She scampered ahead of him, not stopping until her rear was firmly planted on a bar stool in the dim building.
Buddy pulled a frosty mug from the freezer and plopped it in front of her.
She nudged it away. “I don’t drink.”
He sighed and pulled out a shot glass, filling it with a golden liquid. “Like cinnamon?” he questioned.
“Sure.”
He set it in front of her. “Try it.”
Lily stared at it a moment before she slammed it down. She winced as it burned but Buddy was right. It was good. She glanced up from the shot.
He leaned across the bar towards her. “So now, tell me. Why did you break Reese’s heart?”
She glanced around the bar. “Where is he?”
“Rehab in Waterloo. Answer my question.”
Lily gazed down at the stained wood of the bar. “I was looking for Reese. It was about a week ago. I had finally gotten the courage to talk to my dad about us. Before I stepped in here, I looked through the door. I could see him laughing and hugging your waitress. She kissed him on the cheek a couple of times.”
Buddy gasped and then started laughing. “That’s why you dumped him?”
“Why wouldn’t I? I was obviously just a fling to him.”
The door to the bar was flung open.
Lily squinted against the sunlight to see who stepped in. Her heart slammed in her chest. It wasn’t Reese but the waitress who she saw him with. The girl was juggling an armful of bags of pretzel buns from Merryn’s bakery down the street. She glanced from Buddy to Lily as she dropped the bags on the closest table. “What’s up?”
“Jenny, why did I hire you?” Buddy interrogated.
“Because my charming personality brings our customers back and makes you loads of money.”
“The other reason, smartass.”
“Because my cousin is your best friend.”
“And your cousin is?”
“Reese, you moron.”
Buddy grinned at Lily. “Make sense now?”
Lily stared at Jenny as her stomach rolled. “I know your entire family, Jenny. They’re not related to Howard Cooper.”
“True. But my mom was Beth Cooper’s sister,” Jenny returned.
Lily frowned. “Was?”
“Aunt Beth left when Reese was one and a half. She didn’t want to be a wife and mother. They found her six years later, dead in a motel with another guy in Oklahoma City. It was a murder-suicide I guess. Howard blamed Reese for her leaving. It of course didn’t have to do with his drinking and sleeping around. Here.” Jenny hurried around the bar to get her purse. She rummaged around inside, pulling out an old photo of three children swinging in the park, two girls and a boy. A woman stood near them. “That’s my mom. The girl on the left is my older sister, Jane. I’m in the middle. The boy is Reese. Howard would drop him off at our house for weeks at a time. Told my mom that he was her problem since her sister left Reese with him. My mom had to call human services and report him for him to come get Reese. It was probably better for him just to stay with us. It took days for him to speak to anyone.”
Lily gazed at the photo as she lovingly brushed her fingertips over the image of the boy.
Jenny slipped onto the barstool next to her. “He’s told me all about you. I mean, I already knew who you were. I’ve never seen Reese like this. He’s so crazy in love. Lily, whatever stupid thing my cousin did, please forgive him. He really loves you.”
Lily glanced over and smiled at Jenny. “It was my fault. I overreacted. He’s not to blame.”
They both turned as the glass door of the bar opened. Reese stood, blocking the sun, not taking a step further.
Buddy grinned at him. “Come have a seat. Lily and I are having shots of Fireball.”
“Not interested.” Reese’s voice was barely audible. The slight scent of athletic medical crème breezed through the bar. “Just bringing back the keys to your truck. I’m going home. I’m sore and tired.”
Buddy grabbed another shot glass, filling it and Lily’s with the cinnamon whiskey. He cocked his head at Jenny. “Come on, chica. Let’s go put those rolls away and leave these two alone.”
“Sure thing, boss.” Jenny squeezed Lily’s hand as she stood. She and Buddy quickly gathered the bags together and disappeared into the kitchen.
Lily stared at the shot glass as she felt her nerves quake. There was silence. The door never opened or closed and the smell of crème was growing stronger. She wasn’t alone. Taking a big breath to gather her courage, she turned in her seat to face Reese. “I’m sorry. I jumped to conclusions. I saw you with Jenny and didn’t know she was your cousin. I was just afraid that you just wanted to fool around. I was so scared to be with you because I was already so in love with you and when you leave, it’ll rip my heart out. But I guess I don’t need to worry about it now because I ruined everything. I just want you to know, Reese, that I really, really love you. I always have. I know it’s too late but I do. And I always will love you. No matter what.”
The room fell quiet again.
Reese stared at the opposite wall, his face set like stone.
Lily sighed miserably as she stood from the stool and shuffled to the door. “I’m sorry,” she mumbled as she passed, reaching for the handle to push the door open.
The cold metal of the handle scraped her fingers as she was enveloped in two strong arms. She felt Reese bury his face in her hair. She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and hugged him close.
“People have kicked me out of their lives since I can remember,” Reese began, his voice rumbling deep in her ear. “I learned a long time ago not to care, not to get attached. That was until you. When you walked out, Lily, I’ve never felt pain like that. I never felt like giving up until then. Please, Baby. Don’t ever walk out on me again. I can’t take it. I love you, Lily.”
“Never again. I promise,” she vowed.
They held each other in silence.
Finally, Reese shifted a little. “What’s in your hand?” he asked.
Lily gazed down at her hands, finding the photo Jenny showed her still clenched in her fingers. She raised it so Reese could see it. “This? It’s a photo Jenny had in a purse of the two of you and her sister.”
Reese peered down at the photograph and visibly winced. “Jenny! Seriously! Why do you have this?”
Lily frowned. “What’s wrong with it?”
“The day my uncle took this picture I might have snuck into my aunt and uncle’s freezer and ate an entire box of Popsicles. Then I decided to swing so hard I could flip the swing over the bar. That little puddle under my swing? Yeah. That’s my puke. Does my sweet cousin have a picture of me with my last belt I won? Heck, does she have my senior photo? Nope. Just the one after I threw up.”
“Because it reminds me of you, brat.” Jenny grinned as she strolled out of the hallway with Buddy. “Reckless, stubborn, a daredevil and goofy all rolled up in one. Is everything all right in paradise again?”
Lily glanced up at Reese. “It absolutely is. But I got to get back to the library before Elijah has a meltdown.”
Reese let his arms fall to his sides then stuffed his hands in the pockets of his jeans. “So will I see you later tonight?”
Lily searched his face, seeing the disappointment he felt. She shook her head. Steeling her spine to give her confidence, she stormed back to the bar. She downed one shot of Fireball then the other. Wincing from the burn, she handed the photo back to Jenny. “Thanks,” she croaked,
“Anytime,” Jenny gaped looking amazed.
Lily crossed the bar towards the door, then wrapped her hand around Reese’s exposed wrist. “Come on. Walk me to work.”
“Lily, we’ll be seen together,” Reese protested.
“I don’t give a fucking furry rat’s ass if we’re seen together. I love you.”
Reese stared at her stunned speechless.
Lily growled at him. “What is it?”
“I don’t know wha
t’s shocked me more. The fact you don’t care if your daddy sees us together or that the good little preacher girl just cussed.”
“Reese.”
“All right, all right.” He slipped his hand from his pocket and intertwined his fingers with hers. “It would be a privilege and honor to walk you to work.”
“That’s a little overboard.”
“Not in the least, Baby.” Reese pushed the door open with his free hand, then shot a glance over his shoulder. “Catch you guys later.”
“Later,” Buddy called out while grinning hugely.
“Later,” Jenny chimed in.
Together, Reese and Lily strolled down the sidewalks of Braden hand in hand. It didn’t take long for the residents of the small town to stop and stare. The preacher’s daughter and the notorious bad boy? The way gossip spread in this town, Reverend Dixon would know before Lily’s foot stepped into the library.
Reese tugged her against him with a grin. “You really don’t know what this means to me, Lily. And I do know how hard it is for you to go up against your dad. Thank you. I love you with all my heart.”
She beamed at him. “I love you too, Reese.”
Despite the attention they received, they walked into the library without any disturbance.
As usual, Elijah was frantic behind the circulation desk attempting to put out whatever make-believe fire he created. His brow creased in disapproval at the sight of Reese and Lily with their hands intertwined.
“Is everything all right, Elijah?” Lily asked gently.
“Of course,” the teenager huffed. “I have everything under control. But this gentleman was looking for Reverend Dixon.” He motioned to a man sitting at the table closest to the circulation desk sifting through a magazine.
“All right. Thank you, Elijah.” Lily nodded to him as she tugged Reese along with her.
As they passed, Reese pressed his lips to Lily’s ear. “Does he ever have things under control?”
Lily fought back a giggle. “Rarely.” She let go of his hand and touched the man’s shoulder. “Sir, can I help you?”
The man spun around in his seat towards her.
Lily gasped.
He was in his mid-twenties and about Reese’s height with thick, dark hair. The rest of his features, his eyes, his nose, his bone structure, was nearly identical to her and Rose’s. His lips curled into a smile. “Lily Dixon?”
“Yes. I’m Lily.”
Lily could feel Reese bristle next her. “And who exactly are you?” he demanded.
“Wow,” the man gushed. “I knew Reese Cooper was from Braden, but I never expected to meet you. Wow, man. I’m a huge fan.”
“Awesome. I’d be more in the mood for a fan meet and greet if you weren’t creeping the woman I love out.”
The man glanced from him to Lily. “My sister is dating Reese Cooper? Sweet!”
“Wait. I’m sorry. But I’m not your sister.”
The man glanced around at the patrons staring at them. “Is there someplace private where we can talk?”
“My office. Follow me.” Lily led them through the maze of tables and shelves to her office. She smiled as she noticed that Reese stayed between her and the stranger. I guess it does pay off to have a MMA fighter as my boyfriend. She closed the door behind them. “Who are you?” she demanded.
“My name is Adam Berger. I live in Oelwein. I was rummaging through some of my mom’s old things and found some pictures from when I was a baby. She told me the man holding me was my Dad and then told me about him. There were letters from him. They were signed by Oliver Dixon and written on stationary from the First Baptist Church of Braden.” He handed a stack of papers and photos to her. “See? Take a look.”
Lily hesitantly took them from him and set them on her desk, grasping the top letter and photo to investigate. Her heart fell into the pit of her stomach as she gazed at the image of her father in jeans and a t-shirt holding a baby on his lap. Setting the photo down, she opened the letter. She couldn’t read the message. Recognizing Reverend Dixon’s scrawl was enough. She gathered the pile and handed it back to Adam. “How old are you?”
“I just turned twenty four in March,” Adam answered.
Lily cringed. “My sister, Rose, turned twenty four in May. Well, I guess our sister.”
Adam’s posture fell a little at the news. “Oh…I didn’t mean to bother you with this. I really wanted to see my dad. My mom is in the final stages of cancer. But when I went to the church, the organist told me he was out of town but I could go talk to the town librarian. That she was his daughter. I was just excited to meet my sister.”
Lily forced a smile on her face. “I understand. I’d be excited too.”
“Can I come visit you here? The only family I have is my mom and a couple of aunts.”
“Sure.”
“Great.” Adam quickly gave her a hug. “I better head back home. It was great to meet you both.”
“It was nice to meet you too.”
“Bye.” Adam offered a quick wave before he scooted out the door.
Lily stared at the door as it closed. She closed her eyes tight. Everything she knew, everything she believed was crashing around her, and she didn’t know how to stop it.
“So that was why you had no trouble walking hand in hand with me down the street. Your daddy wasn’t here to bust you,” Reese accused.
Lily smiled at him weakly. “When Dad leaves town to visit his parishioners, he takes the truck. It’s easier to maneuver around ruts on the road. When I was walking to the church earlier, his Cadillac was parked outside. He knew Adam was there. He was hiding.” She slumped into her chair. “You’ve said once that I really didn’t know what my dad was like. Did you know about this?”
“I did. I’m sorry. Rumors had already been flying around for years that Reverend Dixon was really seeing women when he said he was visiting parishioners. But then about ten years ago I skipped out of school and stole my aunt and uncle’s car to drive to Oelwein. I saw your dad leave some woman’s house. By the way she was dressed and the way she kissed him goodbye, they weren’t going over the Holy Scriptures. He saw me and before I could run, he caught me. He threatened to destroy me if I ever said a word, especially to you. That’s why he hates me. He must have known even back then, how I felt about you. When I left Braden, I was running from more than my dad. I was running from yours too.”
Lily hunched over in her chair, burying her face in her hands. She gasped as she was lifted to her feet. Before she could gather her senses, she dropped onto Reese’s lap and was smothered in his embrace. She cuddled against him as tears tickled down her cheeks.
“Baby, we’ll get through this together. I promise.”
She looked up into his eyes and was greeted by a soft kiss. She couldn’t help but smile.
Chapter Nine
Lily wasn’t sure how long she sat cradled on Reese’s lap. It was the safest she’d felt in a long time. A knock on the door by a frantic Elijah shook her from her peace.
With one final kiss, Reese said his goodbye and left her to help Elijah.
Despite the vast amount of work that had to be done, the day dragged on for Lily. She couldn’t get Adam out of her head. Her father, the man who demanded the utmost obedience from his wife and daughters and nearly all of Braden had been having affairs with other women for most of her life. Adam and Rose had been conceived at nearly the same time. The whole idea at first tore her apart. Then it made her furious.
When Molly arrived, Lily did her best to avoid her.
Finally, the redhead slammed a pile of books on the table. “Blast it, Lily! Talk to me. You have to get over Reese and the waitress.”
Lily didn’t look at her. “It’s not Reese. We made up. The waitress is his cousin.”
“Jenny is his cousin? Since when?”
“Since his grandparents gave birth to his mom and Jenny’s mom.”
“Oh. So what’s eating at you?”
Lily sighed heavily.
She told Molly everything. She even told Molly about losing her virginity which prompted an emergency lingerie shopping trip followed by an impromptu ceremony to throw out Lily’s ‘granny panties.’ Then she had to hear, how could she keep this secret from her best friend?
Both women startled as the library door slammed open. Reverend Dixon stormed into the cavernous room looking none too pleased. He nodded to the redhead. “Molly, could you give my daughter and I a moment of privacy? We need to talk.”
“Of course, si—”
Lily glared at her father cooly. “Whatever you have to say to me you can say in front of Molly.”
Reverend Dixon’s eyes narrowed at her. “Rumors say you are dating Reese Cooper.”
“Daddy, you shouldn’t indulge in gossip,” Lily chided.
“Are you seeing Reese Cooper, Lily?”
“Yes, Daddy. I’m seeing Reese.”
He closed the distance between them until he was hovering dangerously over her. “I explicitly told you to stay away from that boy. He is nothing but trouble.”
“I’m afraid I can’t do that.”
“You will do as I say.”
“I can’t. I’m in love with Reese Cooper, Daddy. And he’s in love with me.”
“You see? He’s already got you talking back to me. The devil is in that boy.”
Lily cocked her head to the side as she glared at her father. “He’s not the only sinner in Braden, Daddy.”
Reverend Dixon snarled at her. “You forget, young lady, that you rent your apartment from me. End it, Lily, or you’ll find yourself homeless. I don’t need everyone in Braden thinking my daughter is a whore.”
Lily felt every part of her quake in rage. She fisted her hands at her sides. The words formed on her tongue. She wanted so badly to tell her father about Adam, that she knew just what he’d done. But nothing came out.
“Finish up here and get home,” Reverend Dixon commanded. “Then stay there. Understand?” He glanced over at Molly. “Good night, Molly.”
“Good night, sir.”
The two women watched him leave in silence.
Finally, Molly broke the quiet. “What are you going to do?”
The Heartbreaker (Fighting the Odds Book 1) Page 11
