Song of the Meadowlark (Intertwined Book 1) (9 page)

When they arrived home, Cora took Susie into the house as Rex unloaded the truck, whistling a tune. Susie told Pearl all about their trip to the park and offered her a handful of yellow and white daisies. Pearl glistened with pleasure as she heard her stories. Cora went to her room to freshen up while Pearl entertained Susie.

In the hallway outside her room, Cora ran into Clarice, sporting her designer blouse and new tight jeans. Her high-heels added six inches to her height and made her calves look like she worked out every day. “Hello.”

“Hey, you’re just the person I was looking for.” Long earrings dangled from Clarice’s ears. Her thin arched eyebrows looked freshly waxed.

“Me? Why me?” Cora rubbed the back of her neck with her hand.

“You want to go with me tonight to Wild Bill’s?” Clarice tossed her hair, making pendulums out of her earrings.

“Thanks, but I’m really tired. We’ve been out all day with Susie.” Cora shifted her weight to one foot.

“Yeah, Mom told me you and Rex were together. I couldn’t believe it.”

“We weren’t together in that way. We thought it’d do Susie some good to be with both of us at the same time.”

“Rex’s idea?” Clarice smacked her gum.

“Yes.”

“I knew it. He’s sly, isn’t he?” Clarice popped her hip out.

“What do you mean?” Cora walked into her room.

Clarice followed her. “Rex likes you. I can tell.”

“He’s dating Veronica, in case you haven’t noticed. He obviously likes her more.” Cora pulled off her sneakers, shuddering at the thought.

“No, he only thinks he does. You’re more his type.” Clarice put her manicured hand on her hip.

“Well, it doesn’t matter. It won’t go that far. I work for him, and that’s all.” Cora sighed.

“Okay, sure, whatever. Anyway, do you want to go with me?”

“I don’t think so. I don’t usually go to bars. But thanks for asking.” Cora peered into the mirror on her dresser at Clarice behind her.

“Come on. I hate to go alone. It’s a lot of fun. There’s dancing and music. There’s always a game of pool goin’ on.”

“Maybe another night. It is Monday, after all.”

“Okay, then Friday night. We’ll go to Wild Bill’s then.” Clarice turned to leave Cora’s room like a tornado shifting direction.

“Clarice.”

“I won’t take no for an answer. Friday night after dinner.” Clarice disappeared down the stairs and out the front door.

Cora frowned at her reflection. “Ugh, I don’t want to go. I don’t drink. I don’t dance. I don’t play pool. I’m not comfortable in places like that.”

Chapter 8

The third Friday in August marked Cora’s sixth week at the ranch. The humidity was higher than in South Carolina, and the mosquitoes pestered her ferociously, but not enough to make her want to leave. Georgia fit her the same way the bark fit the oak tree outside her bedroom window. The rolling hills covered with green grass and the flat land of crops restored peace to her soul. And the fresh country air…although quite different from the salty sea breezes of home, it was cleaner than the city air in South Carolina. Could she stay in this place forever?

After spending Monday with Rex, Cora’s thoughts drifted continuously to her plans for her future. She watched the clock on the wall more than ever before and flipped through the same magazines until she had the pages memorized. She took Susie to get a haircut and got her hair trimmed as well. The stylist introduced herself as Mindy, Clarice’s best friend, and without hesitation filled Cora in on all the happenings of life in Southern Hope and Lewistown. The ladies Cora met buzzed about life around the area, making it easier for Cora to fall in love with her temporary hometown.

When Cora and Susie left the salon, they stopped by the library. Cora got a library card, although she didn’t need one if she wasn’t staying.

“Hey, Anne.” Cora hadn’t called her best friend since the day of Clark’s funeral. She certainly didn’t qualify for Friend-of-the-Year.

“Hey, girl. When you coming home?”

Cora grabbed her glass of lemonade off the kitchen counter and went out onto the back patio. “I don’t know.”

“You’re planning to come, though, aren’t you?”

“I am. I just don’t know when yet. I love being here. It’s renewing. Maybe you should come for a visit.” Cora settled on to the lounge chair by the pool.

“Maybe I should. So what are you doing besides taking care of the granddaughter?”

“Taking care of Susie keeps me pretty busy. But I’m also taking time to find myself.”

“I didn’t know you were lost.” Anne snickered. “I thought you got that worked out in church years ago.”

“You’re really funny. Seriously, though, I love this place, and the family is so precious. I could stay forever. I love being on the ranch.”

“But what’s there for you?”

“Maybe whatever I want there to be.”

“You’ll never meet someone new if you stay there.”

“Maybe I don’t want to meet anyone new. Maybe I want to be single for the rest of my life. I am pretty content right now just letting God be my only man.” Cora said this more to convince herself than to convince Anne.

Anne’s laugh blared through the phone. “You’ve lost it, Cora! You single for the rest of your life? Preposterous!”

“Okay, maybe I don’t want to stay single. But I don’t want to find a man just so I’ll have one. I need to be content alone.”

“Okay, whatever. You’ll definitely stay alone there.”

“Why? Are there no men here? You’re silly. There are men everywhere.”

“Yeah, cowboys.”

Cora stiffened her neck. “Nothing wrong with cowboys.”

“I can’t see you with a sweaty, dirty farmer. You like businessmen in suits.”

Sometimes Anne could be ridiculous. “First of all, the O’Reillys are ranchers, not farmers, and Mr. O’Reilly runs a business in Columbus with one of his sons. Second, there are tons of businessmen in Columbus. But, if you recall, my luck with men in suits hasn’t been too good. Besides, some of these men look pretty good in their cowboy boots and tight jeans.” Cora’s mind drifted to Rex. She cleared her throat.

“So you are noticing men. Finally!”

“Finally? My husband just died.”

“But he’s been gone a year.”

“I know, Anne, but I had to stay faithful to him until I knew what had happened to him.”

“So now you’re noticing there are men out there. Anyone in particular?”

“No. No one I’m willing to mention yet anyway.”

“You’re killing me, Cora. Maybe I should come for a visit.”

“You’d love it here. This town has a few iffy characters but for the most part it’s full of great people.”

“Panama City is full of great people too, Cora. We miss you.”

“I miss y’all too, but I need more time.”

“Clarice, is the invitation to go to Wild Bill’s still open?” Cora met Clarice in the upstairs hallway before dinner.

“Why, sure it is. Do you want to go?”

“I need something to get me recharged after the long week.”

“Goodie!” Clarice grabbed Cora in an embrace, engulfing her in her designer perfume.

Cora laughed. “Wild Bill’s isn’t exactly my type of place, but I think it’d be fun.”

“Okay. We’re gonna have so much fun. We’ll go after supper.”

Later, Cora put on her blue jeans, a black silk blouse, and the Western vest with silver buttons she’d purchased earlier in the week. She squeezed on her black suede ankle boots. Hopefully, they were right for the outfit. She pulled her hair back into a smooth ponytail, inserted into her earlobes dangly silver earrings in the shape of cowboy boots—another find in town—and added a bangle on her right wrist. She rubbed the scar from her ordeal. Would she ever forget the trauma?

After darkening her makeup a bit, she gave herself an approving nod in the mirror. The dark circles had finally faded from underneath her eyes. Just as she placed her money and identification in her pocket, Susie came into her room, dressed in her pink plastic stilettos with a matching feather boa wrapped around her neck.

“Cora, are you coming back home?” Susie held her teddy bear close to her chest.

“Of course I am, Sweetie. What would make you think I wouldn’t be back?” Cora bent to Susie’s level and stroked her cheek.

“My mommy didn’t come back when she left.” A frown settled across Susie’s freckled face.

“Come here. I promise you I’ll be back. You’ll already be in bed when I get home, but I’ll see you in the morning. In fact, if I’m not too tired, I’ll even come in and kiss you good night when I get back.” She brushed Susie’s golden hair out of her face.

“You will?”

“I promise. Now, come on. Walk me out.” Cora took Susie’s hand in hers. She gazed intently at the little tot. What had happened on the day Patricia died? Susie must have felt secure that her mother would return, and it scarred her when she didn’t.

When Cora and Susie got downstairs, Clarice stood in the foyer with Matt and another young man. Matt was dressed in his jeans and dress shirt with a skinny tie and dress cowboy boots. Casual, yet still dressed to impress the ladies. His hair was perfect, and his skin glowed like he’d gone for a facial. Surely not. She gave a quick glance in his friend’s direction. He could have been Matt’s twin.

“Good, Cora, you’re ready. Gosh, you look great. I mean it.” Clarice came over to Cora, grabbing her right hand with both of hers.

“Thanks.”

“This is Matt’s friend, Justin.” Clarice pointed with long fake nails the color of a red apple.

“Hey. Nice to meet you.”

“You too.” Justin smirked.

“We’re going to ride with them, if you don’t mind. Mom feels better about us goin’ if we have escorts.” Clarice rolled her eyes, sweeping her lids with her long, fake lashes. “We can ditch them once we get there.” Clarice flashed all of her teeth.

“That’s fine with me if we ride with them. Or, we could follow them in my car. That way, if we want to leave early, we can.”

“Leave early? Are you crazy? No one leaves early, Cora.” Matt took her by the arm, and Clarice burst into laughter. “Let’s go paint the town.” He winked at her with his crystal blue eyes, shrugging his brows that she was sure he’d waxed. Quite the contrast from his rugged brother.

Cora smiled at Susie and kissed her good-bye, hiding her apprehension. If only she hadn’t decided to accompany them, but too late, she had. Matt whisked her into his Jeep, and off they went.

All the way to Wild Bill’s, Cora listened to Clarice flirt with Justin in the back seat. Were they dating? If so, why would Clarice want to separate from him at Wild Bill’s? Cora had a lot to learn about Clarice.

When they arrived at Wild Bill’s, Cora waited a minute for her eyes to adjust to the darkness of the place. Laughter floated like sawdust in the air while people danced. The band played country music, and she couldn’t help but tap her toes. The bells and whistles of a pinball machine and the clacking of pool balls hitting each other as someone played a game rang out from the loft area. Giant ceiling fans blew air all around and cigarette smoke filled the bar. Boiled peanut shells covered the floor. The energy of the place put Cora in the mood for some adult time, but she could have done without the smoke and the alcohol. The bartender stirred a mixed drink and offered it to a customer. Cora looked away. Her past experience with alcohol churned her stomach. They found a table and sat down.

“Well, what do you think?” Clarice put her mouth against Cora’s ear.

Cora smelled Clarice’s spearmint gum. “It’s alive in here, that’s for sure. This place is huge. How big is it?”

Matt rolled his eyes at his sister, and Clarice shrugged. “She wouldn’t know. It’s about 8,000 square feet. It’s made like a barn. The loft area up there is where you play pool and video games.” Matt nodded toward the loft.

This place was like the pool hall she and Clark had frequented in their early days. A stabbing pain shot through her stomach. They had wasted so much time. “I’ve never seen a place like this...not even near the beach in Panama City.” People danced nearby as the band played a two-steppin’ song. She tapped her foot and slapped her hands on her knees. Her shoulders loosened a bit.

“Justin, dance with me.” Clarice put her hand on her hip and popped her hip out, her usual stance. Clarice was an expert at working her charms on Justin. She moved across the floor, pulling him by the hand.

“Matt, is Clarice dating your friend Justin?” Cora hollered over the loud music as she and Matt found a table in the smoky room.

“No, I think she’d like to date him. But, then again, Clarice would like to date every man in this place.” Matt gave her a look Cora unmistakably understood.

“One day she’s going to find herself in a terrible situation, pick the wrong man to flirt with, and end up getting hurt or kidnapped like I was.”

“Hey, Cora.”

Cora glanced up to see who had called her name. “Hey, Bobby. Matt, this is Bobby Millburn from town. Do you know him? He owns the car repair place near Ms. Lottie’s.”

“No, I don’t know him.” Matt looked Bobby up and down. He stood and puffed out his chest, shaking hands with him. The difference between Matt’s soft, clean hands and Bobby’s rough, grease-stained hands represented the gap between two classes of people.

“Nice to meet you.” Bobby squeezed Matt’s hand.

“Same here.” Matt returned to his seat.

“So, Cora, how are ya doin’?”

“I’m doing fine. And you?” Should she invite him to sit down?

“Good. How’s the car?” He stared at her through narrow slits, shadowed by thick, unkempt eyebrows.

“It’s banged up a little bit from the accident, but it runs great. Thanks again for all you did.” Cora smiled. Why was he looking at her like that?

“Sure. How are your wrists and feet doin’?” He stared at her hands.

“Healing up nicely. Thanks.” Cora tapped her fingers on the table and quietly sighed.

“Well, I’ll see ya later.”

“Bye, Bobby.” Cora waved at him.

“He’s a strange character.” Matt made a funny face at Bobby’s back, curling up his lips.

“Be nice. He’s not so bad, Matt. He’s probably better with cars than he is with people. He seems a bit introverted.”

“Whatever.” Matt shrugged. “Hey, you want to dance?”

“No, I’ll just watch. You go ask someone else. I’m sure there are plenty of girls here you’d like to dance with, and any one of them would die for a dance with you probably.” Cora wiped peanut shells off the table and peered at where mounds of them rested on the floor. How strange and unnatural to have them scattered on the floor and underneath her boots. It almost matched the awkwardness being here with Matt trying to woo her.

“Well, probably.” He stuck out his chest boastfully. “But the woman I want to dance with is sittin’ right here with me.” He winked at her.

“Please, Matt. You’re just saying that.”

“No, I’m not. If you don’t want to dance, I’ll stay here with you until you do.”

“Really, you don’t have to sit with me. Go, have fun.” Cora shooed him with her hand, amazed at his vainglory.

“I want to dance with you.” Matt got up from his seat and pulled Cora from hers. Taking her by the hand, he led her to the dance floor. He took her other hand and lead her in the two-step.

The song they danced to ended about a minute later, and next a slow love song started. Cora laughed at the words, which said something about crying and leaving on a train. Matt released Cora’s hands and placed his hands around her waist. Great!

Cora cleared her throat and put her hands on Matt’s upper arms. She moved in a little bit closer to him but kept a safe distance. “I really can’t dance very well. I don’t have much experience at it.”

“I think you’re doin’ great. I’ve wanted to bring you here for a couple of weeks, just so I could hold you in my arms.” Matt stared into Cora’s eyes and swooped her up against him.

Cora put her arms around his neck and placed her head on his shoulder. That was the only way she could avoid looking him in the eye. He wore an intoxicating cologne. He was a younger version of Rex as far as his looks went, except for his blue eyes and lack of facial hair. How much more like Rex was he? What was Rex really like?

Two women walked by and sang out their greetings to Matt, wiggling their fingers in a flirtatious wave. Cora felt his attentions turn to them. The restless soul with wandering eyes. She lifted her head from his shoulder and looked at him.

“You’re kind of tense. I know what would relax you.” Matt winked.

“Matt, cut it out!” This guy was about the slickest guy she’d ever met.

“Can’t blame a guy for tryin’.”

“Whatever.”

“Do you want to go sit down and get somethin’ to drink?”

“Sure.” Thankfully the dancing and the closeness was over. “Thanks for encouraging me to come tonight. I really did need some time away from Susie. Taking care of a child all the time can be pretty tiring.”

“I’m sure it is.” He scanned the adjacent tables, and sat in the chair next to Cora, instead of across from her, as before. She scooted over a little to keep a comfortable distance.

“What do you want to drink?”

“I’ll take half and half sweet tea and lemonade.”

Matt laughed in response to Cora’s order and returned with two Jack and Cokes.

Seriously? This guy was out of control. “No thanks.”

“You weren’t kiddin’, were you?”

“No. I’m dry.”

He nodded. “I’ll be right back.” Matt went back to the bar and got Cora what she ordered. “I’m sorry, Cora. I thought you were only kiddin’ me about the liquor.” Matt settled in the chair next to her, loosening his tie.

“No. I really don’t drink. Most people can’t believe it, but I don’t.”

“Why is that? Have you never tried it?” Matt pushed his glass over to her.

“Plenty of times. And plenty of times it got me into trouble. Let’s just leave it at that. Since I’ve been taking care of Susie, I see things in a new way.”

“I see. But Susie isn’t here.”

“Just the same, I’ll pass.”

“You don’t mind if I have this, do you?” Matt took a big swig.

How could he ask if she minded and then drink it anyway before she could answer? “You’re free to do whatever you want to do.”

Cora listened to song after country song until the once-entertaining sound of the steel guitar sounded much like an out-of-tune piano. Matt soon lost interest in her, as she’d guessed he would, and moved on to a woman at another table. Cora searched for Clarice in the dim light of the bar but never saw her. She gritted her teeth and tapped her fingers on the table, where she now sat alone. If only she’d brought her car she could leave.

Cora turned down several offers to dance, preferring to survey the dancers through the cloud of smoke instead of joining them. She could tell the difference between the steady couples and the potential one-night-stands. Her heart ached for the ones seeking love in a bar.

Then a familiar voice talking at the table beside her tickled her ear, and she turned toward it. Rex! He was dressed like a city cowboy. He greeted the people seated at the adjacent table, shaking their hands and patting their backs. Rex was friendly...almost jolly.

Since the music was loud and she’d risk him not hearing her, she didn’t call out to him. Instead, she waited to see if he noticed her sitting alone. She took a sip of her drink.

A few minutes later, Rex faced her and came over to her. “Cora? What are you doing here? Why are you alone?” He pulled out a chair and sat down across from her. “Do you mind?”

“Of course not. I came with Matt and Clarice and their friend Justin. But they’ve all left me, I hate to say.” The music got louder, and Cora had to lean toward Rex and yell.

“Left you? They left here and didn’t take you home?” Rex’s jaw clamped shut, and his eyes flickered.