by Sharon Sala
“Just a few more minutes and we’ll be done,” Ruby said.
“Is it bad?” Rachel asked.
“No!” Ruby said. “Not at all! You’ll see.”
She worked quickly, giving Rachel’s hair a liberal dose of hair spray before she turned the chair around.
“So what do you think?” Ruby asked.
Rachel couldn’t believe it. She looked normal. A little different, but normal.
“How did you do that?” she asked, feathering the bangs across her forehead.
“You have more bangs than you did before. See, I pulled some more of your hair forward from the crown to cover what burned off. As for your eyebrows, I clipped the singed part off and reshaped them a little. It will all grow back, so don’t think you have to live with this look forever.”
Rachel was beaming. “You are a freaking genius,” she cried.
“I like to think so,” Ruby said as they went to the counter to pay.
The phone began to ring as Rachel was writing out a check.
“Hang on a second, Rachel, okay?”
Rachel nodded.
Ruby smiled her thanks as she answered the phone. “The Curl Up and Dye. This is Ruby.”
“Uh… Hey, Ruby, this is T. J. Lachlan. Do you remember me?”
“Sure, I remember you, T. J. What’s up? Do you want to make an appointment?”
“Not exactly. I have a problem, and your phone number is the only local number I had on speed dial.”
“So, what’s the problem?” Ruby asked.
T. J. sighed. “I’m embarrassed to say that I need help. I am stranded on the roof of my house.”
Ruby’s eyes lit up. “Stranded on the roof of your house? How did that happen?”
“I was patching a leak when someone’s stupid bull got into my yard and knocked the ladder over. The bull’s gone and I’m stuck. Do you know anyone in the area who could come out here?”
“I sure do. We’ll find someone to get you right down. Hang on while I get the phone book to look up some names, okay?”
Rachel put a hand on Ruby’s arm as she slid her check across the counter.
“What happened to T. J.?” she whispered.
Ruby was surprised Rachel knew him. “He’s stranded on the roof of his house. Someone’s bull got in his yard and knocked down the ladder. He needs someone to put it back up. He lives out at the old Bissell place.”
“I can go,” Rachel said.
Ruby arched an eyebrow. Everyone knew Rachel’s propensity for chasing men.
“Well…”
“No, you don’t understand,” Rachel said. “The day I had the wreck he stopped and drove me to the ER. This is just my chance to return a favor.”
“Oh! Well, my goodness, I didn’t know that, but it definitely makes sense. If you’re sure, I’ll tell him you’re on the way.”
“I’m sure,” Rachel said. “And thanks again for making me presentable.”
Ruby smiled. “My pleasure,” she said. “You take care now.”
Rachel waved as she left, but she was already thinking about Lachlan and the possibilities that could ensue.
Chapter 8
Rachel’s pulse was racing as she drove out of town toward the Bissell house. She glanced in the rearview mirror a couple of times to reassure herself she was presentable enough for this little foray, and then shivered. It had been a while, four long years to be exact, since she’d had something besides Bud’s fumbling excuse for romance. If he hadn’t been so well-to-do, she would never have settled for the sixty seconds of wham-bam-thank-you-ma’am sex.
She was less than a quarter of a mile from her destination when her cell phone rang. When she saw it was from Bud, she rolled her eyes. Since she’d wrecked her car, she was driving his, which meant he was stuck at home. So should she answer and tell him the truth about what she was doing, or let it go to voice mail? Even if she let it go, her destination was no secret because the ladies at The Curl Up and Dye knew where she was going, and if they knew, then so would everyone else, which made the decision for her. She reached for her phone.
“Hello, Bud. What’s going on?”
“I was just checking on you, honey. Are you still in much pain? Was Ruby able to fix your hair?”
“It isn’t really pain. It feels more like a whole lot of beestings on my skin. And yes, my hair looks fine. She even managed to trim my eyebrows and keep me from looking like a madwoman.”
“So, are you on your way home?”
“Not yet. I was just leaving the shop when Ruby got a phone call from Gene Bissell’s nephew. Remember, he’s the man who stopped at the wreck and took me to the ER.”
“Oh yeah, so what about him?”
Rachel giggled, making it seem like a big joke on T. J.
“It’s the funniest thing. He was calling her for help because their number was the only local number he had on speed dial. Said he was fixing a leak on the roof when someone’s bull got in his yard and knocked down the ladder. He’s stranded on top of the house, and it’s that old two-story. Can you imagine? I’d be hanging on to the chimney with both hands.”
Bud chuckled, as Rachel continued her tale.
“So… seeing as how he stopped to help me when you were out of town, I offered to drive out and rescue him.”
There was a moment of silence.
“Bud… honey… are you still there?”
“Yes, I’m here. So you’re on your way to his house?”
“Bud Goodhope! Are you watching TV? I swear to my time, I would appreciate it if you would pay attention when I’m talking to you. I already said I’m on my way out there. So listen up, ’cause I’m not gonna repeat myself again. As soon as I put the ladder back up so he can get down, I’m coming home.”
Bud was already backpedaling. He’d made her mad, and the worst thing that ever happened at their house was when Rachel got mad at him.
“Don’t get yourself in a huff. I was just worrying about you, you know. You’re still a little sore from the wreck, and then you went and burned yourself today. I just didn’t want you straining anything.”
She snorted derisively.
“You weren’t all that worried about my well-being this morning when I got my ass out of bed at 4:00 a.m. to go make breakfast for our guests. And you were suspiciously absent for the next two hours, which tells me you went back to bed. You did, didn’t you? So, you’re worried about my welfare only when it suits you. Thank you so much for your concern. I will be home soon, and if I am in any way delayed, rest assured I will be calling your ass, despite the fact that you will not be able to help me now, any more than you were able to help me the day I had the wreck, because I am driving our only car.”
She hung up before he could respond.
“That’ll give him something to think about,” she muttered, then realized she was at the turnoff, tapped the brakes, and took the turn.
***
T. J. was finished with the repairs. His stuff was packed up, and he was sitting near the edge of the roof waiting to be rescued when he saw a car coming down the driveway. The girls had come through for him in a big way. He breathed a huge sigh of relief and waved.
When the driver pulled the car up to the edge of the yard and got out, the last person he expected to see was Rachel Goodhope. He didn’t know whether to look at this as a windfall or a huge embarrassment.
“Hi!” Rachel said as she hurried across the yard. “Who knew I would get to return the favor so soon?” she yelled.
“I sure appreciate this,” T. J. shouted back.
“Give me a sec,” Rachel said, and began manhandling the huge ladder.
She dragged it over to the house, then finally got it in the air and leaning up against the roof.
“Hang on to the end, and I’ll pull it out to a better angle,” she yelled.
T. J. waved to let her know that he’d heard and grabbed hold of both sides. As she’d promised, she pulled it back until it was at a good, sturdy angle, the
n got beneath it and grabbed hold with both hands.
“Climb down now. I won’t let go!” she yelled.
T. J. swung a leg over and then went down backward, his tool belt bumping against the rungs as he went. The moment his feet touched hard ground, he breathed a huge sigh of relief.
“Lord have mercy! I sure appreciate that,” he said, and turned around to shake her hand.
Rachel eyed his hand, then looked up at him and smiled.
T. J.’s heart skipped a beat. “Uh…”
“How grateful are you?” Rachel drawled.
T. J. grinned. “As grateful as you want me to be.”
Rachel eyed the house. “I’d love to see what you’ve done with the place.”
Hot damn. “I’d be delighted to show it to you.”
“Can I see it all?” Rachel asked.
It was all T. J. could do to keep his pants zipped until he got inside.
“You can look at it for as long as you want.”
“I don’t have much time,” Rachel said. “This time it’ll have to be a hit and run. Maybe another time I can inspect it much closer.”
T. J. led the way inside and locked the door behind them.
Rachel heard the click and turned around, her eyes narrowing seductively. Before he could move, she started to strip.
“Oh Lord,” he whispered, and dropped his tool belt.
He kicked off his work boots and shucked out of his jeans, then realized how stupid he probably looked with a massive erection poking out from beneath the hem of his shirt and stripped it off, as well. He noticed the little red spots on her arms and neck, and then decided whatever she had, he’d risk catching it.
“My, my, I do so admire that,” Rachel said, as she flattened her hands across his chest, then grabbed his hand and took him toward the sofa.
It occurred to T. J. that he was probably out of his element. He was so not in charge of what was about to happen, which heightened his excitement even more.
“I don’t have all day,” Rachel said.
“I’m gonna make you wish you did,” T. J. drawled, and proceeded to push her down on the sofa and slide between her legs.
Rachel wrapped her legs around his waist and closed her eyes, determined to enjoy the ride.
Twenty minutes later, Rachel was on her way home and as smug as a barn cat with a rat in its belly. Sex with T. J. Lachlan was better than a good allover massage any day. She didn’t have a tense muscle left in her body.
She glanced at the clock and smirked. They’d done the dirty, and she’d been dressed and gone in less than fifteen minutes, with a promise to make a return trip at a later date.
What she needed was a shower to hide the sex smell on her body, but she had another idea that would solve the need for a shower and what to fix for lunch, both at the same time.
Once she got back to Blessings, she pulled into the drive-through at Charlie’s Barbeque and ordered takeout. She’d walk in smelling like barbecue and fries, and that would be that.
Only a few minutes later, she was on her way home with a sack full of barbecue and a satisfied smile on her face. She pulled into the drive and parked, then shifted into defense mode, just in case it was necessary. She walked in the house with her chin up, carrying the sack.
“Something smells good!” Bud said, as he met her in the hall.
“I stopped at Charlie’s on the way home and brought barbecue. After the fiasco at breakfast, I wasn’t in the mood to cook another meal.”
“Good idea,” Bud said, and watched as she began taking things out of the sack. “Looks like we’ll need plates and forks. Did you get extra sauce, or do I need to get ours out of the fridge?”
“I got extra,” she said, and together they got their meal on the plates.
She was carrying them to the table, and Bud was right behind her with their drinks. When she sat down to eat, she flipped her hair back behind her ears.
Bud looked up and then frowned.
“Hey! You’re missing an earring.”
Rachel gasped. “Oh no! Those are my diamond studs!”
She felt her ears and then moaned.
Bud’s suspicious nature kicked into gear.
“So what were you doing out at that house to make you lose a goddamned earring?”
Rachel’s eyes widened in disbelief and then narrowed angrily.
“I cannot believe you just said that!”
“I said it, and I’d be interested in your answer.”
Before she could open her mouth, their phone rang. Bud got up to answer, stomping his feet with every stride that he took.
“Hello. Goodhope Bed and Breakfast.”
“Mr. Goodhope?”
“Yes?”
“Hey, nice to meet you, sir. My name is T. J. Lachlan. Mrs. Goodhope was just out at my place to rescue me off my roof.”
Bud was surprised the man was actually calling their house.
“Yes, I heard,” he said shortly.
“Well, the reason I’m calling is that I just found a diamond earring outside when I went to put up the rest of my extra shingles. It was near where the ladder had fallen, and I guessed it might be hers. Would you ask her if she’s missing one?”
Bud’s stomach knotted. He knew before he opened his mouth that he was about to eat a butt-load of crow.
“Yes, she’s already missed it,” Bud said.
“Well then. I’m so glad I found it. I’m on my way into Blessings in a few minutes to go by the lumberyard and pick up some lumber to repair my tool shed. I’d be happy to drop it by your bed and breakfast.”
“That would be great. I’m sure she’ll be grateful. Thank you for calling.”
“My pleasure, sir. Nice talking to you.”
Bud hung up. When he turned around, Rachel was glaring.
“Uh… that was the Lachlan guy. Said he found your earring outside where the ladder was. He’s bringing it by shortly.”
Rachel stabbed a french fry and poked it in her mouth without answering.
Bud sat back down and reached for her arm, but she snatched it away.
“I’m sorry, Rachel. I guess I just got jealous.”
“You guess? You guess?” She rolled her eyes. “What I’d like to know is why? I have never done a single thing to give you reason to distrust me, and you know it.”
Bud was crestfallen and it showed. “I do know. I’m sorry. I said I’m sorry, and I don’t know what else to say.”
“Do me a big favor and don’t say anything,” Rachel said, then proceeded to add a little salt to her ribs and dug into them like a field hand.
The phone rang again.
“I’ll get it,” Bud muttered and once again strode over to the phone to answer. “Goodhope Bed and Breakfast.”
“Hey, Bud, this is Ruby, down at The Curl Up and Dye.”
“Hi, Ruby.”
Rachel glanced up, suddenly curious why Ruby Dye would be calling her home.
“The reason I called is that I found the back of an earring on the floor beneath my chair and I’m thinking it might be Rachel’s. It looks as if it might be real gold, and I know she has some nice jewelry. I actually swept it up with the hair I trimmed. Ask her if she’s missing one.”
Bud sighed. “She is.”
“Great! Tell her I’ve already put it in an envelope for safekeeping and the next time she’s downtown to stop by and pick it up.”
“Yes, I’ll do that,” Bud said. “Thanks for calling.”
He hung up, then looked at his wife and sighed.
“What?” Rachel asked.
“Ruby found the back of your earring at her shop. Next time you’re downtown, she said stop by and pick it up.”
Rachel rolled her eyes. “Well, that explains how I lost the earring to begin with, now, doesn’t it?”
Bud nodded. “What can I say?”
“Nothing. You’ve already said enough,” Rachel said, then got up with her nose in the air. “I’m exhausted. What with the fire, th
en the trip to the beauty shop, then out to wrestle that damn ladder up to a two-story house, I’m going to take a nap. When Mr. Lachlan stops by with my earring, try not to make a bigger ass of yourself than you already are.”
Bud’s cheeks flushed angrily. “You don’t have to be hateful.”
“And you didn’t have to act like a green-eyed fool.”
She strode past him with her nose in the air.
A few moments later, Bud heard her slam the door to their bedroom. He sighed, then sat back down and ate his food in silence while Rachel got in the shower and washed the smell of sex off her skin.
When T. J. Lachlan showed up about thirty minutes later, the sight of him didn’t make Bud any happier. The man was fifteen years younger than him, at least six inches taller, thirty pounds lighter, and good-looking. Bud wanted to punch him on general principles, but the man was polite and all business. He introduced himself, invited Bud out to the house for a beer anytime he was in the neighborhood, dropped off the earring, and drove away.
Rachel was watching from her upstairs window. T. J. handled that like a pro, which made her realize he probably was. He was too good at sex and too smooth of an operator not to have been in this position before. What was it he’d said to her when she was taking her leave? Oh yes… he’d told her not to worry about a thing, and that he’d been shot at in rosebushes before. She sighed, hoping she hadn’t bitten off more than she was willing to chew. T. J. Lachlan was just for fun. Someone like Mike Dalton was for keeps.
***
Four days later
Saturdays were always busy, but this one was crazy. It was the last weekend before Thanksgiving, and everyone was out and about, running errands and stocking up. Unless there was an emergency need for medicine, the pharmacy would be closed Thanksgiving Day.
Mitchell was already at work. She overheard him talking to an elderly lady about cats, and after the lady left, Lily picked up the conversation.
“Hey, Mitchell. Did I hear you tell Mrs. Bolliver that you had a cat?”
Mitchell nodded. “Yeah, her name is Cleopatra. I am her servant and that is all. If she’s in a good mood, she lets me pet her.”
Lily smiled. “That’s funny. I didn’t know you had a cat. You never talked about her before.”
