So much for a special moment between new friends. “Nothing I can do about my height, but wear heels. Thank goodness I love them.”
“Don’t look now, but it’s your turn.” Kerri Ann shoved Lita toward the chair where Shelly was sweeping up her blond remains. “Have fun, shorty.”
Lita didn’t know why she felt connected to Kerri Ann. Did she recognize a woman whose dreams seemed buried under her daily responsibilities? Did she see her own vulnerabilities and insecurities mirrored in Kerri Ann’s sarcastic facade? Or did it all circle back to Cal, and ultimately Jesse, and her affinity for the family who’d enchanted her with stories of the past, a past in which Kerri Ann played a vital role?
An hour later they sauntered up Main Street, Kerri Ann with a new style and Lita with freshly trimmed hair. She’d had more fun than she’d expected. Her eyes scanned the streets, looking for any sign of Jesse. That’s all it would take to ruin the afternoon or at least complicate it. Cal honked in greeting and pulled his car up to the curb where they’d stopped on the sidewalk. “Well, look at the two of you.”
Kerri Ann gave Cal the most genuine smile Lita had seen her use. She elbowed Lita. “Heard you’ve been putting up with this prissy thing for the past week.”
“Lita’s been spreading her charm at the cabins, that’s for sure.” He winked at Lita. “I’m hoping she ditches the big city for us.”
“I don’t think we’re fancy enough for her, Cal.”
Lita gave Kerri Ann an affectionate push toward Beaumont’s, the town’s only clothing store. “We’re not done yet, Cal, so if you’ll excuse us, we’ve got clothes to buy.”
“We do?” Kerri Ann stopped and looked at Lita. “A new hairdo and polished toes aren’t enough for you?”
“Not by a long shot. And it shouldn’t be enough for you, either.” She held the door of the shop open for Kerri Ann. “Don’t stop now.”
It only took forty-five minutes and three forced turns in the dressing room for Kerri Ann to fork over her credit card for a summer dress in pale lime and a matching bra and panty set Lita insisted she purchase.
“I don’t know why I let you talk me into this. I don’t have the slightest idea where I’ll even get the chance to wear such a frilly dress.” Kerri Ann placed her card back in her wallet and unconsciously rubbed the soft cotton between her fingers.
“Sometimes you have to get the clothes and let the party come to you.”
“You’re not buying anything.”
“I wasn’t looking for me.” It was the first time she’d ever shopped for someone else and was surprised by how much she loved it. “Lord, Kerri Ann, if I had your figure I’d shop every day.”
“What figure? I’m a bean pole.”
“You’ve got a model’s body, with enough muscle tone to keep you from looking gaunt. Everything looks good on you.”
“I’d rather have a little of what you’ve got.” Her eyes lingered on Lita’s chest and hips. “Your curves are what men like.”
“I know plenty of men who prefer your type.” One handsome lawyer in particular. “I’m starved. What do you say you make me some of your fabulous pizza and we can rehash our day?”
“If I go to work, I’ve got to work. But I did have fun, Lita. It’s been a long time since I’ve done anything just for the hell of it.”
“I’m glad to have helped. And I’m serious about being hungry.” She slung her arm through Kerri Ann’s. “Let’s have a slice and then, I swear, I’ll let you get back to work.”
The restaurant was quiet. The only customer sat in a booth with a book, an empty plate, and soft drink. “Well, I guess it shouldn’t be hard to sneak a slice before the dinner rush.” Kerri Ann motioned to the bar. “Have a seat and I’ll get you a drink.”
Lita slipped onto a bar stool and cupped her chin in her hands. “Just bring out whatever you’re having.”
“Let me put these bags in the back and see what we’ve got. I’ll be right back.” She disappeared through the swinging kitchen door and Lita sat back in the barstool. She’d had fun with Kerri Ann, but she felt guilty for not telling her about her dinner with Jesse and her nagging attraction to him. All day long she kept trying to picture the two of them together, the athletic blond with the biting tongue and the carefree Jesse. It never came into focus.
“Here’s your beer and the pizza will be out in a minute.” She sat in the seat next to Lita and stretched out her long legs. “Boy, it feels good to sit down. I’d forgotten how much shopping wears you out.”
“I’ve always considered it a sport. Ummm,” she said after her first sip of beer. “I believe I’m developing a taste for beer.”
“Give me a week or two and those city ways will be a thing of the past.” Kerri Ann sat up as the slices were delivered. “Thanks, Frank.”
Lita looked at the meat-covered slice and noticed Kerri Ann had two on her plate. “How do you stay so thin?”
“Metabolism,” she said with her mouth full. “Comes along with the bean pole body.”
“Listen, Kerri Ann, I had dinner with Jesse a few nights ago.”
“Yeah?” she said with a quick flick of her eyes. “I figured you were smarter than that.”
“I...” What had she been going to say? “What do you mean?”
“I know he’s got the hots for you, Lita. I just didn’t think you’d have any interest in him.”
“Why not?”
For the first time all day, Kerri Ann seemed to stiffen and turn sarcastic. “I thought with you being a famous designer, making friends with Bryce and all, you wouldn’t look twice at Jesse.”
Angelita needed to set her straight. “I am friends with Bryce. He helped me out just the other day and I’m grateful. But it’s Jesse I’m…sort of interested in.” She touched her hand to Kerri Ann’s arm. “Does that bother you?”
“You current on your vaccinations?” Kerri Ann laughed and then turned to face Lita. “I’m only kidding, and no, it doesn’t bother me in the least.” She set her slice down and wiped her mouth. “Jesse and I are over and have been for a very long time. We…we lasted a lot longer than even the two of us expected and only because of Ty.”
“I know it’s silly, but I’ve been trying to put the two of you together in my mind and I just can’t.”
“You’re not the only one.” She shrugged, thought for a moment. “I come from a big family--three brothers and four sisters. My house was always crazy. Being somewhere in the middle, I felt a little lost at home. Jesse didn’t have any brothers or sisters and his family was, well…Cal and Ellie were so much fun to be around. They made me feel special and loved. I stayed with Jesse mostly because I didn’t want to lose being a part of their family.”
“And then you had Ty.”
“And then Ty came along and we were stuck with each other. Until Ellie got sick and died and Jesse just couldn’t handle it all. I’m running off at the mouth,” she said and continued eating.
“No, no, I appreciate the information. We mostly talked about me at dinner and I didn’t have a chance to find out about his past, about you.”
“He doesn’t like to talk about it. He doesn’t open up with women. He didn’t have to with me because I was there, but with others…he just won’t.” Lita thought of how he’d moved the conversation back to her each time she’d inquire about his past. He’d pried out all her insecurities about her father and yet he’d shared nothing of his past but his pride in Ty. “His mother was everything to him, to him and to Cal. They’re both still grieving and picking at each other. It’s hard for them to deal with each other without her in the middle. Ty’s become their buffer now.”
Kerri Ann heard the door jingle and glanced over absently. Lita noticed the color drain from her face, then flood it again. She didn’t have to turn around to realize who was standing behind her.
“Ladies,” Bryce said in the slow way Lita already recognized as his own. She turned and saw him look at Kerri Ann, taking in the softness of her hair and the
flushed cheeks. “Kerri Ann, you look different.”
Oh brother, for a man who made his living with words, he sure did blow an opportunity. “She’s had her hair done. Isn’t it lovely?”
“Yeah, I mean, yes. You look beautiful.”
“I do not.” She stood up to gather their plates. “You want your regular?”
Lita couldn’t sit by and watch the two of them bungle another chance. She could see so clearly how the two of them had spent years dancing around each other. “She got a beautiful dress today, too. I just wish she had a reason to get all dolled up. Are there any nice restaurants around town?”
“You’d have to go to Asheville to wear a dress at night.” Kerri Ann moved past Lita toward the back of the bar.
“Perfect. A night out. You two should go.” She grasped Bryce’s arm and urged him forward. “Kerri Ann was just saying she’d like to take more time for herself. What do you say, Bryce? An evening out with an old friend?”
Kerri Ann stood frozen, the plates still in hand, while Bryce looked dumbstruck and fumbled with an answer. “Well, sure,” he said, coming out of his funk. “That sounds great. Kerri Ann, what do you say to Thursday? I’m not in court that day and could slip out early.”
Kerri Ann plunked the plates on the bar. “I…Thursday’s trivia night.”
“Can’t Frank or one of your waitresses handle trivia night?” Lita asked. She’d happily run trivia night or drive them to Asheville if that’s what it took.
“Well, I guess so.” She looked at Bryce and blushed. “Bryce, you don’t have to do this. I’m sure I’ll find some other occasion to wear the dress. It’s not a big deal.”
“I’d like to take you out, Kerri Ann.” Bryce stepped forward and placed a hand on the bar inches from hers. His sly smile and blue eyes shone with a surge of confidence. Kerri Ann was toast. “You deserve some time off and I’d be obliged if you’d spend it with me.”
Well, he recovered beautifully, Lita thought with a smile. “Good, it’s settled then. Bryce, why don’t you pick up Kerri Ann at what, say five-thirty?” Kerri Ann shot an arrow in Lita’s direction that she promptly ignored. “Perfect. I’ll leave you two to discuss the details.” She threw some money on the bar. “Thanks for today, Kerri Ann. I had a ball.”
Chapter 9
Jesse had waited long enough. It had been two days and what seemed like countless hours since he’d seen Angelita and shared the most pleasant evening in recent memory. Maybe even in all his life, if he really thought about it. And he’d thought about it constantly. With every wave he crested as the river churned beneath him, every hour he worked on the shop, he longed to hear her deep-throated laugh, see her dark curls wet and glistening in the morning sun.
Damn, he was a goner. How had someone he barely knew gotten under his skin so quickly and so completely? It killed him to hold back and not rush to her place under the guise of replacing her spare. It was a valid excuse and, considering the way they parted after dinner, she had to know he wanted her. What she didn’t know was how much he wanted her or how much the need to see her had kept him from bulldozing ahead as he’d always done before when he set his sights on something he wanted.
Her car wasn’t in the drive when he pulled up, but Cal’s was. Jesse sat in the Scout and thought about finding the old man and helping him out with a few things around the property while he waited for Angelita to come back, but that wasn’t exactly normal behavior for him since he’d come back into town. He was afraid Cal would see right through his motivations and try to talk him out of sniffing around Angelita. He couldn’t be talked out of pursuing her and he didn’t have a clue how to explain to his father something he couldn’t even explain to himself.
“You going to sit there all day or get out and do whatever it is you came by to do?” It was Cal, in muddy jeans and one of the faded flannel shirts that were a staple of his attire. No wonder Jesse had little fashion sense.
“What are you working on?” Jesse hopped out of the Scout and followed Cal toward the storage shed. Their steps aligned as they reached the footbridge.
“Just finishing up the culvert and getting some of the mold off the rocks under the bridge.” He opened the double doors and flipped the switch to the light that hung twenty feet above their heads. “What’d you come by for?”
“I fixed Angelita’s spare and thought if she were around, I’d put it back on her car.” He absently picked up a wrench on Cal’s workbench. He wished for something to do around the cabins to get his mind off Angelita. “Any idea where she is?”
“No. Her car was gone when I got up this morning. Could have run into town for something or gone for a hike.”
Jesse scratched his day old-beard and wondered if he should wait or come back later. He didn’t know why he’d expected her to be waiting patiently for him to show up for the tire, but he wasn’t comfortable with the fact that she’d gone somewhere without a word to anyone. What if she got lost on a hike? It didn’t seem likely that she’d have the best sense of direction on the wooded trails surrounding Sequoyah Falls. Maybe she’d gone into Asheville to do some shopping, her sport of choice, and decided to get an early start. “She say anything to you about how much longer she plans to be in town?”
“Humm?” Cal had his head nearly buried in the old cigar can he used for spare screws and nails. “No, no, she didn’t. But I hope she’s not leaving soon. I like having her around.” He ushered Jesse out the door after turning off the light. “She’s even made friends with Kerri Ann. I saw the two of them yesterday all gussied up and heading for Beaumont’s. Kind of an odd pairing, if you ask me.”
“Her and Kerri Ann?” Jesse thought of the way Kerri Ann had shot nasty looks at Angelita last week at the Pizza Den. “Are you sure?”
“Talked to them as they were heading that way. Good for both of them, I say. I don’t know for sure, but I think all Lita’s done since she’s been here is work and God knows Kerri Ann could use a girlfriend. When was the last time you saw her do anything just for herself?”
“I don’t know.” Jesse followed Cal back over the bridge and watched as he carefully replaced his work boots with knee-high waders and slipped into the water. If he was going to do water work, there was plenty to be done at the raft shop. “I guess I’ll catch her later.”
“You going to pick up Ty on Wednesday?” Cal asked over his shoulder.
“Yeah.”
“Bring him out here after school, would ya? Tell him those tadpoles we fished out of the brook are getting bigger.”
Jesse shook his head. “He’s fourteen, Dad, not four.”
“You just ask him and see what he says.”
“Yeah, yeah, yeah.”
He’d just backed up the Scout from the garage when Angelita’s SUV came shooting up the drive.
***
It wasn’t the steepness of the slope that had Lita’s stomach knotting as she approached the cabin. Jesse was there, poised to leave as she pulled up from her trip to the grocery store. She stopped next to his truck and rolled the window down to speak to him, hoping to make her voice sound casual, like she hadn’t been thrown for a loop by his unexpected appearance. He was always throwing her for a loop.
“Hi,” she said. “You come to see Cal?”
“You, actually.” Could he see her pulse jump at his words? What could those hazel eyes see behind the lenses of his sporty glasses? “I was going to mount your spare.”
“Oh…” She could feel her face burn at his use of the word mount. “I’d forgotten all about it. Are you in a hurry or can you put it in now?”
Shoe Strings Page 11
