Liana nearly keeled over. “I remember the mystery dandelions! That was you?”
Luke looked down at his feet sheepishly. “Yeah. It was me.”
Suddenly a blur of pink came speeding down the walking path. Liana had to do a double take. She also had to think about what the strange noise she was hearing could be. When it hit her, her heart sank.
Lily Myers was sprinting toward town as fast as she could. But Liana had a feeling she wasn’t running a race. The dead giveaway was the fact that Lily was openly sobbing. Something was very wrong.
“Hey!” Liana said, stepping into the young woman’s path. “Stop!”
For an instant, Liana feared she was a goner. She worried that Lily wouldn’t be able to stop in time. She thought about jumping out of Lily’s way, but her legs suddenly seemed to have a mind of their own. All Liana could do was brace herself for impact.
At the very last second, Lily somehow managed to come to an abrupt halt.
The teenager stood there on the walking path wheezing and sobbing all at once. Her tears intermingled with the sweat that ran down her face. She was highly emotional, her shoulders shaking as she doubled over and tried to catch her breath.
Alarmed, Liana crouched down in front of Lily and peered up into her face.
“What’s wrong?” she asked with concern.
“It happened!” Lily cried. “I was afraid it would happen and it did!”
“Calm down,” Liana urged. “Breathe.”
Lily took a few ragged breaths. After a moment, she seemed somewhat less hysterical.
“Okay, now start from the beginning,” Liana instructed. “Tell me what happened.”
“R - R - Ray called me up,” Lily began, her lower lip quivering uncontrollably. “He begged me to go for a run with him today. I thought he’d had a change of heart about getting fit, so I agreed. He drove into town and we met up. And then...then...then Ray asked me out!” she wailed.
“Oh dear,” Liana winced. She was relieved that Lily was freaking out over that and not something more serious. But even so, her heart went out to the distraught young woman. Clearly having to turn Ray down had been hard on Lily.
“I did what you said,” Lily sniffled. “I tried to let Ray down easy. I told him I liked him as a friend but I wasn’t interested in a relationship. I knew he would take it hard. I figured he’d be sad and maybe a little embarrassed. But instead, he flipped out.”
“Did he hurt you?” Luke demanded.
“No,” Lily assured him. “But he started yelling and pacing around. He was ranting and raving that I didn’t appreciate him. He said I have no idea how far he’s gone to try to win me over. He muttered that the least I could do is give him a chance.”
“Then what happened?” Liana pressed.
“I didn’t know what to do or say. No matter what I tried, Ray kept getting more and more worked up. I’ve never seen him like that before. He seemed unhinged. I was afraid he was going to completely lose it, so I left. I feel like such a coward.”
“Aww, you’re not a coward,” Liana assured the tearful young woman. “You did your best. Rejection is never easy. I’m sorry Ray didn’t take it better, and I’m sorry you found yourself in such an awkward position.” She reached out to give Lily a hug.
“I’m all sweaty,” Lily cautioned, backing away.
“It’s fine,” Liana told her.
Lily took a step closer then, accepting Liana’s hug gratefully. She seemed to find comfort in the gesture because when the hug ended, she seemed more composed. “You know what I think?” she asked as she bent down to retie her shoelace.
“What?” Liana asked.
“I think Ray never had any intention of losing weight or getting healthier,” Lily said with disgust. “I think he pretended to be interested in that stuff because he knew it was a big part of my life. Can you believe that?”
“It wouldn’t be the first time a guy has gone to great lengths to impress a girl,” Luke remarked.
Liana glanced at him with a curious smile. “Is that so?”
“Yeah, but Ray lied to me,” Lily interjected, sounding offended. “Now I understand why he barely lost any weight when we were training at the gym. Chester used to accuse Ray of eating more calories than he logged. Ray always denied it and, like an idiot, I believed him.”
“Some people are liars,” Liana said sympathetically. “Some people will say anything - regardless of whether it’s true - if they think it will help them get what they want. It sucks, but it’s the truth. Because of that, I tend to always question people’s motives.”
Liana felt bad for Lily. The young woman was learning one of life’s less-than-pleasant lessons. One minute she was idealistic and trusting. The next, she was forced to look at the world with cynicism in order to try to protect herself. Growing up could be rough sometimes.
“Do you want to come to the coffee shop?” Liana offered. “We can sit and talk if you like.”
“No thanks,” Lily said. “You two are headed in the opposite direction.”
“We can go for a walk another time. We don’t mind changing our plans for you,” Luke told Lily. “If you want to go somewhere to talk, we’re happy to listen. Or,” he added hastily, “I can leave if you would rather have some girl talk with Liana.”
A little voice in Liana’s head cried out in despair at the thought. She didn’t want Luke to leave. But at the same time, she was pleased that he was being so kind and understanding. He was putting Lily’s needs first, because that was the sort of person he was.
Every time she was with him, Liana felt herself falling for Luke a little more.
“I think I should go to the gym to work out,” Lily said. “It’s either that or go home and binge eat. I’ve come too far in my weight loss journey to let myself backslide now. So I’m going to go lift weights until I’m too exhausted to care about the Ray situation.”
“Whatever you think is best,” Liana told her.
“Thanks for listening,” Lily said gratefully. “Maybe I’ll swing by the coffee shop tomorrow?”
“I’ll be there,” Liana promised.
“Poor girl,” Luke whispered once Lily was out of earshot. “The way she was crying, I was worried something really bad had happened to her. As callous as it sounds, I’m glad it was only a boy problem. I was expecting much worse. She seemed completely distraught.”
“She was. But that said, I remember being Lily’s age. I wasn’t all that different than her,” Liana recalled. “I was melodramatic and tended to over-think things. Hmm, come to think of it, I guess I haven’t changed much at all,” she joked.
“Is that Ray over there?” Luke asked, pointing to a figure near the walking path. He was walking erratically and pausing every so often to punch random trees. Whoever it was, he certainly seemed to be agitated.
“I think it is him,” Liana confirmed, squinting against the midafternoon sun.
“Should we try to calm him down, or should we mind our own business?” Luke wondered.
Suddenly Ray stormed off into the trees, looking furious. He appeared to be muttering to himself under his breath. It was clear he wasn’t taking Lily’s rejection well at all. In fact, his reaction was downright disturbing.
“Where did he go?” Liana asked, shielding her eyes as she scanned the trees.
“I don’t know. I don’t see him anymore,” Luke replied.
“Well I guess that answers your question, doesn’t it? Let’s keep walking,” Liana said. She was glad Ray had disappeared on them. Truthfully, she had no interest in trying to calm down a hotheaded twenty-something with a chip on his shoulder.
She was much more interested in continuing her stroll with Luke. Besides, Liana didn’t like to meddle in other people’s business too much. After all, she didn’t want to turn into a busybody. Sugarcomb Lake already had far too many of those as it was.
Chapter 19
“Hellooooo!” a female voice trilled loudly as the bell above the door jingle
d.
Liana glanced up from the pan of brownies she had been slicing. She saw her parents making their way into the coffee shop. And they were making a beeline for her. Well, her mother was. Her father was being dragged along, by the look of it.
“Liana! Hellooooo!” Anne called again, waving frantically. She was making such a commotion that several customers turned to stare. Liana didn’t know what had gotten into her.
“Hi Mom, hi Dad. What’s going on?” Liana asked cautiously.
Anne plunked down at a stool directly in front of Liana. “I don’t know,” she said with a sly grin on her face. “You tell us!” She rested her head in her hands and stared at Liana expectantly. “We hear you have some news for us!”
Liana stared at her mother blankly. “I do?” She looked to her father for help. “Dad?”
“Can I have some coffee?” Rusty asked.
“Of course,” Liana replied, reaching for a mug.
“That’s okay,” Rusty said, taking the mug from her. “I’ll get it myself.”
“Don’t keep us waiting,” Anne complained, clapping her hands to get Liana’s attention. “I can hardly stand the suspense!” She was practically bouncing up and down with excitement. It was strange behavior even for Anne.
“Dad, what’s gotten into Mom?” Liana asked again.
“Oh look, there are the guys,” Rusty said, nodding at Hank Hanson and Morris Norman. He took his freshly poured coffee and made a hasty exit. Liana couldn’t help but feel he was running away before Anne had a chance to open her mouth.
“Liana!” Anne complained. “Just come out with it already!”
“Come out with what?” Liana asked, genuinely confused.
“I heard you went on a date yesterday!” Anne exclaimed, looking absolutely delighted. “Patricia Porter and I were chatting at the checkout line in the grocery store and she told me all about it. You and Luke Graham went to the football game together!”
“Mom! Keep your voice down!” Liana gasped, terrified someone would overhear.
“Did you have a nice time?” Anne stage whispered.
“Yes. Now can we please stop talking about it?” Liana begged. “I’m trying to work.”
“When are you going to see him again?” Anne demanded. “Don’t play too hard to get, Liana. I know that’s what all the magazines say to do, but you don’t want Luke to get the wrong idea. Let him know you’re interested!”
“Mom, this isn’t the time or place for this conversation,” Liana said through gritted teeth.
“Then come over for dinner tonight,” Anne suggested. “Ooh, and bring Luke!”
“Absolutely not.”
“Why not?” Anne pouted. “I’m your mother! I have a right to get to know your boyfriend!”
“Slow down, Mom. You’re getting way ahead of yourself. We’ve only gone out once. Or maybe twice.” Liana wasn’t quite sure if the outing in Green City counted as a date. But she didn’t want to discuss that with her well-meaning, extremely nosy mother.
“Have you two talked about the future? You can never do that too early,” Anne advised. “You need to find out if you and Luke are compatible right away. That way you won’t waste your time on someone who’s a poor match for you. You’re not getting any younger, you know.”
“Gee, thanks.”
“I’m only trying to help,” Anne insisted, still talking loudly. “It’s my job as your mother to provide you with guidance. Is Luke financially stable? Is he ready to get married? Does he want to have kids?”
“Mother, would you please stop?!” Liana hissed.
Liana was so distracted by her mother’s mortifying behavior that she barely noticed when the bell above the door jingled again. But when she saw Luke approaching the counter, she definitely took notice. She froze, terrified that her mother was going to corner the poor guy and say something wildly inappropriate.
“You’re Luke Graham!” Anne exclaimed.
Liana cursed under her breath.
“Yes, that’s me,” Luke replied.
“It’s been a long time. I remember you from way back when you were small. My, you’re certainly tall now!” Anne chirped, smiling brightly. “I don’t know if you remember me. I’m Anne Campbell...Liana’s mom.”
Liana listened helplessly as her mother began to talk Luke’s ear off. So far, it was innocent enough. But eventually, Anne would probably begin to interrogate the poor fellow. Liana couldn’t have that.
She caught her dad’s eye. Then she frantically pointed at Anne.
Rusty sighed, got up from his seat and came over to retrieve her. “Come on, dear,” he said, gently taking her elbow. “Let’s go say hello to Hank and Morris. You can tell them about our cruise.” He practically had to pull her away.
“Thank you!” Liana mouthed.
Her dad gave her a subtle nod.
“What was that all about?” Luke asked, sitting down in his usual spot at the end of the counter.
“Oh, it was just my mom being my mom,” Liana said dismissively. “Coffee?”
“Yes please. I noticed your roof is missing a few shingles,” Luke said as he took off his jacket.
“Ugh,” Liana groaned. “They must have come off in the wind last night.”
“That’s what I’m thinking. I’ll climb up onto the roof and take care of it for you tomorrow.”
“Thanks,” Liana said gratefully.
“I’m actually here with an ulterior motive,” Luke confessed.
“Oh? And what might that be?”
“I was hoping I could take you out on a proper date,” Luke said. “The football game was fun, and so was the day we spent in Green City. But I’d like to take you on the sort of date where I come to your door to pick you up...the sort of date where I bring you flowers. Is that cheesy?”
“No, it isn’t cheesy,” Liana smiled. “I think it sounds nice.”
“Eight o’clock Friday night?” Luke suggested.
“Okay,” Liana agreed without hesitation.
“Great,” he said, pushing his coffee aside and standing up. “See you then.”
“Wait!” Liana took a deep breath and tried to ignore the fact that her mother was blatantly staring. “You’re not leaving already, are you?” she asked. “You only came in a few minutes ago.” Deep down, she was worried her crazy mother had scared Luke off.
“I wish I could stay, but I can’t. Guess what I let myself get talked into?”
“What?”
“Penny Trembley down at the leisure center convinced me to sign up for a yoga class,” Luke said unenthusiastically. “I don’t know what I was thinking. I am not a yoga guy. I’m not a gym guy at all, end of story. But somehow, she talked me into it. She’s got quite the sales pitch.”
“I’m pretty sure Penny is a master of mind control,” Liana joked. “A while back, she convinced me to sign up for a swim class. I don’t swim. The thought of wearing a bathing suit in front of other people terrifies me. And yet somehow, Penny got me to do it.”
“Did you enjoy the class?” Luke asked.
“Actually, I did. No one was more surprised by that than me! But it was a good time, and a nice change of pace. I bet you’ll enjoy yoga. And if you don’t, you can always fake an injury to get out of it,” Liana winked.
“You’re devious,” Luke teased. “I like it.”
Out of the corner of her eye, Liana saw her mother approaching. Apparently her father had only been able to keep her distracted for so long. Now, she was closing in like a wolf stalking its prey. Liana just knew Anne was going to do or say something embarrassing.
“Well, you’d better go,” Liana told Luke quickly. “You don’t want to be late for your class. Have fun!” She practically shooed him out the door so that her mother wouldn’t be able to corner him again. It was for his own good.
“He left already?” Anne asked as she stared after Luke, sounding disappointed.
“He had an appointment.”
“You two looked like you
were having a nice conversation,” Anne said. Then she waited expectantly, as though she thought Liana would give her a detailed play-by-play of everything that had been said.
It didn’t happen.
Instead, Liana began to clear dirty dishes off a nearby table.
When Anne realized Liana was done discussing the matter, she changed the subject. “Your father has taken quite a shine to your cat,” Anne announced. “And vice versa. Look at the two of them. They’re cuddling up a storm!”
Liana glanced over in her dad’s direction and smiled. He and Fluffy looked like best buddies.
“Does Luke get along with your cat?” Anne asked.
“Mom!” Liana sighed in frustration. “Would you please stop with the Luke questions?”
“I was only asking,” Anne said defensively.
Liana’s patience was wearing thin. Anne could definitely be overbearing at times. Even though she meant well, sometimes she got annoying. Liana decided to stop engaging and focus on her work. Hopefully her mother would take the hint.
“Liana,” Anne said, following her across the restaurant.
“What?!” Liana exploded, whirling around.
“I found this on the floor over by the window,” Anne said, holding up a black leather wallet. “Should I check and see who it belongs to?”
“I guess so,” Liana nodded, instantly feeling guilty for snapping.
Anne opened the wallet and rummaged through it. “It’s Luke’s,” she announced. “Ooh, and his driver’s license photo is actually quite flattering!” she said, holding it up. “I wish mine looked this good. I had mine retaken four times and still don’t like it.”
“Don’t snoop,” Liana scolded.
Anne reluctantly put the driver’s license back. “Luke must have forgotten his wallet here.”
“I’d better return it to him before he notices it’s missing and freaks out,” Liana said.
“I’ll take it to him!” Anne offered eagerly.
“You will do no such thing,” Liana informed her sternly. “If you really want to help, you can watch the coffee shop for me while I run Luke’s wallet back to him. I shouldn’t be long. All I need you to do is pour coffee and make sure no one lets Fluffy out.”
Strawberry Shortcake to Die For (A Liana Campbell Cozy Mystery Book 2) Page 13
