Twelfth of Never (Book 3 of the McKay series)

by Hestand, Rita

  Twelfth of Never

  Book Three of The McKay's

  Rita Hestand

  Smashwords Edition

  Twelfth of Never (Book Three of The McKay's)

  Copyright © 2013 by: Rita Hestand

  Edited by: Joshua R. Shinn

  Cover Design by: Ramona Lockwood

  Formatted by: Laura Shinn

  This book is licensed for your personal enjoyment only. It may not be copied or reproduced in any manner without express written permission of the author. If you would like to share this book with another person, please purchase an additional copy or copies. If you did not purchase this book or it was not purchased for your use, please go to Smashwords.com to purchase your personal copy. Thank you for respecting the hard work of this author.

  Twelfth of Never is a work of fiction. Though some of the cities and towns actually exist they are used in a fictitious manner for purposes of this work. All characters are works of fiction and any names or characteristics similar to any person past, present or future are coincidental.

  Books in this series:

  Raining in my Heart

  Ring of Fire

  Twelfth of Never

  Stand by Me

  Chapter One

  "Mike?"

  Mike Tobin clenched his jaw for a moment, and then relaxed. He was slumped forward, his head bowed, his fingers circling the glass in front of him, his face a mask of emotions, his eyes trained on his actions. The barely lit bar created an almost eerie look. No cigarette smoke curled the air, only a slight whiff of beer perfumed the place.

  Mike glanced up, shading his eyes from the dull lighting and shadows.

  The bar's dance floor was shiny against the black tile as the waitress dust mopped it. The red neon arch from the juke-box flashed every now and then, causing Mike to turn his head and look. The waitress passed him by, glancing at his nearly empty beer. She motioned to Joey, Mike paid no mind. Mike sat soaking up the tunes Joey played as he dried whiskey glasses from behind the bar.

  "Letty." Mike finally acknowledged.

  His voice was steady and hollow, void of emotion. He didn't expect anything to be steady right now. He felt just a tad queasy, but he knew if he didn't move, it would go away. Light headed, and heavy hearted he glanced up at Letty as she approached his table.

  Just the way he pronounced her name, sent out a warning.

  "What's going on, Mike? What are you doing here?" Letty asked as though she had every right to know.

  He smiled to himself, dear Letty had never been one to mince words, and that hadn't changed. It was one of the things he liked about her. He could count on Letty to have an attitude; it reassured him nothing had changed in his world.

  Mike heard the tune on the juke-box, and that's when his expression changed. He sat up straight in the chair. His eyes teared up for a second as the Twelfth of Never came on. The soft smooth voice of Johnny Mathis echoed through the almost empty bar like the curl of cigarette smoke.

  Mike raised a finger. "Listen. Listen to the words of that song."

  Letty paused, listening just as Mike had asked her to. "The man could sing, couldn't he?"

  "Nobody sings it like him. Nobody. I know because I've listened to others try. Now that's talent, when no one can beat you at something," Mike cried, and then turned away for a second. "Of course I'm a big Bobbie Darin fan, too. He died young, he was a great entertainer. Funny how we don't appreciate someone until they are gone, huh?"

  Finally he glanced at Letty, noting the jeans and t-shirt she wore with amused interest. Even in western clothes Letty managed to pull off the word elegant, he silently mused. He also spotted the tall man at her side and smiled. "Hank." He nodded.

  "Mike, good to see you."

  Mike gritted his teeth, his jaw flexing, as his slight glance penetrated. "I'm celebrating."

  "Celebrating? Celebrating what?" Letty asked, coming nearer, as they pulled up chairs at the table, and sat down.

  Vexation swamped Mike, but with a controlled effort he glanced at the two of them as though they were aliens from another planet. They were aliens today, they had no idea why he was here, and he was pretty sure they would try to drag him out of here. But what irritated him was the way they intruded on his pity party. Everyone deserved one, at least once.

  Maintaining affability, his glance hardened, and his voice grew heavy with sarcasm. "An engagement. Now hush and enjoy the song. Isn't that the most beautiful song you've ever heard?"

  "Oh yes, it is…who's?" Letty persisted.

  "Who's what?" Mike asked with impatience.

  "Who's engagement?"

  "God, you're nosey! But you are one well put-together lady. Always thought so. And because you are such a good model to work with, I can forgive you almost anything," he exclaimed, banging his beer mug on the table. "You're also one hard to ignore lady."

  "Thank you." Letty shook her head and glanced about the bar.

  "Another beer, Joey," Mike called to the bartender. "Ya'll want to join me?"

  "Not really. Don't mean to sound controlling but don't you think you've had enough?" Letty began.

  The man at her side squeezed her hand, and looked into her eyes.

  Mike nodded just a fraction and swallowed hard. "Maybe…but I'm celebrating."

  Letty eyed him.

  "Hank and I heard you were here." Letty smiled, not affected by his sarcasm.

  "Uh huh? Lots of nosey people in this place. You take Joey over there, he appears to be minding his business, but Joey is a professional nosey. It's his job and he does it well. A man should do his work well, don't you think?" Mike slurred his words. "Joey is as good as they come but he just has to get into everyone's business. And Hank…he's a good man, you should marry him someday. The two of you seem to fit each other. Yeah, that's the word, fit each other."

  "How long have you been here?" Letty asked, ignoring the compliment he aimed at them.

  "Not long enough." Mike attempted a laugh then lit a cigarette. After a couple of puffs he began coughing and squashed the cigarette.

  "Never did like these cancer sticks, anyway." Mike ground the cigarette against the ashtray.

  "Never knew you to smoke or drink…" Letty lifted a brow arrogantly.

  "I don't. But as I told you I'm celebrating, and when you celebrate you do things that you never do. Don't you know? That's the whole point. You are completely out of character…because you are celebrating."

  How did one compose himself with friends when he was out of his mind drunk? Mike didn't know. Mike didn't care. For once in his life, he let his hair down, and to heck with what anyone thought.

  But he did care and deep down, he had to admit he did.

  "Mike…I've never seen you drink." Letty began a speech that sounded somewhat motherly. "What can I do to help?"

  "I've never seen me drink either." His face contorted comically. "But there's always a first time. Besides, I'm celebrating my brother's engagement. I keep telling you and you don't seem to be listening." Mike did laugh this time, a mocking laugh.

  "That's wonderful. I guess? I thought your brother was in Iraq?" Letty's brows knitted as she watched his every move.

  "Hmm. He was. He's back. He's been back for a few weeks now." Mike tried to put her off.

  Letty frowned at him, not amused with his attempt to avoid telling her whatever it was that was bothering him.

  "I guess you don't know yet. That's interesting. Your sister and my brother," he replied, his voice low and anything but calm. "I guess this makes us family, huh?"

  "Sandy?" Letty shrieked, her eyes widening with disbelief.

  "That's the one," M
ike croaked, pointing his finger at her.

  He tried to put the tab back on the empty beer can but didn't succeed. It fell in the can and he put it to his eye so he could see it.

  "I see it, but I can't get it out."

  Letty stared at him in confusion. "I've never met your brother."

  She glanced at Hank, and he shrugged.

  Mike nodded. "'Course you hadn't. He just got back from Iraq. Oh yeah, he's a big hero, ask my folks. He spent three years over there. Got shot up…"

  "What branch was he in?" Hank asked.

  "Marines. Only the best."

  Mike seemed to reflect on that for a moment, his face going from one emotional onslaught to another. "Only a year ago he was writing me. Telling me about a buddy that was killed in front of him. I could tell he was crying when he wrote it, because the ink on the paper was smeared. Either that…or it rained the day he wrote it. Anyway, he was going crazy trying to figure out how to handle it. And then six months later I find out he's partying so hard it's a wonder he can report to duty. I guess he really didn't handle it at all. He just drowned it. People do that."

  "What are you drowning?" Letty asked slowly.

  Mike shook himself. "For crying out loud, Letty. Can't a man have a beer every now and then?"

  "What's his name?" Letty demanded to know.

  "Who?"

  "Your brother." Letty seemed fine with the cat and mouse questions and answers.

  "Chad…the Marine, Chad the hero, Chad, that's his name…That's my brother's name," Mike informed them, his gaze not quite finding his targets. "My older brother, the one with brains. The one that my folks are so proud of."

  Letty glanced at Hank, and Hank's expression went from smiles to a frown.

  "They are still giving you a hard time, aren't they?"

  "They…?"

  "Your folks."

  "Oh…the usual. That's not gonna change. Because I'm not going to college, and I'm not getting a nine to five job. I won't enlist in wars I don't believe in. I'm so not the son they wanted. But you take what you get, don't you?"

  "No, it doesn't look like it will change hon, although, for your sake, I wish it would." Letty shook her head. "Mike…I can't make up for your parents unfair treatment, but I can tell you with all sincerity that I admire your work more than you know. That I think you are a super person, a superman. And as you know, I don't dish compliments out like this very often, so pay attention." Letty smiled at him sadly.

  Mike glanced at her, his brow shooting upward, his lips slanting in a smile. "You silver tongued devil." He laughed.

  "Cut it out Mike, I mean it."

  His face sobered. "Yeah, I know you do. And for that, thanks. Now will you let me drown in my beer?"

  "Let me get this straight. My sister met your brother six weeks ago, and she's engaged to him?" Letty frowned.

  "Yep. Gonna get married after her year is up at the ranch. After she inherits her fortune. They got it all planned out…" Mike slurred his words once more. "He refuses to get a job until he graduates, my folks agree of course. Too much strain getting good grades and working, you know. After all, he needs to concentrate all his efforts on his education, since he's going to be a doctor. Becoming a doctor takes money. So Sandy will foot the bill, happily I expect."

  "How long have you been here, Mike?" Hank asked, eyeing him carefully.

  Mike looked around the place and then back at Letty. "I dunno, since they opened, I guess." Mike glanced at Hank. "Want to join me in a drink?"

  Hank shook his head. "No thanks, a little early in the day for me."

  "Aw…come on Hank, let your hair down a bit." Mike laughed.

  "How about you come home with us and we'll talk about this," Letty suggested.

  "Nothin' to talk about, Letty. Nope, they got it all figured out. They are in love, they are getting married and I am supposed to take the pictures, how about that. I'm not the best man. I'm not a groomsman, heck; I'm not even the usher. I'm the photographer. A no good photographer, in my parents eyes." Mike's smile didn't meet his lips. "A lazy man's job, that's what my dad calls it."

  "You are the best photographer in the world, Mike," Letty protested. "He doesn't realize what he is saying."

  "Sure I am…" Mike's head swam, and focusing became harder as he almost fell out of his chair. Did Letty say he was the best photographer? Naw, he dreamed that!

  "Mike, we've come to take you home."

  "Home?" Mike frowned.

  "Home," Letty assured him.

  "I don't want to go home," Mike protested. Banging his fist on the table he looked at them head on, trying once more to focus. He didn't understand why focusing was so hard. "At least not back to my parents' house. I got an apartment…you can take me there, if you want."

  "Hank and I will take you to my house. You need some rest." Letty almost laughed. "But you definitely don't need to be all alone right now."

  Mike nodded. "Just one more beer and I'll go…"

  "I don't think that is wise, but it's up to you." Letty shook her head. "After all, you're not going to feel too well tomorrow."

  "I don't feel very well, today…" Mike laughed. "Guess I'm just not used to celebrating."

  After a long silence and Joey brought another beer, he looked at them then shook his head. Letty extended her hand to Mike. "How did this happen?"

  "What?" Mike moved his body in an almost circle. "What? What happened?"

  "Sandy and your brother? Sandy has a level head on her shoulders. She's not impulsive. It's not like her to go off the deep end with a man."

  Mike snickered. "Charm. My brother's loaded with it. Oh he's had a girl in every port, a girl back home, and now Sandy. My parents are so proud. Wouldn't you be proud? He was shot, and got a purple heart. He doesn't even have to wear it on his chest, everyone knows about it."

  "But six weeks, that's not long enough to know someone…" Letty protested. "And I can't imagine Sandy…"

  Mike shook his head and eyed Letty. "That doesn't matter. We are talking about my brother. He is quite the man. That's what he is, 'The Man'." Mike flounced against the table. "Yep, he's a hero, got shot up in Iraq. Came home, the family hero…wow! They're proud. Sandy's proud. Everybody is proud."

  Letty glanced at Hank.

  "Is she really in love with him?" Hank asked.

  "Sure, sure, everyone's in love with Chad, he's a hero! What's not to love?" Mike's voice rose, filling the empty bar. "We go to bars, they salute him. Talk war stories. And the girls all flock around him."

  As an after-thought Mike added…"We never went to bars until he came home."

  "What?"

  "Sandy and me, we never went to bars until my brother came home," he muttered, staring into the beer in front of him.

  "I didn't know that," Letty confessed. "Sandy didn't discuss her dating you much, even though I tried to pry into her business a couple of times."

  "I had way too much respect for you…for her to take her there. She doesn't enjoy it, you know I can see it in her eyes. She goes, because he goes. Sandy has a tremendous amount of compassion for people and animals."

  Letty glanced at Hank.

  "We used to just go and watch a sunset and we talked a lot back then. She had a hard time dealing with your dad's death. She didn't feel she could explain it to you or your sisters. And even harder trying to figure out what she was gonna do with all that money. You wouldn't think inheriting money would stress you out, would you? But you see Chad sort of took that problem away from her. He knows what to do with her money, and it is all so worthwhile, according to Chad at least." Mike glanced at them, his brow shooting upward.

  There was a stone silence and Mike glanced over at them. "We used to go to movies and I'd watch her cry because a dog died in the movie. Watchin' a woman cry over a dead dog, that's something. We used to visit my aunt Harriet who is in a wheelchair and dying from a muscle disease. Sandy would stand there in the living room, combing my Aunt's hair and talking to her as though she'd
known her forever. Harriet liked Sandy. But…that all stopped when Chad arrived. Now…we go to bars, the three of us."

  "Oh great." Letty sighed. "Does Sandy drink too?"

  "No, that's where she is strong. She doesn't give in to such things. She just pulls him out of the bar when he's had too much. She feels sorry for him. He was shot, you know. Why do people feel sorry for people when they are shot? I don't feel sorry for him at all. I guess I'm cold."

  Letty glanced about, seeing Joey shaking his head. "Mike, let's go home."

  "Haven't finished my beer…"

  Hank shook his head at Letty. "Let him finish."

  Letty nodded.

  "You and Hank married yet?" Mike asked, slurring his words again.

  "No, next month." Letty smiled sympathetically with Mike.

  "That's good…that you are marrying. I can see you love each other…it's in your eyes. The eyes tell a lot, you know?" Mike smiled and then he looked at them puzzled. "People are always saying that, aren't they?"

  "I guess they are…"

  "'Course right now; I can't see your eyes. But now a camera…a camera can see it in your eyes. You'd be surprised what I see when I look into a camera." He waved his hands in the air. "It's like opening a new world, a world where you see all the good and all the bad."

  Letty glanced at Hank and smiled. "Hank and I love each other very much."

  "Good. That's the key…love. You’re a good kid, Letty. Always liked you. Always could count on you." Mike nodded again trying to stay focused and trying to sound sober. "Of all the models I've worked with Hank, Letty is the only one to always do her job without complaining. And that's saying something, because I have worked with a lot. Famous ones or not, Letty is the best. She's true blue. No nonsense. An all-day shoot can sometimes take weeks to do, but not with Letty. She knows exactly what I want, and we're done before the sun goes down."

  "Thanks, Mike. I like you too, you know. So does Hank."

  Hank nodded and smiled. "I agree with you on that one, Mike. But we do need to get you home, okay?" Hank encouraged.