The Liar (19 page)

“I know, too, I took this for granted. All of it. I never will again.”

They sat on an outcropping of rock, as they had countless times over the years. Emma Kate pulled a bag of sunflower seeds out of her pack.

“It used to be gummy bears,” Shelby commented.

“I used to be twelve. I could go for some gummy bears,” she decided.

Smiling, Shelby opened her own pack, pulled out a bag. “I let Callie have them now and again. Whenever I’d open a bag of them, I’d think of you.”

“Something about gummies.” Emma Kate opened the bag, dived in. “You know, your family would help you with some of the debt—and I wouldn’t do that, either,” she said before Shelby could speak.

“Thanks. It helps you understand the why of that. I’m going to make a good life here. I know I can. Maybe I had to leave so I could come back, see what was real for me, and what wasn’t.”

“And you’ll sing for your supper after all.”

“That’s the icing. I really like Tansy’s Derrick.”

“He’s a winner. And what a face.”

“He sure is pretty. But—”

“What a body,” they said together, and laughed until they lost their breath.

“Now we’re sitting here.” Shelby let out a sigh, looked out over the spread of green. “Just like we used to and still talking about boys.”

“A puzzle that can never be truly solved.”

“So worth talking about. And both of us are doing—or for me about to do—what we used to wish for. Emma Kate Addison, RN. Do you love it?”

“I do. I really do. Hell, I never worked so hard in my life as I did to get that RN. I figured I’d work in a big hospital. And I did. I liked it, I liked it a lot.”

She looked back at Shelby. “The thing I didn’t know is I’d like working at the clinic even more, and I do. So maybe I had to go off awhile to see that.”

“Is Matt your icing?”

“He’s definitely icing.” Emma Kate grinned as she popped another gummy bear in her mouth. “And at least one layer of cake.”

“You going to marry him?”

“I don’t plan on marrying anybody else. Not in a rush about it, even if Mama wishes I would be. Things are really good as they are for now. I heard they’re going to do that big master bath for your mama.”

“She’s got sample books and magazine pictures. Daddy pretends he thinks it’s crazy, but he’s getting a kick out of it.”

Shelby took a sip of water, then took her time carefully screwing the cap back in place. “Griffin was over measuring the other day.”

“They’re looking forward to the demo. They’re both like little boys about the demo stage.”

“Hmm.” Wondering if she should bring it up—and out—Shelby looked out, caught a glint of a curving stream in a splash of sunlight. Talking about boys here, she thought, was tradition, after all.

“The thing is, while he was over at Mama’s, Griffin pretty much came straight out and said he was interested. In me.”

On a snort, Emma Kate popped another gummy bear. “I saw that one coming.”

“Because he makes moves on women a lot?”

“He makes moves like any normal guy, but no. Because he looked like he’d been struck by lightning when you walked into my mother’s kitchen that first day.”

“He did? I didn’t notice that. Shouldn’t I have noticed that?”

“You were too busy feeling guilty and awkward. What did you say to him?”

“I just fumbled around some. I can’t really be thinking about things like that.”

“But you are thinking about things like that.”

“I shouldn’t be. Richard just died. And that’s not even official.”

“Richard—or whatever the hell his name was—is gone.” As even the thought of him pissed her off, Emma Kate mimed balling something up, flicked it out toward the drop. “You’re here. Your marriage was unhappy, and basically a sham—you said so yourself. There’s no required mourning period here, Shelby.”

“I’m not mourning at all. It doesn’t seem right.”

“Aren’t you tired of doing what you tell yourself seems right? You’ve done that for about four years now, and it looks like it landed you in a mess.”

“I don’t even know him. Griffin, I mean.”

“I know who you meant, and that’s why they invented this thing we call dating. You go out somewhere, have conversations, discover what interests you might share and if you’re attracted to each other. What about sex?”

“Richard didn’t seem interested the last few months before— Oh, you meant with Griffin. God, Emma Kate.” Laughing, Shelby reached for gummy bears. “We haven’t even gone on that invention called dating. I can’t just have sex with him.”

“I don’t know why not. You’re both free, healthy and of age.”

“And look what jumping into sex with someone I barely knew got me last time.”

“I can promise you, Griff’s no Whatever-His-Name-Was.”

“I don’t think I know how to date anymore.”

“You’ll ease into it. The four of us can go out and do something.”

“Maybe. Griff wants to take us out for pizza, and I made the mistake of saying something about it to Callie. She’s asked me about it twice since.”

“There you go.” Problem solved to Emma Kate’s mind, she slapped Shelby on the leg. “You let him take the two of you for pizza, the four of us will have dinner or something. Then you can try a solo.”

“My life’s a pure hot mess yet, Emma Kate. I shouldn’t be dating anyone.”

“Honey, when you’re single, going out with a good-looking guy
is
living. Go have pizza,” she advised, “and see where it goes from there.”

“You’re going to get sick of hearing it, but I missed you so much. I missed this right here. Sitting in this spot, talking to you about anything and everything, and eating gummy bears.”

“It’s the good life.”

“It’s the best.” And caught up in it, she grabbed Emma Kate’s hand. “Let’s make a vow. When we’re eighty or so, if we can’t make the hike, we’ll get a couple of young studs to cart us up here so we can sit, talk about anything and everything and eat gummy bears.”

“Now, that’s the Shelby Pomeroy I remember.” Emma Kate swiped a finger over her heart. “That’s a vow. But they have to be hot young studs.”

“I thought that was understood.”

•   •   •

S
HE MOVED INTO A ROUTINE
, a contented one, working on her song list, practicing, weaving herself back into the fabric of the Ridge with her work at the salon.

She found it strange and wonderful how quickly it all came back, the voices, the rhythm, the easy gossip, the sights of the town and the mountains coming to life with spring.

As promised, demolition began, so mornings before she left for work or errands, the house was filled with men’s voices, hammering, drilling.

She got used to seeing Griff and Matt—and maybe she was thinking about it, a little. Off and on. It was hard not to think about a man when he showed up at your house every day with a tool belt slung around his hips, and that look in his eyes.

“Sounded good this morning.”

She stopped on her way to get her Callie bag when Griff stepped out into the hallway from her old bedroom.

“Sorry, what?”

“You. You sounded good. Singing in the shower.”

“Oh. It’s a handy rehearsal hall.”

“You’ve got pipes, Red. What was the song?”

“I . . .” She had to think back. “‘Stormy Weather.’ It’s the forties.”

“Sexy in any decade. Hey, Little Red.”

He crouched down when Callie bolted up the stairs. “Mama’s going to work at Granny’s. I’m going to Chelsea’s ’cause Gamma works today, too.”

“Sounds like fun all around.”

“Can we have pizza?”

“Callie—”

“Deal’s a deal,” Griff interrupted. “I could go for some pizza tonight. Tonight work for you?” he asked Shelby.

“Well, I . . .”

“Mama, I want pizza with Grrr—iff.” To seal it, Callie climbed into his arms, then turned her head toward her mother, smiled.

“Who could say no to all that? That would be nice, thanks.”

“Six work for you?”

“Sure.”

“I’ll pick you up.”

“Oh, well, car seat. It’s easier if we meet you there.”

“Right. Six o’clock. Have we got a date?” he asked Callie.

“We gotta date,” she said, and kissed him. “Let’s go, Mama. Let’s go to Chelsea’s.”

“Right behind you. Thank you, really,” Shelby said when Callie started down again. “You made her day.”

“It’s making mine. See you later.”

When he walked back into the work space, Matt raised his eyebrows. “Moving in on the local talent?”

“One step at a time.”

“She’s a looker. Got herself a very complicated life, bro.”

“Yeah. Good thing I’ve got tools.” He picked up the nail gun. “And know how to use them.”

He thought about her throughout the day. He couldn’t think of a woman who’d intrigued him more—the contrast of the sad, cautious eyes and the quick smile when she forgot to be careful. The seamless way she handled the kid. The way she looked in snug jeans.

It all worked for him.

He almost thought it was too bad the job was moving along so smoothly. A few glitches and he’d have more time to see her for a few minutes every day.

But Ada Mae was no Bitsy. When she decided on a tile, on a color, on a fixture, she stuck.

He had time to go home, clean up, change. A man didn’t take two pretty females out for pizza smelling of job sweat and sawdust. It would be an early evening, he calculated, with a three-year-old along. Which was probably for the best. He could put in a couple of hours on his own job.

In fact, he thought he might move his focus to the bedroom. A man didn’t bring a pretty female home to bed when that bed was an air mattress on the floor.

He fully intended to bring Shelby home to bed. When she and the room were ready for it.

He drove into town, snagged a parking spot on the street just a few doors down from Pizzateria. And deemed his timing perfect when Shelby got out of her minivan two spots up.

He strolled up as she lifted Callie out of the car seat.

“Give you a hand?”

“Oh, I’ve got it. Thank you.”

“Hey.” He heard the tears in her voice even before she turned with Callie in her arms and he saw them welling in her eyes. “What’s wrong? What happened?”

“Oh, it’s just—”

“Mama’s happy. She has happy tears,” Callie explained.

“You’re happy?”

“Yes. Very.”

“The combination of me and pizza doesn’t usually bring women to tears.”

“It’s not that. I was just on the phone. We were a little early as Callie was so anxious. And the realtor called. The house up North, it’s sold.” One of the tears spilled down her cheek before she could brush it away.

“Happy tears,” Callie announced. “Hug Mama, Griff.”

“Sure.”

Before she could evade, he had both Shelby and Callie wrapped in a hug.

He felt her hold stiff for a moment, then just melt.

“It’s just such a relief. It’s like a mountain fell off my shoulders.”

“Good.” He pressed a kiss to the top of her head. “We’re definitely celebrating. Right, Callie? Happy pizza.”

“We don’t like the house. We’re glad it’s not ours now.”

“That’s right. That’s right.” Shelby took a breath, leaned in just one more moment, then straightened. “We don’t like the house, not for us. Now somebody who does like it has it. Very happy pizza. Thank you, Griffin.”

“You need a minute?”

“No. No, I’m good.”

“Then give me the girl.” He hefted Callie into his arms. “And let’s get this party started.”

T
he kid was a charmer, entertained and engaged him—and flattered him by insisting on sitting next to him in the booth.

He might have had a moment or two wishing the mother would flirt as overtly as the daughter, but a man couldn’t have everything.

It was a nice break to his day, between the job and the project.

When the manager came out, pulled Shelby from her seat for a hug, he examined his reaction.

Not jealousy, not exactly, but a kind of inner “Careful there, buddy” as he waited to see just what was what.

“I kept missing you.” Johnny Foster, a man with a sly smile and an easy manner, kept his hands on Shelby’s shoulders to take a long look. “But here you are now. Didn’t realize you knew Griff.” Johnny slung an arm over Shelby’s shoulders as he turned to Griff. “Shelby and I go back.”

“My cousin Johnny, here, and my brother Clay used to look for trouble together.”

“And found it as often as possible.”

“You’re cousins?”

“Third, fourth, what is it?” Johnny wondered.

“Third, I think, once or twice removed.”

“Kissing cousins,” he said, and gave her one, lightly. “And you’re Callie, and aren’t you as pretty as a strawberry float. It’s nice meeting you, cousin.”

“I’m on a date with Griff. We’re going to have pizza.”

“This is the place for it. We’re going to find some time and catch up,” he said to Shelby. “All right?”

“All right. Clay said you were manager here now.”

“Yeah. Who’d have thought? Y’all get your order in?”

“Just a minute ago.”

“You watch over there, Callie.” He pointed to the counter where a man in a white apron ladled sauce on dough. “I’ll be making your pizza myself, special. And I’ve got some tricks. Meant to tell you, Griff, whatever y’all did with the furnace worked like a charm. Hasn’t given us any trouble since.”

“Good to hear.”

“Pizza coming up.”

Shelby slid back into the booth. “It sounds like you and Matt are fixing something somewhere all over the Ridge.”

“That’s the plan. The guy who can fix your furnace when the temperatures dive, or your toilet on a Sunday morning when you’ve got people coming to dinner? He’s a popular guy.”

She laughed. “And who doesn’t like being popular? Busy, too. How do you manage to make yourself popular and do all the work on the old Tripplehorn place?”

“Being popular’s the job. The house is the project. I do better with the job when I’ve got a good project going.”

“Mama, look!” Callie bounced in her seat. “The cousin man’s doing tricks.”

“And he’s learned some new ones,” Shelby commented as Johnny tossed up dough, did a quick spin, caught it.

“Looks like we’re having magic pizza.”

Wide-eyed, Callie turned to Griff. “Magic pizza?”

“Pretty sure. Don’t you see that magic dust flying?”

With eyes like blue saucers now, she looked back at Johnny, gasped. “It sparkles!”

The power of a kid’s imagination, Griff thought. “You bet. When you eat magic pizza, it turns you into a fairy princess in your dreams.”

“It does?”

“That’s what I’ve heard. Of course, you’ve got to eat it, then when your mother says it’s bedtime, you’ve got to go right to bed, and wish for it.”

“I will. But you can’t be a fairy princess ’cause you’re a boy. That’s silly.”

“That’s why I’m the prince who slays the fangbeast.”

“Princes slay dragons!”

“I don’t get that.” Playing it up, he let out a sad sigh, shook his head—caught Shelby smiling at him from across the table. “I like dragons. You might be able to squeeze in another wish and get yourself your own dragon. You could fly on him over your kingdom.”

“I like dragons, too. I’m going to fly on mine. Her name’s Lulu.”

“Can’t think of a better name for a dragon.”

“You’ve got a way,” Shelby murmured, and Griff grinned over at her.

“Oh, I’ve got lots of ways.”

“I just bet you do.”

He decided it was the best hour of his day, sitting in the noisy pizzeria, entertaining a little girl and making her mother laugh. He didn’t see why it wasn’t something he couldn’t work into his regular schedule.

Everybody could use some magic pizza now and then.

“This was so nice,” Shelby said when he walked them back to her car. “You sure made Callie’s first date one to remember.”

“We’ll have to have a second. Are you going to go out with me again, Callie?”

“Okay. I like ice cream.”

“That’s a real coincidence—I’m starting to think we’re made for each other. I like ice cream, too.”

She gave him what he could only term a femme fatale smile from under her lashes. “You can take me on a date with ice cream.”

“Now look what you started.” Amused, Shelby hauled Callie up into the car seat.

“How about Saturday?”

Busy strapping Callie in, Shelby glanced back. “What?”

“How about an ice cream date on Saturday?”

“Okay!” Callie bounced in her seat.

“I have to work,” Shelby began.

“Me, too. After work.”

“Well, I . . . I guess. Are you sure?”

“I wouldn’t have asked if I wasn’t. Don’t forget to make your wish, Callie.”

“I’m going to be a fairy princess and ride my dragon.”

“Callie, what do you say to Griffin?”

“Thank you for the date.” In joyful innocence, she held out her arms. “Kiss.”

“You got it.”

He leaned in, kissed her. Laughing, she rubbed his cheek.

“I like your scratchies. They tickle. Kiss Mama now.”

“Sure.”

He figured she’d offer a cheek, and didn’t see why he had to settle. A man could move fast without seeming to, especially when he’d thought it through.

He set his hands on her hips, glided them up her back with his eyes on hers. He watched hers widen in surprise—but not protest. So he went with it.

He dipped down, took her mouth with his as if they had all the time in the world. As if they weren’t standing on the sidewalk of High Street, seen by anyone who passed by or glanced out a window.

It wasn’t hard to forget where they were when her body melted against his, with her lips, warm and soft, yielding.

Her mind just emptied, every thought—past, present, future—flooding away as sensation flooded in and swamped her. Her body went limp even as it leaped to life. Her head spun in long, lazy circles as if she’d had just a sip too much of good wine.

She smelled soap and skin and the hyacinths in the whiskey barrel across the sidewalk. And heard what she realized later was the hum of pleasure in her own throat.

He let her go as smoothly as he’d taken her. His eyes stayed on hers again, watchful.

“I thought so,” he murmured.

“I . . . just . . .” She realized she couldn’t quite feel her feet, had to fight the urge to look down to make sure they were still there. “Have to go.”

“See you later.”

“I . . . Fingers on noses, Callie.”

Callie put her fingers on her nose. “Bye, Griff. Bye!”

He waved as Shelby closed the door, hooked his thumbs in his pockets when she walked around to the driver’s side. And couldn’t stop the grin when she staggered, just a little.

He waved again when, after some fumbling, she started the engine, pulled away.

Yeah, definitely the best hour of his day. He couldn’t wait to do it again.

•   •   •

S
HE DROVE HOME
with extra care. She really did feel as if she’d had a bottle of wine instead of a glass of Coke with her pizza. And that hum kept wanting to come back to her throat, a kind of echo to the butterflies dancing around in her belly.

Callie started nodding off on the short drive home, the excitement of the day taking its toll. But she perked up again, a little on the hyper side, when Shelby parked.

She’d let her daughter run down again, she thought. It wouldn’t take long. And she had to be coherent, put all this business aside. She didn’t have time for flutterings or hummings.

Shelby didn’t have to do much more than listen as Callie frantically relayed the details of her date to her grandparents.

“And we’re gonna have an ice cream date on Saturday.”

“Is that so? Well, this sounds pretty serious.” Ada Mae shot Shelby a speculative look. “Maybe your granddaddy should ask this boy his intentions.”

“And his prospects,” Clayton added.

“I’m their chaperone,” Shelby said cheerfully. “Oh, I saw Johnny Foster. Didn’t have much time to talk to him as they were busy. He’s the one who tossed the dough. He made the magic pizza, right, Callie?”

“Uh-huh, and Griff said I can ride a dragon, and he’s going to kill the . . . what is it, Mama?”

“I think it was a fangbeast.”

“He’s gonna kill it dead, and then we’ll get married.”

“That must’ve been some pizza,” Clayton commented.

“You can be the king, Granddaddy, and Gamma’s the queen.” She ran in circles around the room, twirling, jumping. “And Clancy can come, too.” She threw her arms around the old dog. “And I’m going to wear a beautiful dress, then it says kiss the bride. It tickles when Griff kisses, doesn’t it, Mama?”

“I—”

“Does it?” Now Ada Mae wore a smug smile.

“Uh-huh. When is it Saturday, Mama?”

“Soon enough.” Shelby caught Callie on the fly, gave her a spin. “Now we’re going up. You need your bath before you go dreaming and getting married to handsome princes.”

“Okay.”

“Go on up, put your clothes in your hamper. I’ll be two seconds. She had the best time,” Shelby said when Callie ran for the stairs.

“How about you?”

“It was nice. He’s so sweet with her. But what I wanted to tell you both is right before dinner, I got a call. The house sold.”

“The house?” Ada Mae looked blank for a moment, then plopped down in a chair as her eyes filled. “Oh, Shelby, the house up North. I’m so glad. I’m so glad of that.”

“Happy tears.” Shelby pulled out one of the tissues always in her pocket. “I did the same. It’s such a burden lifted.” She turned into her father when he stepped over, folded her into his arms, rocked her side to side. “I thought I knew how much it weighed, since I’ve been carrying it. But now that it’s lifted, it was heavier than I thought.”

“We can help you with the rest of it. Your mama and I talked it over, and—”

“No, Daddy. No. Thank you so much. I love you.” She laid her hands on his cheeks. “I’m doing it. It’s going to take a while, but I’m doing it, and doing it feels good. It balances out, some, all the times I just let things go, stopped asking questions, let somebody else take care of everything.”

She leaned against him, smiled at her mother. “And the worst of it’s behind me now. I can deal with what’s ahead. I’m so grateful to know if it gets too heavy again, I can ask.”

“Don’t ever forget that again.”

“I swear it. I’ve got to get my baby in the tub. I had a good day,” she said as she pulled back, hauled up her bag. “I had a real good day.”

Once she’d tucked Callie in, she sat down with her spreadsheet. She should probably wait until settlement, but she thought she had every right to be optimistic. When she balanced the sheet with the sale, she shut her eyes, just breathed.

It was still a painful debt, but oh God, she’d cut it down to size.

The worst, she thought again, was over. And what was ahead?

She lay back on the bed, called Emma Kate.

“How was pizza?”

“It was magic, or so Griff convinced Callie, so she went to bed with a big smile and the anticipation of being a fairy princess riding a dragon. Before she and Griff get married with all due pomp and ceremony.”

“He’s got a way with kids. I think he’s got a lot of little boy left in there.”

“He kissed me.”

“Was that magic, too?” Emma Kate asked without missing a beat.

“My brain’s still soft. Don’t tell Matt my brain went soft. He’ll tell Griffin, and I’ll feel like an idiot. I don’t know if it’s because it’s been so long since I’ve had a serious kiss, or if he’s just that damn good at it.”

“I’ve heard he’s damn good at it.”

Shelby smiled, curled up. “Did your brain go soft the first time Matt kissed you?”

“It liquefied and leaked out of my ears. Which sounds disgusting, but was anything but.”

“I feel so good, so good I’d forgotten how it feels to feel so good. I just had to call you. I sold the house, and got kissed brainless on High Street.”

“You— Oh, Shelby, that’s great! On both counts, but shedding that house. I’m so happy for you.”

“I’m starting to see my way clear, Emma Kate. I’m really starting to see a clear path. Some more bumps to get over, but I see the clear.”

And part of the clear was being curled up on her bed talking to her best friend.

•   •   •

T
HE GOOD DAY ROLLED
into a good week. She could savor the sensation of being happy and productive, of earning her way.

She mopped floors, filled dispensers, booked appointments, rang up sales, listened to gossip. She commiserated when Crystal complained about her boyfriend, comforted Vonnie when the masseuse’s grandmother passed peacefully in her sleep.

She set up chairs and tables in the little back garden area of the day spa, potted up some flowers.