Love Me Tender

by Wendy Vella

  “You look nice.”

  “I’m wearing my grandmother’s coat,” she hissed. “They came into my house and forced me to come, and then dressed me.”

  Jack laughed.

  “It’s not funny! They are master manipulators, and I don’t think no is in their vocabulary.”

  “It was in class.”

  “Were they hardasses?”

  “Extremely. In a purely nonthreatening, feather pillow kind of way.”

  She nodded. “I totally get that. It’s like being roughed up by the Pillsbury Doughboy.”

  He laughed at the image.

  “What are you two laughing at?” Ted asked. He looked uncomfortable seated next to Mandy.

  “I hope you’re smart, Princess, because we like to win,” Jack said, ignoring Ted’s question.

  “Don’t you worry about me, pretty boy, you worry about yourself. We all know you can’t have a face like that and a brain.”

  Ted hooted with laughter.

  “Going by that theory, then you should be really good at this,” Jack said.

  Rather than being pissed off, Rory snorted. If he’d said that to any of the other women he’d dated, there would have been hell to pay. Not that he was dating Rory, of course.

  Mayor Gripper was to be MC, and he’d dressed in a pale gray suit tonight with a light blue stripe. His shirt and tie were in the same shade. He stepped up on the platform and tapped the mic, as he always did, and it squealed, again as it always did.

  “Good evening.”

  Everyone raised their glass.

  “There will be ten tables of five, and you will need a name. Pieces of paper are being handed around, so please elect whoever is your scribe to fill them out.”

  “Mandy can be our boss,” Jack said, pushing the pen and paper to her.

  “Oh, I don’t think—”

  “You got this.” He nodded to her.

  “She’s the smartest, so it seems about right to me,” Rory added.

  Mandy’s cheeks flushed, and Jack wanted to kiss Rory for saying that. Few people beside her aunts believed in Mandy.

  He wouldn’t kiss her of course... it was just a figure of speech. He looked down at those soft, glossy pink lips.

  “What is our team name?” Mandy asked.

  “Mandy’s Mob,” Maggs said, pulling out a chair. She’d just arrived. “It sounds like a winning team.”

  “We’ll kick your ass, Maggs,” Fin yelled.

  “I doubt that, ranger boy. You can’t even button up your shirt the right way.”

  Fin instantly looked down, making Maggs laugh. His buttons were perfect.

  Jack got out of his seat to get the Robbins family drinks.

  “What do you want, Rory?”

  “I don’t need you buying me a drink.”

  “No you don’t,” he said patiently. “However, as I’ve offered, how about playing along and not turning it into a battle like you always do.”

  “I don’t turn everything into a battle!”

  Jack merely raised a brow.

  “Soda... please,” she snapped.

  He was still smiling when he reached the bar.

  “You look happier.”

  “No I don’t.” Jack dropped the smile.

  “You do. Your shoulders have dropped and you’re less tense. Don’t you think he looks less tense, honey?” Joe turned to Bailey.

  She had no baby bump yet, but the silly smile on her face told Jack she was happy about the fact that would change soon. So was he; he wanted more nieces and nephews to spoil.

  “Stop hassling your brother.” She swatted Joe’s shoulder.

  “I’m not.”

  Rolling her eyes, she took Jack’s order. Looking around the room, he checked the competition and found his aunt and Mr. Goldhirsh with the Howards. Hell of a surprise, that one. He found the Harveys and some of their cronies at another table. Bas, his wife, and Bit and her husband filled another with the Yardly kids, who were just barely all old enough to be in a bar.

  “Hi, Jack.”

  He groaned inwardly looking at the women all seated at the table closest to the bar.

  “Hey.” He lifted a hand and grabbed the drinks, heading back to his seat with a sweat breaking out on the back of his neck. He’d spent time in one capacity or another with every woman at that table. It was enough to unsettle a man.

  “First round will start in two minutes. You will have one minute to answer each question, and there will be six in each set,” Mayor Gripper said. “Please pass your completed score card to the runners.”

  “How’s the cold, Princess?” Jack asked.

  “Better, thanks.”

  “Category is Geography, and here is your first question!”

  “Okay team, we got this,” Miss Marla said. “I will not have my sister beating me.”

  “I always wondered which one of you two was the smartest. I guess we’re about to find out,” Jack teased.

  “You watch your mouth, boy, everyone knows that title goes to me,” she said, taking a sip of the obnoxiously sweet sherry she and her sister drank.

  A hoot of laughter told him Miss Sarah had heard.

  “Kodiak Island is in which US state?”

  “Alaska,” Rory and he whispered together.

  The round was fast, and he thought they had most of it down, especially with Miss Marla on form.

  “You seem to be enjoying yourself, Princess. I’m sure that’s a smile.”

  “Maybe. I’ve never been to one of these. It’s kinda fun.”

  “What, never?”

  She shook her head.

  “Where were you living, under a rock?”

  “Denver.”

  “It’s a big place. Whereabouts?”

  “We moved around.”

  Her expression closed up again, and Jack knew her past was a no-go subject. He’d never been good at following orders.

  “Where did you go to veterinary school?”

  “Why?”

  “It’s called being friendly.”

  “I don’t want to be friendly, I’m not sure how many times I’ve told you that... or showed you.”

  “What can I say, I’m persistent.”

  “Why? You have a legion of women devoted to you. Why do you need me as well?”

  Frustration marred her pretty features. She didn’t need makeup, hers was a natural beauty, but it highlighted what she already had.

  “I’m not asking for your devotion, I’m showing interest. Conversing, it’s called.”

  “Here are the tallies from the first round.”

  “Saved by the Mayor,” he said, which she ignored.

  Jack listened as the results were read out, his eyes moving around the room.

  “Sixth place is J.T.’s girls.”

  His head snapped back to Mayor Gripper, then swung to the table of women nearest the bar.

  “I cannot believe they named themselves that,” Maggs said, looking disgusted.

  “It’s a silly name,” Mandy added.

  “Why?” Rory asked.

  “No reason,” Jack said quickly. He didn’t want her getting more ammunition against him.

  “J.T. is Jack’s nickname. Jack Trainer.”

  Her eyes swung to him, and he didn’t like the look in them.

  “Figures” was all she said.

  “What figures?” Why the hell did he care so much what this woman thought of him?

  Jack was a good guy... well he tried to be, anyway. It was hardly his fault he liked women, and they liked him!

  Chapter 17

  “Figures your harem would use your initials to announce to everyone they were devoted to you.”

  “Anyone would think I’d defiled every maiden in Ryker.”

  The others at the table laughed at Jack’s words, but not Rory. She’d been enjoying herself, and then she’d heard that team name. Now she was annoyed again.

  “Not judging, just stating the obvious.” She kept her words even, and
managed to smile at Mandy.

  “Like hell you’re not judging me,” he hissed in her ear.

  “Whatever.” She shrugged, then looked away, battling down her anger. Why the hell did she care if he had a harem?

  Rory was fairly sure she’d spent most of her life since leaving Ryker Falls being angry. She’d been furious with her father for what he’d done, thereby ripping the foundations of her life apart. She’d been angry with her mother for giving up on life and not wanting to fight for her children. She was angry with her brothers because they escaped and she hadn’t. Standing back and looking at herself right at that moment, she wondered if maybe things had followed a pattern. Should she stop blaming everyone else for letting her down and start looking at herself?

  Hell no, she shrieked silently.

  “Whatever is not a word. It’s used by people who don’t know what to say.”

  “I know what to say!” She glared at Jack.

  “Well say it then,” he snarled.

  “In the old days they would have called you a vile seducer of women. A libertine, and a… a, trollop? How’s that for knowing what to say?”

  “I’m pretty sure trollop is used when describing females, not males.”

  “I don’t care, it suits you.”

  Rory wished he’d move away a few feet; the man smelled good, kind of sexy and outdoorsy all wrapped into a fine package. Not that she’d ever tell him that. His ego was already big enough.

  “Round two!”

  “Saved by the bell,” she said with what she hoped was a sickly smile on her face.

  “You,” he poked a finger at her, “are a vexatious harpy.”

  She didn’t want to laugh, but it came out anyway.

  “Nice, and even nicer that you used it in context, and I’ll add, thank you, kind sir.”

  “It wasn’t a compliment.”

  “Question one! Sioux Falls and Deadwood are in which American state?”

  “South Dakota,” Jack whispered to Mandy.

  Rory had a good general knowledge, she’d studied and read enough to take part, but Jack... he was in another league entirely. He knew a good percentage of the answers, along with Miss Marla, and she had to say it impressed her.

  “You’re quite intelligent,” Rory said.

  “Gee thanks, Princess. I can even read full sentences now.”

  Rory poked out her tongue at him. There was no doubting he brought out the worst in her. She usually got on with most people. But from the get go, there had been something about Jack Trainer that unbalanced her, so she’d come out fighting.

  “It’s a shock to me how good you are at this.”

  “I read.” He shrugged. “Then there’s this thing called the internet. You can learn all kinds of stuff on there.”

  “I sometimes just look up random facts,” she whispered, so only he could hear. “Populations of countries and things like that.” She felt foolish when he kept quiet. “Okay, so it’s weird, but I like random facts.”

  “It’s not weird, I do that all the time.”

  Their eyes caught and held, and Rory had to use all her mental strength to pull away.

  “I need the restroom.”

  She didn’t run, but it was pretty close.

  “You okay there, Aurora May?”

  “Hello, Mr. Harvey.”

  Rory had liked this man when she was thirteen. Unlike her parents, he’d let her and Abby do what they wanted... when his wife wasn’t looking.

  “How are you settling back in to your grandmother’s house?”

  “Good. I’m not sure what I’m doing with it yet... we, I mean. The house belongs to Matt and Leo as well.”

  He smiled, and she noted the lines around his eyes that hadn’t been there before, and the gray hair at his temples.

  “Of course. Well you’ve certainly grown up, Aurora, just like my Abigail. You come and see me if you need anything, and I want to apologize for any animosity you’re getting.”

  “It’s okay, I can handle it.”

  “You shouldn’t have to.” His fingers gripped hers gently. “And I meant what I said. You know where to find me.”

  “Thank you.” Rory hurried away to the bathroom. Thankfully it was empty. Running the cold water, she patted some on her cheeks.

  “Get a grip, Haldane.”

  She felt something when Jack was close, something she’d never felt before, and it had to stop. That man was not for her. Rory stood for a few minutes, lecturing herself silently in the mirror. Just when she felt ready to head back to the table, in walked two of the women from J.T.’s table. Abigail Harvey headed straight for Rory.

  “He’s not interested in you, Aurora May, so don’t make a fool of yourself.”

  That nasty look on Abby’s face seemed to be permanent these days, but Rory could be the better person… even if it killed her.

  “Hey, Abby, how are you enjoying the evening so far?”

  “You need to leave Jack alone, Aurora May. It’s embarrassing how you’re behaving. He’s too nice to see you for what you are.”

  “Your dad looks good. I just had a chat with him,” Rory said, fighting to stay calm.

  “I mean it, stay away from Jack.”

  “We used to talk like that in school, Abby. Hard to believe not much has changed with you.”

  “Leave town or you’ll be sorry.”

  The words were a snarl, but Rory wasn’t upset; she’d had worse.

  “Your father asked me to tell him if anything or anyone bothers me. Maybe I’ll tell him his daughter is a bitch.” She only had so much patience.

  “I’m not the bitch here! Daddy’s just too nice. It’s always been his problem.”

  “Unlike you,” Rory added.

  “Give it a rest, Abby. What happened is not Aurora’s fault, and this is not junior high,” the other woman said. “But just a heads-up, honey,” the leggy blonde added. “Jack Trainer is for a good time, not a long one.”

  “Thanks for the advice. I’m leaving now.” She’d made it out the door and taken several deep breaths to regain her calm when she heard another voice.

  “Aurora, I need to talk to you.”

  “What is it with you Harveys tonight?”

  “What?” June Harvey wrinkled her nose.

  “First, I had a chat with your husband, who wasn’t insulting, and then your daughter, who was. My money’s on you following her lead, Mrs. Harvey, and I really don’t have the energy to go another round right now.”

  “I-I want to talk with you. Outshhide now please, Aurora May.”

  “Have you been drinking, Mrs. Harvey?” The woman’s eyes were unfocused and her words slurred.

  “C-certainly not!”

  “We have nothing to say to each other, so let’s go back to our tables.”

  “We do, and I want it sssaid now.”

  “I don’t think now is a good time for this.” Rory tried to back away.

  “Don’t you tell me what I can or can’t do. Outside, now!”

  June Harvey grabbed her arm and walked toward the back door of the bar. Rory let her, because otherwise there would be a scene, and she definitely didn’t need one of those. Plus, this woman was a town golden girl, and it could get messy if anyone overheard them.

  She’d left her jacket inside and was cold in seconds as the night air settled around them.

  “Right, let’s have it,” Rory said, rubbing her arms, “before I turn into an icicle.”

  “I don’t want you here, Aurora May.”

  “That’s old news. What else you got?” If June Harvey wanted a fight, Rory was ready. She’d tried to avoid this, but the woman wouldn’t be denied, so she wasn’t backing away.

  June opened her mouth, but only a screech came out. She regained the power of speech seconds later.

  “You’re just like him!” She spat the words in Rory’s face, and engulfed her in wine fumes.

  “Who?” She wanted to take a step back but she wasn’t showing this woman weakne
ss.

  “Your father. He was spoiled, arrogant, and b-believed the world was here to shherve him!”

  Rory opened her mouth, but June was by no means finished.

  “I gave him twenty-five years of my life! Twenty-five!” she repeated in case those in the next state hadn’t heard. “And how does he repay me?”

  Guessing it was a rhetorical question, Rory kept quiet.

  “By cheating and lying. Well he got his, didn’t he!”

  Rory had known what kind of man her father was. She’d understood he was all about status and wealth, and his kids had been part of that. For a while there, she’d been the same. But when he was imprisoned every ounce of pride and arrogance had been stripped away from Jackson Haldane, leaving him vulnerable and lost.

  “Bastard! How dare he leave me!”

  For all her father’s faults, Rory had loved him right to his last breath.

  “You need to stop insulting my father now, Mrs. Harvey.”

  “I loved him and how did he repay me!”

  “Many people, including his family, loved my father, and he betrayed them, but I’m still not standing here while you insult him.” Rory went for calm even though rage was boiling inside her. “He’s dead now, and while I understand where your anger is stemming from, I’m going to have to ask you to back off.”

  “H-he’s dead?”

  Suddenly June Harvey’s shoulders slumped, and she stumbled forward until she was only a few inches from Rory.

  “I— When?” Tears were now rolling down her cheeks, and her face now wore a devastated expression.

  “A year ago.” She felt her own eyes itch.

  “Oh, Jackson,” June wailed, then fell forward into Rory’s arms. The surprise had them nearly toppling backward, but she managed to stay upright.

  “Rory, are you okay?”

  “Can you get Abigail please, Jack.”

  She didn’t turn to look at him, but that voice could belong to only one man.

  “You need to get it together now, Mrs. Harvey.” Rory patted her shoulder, and then eased her back out of her arms.

  “H-he’s dead?”

  “He never recovered after the illness he had in prison.”

  “Oh G-god.” June Harvey started sobbing loudly.

  “What the hell did you do to my mother?” Abigail Harvey hurled the words as she stormed out the door, Jack on her heels.