Crashing Into Tess (The McGreers)

by Christine, Lilly

  “I won’t be. And even if I am, I’ll stick it out. I’m only committed until spring.”

  ***** Bright morning sun angled across the diner’s parking lot, melting all traces of the previous night’s ice storm. Pulling out onto the street, Jake said, “It gets real snowy around here, come winter time, y’know. ”

  Looking out the window, Tess finger-combed her blonde curls absently. “I know. I’m thinking maybe I’ll buy a four wheel drive truck, not as big as yours, though. I’ll talk it over with Doc.”

  Jake glanced at the clock on the dash, annoyed at the concern he felt for her. “It’s after seven. We’ll head over to the body shop. Dave Burn’s runs it, he’s probably got some used cars you can look at. Dave’s an honest guy, he won’t rob you.”

  When he parked there, Tess asked, “Can Rhiannon stay here with you?”

  “Sure.”

  He opened the hatchback of the demolished rental car,

  and she dug through soft, hippie-flowered duffel bags. “I’ll just change inside.” After she left, he surveyed the new computer equipment and fancy teal sport luggage. What does a city girl want with a four wheel drive pickup? She belongs in a shiny little BMW coupe. Trying to resist the lemony sunshine appeal of her, he stashed her belongings in the bed of his truck and waited.

  Tess crossed the lot with Dave, looking over his inventory, motioning with her hands. He smiled. She’d changed into a clean white fleece vest, matching ribbed turtleneck and stretchy fleece yoga pants that hugged her curves. Then she was floating towards him, curly blonde hair lopped over the white bandage on the side of her head, a wide smile on her pale face, and something in his chest tugged.

  Leaning over, he opened her door. “Hey, how’d it go?” Rolling her eyes, she climbed up onto the seat. “I reported the accident to the rental company. They won’t have a replacement car until the middle of next week, can you believe it? And Dave doesn’t have anything for me right now, either.” She eyed him carefully. “ Are you sure you want to do all this other stuff today? It can probably wait.”

  “I drank three cups of coffee at the diner, Tess. No turning back now. I’ll call the ranch to get my guys started, and crash when I get home.” Shaking his head, he started the engine. “I mean, I can sleep. Enough crash talk.”

  She smiled at him, her wide blue eyes saucy. “I was just thinking about a new CD. Maybe some Crash Test Dummies?”

  He shook his head, unable to help grinning. “Yeah, that goes well with a head injury.”

  ***** Why can I not stop flirting with this guy? And these bad jokes... He must think I’m desperate. Tess’s cell buzzed. Fishing it out of her little bag, she looked at the display. “Ugh. My mom. Excuse me, I have to take this.” She cupped her hand over the speaker to shield the noisy truck engine. “Hi, Mom.”

  “Good Morning Contessa.” Her mother’s crisp voice put her immediately on edge. “Are you in Colorado Springs, at the hotel?”

  “Can you see William Penn?” Tess replied. If she finds out about this accident, I’m doomed.

  “Very funny, Tess,” her mother said drily, not at all amused. Noelle Bamberger’s center-city law firm specialized in urban zoning and land development. From her office on floor eleven of a Market Street high rise, Noelle shared a view of City Hall with Tess’s father Richard, a partner in a patent and intellectual property firm. His office was on floor twelve.

  Omissions are a sanity measure, here. Fake perky, Tess. Feeling her throat tighten, she said, “I’m actually in Green Junction, Mom. I made it to town about an hour ago and I just had a big healthy breakfast.”

  “Well, you got an early start, didn’t you?” her mother said approvingly. Earlier than you can imagine, Mom. “How is your new place?”

  “Ah-h, I haven’t seen it, yet. I’m heading over there now.” Tess flashed Jake a cheeky grin. “It’s sure to be a great little crash pad.”

  Unable to help grinning, he shook his head.

  “A what? I hope it’s not some kind of roach motel,

  Contessa. The furniture shop is set to deliver your bed sometime this afternoon, so call right away if there is a problem with the apartment. I can stop the delivery, and book you a flight home.”

  Tess rolled her eyes. “I’m sure my apartment is fine, Mom. Can you have Shirley give the furniture people my cell number and ask them to call beforehand?”

  “Yes, but there’s plenty of room on your credit card if you want to fly home, Contessa. I still can’t imagine how that place is at all suited for you.”

  Tess tried to keep annoyance from her voice. “Thanks, Mom.”

  After Noelle picked up her printout of rural ranch jobs lying on the kitchen counter last June, she’d poured herself a double gin and tonic and stewed until Richard returned from his golf game. That night at dinner, they’d offered to finance a partnership in a small animal emergency clinic on the Main Line. Noelle had not hidden her disappointment when Tess turned it down in favor of the Green Junction job. First she’d been disparaging, then downright caustic. As Tess’s departure loomed, Noelle made snarky references to “Tess’s Trip to the Wild West”.

  But that’s all behind me, now, she thought, glancing at Jake. He was a nice distraction, his angular jaw slightly bristled, strong brow and chiseled nose etched in the sunlight, reddish brown hair curling at his collar. I just got to Colorado, and I’m already hanging with the Marlboro Man. Wait til I tell Sammi.

  “I’ll be out of the office all day, dear. I have client briefings, then a deposition. Shall I check in with the rental company? How much longer will you need the car?” Her mother’s voice brought Tess crashing back to reality. “B-Better let me handle the rental company, Mom,” she said with as much assurance as she could muster. This is way too dicy to get sidetracked by the magazine ad next to me. “I’m looking at trucks today.”

  “But what if you change your mind about that place? Your father won’t appreciate having to ship a vehicle back to the east coast, you know.”

  “Mother, as both you and Daddy are aware, I’ve promised to be here until spring. I’ll need four wheel drive and good tires before the bad weather hits, and I can drive the truck home next summer. Look, I hate feeling like I have to explain myself to you. This is my decision. I need the truck. I’ll be in touch, okay?” she asked impatiently, hoping her mother would take the hint.

  “All right, dear. I’ll check in at lunch time, to see how you’re doing.”

  “Bye Mom, love you,” Tess said, ending the call. Glancing at Jake, she sighed, slightly embarrassed. “Sorry about that. She’s called five times a day since I left Philadelphia.”

  He glanced over to her, then back at the road. “She’s your mom. She cares about you.”

  “It doesn’t always feel like caring,” Tess exhaled.“I don’t usually fib, but both of my parent’s are huge micromanagers. My sister Samantha is absolutely perfect, and lately, they’ve focused way too much on me. It’s a bit much, actually. They’re freaked I moved out here. It will be a huge adjustment for them.”

  “It’ll be a huge adjustment for all of you. You’re far away, I’m sure they’re gonna miss you,” he said easily. “Is your sister in Philly?”

  Tess shook her head. “Manhattan. She does PR for a think-tank. She’s a brilliant writer, but my parent’s persuaded her to do something practical, so she puts together newsletters and press releases, handles all of their website content. I guess she likes her job. Do your parents live in Green Junction?”

  “My dad lives at the ranch with me during the summer, but he’ll stay in Texas this winter, at my uncle’s place. The warmer weather suits him,” Jake said evenly. “I’ve been managing the ranches here for the past eight years.” “And your mom?” Tess asked.

  “Mom died when I was ten.”

  Did I seriously just complain about my parents to him? Caught off-guard, she grasped for something to say. “I’m so sorry. That’s sad, Jake. You were just a little kid.”

  “Ther
e’s never a good time to lose a mom, I guess,” he said.

  *****

  When Jake pulled in front of Elmer Freethy’s big white Victorian on Chambers Street, pink-streaks of sunlight hovered above the Sangre de Christo Mountains, casting the morning in rosy brilliance.

  Tess dug into her hip pocket for her key, and he noticed her hands. They were pale, fine boned and elegant, her fingers long and thin. Piano hands.That’s what Aunt Olivia calls hands like hers. He opened her door, steadying her as she stepped down. “You sure you’re okay?”

  “I’m fine,” she assured him, with an eager smile. “C’mon Rhiannon, this is home. Let’s go check it out!”

  Tongue lolling, the dog hopped from the truck. Jake grabbed ice packs and discharge instructions from the seat and followed Tess up the green painted steps of a deep covered porch. Turning the key in the old-fashioned lock, she pushed against the gleaming oak entry door.

  In the hallway, a curved wooden stairway led to the second floor. As Tess unlocked the door to the right, he inhaled baby powder and antiseptic and something lemony, clean and light.

  In the apartment, tall living room windows faced the front porch. Her footsteps echoed on recently refinished wood floors, then she stepped into the room beyond, a kitchen tiled in black and white, occupying the old sun porch.A wide smile lit her face.“Wow, this is really super! Come see it, Jake!”

  The windows at the front of the eating nook had a view of the Sangre de Christos on all three sides. “It’ll be bright and sunny in the morning,” he agreed. Next to him, Rhiannon wagged her tail enthusiastically.

  Tess walked down the hall and into the bedroom, calling, “Can you believe there’s a claw foot tub in the bathroom? My sister will be so jealous. . . How many girls get claw foot tubs in their first apartment?” Her voice trailed off, and she came back towards him. “What day is it?”

  “Today’s Friday.”She was right in front of him now, blonde, curly ringlets almost at his fingertips, eyes glistening, pink cheeks smooth. He put his hands in his pockets. “It was a long drive, huh?”

  “Ridiculously long, and it got a whole lot more confusing last night,” she said, rolling her eyes and shaking her head. “I start work on Monday, so I have to get settled in here.”

  He cleared his throat. “You’ve got time.”

  “I guess so. I’m feeling much better since I’ve seen this place, anyway.” Her full lips were rosy, a little chapped, and she was still smiling. “Can we head for the grocery and drug store, now? Do you mind?”

  “Let’s go,” he grinned, opening the door.

  3

  “New Vet in Town” The sun hit the dashboard of Victoria ScalamagottiMcGreer’s white Acura as she zipped into the shopping center, late for work.

  Cassie had missed the starting bell at school, but she’d taken a call from Ronald Karachek, and the news had been good.

  She passed her ex-husband’s green diesel pickup, idling in front of the supermarket, the bumper banged up, the headlight missing. Her eyes narrowed as she watched a thin girl get out. Long blonde curls bobbing, the girl grabbed a cart and headed through the glass double doors. Jake pulled into a parking spot.

  Hah! I’ve got news for you and that little mermaid, Jake. That police report is my ticket out of here! Once I show the judge you’re a drunk, you’ll be bankrolling my new life in sunny California. If you’re lucky, you might see Cassie at Christmas and Easter. Two weeks in summer, too, if you’ll agree to cover my cruise.

  Parking in front of the bank branch, Vicki smiled at her reflection in the mirror as she unclasped the large black alligator purse that matched her stilettos. She opened a mint tin, popped two little yellow pills into her lipsticked mouth, and washed them down with the can of diet Coke in her console. Breakfast of champions. . .These will hold me until lunch!

  ***** Idling in the fire lane, Jake watched Tess walk into the pharmacy, admiring the way her knit pants hugged her willowy thighs and curvy little butt. Focus, Jake. You’re getting carried away, here.

  He swallowed, pulled into the nearest parking spot, and called the ranch. “We’ll have the cattle loaded and be on the road in the next forty-five minutes,” his foreman Larry said, “Why don’t you just stay put?”

  It was just what he wanted to hear. Drowsy in the sunlight, he tilted his hat and leaned back for a nap. He was enjoying Tess’s company. Two ranches kept him busy, but it wasn’t the same as being needed, taking care of things, the way it had been when Cassie was around. I could fall for Tess in a heartbeat, but she’s only here until spring.

  When Tess came through the automatic doors with a cart load of groceries, he pulled the truck to the curb. “Look, just climb in and relax while I load this stuff,” he offered, opening her door. She rolled her eyes. “What?” he asked.

  “I feel like my Dad’s mother, Granny Esther. My grandfather does everything for her. I’m not ancient, you know.”

  “You’re not ancient, but you are banged up. You’ll need to take it easy the next week or so, Tess,” he said gruffly, feeling the blush crawl up his neck.

  They let Rhiannon run in the park, and he took her down Main Street to show her the library, courthouse, and the movie theater.

  “So you think I’ll find some good stuff here?” she asked when he pulled to the curb at the thrift store, , blue eyes wide.

  “Best show in town for a girl with an empty apartment,” he answered. She hopped from the truck, flashing him another killer smile. “I might be a little while.”

  “Take your time, I’ll be here.”

  Unable to stifle a grin, he pulled his hat over his face and leaned back, absently stroking Rhiannon. Twenty minutes later, the passenger door swung open. Tess’s blue eyes gleamed with excitement, her hair a shining halo. She looked like an angel, floating on adrenaline and endorphins.

  “I scored big! I got this great set of old restaurant china from this place called the ‘Halfway Hotel.' The lady inside, Gertrude, said it came from somewhere up near Pike’s Peak. There’s a little a pickaxe and miner’s pan on every piece!”

  He smiled as she rambled on, breathless with enthusiasm. “I found drinking glasses and mugs and a cast iron frying pan and a tea kettle and a pot or two to get started, and they’ve got a gorgeous oak dresser and chest of drawers. Do you mind helping me get it all over to my place?”

  “Might as well load the truck up, while we’re here,” he said agreeably.

  In the store, Gertrude was wrapping at the counter. She greeted Jake with her sweet, steady smile.

  He tied the dresser and chest of drawers behind the cab, then started on the boxes lining the floor between the aisles. When Tess was next to him in the truck again, he cocked an eyebrow. “I sure bet the thrift shop appreciates your arrival.”

  “Do you think? And this is just the tip of the iceberg. I’ll be their most loyal customer over the next few months.”

  “I bet you will.”

  On their way to her apartment, she said, “There’s so much sky here. I didn’t know what to expect, but it’s all so gorgeous and amazing.”

  He looked at her eager face, and couldn’t help smiling. “I hope you think so in February, when the sky is dumping two feet of snow on top of the four already on the ground here in town, and most of the mountain roads are impassable.” He pointed to the mountains. “That range to the south is the Sangre De Cristo, and to the west are the Sawatch Mountains. See those street signs?”

  “Yes.”

  “Are they up that high in Philadelphia?”

  “No way.”

  “They have to stay visible above the snow piles the plow throws up in winter. The streets are wide just so there’s plenty of room for snow.”

  “Hmm, I’ll keep that in mind when I pick out my vehicle.”

  “Look around and see what people are driving. Get something with high clearance and four wheel drive, and plan to keep plenty of weight in the back if you’re driving in the mountains in winter. Make sure to figure
in for good snow tires, too.”

  “Thanks, Jake. I will.”

  He pulled into her driveway, unloaded groceries and boxes onto the porch, then carried her dresser and chest up the stairs. He parked, threw the forty pound bag of dog food over his shoulder, and rounded the corner. Up on the porch, Tess was picking up her printer. Rhiannon was underfoot, her tail wagging.

  “Why don’t you just relax, and tell me where to put your stuff? You’re supposed to be taking it easy, remember?”

  She flashed him a hesitant smile. “Are you sure you don’t mind? I’ve got everything sorted into piles.” Setting the dog food down, he said, “I don’t mind. You stay here, and let me carry everything in.”

  “Wow, is this how you were with your wife when she was pregnant?”’

  Stopping short, Jake turned to her. Pink heat crawled up his neck. “Probably, yeah, this is how I was. I like looking out for people. It’s my nature, I guess,” he said, a little sheepishly.

  Crimson-faced, she held his eye. “It’s really nice, Jake.”

  He carried the dresser in. Drawer in hand, she followed him to the bedroom, motioning where she wanted it. Sliding the drawer into place, she turned to him and said, a little breathlessly, “Thank you so much. For all of this. You’re really helping me out here.”

  “It’s no problem. I’ll feel better knowing you’re settled in.” His fingers itched. He wanted badly to reach for one of her corkscrew curls. “Do you have a boyfriend, Tess?”

  She looked up at him wide-eyed, and shook her head. “No, no boyfriend.”

  He moved closer, letting a hand drop to her waist. Her skin was warm and taut, better than he’d imagined. This is exactly what I said I wouldn’t do. “How old are you?” he sighed.

  “Eighteen.” Startled, he pulled away.

  She giggled and slugged him gently. “Silly, I’m twenty-six.”

  He cocked an eyebrow. “You look younger than that.”