by Sharon Sala
It hadn’t taken long to realize that hanging out with the Wilder brothers was not going to endear him to people in the upper levels of society, so he’d since steered clear of the pool hall. He wasn’t above conning a widow or two if the opportunity arose, but that couldn’t happen if he got a bad reputation here like he had back home.
He drove into town for breakfast and headed for Granny’s Country Kitchen for sausage gravy and biscuits. When he pulled up to the curb in front of the café, he wasn’t thinking about women, but his attention shifted the moment the café door opened and a pretty redhead walked out. He wasn’t intimidated by the man on her arm, because what she was wearing had the “come fuck me” look.
Her long hair was obviously dyed. Her boobs were Dolly Parton–sized, another aspect he definitely admired. Her skinny-leg jeans outlined every lush curve from her waist to her ankles, and while her chunky white sweater hung loose around her hips, the V-neck plunged most indecently. He’d never seen a more blatant invitation, but that was alright with him. He liked fine women who favored a trashy look.
He got out quickly, intending to make eye contact before she got away, but he need not have worried. The moment she saw him, she fixed on his face like a mongoose to a cobra.
He felt the force of her gaze and for a split second got a dose of his own medicine. The tables had turned, he was the one under inspection, and it caught him off guard. Then she looked away, seemingly oblivious to his presence, but he knew it was an act for the man beside her.
“Morning,” he said, tipping his hat as he stepped aside to let them pass.
Bud Goodhope smiled. “Morning,” he said.
Rachel’s sideways glance and the little smile on her face intrigued T. J. If he wasn’t mistaken, he’d just been invited to check her out further. It was an auspicious beginning to a Monday morning and put a smile on his face as he walked into Granny’s.
***
Although The Curl Up and Dye was not open on Mondays, Ruby always used the day for a thorough cleaning of the shop. Dusting, cleaning windows, mopping floors; it all had to be done and this was the only day to do it uninterrupted.
She was at the front washing the inside surfaces on the plate glass windows when she saw T. J. Lachlan park and get out at the café across the street. At the same time, she saw Bud and Rachel Goodhope come out of the café and guessed that the bed and breakfast didn’t have any guests or they wouldn’t be eating out.
When Ruby realized Rachel was actually giving the stranger the come-on, she shook her head. The only thing that kept Rachel from hooker status was that she didn’t charge men money. She married them first, then took them for all they had, after which she kicked them to the curb. Rumor around town was that Bud was on the downhill slide and didn’t know it. It appeared that rumor was right.
Chapter 5
LilyAnn hadn’t given a thought to her new lifestyle program when she stopped by her house on the way to the hospital. She was so busy with all that was happening that she grabbed an apple and a stick of string cheese and ate them on the way.
Once she arrived, her appetite appeased, she headed for an elevator. Now that she was here, she was anxious to get to Mike’s room. He’d been out of her sight since ten o’clock last night, and she just needed to make sure he was okay.
When she got off on the fourth floor, she saw a number of people standing near the nurses’ station but thought nothing of it. It wasn’t until she got closer that she realized they were women from the Ladies Aide at the First Methodist Church, one of whom just happened to be Rachel Goodhope. LilyAnn was so pissed that she wanted to scream. The gall of that bitch! She was so determined to get in to see Mike that she was actually using the cover of the church to get into his room.
When LilyAnn passed the nurses’ station, she paused long enough to wave and let them know she was there, then strode down the hall to Mike’s room and went in, closing the door behind her.
“She just went inside!” Rachel cried. “I don’t understand why we can’t, too.”
The nurse had already guessed this was part of the reason Miss Bronte had asked for the No Visitors sign: too many well-meaning people too soon.
“She is considered family. Are any of you related to Mr. Dalton?” the nurse asked.
They shook their heads.
“She’s no kin to him,” Rachel argued.
“Oh, we know that, but she has been asked by Mr. Dalton’s family to stand in for them until they can arrive from Colorado. I’m sorry, but rules are rules, and until Doctor announces Mr. Dalton is strong enough for guests, you’ll have to leave.”
The women left the plant they’d brought, along with a little card that said “We are praying for you,” and headed toward the elevators.
Rachel was fuming. She knew she’d been bested and had to face the fact that she wouldn’t see Mike until he got back to work. But that was fine with her. When she was there, LilyAnn Bronte was not. Then she would have him all to herself.
***
Mike was sitting up in bed, glaring at the cup of chicken broth and the bowl of red Jell-O on his lunch tray. When he saw LilyAnn, his mood and pulse went up, as was evidenced by the sudden beep of the heart monitor. Thankfully, she didn’t notice.
“I hope you brought me something to eat,” he muttered.
Lily was so happy to see him awake and making sense that she wanted to hug him. Instead, she laughed.
“Sorry. Looks like you’re on a liquid diet for a while.”
Mike frowned. “Lots of help you are. Save my life and then let them starve me to death.”
When she laughed, the sound did crazy things to Mike’s heart, making it very difficult to maintain that frown.
“At least drink the broth,” she suggested.
“You taste it and then say that to me again.”
She shrugged as she took a quick sip. Her eyes widened as the tepid liquid oozed down her throat.
“Ick. Okay. It’s definitely missing something,” she said, then saw a packet of salt beneath his napkin and stirred it into the mug. “Try it again,” she said.
He took a small sip. “Yeah, that helped. Thanks.”
Lily beamed. “You’re welcome. Have you heard from your parents yet?”
“Dad called early this morning. He said Faith’s husband rented a helicopter to come get them. It took them to the airport and he’s having them flown here in the company jet, so they should be here within the five or six hours.”
Lily’s eyes widened. “Wow! What does Faith’s husband do, anyway?”
“I have a dummied-down explanation about his company making something that is part of the guidance system on army jets.”
“Way to go, Faith,” Lily said, as she plopped down in the chair beside his bed.
He frowned. “Yeah, I guess every woman wants to marry a rich man.”
Lily frowned back. “No, Mike. Most of us just want to love the man we marry.”
His heart dropped. “Yeah, so at the rate you’re going in the love department, I assume you’ve taken yourself off the market?”
The tone of his voice was only slightly less shocking than what he’d said.
“What on earth made you say a thing like that?”
“I don’t see you dating. I don’t see you even interested in dating.”
Before she thought, she spouted off, “Maybe that’s because you aren’t paying attention.”
All of a sudden he felt light-headed as the blood drained from his face. Now the diet and wanting to change her life were beginning to make sense. Son of a bitch! It was happening again, and just like before, he was not part of the equation.
“I guess I wasn’t,” he said softly, then shoved the tray away, leaned back, and closed his eyes.
“You didn’t eat your Jell-O,” she said.
“I don’t want my Jell-O.”
She frowned. “Okay, I just thought—”
“I’m going to rest now. Stay if you want, but I don’t feel lik
e talking.”
LilyAnn knew he was mad, but she didn’t know why.
“Okay. I’m here if you need me,” she said softly.
I will always need you, LilyAnn. You just don’t need me. But the thought went unsaid.
***
Lily knew something was wrong—very wrong. Mike had turned off communicating. Every time she tried to get him in a better mood, he either looked right through her or wouldn’t look at her at all.
The entire afternoon passed with hardly a word spoken between them. His supper tray had come and gone, and he’d rejected it as blatantly as he was rejecting her. Her stomach was in knots. She couldn’t go home tonight without knowing what was wrong. After the shift changed and the new nurses came on the floor to do rounds, the room was finally quiet again. Lily took it as her chance to try and straighten things out.
“Hey, Mike?”
He glanced over at her. “What?”
“Are you mad at me for some reason… or am I reading too much into this, and it’s just because you’re in pain?”
His nostrils flared slightly. She could tell she’d struck a nerve.
When he didn’t answer, she persisted. “Have I done something wrong?”
He closed his eyes and leaned back against the pillow for so long that she thought he wasn’t going to answer, and then she realized he was staring at her.
“No, LilyAnn, you haven’t done anything wrong. I’m the one with some issues to face.”
She frowned. “Like what? Is there anything I can do?” She thought there were tears in his eyes but decided she was mistaken.
“No. This is all on me. You’ve been telling me something for eleven long years, but I didn’t want to hear it. Now I get it, and I’ve got to figure out what comes next.”
She stood up, her hands suddenly shaking. “I don’t understand. This sounds so final. If I’ve done something to ruin our friendship, I’m sorry. I’m so sorry. You’re my best friend.”
“You don’t need a friend, LilyAnn. You need to get a life. Obviously you’re moving on. I wish you all the happiness.”
“Moving on? I’m not moving—”
All of a sudden the door swung inward and Mike’s parents rushed in.
Carol was in tears, and Don looked as anxious.
“Mike! Oh my goodness, honey! I’m so sorry. Are you okay? How do you feel?” Carol cried. Then she slid her arms around his neck and hugged him gently, but with fervor.
Mike winced as he managed a grin.
“Hey, Mom. Hey, Dad. Great to see you. I’d have taken a header sooner if I knew that’s what it would take to get you to visit.”
Their laughter was one of relief as they turned to Lily. Carol came toward her with her arms outstretched.
“LilyAnn, sweetheart! I shudder to think what might have happened to Mike if you hadn’t been there for him. Thank you! Thank you so much!”
Lily suffered their hugs and kisses, somehow managing to react normally, but her heart was breaking. Something awful had happened between her and Mike, and she didn’t understand.
“I’m so glad you’re here,” Lily said. “Mike needed you guys. Faith really came through for you, didn’t she?”
Carol rolled her eyes. “Faith’s husband is a jewel. We feel blessed to have him in the family.”
Lily smiled and looked at Mike, but he was, again, ignoring her and talking to his dad.
“So, Mrs. Dalton, how long can you stay?” she asked.
“We’re definitely staying through Thanksgiving.”
Lily smiled. “Great. You’re having it at my house. My mom and Eddie are coming here for Thanksgiving before going on to his daughter’s house. She just made him a grandfather for the first time.”
Carol clapped her hands. “I am so excited to see Grace again and to meet her husband. It will almost be like old times.”
Lily looked at Mike again, but this time he was staring out the window, seemingly oblivious to the conversation.
“Yes, like old times,” she said. “So, I’m going to leave you guys to have private time with Mike. I’ll see you soon. Come for supper tomorrow night… around seven if you can make it.”
“That sounds wonderful.”
Lily wrote down her cell number. “Here’s my number. Call me if you need anything… anything at all. I still work at Phillips’ Pharmacy.”
Carol laughed. “Blessings is an amazing place. It’s very comforting to know things never change here.”
Lily felt like crying. She had to get out before she came undone.
“I’m leaving now. Mike, you know where I am. Call if you need something.”
“Now that Mom and Dad are here, I won’t bother you again,” he said.
She managed to smile as she made a smooth exit and held it together on the way home. But by the time she pulled up in her driveway, tears were running down her face. She got into the house, turning on lights as she went, and made it all the way to her bedroom before she collapsed on the bed, sobbing uncontrollably. Her heart hurt to the point that it was hard to breathe. Mike was on the mend. His parents were here. They were all having Thanksgiving together. She should be happy. So why did she feel like someone had just died?
***
One week later
“Lily! LilyAnn! How much are these cough drops? I don’t see a price on them anywhere.”
Lily glanced up from the cash register, at the woman waving to her from an aisle away.
“It’s on the shelf,” she said, and kept ringing up Willa Dean Miller’s purchases.
Willa Dean leaned over the counter in a conspiratorial manner.
“The reason Sue Beamon can’t see the price is because she’s too vain to wear her glasses,” Willa Dean muttered.
Lily managed a smile, but it was hard to find the joy in even the simplest of things.
“We all have our vanities,” Lily said.
Willa Dean frowned. “I guess.”
“That will be forty-two dollars and fifty cents,” Lily said, as she dropped the last item in the bag.
Willa Dean ran her credit card through the scanner, signed her name on the screen, and then glanced over her shoulder. Sue Beamon was her next-door neighbor, and she was heading this way. She’d been trying to corner Willa Dean for a solid week, and she wasn’t in the mood to be grilled about anything.
“Thanks a bunch, LilyAnn,” Willa Dean said. She grabbed the receipt Lily handed her and sailed out of the store before Sue could get to the checkout counter.
“Well, shoot,” Sue said, as she laid the bag of cough drops on the counter. “I wanted to talk to Willa Dean.”
“You guys live on the same street,” Lily said.
Sue shrugged. “I know. But these days she’s always working or gone. And when she leaves on her little shopping trips, she leaves Harold behind. Kinda weird, if you ask me. I think something is up.”
Lily frowned. “You shouldn’t say that. Someone could get the wrong idea and start a rumor about Willa Dean that wasn’t true.”
Sue blinked, taken aback by the not-so-subtle scolding.
“Well, yes, of course you’re right. I was just… uh, how much do I owe you?”
“It comes to three dollars and seventeen cents.”
Sue counted out even change, took the receipt and her cough drops, and hustled out of the store.
Lily sighed. It was Friday, almost noon, and where the heck was Mitchell? Her head hurt. Her neck hurt. She couldn’t wait to get to The Curl Up and Dye for that shampoo and head massage that Ruby gave her.
And just like that, Mitchell came hurrying in the front door, waving as he went to put up his things. He came back just as quickly. She dropped the register key in his hand.
“Go, girl. You look like you need a break,” Mitchell said.
“I need something,” Lily muttered.
She left the pharmacy with a less than hurried step. When she passed the fitness center, she couldn’t help but look in. Stewart was behind the counter,
and she could see his wife in the back. She knew Mike wouldn’t be back to work this soon, but she couldn’t help but look.
Just thinking about Mike made the ache in her heart worse. Day before yesterday, he’d come home from the hospital, and when she’d gone over that evening after work to say hi, Carol had said he was asleep. Lily had tried again last night with the same result, and this time she knew Carol was as uncomfortable lying as she was getting the rejection. She wouldn’t go back. She knew when she wasn’t wanted. She just didn’t know why.
As she waited at the corner for traffic to pass, she heard the rumble of T. J. Lachlan’s hot-rod engine and turned to look. The lure of new territory was still there, but not as appealing as it had been. She needed to be okay with Mike more than she wanted to see if she could attract a man. But, she couldn’t fix anything when she didn’t know what was broken, and Mike wouldn’t talk to her. All she could do was focus on changing her attitude, and hopefully her social life would change with it.
When the shiny black truck passed by the corner, she looked away. She didn’t want anyone’s attention. She just wanted her headache to go away, and the beauty shop was the best place to make that happen.
The bell jingled as she walked in the door.
Ruby waved at her from the shampoo station.
“Come on back, girl! I’m ready for you.”
Lily hung up her coat, dropped her purse by Ruby’s styling chair, and sat down in front of the shampoo bowl.
Ruby fastened a cape over her clothes and patted her shoulder.
“Lean back, honey, and we’ll get this pretty hair washed in nothing flat.”
Lily sank backward like she was sliding into an old footed tub full of bubbles, took a deep breath, and then closed her eyes. The water was warm on her scalp. Ruby’s chatter was going in one ear and out the other, which was fine. Most of what she said was information and didn’t require a comment.
When she squirted shampoo on Lily’s head and began to work it into her hair, using long, steady strokes to scrub it clean, Lily felt like crying. Logically, she knew it was because the tension was releasing in her neck and shoulders. But when Ruby actually began massaging her scalp, tears welled. She sniffed as she fumbled for a tissue to wipe her nose, unaware that the tears were already rolling down her face.
