Billy tried to help Alice as much as his schedule would allow. He liked doing little things for her, knowing it relieved some of her stress. The contradiction of his intentions was ridiculous, and he knew it, but seeing that smile, the one she seemed to reserve just for him, was the great payoff. Her smiles kept him grounded.
It was a Saturday morning, most of the crew had gone home for the weekend. It was pretty quiet. Billy hadn’t seen Alice since just after lunch the day before. She didn’t come down to the paddock or to the barn after dinner either, which had become routine in recent weeks. They seemed to always seek each other out, and they would work side by side, the chemistry between them palpable, but sadly kept in check.
Last night, after he had finished in the barn, he noticed a grey Toyota Corolla in the driveway by the house, right next to Alice’s truck. This morning it was still there. He couldn’t help wondering who her company was and hoped it wasn’t a man. He wasn’t, typically, a jealous guy, but he couldn’t ignore the irritation he felt.
Billy had planned to work on some fencing that had fallen over near the pond. He made his way down the embankment and walked around the water, stopping just in front of the section that needed securing. He would have to dig the posts back in and then secure the boards and wire. The work would take him a few hours, and gratefully keep his mind occupied.
He was less than an hour into the job, fully immersed in digging the new hole for the second post, when he heard an odd noise. It sounded like a child laughing. He turned around, wiping the sweat off his brow, and looked in the direction of the sound. He was about twelve yards away, but he could clearly see a young girl crouching on the dock, her hand reaching out. She was maybe five or six years old and looked dangerously close to falling in.
Billy looked around, wondering if the child’s parents were nearby. He didn’t see anyone else around. He had a nagging feeling about her playing so close to the water and started making his way over to keep an eye on things. It looked as though she was trying to coax the ducks over, when suddenly she lost her balance and toppled into the water.
Billy unclipped his tool belt and ran as fast as he could to where she fell, wading in toward her. She came up once, flapping her arms around, and then went back under.
The water wasn’t deep for him, rising to just above his waist, but it was just over her head. Billy was quick to reach her and picked her up out of the water. Her blonde bangs were plastered over her eyes, and Billy brushed them away, wiping the water off her small face. She let out a loud cry and wrapped her arms tightly around his neck.
“It’s ok,” Billy said, patting her back, happy he was in the right place at the right time.
The little girl wept, her small body shivering, more from fright than from cold.
“I... I...I’m sor... sor... sorry,” she stammered in his ear.
Billy rocked her for a moment, not sure what to do next. Finally, the little girl stopped sobbing, much to Billy’s relief.
“You’re ok now. You’re ok. What’s your name?” he asked her gently.
She looked at him nervously, pouting out her bottom lip.
“Amy,” she said quietly, lilting her voice on the second syllable, the way little girls do.
Billy nodded and walked her over to the dock, placing her down. Just then, he saw Alice running down the slope, a look of surprise, or shock, on her face. Billy wasn’t sure which.
“Amy!” Alice called out, walking to the end of the dock.
Amy shifted herself from the edge of the dock and stood up, turning toward Alice.
“I needed to come see the ducks. They missed me,” Amy explained quietly, keeping her eyes down.
Alice crouched down and placed her hands on Amy’s shoulders.
“Honey, Lisa told you to stay in the yard, she said that she would be out in a minute to take you to the pond. What happened?” she asked softly.
Amy shrugged her shoulders.
“She was reaching out for the ducks and lost her balance, I think,” Billy explained, climbing out of the water.
Alice looked him up and down, trying to process the situation.
Billy was starting to put it all together himself. The gray Toyota was obviously Lisa’s car. She had mentioned a Lisa to him when they first met. Her cousin, if he remembered correctly. This little girl was probably Lisa’s daughter, although he didn’t recall Alice mentioning her.
“And you jumped in to save her?” Alice asked calmly, looking up at him.
Billy nodded.
“Yes, I was right over there, fixing the fence,” he said, gesturing across the pond with a nod.
Alice smiled at him, her eyes filled with deep gratitude. She turned back to Amy and pulled her into an embrace.
“I’m sorry, I should have waited for Lisa. I’m sorry, Mommy.”
Billy watched the two of them cuddling on the dock, feeling the air being sucked out of his lungs.
Mommy? This was her daughter? How did he not know this information beforehand? And why the hell didn’t Alice tell him about her?
He sighed deeply, causing Alice to look up at him. She nodded slowly, as though she knew exactly what he was thinking.
“Come on, Sweetie, let’s go back to the house and dry off,” Alice said, standing up and holding out her hand to Amy.
Amy took her Mom’s hand and followed her off the dock. Suddenly she stopped and turned to Billy, reaching out her own hand.
“Are you coming?” she asked him, with the innocence of a five-year-old child, oblivious to everything but the kindness extended by the stranger, who was now her friend.
Billy smiled at her with all the warmth he could muster, given his state of shock. He looked up to meet Alice’s eyes. She was smiling.
“Yeah, come back to the house, Billy. I’ll get you a towel too,” Alice said quietly.
Billy walked toward them, swallowing his surprise, and took Amy’s small hand into his own. They walked back together with Amy between them, singing a song.
Chapter 15
Alice
Alice led her daughter and Billy into the house through the side door that led into the kitchen. Lisa was in the laundry room and popped her head around the corner when she heard Alice walk in.
“Did you find her?” Lisa asked, her mouth dropping open when she saw them. “Amy, why are you wet?”
She looked past Alice and Amy, her eyes landing on Billy. She smiled curiously at him.
“What’s going on?”
“I fell in the water,” Amy said, matter-of-factly. “The man helped me,” she said pointing at Billy.
Lisa grabbed a few towels from a clean pile of clothes and brought them over, handing one to Billy and wrapping the other one around Amy.
“And who is this man?” Lisa asked flirtatiously, holding her hand out for Billy to shake.
“Billy Turner,” he said, taking her hand.
Lisa smiled sweetly and looked knowingly at Alice.
“Ah, Billy. Nice to meet you. I’ve heard a lot about you.”
Alice gave Lisa a look through her tight smile that said, ‘Thank you, that is quite enough.’
“So, tell me how you ended up in the water, young lady? Didn’t Auntie tell you to wait for me?” Lisa addressed Amy, gently scolding her.
Amy pouted again, looking up at her, tears welling in her eyes.
“I’m sorry. I won’t do it again. I promise,” Amy said sincerely.
Billy reached down and patted her gently on the top of her damp head. He hated seeing females cry, but especially the little ones.
“I think little Amy might have just had the devil scared out of her. I doubt she will want to go for another dunk anytime soon, will you, Amy?” Billy said warmly.
Amy shook her head, looking up at him with her big blue eyes. Billy grinned lightly, charmed by her.
“I think Amy needs a bath,” Alice said, in that tone reserved just for mothers.
“I can help her,” Lisa said, reaching her hand out
to Amy.
Alice shook her head.
“No, I’ll do it.” Alice offered, placing an arm around her daughter’s shoulders.
She turned to Billy.
“Thank you, Billy,” Alice said. “I can’t tell you how grateful I’m that you were there to help.”
Billy nodded solemnly.
“No worries. Glad I was nearby.”
He reached down and tussled Amy’s hair, making her giggle.
“I’m going to get some dry clothes on and then head back to work. I’d like to finish mending that fence today,” he explained, making eye contact with Alice.
“Why don’t you come back for dinner?” Alice offered softly. “We have a lot to talk about.”
Billy chuckled softly under his breath and nodded, as though he completely agreed with her.
“I would love that. I’ll see you around five?” he suggested, handing the towel back to Lisa.
“Perfect,” Alice said with a smile.
Billy turned to Lisa and nodded his goodbye. As soon as he was out the back door, Alice turned and met her cousin’s questioning gaze.
“So that’s Billy,” Lisa teased.
Alice chuckled and tossed Amy’s damp towel at her.
“That was him.”
Alice smiled through her clenched teeth, offering Lisa a look that meant, ‘Not in front of Amy.’
Lisa chuckled and returned to the laundry room while Alice led her daughter up the stairs.
“I missed you, Mommy. Aunt Dottie’s house is fun. Did you wish you were there too? Did you know she has a Labradoodle? Isn’t that a funny name for a dog? Can we have corn on the cob for dinner?”
Amy prattled on, not concerned whether Alice answered her questions or not.
Alice was grateful for the sweet distraction. She had a feeling she had a long night ahead of her.
* * *
After the dishes were washed and put away, Alice sat down across from Billy as he engaged with her little girl. He seemed highly entertained by Amy, if the constant smile on his face were any indication.
Amy was a joyful child, with the sweetest temperament. How could he help but adore her?
Two months earlier Lisa drove to Oregon to visit her mother, Alice’s Aunt, and had taken Amy along with her. They left right after school let out for the summer. In fact, they left only a few days before Billy arrived.
Alice had wanted to tell Billy about her daughter, but the timing never seemed right. It wasn’t something she could just blurt out. On the few occasions she saw fit to share with him, they had been interrupted. The truth was, Alice wasn’t sure how to define her connection with Billy, and on some level she wasn’t sure it even made sense to bring Amy up to him. Now that Amy was home, she felt foolish for not telling him sooner. They were friends after all, if nothing else.
“Can I have a cookie, Mommy?” Amy asked, pulling Alice away from her thoughts.
Alice looked at her daughter who shot her the most angelic smile. She knew how to work her.
“Can we both have one?” Billy said, flashing his own charming smile, rivaling the one she received from her daughter.
She looked from one to the other and shook her head.
“You two are ganging up on me, aren’t you?” she teased.
Amy giggled and climbed up on the chair, leaning over the table to reach for the plate of cookies.
“Amy, reaching is not polite. Please sit down and ask me politely to pass them to you,” Alice gently scolded.
Amy did as she was told, looking up at Billy for support. Billy smiled at her and nodded.
“Sorry, Mama. Please will you pass me the cookies?” Amy asked.
Alice passed the cookies over and Amy grabbed two off the plate, handing one to Billy.
“Cheers!” Billy said, tapping his cookie to Amy’s.
She laughed with delight and took a big bite of her cookie, causing the crumbs to fall into her lap. Billy chuckled, clearly amused by the little cherub. He picked a cookie off the plate and offered it to Alice. She accepted it and took a bite, just as Lisa returned to the kitchen.
“So, I’m going to head off to bed. Alice and I stayed up pretty late last night. I need to catch up on my sleep. It was great meeting you,” Lisa said to Billy.
He held his hand out for her to shake, but Lisa waved him off.
“We hug in this family.”
Alice looked at Billy, his expression going from surprise to genuine affection, as her friends shared a warm embrace.
“Come on, Peanut. I’ll take you to bed,” Lisa said, holding her hand out for Amy.
Amy shook her head and looked at her Mom, her eyes pleading.
“I’m not done my cookie. I want Billy and Mommy to tuck me in. Please?”
Amy stood on her chair and wrapped her cookie free arm around Billy’s and leaned her head on his shoulder. Billy smiled down at her, then glanced over to Alice for guidance.
Alice chuckled softly.
“It’s ok, Lisa. I’ll take care of her. You go on up to bed. I’ll see you in the morning,” Alice offered, popping the last bite of cookie in her mouth.
“Ok, before I go I’ll pull a roast out of the deep freeze for tomorrow’s supper. Billy, will you be joining us again?” Lisa asked, an impish smile forming on her lips.
Alice shook her head slowly, a tight grin forming on her own face. She knew exactly what Lisa was up to, and she was pretty sure Billy had it figured it out too.
Billy smiled and shrugged his shoulders.
“I would never turn down a home cooked meal, Lisa, if it’s alright with Alice and Amy?”
Billy looked at Alice and raised his brows with a ‘what do you think’ expression on his face. Amy released her grip on Billy and clapped her hands.
“Yay!” Amy cheered, offering her approval.
Alice knew when she was beat. She raised her shoulders and smirked.
“Well, the consensus says yes, so who am I to disagree? Of course, Billy is welcome,” she conceded warmly.
* * *
Billy and Alice sat on the front porch, a decanter of wine on the small table between them. They had just finished tucking Amy into bed, and two stories later, she was finally asleep. It would have been a much faster process had Billy just read the story like a normal person. Instead, he shared the first story with flourish and drama, giving each character its own unique voice and personality.
Of course, Amy loved it and instead of getting sleepy, his creative license only served to energize her. Billy seemed greatly amused by this. This led to a second story, and probably a third had Alice not finally intervened.
Billy sipped his wine slowly, looking like a man with a lot on his mind. The evening air was cool, which was a welcome relief from the heat wave they had been experiencing. Alice took a sip from her own glass, and smiled. Despite the near drowning earlier that morning, it turned out to be a pretty good day.
Alice was still a little shaken, but the fact that Billy had been there, once more at just the right time, solidified her instincts that he was destined to be there.
Billy looked over at her and smiled, but his expression seemed strained.
“What is it Billy?” she asked, her voice heavy with concern.
“I guess I’m just wondering why you didn’t tell me about your daughter, Alice.”
His words were blunt, but not unkind.
Alice nodded. He had a right to know, and it didn’t surprise her that he was asking.
“I don’t really have a good reason, Billy. I wish I did. Truthfully, I wanted to tell you about her but the timing never seemed right. Can I be honest with you about something?” she asked cautiously.
Billy nodded.
“I’ve been having mixed feelings about you,” she began.
“You don’t say?” he responded, chuckling softly.
Alice punched him playfully on his muscular bicep.
“I’m being serious,” she said through her giggles.
“I�
�m sorry. Go on, please,” he insisted sweetly.
Alice sighed and sipped her wine again. Liquid courage.
“I really like you, Billy. I suppose I have from early on. I have been on my own for a really long time, and I’ve become very independent. I was caught off guard by my feelings for you and I didn’t know what to do with them really,” she admitted carefully, not wanting to expose her vulnerability.
Billy regarded her quietly, his expression filled with kindness, encouraging her to continue.
“I’ve dated a few men since Amy was born, but nothing really evolved into anything more than a few dinners and a movie here and there. I haven’t introduced anyone to her yet. I’ve always felt that dating and parenting needed to stay in different stables, if you know what I mean? It is not an easy thing for children to sort out those big, grown up feelings, and if things don’t work out and the child has become attached, well that can really mess them up, you know?” she stated, waiting for his reaction.
Billy nodded in agreement.
“You saw how quickly Amy took to you. How can I risk hurting those precious feelings by introducing her to casual boyfriends?”
“With Amy away for a few months, I suppose I took off my mommy hat and allowed myself the freedom to explore some of my, uh, desires. I know we have mad chemistry, Billy. There’s no denying that.”
She looked at him and saw that he was smiling playfully at her. Her body responded instantly to him, as though illustrating her point. She cleared her throat, certain a blush was rising in her cheeks.
“But chemistry isn’t enough when you’re a single mom. I can’t think about just me anymore. It’s always her and me. So, while I loved being with you, and playing with you, and fucking you,” she whispered her last words, causing Billy to laugh softly, “I also found myself developing intimate feelings for you,” she admitted.
She kept her eyes down, not certain she was ready to meet his expression, and read his feedback. She continued, choosing her words carefully.
“You told me early on that you weren’t staying past the end of the summer, and I get that. That’s common practice around here. Growing up, I was warned not to get to close to the hoofers, for obvious reasons. Then when I decided to go ahead with the Equine Center, and I put you in charge, well, given all the circumstances, I just wasn’t sure it was the right thing to do, exploring things further. I didn’t want to complicate things.”
Playboy Ever After Page 54
