Crashing Into Tess (The McGreers)

by Christine, Lilly

  “I hear that a lot.”

  Touching her hair, careful of her bandage, he asked. “Ever been in a serious relationship?”

  “Not really serious. I was with my college boyfriend for three years, but he dumped me when he went to law school. My blood type is A positive, want my GPA?” she whispered, moving closer.

  Her chin tilted up to him, so close now. He couldn’t stop his lips from brushing against hers, soft and tender.“Tess?”

  “Hmm?” she murmured, running a forefinger along his collarbone.

  He groaned softly, trying to resist. “Tess, I don’t usually kiss women I barely know.”

  She tucked her head against his chest. “Me neither, Jake. ”

  “You don’t kiss women you barely know?”

  “Not usually.” She smiled up at him, shaking her head, her eyes clear and blue. “Or men either. But you’re the person in Green Junction I know best.”

  “I’m the only person you know in Green Junction, Crash,” he murmured, sliding his hands under the hem of her turtleneck, touching the skin on the small of her back. She was silky smooth, so very soft, he rested his palms there, wishing he knew what she felt like all over.

  He kissed her for real then, his mouth hot on her pink lips. When he felt her twitchy little tongue tease his, he felt his heart catch. He came up for air, breathing hard, surprised by the effect she had on him. “So you’re not afraid to go after what you want, either, huh? And you’re used to getting it, no doubt.”

  She met his eye. “I wouldn’t say that. You’ve taken really good care of me since last night. I like being with you. It feels safe.”

  “Oh, I’m safe. And there’s plenty of time to get to know me, if you decide to stick around Green Junction,” he said, dropping his hands, which felt empty, without her. “I’m here for the duration,” she said with certainty. “That remains to be seen. You haven’t even put a day in on the job.” He plucked a curl, then, unable to resist, pressed his nose into her hair, breathing the scent of her again, lemony and soft and fragrant. She tightened her hands around his back, her fingertips pressing on the tight muscles at his rib cage.

  “I should leave, before we get in trouble here,” he murmured.

  “We’re already in trouble, silly,” she told him softly, kissing his chin. Unable to resist, he found her mouth again.

  “Daddy?” A shrill little voice called from the front yard. “Daddy, are you here?”

  Red-faced, Jake pulled away, and walked quickly to the front of the apartment. Boots tapping down the porch steps, he asked, “Cassie? It’s Friday. Why aren’t you in school?”

  ***** Tess followed Jake out. A cupid-faced girl with two long reddish-brown braids was leaning a turquoise bike against the front steps.

  Small, but sturdy, she was built like a little gymnast, and crinkled her freckled nose at Tess, flashing a lopsided grin. “We had a half day today, Daddy. Teacher in-service. It was on the calendar. Mom had to take a half day from work, and she is ‘Not Happy.'”

  “Why didn’t you guys let me know?” Jake asked easily, putting a hand on his daughter’s shoulder. “I would have gotten you from school. Cassie, this is Tess. She’s just moving in, so I offered her help getting settled,” he explained. “Tess, this is my daughter Cassie.”

  “Hi, Cassie,” Tess said, extending her hand. “Looks like we’re neighbors, huh?”

  “Yup.” Grasping Tess’s hand, the little girl shook it vigorously, her amber-olive eyes steady. “Nice t’meet ya, Tess. What happened to your head?”

  “Oh. I-I bumped it,” she answered, touching the bandage self-consciously.

  Cassie screwed her face up, red-brown braids swinging against her back. “Does it hurt?”

  “Well, yes it does, a little. More throbbing than hurting, really, but I’ll be okay,” she said. “Want to see my place? I have apple juice.”

  The little girl nodded, so Tess opened the front door. Rhiannon slipped out in a white flash, eluding her grasp. “Hey, Rhiannon! Come here!”

  Ignoring her, the dog bounded towards Cassie, leaping up and licking her face, which the little girl took it surprisingly well.

  “Well, this is Rhiannon,” Tess said. “I hope you like dogs?”

  “Yup, I do. She needs to learn to behave herself, though.” Cassie grabbed Rhiannon’s collar. “Sit, Rhiannon!” Busy sniffing, the dog ignored her. “I said, SIT!” Holding Rhiannon’s collar, the little girl neatly scooped the dog’s bottom, and Rhiannon sat. A satisfied Cassie met Tess’s eye. “We really should give her a treat, now, don’t you think?”

  “We definitely should,” Tess agreed. Tearing into the dog food bag, she handed the little girl a handful of kibble. “That’s some dog training you just did. I’m very impressed. Will you give us lessons?”

  “Oh, my dad taught me everything I know about dogs,” Cassie answered breezily, shrugging her shoulders. “Horses, too. I help out at the vet office.”

  “At the vet office?” Tess asked, surprised and pleased. “So we’re neighbors and colleagues?”

  “Tess is here for a job at Doc Harnes’ office, Cassie,” Jake said, touching his daughter’s shoulder. To Tess, he explained, “Doc’s wife Bea is Vicki’s aunt. Cassie spends some time there.”

  “Vicki is my mom,” Cassie added helpfully. Tess nodded as the little girl continued. “I help Alice file. It’s all alphabetized; we do it by owner’s last name. At first I messed it up. Now Alice has me organize the pile starting with A. Then she helps me put them in the drawer.”

  “I’ll bet you’re a big help,” Tess offered.

  “Yup, I guess I must be, cause Doc Harnes always gives me five dollars,” Cassie answered proudly. Scolding Rhiannon to sit again, Cassie made her take treats politely. Then she eyed the front door. “Want to show me your place, now, Tess? I’m thirsty. I could use some apple juice.”

  ***** Jake brought Tess’s gear in while Cassie took a tour and had apple juice. When he passed through the kitchen, his daughter was helping Tess put away groceries. They chattered amiably as cupboard doors opened and closed. Well, Cassie found a new friend. It never takes her long.

  When he’d finished setting up Tess’s laptop and modem, Cassie was stacking thrift store finds on the kitchen counter, unwrapping and admiring each one, while Tess filled the sink with hot soapy water. “How ‘bout I make you guys some lunch?” she offered, dunking a stack of plates in the dishpan.

  “Hmm, what do you have?” Cassie asked, eyeing Tess curiously.

  “We’ll stop for pizza, Cassie,” Jake interrupted, shooting his daughter a quelling stare. “Thanks, anyway, Tess.”

  Her hands in sudsy yellow gloves, Tess turned off the water and hit him with her killer smile. “But you both really helped me out here. I want to feed you.” Leaning slim hips against the counter, she looked at his daughter, her clear eyes wide. “What do you like for lunch, Cass?”

  “Um, well, I like pizza. You really need to try Mamma Boccini’s pizza. Even Aunt Olivia thinks it’s good, and she’s not really a pizza person. But at home I like apples, and tuna sometimes, and . . .”

  Jake set his jaw. “Cass, Tess just got here. She’s got a lot to do. It’s time for us to leave.”

  Ignoring him, Tess asked Cassie, “Do you like root beer floats?” narrowing her eyes with a smile.

  Cassie’s eyes got round. “Oh yeah, I really, really like root beer floats. Do you have the stuff to make them? Can we have some root beer floats, Dad?”

  “I need to get you over to your mom’s, kiddo. She has no idea where you are,” he said, tugging one of his daughter’s braids. “Let’s ask Tess what kind of pizza she likes, and bring some back.”

  “There’s all kinds of pizza at Mamma Boccini’s. What do you like, Tess? Mostly I get regular with pepperoni, but sometimes I like the broccoli and cheese, and once Trudie and I split a piece of ham and pineapple,” Cassie gushed. “It was good. I think you’d like it, if you’re feeling adventurous.”

 
“Mmm, regular with pepperoni sounds great. Thank you.” Tess followed them to the porch, Rhiannon padding behind. He lifted Cassie’s bike into the back of his truck.

  “I’ll have root beer floats next time, I promise,” Tess called, waving as Cassie climbed in.

  After they left pepperoni slices and iced tea with Tess, Jake parked the truck at the curb near Vicki’s apartment and waited while Cassie packed for her weekend at the ranch. To kill some time, he dialed Alice at the veterinary office.

  “So you trashed Tess’s rental car, picked her up from the hospital and gave her the Green Junction Welcome Tour? Then Cassie showed up, and you both helped her move in? You’re quite a guy, Jake,” Alice cackled.

  “Hey, it was okay until Cassie tried to weasel lunch out of her. That was a bit much,” he laughed, feeling guilty about what he’d been doing with Tess when his daughter showed up.

  “So, what’s she like?” Alice drawled. “She seemed real sweet on the phone, very smart and together. Is she cute?”

  “She’s a pleasant enough person,” Jake answered in the most neutral voice he could manage. If I say anything more, Alice will see right through me.

  Cassie had spoken of nothing but from Tess from the time she climbed into his truck, and he couldn’t stop thinking of her either, all saucy and upbeat, with her teasing lips and eyes. The thought of the silky skin on her waist and back made him hard all over again.

  “I feel a little guilty for asking you to stick around last night,” Alice was confessing. “If you’d left earlier, you’d have missed Tess and Officer Ron and his breathalyzer test.”

  “How do you know about the breathalyzer test?”

  “Sergeant Fuller called, wanting to know what you drank last night. I told him ginger ale and water and you left stone sober, don’t worry. Geez, that Ron Karachek’s got it in for you! Be careful, Jake.” He said nothing. Alice took a deep breath. “Okay, I’ll fill Beatrice and Doc in on Tess’s situation, call her later to check in, and have Lotts put feelers out at the bar for a truck?”

  “That would be great, Alice. Four-wheel drive, probably new-ish, I’d say, real clean. Look, this is my weekend with Cass, so I’m off duty as far as Tess is concerned. Can you look out for her?”

  “Like one of my own. I’ll see you during the week, okay?”

  “Sure. Bye, Alice.”

  ***** That afternoon, the mattress guys delivered a brand new, top-of-the-line, queen sized CertaRest, compliments of Tess’s mom and dad. She put her new tea kettle on to boil and dug through her bags. Pulling out lavender and white polka dot flannel sheets, she made up the bed, topping it with the patchwork quilt her grandmother had made for her college graduation.

  She set out towels and soap and shampoo in the bathroom, found slippers and hung her robe, made herself a cup of chamomile tea, and stood back to admire her new room. Quarter sawn honey-gold oak gleamed in the late day sun, the carved designs around the knobs etched in shadow.

  The antique chest and dresser were her first ever furniture purchase, and she could still see Jake’s broad flannel-clad shoulders, setting them in place.

  Better make the apartment comfy now, before the snow flies. Sounds like I’ll be spending plenty of time here this winter. She added “head board” and “bed frame” to her furniture list, then,“nightstands, lamps, dining set, sofa, coffee table, Jake.”

  He better show up again. Not much goes on here, and I’m too young to start collecting cats. Plus, he’s really nice to kiss.

  Tess put her teacup in the sink, grabbed dog treats and a tennis ball, stuck her cell in her pocket, and snapped the leash on Rhiannon. She explored town from the sidewalk, walking the stiffness out of her hip, inhaling crisp autumn air.

  She thought about Cassie, then Jake, kissing her. Stop that!

  The sky, an incredible, piercing blue, was punctuated by jagged, white-capped mountain peaks. Below the mountains, rolling foothills were doused with yellow and orange foliage, splashes of russet and brilliant red amongst tall stands of evergreen.

  Cattle and horses and sheep and pigs must be grazing in the fields up there, on the ranches I’ll visit soon for work. Smiling with anticipation, she arrived on Main Street.

  Town Hall was on the circle, a grand old brick structure with a domed tower, next to the court house. Turning left, she walked past the library to the park. Kids shrieked on the playground, laughing and running, their mothers nearby.

  Crossing the soccer fields, Tess let Rhiannon off her lead. She tossed a ball, which the dog grabbed in midair, racing to the far end of the park. Her cell buzzed and she looked at the ID. First local call, other than the mattress guys....“Hello?”

  “Hi, Tess? This is Alice,” said a familiar, peppy voice. “From Doc Harnes office?”

  “Oh, hi, Alice. I got into town this morning. It’s great so far.” No need mention the smashing impression I made at the intersection last night.

  Alice had set up her phone interviews. Doc had gone to great lengths to assure himself of Tess’s suitability for large animal work in general, and rough, ranch work in particular, asking complex questions that required detailed technical answers, but he had provided only cursory information about town and the practice. Alice filled in all the necessary details, answering questions patiently and thoroughly.

  “I heard. I guess you’ve met Jake?” Alice asked brightly.

  “Oh. Yes, I have,” Tess winced, thinking of his warm kisses. Stop that! She focused on Rhiannon, who was still tearing around, tongue lolling, stretching her legs.

  “I’m so sorry you got hurt. Everyone in town knows how treacherous that intersection at is.”

  “Thanks.” Tess felt her face burn with embarrassment.

  “Doc and Bea don’t want you to feel pressured about starting work right away, so just plan on taking it easy the next week or so, okay?”

  “That’s nice, Alice, but I’m really looking forward to getting started,” she countered enthusiastically. “Besides, I won’t have anything else to do.”

  “Okay, but I have to tell you, Bea’s already heard about the accident. She made an appointment for you with Doc Estes here in town early next week, and she asked if you’d call them tomorrow to check in. Bea’s like that. I think you already have Doc’s cell and home phone, but I don’t want you to feel overwhelmed. Is that okay with you?”

  “It’s very kind that you’re all so concerned. I’m genuinely touched,” she answered.

  “Can I bring you dinner? I’m solo, my husband Lotts is working tonight. Mamma Boccini’s, the Italian place on Main Street, has chicken parmesan on special tonight, and they have a great lasagna.”

  “Dinner would be great, Alice. I love lasagna.”

  “I just need to finish here at the office and feed the dogs at home. I’ll grab dinner and swing over to your place afterward, okay?”

  “That’s perfect, I’ll look forward to it, thank you.”

  “See you in a bit, Tess.”

  Tess switched off her cell with a rush of gratitude. Snapping Rhiannon on her lead, she smiled walking back to her new apartment. I might just have spoken to my new best friend. . . My hip feels better, and there’s time to take a bubble bath in my claw-foot tub!

  At six-fifteen, it was dark outside. Towel-drying her hair, Tess switched the porch light on for Alice, and turned up the heat. Fifteen minutes later, a blue Subaru wagon pulled to the curb, and a petite, curvy woman, with short, spiky red hair got out, waving.

  “Alice?” she called from the porch, feeling shy.

  “Yeah, it’s me. Hi!” the woman chirped, popping open her hatchback and pulling out a pair of folding chairs. “I brought along a bistro set I use on the patio in the summertime. Can you use it?”

  “I don’t have a kitchen table yet, so that will be great!” Tess felt like hugging Alice. But that seemed too familiar, and shaking hands was too formal. Anyway, she has chairs in her hands. She grabbed the chairs, while Rhiannon tore around her yard. “Meet Rhiannon. I
rescued her on my way out here. She’s a bit hyper, getting settled in and all.”

  “Hi Rhiannon, aren’t you a lovely girl?”Alice’s voice was high-pitched and chipper, even as Rhiannon thumped against her knees.

  In the small, bright kitchen, she set the table up while Tess opened chairs. “Perfect size. Thank you again, Alice.”

  “My pleasure. And it does look nice,” Alice agreed, surveying the little kitchen, her green eyes sparkling. “Welcome to Green Junction, Tess. How are you feeling?”

  “A little stiff and sore, but really happy to be here. And I’m thrilled to finally to meet you.”

  “We’ll have fun together. Do you like the place?”

  “It’s awesome!” Tess raved.

  “Bea was determined to find you something right in town, since winters are so long around here. Both Bea and Doc are really tickled that you came all the way from Philadelphia for a job in Green Junction. Bea keeps calling you ‘Our Philadelphia Girl’.”

  “Oh, golly, how will the locals feel about that?”

  “Don’t worry, I don’t think she’ll say it to anyone outside the office. I’ve been here for over six years, and she still calls me their ‘Louisiana Girl’.”

  “So you are an import, too. That helps,” Tess smiled, digging through her bags for a linen table cloth, tossing it on the bistro table.

  “Not only am I an import, I’m a Southerner to boot. I dropped the drawl, though, as best I could.”

  Tess set out the napkins her grandmother had given her, arranging new glasses, plates, and silverware, while Alice brought dinner in. “I got cheesecake for dessert. It’s homemade on Fridays. And I brought a split of champagne for a housewarming toast, and some beer and wine coolers to stock your fridge.”

  “You didn’t have to do that,” Tess said, pleased all the same. “Is everyone around here so thoughtful, or did I just strike gold with you and Jake?”

  “Well, I promised to keep a look out for you, kiddo. You’re new in town and I know how that can be,” Alice said cheerfully. “But Jake is one of a kind. He’s a complete sweetheart, and he’s just been through a killer divorce. It’s too bad you guys met under such stressful circumstances.”