Then He Kissed Me: A Cottonbloom Novel (21 page)

“I’ve learned that the more painful the past, the deeper people try to bury it. But there’s always a trail. If my aunt denies it, we can look elsewhere.”

Silence settled over them for several miles, but it was a different sort of silence this time. Less uncomfortable, more pensive.

“If they were engaged, and my uncle broke it off … It would explain a lot, don’t you think?” She propped her elbow on the console and looked up at him with her chin on her fist. Her hair swung forward, and he dropped a hand from the steering wheel to play in the loose strands.

“What do you mean?”

“Her animosity toward me. The Fournettes in general, actually.”

He muttered a curse. “Makes a strange sort of sense.”

She hummed and sat back in the seat. He wanted to wrap his hand in her hair and pull her toward him. He didn’t, not sure where he stood with her after the weirdness of the date. She didn’t speak again. They hit the Cottonbloom, Mississippi, limits. Street lights flashed by, illuminating her face. Her eyes were closed.

With not a small amount of regret, he drove past the street to his aunt’s house and pulled into Tally’s lot. He parked and turned toward her, laying his arm over the back of the seat.

She was so beautiful, her pale skin and pink lips pronounced. He twirled a piece of her hair around his finger and stroked across her cheekbone with his thumb. She startled awake, her eyes wide and fixed on him.

“We’re home.”

She glanced out the window. “This is
my
place.”

Confusion had him hesitating. Had he made the wrong call? “You seemed tired.”

“I am. And a little buzzed to be honest. Too much expensive wine, I guess.” She sent him a tight smile and opened the door.

“Wait a second—”

She hopped out. He followed suit and met her at the bumper.

“Thanks, Nash. This was … fun.” No mistaking the lukewarm compliment.

He’d screwed up and didn’t even know how to fix it. “What are you doing tomorrow?”

“Working tomorrow afternoon.”

“Aunt Leora will probably drag me to church, but I’ll be out working on the gazebo in the afternoon. Monday too probably.”

She backed up toward the steps to her apartment. “Maybe I’ll see you.”

“Yeah, maybe.”

She turned, climbed the stairs, and disappeared. If he was more confident where she was concerned, he would tramp up the stairs and demand that she talk to him, but he wasn’t sure he wanted to hear the truth.

Chapter Twelve

Tally pressed her cheek against the sun-warmed bricks of the wall and peeked around. The thwack of the nail gun echoed across the river. Nash was over there, probably shirtless and sweaty and delicious-looking.

“Whatcha doing?”

She yelped and spun around. Monroe’s grin and singsong voice was a mixture of joy and tease. Since Cade had returned, Monroe had shed her too-serious earnestness revealing a more playful woman. Not that she wasn’t just as dedicated to her girls at risk program, but optimism had replaced the desperation that she’d carried around for as long as Tally had known her.

“Taking a break.”

“In the refreshing ninety-degree-plus afternoon? Or do you mean a beefcake break?”

Tally chuffed. “What are you talking about?”

“
Tally and Nash, sitting in a tree. K-i-s-s-i-n-g
.”

Tally covered Monroe’s mouth with her hand as Mrs. Carson approached them wearing a T-shirt, jogging pants, and white orthopedic tennis shoes. “That was wonderful, Miss Tallulah. I can’t wait to tell everyone about the new class. You’d best prepare yourself for a full house next time.”

Tally dropped her hand from Monroe’s mouth but gave her a warning glare before pasting on a smile for Mrs. Carson. “Please, call me Tally. I’m so glad you enjoyed it. I’m looking forward to next week.”

Mrs. Carson patted her hand on the way by and made her way to the footbridge across the river.

Monroe leaned against the brick wall in the sliver of shade it offered. “How was last night? Did the dress work its magic?”

“It was fine. The dress was fine.” Tally stubbed the toe of her tennis shoe against a break in the cement, sending pebbling skittering.

Tally couldn’t stop herself from leaning out to look across the river. Nash had emerged from the gazebo to chat with Mrs. Carson. He was shirtless. Did he not worry about giving Mrs. Carson a stroke? She was old, but not dead.

Monroe let out a low whistle. “Was it disappointing? Did he not know how to work that bod?”

Tally bit the inside of her mouth. “We didn’t
do
anything.”

“Why not?”

“It didn’t seem like the right time.”

“Not the right time? The man took you to the nicest restaurant in a hundred-mile radius. You are obviously into him, and he’s into you. You’re both single. What’s the problem?” Tally shrugged, and Monroe rolled her eyes. “Methinks you need to join the girls for a session in self-confidence.”

Monroe pushed off the wall, and Tally fell into step beside her. “I’m confident.”

“You
appear
to be confident, but I have the feeling you’re a mass of gooey insecurities underneath your shell.”

“Please.” Tally tried to blow off the assessment.

Monroe pulled an about-face before they got to the door and put her hands on Tally’s shoulders. “I’m not saying I’d take the crown for Miss Confident, but I’ve worked with these young girls for long enough to recognize you’re stuck in the past. You’re judging yourself on high school standards of pass and fail. Life isn’t about being graded, and it’s okay to fail.”

“But, Nash—”

“Nash isn’t going home and scoring you. He’s not assigning you a grade. Be yourself and he’s sure to fall head over heels in love with you. Because you’re awesome, dangit.”

Tears stung the back of Tally’s eyes. Instead of ducking away like she might have a few months ago, she stared at Monroe’s slightly blurry face and blinked. “I’m dyslexic.”

Monroe’s eyes flared before narrowing in an eviscerating stare. “I’m surprised, but not shocked. Does Cade know?”

“Told him a few weeks ago.”

“Have you told Nash?”

“Of course, I haven’t. I’m not sure why I even told
you
.” She chuffed and rubbed her nose, forcing the tears away. “It’s no one’s business. Anyway, this is really about the fact that Nash and I are better as friends. If we take things further and things go south like they tend to do, then I’ll lose everything.”

Monroe pulled her in for a hug, patted her shoulder, and whispered, “But if things go well, think of what you have to gain.”

“He won’t understand.”

Monroe gave her a little shake. “You don’t give the people who care about you enough credit.”

Reed stuck his head out the door. “Yo, Tally, there’s a dude here looking for work. You want to talk to him?”

“Sure, why not.” She was grateful for the interruption and stepped past Monroe. The air conditioning wafted over her, chilly on her sweat-dampened skin. A young man with light blond hair was studying the bulletin board with class schedules and announcements a dozen feet away. His hands were clasped behind his back, and he rocked on his feet, giving the impression of nerves.

Monroe was the first to react. “Oh my goodness, it’s you!”

The man turned, his initial surprise fading into suspicion. “You’re the lady from the bar.”

Tally exchanged a look with Reed, but didn’t interfere.

“I’ve been trying to find you to make sure you’re okay and to thank you for your help that night.”

“It was nothing.” The man rubbed across his jaw and turned his head to the side,
Webster’s
definition of uncomfortable.

“It most certainly was something. You put yourself in harm’s way to protect me and Kayla,” Monroe said.

Tally inhaled and pointed. She’d heard the story. “He’s the one? And you’re looking for work?”

“I thought you had a job lined up working crayfish traps?” Monroe stepped closer to him, and he backed into the bulletin board, sending a paper and its tack to the floor.

“Turns out that ass—pardon, me—that jerk from the bar was friends with my new boss’s son. I only worked a couple of days before I was fired.”

“That’s terrible.” Monroe turned. “Give him a job, Tally.”

Tally held up both hands. “Now hang on. First of all, I don’t have anything but part-time work to offer. And, secondly, your friend here might not even be interested in grunt work.”

“I’ll take anything, ma’am.”

His earnestness was apparent, but there was more. An acceptance of defeat. An understanding that life wasn’t fair. She had a feeling he had gotten the short end of luck more times than not. She could certainly commiserate.

The bells over the door tinkled. Cade only had eyes for Monroe, and immediately put his arm around her. Only once he had her anchored to him did he acknowledge the rest of them.

Monroe poked him in the side. “Cade, this is the young man I was telling you about. From that night at the Rivershack Tavern.”

“Monroe’s knight in shining armor.” Cade stuck out his hand. “I’m Cade Fournette.” The young man hesitated before returning the shake.

“Jeremy Whitehurst.” He dropped Cade’s hand and rubbed both of his down the front of his jeans. “Look, I’m not some hero or anything. Got my butt handed to me as a matter of fact.”

“It was at least three on one.” Monroe turned a sugared smile on Cade. “Jeremy got fired because he stood up for me and Kayla and needs a job. Tally has a part-time thing open here, but weren’t you talking about taking on some help?”

“You know anything about engines? Mechanics?” Cade asked.

“A little. Learned how to keep my motorcycle running.” Jeremy shifted again and stuck his hands into his back pockets.

Cade hummed, but a faint smile turned the corners of his lips. “That’s how we country boys get our start, it seems. How about you come out for a two-week trial? We’re still getting things set up in the new shop, but if you stick, you’ll learn a trade and maybe more. Fournette Brothers Designs is on the cutting edge of engine technology.”

“Here in Cottonbloom?” Jeremy’s incredulity was clear.

Cade’s laugh reverberated around the entry. An old memory surfaced, one Tally couldn’t put a place or time stamp on, but it featured a laughing Cade tossing her in the air. If everyone wouldn’t think she was touched in the head, she would have hugged Monroe for helping Cade find his laugh.

“Yes, here in Cottonbloom. You can start at fifteen dollars an hour. What do you say?”

“You don’t even know me.”

“I know enough, and I’ll learn more, since you’ll be in my back pocket all day, every day while you’re training. If things don’t work out, then we part ways after two weeks, no harm, no foul. Deal?”

This time Jeremy didn’t hesitate to take Cade’s hand. “Deal.”

Cade and Jeremy stepped to the side to continue their discussion. Reed propped his elbows on the desk. “That still leaves us short. I’m sick of taking out the trash and sweeping on top of opening and closing.”

Tally couldn’t afford to lose Reed. “I know. Me too.”

A gaggle of girls entered the gym. Monroe propped her hip on the side of the desk, greeting each one by name. “Hey, Kayla, come here a sec.”

The girl peeled off from the group. “What’s up, Monroe?”

“Weren’t you talking about wanting some part-time work?”

“I was. All the sales jobs I’ve applied for interfere with school hours.” Kayla cast a glance over her shoulder. “Isn’t that…”

“Yep. I wasn’t sure you’d recognize him.”

“I remember his eyes. A weird blue. Unless I was imagining it.”

“He’s going to start working with Cade in the shop. Tally might have something you can do around here.” Monroe side-eyed Tally.

Tally assessed Kayla for a moment. It wasn’t a bad idea. Kayla was familiar with the gym and despite some recent bumps, she was a good kid.

“That would be so awesome, but I understand if…” The girl shrugged, her big brown eyes shining with an expectancy that mirrored Jeremy’s. An expectation of failure.

“It’s not very exciting work. Cleaning equipment, the bathrooms, sweeping, taking out the garbage, but I’m flexible about when you work and could use you some on weekends too.”

“Yes, yes, yes. I’m up for whatever you need me to do. I promise I’ll be the best employee ever.” Kayla clasped her hands and held them under her chin.

“Hey now, I don’t need anyone making me look bad.” Reed winked from behind the desk. Tally held his gaze and tilted her head in an unspoken question. He gave an almost imperceptible nod.

“Do you want to start tomorrow? I’ve got to get the signs for the festival designed and the senior aerobics class nailed down. Help with the all the routine stuff would be a big help.” They stood a couple of minutes talking about pay and times before Kayla skipped-ran toward the locker room to change before Monroe’s class. Jeremy’s head turned to follow her progress.

“That was more excitement than I’m used to.” Reed settled back on the stool and crossed his arms.

A minimized window in the right corner of the computer had her cocking her head. “I heard you and Nash have been going at it.”

Reed tensed. “Who told you that?”

“Nash did. He said you’ve actually beat him a couple of times.” She gestured toward the computer. “It’s okay if you want to play while you’re on desk duty. Just no chess porn.”

Reed’s laugh was a little too loud for her joke. “’Course not. Chess is my strange addiction.”

“It’s not strange.”

Reed raised an eyebrow.

“It’s unexpected. How about that? But very cool.”

“Chess is not cool. It’s nerdy and not sexy.”

“Nerdy and sexy aren’t mutually exclusive.” Her voice had taken on a strident militancy, and she attempted to backtrack. “I mean, you know, some women are into that sort of thing. I’ve heard.”

This time both Reed’s eyebrows went up along with the corners of his mouth.

“Oh, hush up,” she muttered even though he hadn’t verbalized what was written all over his face. “Don’t you have something work related to do?” She spun away and headed to her office in the back.