Ready for Love (18 page)

“I won’t.”

“Will you come to dinner tomorrow night? Ryan always asks me every morning when Lgie is coming back.”

“After being a fixture in your home four times a week, I’d think the novelty would have worn off by now.”

Kylie laughed. “That Barbie mansion you bought her sealed the deal. You’re her best friend for life.”

“I like her too. Unfortunately, I have that fundraiser tomorrow night, and if I want to get more funding so I can go back to Peru, I have to go.”

“Oh yeah I forgot about that.” Kylie smiled.

“Why don’t you come with me?”

“I don’t know. I’d feel out of place.”

“Hey, I went out with you and your friends.”

“You got me there. Let me see if I can get my folks to come here and stay with Ryan.”

“Sounds good to me. We won’t have far to go since it’s at the museum. It starts at seven and we don’t have to stay long…I never do and everyone knows that.” LJ pulled Kylie to her and kissed her lips.

“
Mmmm
, sure you won’t stay?”

“Yes.”

“Have you ever taken a date to a fundraiser before?”

“No. You’re the first.”

“Good, I like the sound of that.”

LJ gave her another quick kiss. “I’ll see you in the morning.”

“Yes, you will. Don’t stay up too late.”

LJ grinned. “I’ll try not to.”

†

Kylie’s parents couldn’t babysit, so she arranged for a neighbor girl to stay with Ryan while she went to the fundraiser with LJ. She’d hurried home after work to get Ryan situated and get ready. Now she was standing in the atrium of the museum with a glass of wine in hand, waiting for LJ to arrive.

“Kylie, what a pleasant surprise. I didn’t know you were coming tonight.”

“LJ invited me.” Kylie looked at Rob’s face and saw surprise there.

“That’s a first. She’s never come with anyone. Where is she?”

“She hasn’t arrived yet, which is good because I’d like to speak to you about how to go about being a sponsor for her next dig.”

Rob’s eyes widened. “Are you serious?”

“Absolutely. After working on the reconstructions, I see how important what she’s doing is, and I’d like to see what it would take to fund some of the dig.” Kylie looked around the room. “That is why everyone is here, isn’t it?”

“If you’ll come by my office tomorrow, I’ll give you a packet about donations to the museum.”

“I don’t think you understand. Any funding I give must go to the dig in Peru only.”

“That can be arranged.”

“What can be arranged?” LJ asked.

A warm glow spread throughout Kylie. “Hi.” She gave LJ a slight hug.

“Hi. Sorry I’m late.”

“You’re not. I was early.” Kylie looked at Rob. “We were just discussing the funding for your dig. I see many people I haven’t seen since Ted died, and I know they all have deep pockets.”

“If you two will excuse me, I need to circulate.” Rob patted Kylie’s arm. “I’m glad you are here.”

When LJ walked into the room and saw Kylie, she had to catch her breath. The black dress that clung to every curve of her body made LJ’s own body react pleasurably. She was a bit concerned when Kylie hugged her, even though it was brief. The look on Rob’s face as he watched the action was a mixture of curiosity and surprise.

“You shouldn’t have hugged me.”

“Why? This is a date, isn’t it?”

“Yes, but….”

“No buts.” Kylie took her hand. “Come on. I see they have
hors d’oeuvres
and I’m starving.”

“Are you sure you want to hold my hand?”

Kylie smiled. “That’s what I do when I’m on a date. Any objections?”

“No, but what about all those people who knew you when you were married?”

“What about them?”

“They’ll talk about you being with me. And I’m sure there is some sort of policy that prohibits us from working together and dating.”

Kylie snorted. “Let them think and say what they want, I don’t care. Ryan, you, my parents, my granny, and my friends know how I feel, and they are okay with it. The others are irrelevant. As for the museum, if they give us trouble we’ll fight it. Besides, I bet they’re all jealous because I’m here with a beautiful woman and they aren’t.”

“Your granny knows?”

“Yes. She was my sounding board early on. You should meet her. I think the two of you would get along just fine.”

LJ squeezed her hand. “Come on, the
hors d’oeuvres
await you. After that, I’ll have to speak to some of these people.” LJ shrugged. “If I want funding I have to socialize.”

Chapter Seventeen

That Friday, Ryan’s grandparents had picked her up from school. Virginia, who was preparing dinner, smiled at Ryan, who was sitting at the kitchen table coloring.

“It seems like ages since I’ve seen you.” Virginia hugged her granddaughter. “I wish you and your mommy could go on the trip with us.”

“Mommy said that maybe in the summer we can go with you.”

“I’d like that.” Virginia knew she and Carl had spent so much time planning the trip in their new RV that they’d neglected Kylie and Ryan. It had been a few weeks since she’d spent significant time with her granddaughter. “I’ve missed you. Tell me what you’ve been doing?”

“I’ve been playing with Lgie.” The answer was casual.

“Who is Lgie, Ryan? I don’t recall that name from your school list.”

“Lgie is my new friend, and she plays with me.” Ryan looked up from her coloring and smiled.

“Is she new to your class at school, honey? I will have to add her to the list.”

“No, she comes to my house and we play, then she talks to Mommy after I go to bed,” Ryan continued, concentrating on her coloring before looking up at her grandmother. “Mommy thinks she is her friend, but she really is mine.”

Virginia gave Ryan a curious look. “Really? She’s your friend but stays and talks to your mommy?”

Ryan smiled. “Yes. Please don’t tell mommy she’s really my friend. It would hurt her feelings.”

Virginia patted her granddaughter on the head. “Don’t worry, I won’t tell her.”

“Mommy doesn’t cry anymore.” Ryan went back to what she’d been doing.

“Your mommy was crying?”
I can’t believe I spent so much time on the RV that I missed that my daughter was crying.

“Lgie makes her laugh and smile. I like that better than crying.”

“I would too.” Virginia couldn’t help her frown as she tried to get her head around who Lgie was and what her relationship with Kylie was. Virginia had attributed her and Carl’s involvement in planning their upcoming trip and Kylie’s new job as the reason they hadn’t seen as much of each other recently. Perhaps this Lgie person was also keeping her busy.

The front door opened, and Kylie came inside smiling.
Now I can get some answers.

“I’m finally here. Sorry I took so long.” Kylie breezed into the room, kissed her mother’s cheek, and patted Ryan on the head.

“Not a problem.” Virginia smiled. “Ryan, will you go find Grandpa and tell him your mommy is here?” She smiled at Kylie. “I hope you’re hungry. I made your favorite.”

“We can’t stay for dinner.”

“Please, Mommy,” Ryan pleaded.

“No.”

“We haven’t seen you much lately, and I was hoping we could visit over dinner.”

“We’re going to spend the weekend with you.”

After Ryan left in search of her other favorite playmate, Virginia cleared her throat. “Ryan tells me someone named Lgie is her new friend. Is she a new girl at school?”

Kylie shook her head and sucked in a breath. “I see Ryan has been talking about her new playmate.” A small, nervous laugh escaped as she sat down.

“So she
is
Ryan’s friend. Is she imaginary? She told me you and Lgie spend time together after she goes to bed.”

Imaginary? God, I hope not.
“She’s my friend that Ryan has fun playing with.”

“How old is she?”

“My age.” Kylie worked at keeping her voice steady so as not to show her nervousness. “Mom, when Daddy gets here, I would like to speak with you both about something.”

“I found him, here he is.” Ryan was exuberantly dragging her grandfather into the room.

Carl gave his daughter a kiss. “Hi, sweetheart. I hope you two can stay for dinner so we can tell you about our upcoming trip.”

“I’m afraid not, Daddy. We can catch up on that when you come to my house tomorrow. Right now I’d like to talk with you and Mom about something.” She looked at them expectantly. “If you have the time.” Kylie’s resolve was slipping away, and doubt began muddling her brain.
They’re great parents, and just because LJ’s parents reacted as they did doesn’t mean they will. Right?

“I’ll listen while I finish up dinner,” Virginia said.

“Okay. What’s up?” Carl smiled and patted his wife’s back.

Kylie motioned for Ryan to come to her. She bent over and whispered, “Go out to the car and tell Lgie to come on inside.” She then gave her a big hug and kiss.

“Okay, Mommy.” Ryan turned away and headed for the front door.

“Where is she going?” Virginia asked.

“I need her to get something out of the car for me.” Kylie sucked in another breath. “There’s something I need to tell you both. Please understand I’m not asking for your blessing or permission. I just want to be honest and up front with you.”

“This all sounds very mysterious. Should I be worried? There is something different about you, Kylie.
Glow
is the only word I can think of.” Carl smiled at his daughter. “You look positively radiant.”

“Does this have to do with Lgie?”

“Who’s Lgie?” Carl asked.

Kylie looked at her mother.
Nothing ever escapes her.
In that moment Kylie recognized that her mother probably knew the significance of what she was going to say.

“You’ve found someone you care about, haven’t you?” Virginia was grinning.

“Does it show?” She looked at her mother.

“Yes, it does, darling. Are you happy?”

Kylie could feel a smile crossing her face as a vision of LJ came to her mind. She looked at her parents and knew the rightness of what she was about to tell them. “I never knew what happiness was until now. I want you to meet LJ—”

“LJ? As in Dr. LJ Evans?”

Kylie shrank back slightly at Carl’s intense gaze.

“Isn’t Dr. Evans a woman?” He glared at her. “Are you telling us you are in love with a woman?”

“There’s nothing wrong with that,” Kylie countered. She gave her mother a fervent look.

“I think not, young lady!” Carl bellowed.

Virginia took her husband’s hand. “Look at her, Carl. Have you ever seen her happier? I know I haven’t.”

“Happiness has nothing to do with it, Ginny. She will not be in an unnatural relationship.” His face turned red. “You will not see this woman again. Do you hear me?”

Virginia glared at her husband and squeezed his hand hard. “Now you listen to me, Carl Aldridge, our daughter is happy, and that fact alone is all that matters to me. The way I see it, she is an adult and can do whatever she wants. Now, we shall welcome LJ into our family as if she were our own. Is that understood?”

Kylie didn’t recall ever hearing her mother raise her voice to her father in such a way. It was clear from her tone that there would be no argument. Despite her father’s words, Kylie had a sense of peace that she knew would carry her forward.

“Is that where Ryan went?” Virginia asked.

Kylie nodded. “Yes. They should be here in a few minutes. This isn’t how I planned on telling you. I was hoping tomorrow at dinner you would meet her and get to know her then.”

Carl grumbled, “I won’t be attending.”

“Stop that at once.” Virginia thumped him on the arm. “
We
will be there.”

LJ was waiting in the car listening to music when a tap on the window surprised her. She hadn’t seen anyone come out of the house. She pressed a button and lowered the window.

“Mommy told me to get you and bring you inside,” Ryan said.

“This isn’t supposed to happen until I’m ready to meet them,” LJ whispered. “Ryan, can you tell your mommy I’ll wait here for her?”

“Lgie, come on. Grammie and Grandad are waiting for us.”

LJ looked at Ryan, who was giving her the puppy-dog look that always got her what she wanted. She opened the door and took Ryan’s hand. “Okay. Let’s go.”

When they entered the house, she heard the voice of a woman who sounded as though she was reaming someone out. A chill ran down her spine as she knew history was going to repeat itself.

She let Ryan, who was holding her hand, drag her into the kitchen, where she saw a woman who was smiling in her direction and a very angry-looking man.

“Here she is, Mommy.” Ryan beamed. “Grammie and Granddad, this is my best friend, Lgie.”

LJ tried but could feel that she was failing miserably at hiding her apprehension.

Kylie’s mother walked up to her and embraced her. “Virginia Aldridge.” She held out her hand. “Welcome to our home. Have a seat and tell us all about yourself. I hope you’ll be staying for dinner. I have plenty.”

After looking at Kylie, who gave her a smile and a nod, LJ’s shoulders relaxed as a warm feeling of love filled her heart. She wasn’t so sure about the father, but Kylie’s mother had welcomed her into their family without recrimination.

“Thank you. I’m not sure about dinner. That will be up to Kylie.” LJ paused for a moment as she searched for the right words. “I’m at a loss, and I don’t know what to say. My own family was never this kind to me.” She shrugged. “They disowned me.”

Virginia took her by the arm and pointed to one of the kitchen table chairs. “Sit.” She looked at Kylie. “There is no better way to get to know a person than over a home-cooked meal. That way I can find out all about you, LJ.”

Kylie and Ryan followed suit and sat at the table on either side of LJ. LJ gave Kylie a questioning look.

“I was going to introduce you when you were ready,” Kylie whispered. “Ryan beat me to it.”

LJ nodded and grinned before looking back at Kylie’s father, who stood scowling with his arms folded. He was obviously not happy about the situation.

“Carl Aldridge.” He didn’t offer his hand. “Welcome to our home, LJ,” he ground out. His words sounded forced and cold but he was at least making the effort, which was more than her father did. “Hey, Ryan, what do you say you come help me outside in the garden until it’s suppertime? I saw a bunny out there this morning.” Carl held out his hand to Ryan.

“A bunny! Let’s go.” Ryan grabbed her grandfather’s hand.

Carl grinned before looking at the women. “If you will excuse us. Text me when dinner is ready.”

Virginia watched as her husband and granddaughter went out of the room. “Give him time, he’ll come around.”

“From your lips to God’s ears,” Kylie said.

“So, LJ, or shall I call you Lgie?”

For the first time since she’d entered the home, LJ smiled. “LJ is good.”

†

Dinner was finished, and Ryan and LJ excused themselves to the family room to color. Carl, who was sitting in his chair, glared at her.

LJ looked around the well-decorated room. The soft, tan walls complemented the dark leather sectional and the Mission-style furnishings. A huge flat-screen television was across one wall, and a bookcase was along another. “Mr. Aldridge, I was noticing your arrowhead collection in the bookcase. Did you find them around here?”

Carl looked at her in surprise. “Why, yes. I found them south of here when I was a kid.”

“Do you mind if I take a look at them?”

“Go ahead.”

By the tone of the man’s voice, LJ knew he was only making an effort to please his wife who had just entered the room. Although he told her it was okay to touch his artifacts she knew he didn’t mean what he said.

She carefully looked at the assortment. “Wow, I can’t believe it! You actually have a bird arrowhead. You generally don’t see many of them.” She pointed to another one. “This one is pre-Columbian, isn’t it?”

Carl got up and went over to where LJ was standing. “That one is my pride and joy. When I found it, I took it to the university museum for them to look at. They wanted me to donate it…I was twelve at the time and told them no.” His voice had softened and he picked up a spearhead. “What do you make of this one?”

LJ took the artifact and turned it over several times before giving the man a thoughtful look. “It’s definitely native to this part of the country. If you look here”—she pointed to the base—“it is completely tooled. The surprising thing is its size. We don’t usually see them this big. Hmm, I think this is a rare find.”

“Yeah, that is what I thought too. You just don’t find anything like this anymore. As a boy, I remember finding them all the time along with fossils in rocks. Now, there is nothing to be found.”

“You know, Mr. Aldridge, I have a ranch about twenty miles outside of town. You are welcome to come out there and look for both fossils and arrowheads. My caretaker tells me he finds arrowheads all the time when he’s plowing.” LJ gave him her most engaging smile. “One time he even came across a grinding stone and the rock used with it.”

Carl was warming to the woman. She wasn’t much of a conversationalist, but if the way she looked at Kylie was any indication, she truly cared for his daughter. His collection of arrowheads was a prized possession, and her interest in it was a plus in his estimation.