Leaving Liberty

by Virginia Carmichael

  Swallowing hard, she watched the skyline loom ever closer. And when he’d reached for her hand, offered her comfort, she had responded without even pausing to think. His touch had been like food to a starving person. She made a sharp noise in the back of her throat, embarrassment flooding through her.

  “You okay?” Lane was giving her a sharp look. “You don’t get carsick, do you?”

  “No, I’m fine. Just… thinking about the slow pace here. I didn’t know traffic was so bad in Denver.”

  He nodded. “It can be. Usually when we’re in a hurry.”

  She felt her lips twitch. “So if I pretend we’re just out here for fun, traffic will pick up?”

  “Exactly.” He made an exaggerated stretch with one arm, across the seat, hand resting just behind her shoulder. “Listen up, Denver! Just Daisy and me, taking a leisurely drive to the big city on a Friday morning for a little shopping and some lunch. We have no other cares in the world. Our only plan is to have a good time.”

  Daisy felt her heart lift at the thought. Wouldn’t it be wonderful to spend the day with Lane, no agenda, no tasks, no awkwardness? Just two people getting to know each other. She couldn’t help a wave of yearning that pushed against the reality of the situation. They were less than two random people, they were pretend-friends who both cared about the kids of Liberty. She glanced at him, noting the way the sun made deep shadows under his jaw. She could smell the soap on his skin of his hand, just behind her. Her eyes traveled down the length of his arm, past the rolled cuff of his shirt sleeve, to a small white scar on his forearm, to the veins that stood in sharp relief against his tan. She wanted more than anything she’d wanted for a long time for his light-hearted teasing to be true.

  A country school teacher who lived in a cabin at the edge of the woods and a country police officer with a crooked grin who drove his grandfather’s old red Ford? She could see it, if she squinted a little and ignored the voice of reason that was playing on a loop in her mind. They would be so happy, the two of them and a big yellow dog named Sam.

  He turned his gaze from the creeping cars ahead and cocked an eyebrow. “It wasn’t that funny.”

  She felt the huge grin on her face for the first time and put a hand to her lips. “I was just thinking.”

  “That my story wouldn’t fool anybody?” His voice held a note of something like regret. “You’re probably right.”

  Shaking her head, Daisy tried to find the right words to explain but in the end, there wasn’t any way to describe the scenes that had flashed through her head.

  His cell phone rang, filling the truck cab with soft musical chords. Lane glanced at it and frowned.

  “You can answer that, you know,” she said, repeating his own words back to him.

  He grinned. “You don’t want me to, believe me.”

  Probably a girlfriend. Daisy squared her shoulders. She didn’t care who he talked to, or why. “Traffic is practically stopped. Just answer it. I’ll pretend like I’m not even here.” He can coo to his heart’s content and she’d just focus on those fluffy clouds in the distance.

  Shrugging, Lane took his arm from the back of the seat and pushed a button on the hands-free device. “Hi, Mom.”

  Daisy managed not to shoot him a look. Why wouldn’t she want him to answer? Was his mother unpleasant? Rude? A big gossip? Daisy searched her memory for anything on Lane’s parents but only came up with vague impression of the perfect family but then, everybody had looked perfect to her when she was fifteen.

  “Lane, honey, I just talked to Jamie and she said you were headed into Denver for the day. Why didn’t you tell me? We can have lunch. Your father made his famous BBQ ribs and I can whip up a nice salad. I even have some coconut cake from yesterday. It’s still nice and fresh.” Her voice was sweet and cheerful.

  He gave Daisy a told-you-so grin. “Sounds really nice, but I’m just running an errand for Nita. She’s sick and the summer librarian needs some supplies for the reading program. I’ve got to be back by noon.”

  “Well, stop by and pick up some ribs to take home. I’ve got a few things for my grandbabies, too. It’s not too far out of your way.”

  “I know, but…” His voice trailed off and Daisy could see him debating. A thrum of alarm went through her. Would they end up eating with his parents? Did they remember the sullen, poverty-stricken teenager that she’d been long ago?

  He looked to her and raised his brows. It was up to her.

  Her stomach dropped into her shoes. She could pretend she was in a hurry to get their supplies and get back. But Daisy hated pretending. For a second she considered swallowing her pride and asking him to pass, because she wasn’t up to having lunch with the Perfect Parents.

  “Lane, honey?” His mom’s voice was still soft, patient.

  Daisy wanted to groan out loud. She could see Lane didn’t have much choice. He could insist and hurt his moms’ feelings, or Daisy could act like a grown up and get through it as best she could.

  She lifted her chin and shrugged back.

  “Okay, I’ll be there by eleven,” he said.

  “Perfect! I’ll let your dad know and drive safely!” She hung up, the sound of her happiness seemed to hang in the air between them.

  Great. They were headed to meet his parents. It couldn’t be any worse than the hundreds of awkward situations she’d endured growing up in Liberty. She would deal with it.

  “Sorry about that.” He didn’t sound too sorry. In fact, he looked sort of pleased.

  Daisy brushed back her hair and pasted on a smile. “No big deal. It’s perfectly fine. She sounds really nice.”

  “Oh, she is.” But something in the way he said it made Daisy wonder what he was thinking.

  Traffic picked up and the lanes seemed to empty out for the first time since they’d come into sight of the city. Maybe he was afraid his mother would think they were a couple. Well, she would be sure to make it clear that Lane was still the catch of the town. He would never settle for someone like Daisy, no matter where she lived. “I’m just along for the ride. They won’t even notice me.”

  She glanced at him and felt his tension in the sudden silence between them. He didn’t need to be worried about her. Daisy straightened her back and smoothed her skirt. She’d faced down lots of gossipy folks in her life. She wasn’t going to roll over now.

  ***

  Lane loaded the bags into the space behind the truck seat and wished there had been some way to explain to his mother that now was not the time to pick up BBQ ribs. His mother had never been one to let her children be distant, even if it was just for a day. Driving through Denver and not stopping for a few minutes would be like passing her on the sidewalk without a hug.

  As he settled behind the wheel, he slid a glance at the woman beside him and stifled a sigh. Daisy’s lips were tilted up in the stiffest version of a smile he’d ever seen. She had been quiet as the made their way through the dollar store, choosing prizes quickly and marking them from the list. No light-hearted chit chat, not even a giggle when he tried on a bright pink feather boa from the display. She wasn’t quite the type to be all-out silly, but he could see the anxiety in her movements, in her expression.

  “I think the kids will love these prizes. You made a great list.”

  “They were helping me along.” Daisy lifted one shoulder. “Jasmine said Marie used to give them ice cream coupons so I’ll have to call the local shop and see if they’ll donate some this year.”

  He rested his hands on the wheel for a second, thinking. “Jasmine, little dark-haired girl? Has an older sister?”

  “Right. Cranky older sister who texts in the back of the room during every craft. I’m glad I don’t work with teens all the time. I’d quit my job.”

  “Their mom passed away last year from lung cancer. No dad in the picture. Breezy is her guardian.” He felt her shock before he saw her expression.

  “I didn’t know.” He knew that feeling, the one that made your words seem small a
nd mean when you looked at them with new eyes. “I… I’ve always hated the local gossip but maybe I need to tune in a little better.” Her voice was barely audible over the truck engine as it idled.

  Lane turned and tried to express his understanding in a simple smile. “You need a cheat sheet.”

  “Maybe I just need to be nicer. Marie loved everyone. These kids really need her.” The barest hitch in the last word betrayed her grief. Her chin was down, brow furrowed.

  “Marie wasn’t perfect. Nobody is. The kids need the kind of person who is willing to rearrange her whole summer for them.” He looked at her, really looked at this beautiful girl who stayed in a town she hated because she didn’t want the reading program to be canceled.

  She lifted her head and gazed at him, a slow smile spreading over her face. “There are a whole group of people like that around?”

  He put the truck in gear and shot her a wink. “I’ve only met just one. Anyway, this won’t take long. We’ll just pop in and grab the ribs. You know moms, always worried you’ll starve unless they force-feed you.”

  The moment the words were out of his mouth he wanted to sink through the seat. Of course she didn’t ‘know moms’. Her own had run away and left her with a drunk who didn’t bother to check whether she was fed or not.

  She didn’t seem to take offense, the line of her mouth relaxed into a grin. “Do you cook at all? Maybe it’s not the mothering, but the skill of the child, that’s the issue.”

  “That’s a challenge if I ever heard one. Consider yourself committed to tasting a home-cooked meal made by yours truly.”

  She laughed out loud, a sound so welcome the tense muscles in his shoulders eased. “Okay, I believe you. No need to throw down the gauntlet.”

  Lane backed out of the parking space. “Sorry, too late. You’ve got yourself roped into a visit with my mother and a dinner of questionable skill. The way this is going, we’ll end up in Vegas getting hitched at the Elvis chapel.”

  “Because that’s the logical next step.”

  Lane shrugged. “Just don’t say I didn’t warn you when the minister is wearing a sparkly white leisure suit.” He loved how he could share his deepest fears one moment and tease her mercilessly the next. Tara had always been so sensitive, connecting thoughts and actions in a way he had never even considered. They were the royal couple of misunderstandings. Daisy wasn’t like Tara in a lot of ways… especially the girlfriend part.

  He turned the truck into the condominium parking lot.

  “Are they both retired?” Her words brought him to present moment in a rush.

  “Technically. My mom’s a piano teacher but she hasn’t really cut down her work load. My dad’s an engineer who spent forty years developing food processing machinery. He’s supposed to be retired but he works as a consultant now.”

  He helped her hop out of the truck, the warmth of her hand made the pit of his stomach leap. He noticed the nervous movements as she smoothed her skirt and her hair. So, this girl who faced down the city manager was afraid to meet a retired couple? Lane wondered what she thought they would be like. He certainly had been unwelcoming enough when they’d met that first day at the library.

  Slipping an arm around her shoulder, he gave her a gentle squeeze. “They don’t bite.”

  “So you say,” she whispered, leaning into him for the briefest moment. Straightening up, she put on that stiff smile once more and said, “Let’s go get that BBQ. You might shrivel up and blow away without it.”

  He snorted, dropping his arm. “I’ll tell you a secret. I make better ribs. We just let my dad think his are better so we can keep the peace.”

  “Oh, boy, now I have to carry that secret, too. You’re really making this tough on me.” Her tone said the exact opposite of her words. They made their way up the path toward the row of small condominiums, spring flowers carefully tended in their beds.

  Before he even got the chance to knock on the glossy black Colonial style door, his mother swung it open, her face creased with joy. “Laney!”

  Heat rushed to his face. Nice. Nothing like a childhood nickname following you around forever. “Hi, Mom.” He leaned into her hug, letting her squeeze all her motherly love into him for a few seconds.

  “You didn’t say you were bringing someone with you.” Her tone was a mild rebuke. “I’m Angela Bennett,” she said, reaching out a hand.

  Turning to Daisy, Lane opened his mouth, ready to make the introductions that he’d been planning before his mother launched her sneak attack. Daisy was already speaking, hand outstretched, shy smile tugging at her lips. “I’m Daisy, the librarian for the summer.”

  “I thought they were closing that old place. Isn’t that what you said, Lane?” She frowned at him, but didn’t wait for a response. “Come on in, you two. I want to hear all about your trip.”

  Lane waved Daisy into the tidy alcove. A vase of fresh flowers decorated the narrow side table, the color of the deep burgundy lilies matched the lush carpet underfoot. “Not really a trip, we’re just-”

  “Picking up supplies, you said. But Liberty doesn’t have much for young people like yourself. Don’t you want to go shopping a bit, Daisy?” She gave her a look of utter hopefulness that made Lane chuckle.

  “Don’t try to drag her into anything, Mom. Daisy’s more of a book girl. She’s a teacher and would probably rather spend her time in the library.”

  Daisy turned to him, hands on hip, brows raised. “Are you saying all the really smart girls hate shopping?”

  Sliding a glance at his mom, then back to Daisy, Lane could imagine how it felt to be on a high stakes quiz show. The clock was ticking, the women were waiting for an answer.

  “I just figured, since you grew up with your dad, you weren’t the girly type.” He paused. What he meant, about shopping and high heels and worrying over nails, was miles away from the words that came from his mouth. This effortlessly beautiful woman, with her full-throated laugh and sharp mind and fragile smile, turned pink in the cheeks. He searched for something, anything to say.

  A deafening silence filled the entryway. Daisy’s voice was even when she said, “Growing up without a mother doesn’t make me any less of a girl.”

  “Come on in to the kitchen, right down that way. Jerry’s in there making some coffee, if you’d like some.” His mom shooed Daisy toward the bright yellow breakfast area. As soon as Daisy’s back was turned, she gave him a look that would have chastened a hardened criminal. It was the “I didn’t raise you that way” look.

  He tried to convey his absolute regret but she wasn’t having any of it. There would be a price to pay, a lecture to sit through, but not at this moment. For now, his mother’s entire energies were focused on undoing his callous words and making Daisy feel welcome.

  “Are you from the South, Mrs. Bennett?”

  “I sure am! I’m from Mobile, Alabama. I met Jerry when he was stationed near there in the Army.” His mom bustled into kitchen, selecting a mug and pouring Daisy a cup of coffee without asking. She sent her husband a wink. “Jerry doesn’t care for the smell of coffee but he knows I’m not happy without a pot brewing so he keeps that to himself. Sugar? Milk?”

  “Yes, please.”

  “Honey, this is Daisy, the new librarian in Liberty. She’s taking over for Marie.”

  His dad unfolded himself from his usual seat at the kitchen table. “We need some more young people in that town. Jamie always says it’s turning into a nursing home.”

  His short gray hair was tidy and his glasses were clear, the complete opposite of his mismatched plaid shirt and crooked patterned tie. Lane had to smile at the familiar sight. A brilliant man who needed a uniform if he ever saw one.

  “I’m just here for the summer. I have a contract to teach again this year in Fresno.” Daisy took the mug gratefully and sipped at the steaming liquid.

  Lane stared at the floor. A contract. This wasn’t just about Rocky or her childhood or California’s sunny weather. She had signed a l
egal agreement to teach and she’d be going back.

  “Too bad. I always enjoy seeing our young people come home to raise their families. There’s nothing like having a grandparent around when the kids are little.”

  Lane could see Daisy thinking this over. He hadn’t said her last name or mentioned she’d come from Liberty. But his dad knew everyone and their second cousin.

  “It’s a beautiful place, to be sure.” Her voice was noncommittal.

  “Have you made any new friends? I think our old church has got a lot of young people. They even have their own singles night. Bowling and such.” Angela frowned. “It’s on Friday night, right?”

  He wanted to groan. His mother wasn’t the smoothest operator. She wanted to know if Daisy was Christian and if she was single. “Mom, she doesn’t want to go to a singles night at the church.”

  “Oh, already have a boyfriend?”

  “Mom.” He tried to catch her eyes but she was ignoring him. It would have been funny, if he’d been sure that Daisy wouldn’t have felt cornered. As it was, she probably felt like the whole world wanted to know her business.

  “My church in Fresno has a really fun singles night. Well, we call it a young people’s night, but it’s pretty much for singles. I’ve met some great people there.” Daisy didn’t seem to mind the question at all.

  “When we come to Liberty in a few weeks you should come with us to church. We’ll introduce you to Mindy. She’s a teacher at Liberty Elementary and such a nice person. You two will get along great.” Lane’s mom waved a hand as if it wasn’t a question, but already settled. “And then there’s Barbara, right Jerry? Barbara used to have story time every week for the preschoolers. The kids just love her. She has so much energy!”

  It was time to step in. Daisy surely wasn’t going to agree to be introduced to every person under forty and anyone who ever stepped in the library. Lane cleared his throat.

  Daisy spoke first, her voice soft. “I’d like that.” She looked down at her coffee. “I miss my friends. The cabin is beautiful, just perfect for a summer getaway.” She glanced up, her lips lifted in a small smile. “But in the evenings, it gets lonely. I wonder what the rest of the world is up to. It would be nice to go out once in a while.”