The Price of Trust (5 page)

"Well, Joe, what do you think?" Todd asked walking with him toward the gas station.

"I think it's gonna rain tomorrow," Joe answered, smiling. He knew what Todd wanted to know, and he wasn't going to give him any information. He kind of liked this cloak and dagger stuff, especially with Todd.

"You know what I mean. Do you like her?"

"Well, you don't beat around the bush, do you? Yes. Kelly's a wonderful girl, and I hope she can put up with you. Is that what you wanted to know?" Joe answered innocently.

"Thanks, Joe. That's a load off my mind," Todd said, punching him in the arm. They walked in silence to the drink coolers. Todd picked out two sodas while Joe looked inside with a thoughtful expression.

"Hmm. Which one? Which do you think Carly would like? A Mountain Dew or tea?" he asked, rubbing his chin.

"Oh no, not the 'tea test.' I can't believe you use tea to see if you're compatible with a girl. You are so bizarre. You know, you could just try talking to her. It's worked really well for me and Kelly." Joe grabbed him and put him in a headlock, tousling his hair as they walked back to the truck.

They opened the doors to find the two girls giggling hysterically. They had obviously found something to talk about.

"Joe, I don't think it's such a good idea to leave these two women alone together. Evidently they enjoy having us gone." Todd winked as he started the truck and drove toward the Baird's residence.

Joe grinned, looking at Carly. "What are you two laughing about?" They giggled harder. Humor lit her eyes up like fireworks, and he couldn't take his eyes off her. She was beautiful. He had the irresistible urge to grab her in his arms and hug her. He wanted to make this woman laugh some more.

"Here, have something to drink," Todd said, handing a soda to Kelly.

"Thanks." She giggled. "Carly was just giving me her rendition of the Pruits. She has Billy down pat; it's hilarious. Carly, you have to show them."

"Oh yeah. I bought you something to drink too, but I wasn't sure which you would like. Mountain Dew or tea?" Joe said, holding them both out to Carly.

"You didn't have to do that," she said softly, smiling up at him. "Which would you rather have?"

"Nope. You have to pick first," he said, grinning. She was softening toward him, and he wanted to keep it that way.

"Um, I'd like the tea if you don't mind," she said, hoping it was the right answer. He grinned and handed her the tea. "Thank you. I appreciate it."

Todd groaned and looked up at the ceiling with exasperation.

"What? Did I pick the wrong one?" Carly asked, worried. She looked up at Joe. "Did I pick the wrong one? You can have it if you want it. I'm sorry." She tried to give it back, but he wouldn't take it.

Todd moaned, rolling his eyes. "No. You definitely picked the right one."

"That's your favorite, isn't it? I'm sorry; I'll give it to you. Minus a little swallow," she said, looking up at him with her eyes wide and sad, a playful pout upon her ruby lips.

"No, you picked the right one. Are you going to show us your Billy Pruit enactment?" he asked, changing the subject.

"Not until you tell me the truth. Which is your favorite? Mountain Dew or tea?" she said teasingly.

He laughed. "I plead the fifth."

"That's not fair! You haven't incriminated yourself. Yet." She punched his arm lightly. He grabbed his arm where she had punched him and rubbed it with a smile. He was enjoying himself immensely.

"I have nothing to say. I'm sorry to disappoint you."

She punched him harder this time and smiled with satisfaction at his "ow."

"Todd, will you give me an answer?"

"Oh no, you can't go asking people who have inside information!" Joe cried in mock indignation.

"Excuse me, sir, but I believe you already pled the fifth. You have the right to remain silent now. I gave you a chance, buddy." She waved her hand at him. He tried to grab it. "Todd, which is Joe's favorite drink, Mountain Dew or tea?"

Todd laughed. "He'll beat me up if I answer you!"

"If he tries, you just come and talk to me, and I'll take care of business!" Carly responded, giggling. "Don't you dare beat him up, or I won't talk to you anymore!" she added, grinning at Joe.

"You don't talk to me now, so what do I have to lose?" Another punch to the arm.

"Then I guess you wouldn't have to worry about entertaining me anymore. Todd, which is it?" Kelly was laughing hysterically at their antics, and Todd was enjoying himself just as much.

"Well now, what's it worth to you? You know, even witnesses have to have something to gain by their testimony."

"Let me see," Kelly interjected, "you won't have me talking to you if you don't give an answer? How's that, Carly?"

Carly clapped her hands with glee. "Wonderful! You ready to talk now?"

"Joe, they've got me in a corner. I'm sorry, but I've gotta talk," Todd apologized, and Joe groaned, leaning back against the seat.

"All right, all right. You win. I knew we should have never gotten these two together. Go ahead, spill the beans." Joe sighed.

"His favorite drink is…hey look! Isn't that the Pruit car?" Todd announced, trying to get out of the situation.

"Todd," Kelly warned. "Spill it."

"Tea," he answered dejectedly, hanging his head in shame. "I'm sorry, brother. Will you ever be able to forgive me?"

Joe smiled at Carly. "Nope."

"I knew it. I feel terrible. Here, take the tea. I'll have the Mountain Dew," she said, trying to hand him the half full bottle and take his. He pushed her hand away laughing at her.

"You already drank almost all of it! Anyway, it's too late now. We're here. Ha!" he said as Todd pulled into the driveway.

Carly was surprised. It seemed like just a couple of minutes, when in fact, it was closer to thirty. She looked at the beautiful two-story farmhouse. White siding, with a bow window in the front, wrap-around porch with white, wicker rockers were set off by red geraniums that lined the pebble walkway. More geraniums planted around an old lamp post and lights shaped like candles burned in the windows, completed the picture, making it perfect.

"You live here?" Carly asked breathlessly, looking at Joe as he helped her out of the truck.

"Yep. You surprised that two country farmers could live in such a nice house? You snob!" He laughed and jumped out of the way as another playful punch was aimed at his stomach.

"No, I'm not surprised; it's just so beautiful! This whole place is fantastic!" She breathed deeply as she gazed around her, turning to take it all in. "Horses! I didn't know you had horses!"

Joe watched her. She was like a little kid in a candy store. It was almost like she'd never seen a farm, let alone been on one. The more he watched her, the more entranced he became. He wanted to know so much about her, just be with her. It had been a long time since a girl had made him feel that way.

Carly looked at him and gave him a beautiful smile. He was hooked.

"Thank you for bringing me here. Wherever I go, I'll always remember it, just like this," she said. "This is the most beautiful place I've ever seen."

Joe walked her into the house, puzzling over her last statement. Was she planning on leaving? Did she think that she wouldn't ever be invited here again? He'd have to find out.

"Carly, hi there! Come on in and make yourself at home. This is my husband, Tom," Penny introduced her to a well-built man that was sitting in an oversized chair, reading a newspaper. He put the paper down on the floor and got up to shake her hand.

"Carly, it's nice to meet you. Thanks for coming on by for dinner. I see the boys delivered you two safely enough. Hi, Kelly," he said, giving her a pinch on the arm. "I haven't seen you in so long, I thought for sure that you two must have broken up," he said, winking at her.

"Pop! Don't be giving her any ideas!" Todd said, putting his arm around her shoulders. Kelly laughed. It was plain to see that they were very used to her being there and enjoyed her company.

Carly was struck by an intense sense of sadness by the playful banter. She hadn't had a family in so long, that she had forgotten how they could act with each other. She missed her parents dearly.

"Mom, how long till dinner?" Joe called, seeing Carly's sadness and wanting to do something to make her smile again.

"Oh, about a half-hour."

"Is there anything I can do to help, Mrs. Baird?" Carly asked, running her hands up and down her arms as she came to stand near her.

"Oh no, everything's just about complete. Just finishing up these carrots, and we'll be done. Did you have a good trip out here? I hope Todd didn't scare you too much with his driving," Penny asked, rolling her eyes.

"We had a fun time," Carly answered quietly with a faint smile.

"Mom, I'd like to go show Carly the horses, if you don't mind. We won't be long. Just call us when you need us, okay?" Joe said as he steered her out the door, not giving her a chance to resist.

Penny watched them walk toward the barn. She hadn't seen Joe try so hard to please a girl in a long time. She watched them until Todd and Kelly came into the kitchen and broke into her thoughts.

"Well, Mom, what do you think of her?" Todd asked, helping himself to some freshly cut carrots.

"Todd William! Stay out of those carrots! They're for dinner!" Penny pushed him away from the food. "And what do you mean, 'What do I think of her'? I don't know anything about her." She was embarrassed that Todd had caught her spying on them.

Todd munched on the carrots, not in the least perturbed by her rebuke. "Well, Joe seems to like her pretty well, doesn't he, Kell?"

"He did act different with her. Usually he's so reserved and distant but not with her. It's like they connected or something," Kelly answered.

"Oh yeah. They connected. She passed the tea test," Todd said, grinning slyly.

Penny frowned, confused. "The tea test? What on earth do you mean?”

"Let's just say she gained some major points with him, and she doesn't even know it. He bought two drinks and offered her first pick. She picked the tea, and he took the Mountain Dew," Todd answered simply.

"Is that such a big deal? I know it's his favorite, but I don't see what that has to do with anything." Penny obviously didn't see the importance of what Todd was telling her.

"Exactly. Now he knows that they have something in common, something to build on, and something to talk about and remember."

"I just hope he's careful. More careful than the last time. I don't want him to get hurt again. I still have a hard time with what that Mitchell girl did."

"I don't think she's like that, though. She seems lost and lonely. I really kind of pity her," replied Kelly.

Penny sighed. "I just wish we knew more about her." Her mother's heart was troubled for her son.

Joe and Carly were at the corral, watching the horses. They hadn't spoken since they had gone outside. He felt that Carly needed to be alone with her thoughts for a bit, and he was reluctant to interrupt. She stood on the lower rung of the gate and clicked her tongue to get the horses' attention.

"Here," he handed her some sugar cubes. "Don't give the big gray mare too many. She's got a sweet tooth and won't let any of the others have any. She's not a horse, but really just a big pig." He scratched her ear gently as she nickered at him. "This one is mine. Her name is Ashes."

"She's gorgeous," Carly breathed. She gave her a few sugar cubes and rubbed her between her ears. "How long have you had her?"

"I bought her on my twentieth birthday," he answered.

"And how old are you now?" she asked mischievously, her eyes twinkling. She glanced sideways at him, and he looked back at her.

He laughed. "Oh no. I don't answer any more questions until you answer some of mine."

"I never said I would answer any questions," she retorted.

He winked. "I answered yours, and now you have to answer some for me."

"Only on the condition that if I think it's too personal, I don't have to answer it. Agreed?" Carly held out her hand to shake. Joe took her hand.

"Agreed."

Carly pulled her hand away, blushed, and turned back to the horses.

"Where do you come from?"

"From my parents. Next," she teased.

"You smart aleck. You know what I mean," he retorted, pinching her ear.

"Ow! Well, you made it sound as if I came from another planet, and I just wanted you to know that I am actually an earthling," she retorted, rubbing her ear. "I'm from Houston, Texas. That was my last real home." She really liked teasing him. She sensed that she had some sort of affect on him and she flaunted it.

"What do you mean 'real last home'?" he questioned.

"That's where my dad and I lived."

"What happened to your dad?"

"He died about three years ago," Carly said sadly.

Joe took her hand and squeezed it sympathetically. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to make you feel bad."

"No, it's okay. I'm dealing with it." She turned to look at him. He still held her hand. She began to pull it back, and he let it go grudgingly.

"I mean it. I'm sorry that you lost him. How old were you?"

"I was twenty-one. Speaking of age, I believe I answered quite a few of your questions, and you still have to tell me how old you are," Carly said casually, trying to lighten the conversation.

"I'm twenty-six."

"That's too bad," Carly replied, jumping down from her perch and walking toward the house.

"What's too bad?" he demanded, following her.

"It's too bad." She walked faster.

"What is? What do you mean?" Carly started running to the house and jumped up onto the porch, taking Joe by surprise.

"I meant that it was too bad that you're so old. You were pretty easy to beat to the house you know." She laughed, opened the door, and walked into the kitchen, leaving a speechless Joe out on the porch.

Dinner was about ready, and Kelly was setting the table. Carly washed at the sink and set to work helping her. Kelly smiled at her with eyebrows raised. Carly winked at her and smiled back.

"Time for dinner, boys!" Penny called everyone in. "Better wash up, I won't have any dirty people at my dinner table!" She smacked Tom with her towel as he walked past her. He swatted back at her as she went back into the kitchen.

"You better find your seats before they get back in here, or it'll just be one big hassle. Thank you for helping me set the table; it's wonderful to have kitchen help. Besides eating, that is. I have all the eaters, but not many helpers," she said, smiling as Kelly and Carly sat down next to each other.

Todd sat at one end of the table next to Kelly, Tom sat with Penny at the other end, and Joe, the last to sit, was kitty-corner to Carly. After they were all seated, Tom asked the blessing on the meal, and they all helped themselves. Carly sat back to watch how they did things at their table, not wanting to make any mistakes.

"Girl, you better help yourself if you want any dinner tonight!" Todd called, piling a huge helping of mashed potatoes onto his plate.

"My goodness, Todd! Are you going to save any for the rest of us?" Kelly looked incredulously at his mounding plate.

"What?" he asked innocently, a smile playing on his lips.

Carly couldn't help but laugh at the look on his face. It was a very enjoyable dinner. They told stories of growing up on the farm that kept them all rolling with laughter. The talk turned to their guests near the end of dinner.

"So, Carly, where are you from?" asked Tom politely.

Joe groaned, rolling his eyes. "Don't ask her that one."

Carly laughed, "I only give smart-aleck remarks to smart alecks. I moved to Houston with my dad when I was twelve."

"Where's your mother, honey?" Penny asked, concerned.

"My mom died of cancer when I was eight, and Dad raised me on his own. Boy, those years were rough!" Carly sighed. "But God was good to us and gave Dad lots of wisdom." End of speech.

"Then what?" Kelly asked curiously.

"Well, he died a few years later." Carly said, looking at Joe. "When I was twenty-one."

"How old are you now?" asked Penny.

"Twenty-four. I just had a birthday last month."

"What have you been doing for the last few years?" Tom asked.

"Well, I was engaged, broke it off, and I've been traveling for the past two years. That's pretty much it," Carly answered hurriedly. She was uncomfortable and wanted to change the subject. She glanced at Joe. He didn't change perceptively, but his eyes were darker, and the smile seemed to have faded a little.

Kelly glanced at Joe and asked, "Broke it off? You're not engaged anymore?"

Joe looked at Carly steadily as she answered. "No, that was one of the worst mistakes of my life, and I'm glad it's over." She couldn't look up. Joe breathed again.

"Anyone for dessert?" Penny asked awkwardly, breaking the silence. "Fresh apple pie!"

Penny served the most delicious pie Carly had ever eaten. Lots of cinnamon and nutmeg, it was wonderful.

Carly leaned back in her chair and patted her belly. "Wow. I hope I can be that good of a cook one day. Right now my specialty seems to be macaroni and cheese." They all laughed.

"Mom, thanks for dinner. We're doing the clean-up, right, Joe?" Todd said with a twinkle in his eye, making Carly wonder if it were a set up.

"Yep. We sure are. You girls mind?" Joe answered, looking at Carly.

"Sounds good to us," Kelly answered for her. Now she was sure it was a trap. She smiled.

"Oh no, I couldn't have you do that. It's all right; I can do it," Penny protested as Joe and Todd led her and Tom out of the kitchen.

"Come on, darlin'," Tom said with a fake drawl. "Seems like they want to do this for us. The least we could do is oblige."

"I put the dishes away," Todd volunteered, making a gesture at Kelly.

"I'll dry," Kelly stuttered hurriedly, knowing what Todd wanted.

"That leaves washing and rinsing. Which will you have?" Joe smiled at Carly. "Your choice."

"Oh no. Don't even go there! I'm not making any more choices. I made the wrong one last time. You be a man and figure out which one you want, and I'll do the other," Carly gave him an impish grin and started to clean off the table.

"Cat," he muttered and jumped out of the way as Carly tried to swat him with the dishcloth. "All right. I'll wash; you rinse. You have to be so difficult." He sighed heavily, running the dishwater.

They formed an assembly line as Joe washed, Carly rinsed and stacked, Kelly dried, and Todd put away. They all harassed Joe for being so slow and talked animatedly to one another.

During a moment when Joe was scrubbing at a particularly stubborn piece of burnt on food, Carly started to tap her foot impatiently.

"Hey now, take your time and don't rush me." He laughed. "I've got the hardest job here."

"Whine, whine, whine," Carly said quietly, rolling her eyes at Kelly. Kelly laughed delightedly, thoroughly enjoying herself.

"What? What did you say?" Joe asked archly. "I know you weren't talking about me. I never whine."

"Hmm?" Carly asked innocently. "Was there something you needed? I couldn't understand. There was too much whining going on."

Todd laughed and shot Joe a look. "I know you're not going to let her get away with that one, brother. You've got to have a comeback."

"Uh huh. She's going to give me a bad name." Joe smirked and splashed Carly with dishwater.

"Oh, that's just not nice!" Carly cried, jumping back. "You brat! All over my shirt! I see how you are," she said, nodding her head.

"Watch out," she whispered to Kelly as she grabbed the sprayer and aimed it at Joe.

"You wouldn't dare!" he said in astonishment. She squirted him liberally, making Todd and Kelly laugh hysterically.

"I think she dared, Joe," Kelly gasped, grabbing her side.

Joe stared at her in amazement. "You're going down, oh yeah."

He splashed her with a cup full of dishwater, while Carly squirted in retaliation.

Penny and Tom came into the kitchen to see what all the commotion was about. Penny gasped. "Oh my goodness! What a mess!" She stared at her sopping floor, her wet son, and her wet guest.

They hung their heads in shame. Joe poked Carly in the side and made her yelp in surprise. Todd and Kelly started to giggle. Soon they were all giggling, Penny and Tom included. Carly poked Joe back, and he slipped and fell flat on the floor.

"I'm so sorry Joe," Carly managed to wheeze out between laughs. "Here, let me help you up; I'm so sorry." Carly reached down to help him up. He took her hand and pulled her down with him.

"Now I'll help you up," Joe said gleefully, getting carefully to his feet and holding out his hand to help her.

Penny laughed. "I'm so glad that you all wanted to help clean up the kitchen so much. It needed a good mopping!"

"We'll finish up in here, Todd. You two just go ahead and do what you wanted to do," Joe said, grinning wickedly at Carly.

"Are you sure? You're no match for her, you know. I could stay and be your support." Todd ducked as some soap flew at him. He left, pulling Kelly after him and Joe and Carly finished their cleaning up without further incident.

"I hope your mother isn't mad," Carly worried as she soaked up the water with the mop Penny had provided. "I really don't want her to be afraid to ask me over again."

"Mom? She isn't mad. Or won't be as long as we clean up," Joe watched her mop.

Carly looked up and caught him looking at her. She colored. "What?"

"Nothing. You just missed a spot." He pointed to the floor. She raised her mop.

"Where? I don't see anything. Where?" Joe laughed at her bewildered look. She glared at him. "You're lucky, you know that."

"What do you mean I'm lucky?"

"That I have a good sense of humor."

He grinned. "I know I'm lucky." Carly blushed. "I like it when you blush like that you know." Carly reddened even more, but was pleased by the compliment.

"Are you two done yet?" Todd and Kelly walked into the kitchen. "We've still got to take these two home, and it'll be getting late. Some of us have to work for a living," he teased as Kelly punched his arm.

"Carly and I work just as hard as you two. We've got to make people happy, not just animals," Kelly protested, acting insulted. She worked at the local bed and breakfast that her uncle and aunt owned, and knew what it was like to have to deal with rude people every day.

"Carly, I'd like to see them two do what we have to do in a day."

"No, I don't think you would," Carly replied, winking. "I think it would be too ugly. They couldn't handle it."

"Oh really? I think we've got ourselves a wager coming on," Joe retorted. "What do you think, Mom? Do you think these two city-slickers here could outwork us two handsome, appealing, strong farm boys?"

Kelly gagged while Carly sat in a chair and pulled her legs up to her chin. Joe looked at her in wonder.

"It's just getting really deep in here."

They all laughed. Joe pretended to be injured. "You cut me to the quick, little lady. I'll never be the same," he said, grabbing at his chest and hanging his head in defeat.

"Don't get me involved with your little dispute. I'm staying neutral," Penny said good naturedly. "But you better get. They've got to go to work in the morning."

"Thank you for dinner, Mrs. Baird. It was wonderful," Carly said, giving Penny a hug.

"Thank you for coming. I really enjoyed myself. Especially the mopping! You come on back another time. You're always welcome." Penny smiled kindly. "Take care of yourself."