Once again his eyebrows raise which instantly clue me in to my error. And once again, I’ve just revealed that I know something about this sport. I need to think fast. “I’m just assuming of course.” Maybe that will cover up my faux pas.
“Of course.” His tone implies anything but. “Storm and Renney were only thinking in the moment. They weren’t thinking about forty-year anniversaries back then.”
“Guess not.”
“So, anyway, Dad wants me to hit the track that week.”
I continue to relax as the conversation proceeds. Court will be at the track. The girls and I will be here. My dad will still be none the wiser. “So, I guess you’re going.”
He leans against the desk, and I love how he looks in his black slacks and gray button up shirt. Once again, he’s barely rolled up his sleeves. He’s also loosened his tie just a little. Everything about him screams expensive.
And hot.
“We’re going.”
“We’re?”
He points at me then back at himself. “Yes. We’re. And Bristol and Darling. We’ll make it fun.”
Fun? His idea of fun and my idea of fun are different. My dad. My dad.
Those are the only words running through my mind.
They start to slow realizing my dad and I will not be traveling in the same circles at the race track. My life goal achieved.
But I never thought I’d be at any race track at the any time.
My nightmare achieved.
“How will it be fun for us if you are working?”
“Have you ever been to a race?”
“Are you kidding me?” I didn’t mean for it to come across sounding negative, but his expression indicates it was.
“Well, then, you are in for an experience. The girls will be excited, but we’re not telling them until it’s closer to the time. We won’t be able to live with them if we tell them now.”
We’re. We. The words roll out of his mouth like they are nothing. Like we’re a couple making a decision together.
“It should be interesting.” My gaze drifts to the homeschool information still sitting on Court’s desk. The file folders filled with mostly useless information. That whole thing is interesting as well.
The checks and financial statements are gone. Must be at the office.
“We’ll stay in the motor home. We won’t have a cook though. You up for that? I’m still thinking of your fried chicken.”
“I don’t think a motor home is the best place to be frying chicken.”
“You haven’t seen this motor home. You’ll think you are in a house.”
I place my hands on either side of my head. Like pushing on it will erase this conversation we’ve just had. I can’t believe the turn this has taken.
I’m actually going to be at a NASCAR race with the family that made the sport famous.
And I can’t tell a soul.
MESSAGE
MRS. STRATTON shakes her head at the sound of the garage door opening.
At mid-afternoon once again.
“Two days in a row that man has come home early.” She narrows her eyes at me, but not in a bad way.
More like a suspicious way.
The girls are watching a movie in their room and I am grabbing a snack since I somehow missed eating lunch.
I look away from Mrs. Stratton, finding my gaze drifting toward the hallway that Court will be walking up momentarily. Unbelievably, I find myself counting the seconds until he appears.
Whoa. Where did that come from and why?
I try to shift my gaze, but that doesn’t last. As I focus back on the hallway, he appears, once again dressed impeccably.
“Ladies?”
“Hello, Mr. Treyhune. To what do we owe the unexpected pleasure of your early arrival for the second day in a row?” Mrs. Stratton tone drips sarcasm.
He drops some mail on the counter. “Since the rain has cleared out, I thought I’d take my girls to the boardwalk, grab an early dinner, and hang out.”
While I feel a pang of disappointment in not being included, I realize I’ll actually have some time to myself. Time that I’m not supposed to be sleeping. It will be nice. Maybe I can make a couple of phone calls. Catch up on my social media that I’ve been totally ignoring since seeing a picture of Dale and his new girl on a mutual friend’s page.
Insensitive friend.
Dale’s friend whom I’ve since unfriended.
“So,” he starts, looking at me, “if you can get the girls ready, we’ll leave in about thirty minutes. I need to answer a couple of emails that came over while I was driving and then change my clothes.”
“Sure. They’re watching a movie, but they’ll be much more excited to go with you.”
His hand inches toward mine on the counter, but stops short of touching me. “What about you? Are you excited?”
Smiling, I wonder why he made the effort to move close to me, but didn’t touch me. “I’m excited about having a couple of hours to myself, I guess.”
“Yourself? You’re going to ditch us once we get there?”
“Oh.” My hand retracts to my lap, removing all possibility of touching him. “I thought you were just taking Team Twin.”
“Team Twin?”
He laughs as I remember that I haven’t clued him in on my nickname for the girls. “Yeah. Team Twin. Do you like it?”
“I do. It sounds like you.”
Mrs. Stratton clears her throat. Both Court and I look at her. We can’t see her face as she is not facing us, but it looks like her shoulders are tensed up.
Did Court’s words cause that?
Court walks over to Mrs. Stratton. He places his hands on the counter next to where she is standing. “I hope you’re not in the middle of making us some big, fancy dinner.”
Her knife makes a loud noise as it scrapes the cutting board. “No. I’m cutting vegetables. They’ll keep until tomorrow night. You go and have your date night with your girls.”
The way she says the word girls makes my body tingle. Like I’m Court’s girl. I like the way my body tingles, though.
The doorbell rings, squelching all thoughts of tingling. Mrs. Stratton sets the knife on the cutting board before wiping her hands on a towel she has hanging from her apron.
“I’ll get it,” Court says.
Mrs. Stratton resumes cutting whatever green vegetable she was cutting while Court heads to the door. As he passes by me, his cool, crisp scent breezes by making me think of the word tingle all over again.
The sound of Jared’s voice squelches it.
When Court and Jared walk into the kitchen I try to smile.
Jared’s presence puts a damper on the mood that Court created by talking about a fun evening out. Maybe Jared won’t stay long.
“How’s my Stones date?” He walks to me and gives me a hug, drenching me with his overpowering scent. I hug him back, reluctantly, remembering Court’s words about being jealous.
I find myself very aware of Court’s tension that I’m sure Jared doesn’t know exists. I would like to think it’s all about me, but I think there’s more to it.
“You have the day off?” Court asks.
“Not the day. Got to work at the crack of dawn. But I’m off the rest of the day. Good behavior.”
“I’m sure.” Court’s light tone sounds forced.
“So, I thought I’d come by and see what was shaking around here. I’m surprised to find you here, actually,” Jared says to Court.
“I live here.”
“Noted. You also normally work fifteen hour days.”
“Noted,” Court replies. “So you thought I wouldn’t be here.”
“Busted.”
“Well, you may have the afternoon off, but Shelby doesn’t. She’s working for a few more hours.”
Jared laughs. “Come on. All work isn’t good for anybody.”
“Shelby likes her work.” Court’s tone challenges Jared to disagree.
Not wanting to b
e drawn into this conversation, I take this opportunity to scoot down the hall where the girls are watching the movie. When I tell them we are going out, they jump up, turn the movie off and start putting on their shoes.
“Go brush your hair—teeth if you didn’t this morning.” Their hair is coming along, but I’m still in awe of the situation. And, I don’t tell them their dad is home yet. I would lose any sort of authority I have right now.
I’m still in my room stalling when the girls burst in.
“We’re ready. Where are we going?”
“It’s a surprise, Bristol.” As I speak her name I realize I didn’t look down at the band to see who was speaking.
A small sense of accomplishment washes over me. I look at the girls realizing there are small differences that I now notice. Bristol tends to keep her hair tucked behind her ears, while Darling’s is always hanging close to her face. Bristol’s eyes have more of a defiant, narrowed look than wide-eyed Darling’s.
“Look who’s home.”
Court’s voice breaks into my Team Twin perusal. The girls run to Court as I finish putting my hair in a ponytail.
“Uncle Jared is here, too.”
As I turn toward the door, the girls leave Court and latch on to Jared who is standing in the hall. Court’s gaze catches mine. I know it’s only seconds that pass, but his gaze sends a message that my heart understands, changing it forever.
It’s as if a million words were spoken and many years passed by.
When I meet Court as he stands in my doorway, he takes my hand in his. As our fingers intertwine, and our palms meet, life makes sense for the first time.
He squeezes my hand before letting it go, and I know that squeeze is the beginning of something beautiful.
Before I can contemplate the tragedy of how the something beautiful will end, Team Twin rushes us. I know they didn’t see Court hold my hand, but as I look over at Jared, I can’t be sure if his gaze is hardened, or if I’m imagining it.
“Let’s go,” Court says, as he points down the hall. “There are entirely too many people in this hallway.”
Jared leads the way to the garage, Team Twin behind him. Court motions for me to go in front of him.
He places his hands on my shoulders as we walk down the hall, dropping them when Jared reaches the door to the garage.
I guess this something beautiful is going to be a secret something beautiful.
I’m just not sure who we are keeping it a secret from.
Jared or Team Twin.
Or both.
THE BOARDWALK ISN’T crowded on this late Tuesday afternoon. No, the only place there is too many people is in our group.
One too many.
Jared.
Jared who has tried a couple of times to pull me away from Court and the girls.
I notice Court noticing.
Whoa, this has become complicated.
Keeping the girls in line is simple compared to the tug of war between Court and Jared.
And I’m the rope.
“So, the Stones concert is Friday night. I’ll pick you up at six. That way we can have dinner before the show.” Jared’s voice is loud, like he wants to make sure we all hear him. Even Court.
My stomach drops and I speak before thinking. “I don’t get off work until at least seven. After the girls eat. Then it all depends on what time Court gets home.”
Jared playfully punches Court in the forearm. “Court’s coming home early that night, aren’t you buddy.”
“I’ll try. That’s the best I can do.”
“It’ll happen.” Jared speaks his words confidently.
To say our group is garnishing looks as people pass by would be an understatement. These two guys are gorgeous and I wonder how many people know who Court is.
No one has asked for any autographs yet, but I’m not counting it out.
I’m trying to focus on Bristol and Darling. With my mind spinning way too many amazing thoughts of Court, then trying to keep Jared at bay, my task is difficult, but doable.
Right now Bristol is holding my left hand while Darling is holding my right hand.
The girls flourish in the presence of their father. They are ten times more well behaved. Bristol’s eyes become less narrowed, while Darling’s are not so wide-eyed.
It’s like they are little girls with a simple mission of being little girls when Court is around.
Court and Jared are walking behind us. Occasionally the breeze will blow the scents of their cologne my way, Jared’s overpowering Court’s. But I’m more aware of Court’s.
“It’s hot.” Bristol tugs on my arm. “Can we get something to drink?”
I kind of turn my head to look at Court. Any excuse will do. “The girls are thirsty.”
“Looks like some lemonade to our left just up ahead.”
“Yeah!”
The girls release my grasp and take off toward the picture of the oversized lemon.
“So Jared,” Court starts. “Any luck in finding more information on the loss of profits?”
“I haven’t found much, but it looks like June is on track with the March statement.”
“We’re selling more cars. Of course June will be up. It should run away from March.”
“Exactly. It’s on track for doing that. Running away with it. Profit will be up. Way up.”
I struggle to keep my mouth closed. While my eyes are watching Team Twin, not letting them out of my sight, my ears are hearing Jared’s attempt at pacifying Court regarding his business.
I hope Court hears what I’m hearing and he’s not letting Jared’s vague explanations ring true.
But Jared is his best friend. Is Court’s judgment clouded by that fact? Court obviously has issues with the fact that Jared never let on that he knew MaryLeigh from their childhood, but this talk is about the business.
Court’s business.
Jared touches my forearm with his index finger. “Looks like you are getting burnt. Did you put any sunscreen on?”
I watch as my reddened skin turns white where the pressure of his finger was. The white fades and I have to admit that I didn’t put on any sunscreen.
Nor did I put any on Bristol and Darling.
Bad nanny.
“I guess I forgot.” I don’t add anything about forgetting Team Twin.
Jared points to a souvenir shop. “I’ll run in there and buy some.”
“That’s not necessary,” I say, but Jared is already on his way.
“Lemonade?” Court asks, as his gaze follows Jared.
“Sure.”
Bristol and Darling are standing next to me while Court purchases our cool drinks.
“Not thirsty?” I ask as he passes small drinks to the girls and a larger one to me.
“I thought we might share.” He holds up two paper-wrapped straws.
“Okay.”
The small drinks already have straws in them. He unwraps one straw and jams it through the hole. As he unwraps the other straw it drops out of his hand. He reaches down, picks it up then tosses it into the trash can. “Whoops. Guess we have to share.”
“Guess so,” I say, matching his smile.
His eyes dance with mine and for a moment I think we are the only two people on this earth.
“Jared to the rescue with sunscreen.”
Jared’s voice reminds me there are other people on the planet. I hold out my free hand offering to take the sunscreen. “Thanks.”
“No.” Jared holds tightly onto the bottle. “Let me.”
“I don’t think so, my friend.” Court holds out his hand, his intention clear. “She’s my nanny.”
MISERABLE
THE WORD I WOULD use to describe Court’s gaze is smoldering.
I’m not sure what word Jared would use.
Team Twin?
They’re happy in their lemonade and oblivious to the adult drama being played out a foot away from them.
Court takes the bottle from Jared. “And she’s
capable of putting on her own sunscreen.” He switches the bottle for the drink.
“Then I need to put some on the girls.” Drama resolved, but my arms were looking forward to Court’s touch in those few seconds I thought he was going to offer to lathe the lotion on me.
“I see how it is.” Jared laughs like we are all playing a joke. The thing is, we all know it’s not a joke, but a power play.
As much as I’ll admit to myself I’m attracted to Court, and I feel like he’s attracted to me, that’s not something the world needs to know. Jared being part of the world.
So, what is looking like a power play isn’t really one. But the stress of it is still there.
“The lemonade is good, Daddy.”
Darling nods as Bristol speaks.
After rubbing lotion on my arms, then the girls, I try to hand it back to Jared.
“No. Keep it. My treat.”
“Thanks.” I drop the lotion into my purse firmly aware of Jared’s frustration.
And considering he invited himself along, I don’t care that he’s frustrated.
Another part of me is thankful that he came by. I’m not sure what passed between me and Court would have passed if it wasn’t for Jared’s impromptu visit.
PEEKING INTO BRISTOL’S room, I see the girls sound asleep, their hair spread across the bed. If I thought I could get away with it, I’d take my brush in there and handle that situation.
But I know there’s no way that would go unnoticed.
Besides, the anticipation of being alone with Court after today’s events has my anticipation level at heights I’ve never known.
Even with Dale.
If I told Mama all this she would say it was the Lord working. She would say He made sure Dale and I didn’t get married because Dale wasn’t the one I was supposed to be with for the rest of my life.
Look at my mind. Going here and there. Places just weeks ago I never thought it would go again.
And I may be keyed up for nothing. I have no idea where Court is. He might have even gone to bed.
But I doubt it.
I hope not.
I walk into the kitchen, the silence indicating there is no one around.
Before a sense of total disappointment can engulf me, I notice the door to the terrace not quite shut.
Rich in Faith (Richness in Faith, Book 3) Page 12
