by Arow Jones
I blow them out and turn to Nick. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Calm down sweetheart. Just trying to get you to relax during this emotional time. I think we ought to have some time alone. Don’t you? I’ll just go ask them boys to let themselves out.” Before he can get to the doorway, I grab the back of his sweater to stop him. He turns and reaches for my hand. He slowly removes it from his sweater. The look on his face has me taking a step back.
“Now, now, darlin’, if you want me to remove my clothing. All you have to do is ask.” His tone is sinister. My body is shaking in response.
Fourteen
I watch Nick lead Lily through the kitchen. I hear words exchanged but as soon as he grabs her hand I see red. Chase puts his hand on my shoulder. “Keep your hands to yourself man. Nick would love nothing more than to throw a lawsuit in your direction.” I nod as I walk towards them.
“Lily, can I talk to you for a minute? In private.” I take Lily’s hand from Nick. She’s shaking. I’m furious at Nick for putting her in this situation. “What’s going on? I thought this was a business meeting?”
“It was. It is.” She’s shaking her head back and forth, flustered from whatever exchange just happened between her and Nick. “This isn’t what it looks like.”
“Look, let’s just get this over with.” I want him out of here as soon as possible. I never should have let Chase talk me into bringing him along. If I hadn’t waited for him I would have gotten here in time to deal with this farce of a meeting. “Go sit on the couch with Chase. I’ll deal with Nick.”
When I make my way into the dining room I see Nick, texting on his phone. He looks up. “I should have known you would have found a way to be here too. After all, this does concern you too.”
“You’re damn right it does. You should have called me first.” His hands go up in defense.
“Hey, I’m just looking out for Lily. Somebody has to.” He pulls out a thick file from his brief case and walks back to the living room. I follow behind him, fists clenched, my stare, boring holes in the back of his head. Chase and Lily are sitting on the couch. Nick and I take the chairs sitting on the other side of the coffee table. He sets the file on his lap and smiles at Lily.
“Lily, darlin’. This is about your grandfather’s Will and the James Family Estate.” Lily is still tense but she sits up a little straighter.
“I’m still confused.”
“Well, I thought JT would have spoken to you about this by now but apparently he was little too caught up in things around here as well.” I scowl at him as he looks at me pointedly.
“JT? What’s going on?”
“Sugar, promise me you will listen to everything I have to say before you ask any questions.”
“What? My head is spinning in confusion. Someone please tell me what is going on!” Nick is dying to tell her but it’s my duty. It’s my responsibility.
“Lily, back when The Lucky Five was established, Lilliana James fell in love with a Tanner. Gordon Tanner. The poker game we always hear stories about? Those two were in the game. Lilliana won that game.”
“Lilliana is who I’m named after. Gramps told me stories. I’ve never heard this version.”
“At the time they were not together. That game is what brought them together. They fell in love and married soon after. The poker game was a love story that became a legal matter no one thought to question since the two married. They let The Lucky Five become separate but legally that land is still Tanner land.”
“What!?” She stood. I looked at Chase hoping he wouldn’t let her get by him until I could finish. Nick started in on the story before I continued.
“Your Gramps was young when he found out about the whole story. I’m surprised he didn’t tell your parents.”
“There was no need.” I retorted. Tension was spreading amongst us. “Gramps made a legally binding agreement with my father to make sure any member of the James family was entitled to this land.”
“Come one Tanner, you don’t have to pretend.” Nick sported a huge Cheshire cat smile. I looked at Lily and motioned for her to sit down.
“Lily, the chances of the provisions of the land agreement ever coming to pass was so slim no one thought it would matter.”
“The will left the land to JT, provided he marry.”
“Marry?” Her voice was like a whisper. I didn’t want her to be confused. She would never have to leave this land, no matter what.
“After your parents died, it was apparent that the chances that provision might come to pass. Gramps didn’t want you to be all alone. One night my father and Gramps got really drunk during a poker game. I don’t know what happened. Neither of them would tell me the details. My father accidentally let it slip that ‘it had been arranged.’ He wouldn’t tell me what ‘it’ was but he babbled about you and me and other stuff that didn’t make any sense.
“Lily, sweetheart. Unless you marry JT your pretty little hide’s gonna be out on the streets. You won’t be leaving here with nothin’ but the shirt on your back.” Chase stared daggers at Nick.
“That’s not entirely true.” Chase rubbed Lily’s back, trying to console her. Lily’s tear filled eyes turned to Chase.
“Are JT and I related?” Of everything that was said the first thing she wanted to know was about us. It warmed my heart to think she might have genuine feelings for me.
“Sugar, no. Lilliana and Gordon never had children. Lilliana’s second cousin came to take over The Lucky Five. He’s the one you’re related to.” I wanted to explain how everything would be alright. It didn’t matter, the will, the provision. She would never want for anything again.
“Chase, does this mean I need to leave?” Tears were no falling freely down her face. Chase looked at me. The hurt in her face and way she wouldn’t look at me broke my heart. He pulled her into his arms. Jealousy flared but died down quickly. Chase cared about Lily like a brother did for a younger sister. I knew his heart was elsewhere and he knew where mine stood.
“Lily. You don’t have to go anywhere. We’ve made sure you will always have a place here.”
“Now hold on a minute. Y’all are forgetting an important piece of information. If JT doesn’t marry Lily the land goes to the next of kin, namely me.” My glare burned so brightly I hoped Nick would burst into ashes.
“The land still belongs to the Tanner family, no matter what!” I countered.
“No, the will is specific. You should know, JT. After all, you are the executor of the James Estate.”
“Doesn’t matter.” I seethed. “You know damn well you won’t get this land.”
“We’ll see about that. If you don’t marry that pretty little thing. I will. What do you say Lily? Ditch your arranged marriage. You can have one with me and stay as long as you like, do whatever you want.”
“Arranged marriage?” Lily looks at Chase again.
“Gramps and JT’s father signed an agreement that if… when… he passed. You were to marry JT. Become a Tanner, live your life and be taken care of. The Lucky Five is in trouble. It can’t make ends meet. Gramps didn’t want you to have the burden of this land all by yourself. They thought that if they put this on paper you would never be alone again.”
“I don’t understand. If it was in trouble why wouldn’t Gramps have told me? How has it been staying afloat all this time? What about the rivalry?”
“The rivalry was real. It just wasn’t what we were told as kids. The real rival was the Parker side of the James family. Justin Sr. was in complete agreement. He knew how JT felt about you and Gramps convinced him that you felt the same way about JT.” They both looked at me unexpectedly. I wasn’t sure what to say. It was the truth. I’ve loved Lily all my life. I couldn’t deny it now. But I also knew I would never force her into anything. This legal loop hole that Nick has pointed out could be a problem but Lily would always have the Tanner family support.
“Lily, I—“
“No, I don’t want to hear y
our excuses! You’ve known this whole time? I thought you were getting to know me because you liked me. This whole time you were waiting for the perfect moment to throw me out on my ass! Is that why Blanche is back in town?” She stood ready to run off. Chase stood too and blocked her path.
“Lily, NO ONE is kicking you out.” I kicked Nick when he grunted. “This is your home and you are staying put. Blanche and I--” With her hand on her mouth and tears on her face, she shoved Chase aside and ran out the door.
I felt like someone sucker punched me in the gut. Her pain was my pain. This was all so convoluted, ridiculous legality, and meddling matchmakers. What did they think was going to happen when she found out? She’d just up and throw herself at me. “Yes please, JT, let’s get married. Sounds swell.” Not.
My heart hurt a little to think she didn’t want me but it didn’t matter. I would never abandon her. She was it for me. Even if she decided on Nick or Kenny, or whoever lucky bastard won her heart, I would always be there for her. It might sound corny but it’s a Tanner legacy, taking care of the James family.
My legacy.
I do the only thing I know how to do. I chase after her.
When she gets to the barn she stops. My heart feels like it’s ripping in two watching her sob. My hand reaches out to her but she turns away. “Lily. I’m sorry. Gramps and I… I don’t even know how to explain it… he thought of me as the grandson he never had. Chase wasn’t lying about how I feel about you.” I crouch down in front of her. She’s sitting on a bench. “Lily? I know this isn’t how we both picture it but I would be honored if you would be my bride. The land is yours and you will always have a place here.”
I held her hands as she cried. Not tears of joy, tears that made me want to rip my heart out.
Fifteen
My pillow was soaked with my tears. Last night JT proposed, if you could call it that. I may know every little detail about this man but we’ve barely dated. Arranged? What the hell was Gramps thinking? This is the twenty first century for crying out loud!
He didn’t picture this? I didn’t picture this!
I spent the entire day in my room. Kenny came up a few times to check on me, bring up food, and sit with me. I cried. Then I cried some more.
“Lil’ maybe this is a good thing. You can keep the land and JT.”
“Of course I want to stay here! But I wanted JT to want me not feel sorry for me. I know I’m not his type. I could never be what he deserves.”
“No, you are so much more. You’re beautiful and capable. If JT can’t see that… you know what, who cares, marry him.”
“What?”
“Marry him. Even if it’s just on paper. He said he wanted to take care of you no matter what. Then do it. Marry him on paper. If something more grows out of it then great. If not, then at least you are set for life.”
“Kenny, you’ve lost your mind.”
“I’m serious. Sometimes the unconventional is the only way to be with your soul mate. Even if he doesn’t realize it yet.”
Could I do this? Marry for money? For land?
My whole life was a lie.
I truly am alone.
Alone.
I thought Gramps and I had a connection. He knew my dreams for this place. I was a homebody. This is my home. Was my home. Everything I’d worked towards didn’t matter anymore. I could lose this land to Nick. Nick effing Parker! Ugh! Gramps would roll over in his grave if he knew I didn’t honor his wishes and let this land go to such a slime ball of a human being.
No.
This isn’t even my home anymore.
I’m homeless!
As the waning daylight streamed through my window the words to Kelly Clarkson’s Breaking Your Own Heart hummed through me. By the end of the song I knew I had to get out of bed. This was life shattering but it wasn’t the end of the world.
I had a choice. At least I had a choice. And I had time to decide, I hope.
I take out my phone and text the one person I know tell me the truth.
After a long talk I get on my bike and drive through the country side. Lately, I’ve spent more time on the back of a horse than on my bike. My motorcycle is all about speed. I’m not worried about where I’m going. I just go. Fast. I need the adrenaline rush. All my worries are put aside. I can’t think about the rest of my life when I have to concentrate on what’s in front of me. Eventually I find myself back in town. I park and walk to the grocery store to pick up a few things for tonight’s poker game.
Kip, Rob, and whoever else are coming tonight. I wasn’t going to let my soured mood prevent me from being a good host. On the way back home my bike lurched. I barely made it back home when something on the bike started smoking. I turned it off and jumped to the side, taking the groceries with me. Great. Another expense. “Kenny!”
I tell Kenny what happens, hoping we can figure out what’s going on. Kenny had just serviced the bike recently. I leave the mechanic to the machine while I prepared for tonight.
Kenny had gotten out chips, salsa, and left a note about beer in the fridge before intending to go to Kip’s house to work on his aging truck. Kip was planning on getting a ride over with Rob. I was bummed but I put my game face on. Since I wasn’t able to pay employees Kenny had taken side jobs fixing cars.
Poker night was always hosted in the barn apartment. If the guys got too rowdy or junk, they would just stay the night there. This barn was closest to the house. I kept our horses here. The clients’ horses were housed in a much larger, nicer barn further down an adjacent driveway. It was the main barn. The apartment in the main barn was much larger and nicer. It was meant for the barn manager.
The original barn apartment was a modest one bedroom, one bath, with an open area encompassing the kitchenette. It was renovated before the main barn had been built. No one stayed here. It was modeled for Gramps. He said, “Someday, when I retire, that there is gonna be my love nest.” I laughed at that thought. He never did stay there. The walls held memorabilia of past family members. My gaze lingered on a picture of me as a little girl, Gramps pushing me on a swing. It was one that Skye took. The light filtered through the trees. Shadows of branches overlay the scene. Both of us were smiling. When I started to feel tears in my eyes I turned away.
A few years ago a stocked bar and full-sized fridge were installed. Gramps wanted to keep more food and beer up here since he never knew how many people would show up. I pulled the door open. Yup, lots of beer. A variety of cans and bottles encompassed all but one shelf. That’s where I would put the food that needed to stay cold. I’m sure, if I looked, the bar really would be fully stocked. Knowing Kip and Rob, they probably had a hand in the liqueur selection.
I walked back to the house to retrieve some bags I filled with the chips, dips, cold fixings, veggies, stuff I though the guys would like to munch on while playing. I knew at least Kip and Rob would be arriving soon. After putting all the food in the proper places I started in on setting up the poker table.
Twenty minutes later the sound of trucks came up the driveway. Kip and Rob had ridden together. Behind them is a black SUV. I’m not sure whether to be upset or elated. Chase, JT, and two other guys I don’t recognize step out and follow Kip and Rob inside.
I was planning on hanging out but now I’m having my doubts. Chase and JT kept these life changing secrets from me. My dreams of being in JT’s arms could be within my grasp. I just didn’t want it to be because it was forced on him. I wanted him to want want me, for me. Not out some sense of duty. My feelings for him are genuine. They’ve only grown. I can’t ever tell him that now or he might think it’s only because I want the land.
My back is to the door. I busy myself with taking out the dips from the fridge. Their footsteps get closer. I turn, thinking I would by polite and do my duty as a host. Instead, I come face to face with JT. Before I accidentally crush a bowl of dip between our bodies he grabs my arms.
“Whoa there, Sugar.” His hands seer my arms. All I can do is look u
p into his eyes. His jaw is tightening. My eyes roam his face and land on his perfect, kissable lips. I know what those feel like now. I’m mad at him but my body is betraying me. “We need to talk.” Like an ice cold bath the spell is broken.
“I have nothing to say to you right now JT.” I turn to Kip and smile. “Nice to see you.”
“Hi honey. Why don’t you join us?” Gesturing to a chair he’s pulled out he waves me over.
“Okay, but just for a bit. I don’t want to impose on you boys. Besides, I might clean you all out and then what would you do?” They all laugh or smirk.
“You all laugh now,” Kip tells them about the time Gramps showed me how to play poker then turned me loose during one of their poker nights. Call it luck, call it skill, but I became a rich pre-teen that night. Suffice it to say, my parents were not pleased. They didn’t ban me from poker night but let’s just say I received a stern warning about little girls winning money from drunk cowboys.
Just as Kip predicted a few games had come and gone and I was the overall winner. I decided to quit while I was ahead. I’m not one to boast about my achievements and I certainly won’t look a gift horse in the mouth. So, I give everyone a small portion of my winnings as a thank you.
“Thank you for a lovely evening. I’m off to check on the horses before turning in.” I give Kip one last hug and wave my goodbyes. I’m half way out of the barn when I feel a warm hand on my shoulder.
“Sugar.” I shrug my shoulder out of his grip. “Baby, we need to talk.” His endearments are touching but I’m sure he uses them on the women. I put my hand to my chest. It aches at the thought of JT with another woman.
“What do you want JT?”
“Just to talk, about us. I don’t know what to say to you except I’m sorry.”
“You’re sorry? Which part? About keeping such important information from me? The part where made me think you actually liked me? Or how about the parts where you took advantage of my vulnerability with your kisses and meaningless words?” As soon as I say that I realize my mistake. His face scowls. It was a low blow but I’m so furious I’m not about to take it back.
