Arlene Coulter, Jax manager since he decided to go pro, waited with baited breath to hear what her most important client said regarding her proposal. It wasn’t really a proposal, it was more of a demand, and Arlene had never really demanded much of Jax. So, she waited to see what Jax had to say.
Jax was doing what he loved, wrenching on one of his private cars. He had seven. They were all special to him. And when he wasn’t racing or practicing, Jax spent his quiet time doing what he had done since he was a kid... getting his hands dirty wrenching on a car. Jax had a manager because having one was expected. And he appreciated Arlene because she tolerated him. He tried to listen to her, but he wasn’t liking what Arlene was saying. Did he see the merit in her argument? Of course, but that didn’t mean Jax had to like it.
“When would I have to go,” Jax asked begrudgingly.
“I need you on a plane in the morning. Your flight is already booked. 7 a.m.”
Although he was agitated, Jax waited until Arlene disconnected the line before hanging up. He laid the phone on the front fender of his 2000 Camaro SS and walked around the side of the car. He reached in and turned the volume up on the radio. It didn’t really matter what was on, some rock station. Jax used the music as background noise. All he wanted to do was relax and work on his car. By the time Jax made his way back to the front of the vehicle, Jax’s phone rang again. He was so tempted not to answer it. But when the phone stopped ringing and started back up again, Jax had no choice. When he saw who it was on the caller ID, he knew he really had no choice.
“Hi mom.”
“Jax, how are you, honey?”
“I’m fine mom.”
Jax propped the phone on his shoulder and leaned back over his engine.
“Glad to hear it,” Carole replied. “I want grandbabies, Jax.”
He had to chuckle. His mother was never good at beating around the bush and when it came to her sons, Carole felt no need to. This was a sentiment Jax had heard many times before and every time, he gave his mother the only answer he could. Still, Carole Sutton wasn’t hearing it. It was like her biological clock was ticking for grandbabies and she wouldn’t stop until one of her sons gave her what she wanted.
“I know you do, mom,” Jax replied. “Have you already called Tommy and Pete today?”
Carole chuckled. “That’s beside the point,” Carole corrected. “Right now, I’m talking to you, Jax.”
“What do you want me to do, mom?”
“I want you to give me some grandbabies.”
“Gotta find a girl first,” Jax replied. And Jax wasn’t looking for just any girl. He wanted a forever girl.
“Well what are you waiting on? Find a girl, a good girl Jax. Get engaged, get married, and give me some grandbabies. Love you, and I’ll talk to you soon.”
“Love you, too, mom.” But by the time Jax said that, Carole was already gone and moving on with the rest of her day. Jax just hoped he would be able to move on with his, until it was time to pack and return to Chandler County.
The Next Day
It was their monthly girl’s outing’ an indulgence Megan looked forward to. Megan, her older sister, Joanne, and her BFF, Bonnie Wilcott, spent the morning and most of the afternoon shopping in downtown Chandlerville. La Ropa Y Mas, was their favorite clothing store to shop in and the girls were having a great time trying on clothes they knew they didn’t need and playing dress up like they did when they were kids. Some of the outfits they tried on were outlandish, but that was part of the fun.
“Did you see that last get-up,” Bonnie asked, trying to keep from laughing so loud she’d disturb the other shoppers.
“Oh my God, yes,” Joanne giggled. “She looked a mess!”
“I heard that,” Megan guffawed from behind the dressing room curtain. “Your last outfit wasn’t much better, Bonnie.”
The girls finished up at La Ropa and made their way to the town eatery, The Speakeasy. To be a Chandlerville establishment, the Speakeasy was a nod to all things comfortable, with welcoming ambiance, tasty food, and a comfortable environment that made you wanna relax, have a drink, eat some great food, and have a good time without worrying if the bill would be too high or if you’d be rushed through your meal because there were people waiting. Going to the Speakeasy was always nice. You never knew who you would run into, but you would certainly run into someone you knew. Once the girls were seated, the waitress approached the table.
“Good afternoon, would you like menus or do you already know what you want?”
“I know what I want already,” Bonnie chirped.
“I don’t need a menu either,” Joanne said, and Megan agreed. They’d been to the Speakeasy so often, they knew the menu by heart. The trio placed their orders. The waitress returned with drinks and appetizers while the group waited for their entrees.
“Did you hear?” Bonnie asked.
“Hear what?” Joanne asked, checking out some of the rest of the groups in the restaurant.
“Jax Sutton is coming to town,” Bonnie exclaimed.
Hearing Jax name made Megan tune in. “Why,” she asked, trying not to sound too excited.
“The city is throwing a parade for our hometown hero tomorrow,” Bonnie said excitedly.
“Oh, that is exciting,” Joanne said with a smile. Megan didn’t say anything. Then, her cheeks flushed a soft pink against her pale skin, when she felt Joanne and Bonnie staring at her.
“What?” Megan finally scoffed, trying to bring down her internal embarrassment monitor.
“I said Jax Sutton is coming and you went all doe-eyed,” Bonnie taunted.
“I did not,” Megan protested and then covered her face with both hands, hiding the smile that invaded her face.
“Schoolgirl crushing,” Joanne teased.
“Oh my God, it’s so cute,” Bonnie chimed in.
They laughed at and with Megan.
Finally uncovering her eyes, Megan faced the truth. Just hearing that Jax Sutton was returning to Chandlerville did give Megan the willies. But once again, reality set in and the smile that illuminated Megan’s face faded right in front of her friends.
“What’s the matter,” Bonnie asked seeing a vacant look in her eyes after they were so alive with light. Joanne noticed it too. She had her suspicions as to why Megan’s disposition changed so quickly. Joanne hoped what she thought wasn’t true.
“It’s just a pipedream,” Megan said deflated. “He doesn’t even know who I am.”
“Megan, come on,” Bonnie said. “You are no longer the gangly girl from high school, standing in the background swooning over high school Jax.” Bonnie reached across the table and extended an open hand to her best friend, which eventually Megan accepted.
“You are smart, beautiful, and a far cry from a wallflower. Jax Sutton would be lucky to have you.”
“Exactly,” Joanne chimed. “Not the other way around.”
“You guys are just trying to be nice” Megan sighed.
“No, we are not,” Joanne corrected. “It’s the truth and if you want Jax, then you need to go after him.”
“Or at least let him know you exist,” Bonnie agreed.
“You both know Jax Sutton is above my pay grade.”
“Really, Megan? Is that what you think?” Bonnie didn’t like the sound of that and neither did Joanne.
“You are better than this. And like we said before, Jax Sutton would be lucky to have you,” Joanne concluded.
“So, buck up Missy, Jax will be in town tomorrow and we’re going to see him.”
Megan looked from her sister to her best friend and back to her sister again. Megan knew they cared about her, that they loved her and only wanted the best for her. Self-doubt had been crippling for Megan in the past, and in some areas of her life, Megan had gotten past it, developed some self-confidence and moved boldly in many areas of her life. However, when it came to matters of the heart, romance and the possibility of real love, Megan was still stuck, not believing she deserved
it at all, let alone with Jax Sutton. But then there was another small, still voice that said, what have you got to lose?
“What time is the parade, again?”
Chapter Three
That night, Megan had a tough time sleeping. Megan had done all the right things to have a good night’s rest. She had an adventurous day, and then came home, had a hot shower, put on her favorite pajamas, crawled into clean sheets under her covers and laid there with her eyes wide awake. Megan’s mind didn’t wander far. Her thoughts were familiar. She’d had those same thoughts many times before. Her thoughts vacillated from thinking that she should go to the parade, enjoy the show like everyone else, and go on with her life; staying in fangirl mode and swooning over Jax Sutton from a distance or whether she should entertain the notions Bonnie and Joanne talked about. Megan tussled under the comforter, trying to find just the right spot that would encourage sleep. Still, it was hard to come by.
Although Jax heard the same conversation from his mother on any number of occasions, this time it was hard for Jax to let it go. Carole thought her desire for grandchildren was hers alone. But that wasn’t true. Jax wanted that too; not in the same way his mother may have wanted, but he wanted more. Jax had an incredible life, and from the outside looking in, Jax had an enviable life. But when things got quiet, when there were no cars to race and no cameras flashing, Jax had to admit to himself that he was lonely. The very thing that women speculated about, that he could have any woman he wanted, was the very thing that kept most decent women away. He spent more nights alone than with anyone. Most women didn’t trust that the hot race car driver could ever be serious about one woman. However, what they didn’t know, is that having one woman, that one special someone, was the only thing Jax desired.
He knew there was something missing from his life. Jax knew it. He just didn’t know how to push past the rumors and the speculation, so he could connect with that one special someone, whoever she was. Jax, like many, had the readily available excuse that he was too busy for a relationship. And in a lot of ways, Jax did lead a very busy life. But, was he really too busy for a relationship and maybe even love?
As he lay awake in his hotel room bed, Jax tossed and turned. He couldn’t seem to get comfortable. It wasn’t that the accommodations weren’t up to par, they were. It was just that Jax’s mind couldn’t seem to settle enough to allow rest.
By parade day, Jax still dealt with the thoughts that kept him from sleeping. However, he had to put his personal angst aside because people were here to celebrate him, the hometown hero. The streets of downtown Chandlerville were lined with men, women, boys and girls, all excited to see Jax Sutton. There were balloons, and ceremonial racing flags and the Chandler County High School band, with their cheerleaders and drum majorettes, all there to celebrate Jax. And just like any dedicated parade, the star of the show rode in a fancy car, with the top dropped, painted out to look like the very car he raced in just a few days before when Jax was crowned the champion.
Also standing along the parade route were Bonnie, Joanne, and Megan. Yes, Megan tried to talk herself out of attending but Joanne and Bonnie would not be denied. They really didn’t have to do a lot of convincing. The conflict was more internal than anything. And yes, Megan fussed over what to wear, changed clothes once or twice, considered whether to wear her hair up or down; pinned or in a ponytail, and then mussed about how much if any makeup to wear. However, at the end of all the muss and fuss, Megan Richland stood on the sidewalk, fresh-faced with a head full of soft blonde curls that framed her face perfectly, and a blouse and a pair of jeans that accentuated the curves she possessed, and a flag in her hand she intended to wave as Jax Sutton passed down the street in front of her.
There were lots of smiles and laughter all around. It was exciting, and Megan fell into the excitement shared by the people around her. Her stomach was in flux; more than when she sat on the couch and watched him race. The butterflies she felt were real and plausible and heightened her level of excitement. As the cheerleaders and trombones moved along the street, it was just a matter of moments before the hero arrived. Anticipation hung heavy in the air and the flags that people held in their hands started to wave as the first sight of Jax Sutton riding on the trunk of a bright red Mustang, with his signature number and company logos etched in the paint cruised slowly down the road.
Even before she could see him, Megan felt it. She knew he was close and when she turned in the direction of the oncoming parade. There he was. Megan could see him, not through a television screen and filtered light, but he was right there. The million-watt smile that beamed brightly on TV was undeniable when Megan saw his pearly whites even from the sidewalk. Jax Sutton was a vision in his driving jumper; the high collar that barely grazed his strong jaw but couldn’t quite cover his thickly corded neck. The patches on the shoulders that accentuated the strength of his broad back and muscular arms.
The car that held Jax Sutton got closer and it seemed like everything slowed down and time delayed. Megan could see how the fabric of Jax’s jumper clung to his muscular thighs. As her eyes trailed up, following the center of his mass, there was a moment when Jax looked in her direction and Megan looked at him and their eyes connected. He held her there in his gaze and Megan saw just how blue his eyes really were. Her mouth trailed to his lips, but his eyes never left hers and when Megan looked up again, Jax was smiling; not randomly but specifically at her. And even though the moment passed faster than it felt, even though Jax was passing by in a moving car, he absolutely stole her breath away. Without even realizing it, Megan’s hand went to her chest and she covered her heart that beat wildly underneath. She watched Jax until he passed and then the moment was over.
Megan stood on the sidewalk and watched until the rest of the parade passed. She saw them but didn’t really see them because Megan was still focused on her heartthrob that just passed feet in front of her.
Jax enjoyed the parade and he appreciated how much his hometown people cared for him and celebrated for him. It was wonderful, and he would have to apologize to his manager for giving her a hard time about it. It was good to be back in Chandler County. The people lining the streets were very excited to see him. There was no way, Jax could ride on the back of the car and not feel the energy they sent his way. The weather was pleasant and everything about the day was going well. And then Jax saw her; a woman standing in the crowd that drew his attention away from everyone and everything else. She was breathtaking and Jax found it difficult to pull his eyes away from her. She was tall, and blonde and beautiful. And for the briefest moment, Jax thought she looked vaguely familiar.
Even after Jax passed the young woman and the parade moved on, he looked over his shoulder one more time just to see if he could see her again. Jax couldn’t get a clear view, but that doesn’t mean he didn’t think about her after the car moved on. Once the parade was over, the crowd gathered around and the Mayor of Chandlerville presented Jax Sutton with a key to the city. The audience applauded and Jax thanked everyone for their support. But he found himself scanning the crowd, looking for the beautiful blonde that caught his attention earlier. Jax didn’t see her. Yet, he thought about her long after the festivities were over.
Chapter Four
It had been more than a few years since Jax returned to Chandler County. When his racing career took off, Jax had to go where it would be easier to access practice tracks and be in the middle of the action. That meant leaving small-town Chandlerville. His family still lived in Chandlerville and Carole and Big Jax couldn’t be more excited to have the hero home.
“Come on down here,” Carole called up the stairs. “I didn’t sweat in this kitchen all morning for you boys to sleep in. With Jax coming back, both his brothers Pete and Tommy came back to the family home and spent the night with everybody staying up way past their bedtime, telling stories, shooting pool and reminiscing about how things were when they all lived there together before adulting.
Carole buzzed around
the kitchen, checking the pots and skillets to make sure everything was done and ready for her family. It was a hearty breakfast. Three men in her house, she knew they would be hungry. Pete, Tommy, Jax and their father eventually made their way downstairs after being called to breakfast once more by Carole. When they arrived, there was a spread of buttermilk pancakes, hickory smoked sausage, scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, crispy bacon, toast, grits and various jams and marmalades.
“Mom this looks good,” Pete chimed, rolling up his sleeves and sitting down at the dining room table. It was interesting how they all assumed the same seats they assumed as kids; mom on one end and Big Jax at the other. Once coffee and juice were served, the family sat down.
“Jax, will you say grace,” Carole asked as she reached for her children’s hands that were sitting closest to her.
“Big Jax or little Jax,” Tommy teased.
“Cut it out, Tommy,” Big Jax jokingly corrected. Every time, Tommy was good for the same joke.
Big Jax said a prayer and the family dug in. Bowl was passed, and plates were emptied. Once the meal was done, they all sat back in their seats and a few rubbed their full bellies.
“So how long are you staying, Jax,” his father asked.
“Not sure,” Jax replied. “I have some time before I have to get back. My next race isn’t for another month or so.”
“Then you should stay as long as you can, get back acquainted with home,” Carole encouraged.
“Yeah, we could hit all the old spots, kick up some dust on the back roads like we did before you got famous,” Pete suggested.
“We still got the old stock cars at the shop,” Tommy added.
“Sounds like fun,” Jax agreed.
“Hit a few bars, chase some girls,” Pete offered. Secretly, that part appealed to Jax, but not any girl, just one girl. It was a long shot but Chandlerville was a small town. He might find her; then again, he might not. He was willing to take the chance. What did he have to lose? Jax would have a chance to reconnect with his brothers, have some unencumbered fun, relax and possibly find the girl that caught his eye during the parade.
Missing Forever: A Chandler County Novel Page 2
