minutes before he reached across the seat to pat her hand. “Kaye was right.”

  “About?”

  “You look adorable with short hair.”

  Her heart skipped a beat. A simple “thank you” would have sufficed. But she didn’t want him comparing her to the women he’d so often joked with her about, who, in his words, “live and breathe to hear a man tell ’em they’re purty.”

  “So do you,” she said instead.

  Both brows rose high on his forehead as Lamont met her gaze. “Uh, I, ah—”

  The compliment rattled him, which only made him look more adorable. “I read a poll in a ladies’ magazine once that said scars make a man look handsome.”