Scars, page 4
Reid and Houston didn’t need words to express what hung like lead in the air. Their lips, curled inward and pressed into tight lines, said all that needed to be said.
Another shoulder slap. “Great to see you, Mack. It’s been a long time . . . too fucking long, man.” Emotion showed in the ticking nerve under Houston’s eye.
“You got that right, bud.” Reid turned to the Jeep, hiding the sudden dampness in his eyes. He needed to get back on neutral ground and opening the back door did precisely that.
“Hey, Tex,” Reid used the old nickname, “Say hello to the mutt.”
Black-and-white fur leaped out. “Some woman just dumped him at your place?” And Houston’s eyes grew wide. “I’ll be damned—”
Reid nodded, anticipating the reaction. People couldn’t help it, and it ticked him off. But in all fairness, he’d never brought up the dog being 3-legged when he said Yard would be going on the road with them.
“This is Yard . . . like in three feet,” he repeated the same words the anonymous woman had left in her note.
Unruffled, Yard closed the distance just as he would without the missing limb. His tail’s long hair flapped in excitement as he sniffed Houston’s outstretched hand.
“Cool name. You come up with that?” Houston looked up from petting the animal.
“Nope. Can’t take credit for it. But I named that one.”
Now, Houston could hear it: the whimper. Yard scampered to the open vehicle, making a noise that landed between a yawn and a bark as he stuck his head into the interior.
Houston followed Yard and peered inside. “What the hell, Mack?” He wasn’t easily stunned, but here he was, knocked for six a second time in fifteen minutes.
Reid followed Houston to his parents’ place just outside the city limits.
The genuine warmth of Helen Miller’s welcome came unexpectedly. “What’s with that handshake, young man?” She shook her head and threw her arms wide open. “Houston talked about you; so it’s as if I know you already,” she said, embracing him in a great big hug.
Houston’s face split into a grin. It was so like his mother, whose Southern charm and hugs went hand in hand. When his eyes met Reid’s, he lifted his shoulders in a gesture of “what can you do?”
Now, Reid politely declined Helen Miller’s dinner invitation, but the matron of the house wouldn’t take no for an answer. Fist on hip, she stood looking up at him. With the tilt of her head, a delicate, open-leaf earring followed the sway of her silver bob’s sharp angle.
“That’s just nonsense, young man. Harold and I have been looking forward to meeting you.” Sharp eyes cut to Houston, commanding support. “And now that you’re here, you want to deprive us of the pleasure?”
Houston shot Reid an amused look that said Give it up, man. You’re no match.
“You don’t want to upset an old lady, now, do you?
“No, ma’am, I wouldn’t dare. Your grace and charm make that impossible.” No muscles twitched, but humor twinkled in his eyes. He’d heard the tease in Helen’s tone that reminded him so much of his own mom.
“I’m happy to join you for dinner.”
Helen’s face softened. “You’re spending a whole year with my son, trekking across America. I want to get to know the person that’s as crazy as he is.”
“Yes, ma’am. I understand. I appreciate your kindness.”
“Good. Now that we’re clear, Houston, why don’t you get the key and show Reid the way to the cabin and help him unpack?” Not a question, Houston knew, but a gently phrased instruction.
“Yes, ma’am.”
Bones lay in a kitchen corner on an old blanket, sleeping the sleep of exhaustion. The sad appearance of the dog had sickened Helen and she insisted on Reid bringing him inside. She had checked the cut on his paws and fed him ice chips. Neither of the two animal rescue shelters had returned Reid’s phone call yet. ”Great, it’s been over two hours,” he mumbled under his breath and questioned if he’d still be hearing from anyone today.
“Reid, you can leave Bones here for now; let the poor thing rest a little more.”
“Thank you, ma’am. If it’s not an inconvenience.”
“Young man, would I have offered if it was? Now you two get out of here; I’ve got dinner to cook.” Houston and Reid exchanged a look.
Yard, who’d kept his eyes peeled on Bones, scampered to his feet when Reid called his name.
Helen selected a frying pan from the large rack over the island. “Oh, and dinner’s at 7:00,” she called over her shoulder as the guys headed out.
“Dismissed.” Reid followed Houston, cracking a smile. “I see who’s the general in your family.”
Houston shrugged. “She can be bossy; a real pain in the ass sometimes. Other times she’s soft as a cotton ball. It’s how she is. She means well, though. You’ll get used to it. Okay, let’s go. Ready to get settled?”
Houston scooted into the passenger seat of the Jeep. About a mile along the country road, he had Reid turn into a wooded section of the Miller property. The paved road turned into dirt tracks winding along with dogwoods and redbuds blooming under the spring canopy of giant trees. Here and there, boulders rose from the lush undergrowth of shrubs, bushes, woodland ferns, poison ivy, and wildflowers.
Ahead, a clearing came into sight and there stood the cabin, its rustic charm blending with the backdrop of the woods. “Home, sweet home for you, buddy. Park over there,” Houston pointed to a graveled section beside the cabin.
“Wow, Tex. This is great! Hard to believe you’re this close to town.” Thumb and index finger showed the space of an inch. Reid filled his lungs with the scent of rich earth, a fungal mix of moisture and sunshine. A few feet away, Yard did the same, scampering around the house with his nose to the ground.
“Well, I certainly appreciate your parents’ offering up the cabin.” Reid’s hand glided along the porch railing, smoothing over knots and gnarls, feeling the imperfections of the wood while Houston unlocked the front door. “Thanks for making this happen, man.”
“Don’t worry. It’s a great place to accommodate the occasional overflow of houseguests. Family reunions, Christmas parties, you name it.”
Houston threw open the door and smirked. “And for now, it’ll be home base for operation Heroes Rise. So, don’t give it a second thought.”
They entered a short hallway which flowed into a spacious room, revealing a cozy and comfortable looking set-up. A deep-seated sofa faced an impressive fieldstone fireplace to the left. “You’ll need those,” Houston said, thrusting his chin to the hearthside holder stacked with logs.
But at the moment, Reid didn’t care about firewood. “Man, look at that!” Straight ahead, top to floor windows revealed an astonishing view.
“Tex . . . this is freaking awesome! Why the hell aren’t you staying here, man?”
“Nah, I’m good. The apartment’s got everything I need. It’s quite ideal living over the old man’s workshop. Especially since dad’s office manager did a ton of research to get the application paperwork filed just right.”
“With your level of patience for paperwork? I bet it was.”
It teased a sly grin from Houston. “I just had to skip down a few steps. How convenient is that?” Houston went to the tiny kitchen to the right and, grabbing a couple of bottlenecks from a fridge crammed full of beer, he held them up. “This one is still your favorite?”
Reid’s gaze shifted from the outside view to the open fridge. “How can I say no to that?”
“Cool.” Popping the tops, Houston beamed, and handed Reid an open bottle while Yard checked out the rest of the cabin. “I’ve got us covered.”
“Bedroom’s upstairs?” Reid gazed at the steep wooden stairs to the loft.
“Yeah, there are beds upstairs. No bathroom, though, just chamber pots,” Houston said without a single nerve twitching on his face. At Reid’s bewildered expression, he roared. “Just kidding, man,” he said, opening the door next to the steps. “Care to check out your chambers?”
The queen-size bed, imposing and inviting with its creamy white duvet and luxurious damask pillows leaning against a black metal frame, drew Reid’s eyes first. Silently he gawked at the walls, covered in rustic wood from a barn, before his eyes fixed on the large red rug. Atop lighter shaded floor planks, it offered an elegant contrast to the room. In place of the expected cabin décor, the contrast provided a welcoming oasis of country chic.
Words like “country chic” didn’t enter Reid’s mind, but “cool” summed it up in one word. “Didn’t I hear you say, ‘Not a fancy dig'?”
“Would you have accepted the cabin if I’d told you otherwise? Knowing your stubborn ass, I’d say no. Your bathroom is through here.” Reid had missed the door that was clad in the same barn wood as the walls.
“Jeez, Tex. What can I say? This is fucking awesome.”
“Well, don’t get too cozy.” Houston tipped the bottle, took a deep pull. “Tomorrow we’ll set up shop.” He tilted his head towards the dining table. “Heroes Rise home base . . . right over there.”
Bottles clinked. “To Heroes Rise.”
Chapter 5
Seated in a delicate silk-covered chair at Mona’s Bridal Creations, Keira half-heartedly listened to Mona and Emily discussing various veil options.
“This one, you’ll attach to the back of your head—just like this.” Mona tugged and took a step back, assessing the sheer veil. “Oh, this is perfect for a backless dress,” she purred, clasping her hands together.
During the past two hours, as Emily tried on dress after dress, a sadness had snuck up on her. The aspirin had done its job, but she could swear the tension had left her head only to move south and settle over her heart.
“Ah! Em, yes . . . this is it!” She’d admired and cheered at the classy statement of Emily’s final dress choice. “It’s spot on!” The floor-length mirror displayed the stunned surprise on Emily’s face as she stepped out of the dressing room, and Keira saw the glow of happiness on her friend’s face. Glow of happiness? Where had that sappy thought come from?
But she knew. She’d watched Emily discuss things such as too much lace, long sleeves vs. short sleeves, a low-cut back and other things a bride concerned herself with. She saw the hue of excitement staining Emily’s cheeks, and couldn’t help but wonder what those stars in her eyes felt like. To experience this kind of buzz. The longing in the thought had startled Keira. Well, that means you’d have to start dating the right guy, her conscious mind chided, and wasn’t off base. Or was it mom’s nagging to “find a nice man” that had festered somewhere in her brain? Jace had been fun to be with, but she’d known all along he didn’t fit the “forever” category.
Stretching out her legs in front of her, she sipped air and debated why dating was such a chore. The ache she couldn’t name spread inside her ribcage.
How does it feel to love someone who loved you back so much that if he wrote a love letter, he’d run out of space?
Keira envied her friend, but she also remembered Emily’s horrific accident after her aunt’s funeral. Sole heir to her aunt’s estate, and the new owner of Millie’s Newfoundland dog, Bentley, a pickup truck muscled her 4-Runner off the road. Emily lost control, and the vehicle flipped as it tumbled down an embankment.
Had it been luck that Ryan and a friend witnessed the incident and provided first aid? Keira mused. And that Ryan’s friend knew Emily? Had fate just rolled the dice and won?
Ryan, keeping the injured woman calm, promised to take care of Bentley until her release from the hospital. Yep, this had jumpstarted their tumultuous love affair. Keira grinned. Leashed by a dog, she thought.
Keira’s friendship with Emily began when word reached the rescue and she’d visited the lonely woman together with the shelter director.
Ryan had cared for Bentley. He’d picked Emily up from the hospital, took her out, and he cooked for her. Emily fell hard for this considerate man. But she couldn’t know of the demons that hid deep inside Ryan’s soul; of the vow to remain a lifelong bachelor.
Her sweet friend. How she’d suffered. Ryan’s break-up had come without a reason or sensible explanation.
Dumbass. If only he’d given voice to his fears. But men . . . why couldn’t they just talk it out? Why were they so difficult to understand?
He left the country to assist a friend with a documentary. Fled was more like it, Keira thought.
While she watched Mona fussing with the veil, she smiled, but her thoughts returned to Ryan and the day he’d run into her.
While away, something had happened that made him confront his demons. Returning to Oak Creek, he’d begged Keira’s help in re-connecting with Emily. Because her friend had cut him off—she’d changed her phone number, deleted him from her social media contacts, rejected his emails, and pretended to be away when he knocked on her door. But she hadn’t deleted him from her heart.
Would Keira have been more sympathetic when he’d asked for her help in re-connecting with Emily, had she known of his struggles? Probably.
Jeez, but she’d taken a chance by convincing Emily to accept Ryan’s plea for a second chance.
Yeah. She’s crazy in love, Keira thought. And he’s crazy about her. And his beach proposal in October? Her throat tightened with emotion just thinking about it—it had been perfect.
Soon enough, Emily would finish trying on and decide. She’d chosen her dress, and apparently this was the veil that pulled it all together.
Keira’s gaze fastened on a spot behind Emily and she bit her lip, the pros and cons of different veil styles fading into the background. She wasn’t opposed to dating, it’s just that she kept so busy all the time. And why was that? Because you’re too picky, echoed back at her. No, not picky, Keira corrected herself. Why waste my time?
Keira’s mom, bless her heart, had invited the bachelor son of a business friend to their dinner party just a few short weeks ago. A man who Keira found immensely boring and a little creepy. The way his eyes kept dipping to her chest and his hands found a thousand excuses to touch her back, her arm. Yuck. No thank you.
And the disastrous date with the guy she’d been chatting with on a dating site? A major creep! His profile described a laid-back personality with a live-and-let-live philosophy. The fact that he was a writer intrigued her. She could go for smart and intelligent with a dash of imagination.
She’d agreed to meet him, and now she shuddered as she mulled over the evening in question. No matter how many times she rubbed her eyes, it couldn’t be unseen; the image was branded on her brain.
She’d picked a bar in Louisville where the bar manager was a friend. Safety first.
A guy with a handsome face and a smile that showcased a row of perfect teeth showed up to the date. His profile picture hadn’t lied. Nice, she’d thought as she smiled back. But what was up with the kilt?
With a curve of her lip, she asked, “So, you’re a Scot?”
Like a perfect gentleman, he pulled a barstool out for Keira before flopping onto his own. “Nay,” he grinned. “Just like feeling a breeze.” And to Keira’s amazement, he winked and leaned into her. “Your family’s Irish, you know what I mean.”
What did he just say? Stunned, a quick comeback got stuck in her throat. Not that she was a prude, but besides the information they’d exchanged online, he didn’t know her. Had she mentioned her parents emigrating from Ireland as a young couple? She must have.
It got worse from there. After downing a pitcher of beer as if he was going for the Guinness Book of World Records, he’d presented her with a book. “My most recent published novel,” but Keira had missed the smirk replacing the easy smile he’d worn earlier. “Autographed with a special note.”
The dark cover was difficult to make out in the diffuse light of the bar, but the ink of his penned note jumped off the pages. Heat crept up Keira’s neck and burned her face. The message had scorched her eyes. Smut! Did he seriously pick up women this way?
“Does it satisfy your curiosity?” His speech held just a hint of a slur and his hand landed on her thigh.
“Keep your paws to yourself, perv; we’re done.” Smacking his hand away, she jumped off the bar stool, drawing the attention of her friend, the bar manager. She threw the book in his lap. OMG. Her eyes bulged. Was that what she thought it was?
Embarrassed, she whispered to the manager, and five seconds later a burly guy mingling with the guest approached. Kilt-man didn’t protest when the bouncer strong-armed him to settle his bill and move on.
Mona stood behind Emily, placing the gorgeous veil just so, when Keira’s phone belted out. Startled, she reached for her purse. At the rude interruption of discussing the veil length, Mona raised a neatly trimmed eyebrow and gave Keira a poignant look.
“Sorry,” Keira mouthed and silenced the ringer. And grinned when she looked at her friend. Emily had stuck out her tongue sideways, and the exaggerated eye roll caused Emily’s chuckle. The phone call and her beautiful friend’s goofiness pulled Keira out of pointless musings.
At 8:30, Emily and Keira finally stepped out of the boutique. Emily bubbled and gushed about the dress she’d chosen. In the next moment, she tugged on her lips. “What about the back? Do you think it’s cut too low?”
“Em, it’s exquisite, don’t worry so much. Who cares if it barely covers your butt? It looks magnificent on you. So much so that I hope Ryan won’t be speechless at the altar. That would be a shame.”
“Oh, sweetie. Thanks for coming.” Emily squeezed her friend into a tight hug. “I’m sorry you had such a crappy day.”
Oh, hon, you do not even know!
The women reached their cars, which were parked next to each other. “Temps are dropping.” Keira shivered, crossing her arms. “My coat’s in the car.” A hint to get going. She didn’t want to talk. Not tonight.
Emily didn’t take the hint, or maybe she just ignored it. Inside her happy wedding bubble, she ran a hand up Keira’s arm. “Sweetie, it’s going to happen for you, too. You know it will.”
