by Wendy Vella
“Sure.” His body tensed because he knew what was coming. The whole thing made his gut clench.
Their whole family spent a lot of time down at the center helping out kids. Having a rough start in life themselves, they were determined to make sure other kids in Ryker didn’t.
“We thought we’d run a bachelor date night. But—”
“I saw the banner, and no way in hell am I being part of it.”
“Aw come on, Jack. You’re the hottest one in this town, the girls will pay hundreds to date you.”
“Hottest? Hundreds? Really?” Rory said, then followed it up with a gravelly little chuckle.
“The women love Jack,” Bailey said, always loyal.
“It’s called charm, Princess, you should give it a shot.”
“I think there're other names for it,” she replied.
“Just because I don’t dress like I’ve been dumpster diving, and use my manners—”
“I don’t dress like I’ve been dumpster diving!”
That got her upright. Her hat was now just perched on top of her head, and the riot of curls was everywhere. She looked down at her worn jeans.
“No way in hell did you pay good money for those jeans. They’re faded and ripped, and don’t get me started on that hair... Medusa.”
Her eyes fired up. “I didn’t realize you were a fashion expert, Jack. You must really be in touch with your feminine side.”
“What did you say?” He started forward, anger buzzing in his ears.
“You heard.”
As she bent over to inspect his horse, he noticed the worn jeans were molded to a nice ass and an equally nice pair of legs.
“Jack,” Bailey cautioned, always the peacemaker. “She’s just teasing you.”
“She’s really fucking annoying is what she is,” he gritted out.
“We don’t all have money to throw around on clothes either, Trainer, and just because I don’t wear Gucci or walk about with my face plastered in makeup doesn’t mean I can’t if I want to.”
“Now that does surprise me. You sure have changed since you left Ryker, Princess Aurora May.”
“Asshole.”
Jack inhaled and exhaled slowly, searching for calm. It usually took a lot to rile him up, but this woman had pushed his buttons from the start.
“Be nice,” Bailey whispered.
Playing nice wasn’t really Jack’s way.
Rory stood upright again and stomped to where he stood.
“Your horse needs that ultrasound and anti-inflammatory meds. Ice it, and hose it where possible. Get the vet in tomorrow, but in the meantime rest him. You egotistical pig.”
She pushed him hard in the stomach, sending him stumbling out the door—which Bailey had hastily moved out of—and onto his ass.
“Sorry for that... not!” She turned to Bailey. “It’s nice to meet you,” she added, then she was gone, her words floating back. “Oh, and I want Henry back now!”
“You tell anyone about this, and I won’t be happy, Bailey,” Jack said as he got back to his feet.
“Deal, if you promise to take part in the bachelor auction.”
Fuck.
Chapter 10
Rory woke on her fourth day in Ryker Falls with scratchy eyes and an itchy throat, which she (a) had no time for and (b) was determined to ignore, as (c) she had things that needed doing.
She’d spent the last few days cleaning out a few of the rooms in her nana’s house. Rory hadn’t the heart to get rid of anything, so she’d used the old cart she found in the barn and taken it down there. It was more that she wanted to walk about the place without taking out an eye or abusing her shins. Her grandmother had been a hoarder.
The dust from the shelves and floors had made her eyes water and her nose run. She’d dragged rugs outside to shake, and binned bags of things her nana had hoarded that she had no clue as to why.
Now she had the place looking better—in fact, more than better, it looked good. Strangely she felt happy here, even if no one else wanted her in Ryker Falls. For the first time in many years she was exactly where she wanted to be... if only briefly.
Yesterday she’d wrapped up in her coat and boots and walked around the property, thinking about what needed to be done. She knew it wasn’t fair to bring Henry back here, because he’d be lonely. Rory had thrown those words at Jack Trainer in anger, which seemed to be her constant state around him.
She’d told her brothers she was here to get the house ready for selling, but as she’d walked over the land, that had changed. The word home had slipped into her head. A real home... hers.
Climbing out of bed, she showered and dressed, then got into her car. This time following the river down to the boardwalk, she went to inspect more of the changes to Ryker Falls. Yesterday she’d driven past a health shop, and today she needed supplies. Parking outside, she grabbed her bag and got out of the car.
“Good morning.”
Two elderly ladies were striding toward Rory, both dressed in exercise clothes.
“Good morning,” Rory said, and sneezed.
“Oh dear, that doesn’t sound good.”
“I’m all right, but thanks. Just a cold.”
They wore ear warmers and thick gloves, and were white-haired, with sharp eyes. Their shoulders were straight. The one closest took off a glove and pressed her hand to Rory’s forehead. Surprised, she allowed it.
“You’re a little warm but not too bad, dear. We have an excellent tea blend for a cold. Come in to Tea Total, it will help.”
“Thanks, I’ll do that,” Rory lied.
“I’m Miss Marla, and this is Miss Sarah Robbins.”
“Hi.” Rory wasn’t up to the fallout from her name today.
“And you are?”
Hell.
“Aurora May Haldane.”
They smiled. Then they took her hands, one each.
“We didn’t teach you, dear, but I remember your lovely brothers. How are they?”
Lovely?
“G-good thanks.”
“You must be about Mandy’s age?”
Rory knew who Mandy was because she and her posse had tormented her. Shame had her wanting to get away from these women. Surely they knew who she was and what she’d done?
“Yes, she was in my class.”
“Lovely. Well, you come on then.”
“Come on?”
“To the shop. We’ll have you sorted. I think we have some of the chest rub left too, Marla, is that right?”
“We do indeed.”
“Oh, no—”
“We’ll ride with you, Aurora May, as my legs are weary.”
“Rory. My name’s Rory now.”
“Lovely.”
Before she could take a deep breath, they hustled her back into her car.
“I—ah, it’s a bit of a mess back there.”
“It certainly is, but then Mandy is not much better.” Miss Sarah pulled a sheaf of papers out from beneath her and placed them on the floor.
“Let’s go then, dear.”
Rory sneezed, then put the car in gear and backed out of the space. How the hell had she ended up with them in her car?
“We’re forceful, but you’ll thank us later.”
“I’m a Haldane,” she said, hoping that would scare them off. “And I know you know who and what I was in school.”
“We know, but also believe everyone deserves a second chance if they mess up the first one. We’re sorry that you got such a bad reception when you arrived, Rory.”
“But surely you were—”
“Of course, as teachers your father’s theft hurt us, but that’s not your fault, dear, nor your brothers’.”
“Oh, would you look at that old fool Lex, Marla!”
Rory nearly swerved at the shriek. Both woman had their faces pressed against the window, where a man, supposedly Lex, was putting what looked to be a large Santa on the small overhang of his shop... men’s fashion, by the looks of it. In fact
, the Santa seemed to be wearing a suit.
“He’s doing that to outshine us, Sarah!”
Rory heard her windows slide down, then a sharp breeze rushed into the car.
“You old fool, get down off that roof before you break a hip!” Miss Marla shrieked.
Lex didn’t look overly concerned at being verbally attacked by the Robbins sisters. In fact, the smile he gave them told Rory he’d enjoyed it.
“I’m adding more spice to the chicken before we take it round. That’ll slow him down,” Miss Sarah said.
“We have bridge tonight, and Lex is hosting,” Miss Marla told Rory. “It’s potluck.”
These women have a better social life than me.
“Lovely.” Because what else was she going to say to that?
“Right there, Rory. See the teapot?”
She did, and parked in front.
“You really don’t need to do this. I mean I was happy to drive you and all, but—”
“You’re here now, so out you get.”
Rory wondered why she couldn’t say no to these people. Burrowing into her coat, she stopped to look at a notice in the shop window. The flyer was advertising the bachelor auction.
“Well worth attending, my dear. Marla and I are hoping to secure a date with Fin Hudson.”
“Not Jack?” Rory said before she could stop herself.
“No, dear, there will be stiff competition for a date with him. Most of the girls in Ryker will be after that. Fin is equally as handsome but not as much in demand,” Miss Sarah said. “Inside you go, it’s too chilly out here for you with that cold.”
“It’s just a sniffle... really,” Rory protested as a firm hand nudged her into the shop.
The scent inside Tea Total was almost exotic, a blend of so many smells she couldn’t name one. The shelf behind the counter was lined with tea in various containers. There were shelves filled with teapots, dainty cups, and saucers. A cabinet held food. Rory noted the scones right off and her mouth watered.
“Do you drink tea, Rory?”
“I’m more of a coffee girl. Does that make me a bad person?”
“Not bad exactly,” Miss Marla said, moving behind the counter. “Just a heathen.”
She laughed, and it came out wheezy.
“Take off your coat and sit now, and I’ll make you a blend and you can see if you recognize any of the flavors. Plus, it will loosen that wheeze.”
She slid into a chair, uncertain what the hell that meant, but as she was here she’d participate.
“Hello, Aurora May.”
Her memory of Mandy was a timid little girl with knobby knees and thick glasses. The glasses were gone, but Rory was sure she was still timid, and considering who her aunts were, that was odd. The Robbins sisters were anything but timid.
“Mandy.” She nodded, unsure what to say next as during school this woman had been a target for Rory’s vindictive nature. “It’s good to see you again.”
“Now we both know that’s a lie.” The woman had a shy smile on her face.
“You’d rather take tea with a rabid dog than me about now.”
Shock had a laugh escaping. “Mandy, I know this is overdue but I’m going to say it anyway. I’m so sorry for my behavior, and I have nothing to add in my defense other than I was a spoiled bitch.” Shame had the words spilling out of her mouth in a rush.
“Okay, I forgive you.”
“What?” Rory wasn’t sure she’d heard that right.
“I forgive you.”
“Why? I made your life hell. If it was reversed I can’t imagine I’d be so forgiving.”
“Yes, you would, because you’re not that person anymore, are you, Aurora
May?”
She shook her head.
“Okay then, so I forgive you.”
“I really don’t deserve that, but thank you all the same. Do you have time to sit with me?” Rory surprised herself again. “I mean, I understand if you don’t, and I have no right—”
“Sure, I have a minute or two. The aunts don’t pull out the cane unless I sit for more than ten minutes.”
“Oh, ha,” Rory said, realizing that was a joke.
She suddenly felt lighter, like Mandy’s forgiveness had lifted something off her shoulders. Weird.
“I go by Rory now, Mandy.”
“Oh I like that much better than Princess Aurora May.”
That surprised a laugh from Rory. “Me too.”
“How are you?”
“Okay, except I have a cold and your aunts kidnapped me. Apparently they have a cure.”
Mandy smiled, and it changed her face from pretty to special. Her eyes lit, and she had two dimples that Rory had never seen before... possibly because she’d never been in her company while she was happy, which was a sobering thought.
“My aunts always have a cure for everything. But don’t let them bully you.”
“Oh come now, when have we ever bullied anyone?”
“I hope you’re not serious,” Mandy said, making Miss Marla smile.
She’d changed, Rory realized. She was stronger somehow, in a gentle way. There was still a vulnerability there but also a strength.
“I really am sorry, Mandy.”
“It’s okay, Rory. One day I’ll ask you a favor and then you can really move on.”
“Deal.”
Rory sipped the tea that was placed in front of her.
“Sorry, other than lemon, I have no clue what’s in this, but it tastes good. Kind of fruity and yet there’s more to it.”
“A great deal more, but lemon is a good start,” Miss Marla said.
“This scone is amazing though, and I reckon it has flour of some kind.”
“Very good, dear,” Miss Sarah said, patting the top of Rory’s head as she passed.
“I made them this morning. I’m testing a new flavor, lemon and blueberry,” Mandy said.
The surprise for Rory was how easy it was to sit and talk to Mandy, a girl she’d tormented and had no right to receive forgiveness from. She’d not made many friends after leaving Ryker. In fact, the Haldanes had turned in on themselves, shutting anyone out who tried to get close.
“Come for dinner with us one night, Rory?”
“Oh, I-I—”
“Please. I would love to hear about what you’ve been doing,” Mandy said.
“Thank you for the forgiveness,” she said softly.
“It’s okay now, Rory.” Mandy’s hand covered hers. “Really.”
She sniffed back the tears and thought maybe right here and now it was okay. Rory was in no doubt that would change when she left the tea shop, however. They both looked up as the door opened, and in walked Jack Trainer and another man. Beside her, Mandy made a small sound like she was in pain, but her face looked calm.
“You okay?”
“Sure.”
“Hi, Mandy, ladies.” Jack acknowledged the Robbins sisters. “Princess,” he said to annoy her.
She nodded as the others said hello. Mandy, she noted, now had her head down.
“This is Ted Hosking, he owns the lodge. Ted, Rory Haldane,” Jack said, keeping his eyes steady on her face.
“Ah, an infamous Haldane. I’ve heard a lot about you, and none of it good—”
“Don’t speak to Rory like that. It’s rude!” Mandy jumped to her feet to glare at Ted Hosking.
“I believe in honesty.” The man returned the look, his voice calm in the face of Mandy’s sudden flare of rage. “Living in denial is not healthy. Plus, you didn’t let me finish. I was going to add, which makes me like you instantly.”
“No you weren’t.”
They were now toe to toe, glaring at each other. Interesting, Rory thought. Mandy wasn’t shy now.
“What’s the special scone today, Mandy?” Jack said, drawing her attention away from Ted Hosking.
Mandy exhaled loudly, then with a final glare she smiled at Jack. “Blueberry and lemon.”
“I like a traditional scon
e,” Ted said, and Rory was sure he had done so to deliberately annoy Mandy.
“Then leave, I’m sure you’ll find someone who cares somewhere out on the street!”
After she’d snapped out these words, Mandy squeezed Rory’s hand, then stormed through the door at the back of the shop, slamming it loudly behind her.
“Only you can annoy my niece like that, Ted,” Miss Marla, said not looking too worried about the fact her niece had just behaved out of character.
“It’s a gift,” he muttered, dropping into the seat beside the one Jack had taken.
Ted Hosking was big, and Rory guessed he threw around some weights to achieve that physique. He had hair the color of coffee, and his eyes were dark and intense.
“Hi, I’m Ted.” He held out a hand to Rory, and she shook it because it would have been rude not to, and this town had enough to dislike her for without adding more to the tally.
“Rory.”
“So Rory, how’re you settling back into Ryker Falls?”
The words were so thick with sarcasm she laughed.
“It’s great... really. I was welcomed with open arms.”
The corners of his mouth turned up, and she guessed this constituted a smile.
“We’re coming around,” Jack said. “You’ll see, by Thanksgiving everyone will love you.”
“I only have to wait eleven months? Seems fair.” It was a silly conversation, but Rory was enjoying it. She hated to think that was because Jack Trainer was seated across from her. The thought disturbed her enough to have her gaining her feet.
“Stay.” His fingers wrapped around her wrist as she rose. “You haven’t finished, and we don’t bite... at least not on such short acquaintance.”
“Don’t tell me what to do.”
“Please,” he added.
She sneezed. “Excuse me.”
“You sick?”
“No.”
“Your nose is red, are you sure?” Jack said.
“A cold, which I probably got from you forcing me into your drafty stables while I looked over your horse... for free.”
“But you’re not a practicing vet, so I can’t pay you. And it’s more likely from that freezing house you’re living in.”
“It’s not cold. I can light fires, remember, and I have the heater now.”
“You’re a vet?” Ted interrupted.
