A Change of Heart (Perfect Indiana#3)

by Barbara Longley

  A barrage of hot, angry tears flooded her eyes, and she swallowed hard as embarrassment filled the vacuum left by the receding flash of anger. “I…I’m sorry. You’re not to blame for any of this, and—”

  “Don’t apologize. It doesn’t bother me when you let all that anger out. Use me as a sounding board whenever you feel the need.” He pulled onto the frontage road. “So, it’s just you and your mom, huh?”

  He didn’t leap out of the car and run from her tirade, and once again his even-tempered, calm demeanor soothed her. What did he really think? Did he see her for the box of nuts she truly was? She hoped not. Forcing her tone out of the shrill and crazy range and back into normal, or as normal as she could pretend to be, she answered, “Yeah. Pretty much.”

  She rooted around in her purse for the small package of tissues to wipe the smeared mascara from under her eyes. Her mother already worried enough. Cory didn’t want to show up for dinner looking like she’d been crying. Even if she had. She drew in a deep breath, let it out slowly and brought her nerves back under control. “There it is. Home.”

  The dilapidated sign with the half-dead pine trees planted on either side came into view. Truly cringeworthy. “Head left. We’re the fourth one down, the double-wide with the small wooden deck built onto the front.” They passed the rusty playground and the graffiti-covered wooden fence separating the park from the trucking company next door. “I win.”

  Ted shook his head. “It’s old and a little run-down, yeah, but other than the graffiti on the fence, which is obviously nothing more than adolescent self-expression, I’m not seeing a ton of booze bottles littering the ground, or rusted-out cars and junk lying around in anyone’s yard. The park is neat, just worn.” He pulled into the gravel parking spot next to her mother’s car. “It looks to me like it’s a pretty decent community.”

  Cory thought about her mom and the neighbors she’d grown up with, especially the Holts. True enough. They were a community of hardworking folks who didn’t quite make middle class. Sure, there were a few oddballs who were social dropouts and rebels in their own minds, but they all looked out for one another and had been there for one another during tough times. “It’s true. I remember trick-or-treating here on Halloween. Our neighbors went out of their way to make it special for the kids who lived here. Lots of the moms made homemade treats for us, popcorn balls, caramel apples, and fudge. It is a tight community. I think that’s why my mom stays. Her friends and support system are here.”

  “Exactly. Worn but not beaten.” Ted grinned before climbing out of the truck. He came around to her side, opening the door for her. “I think we have a tie on our hands.”

  “Maybe,” she conceded, just as the loud rumble of a semi downshifting on the interstate filled the air. “Don’t forget the noise.”

  “Don’t forget the smell.”

  “Don’t forget the trailer trash stigma.” Her chin came up.

  He shot her another grin. “Hog farmer here.”

  The front door of the trailer opened, and her mother’s warm smile beamed their way. “You two come on in now. Supper’s ready.”

  Cory hurried up the steps of the deck and gave her mom a quick hug before turning to introduce Ted. “This is Ted Lovejoy. Ted, this is my mom, Claire Marcel.”

  “Call me Claire,” her mom said as she stepped back so they could enter. “Welcome.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Claire.” Ted inhaled audibly. “Mmm, it smells delicious in here.”

  It did smell good, and the mouthwatering scents weren’t coming from the huge slow cooker permanently positioned on the kitchen counter. Cory looked at the stove, where a few pots and pans with lids simmered on low. A covered basket sat in the middle of their dinette table, which had been set with place mats and wineglasses. Wow. Her mother had gone all out. “What did you make?”

  “Chicken Marsala, fresh green beans and garlic mashed potatoes,” she trilled. “Cory, honey, there’s a bottle of Chardonnay in the door of the fridge. Will you get that for me while I transfer all of this to the table?”

  “Sure.” She set her lemon bars on the counter, opened the refrigerator door, and took the bottle from the bottom compartment of the door. “When did you go all gourmet on me?” Snatching the corkscrew from the counter on her way, she brought them both to the table and opened the wine, then filled the glasses around the table.

  Her mom grinned at her from where she stood by the stove. “We have a new cook where I work. He used to be a chef at a fancy restaurant in town, but when the recession hit, the place went under. He’s lookin’ for a new job, but in the meantime, he’s workin’ at the truck stop and teachin’ me how to cook.”

  “You’re dating?” Cory noticed Ted studying the shadow box mounted on the living room wall. Her father’s military portrait, the flag that had been draped over his casket and the medals he’d earned had been mounted on a backing of navy-blue velvet. “That’s my dad.”

  He turned to look at her for a second before going back to the portrait. “I can see the resemblance. You have his dark eyes and hair.”

  “That’s my Joe. His grandmama was Cherokee, like that Johnny Depp fella,” her mom said as she placed a steaming platter on the dinette. “My husband made the ultimate sacrifice for our country durin’ the Gulf War, and not a day goes by that I don’t still miss that man.” She glanced at Cory. “And yes. I’m dating the chef, but it’s not serious.”

  “It wouldn’t bother me if it were serious, Mom. There’s no reason you shouldn’t remarry.” This was a well-trod discussion, one they’d had many times during her childhood. Her mother was a very attractive woman with a lot to offer. She should’ve remarried years ago, and though she dated plenty, she’d never settled down.

  “If I ever find a man who makes me feel the way your daddy did, I will.” Her mom went back to the stove and filled a serving bowl with string beans. “But that’s not likely to happen. A love like the one I had with Joe is a rare thing, and only comes along once in a lifetime. Come on now, and sit down.”

  “How old were you when you lost your dad, Cory?” Ted walked to the dinette and settled into a chair.

  “I was three.” She took the place across from him. “I barely remember him. All I have left are vague impressions of being held in his arms, or being tossed in the air and caught again on the way down. Occasionally I’ll hear a man’s voice similar to his, and it triggers a few shadowy memories, but that’s about it. We do have lots of pictures, though.”

  Her mom passed the platter of chicken, and Cory helped herself. “We moved here from Virginia shortly after his death. He’s the reason I decided to go into the army. My dad was a decorated war hero.”

  “I saw the medals.”

  The warmth in his eyes when they met hers sent butterflies fluttering around inside her stomach. Did he understand? Wanting to be closer to the father she’d lost had been the impetus behind many of the decisions she’d made over the years. Doing well in school, keeping out of trouble, joining the army and getting her college degree—she’d done all of it to follow in his footsteps. She wanted to make him proud, wanted to believe he was somewhere watching over her.

  Without a doubt, her father had loved her. They had tons of pictures of him with his arms around his family, the look of affectionate pride on his face undeniable, but it didn’t make up for the years without him. Nothing could make up for that kind of emptiness.

  He turned to her mother. “How did you and Joe meet?”

  That question was one of her mom’s favorite topics, and the two of them chatted away like old friends as they ate their dinner. Ted showed genuine interest in the one person who mattered the most in her world, and that opened up a tight place in her heart.

  “Is that a cribbage board over there?” Ted gestured toward the bookshelves holding all her mom’s romance novels. Their old wooden cribbage board sat next to a deck of cards.

  “It surely is.” Her mom lit up like a birthday cake candle. “Do you play
?”

  “I do. Around my house, they call me twenty-hand,” he boasted with a competitive glint. “Are the two of you interested in playing a game after we’re done with dinner?”

  “That sounds like a great idea.” Her mom practically bounced in her chair. “We can have our coffee and dessert while I kick your butts.”

  “Oh, brother.” Cory smirked. “You have no idea what you’ve just unleashed. My mom is wicked sharp when it comes to cribbage, and she’s no slouch in the competitiveness department either.”

  “Oh?” His enthusiasm rose a visible notch. “Care to make a wager?”

  She laughed. “What is it with you and wagers, anyway?” The heat in his answering gaze siphoned all the air from her lungs and sent her heart racing.

  “Wagers are how I get my way.” His eyes, with all their heated intensity, never left hers. “I always win.”

  She blinked. “Well…”

  “Well what?” He blinked back at her with a heart-stopping smile.

  She opened her mouth to reply, realized she didn’t have anything to say, and shut it again. Wasn’t this a new and unexpected glimpse into his character. Who knew? For the most part, Ted came off as affable and laid-back. But right now? He practically pulsed with determination and self-assurance. The scary part was—this side of Ted turned her on. She didn’t want to be turned on, didn’t want to set foot on that path, because it could only lead to monumental disaster. What was he up to, anyway?

  “What kind of wager are we talkin’ here?” her mom interjected, dispelling the tension.

  “If I lose, I get to take you two lovely ladies out to a fancy restaurant for dinner, because I can’t cook a lick.”

  His sheepish look stirred her insides into a gooey mess, and he searched her face as if he could read what was going on inside her head. He set his fork down and rubbed his stomach. “If I win, you two have to cook me another fantastic dinner like the one we’re enjoying this evening—complete with lemon bars.”

  “Are my mom and I a team? If we are, that puts you at an unfair disadvantage.”

  “Not really.” He leveled another hot look at her and lifted an eyebrow. “Either way I win.”

  Oh, man. I’m in trouble. She opened her mouth to decline just as her mom jumped in.

  “You’re on.” She started clearing the dishes from the table. “Cory, make the coffee while I put those lemon bars on a plate.”

  This mutual attraction thing was spinning out of her control, and she had to find a way to put on the brakes. OK. Rein it in. It was just dinner, and her mother would be there, for crying out loud. She spooned coffee grounds into the filter and started the coffee machine.

  Ted was one of those people who possessed an overabundance of compassion. Plus he was a really nice guy who tended toward random acts of kindness. He obviously enjoyed her mother’s company, and he was just being friendly. That’s all. The heat she glimpsed in his eyes? Probably all in her overactive imagination. Right? Gulp.

  His friendship was important to her, and growing more so every day. She didn’t want to wreck what they had by crossing a line. She couldn’t cope with anything more intimate than what they now shared. Right after their bowling night, she’d lay it all out for him. Surely he’d understand.

  He’d blown it, come on too strong, and now Cory wouldn’t look at him. She fussed around the kitchen as if she didn’t know what to do with herself. Time to dial it back. He needed to fly under her radar or she’d freak, but dammit, he couldn’t help himself. He was still on a high from the way she’d opened up to him earlier, and he loved seeing her here with her mom. Tonight he’d gotten to know a relaxed, affectionate side of Cory as she sat across from him to share a meal. He wanted more, and he wanted to be on the receiving end.

  He was bound to slip up and let his feelings for her show. Especially after a few glasses of Chardonnay. Better quit with the wine. Ted stood up, gathered the remaining dirty dishes, including his wineglass, and brought them to the sink. “That was an excellent dinner, Claire. Thank you.”

  “My pleasure.” Claire patted his shoulder. “You’re welcome to come for supper anytime. Thank you for putting a smile on my girl’s face.”

  “Mom…” Cory’s cheeks turned an attractive shade of dusky rose.

  “Can I help with the dishes?” he asked.

  “No. They’ll keep. Once I put these leftovers away, we’ll play cribbage.” Claire nodded toward the bookshelf. “You can get the board.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” He fetched the cards and board and set them on the table.

  “Do you want coffee?” Cory approached, holding three steaming mugs by the handles.

  “Sure.” He accepted the cup she handed him. “And I’d love one or two of those lemon bars.”

  “Help yourself.” Claire set the plate of bars and a stack of napkins down before taking a seat. “Let’s play. Cut for crib.”

  The next hour flew by, and Ted enjoyed the banter while he let the two Marcel women believe they could best him. He hadn’t decided yet which would be better: another home-cooked meal in an environment where Cory could relax, or impressing them both by taking the two out for an expensive meal at a classy restaurant. When it got right down to it, their financial circumstances helped him decide, plus, he couldn’t wait to spend more time alone with Cory as he drove her home. He threw potential points to the crib hands and let Cory and her mother win. “That’s it. You won.”

  “Did we?” Cory shot him a skeptical look. “For all that bragging you did earlier, I’d expect you to know better than to feed us points in the crib the way you did those last few hands.”

  He shrugged, stood up and stretched. “You want a rematch?”

  “Not tonight. It’s getting late, and in case you aren’t aware, I have to work tomorrow.” She grinned. “Don’t wanna upset my boss by oversleeping and showing up late.”

  “Good point.” He turned to Cory’s mother. “Mrs. Marcel, thank you again for a wonderful evening. I’m looking forward to taking the two of you to dinner. Talk to Cory and figure out a date that works for the two of you, and I’ll make the reservation.”

  “I surely am looking forward to that myself, and I enjoyed the evening too.” Claire rose from her place and brought the plate of lemon bars to the counter. “Cory, I’m keeping two of these bars and sending the rest home with you. Otherwise I’ll eat them all.”

  Cory grabbed her purse from the edge of the couch and accepted the plastic container from her mom. “That’s fine. I’ll bring the rest into work tomorrow for the production crew.” She gave her mom another hug. “Dinner was amazing. Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome, baby.” Claire hugged her back. “I’m glad we did this tonight. Let’s do it again real soon.”

  “We will. Good night, Mom.”

  Ted followed Cory to the front door. Once they were on their way, he turned to smile at her. “I had a wonderful time, and your mom is great. I like her a lot.”

  “We’re even.” She grinned back. “I like your family too.”

  “So I guess we’ll split the check at the truck stop. Maybe Paige and the rest of the crew would be interested in joining us. Does Friday sound good?”

  “I’d like that. Friday works fine.” A happy sigh escaped her, or at least it sounded happy to him, and she settled into her seat for the ride home.

  Satisfaction and triumph thrummed through him. The evening had gone far better than he’d hoped. Cory had opened up to him, and right now she sat beside him without needing the windows of his truck open or the pepper spray in her hand. All good. If this were a normal date, he’d kiss her good night. The thought sent his blood rushing, heating his insides to a feverish pitch.

  “What are you thinking about, Ted?” she asked. “You look as if you’re concentrating pretty hard over there.”

  Hard? Oh, yeah. He was hard all right, and desperately trying to change the direction his thoughts were taking. “I was just thinking about how much I enjoyed seeing you so re
laxed this evening.” He slid her a sideways glance. “Happy looks good on you.”

  “It was fun.” A half smile lit her face. “Thanks for being so nice to my mom.”

  “You don’t have to thank me. I really did enjoy her company. Her accent is different. Where’s she from?”

  “She grew up on a farm in the Appalachians near Wheeling, West Virginia.”

  “Ah, that explains it. I’m looking forward to taking the two of you to dinner. It’s not every day a guy like me gets to show off two pretty women on the same date.”

  “It’s not a date.” She tensed. “It’s a wager, like the truck stop.”

  Damn, she turned prickly at the speed of light. “I was trying to pay you and your mother a compliment.” Ted gripped the steering wheel and cast a frown her way. “Would dating me be so horrible?” Her chin lowered, and she worked her lower lip between her teeth. His heart rolled over and played possum. Dumb question. He didn’t really want to hear the answer. “Forget I said that.”

  “No, Ted. I want to answer.” She swallowed a few times and lifted her anguished eyes to his. “Under normal circumstances, dating you would be a dream come true.”

  His heart turned over again, soaring this time.

  “But these aren’t normal circumstances, and you deserve better.” Her voice hitched. “I…I don’t have anything to offer. I’m messed up. I can’t even consider dating anyone right now.”

  “Don’t I get a say?”

  She shook her head and turned to face the window. “Don’t waste your time waiting for me to make it to normal.”

  Damn. His heart couldn’t take much more of this flip-flopping around. He felt like a fish on the bottom of a rowboat, bruised and gasping. “You aren’t a waste of time, Cory. You’ve only been with L&L a little over a month, and already you’re much less skittish and more relaxed. Time.” He nodded to himself. “You just need more time.”

  The Langfords’ driveway came into view, and he turned onto the gravel, pulling up alongside their minivan. He hurried out so he could open the door for her. “I have an idea.”