Better Late Than Never (16 page)

Their food arrived, and they ate, and then it was their turn to share their stories of anything interesting that occurred lately. Of course, the highlight of the subject was Keirra fighting her attraction to Eric. Even Randy teased her until the point Keirra threatened to leave Baxley for good. Everyone let up, but the conversation became serious the next time their grandmother spoke.

“Keirra, you shouldn’t let what happened to your father get in the way of having a good healthy relationship.”

Her grandmother leaned back in her chair and stared at Keirra. “Personally, I think your father would have a fit if he knew you were acting like this.”

Keirra went to deny the claim, but their grandmother interrupted. “Tell me this. Would you feel the way you do about police officers if your father had lived?”

The question made Keirra gasp with shock, but their grandmother continued on. “I hope your answer would still be the same because the danger would still be there.”

Kristen looked over at Randy. She knew the risk she was taking by dating an officer of the law, but for some reason it didn’t bother her. What scared her more was their relationship hadn’t worked out before because Randy hadn’t had faith in her feelings for him. She looked at him across the table and wondered if that had changed.

Kristen leaned back and groaned in misery. She was miserable for two reasons. The first was she was sitting at Sam’s Café, and the second she had gorged herself.

“This is the last time we eat at Sam’s . . . at least this year.”

Kayla laughed then groaned. “Don’t fool yourself. We have three months to go. There is no way we will make it.”

They both looked over at Keirra who was still eating. She was a slow eater. Sometimes it was a good thing, and other times it was a bad thing. Right now, it was a bad thing because they had to sit in Sam’s for a longer time and stare at their food longer. Kristen took a last look at her herb stuffed grilled chicken and pushed it away. Kayla did the same with her lasagna. Sure enough, she wasn’t able to help herself. She picked up her fork and took another bite of Keirra’s Oriental Beef Stir Fry.

“Okay, now I’m really done.”

Kayla rubbed her stomach. “I’ve gained ten pounds since I have been back.”

Kristen shook her head. “Impossible. You look just fine. I doubt you have even gained two.”

Kristen looked over at her sister. She had a healthy glow about her. They all did. Being back in Baxley was good for all of them. Everybody looked relaxed and happy.

Kayla yawned. “So what time does the bonfire start?”

Keirra sat up “
Seven,
and the dance will start when it’s over.”

Baxley High was playing Graham High, and it was an event that brought a large crowd. Everyone in Baxley participated. Baxley and Graham could be considered archrivals, but it wasn’t a serious issue. It was just a reason for the city to get together and have a good time. It also gave Baxley a reason to brag if they won.

Kayla laughed. “We need to get a move on then. It is going to take Keirra an hour to get ready.”

Keirra grumbled. “No longer than it will take you. I’m sure.”

Kristen stood up and shook her head. “Come on, you two.”

Kristen had to admit Kayla was right, which was why she had pushed the issue of Keirra getting her clothes ready before they ate. The ploy had worked so it should cut down on the time needed to get ready. They paid for their food and walked to her car.

“Does anyone need to stop anywhere?”

With two simultaneous no’s, Kristen drove toward the house. She would take a quick nap and then get dressed. A short time later, she pulled up in the driveway, and they all piled out of the car and into the house.

“Have you heard from Grandma or Grandpa,” Kayla asked when she sat down on the sofa.

“Not yet, but I will call them when I wake up from my nap and find out for certain.”

Their grandparents had left earlier that morning on their way to their next destination. She smiled. They had a major traveling bug. Their excuse was they wanted to get all of their traveling out of the way before they had to settle down when their great-grandkids started to come along. Kristen turned, walked up the stairs, and went up to her bedroom. She set her alarm for thirty minutes and took off her shoes then lay down.

When her head touched the pillow she fell asleep, but the alarm still went off too soon. Groaning in exhaustion she sat up, swinging her legs over of the edge of the bed. Sticking her head out the door she called out to Keirra. Keirra opened her bedroom door and looked out.

“What time are you leaving?”

Keirra shrugged. “In the next two hours.”

“Okay.”

Kristen went back in her room and moved toward the closet. Flipping through her clothes, she chose a hot pink gypsy skirt that stopped just below her knees and black turtle neck sweater. She would finish the outfit with her pink ankle-high boots. She took out all the items and placed them on the bed. She headed for her bathroom. After turning on the water, she stepped into the shower. She soaked for a while then began to bathe. Not wanting to stay in too long, she turned off the water and dried off.

She walked back into her room and began to get ready. Once she was dressed, she pulled her hair up into a clip and let the ends fall around her face. Satisfied with the look she applied light makeup and then grabbed her bottle of pink nail polish to do a brush up on her hands, waving and blowing on them to speed up the drying process. She slid into her shoes before walking over to the full-length mirror. After a full turn before the mirror, she sprayed on perfume, grabbed her purse, and went downstairs.

Kayla was already downstairs, and Kristen let out a wolf-whistle of appreciation. Kayla looked good in the dress she picked out to wear. It had been a while since she had seen Kayla wear the dress. Keirra came downstairs a little while later, and Kristen and Kayla’s mouths dropped. The off-the-shoulder dress she was wearing must have been bought in secret. Keirra didn’t wear dresses. She said they were only made to torture women like pantyhose. A skirt on occasion, but never a dress—either way, Keirra looked hot.

She was going to compliment Keirra, but she was cut off before she had the opportunity to speak.

“Are you guys ready?”

They nodded and made their way toward Keirra’s car. She drove toward the vacant field where the bonfire pile was waiting. They filed out of the car waving to old friends, co-workers, and neighbors.

Kayla looked back at them. “Let’s get a good spot.”

Kristen let Kayla walk ahead and grabbed Keirra by the arm when she went to follow. “I just want to let you know you look beautiful tonight.”

Keirra grinned, and Kristen hugged her before they moved closer to the bonfire where the band, drill team, cheerleaders, and flag corps were warming up. Kristen smiled. She could remember the day of the bonfire when they had been in high school. It had been one of the most exciting times in their life or at least it had been in hers.

Seven came and passed, and the bonfire was lit. The band played, and the cheerleaders, flag corps and drill team performed. The school fight song was played, and after a few words from the mayor, principal, and head football coach, the pep rally was dismissed, and most of the crowd headed to the barn where the annual dance was held, others went to the square, and others went home. Kristen and her sisters decided to go to the barn. When they arrived, a good number of people were already there. They found a table close to the floor and had a seat. The music was already blaring and a fast country tune. A few couples began to head to the dance floor.

Kayla sat down next to Kristen. “Is Randy going to be here?”

She nodded. “Yes, he is. He worked late, but he’ll be here.”

And she couldn’t wait because she hadn’t seen him at all this week. Due to their hectic schedules, they had missed each other, but they had managed to talk several times. Her thoughts were interrupted when a shadow fell over the table. Looking up, she saw it was Eric. She smiled even though she was a little disappointed because she had been hoping it was Randy.

“Good evening, ladies.”

She greeted him in unison with her sisters. Eric’s eyebrows rose when Keirra spoke to him. Kristen laughed unable to blame him for his shock.

“Would you like to dance?”

Kristen watched several expressions cross Keirra’s face. For a brief moment, she looked like she would take Eric’s hand but instead shook her head.

“No, thank you.”

Before he could question Keirra, Kristen slid her hand into his and stood up. “Well, I would love to dance.”

She winked at him. She liked Eric. He was a good guy. She would give him pointers on how to deal with Keirra. Eric’s hand tightened around hers, and he led her to the dance floor. They slid right into a quick two-step with ease.

Eric looked down at her with a grin on his face. “So do you think this will work?”

Keirra sighed. “My sister doesn’t want to admit it, but she likes you.”

Eric laughed. “Well, she has a funny way of showing it.”

She gave him a kind smile. “Just give her time, and don’t forget she can’t stand competition.”

Eric nodded then gave someone over her shoulder a wink. She turned her head to look and saw that he was winking at Keirra. Kristen stifled a laugh when Keirra averted her gaze. She thought it was cute. The music slowed down, and Kristen laughed.

“Now is the time to put on a show.”

Before he could ask her what she meant, Kristen stepped closer to him and laughed. “Here she comes in five . . . four . . . three . . . two . . . one.”

Eric looked confused, but it quickly disappeared when he looked over her shoulder. A second later, Keirra tapped her on the shoulder.

“Do you mind if I cut in?”

Kristen pretended like she had to think about it then shook her head. She stepped back, and Eric pulled Keirra into his arms. Kristen turned to head toward the table only to stop when someone called her name. She turned in the direction of the voice and waved when she saw Todd standing there. They had been in a few the same classes back in high school. He still looked the same, just a little taller. She smiled at him when he approached her.

“Hi, Todd. How have you been?”

He gave her a quick hug. “Good and yourself?”

“I’m good. Are you having a good time tonight?”

He chuckled. “I am, but it would be a lot better if you would dance with me.”

She looked around for Randy but didn’t see him. This was a song she liked, and she did come to dance. One dance with Todd wouldn’t hurt. Looking back at Todd, she gave him a small nod.

“Sure, I would like to dance with you.”

She stepped into Todd’s embrace and allowed him to lead her around the dance floor. After a few spins, the song ended, and another began. She looked up at Todd and smiled.

“Have you been in Baxley all this time?”

He nodded. “After graduation, I went to work with my dad. I enjoy what I do. What about you?”

“Well, you know my sisters and I left for college, but we always intended to come back to Baxley. This always felt like home more than anywhere else.”

Todd shrugged. “I have to be honest. I didn’t think that you and your sisters would come back when you left. Most people who leave don’t.”

She laughed. “So I have noticed.”

Todd’s smile slipped a little. “Once you and Randy broke up, I didn’t think you would.”

Kristen sighed softly.
“Sometimes plans change, but you just make new ones.”

Todd leaned closer. “Have you made new ones?”

She looked up at Todd with confusion. “What do you mean?”

Todd was quiet for a few steps around the dance floor. “Are you seeing anyone?”

Her mouth dropped open in shock. “Uh . . . well, Randy and I have started seeing each other again.”

Todd gave her an inquisitive look. “Is it serious?”

She paused. “To be honest with you, Todd, I’m not sure. Randy and I have a few things to work out.”

Todd sighed. “I understand. You and Randy have a lot of history.”

She gave Todd a kind look. “You and I have history as well. Just not that kind of history.”

Todd gave her a disappointed look. “I know, but it didn’t hurt to try.”

The song came to an end, and she grinned. “You’re right, Todd. It doesn’t.”

She placed a kiss on his cheek. “Thank you for the dance. Save another for me later if the other women here aren’t hanging off of you.”