In the Eye of the Storm (13 page)

“I won’t bullshit you, Beau. Now will you just go? I have a headache.”

He shook his head, surprising her. “I’m not going anywhere just yet. I’ve made a pretty big mess here and I’m going to clean it up now.”

“What is that supposed to mean?” She frowned at him, not sure she liked being called a
big mess,
even if she was one.

“It’s supposed to mean that I’m sorry for acting like an ass. I don’t usually lose control with women
ever
. You’re the only one. I was mad at myself, not you.”

“I’m mad at myself too. You’re right, this never should have gone this far.” She rubbed her face wearily. “I don’t want to hurt Kylie’s feelings but I can’t go over there tomorrow.”

“Why not? I know for a fact that you don’t have plans. Trey told me about your family.”

“He shouldn’t have done that.” She rarely talked about her parents. The idea that they had been discussed with Beau, behind her back, grated on her nerves.

“Well he did,” Beau said, matter-of-factly. “Don’t get mad at him—or at Kylie. They’re the best friends you’ve got, Kate.”

She knew that was true. Kylie and Trey had been more like family to everyone at th

12

Thanksgiving Day came quickly. Neither Kate nor Beau got much sleep the night before but they were up, showered and dressed by nine o’clock. They were right on time for the family meal. The minute they walked into the house, Kate was enveloped by a swarm of Callahans.

There was Mamaw and Arshia—Beau’s grandmother and mother—who smiled and hugged her as though she was part of the family.

Both women were very traditional in the ways of their people. They wore authentic Indian dresses with bright colors on them. Mamaw’s hair was gray and hung in a long braid down her back. Arshia’s was much the same way, but black.

After that came Joey, Elle and Amy. Ever the flirt, Joey gave Kate a big hug, while Beau frowned at him from behind her.

Dusty’s wife, Faye, was next to offer greetings, her cute as a button son in her arms. Beau was right, the little guy looked like his daddy. In fact, all of the Callahan men pretty much resembled each other. This family had won the lottery on looks, that was for sure.

Richard and his friend hadn’t arrived yet. Kate learned that they had decided to spend Thanksgiving with Peter’s family for half the day. They would probably be stopping by later for dessert.

After all the greetings were over, the family sat down around the living room in various spots and chatted or watched football. Everyone appeared to be in a good mood, though Kate assumed they all knew what was going on with Beau now. They had evidently decided to keep the day festive. She was glad. She and Beau had endured a rough night. It was nice to let go and relax for a while.

Sitting down on the floor, Kate played with Amy. The little girl was beautiful like her mother, with big brown eyes and long, dark hair. Two pig tails were braided on either side of her head. When she smiled, it was like a light went on in the room.

Kate helped her build her blocks up and then watched as she knocked them down and laughed. The process was repeated over and over again, until Lucas was set down on the floor and decided to crawl over and swat them down before Amy could do it herself. Amy didn’t like that. She glared at her little cousin, tears in her dark eyes.

Before long, both children were ushered off for nap time and Kate found herself watching the rest of the family. Mamaw and Arshia were busily chatting on the couch with Kylie. Beau, Trey and Joey were watching a football game with Dusty. Kylie’s parents had arrived and were chatting away as well. Everyone appeared to be enjoying themselves.

It was hard to imagine how things in her own family might have been this way. When her parents had been married, she’d been too young to remember. Then her father had walked out on them and her mother had become a bitter, somewhat abusive, substance abuser. They hadn’t even celebrated Thanksgiving, let alone had family around to take part.

“You are good with children,” of Victoria’s Secret.’front OMamaw said, walking over and smiling down at Kate. “Kylie says you teach with her.”

“I do.” Kate stood up and followed when Mamaw motioned her toward the kitchen.

“It is quieter in here and we can talk,” Mamaw said, reaching for the coffee pot and pouring herself a cup. “Would you like some—or some tea?”

Kate shook her head. “I’ve had my share of caffeine this morning. If I have any more I’ll get jumpy.”

Mamaw just smiled and sat down at the breakfast bar. “I enjoy a good pot of herbal tea a day. It is healthy for you, especially if you use the right blend of herbs.”

Kate wasn’t a big tea drinker. “I’m a coffee girl,” she said, sitting down too. She remembered Kylie telling her Mamaw was very wise and enjoyed the company of new people to talk with.

“It is too bad that bad things happen on such a good day as Thanksgiving,” Mamaw said. “The boys told us about what has been going on with Beau. He hasn’t been around in a long time. We’ve all been worried about him.”

Kate wasn’t sure how to respond to that. She didn’t know whether Mamaw thought she and Beau were merely friends, or whether she sensed something more.

“You are good for him, I think. That one is a wanderer though. He tends to stay in one place a very short time.”

So she did sense they were more than friends. Or maybe someone had told her. In any case, hearing about Beau’s un-rooted lifestyle wasn’t exactly what Kate wanted to think about at this point. On the other hand, it wasn’t like she wasn’t aware of it.

“He will grow out of this. I know one day he will. My Jacob had a brother like this. He didn’t like to stay in one place too long.” Mamaw looked thoughtful. “He was not as successful as Beau. Beau loves to play his game of ball. And he’s good at it.” Her eyes shone with pride. “I miss him though. We used to spend a lot of time together when he was young. Both he and
Trey Mapiya. Mapiya
means sky you know.”

Kate knew this. Kylie had told her Trey’s grandmother always called him
Trey Mapiya
because his eyes were the color of the sky.

“Trey and Beau have always been close—like twins almost.” Mamaw took another sip of coffee. “How about you? Do you have any brothers or sisters?”

“Nope. It’s just me.”

“Ah, an only child. You were spoiled, yes?” Mamaw continued smiling.

“Not so much. I’m not very close with either of my parents.”

“That is too bad. You don’t see them?”

“No, not really. I see my mother once in a while, but that’s it.”

“Well, it is their loss. I can tell you have a lot to offer. You are a beautiful girl. They should be proud of you.”

Fat chance of that,
Kate thought to herself. She hadn’t seen her mother in a long time and she wanted to keep it that way.

“Sometimes bitterness only hurts us more. Letting go of our hate makes us well again.”

“I’m not bitter. I just choose not to speak to my mother unless I have to. She’s not a conscience.

“I’m sorry to hear that.” Mamaw finished her coffee and set the mug on the counter. “Perhaps someday she will change.”

Kate doubted that but she didn’t say so. Beau walked into the kitchen just then, an empty beer bottle in his hands. He slid it onto the counter and looked from Kate to Mamaw.

“What secrets has she been telling you about me behind my back?”

Kate grinned as Mamaw winked at her. “Only between us girls,” the old woman said and got up to go into the other room. When she was gone, Beau leaned back against the counter and eyed Kate, speculatively.

“What was that about?”

“Nothing. She loves you a lot.”

He grinned. “Yeah, Mamaw’s a great lady. She’ll talk your ear off if you let her.”

“She’s got a lot of wise things to say.”

“Depends on whether she’s talking about me or not.”

Seeing the laughter in his eyes, she grinned. “She’s proud of you. That’s all you need to know.”

“I love her too.” He stared at her a moment. “I should thank you for last night, Kate. I wasn’t thinking at the time or I would have.”

“For what?” she asked, confused. She hadn’t done anything but fall asleep with her head in his lap while he watched television. Big help that was.

“For not turning your back on me. For not getting angry and letting me have it for not being honest with you from the beginning.” He shrugged, sheepishly. “You’re a tough girl.”

“I can hold my own,” she said, standing up as Kylie walked into the room

“We’re going to set the food out. You wanna help?”

“I can handle helping with that, yes.” Kate knew better than to get involved in any kind of food preparation. Setting the table was more her forte.

After the table was set and the food was brought out, Mamaw said the blessing. Soon everyone was chattering again, loading up their plates with turkey and stuffing.

Kate watched, liking the way the easy flow of conversation was picked up from person to person. Jokes were told. Stories about the Callahan kids growing up were shared. She even learned that Beau’s first home run had flown right through the kitchen window and nearly knocked his mother out. After that, he had been forced to go out into the field to play, rather than the backyard. Everyone laughed at the story, including Kate. Somehow, it was nice hearing of Beau’s childhood. He’d grown up the way most kids dreamed of, with two caring but stern parents who loved him and all of his brothers and sister to distraction.

“Don’t let the stories fool you,” Beau said, grinning at her. “I got whooped on the average of twice a day.”

“And that was on a good day,” Trey said, also grinning. “We boys managed to find trouble. We kept Mama on her toes.”

Arshia rolled her eyes and smiled as she nodded. “They did. I needed to tie them to a tree. Their father made them work on the farm and they calmed down when they got older.”

The banter went on and Kate just listened, with interest to make him feel better. ">“ b” c. It was funny, but she didn’t #8221;

13

For a second night in a row, neither Kate nor Beau slept well. He tossed and turned and she lay there staring up at the ceiling, her nerves on edge. In the morning, she was grumpy and annoyed and not in the mood to spend a second day with Beau’s relatives. The plan to do so had been discussed yesterday—and she had agreed to it. But now she was having serious second thoughts.

“I’d rather not go,” she told him for the fifth time, while she sat on the edge of her bed pulling a pair of boots on. “I have e walked over and crouched down in front of hers ” K0things to do, Beau.”

He buttoned up his jeans and pulled on a fresh T-shirt, before he met her gaze. “You don’t like my family?”

She frowned. “Of course I do. But they’re here to see you, not me. They don’t even know me. I’m intruding. Besides, Richard and I have a date to go shopping.”

“You didn’t say anything about going shopping yesterday,” he argued, clearly skeptical of her change of heart.

“I just forgot, that’s all.” The truth was, she hadn’t forgotten. She’d made plans to shop with Richard on Black Friday a while back. The night before, in light of what had happened with Beau’s stalker, she had canceled the plans. At the time, she’d been swallowed up by fear. Lying awake overnight, she’d rationalized a few things that drastically changed her outlook. One of those things was that she couldn’t hide in a corner until this maniac was caught. She had a life to live and once Beau was gone—and he would leave eventually—it would only be harder on her if she cowered behind him.

Another thing she’d realized was that she couldn’t let herself get any further involved with Beau’s family. The Callahans were a tight knit bunch, who clearly took care of their own. She was not one of them. As welcome as they had made her feel during the holiday, at the same time they had caused her to put a guard up. She had to remember they were
his
family,
not hers.
His stay in Riverdale was temporary—and so was her relationship with his family.

When she got the nerve to meet his gaze, she noticed he was staring at her speculatively. He was obviously trying to decide whether he believed her or not. “I don’t want you going out alone,” he eventually said. “It’s not safe. Not right now.”

“I just told you, Richard’s going. I have mace in my purse and Richard screams louder than any girl I know in a crisis. Trust me, no one will bother me.”

He still frowned.

“Seriously, it’s broad daylight, Beau. I’ll be fine.” She slipped a jacket on, hoping he would back off. As luck would have it, he didn’t.

“I didn’t peg you for the shop until you drop kind of person.”

“Once a year, I make an exception,” she said quickly. Then she forced a smile for him. “You need to spend some time with your family. I want to spend some time with my friend. There will be plenty of people around. I will be perfectly safe, Beau. Quit worrying.”

He apparently realized she wasn’t going to change her mind because he reluctantly shrugged. “Whatever. If that’s your idea of fun. Are you sure you’re not upset with anyone in my family? Nobody said anything that made you uncomfortable, did they? I know Mamaw can be a bit much at first. She means well.”

Immediately Kate felt a pang of guilt. “She was great, Beau. Everyone in your family was. I just think you should have some alone time with them today. They’re leaving soon and they haven’t seen much of you, you said so yourself—and I promised Richard.”

“Okay,” he relented, but gave her a serious look. “Keep your eyes alert and pay attention to what’s going on around you. Definitely keep the mace handy, in case you should need it. Richard should stay with you at all times. I don’t want you alone, Kate. I mean it.” at your place?”

“He won’t leave me alone, I promise. You can drop me off at his place when you go to Trey and Kylie’s,” she insisted.

By the time he dropped her off at Richard’s it was late morning. Naturally, he had insisted on having a talk with Richard, who readily agreed to keep Kate at his side and let Beau know if any problems arose during the day.

Hours later, Kate was wishing she had thought over the idea of shopping on Black Friday with Richard a little more thoroughly. He lived for this kind of thing. Fighting crowds and raiding shelves was definitely right up his alley. He didn’t mind the screaming babies or the out of control children that ran helter-skelter throughout the mall. He didn’t mind searching for a parking space for twenty minutes. He didn’t even mind waiting in line for thirty minutes for a latte—which was more than Kate could say for herself. By the time she got her morning coffee in her, it was after noon. She was already lagging and ready to go home. Richard had other ideas. He dragged her from store to store. He was laden with bags by the time they’d been in the mall for an hour. Most of the bags were filled with things for his wretched beast of a cat. He spoiled that pathetic excuse for a pet rotten. Kate found herself rolling her eyes more than once.