Midas Touch (19 page)

“Who did you buy the diner from?” Sandra asked, avoiding Cory’s biting remark.

“Nelda Rodgers. I’ve known Nelda for years. I worked here while I was going to college. I was in college studying to be an interior decorator, but I fell in love with the hustle and bustle of the diner. I ended up dropping out of college and managing the diner for Nelda after she retired. A couple of years after she retired she decided to move from San Antonio and put the diner up for sale. I asked her to sell it to me. She took a big chance and owner-financed. She and her partner JJ are dear friends of mine.”

Cory shook her head. “I’m sorry, but I don’t see how the diner could have anything to do with your mom. Nelda inherited it from her folks. They opened the diner when she was a kid. Nelda has never been married and doesn’t have children.”

Sandra slumped into a chair, defeated. She had been so sure the diner was a lead to her mother. The whole thing had been a long shot. Other than the name, there had been nothing to suggest any connection between her mother and the diner. She realized Cory was talking to her. “What did you say?”

“I asked what you planned to do if you found your mom?”

“Nothing. I guess I just wanted to see her.”

“You mean you never intended to tell her who you are?”

Sandra shrugged. “Probably not. It’s been so long. She no doubt has another family by now.” Sandra stood. “I’ll see you Wednesday.”

“You’re going to continue working?”

“Unless you’ve fired me.”

Cory squinted at her. “But why? You said you were only working here because you thought there was some connection to your mom. Why keep working? You obviously don’t need the money.”

“I told you I’d work for six weeks, and I’ll do it.”

“I could probably find someone else, if you’d rather not.”

Sandra shook her head and left. She rode in a daze, letting the wind whip around her. The disappointment in losing her

best lead to her mother sat heavy on her. She tried to lighten it by recalling Cory’s lips on hers, but the tears in Cory’s eyes left her feeling guilty. She had made a mess of everything. Maybe it would be better for everyone if she did leave.

She rode around the city until exhaustion forced her back to the motel. As tired as she was, sleep was slow in coming. The eastern sky was growing light when she decided to cancel her trip to the coast; it no longer seemed worth the effort. After taking her clothes to a laundromat, she spent the rest of her time off, sitting in her motel room staring at the television. Not even a call from Laura could lift her out of her funk.

Cory seemed to be around a lot more during the following week. Neither of them mentioned the kiss nor their conversation. At times, Sandra wondered if she had dreamed the kiss.

Cory caught her as she was leaving after the lunch rush on Friday. “Can you come into my office for a minute, please?”

Sandra followed her without comment.

Cory closed the door behind them. “I was wondering, since you don’t know anyone in San Antonio, if you’d like to come to dinner on Monday night.”

Sandra could not hide her surprise. She watched in silence as Cory nervously rearranged the things on her desk.

“I have a couple of friends coming in who live in Rockport. I thought it’d be nice if you could meet other people,” Cory said.

“I’ll be gone in two weeks,” Sandra said, to remind herself more so than Cory.

“Which is why it’s safe to invite you.”

Sandra continued to gaze at Cory, but Cory’s eyes wouldn’t meet hers. “Okay. What time?”

“Around seven.”

“Can I bring anything?” Sandra asked.

When Cory hesitated, Sandra volunteered, “I could pick up the wine.”

“Are you sure?”

“Yeah. What are you fixing?”

“Bring something to go with fish.”

Sandra nodded and stood. “I’ll see you then.”

Sandra managed to control her jubilation until she reached her motel room. Turning on the television she began to dance around the room. Laughter burst forth, and she forced herself to stop with a firm reminder she would be leaving in a few days.

Cory was only being nice to her.

Sandra spent Monday morning shopping for the right outfit.

She needed something that did not look horribly expensive, but fit her like it was. Nothing she found was right. She finally gave up and bought a pale rose western shirt and a black leather vest.

She wore them with her black jeans and boots. She went to three different liquor stores before she found the wine she wanted. She considered getting her hair cut, but at the last minute she decided not to, since the helmet would destroy anything she did.

She was ready two hours early. She paced her motel room, which grew steadily smaller with each circuit.
Why am I being such
a fool? Cory doesn’t care about me in any way other than friendship.

She only invited me over because she felt sorry for me.

Unable to wait any longer, Sandra climbed on her bike and made her way to the address Cory had given her. It was only a few blocks away and she arrived ten minutes early. She made several trips through the surrounding blocks to burn time.

When she finally pulled into Cory’s driveway there was a black kingcab truck sitting in front of the small bungalow.

Trying to tame the wild butterflies in her stomach, she rang the doorbell. Cory swept the door open, and Sandra’s breath caught at the sight of her dressed in crisp white slacks and a green cotton shirt that highlighted her eyes. She saw Cory’s eyes assess and approve of the clothes she was wearing. Sandra handed her the wine. Cory noted the expensive label and nodded in appreciation.

She glanced back over her shoulder before stepping closer to Sandra.

“Will you do me one favor?” she asked, keeping her voice low.

0

“If I can.” Sandra’s heart missed a beat. She’d do anything for this woman.

“Before you leave to go back to wherever you’re from, will you tell me who you really are?”

“I’ve already told you.”

“No. I mean who are you, really?”

“I’m Sandra Tate. I’m an architect from Dallas. I came to San Antonio to locate my mother and to rest.”

“Jesus Christ.” Cory paled and swayed. Sandra held out a hand to steady her. “That’s why your name kept sounding so familiar. I just read an article on you in
Texas Business Review.”

Before Sandra could respond, a voice called out. “Cory, is everything all right?” An older woman, slightly shorter than Sandra came into view. Her long, salt and pepper hair was caught in a large silver clasp. She looked regal in a long loose-flowing skirt with a bright multi-colored blouse. She flashed a warm contagious smile. “Hello, there.”

Startled, Cory stepped back to let Sandra in. “Nelda, this is Sandra.” Cory’s eyes met Sandra’s. “Nelda used to own Peepers.”

Sandra stared hard at the woman as Cory closed the door behind her.
What am I looking for?
she wondered.

“How did the diner come by its name?” Sandra almost choked on the words as she shook Nelda’s hand.

“My dad named it after a silly old song.” Nelda enthusi-astically sang a line, but Sandra wasn’t paying attention. The diner truly was a dead-end.

“Is the party out here or what?”

Sandra looked up as a woman in jeans and cowboy boots stepped through the doorway. Piercing blue eyes that missed nothing swept over Sandra.

“I wanted to meet Cory’s new friend before you scared her off with one of your horrible stories about birthing horses,” Nelda said to the newcomer.

“You don’t birth a horse.”

“I know. I know.” Nelda waved her hand and said to Sandra,

“Since Cory seems to have lost all the manners I worked so hard to teach her, let me introduce…”

“JJ Garrison,” Cory cut in, interrupting Nelda. Everyone turned to her in surprise.

Sandra reached to shake JJ’s hand. “Nice to meet you. I’m Sandra Ta…”

“Smith,” Cory said abruptly.

Woman, what is wrong with you?” Nelda asked, giving Cory a puzzled look.

Frowning, Sandra watched her. Why had Cory lied about her name?

Cory shrugged. “Nothing. Let’s go sit down.” When she reached the living room, she suddenly stopped.

“Sandra, can you help me in the kitchen please?”

Sandra excused herself and followed Cory. “Are you all right?”

Sandra asked when the kitchen door swung closed behind them.

“No. Yes. I’m a little nervous, I guess.” She sat the wine on the counter.

“Why did you change my name?”

“Nelda’s an architectural buff. She will recognize your name in a heartbeat. It would make it rather awkward why you’re working for me. Don’t you think?”

Sandra nodded, grateful for Cory’s intervention.

Cory fidgeted. “Listen. There’s something else I need to ask.

I’m not sure how to do it.”

“Just ask.”

“It may sound weird.”

“All right.”

“Have you ever been married or changed your name for any reason?”

“No.”

“Please, don’t lie to me. Tate is your legal birth name?”

“Yes,” Sandra answered, confused by Cory’s insistence. Cory hugged her arms across her stomach. “Do you have an ID on you? I mean a photo ID or something?”

Sandra felt as though she had been slapped. She removed her

wallet and handed Cory her driver’s license. “Will this do?”

Cory read it carefully and looked from the photo to Sandra before handing it back.

“Do you believe me now?” Sandra’s irritation seeped into her voice.

“Yes.”

“Okay, you two. Enough nookie. I’m starving,” Nelda said, sailing into the room. “Cory, get the fish in the oven while I finish the salad. Sandra, can you cook?”

“No. Save me for the dishes.” She tried to keep her voice steady. Cory’s doubts had hurt.
You
brought it on yourself. You
started the lies,
she reminded herself.

“Oh, darling,” Nelda cried. “You’ll do the dishes! I love you already! Go keep JJ company. If you don’t feel like talking, just mention horses or jewelry and she’ll go non-stop for hours.”

Sandra went back into the living room to find JJ deeply engrossed in the blueprints Cory had been looking at in the diner. “Beautiful house, isn’t it?” Sandra’s irritation melted as she studied the house plans.

JJ looked up at Sandra over a pair of reading glasses. “From what I can tell from this photo, it looks like it needs to be condemned.”

“It’s not really in bad shape. Cory says the foundation is sound.

She’s adhering to the original floor plan, so there wouldn’t be a lot of demolition and rebuilding.” Sandra was pointing to the blueprints.

“It looks like a bunch of lines with boxes and squiggles to me,” JJ said with a grimace that caused Sandra to laugh. “How do you know so much about this stuff?”

Sandra shrugged and put the blueprints down. “I picked it up here and there.”

JJ was staring at Sandra’s ring. When she saw Sandra notice her scrutiny she said, “Nice ring. Was it a gift?”

“No,” Sandra replied. “I bought it years ago.” The ring had been a gift to herself. She had purchased it after completing her first major project. She sat on the couch. Not wanting the

conversation to dwell on her, she took Nelda’s advice. “Nelda said to ask you about horses or jewelry.”

“Nelda’s a horse’s butt, but we won’t tell her I said so.” JJ’s eyes sparkled at the mention of Nelda’s name.

Sandra felt warmed by the love she saw reflected in JJ’s
eyes as she spoke of Nelda.

“How long have you two been together?” Sandra asked.

“She first kissed me thirty-four years ago.”

Sandra felt her jaw drop. “God. I wasn’t sure it was possible for a relationship to last that long.”

“Almost anything’s possible if you want it bad enough.”

“And you wanted it, I guess,” Sandra teased.

“With every breath in my body.” She seemed to drift off in thought. “So, what’s going on between you and Cory?” she asked suddenly.

Sandra blushed and scratched her chin. “Nothing.”

“Then why did she invite us up for dinner? We’re only invited for dinner on such short notice when she’s having a serious trauma. And then you show up, so you must be the reason.”

Sandra found it hard to be offended by the woman’s bluntness. “I think she feels sorry for me. I’m new to San Antonio.”

“Where are you from originally?”

“All over. There are not many cities in Texas I haven’t lived in.” “Ever been outside Texas?”

“I spent a few years on the East Coast.”

“Cold got to you, didn’t it? True Texans can’t take that cold.”

Sandra laughed. “Tell me about your horses.”

JJ’s
eyes sparkled as she launched into a long detailed explanation of the quarter horses she raised and trained. Enjoying her enthusiasm, Sandra sat back to listen.

“See, I told you she wouldn’t shut up,” Nelda quipped as she came in.

“Oh, hush, old woman. I’ve found someone who knows a

muzzle from a fetter.”

Nelda looked at Sandra, horrified. “Please. Not another horse lover.”

JJ stood and put her arm around Nelda. “Think of it this way, darling. When Sandra’s around, I can talk to her about horses and not bother you.”

Nelda turned to Sandra. “Honey, how do you feel about adoption? I’ll give you a signed contract good for the rest of my life.”“Which is going to be short if you don’t stop nagging me,” JJ

threatened, squeezing Nelda’s arm tenderly.

“Look at the gratitude I get for coming to tell you dinner’s ready,” Nelda grumbled.

“It’s a good thing. Sandra and I were about to parch in here with nothing to drink,” JJ said, as she walked to Sandra and threw an arm around her shoulders.

Sandra saw Nelda frown as she gazed at them. “Have we met before?” Nelda asked, still staring at Sandra.