"Hey, do you think Edna and Darla believe we've killed one another?" Tiara asked softly. Then she sat up and giggled. "Maybe, right this minute, they're organizing a search party, ready to bust through that door."
"We probably should be getting back," Jayce said, raising herself on the arm she'd used to pillow her head seconds ago. With her free hand, Jayce reached forward and ran her finger down Tiara's bared spine. Jayce shivered with excitement from the contact. Tiara was so soft, so girlie, even with the firm muscles she'd acquired from manual labor.
"Stop, that tickles," Tiara said playfully, before her features set in a serious expression. "Thank you." Tiara lay down, her own arm bent to pillow her head as she faced Jayce.
"For what?" Jayce asked, running the same finger from Tiara's abdomen to her breasts, circling the contours and flicking her nipples teasingly. "After what you've shared with me, I should be thanking you." Jayce placed a kiss on each breast, reveling in Tiara's soft moans. "Do you need rescuing?" Jayce leaned forward and placed her lips on Tiara's, kissing her until she responded with warmth of her own. Jayce pulled away slowly, desire to make love to her once again building to fevered heights. Tiara's response, filled with matched desire, also seemed a ploy to distract Jayce. "Do you?"
Shaking her head, Tiara said, "Not really, but we need to talk Jayce."
"That sounds ominous." Jayce could feel the muscles in her stomach clench in panicked anticipation.
"Look, I really enjoyed last night," Tiara started, clutching the blanket to cover her exposed flesh, as if suddenly conscious of her nakedness. "It's just that..."
Was Tiara regretting their shared night already? Did she fear Jayce would take what they shared to mean it was more than sex? She had, of course. Not that she didn't want so much more, Jayce understood she should take what she could get from Tiara--even if for only a little while. People did this kind of fling-thing every day and she could too. So why was her brain having difficulty grasping a love 'em and leave 'em mentality? She could do this, Jayce reasoned, could pretend intimacy with Tiara wasn't life altering for her. "Afraid I won't understand I'm just a booty buddy?"
Jayce hadn't expected stating the obvious to upset Tiara, too late to take the words back now that the damage was done. Tiara crawled over her, jumped off the bed, and started pulling her clothes of the line and dressing. Jayce reached for her, but Tiara jerked out of her grasp.
"Thanks, Jayce."
"Red, I'm sorry," she apologized, knowing Tiara wasn't accepting it. In fact, Tiara had grabbed her boots and shoved them under her arm as she stormed away, buttoning her shirt. Jayce jumped to her feet, uncaring she hadn't even considered dressing, only wanting to stop Tiara from leaving the line shack. "Damn it, wait a minute." Jayce grasped Tiara by the elbow, just as she opened the door. "I can't keep up. Your mood swings are like dealing with Poe's pendulum, honey."
"Then why try," Tiara grumbled.
"Because I care about you," she explained, "I thought that was obvious. I realize you don't return my feelings. However, you set the ground rules and I'm good with working with that, if it's all I can get."
"Right, booty buddies." Tiara jerked her elbow free of Jayce's grasp, and sneered while raking her gaze up and down Jayce's naked body. She sighed heavily and walked back inside to the cabin's empty chair, and finished getting dressed. "Get your clothes on, please."
Jayce closed the door, and did as told. Wow, Tiara shouldn't have been so sensitive, when she was the one who classified their non-relationship. "Didn't mean to hurt your feelings, and I was teasing, Tiara." She picked up her own boots and hopped up on the bunk to put them on. "I'm trying to be all modern and new millennium here." This wasn't all about Tiara's feelings anymore, and Jayce would make certain of the revelation. "In case you never figured it out, or even cared to, I'm the white picket fence and happily ever after kind of gal." Jayce felt her temper rise. She restrained it as best she could, yet heard it tingeing the words. "I'll take all the blame, Tiara," she said walking to the door and jerking it open, before twisting to glare at Tiara. "More than that, I concede the war to you. I'm tired of fighting. You win." Jayce turned away. "I'll get the buckboard ready to take you to Slim's place." Tears burned behind her eyes and Jayce slammed the door as she left the cabin.
As she approached Annabelle and Buster, Jayce muttered, "Gotta get someone here to make bunk beds."
DARLA FELT COMPLETELY drained by the time she reached the Mansfield porch. The walk had seemed a great idea when she'd started out, going early enough to beat the heat of the day. Now, she just wanted to make it up the final step and to the screen door. She hadn't planned on how treacherous the rain from the night before had made the landscape. "Oh, sweet lord," came a female voice behind her. When she turned, Darla came face to face with Ms. Juarez, her yet not exactly her. Obviously, the stunt woman Craig mentioned. The woman swung an arm around Darla's massive waist, and tucked a shoulder under her arm. "Let me help you into the house."
"Thank you," Darla said, allowing the assistance without complaint. "Guess I overextended my ability to take a bit of a walk."
As the screen door closed with a comforting thwack, a voice called out from further in the house, "Jayce, is that you?"
Darla, assaulted by a strong floral scent that made her light-headed and already breathing heavier than normal, weaved unsteadily on her feet. The other woman tightened her grip reassuringly.
"No, Aunt Edna, it's me, Sarah," she said, steering Darla in the direction of the voice. Confidentially, she whispered, "Sorry about the smell. Juanita's gift from some guy, Sparretti, I think."
Nodding, Darla replied, "Ah, the little purple gangster."
"That would be him." Sarah laughed, and it sounded familiar to Darla. "Someone's supposed to pick them up today to take to the hospital and the nursing home at the edge of town. All too many of the residents don't get visits from family, some relatives having moved to the bigger cities, or the folks don't have relatives or anything left. Sad isn't it, not to have someone in your old age. Here we are." Darla realized they were in the kitchen. A short, skinny woman stared at a kettle on the stove. "Edna, you have company."
Sarah pulled out a chair and gently guided Darla onto it. "Thank you, again," Darla said.
"No problem, I'll be right back," Sarah said.
"Tea will be ready in a minute." When Darla looked toward the stove, Edna gave her an encouraging grin. "Ah, here's Sarah returned."
Sarah had a small foot ottoman in her arms. She dropped it in front of Darla's chair and proceeded to raise Darla's legs atop it with an, "Up they go."
"Sarah, you don't--"
"Yes, she does," Edna announced, placing a mug of tea near her hand. "You should have let us come to you, Darla. Or you could have let Sarah get you in that fancy Mustang of hers."
"Now that would have been quite the treat, I must admit," Darla said. She placed her hands on her swollen belly. "Couldn't say I'd be able to get in and out of the thing, though, not when I'm big as a barn."
"Oh, pooh," Edna said, with a dismissive waive of her hand. "Pregnant is beautiful, and you're every inch that and more." With a hot tea of her own, Edna sat at the table as Sarah went to the refrigerator to get iced water, before sitting across from Edna. "Now, down to particulars," Edna said. "Craig tells us you want to have us all for dinner. We would be happy to accept."
Darla supplied a time.
"Also, we would like to throw a barbeque, country style, to show some hospitality to new friends. So, I suggest we work together."
"Hopefully," Sarah said, taking a drink of water, "we can keep Jayce and Tiara from killing each other, while we help them see they are made for each other."
Darla frowned. "I don't know all that happened a decade ago, but I know Tiara cares deeply for Jayce. I also know she's doing everything in her power to push Jayce away."
"Jayce is also at fault," Edna stated, "not being sensitive to poor Tiara's feelings. Things haven't been easy for her, you know.
" From Edna's facial expression and the glistening in her eyes, Darla could tell the older woman had strong maternal feelings for Tiara.
Sarah shook her head. "Edna, we all care for Tiara, but she's the one being too sensitive. She wasn't the only one hurt by Angie's choices. We all have been, in one way or another." After a drink of her tea, Sarah said, "So I've sort of come up with a plan that could work, or could blow up in my face."
"I'm certain we all wish to avoid that particular end," Darla said quietly. "Maybe if we talk out the details, we can devise a plan with the fewest challenges and repercussions. Our goal is to help, not hurt, either of them."
"That has my vote." Edna leaned forward conspiratorially, prompting Darla to mimic her actions, as they listened to Sarah's plan, interjected with ideas to fine-tune certain aspects. After a couple cups of tea, they believed they had covered every possible scenario, delighted with themselves and their scheme to bring Jayce and Tiara together. "So, we can present them with this tonight at dinner," Edna said.
"Although, it could be a moot point." Darla leaned back in her chair and rubbed her swollen belly. "They did, after all, spend the night together somewhere."
"Despite the warnings," Sarah teased, "to have Tiara home at a decent hour."
"Be nice," Edna said. "I'm certain Jayce would have done as much if the storm hadn't come in."
"You do think they're okay, right?" Darla asked. "You don't think they're out there hurt, do you?"
Just then, the front screen door slammed, followed by boots stomping up the stairs, and Jayce yelling, "She'll be the death of me."
Darla noted Edna and Sarah shaking their heads. With more humor than she felt, Darla said, "At least that confirms they're both alive."
Chapter Seventeen
AFTER JAYCE DROPPED her off, Tiara had hoped to see a friendly face at home. As it was she had to go outside to find Mark and Craig, hard at work and sweating. "Where's Darla?" she asked Mark.
Mark indicated the Meadows with a tilt of his head. "Visiting the neighbors. Wish she'd let me drive her over, though."
"She walked?" Tiara asked. Mark nodded.
"You okay, Boss?" Craig asked. "I can go get her if you need her."
"No, I'm fine. I'll catch up with her later."
Craig guffawed. "Can't wait to gossip about your date?"
"Like I'd tell you." Tiara didn't want to gossip as much as get in her point of view before the increased tension with her and Jayce became apparent. "I'm gonna change and get back to work myself."
She went inside, changed into work clothes. It wasn't long before she had made her way back to the old barn.
Work kept Tiara busy and happy. Her achievements were productive and visual. One could always step back and say, "I built that, or I created that." However, today her work was unfocused, her brain continually drifted to the morning and the frustration she'd unleashed on Jayce.
In all fairness, Tiara knew Jayce had given her exactly what she had asked for, and with the expected Mansfield witticism. Tiara couldn't find the same comfort in Jayce's humor as she usually found. Worse, she felt stricken when Jayce seemed to accept a one-night-stand calmly and willingly. So now that she received exactly what'd she asked for, Tiara wondered why she felt so utterly empty.
Tiara saw an old metal pail, turned it over and sat down with elbows on knees and head resting in her hands.
The intimacy she'd shared with Jayce last night was exactly what Tiara wanted and had waited for since the kiss in the barn over ten years ago. Not only that, the experience had turned out far better than the fantasies she'd imagined all these years.
So why had she blown up in anger at Jayce? Because now she knew what could be hers if she'd give in to her heart and Jayce, the voice in her head exclaimed. "Oh, shut up."
"Excuse me?"
Startled, Tiara jumped and spun toward the voice. "Darla." She looked tired, but still had a smile on her face. "Are you okay?" Tiara glanced around for something Darla could sit on, obviously she was in no condition to take the pail. Standing on end inside one of the open stalls was a bench that had seen better days. Crossing her fingers that it still retained some stability, Tiara grabbed it and after a quick examination to determine its soundness, she brought it to where Darla stood. "Here, sit down before you fall down."
"Thank you," Darla said, sighing as she lowered herself to the bench. "Guess I'm gonna have to start taking things easier. I've pushed myself a bit too much today, and I still have a dinner to make."
Tiara shook her head, pulled the bucket closer and sat in front of Darla. "No, don't you worry about that. The guys and I can make sandwiches. I do know how to make tuna salad, and we've plenty of canned tuna, as you know."
This time it was Darla's turn to shake her head. "Not tonight, sweetie. I've invited guests for dinner. The folks next door are coming over."
"We'll just cancel it then. They'll understand." Tiara suspected that Edna might blame Jayce, but she didn't care--not really, anyway. Right now, she didn't want any harm to come to Darla and the baby.
"You'd just love that, wouldn't you?" Darla asked, a mischievous grin on her face.
Tiara had the courtesy to blush.
"I'll take an extra long nap and be just fine." Darla placed her hands on her knees, blew out a long breath, and asked, "What in heaven's name happened last night?"
"Wh--wha--what do you mean?"
"You disobeyed curfew, and Jayce seemed a tad upset when she came home."
Tiara quietly asked, "Did she say anything too bad about me?" She wasn't certain she wanted an answer.
"Does she have reason to?" Dara glared at her as she asked.
"Depends on the point of view, I guess. I'm more at fault for this latest, um...misunderstanding," Tiara said.
Reaching forward, Darla tapped Tiara's knee. "Don't worry, Tiara. I'm not leaving here until this is squared away."
Feeling lightheaded from the panic, Tiara squeaked, "What?"
Holding her extended baby-belly, Darla laughed until tears gathered in the corner of her eyes. "Not leave Silver Waters, I meant. I'm going in for a little rest right now." Tiara felt some of the panic leave her rigid posture. Darla strained to stand, a chuckle escaping as she got to her feet. "Don't think this is over, young lady, not until I get all the details. I'm not exaggerating, either. I want every last juicy morsel of what happened last night between you and tall, dark and sexy."
"Be careful what you ask for," Tiara mumbled as Darla made her way to the open barn door entrance.
Turning as quickly as a seriously pregnant woman could, Darla grinned and said, "Oh, this is going to be worth waiting for." She placed her hand tenderly on her belly. "Hope this isn't so stimulating that Baby Chester decides to come out early."
At Tiara's shocked expression, Darla left her alone.
MUCH AS TIARA wanted to pass on the evening's events, she knew in good conscience she couldn't hurt Darla that way. Darla had spent a lot of time (after a good two-hour nap) in the kitchen, on her poor swollen feet, to make this a night to remember; and Tiara didn't doubt that would be the outcome. She hoped it wasn't negatively influenced by some transgression between her and Jayce.
Scrubbing the washcloth over her face, Tiara groaned. What had she done to deserve all this? She'd been happy on her own. Now, she was replacing acquaintances with friends, nights alone in front of the television for chats over coffee with Darla, and even going on a date. As torturous as this all was, Tiara knew she wouldn't have traded a moment of it all--even the threats by a weird little man, and dealing with a horse--for anything. She wouldn't give any of it back. A few days ago, Tiara would have considered these changes punishment for a wrong; however, staring at her reflection in the mirror, she was reminded what a blessing it was to have people around who cared about you. The tension between her and Jayce notwithstanding, Tiara realized she had changed. She didn't talk to empty rooms, but had conversations with people. She didn't eat solely because her body needed nourishment,
but actually looked forward to meals. She didn't turn off the alarm because she had a job to do, but because she couldn't wait to see what the new day would bring. Even her clashes with Jayce emphasized being alive and not simply existing.
Tiara would better appreciate these changes if Slim had shown up to witness even a little of her transformation. Was that his purpose in arranging this trip? Tiara heard a loud knock from downstairs (country folk didn't need doorbells), then animated voices. With a pointed look in the mirror, she told her reflection, "Be on your best behavior. It's show time." Turning off the bathroom light, Tiara made her way downstairs.
When Tiara reached the bottom step and looked into her living room, she gasped and her stomach fluttered at the sight. It was an image she never expected to be a part of in her home. Edna, Darla and Sarah sat on the couch, Mark in the chair with his hand bridging the space to rest on his wife's, and Craig casually sitting on the couch arm next to Sarah. All were in a friendly conversation as if they had done this a million times.
Then it hit her. Jayce was absent. Where was she? As if the very thought produced her, Tiara felt a brush of air as Jayce whispered from behind her, "Warms the heart, doesn't it?" Tiara desperately needed to put some distance between them as her body immediately responded to Jayce's presence. Her skin prickled with electricity, her heart beat faster, and most embarrassingly, Tiara's nipples pebbled at the warmth from Jayce's breath in her ear. Tiara fervently hoped her body's reactions weren't evident to the others, especially to Jayce. She didn't know if Jayce's comment held sarcasm, so she spun around to look at Jayce. Tiara believed she caught a flash of desire in the blue depths before Jayce had the chance to squash it. Now all she saw was sincerity as Jayce softly said, "You can be proud of the friends you've made, Tiara. They're good people."
Tiara looked over her shoulder into the living room. Jayce was right. She had friends to be proud of in her life, though she hadn't recognized them as such before coming back to Falling Down Acres. "Yes, they're great," she acknowledged, turning her attention back to Jayce. "Jayce, I--"
A Majestic Affair Page 13
