“Sneaking in a nap?” he asked quietly as he sat beside her.
“Just enjoying the day,” she said, smiling at him but not opening her eyes. “I love it when the air starts to feel like fall. Saturday still felt like summer, but today I’m finally feeling that crisp bite in the air. Makes the sun feel good.”
“I brought coffee and pie.”
“Ah,” she murmured, opening her eyes and turning to him.
The sleepy look on her face gave him a start. Suddenly he couldn’t stop imagining what it would be like to wake up next to her.
“What kind of pie?” she asked.
“Huh?” he said, then snapped himself back into the moment.
She pointed at the take-out container. “The pie. What kind is it?”
“Key lime.”
“Perfect. It’s a favorite of mine.” She glanced at the small container again. “Only one slice? Where’s yours?”
“I thought you might share at least a bite with me.”
She beckoned for the box. “Let me taste, then we’ll see.”
“Something tells me we need to settle these negotiations now,” he said, holding the pie just out of reach. “Once you get a taste, I’m likely to be out of luck.”
“Could be,” she agreed.
“So, will you commit to sharing?”
She regarded him thoughtfully. “It might be fair since you bought it,” she said.
“True.”
“But it might be really, really good, and you did say you were bringing it for me.”
He smiled as she worked this out in her head. “Also true,” he conceded.
“Okay, one bite,” she allowed grudgingly.
“Three,” he countered.
“Two, and that’s my final offer.”
J.C. chuckled. “Obviously I’ll know better than to get between you and your pie next time.”
“Probably wise.”
“And I think I’ll take my two bites before I hand it over,” he said. “Just to avoid any chance of second thoughts.”
“I made a commitment,” she said indignantly.
“Okay, then, here you go,” he said, handing it over and watching as she took the first bite and allowed the tart-sweet combination of the creamy key lime filling melt in her mouth. Watching her savor it was such a turn-on, he almost hated to see it end as she finished her share and gave him the rest. Still, as a matter of principle, he took it. The pie, good as it was, wasn’t nearly as satisfying as watching her enjoyment of it.
She took a sip of her coffee, then faced him. “So, why did you call, J.C.? I’m sure it wasn’t just so you could feed me pie.”
“I haven’t been able to get Misty out of my head today,” he said, admitting only half of the truth. When she looked skeptical, he shrugged. “Or you. I was worried about you on Saturday. It was clear that you were really taking that nasty incident to heart.”
“If you’d heard Annabelle, you’d have taken it to heart, too.”
“I’m thinking that it affected you more deeply because it reminded you of something that happened to you,” he suggested, seeing the truth in her eyes even as she tried to dismiss the incident.
“Let it go, J.C. It was a long time ago.”
“And you’ve put it behind you?” he asked skeptically. “I’m not getting that impression.”
She sighed. “I thought I had, at least mostly. There are some things I’ll never forget.”
“Such as?” he asked, knowing that the answer probably mattered more than he could possibly imagine.
She kept silent, her gaze staring somewhere off in the distance before she finally faced him with tears in her eyes. “Another time, okay? Please.”
He wiped away the tear that slid down her cheek with the pad of his thumb, then finally nodded reluctantly. “Another time,” he agreed quietly. “But I won’t forget, Laura.”
Her lips curved in a rueful smile. “I’m sure of that.”
He sat back and forced a more casual note into his voice. “So, how did it go at school today?”
“I finally had a candid talk with Misty,” she said. “Oh, she’s still pretty circumspect, but at least she’s no longer denying that there’s a real issue between her and Annabelle.”
“That ought to be enough to go to the principal, then,” he said, relieved that the matter might soon be resolved.
“Afraid not. Misty’s adamantly opposed to it. I have a feeling if I try to force the issue, she’ll deny it.”
“Why would she do that?” J.C. demanded in frustration. “She has to know this is wrong.”
“She knows. She’s just convinced that taking this to the principal will make everything much worse.” She gave him a weary look. “She could be right. I’ve heard plenty of stories about Mariah Litchfield and how she works. She’s already put in a few calls to Misty’s mother. Misty is pretty sure she intends to lay all the blame on Misty.”
“It would probably be a good thing to get Diana involved,” J.C. said. “Surely she’d come to Misty’s defense.”
“I’d have thought the same thing, but after talking to Misty, I’m not so sure.”
“I know Diana. She’s a terrific mother.”
“I’ve always thought so, too, but I think there’s something else going on at home. I have no idea what it might be, but I don’t think Misty believes she can count on her mother right now.”
“What a mess!” J.C. muttered. He drew in a deep breath, then said decisively, “Then it’s up to us.”
Laura looked startled. “Us? J.C., I know how much you want to help, but you haven’t witnessed a thing.”
“I’ve seen how distraught Misty is,” he contradicted her. “She wanted to quit school over this. She came to me to get a medical excuse.”
“But for all you know, she could have been having a bad day or wanted to quit for no good reason.”
“I know the signs of bullying when I see them,” he argued stubbornly. Probably far better than she did. He also knew the potential for disastrous consequences if it was allowed to continue.
“And I know Betty,” Laura argued. “She’s going to want solid evidence, incidents that were witnessed. Not because she won’t believe us or Misty, but because she’s the one who’s going to have to deal with Mariah Litchfield’s wrath.”
“It just doesn’t seem right that so much consideration goes to the girl who’s creating the havoc, while the victim’s left to suffer.”
Laura regarded him curiously. “You’ve very passionate about this. Does that go beyond Misty?”
He thought about just how personal the issue was for him, but it wasn’t something he talked about…ever. Well-guarded secrets were apparently something he and Laura had in common. “I care, that’s all.”
She didn’t look as if she believed him, but thankfully, apparently taking a page out of his book, she let it go.
“Will you be sure to let me know if there’s something I can do?” he pressed. “Anything, okay?”
“Of course I will.”
“And how about you? You must be as frustrated about this as I am.”
For the first time, he saw the weariness and regret in her eyes. “You have no idea, but my hands are tied either until Misty gives me more information or I’ve witnessed more myself.”
“You’re not just worried that Mariah would take her anger out on you, are you?”
As soon as he’d uttered the question, he saw the flash of real annoyance in her eyes.
“There’s nothing Mariah Litchfield can do to me,” Laura retorted. “Nothing that I can’t handle. But I’ve been around the system long enough to know that without solid proof, an accusation like this could do more harm to Misty than it will to Annabelle. Surely you know that, too.”
J.C. sighed heavily. “I do, and I’m sorry for even suggesting otherwise. I just find it all so infuriating.”
“Believe me, you don’t have a lock on that,” she said. “We will fix this, though, J.C. Anything else i
s unacceptable.”
He nodded at her strong declaration and knew with certainty that Misty couldn’t have a better ally in her corner. He was just frustrated that for the moment, he didn’t have that hard evidence she was talking about that meant he could be right there with her.
8
It was after six when Laura finally got home after meeting J.C. in the park. The phone was ringing as she walked in the door. As she reached for it, she noticed she had three messages, a rarity this soon after school. Usually her phone never rang until much later in the evening, if at all.
“Well, well, well,” Nancy said when Laura picked up. “Sitting in the park with Doc Fullerton, sharing some little tidbit of food and coffee, right there where all the world could see. Are you still claiming that there’s nothing going on between the two of you?”
“That I am,” Laura confirmed. “Because it’s the truth.”
“Then explain why I had four calls on my cell before I could even leave the school building?” Nancy teased. “Every teacher who passed that way going home spotted the two of you, sitting side by side and looking quite cozy, according to every carefully documented and eager report.”
“I’m surprised you didn’t drive by yourself to check it out,” Laura grumbled, feeling her cheeks flush with embarrassment.
“Oh, believe me, I did. I have to commend the accuracy of the reporting. Cozy would definitely be the adjective I’d choose. Intimate might be another.”
“Two people sitting on a bench in a public park, drinking coffee, constitutes cozy or intimate in your book? It’s pretty obvious we were hardly alone out there.”
“Hey, I haven’t had a date to speak of in three years,” Nancy responded. “Just shaking hands with an available man qualifies as cozy in my book.”
Despite her general annoyance at all this sudden fascination with her nonexistent social life, Laura chuckled. “Nancy, you’re the one who put out the word that you were declaring a moratorium on all men after your very bitter breakup with Steve. If you want to date, rescind the moratorium.”
“I might do that if J.C. had taken a look in my direction, but it’s clear he only has eyes for you. It must be that unavailable sign you wear on your forehead. Men can’t resist a challenge.”
“If that were the case, he’d be chasing you,” Laura told her. “I’ve gone out from time to time. I’m not unavailable.”
“Never more than twice with the same man,” Nancy countered. “You keep saying there’s no point in getting their hopes up when you know the relationships aren’t right. It’s a mystery to me how you can tell that after two dates.”
“I can usually tell after the first one,” Laura retorted. “The second date is so I won’t offend them by making a snap decision. I really try to be fair.”
“And how do you explain all these dates with J.C.? Aren’t you worried about his ego?”
“I’m sure J.C.’s ego is very healthy, and I’m not worried about it because we’re not actually dating,” she responded with frustration. “Look, I just walked in the door. I’m hungry. I have to figure out if there’s anything in the refrigerator to fix for dinner. Pie isn’t going to cut it as a meal.”
“So that was dessert you were having first,” Nancy retorted. “My money’s on Sullivan’s key lime pie.”
“Do you have binoculars in your car, for goodness’ sake?”
“Nope, just very good vision and strong motivation,” Nancy said. “Don’t squander this chance, Laura. I mean it. J.C. is a catch by anyone’s standards.”
Laura thought of his kindness and compassion, his wit and his intelligence. That he happened to be gorgeous was just an added perk. All in all, she could hardly deny what her friend was saying. Nor could she deny those sparks Nancy had claimed to see between them, but she’d learned years ago to distrust sparks. Sparks made people do crazy, irresponsible things. Hadn’t she learned that the hard way?
“I suppose if I were interested in casting a line into the dating pool, he would be a great catch,” she admitted. “But that’s just not how it is between us. He doesn’t want to be caught.”
“Bet you could change his mind,” Nancy said.
“I’m not sure I’m up for the humiliation of being rejected after being so plainly told that he’s not interested in getting involved with anyone. Sorry. I’m going to have to pass.”
Nancy sighed dramatically. “Foolish, foolish woman. Oh, well, gotta run. See you tomorrow. I’ll be the one trying to make you see the error of your ways.”
After she hung up, Laura sat down at the kitchen table and thought about the times she’d seen J.C. in recent days. Those blasted sparks had been undeniable. He’d even admitted she’d been on his mind. In some ways that was even more terrifying. What if he decided he was no longer quite so averse to getting involved with someone?
But he’d made such a point of making sure she was aware that he didn’t date. She wondered why. His declaration had been pretty unequivocal. There had to be a story behind it. Maybe if she could find out the answer to that mystery, she’d know if he was half as determined to ignore those wickedly inviting sparks as she was.
* * *
“You’re playing a dangerous game, my friend,” Cal Maddox taunted when J.C. showed up at the gym.
J.C. gave him a puzzled look. “Game?”
“With Laura Reed.”
J.C. bristled. “What game am I supposedly playing with Laura?”
“The way I hear it from very informed sources, you’ve been with her quite a lot recently.”
“So?”
“There’s talk,” Cal said, as if that were explanation enough.
“It’s Serenity,” J.C. said with a shrug. “There’s always talk about something.”
Cal chuckled. “True enough, but this talk is about you and Laura being an item. Since I’ve had the impression for a long time now, based on your refusal to accept any of the blind dates being tossed your way, that you don’t want to get seriously involved with anyone, talk is not good.”
J.C. finally saw where this was going. And they said women were terrible gossips!
“Are you trying to protect Laura? Is that it?” he asked Cal.
“Well, sure. She’s well-liked around town, especially after she pulled off a coup the way she did with Saturday’s festival. They’ll be talking about this one for years to come.”
“Okay, but what does that have to do with me?”
“Not a one of those boosters of hers are going to be happy if she’s hurt.”
“Ah,” J.C. said. “Then let me assure you that I’m not planning on hurting her.”
Cal clearly wasn’t satisfied. “Because your intentions are serious and honorable, because you have no designs on her or because you think this is just a casual game?” he pressed. “I’m telling you again, if it’s just a game, it’s a dangerous one. There will be a frenzy. And having been at the center of one myself a few years back, I can assure you, you won’t enjoy it.”
J.C. regarded him with disbelief. “A frenzy? You can’t be serious.”
“Oh, yeah,” Cal confirmed. “I’ve already heard some muttering from my wife, who got stirred up by some of the other Sweet Magnolias who were on Laura’s committee.”
“Muttering?” J.C. repeated, bewildered. This was probably one of the reasons he was a terrible candidate for another marriage. The workings of the female mind eluded him.
“‘Hurt her and die’ comes to mind,” Cal told him. “Maddie was pretty emphatic about that one.”
Since Cal had only the tiniest glint of amusement in his eyes, apparently he was mostly serious.
J.C. shook his head, walked away, then came back. “I met Laura a couple of weeks ago. I’ve seen her maybe a handful of times, and those weren’t even dates. How did this get so crazy?”
“Because you’ve seen her a bunch of times in less than a month,” Cal explained patiently. “The way I understand the logic, an engagement should be imminent. That’s the gene
rally desirable Serenity timetable.”
“The women in this town are crazy,” J.C. muttered.
Cal laughed. “You definitely don’t want to say that in public and especially not in front of my wife or the other Sweet Magnolias. You know you’re already suspect in that circle because you work with Maddie’s ex, right? They have a very low opinion of Bill Townsend.”
“So I’ve gathered, but he’s a good doctor,” J.C. said, feeling compelled to defend his business partner. “And he’s straightened up his life.”
Cal nodded. “I can see that, too. The women, however, have very long memories.”
“So I’m never likely to get their stamp of approval because of Bill?” he asked, mystified.
“Never’s a long time,” Cal told him. “But it’ll be a process.”
J.C. shook his head. This sounded a whole lot more complicated than his quiet bachelor existence. “Not dating in this town is sounding better and better.”
Cal gave him a disappointed look. “If you’d walk away from a great woman like Laura because of a few little hurdles, then you’re not the man I think you are.”
“Then you’re encouraging me to date her?”
“Sure, but only if you’re serious,” Cal said. “At least I think that’s the message I was supposed to convey. I’m a mere man. I could have gotten it wrong.”
“Heaven help me!” J.C. declared.
“Yep, that’s pretty much what it’s going to take,” Cal agreed.
* * *
As soon as J.C. walked in the door at home, he dialed Laura’s number.
Once she’d picked up, he asked, “Have you noticed that people in this town are freaking nuts?”
She chuckled. “I think they’d prefer to be called ‘eccentric’ or ‘quirky.’ You’ve lived here for years. Is there any particular reason you’ve come to this conclusion now?”
“Cal Maddox lectured me tonight,” he reported, indignation creeping into his voice.
“About?”
“You.”
He heard her indrawn breath on the other end of the line.
Catching Fireflies Page 10
