Time Changes Everything

by Dozier, Melinda

  He grabbed her chin and forced eye contact. “Me, too, Mandy.” His thumb traced her lower lip. “Me, too.”

  Chapter Eleven

  JAKE RENTED A CAR at the airport and drove Amanda toward their childhood town, Lake Cooley. The lake spread across the city with bald cypress trees throughout. Moss hung on every limb and bark floated in all directions. If he looked closely, he could see a gator’s eyes peeking above the water’s surface, while brown pelicans plunged into the lake after their prey. It was a typical Louisiana bayou. It was home.

  “I forgot how pretty it is,” Amanda said, her eyes twinkling. She’d left work behind, at least for a few days, and there was a difference in her already. He wanted to run his fingers in her hair, feel her touch before they reached home and had to be secretive.

  Jake brought her hand up to his mouth and kissed her palm. “Are you ready for this?”

  “Ready as I’ll ever be.”

  He pulled into his parent’s driveway and turned off the car. He leaned on the steering wheel, with his chin on the back of his hand. The house looked the same, except now it had a huge Christmas wreath where the doorknocker lay. Next door, Amanda’s childhood home hadn’t changed either. The swing on her front porch reminded him of their first kiss.

  Jake leaned back and squeezed Amanda’s hand. “Well, here we go.” He honked the horn to alert their parents of their arrival and opened his door.

  Both families raced outside to greet them.

  Jake couldn’t take his eyes off Amanda, even with his family surrounding him, and she glared back. Keeping up the façade of just being friends would be difficult and he had no idea how he was going to do it. But, he wouldn’t risk losing her over his carnal instincts.

  “You’re finally here.” Jake’s mom embraced him.

  “Now, Caroline, don’t get teary-eyed,” said his stepdad, Gil. “Good to see you, son.”

  They hugged. Releasing the other man, Jake walked to the back of the car. “It’s good to be home.” He opened the trunk, got out the two suitcases and placed them on the ground.

  Joe Larson walked up to Jake and shook hands. “Thanks for bringing Mandy home with you.”

  “Not a problem, sir. It was my pleasure,” replied Jake.

  “Isn’t that something – you both living in New York? Libby had a fit when she found out.” Joe nodded to his wife.

  “What’s that Joe?” Libby jerked her head in his direction.

  “Nothing. Nothing.” Joe swung his hand in the air, as if there was a mosquito biting at his neck.

  “Well, anytime you need me to take care of her, you let me know.” Jake smiled at Amanda.

  She clenched her teeth and turned her head. She was pissed, but he loved her all riled up. It reminded him of her flushed and sweaty on top of him.

  “Don’t tell her mother that, or you’ll be sorry.” Joe slapped him on the shoulder and trudged off with Amanda’s luggage. “What’s in these jiggers?”

  Jake stood with his hands on his hips as he watched Amanda rush away with her parents. His own mom and dad quietly waited for him by his rental.

  “Are you coming?” Jake’s mother asked watching him curiously.

  “Sure, Mom.” He grabbed the handle on his suitcase.

  “Gil, get his luggage for him. He must be tired.”

  “No, I got it.” Jake dragged the suitcase behind him.

  “How was the flight?” Gil followed behind Jake.

  “Not too bad. I had some company this time.” He nodded his head at Amanda who walked across her porch, waving her hands in the air to animate the stories she was undoubtedly telling her parents. He slowly turned back around and meandered toward his front door.

  This was going to be tougher than he thought.

  He shuffled and Gil smiled. “You better stick your tongue back in your mouth.”

  Jake flinched his head back. “What do you – ”

  Luckily, Amanda interrupted them, yelling across the yards, “Oh, Jake, thanks for the ride.”

  He turned around with his hand in the air. “Not a problem, Squirt.”

  The twinkle in her eye told him it was her way of saying goodbye. A falling sensation landed in the bottom of his stomach. This was going to be difficult. Was she suffering the same way he was? She didn’t look like his absence would hit her, with her hands waving in the air and the speed-talking close to her mother’s ear.

  Shit. He missed her already, and pretending they were only friends numbed his heart.

  He walked into the house and placed the suitcase next to the door. “All ready for Christmas?” he asked his mom.

  She circled her arm through his and took him to the sofa in the living room. “All presents bought, eggnog is in the fridge and oysters are in the freezer.”

  Sitting down, he crossed his leg over his knee and looked around. “The house looks great. Just how I remember it.”

  Gil slumped down in his overstuffed chair across from him. “What’s going on with Amanda?”

  Jake caught Gil’s questioning gaze. “Ummm. What do you mean ‘what’s going on’? Why don’t you ask her?”

  “Don’t horse shit us, Jake.”

  “Gil, watch your language.” His mom sat up straighter. “What’s this you’re talking about?”

  “Didn’t you see them all gooey-eyed with each other?” Gil pointed at Jake and out the window.

  “Gooey-eyed? Really, Gil, I think you mean, goo-goo-eyed.”

  “A-ha. You saw it, too.” Gil pointed at his mom.

  Jake leaned forward and steepled his fingers. “Stop it. There’s nothing going on, so don’t get mom’s hopes up.”

  “That’s too bad. She looks very beautiful all grown up.” His mom stood up and fluffed her pillow. “How about some eggnog?”

  “Sounds great.” He stood.

  “No, no. You’ve been traveling all day. Let me take care of you.” She walked to the kitchen.

  “We’re having Christmas lunch at the Larsons’ like always. You know we’ll all be watching you two. Better be careful.”

  Jake chuckled and sat back down. “Since when did you become an investigator, Dad?”

  He patted him on the shoulder. “Hell, if I was your age, I’d like her, too. Just don’t hurt her, because then there’d be hell to pay.”

  “I don’t plan on it.” Jake swallowed. Nothing got past his dad, but he still wouldn’t admit it. If Amanda knew Gil had found out, there’d be more than hell to pay.

  Chapter Twelve

  AMANDA HAD PICKED UP her niece, Haley, from her sister’s house after breakfast. It was the perfect day for baking and they were now on their fifth batch of cookies.

  Her mom walked by the counter and pointed out some flour on the floor. “I hope you clean that up, Amanda. I don’t want a mess in the kitchen when Caroline gets here.”

  Amanda frowned. “Yes, Mama.” She leaned down with a rag and wiped the floor clean.

  Haley had tackled each of Amanda’s instructions with her usual exuberance. At six years old, she declared herself a big girl and Amanda enjoyed teaching her.

  Humming Jingle Bells, Amanda placed all the decoration materials on the counter with Haley’s help. Sugar, colored icing, candies, and licorice. They worked quietly, licking their fingers every so often.

  When they heard a knock on the back door, Amanda wiped her icing-clad hands on a rag and opened the door.

  Jake’s mom stepped in. “Mandy! You’re looking lovely!”

  “Thanks, Ms. Caroline. So are you.” Caroline’s features reminded her of Jake, only softer. The dark hair, though a little gray, and sharp blue eyes stood out the most.

  Her mom reached into the cabinet and pulled out her tea set. She always used her best china, even for everyday guests. “Glad you could make it. Tea’s just about ready.”

  “You always have the best tea, Libby.” Caroline sat at the kitchen table.

  Libby took the teapot from the stove. As she carried it to the table, she stopped a
nd pointed at a cookie Amanda decorated. “You missed a spot there.”

  Amanda sighed. “Getting to it, mama.”

  “That Haley is getting big.” Caroline took the cup Libby offered. “And look at Amanda. Isn’t it great to have our kids home?” Caroline leaned back in her chair.

  Amanda continued to decorate, but watched the mothers at their little table from the corner of her eyes.

  “I know they’re all grown up now, but they’re still our babies.” Libby sat up straight and held her cup to her lips.

  Caroline leaned toward Libby. “And, to have Jake and Mandy back home at the same time. That’s a real treat.”

  Just hearing his name made her long for him even more.

  “It’s been a while since everyone’s been together. This’ll certainly be a great Christmas.”

  Caroline put her arm on the back of the chair. “I have to tell you how much Jake has changed.”

  Amanda tilted her head to the side, straining to hear the women talk, only half-paying attention to the icing she plopped on the cookies.

  Libby smiled. “He has grown up nicely and is a successful lawyer. At least I understand that job. I don’t really get what Amanda does.”

  Caroline let out a big sigh. “Did I tell you he’s seeing someone?”

  Amanda smashed her Santa cookie’s head by accident.

  “Aunt Mandy, look out!” Haley said.

  “Oops, sorry.” She took the cookie cutters to the sink, a little closer to where the mothers sat.

  “He seems fairly serious about this girl, too.” Caroline wiped her mouth with a napkin.

  Amanda opened the drawer closer to the ladies to pretend to get more cookie supplies.

  “How do you know?”

  “Well, I had to check in with the nursing staff at the hospital yesterday. That place is a madhouse.” Caroline’s sighed. “I took Jake with me. You know how I like to show him off.”

  Libby laughed. “I’ve been doing the same thing with Amanda since she arrived. It’s been several years, my own daughter deserting me.”

  “Anyway,” Caroline continued, “I thought I’d hook him up with this cute new nurse on our wing.”

  “You’re impossible!” Libby smacked Caroline on the shoulder.

  “Well, it didn’t work. The next thing I know, in front of everyone he announces he has a girlfriend. Almost blew my socks off.” Caroline shook her head in disbelief.

  Heat coursed through Amanda’s veins, despite the cool wind that blew through the sink window. She hummed softly and went back to Haley and the cookies.

  “If he announced it like that, it must be serious,” Libby said.

  “I think it’s love. He’s more bubble-headed than normal lately.”

  Amanda let out a little laugh.

  “What’s so funny, Aunt Mandy? You think my angel cookie looks bad?”

  “No sweetie. I was laughing at my Santa one.”

  “He does look a little mean.” Haley giggled.

  “Did he say anything else about this mysterious girlfriend?” Libby asked.

  Amanda stretched her neck in their direction, trying not to look obvious.

  “He only said ‘in time,’ whatever that means. He won’t say anything else. I’ve had it with that boy.” Caroline shook her head.

  Libby turned in her seat. “Mandy, come over here.”

  Uh oh. Now what do I do? Should’ve left sooner. Amanda walked to the table with her head down, feeling as if she just got caught stealing a Christmas cookie.

  “Have you met Jake’s girlfriend?” Caroline stared at her.

  “Girlfriend?” Amanda rubbed her toe on the tile.

  “That’s right. Who’s this secret girl my son’s in love with?”

  Amanda became lightheaded and her heart pumped quickly. “He’s in love with? Uh…I…” Think fast, Mandy.

  Haley ran over to the table. “Aunt Mandy’s in love, too!”

  “Haley!” Amanda turned to her smiling niece.

  Haley held her hand up to her mouth in surprise. “Oops… that was a secret, right?”

  Libby stood and put her hand on her hip. “What?”

  “She told me last night when we wrapped Mommy’s gift.” Haley said, going back to the cookies, pouting.

  “Mandy, how could you keep this from me? Sit down.”

  Amanda sat. “Mama, I’m not ready to talk about it.” She tugged at the bottom of her shirt. “I’m not even sure if he’s serious.”

  Caroline reached over and placed her hand on Amanda’s. “Oh honey, you sound just like Jake. We’re your mothers. Who better to tell?” Both mothers leaned forward; Libby actually slid her chair closer.

  Amanda looked back and forth. “I, uh -- Haley, I’m going to wring your neck.” Amanda chased Haley around the kitchen.

  Haley giggled, grabbed a cookie and ran to the living room, leaving Amanda in front of the other women.

  “Well?” Her mother’s arms crossed her middle.

  “Not now.”

  Libby clenched her jaw. “That’s all you’re going to tell me? Carley never hid her love life from me.”

  “Mama, Carley’s married.” Amanda grimaced. “Look, we just started dating.”

  At that precise moment, the door slammed behind her. She turned to see Jake with a small smile on his face, eyebrows raised.

  His eyes questioned her, then looked to the mothers. “Uh…What’s going on here?” His eyes pleaded with Amanda to give him a clue of what he should do. “What are you talking about, Mandy?”

  Caroline placed her teacup to the side and smiled in his direction. “Amanda was about to tell us who she’s dating. While she’s at it, you can tell us, too.”

  Amanda stood. “I wasn’t about to tell them!” Amanda found herself almost screaming. Calm down, deep breath. “I said I wasn’t ready to talk about it, that’s all.”

  Jake strutted over to the counter, grabbed a cookie and took a bite. He leaned back, crossed his ankles, and smiled. What was he up to?

  “Well, if she tells you, I’ll tell you.” He winked at her.

  The mothers sat up in their chairs. She walked toward him, shook her head, and mouthed to him, “You dog.”

  Jake laughed, but like a scolded boy, he took another bite of his cookie and moved from the counter to his mother. “Okay. Okay. Look, I met him. He’s a terrific guy. You would approve. Mighty handsome I might add, and he treats her like a queen.” His eyes danced.

  Amanda gaped. He’s a nut. One I’m about to crack.

  Libby turned back to Caroline. “Well, that’s better than nothing. But, I swear, my daughter needs to appreciate me more.”

  “I’m leaving.” Amanda glared at Jake, turned and left the room.

  Jake followed, calling out, “Are we still going for a run?”

  Amanda peeked around the living room to make sure no one there listened. “What were you thinking?”

  “Just having a little fun.” He reached for her waist with both hands.

  Amanda slapped them down. “Not here. They might walk in any minute.”

  “I told the truth, didn’t I?” He sat on the couch. “I am mighty handsome.” He laughed putting his hands behind his head.

  “You’re a mighty fool. What if they suspect us? Don’t you think they might figure out we’re dating each other?”

  “So, if they figure it out on their own, all the better.” Jake got up and placed his hands on her hips. “We were supposed to go on a run, remember? Hmmm. But maybe we could…” He snuggled his face into her hair.

  “Promise me you won’t do that again. I was about to go crazy.” She clasped her hands around his neck. “You’re cute when you’re lying.”

  “I wasn’t lying. I’ll treat you like a queen if you let me.” He pecked her on the lips teasingly.

  Did she want to let him? She wanted to try, but wasn’t sure if she was ready… or rather if he was ready. She wasn’t ready to crash and burn, yet.

  “Let’s go, before
we get ourselves in a bigger mess.” She kissed him back quickly and ran off to the stairs. “I’ll be right back. I have to change into some running shoes.”

  “I’ll be waiting with your mother. I have some more to tell her about your magnificent boyfriend.”

  Amanda whispered from the stairs, “You better not, or you won’t have a queen to contend with. You’ll have a wicked witch.”

  ****

  Jake laughed and sat back on the couch. He had to remind himself why they’d decided not to tell their families, because he was having a hard time holding back that pertinent information. Amanda asked him not to tell their parents because of her show, but he suspected it was something else. Maybe she was the one scared to commit.

  He’d bet on it, actually.

  Since he’d met up with Amanda again, he was the only one who had taken steps forward. Never in his whole life had he taken a woman back to his apartment. Never had he asked a woman to be his exclusive girlfriend. All these breakthroughs were met with excuses from Amanda. Leaving his place early, fitting him into her schedule, not telling their parents. She always had a reason not to commit further.

  They were destined to be together. He would open her eyes, one way or another. No more scaredy-cat routine. If he could do it, so could she.

  When he thought he’d overheard Amanda declare their relationship to their mothers, he’d been ready to pick her up, swing her in the air and kiss her right there. He knew they would want to plan a wedding on the spot, and he could live with that. His future with Amanda weighed on his mind, after all.

  “Are you the one Aunt Mandy talked about?” Haley whispered. She stood behind him. “Are you Aunt Mandy’s boyfriend?”

  “Um… did she say I was?” Crap. Where did she come from?

  “She said she had a secret boyfriend.” Haley sat on the far end of the couch.

  “Well, if it’s a secret, we’d better not talk about it.”

  “I saw you kiss her. It looked like when Daddy kisses Mommy.”

  “That was just a little kiss. Friends kiss sometimes.” Oh, man! Now the kid knows. Is she going to tell our mothers? “Were you hiding?”

  “Yes. Aunt Mandy chased me. I hid behind the curtain.”