A Change of Heart (26 page)

He swung his desk chair back around, finished his bookwork, and straightened his desk before rising to leave. He took the front stairs, coming out into the storefront. Prototypes and pieces that had slight flaws were piling up. Once the
Architectural Digest
ad came out, they’d have to have another sample sale. He wove his way through the odd mix of furniture, stopping to get a cup of coffee before entering the production area.

“Hey, Ted.” Noah spared him a glance before turning back to his work. “I see you’re almost done with the cradle. Are you putting it together today?”

“Yep.” Inhaling deeply, he took in the scents of freshly cut wood, stain and turpentine permeating the place. The back doors were wide open, and the ceiling fan whirred away above him, sending sawdust eddies scurrying to the far corners of the room. Country music poured out of the speakers mounted on two of the walls. Man, he loved this place.

Smiling again, he reached for his tool belt where it hung from the row of pegs. Surveying the various projects under construction, he made his way to his own workspace. The guys nodded their greetings or gave a slight wave and went back to work.

“How was the rest of your weekend?” Kyle came over to stand beside him, pushing his safety goggles up to his forehead.

“Pretty good. I bought an old 1970 pickup truck I’ve had my eye on for a while. It belonged to the farmer whose land abuts ours. I want to rebuild the engine and do some body work, restore it to its former glory.”

“Another Chevy?”

“Nope. This one’s a blue-and-white Ford Ranger, an F100.”

Kyle’s eyes lit up. “My dad is an airline mechanic. He and I used to work on engines together all the time when I was a kid. I miss having grease under my fingernails. Do you want some help?”

“Sure, that would be great. I’ll let you know when I’m ready to start. I could use a hand to remove the engine block.” He glanced at Kyle. “How’re things going with you and Brenda?”

“Hard to tell. I wanted to see her again on Saturday after the shindig out at Noah’s on Thursday, but she turned me down. She said she already had plans.” He grinned. “I think I make her nervous. I haven’t managed to get her out alone yet, but I’m working on it.”

Ted grinned back. “She’s not going to make things easy for you.”

“I know.” Kyle lowered his goggles and chuckled. “She’s going to make me work for it, that’s for dang sure. It’s all about the chase, bro.” He rubbed his hands together. “And I do love the chase.”

Kyle put his goggles back on and returned to his space, and Ted studied the finished pieces of the cradle stacked in front of him. Today he’d assemble the pieces, and then the finishing crew would take over. He ran his hand over the headboard, pleased with the way the bird’s-eye maple had turned out. Vise clamps, wood glue, a mallet and the square-headed nails that were L&L’s hallmark were lined up against the wall.

He reached for the glue, setting it within easy reach, and then lined up the two dovetailed edges where the headboard would connect with the sideboard on one side. Concentrating on the task, he put the glue in each notch and fitted the dovetailed pieces together, using a couple of clamps to keep the pieces tight until the glue dried. Then he repeated the action for the other side. He relished the steadying influence working with his hands
provided, losing himself in the craft and forgetting all about the passage of time.

Once the sides and end pieces were together, he stepped back to take a look. Pleased with the results, he moved the cradle in the middle of his space. Once the glue was dry, he’d start on the stand.

Ryan, Paige, and Cory spilled into the workroom from the stairs, and Ted looked up at the wall clock. Lunchtime. “Perfect Diner?” he asked.

Xavier shut off the sound system and started singing in Spanish, like he did every day. John and Ryan put their tools on the bench and removed their tool belts, hanging them back on their pegs.

Noah flipped the switch on the jigsaw he’d been using. “Sounds good to me.”

“Me too.” Ryan rubbed his stomach. “Ready?”

Ted nodded and took off his tool belt. Had Ryan already brought the rodeo up with Cory? They all left the building together, Ted stopping to shut and lock the doors. “Paige, are you planning a sample sale soon? It’s difficult to walk through the storefront, and I’m sure the fire marshal would see it as a hazard.”

“Some of those samples are slated for the retail store in Evansville. We should be signing the lease in the next week or so. I’m just waiting for the paperwork.”

“Great.” He managed to work his way to Cory’s side. “Good work on the insurance project.”

“Thanks. I’ve enjoyed putting it together. I can’t wait until we’re ready to start taking bids.”

“I owe you a debt of gratitude.” He put his hands in his pockets and walked along beside her.

“No, you don’t.” She shook her head.
“I’m happy to have the project.”

“I’m talking about Ryan. He and I had an interesting conversation earlier. He said you got him thinking, and he’s not going to call me kid anymore.” He shot her a grateful look.

“Oh, that.” She shrugged. “He asked me what I thought, so I told him.”

Now that he wasn’t being dazzled by her smile, he couldn’t help but notice the dark circles under her eyes. Pale and wan, she’d lost the healthy glow that had begun to bloom in her cheeks. “Cory, are you sleeping OK? Is our being apart helping? Because…I miss you,” he whispered.

She looked up at him then, her eyes haunted and the corners of her mouth drawn down. “No, it’s not helping. I’m having trouble sleeping, and I…I realize it has nothing to do with whether or not we spend time together.” She swallowed a few times. “I miss you too.”

He kept his hands in his pockets, even though more than anything he wanted to reach for her. “I have an idea.”

“Why does that not surprise me?” A tiny smile flickered to life for a second, then went out. “You’re the idea man.”

“How about we back up, start over. No more kissing. No pressure. You and me hanging out as friends whenever we want. Do you think you can handle that?” He sensed some of the tension leaving her, and she sighed loud enough for the crew walking ahead of them to hear.

“I’d like that.” She glanced at him, her eyes bright. “I’d like that a lot.”

“Good. I’d like that too.”
Yes!
She’d admitted she missed him. His world snapped back together like the dovetails he’d just glued together. Should he bring the rodeo up, or leave it to Paige?
Baby steps.
Ryan had said they’d take care of it, so he’d let them. For now, just knowing the ban on being together had been lifted was enough.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

C
ORY ROLLED DOWN THE WINDOW
for her short drive into work. The cool air still held the early morning mistiness typical for July, laced with the sweet scent of the hay fields bordering the two-lane highway. She inhaled deeply. Noah was right. Something about living in rural Indiana soothed the soul. Temporarily, at least. Plus, the rushing air helped her stay awake.

She pulled her truck into the alley. L&L’s doors were still closed. Only one car and Wesley’s truck were parked in back. The rest of the night shift must’ve left already. She’d never arrived this early before, and she didn’t want to walk in yet, didn’t want to face Wesley. He’d home in on the dark circles under her eyes and start asking questions.

Stretching where she sat, she considered her options. She could head down the street to the diner for a cup of coffee or walk around the block until Ted or Noah arrived. Maybe she could just rest her tired eyes for a few minutes. She rubbed at them, trying to rid herself of the gritty dryness from lack of sleep. Leaning her head back, she closed her eyes, dropping her hands into her lap…

“Wake up, Cory.”

Someone shook her shoulder. She woke with a start, disoriented
and tensed for a fight. It took a few seconds for her to figure out where she was, quickly swiping the drool from the corners of her mouth.

“How long have you been sitting here?” Paige rested her arms on the window frame of the truck, her expression filled with concern. Ryan stood behind his wife, wearing a similar look.

Cory checked her watch. Forty-five minutes! “Not long.” Embarrassment scorched through her, and she turned her face away. Grabbing her purse, she climbed out of her truck. She studied the pavement beneath her feet. “The doors weren’t open when I got here. I was just going to rest my eyes for a second. I guess I fell asleep.”

“I guess you did.” Ryan held the door to L&L open for them. “It’s a good thing this is Perfect, Indiana, and not some big city. Falling asleep in your truck with the windows down and your purse sitting next to you on the seat is probably not the best idea.” He scrutinized her as she passed him through the door. “Trouble sleeping at night?”

“Sometimes.” She’d even tried a sleep aid last night. What a waste of money.

“Been there.” He propped the doors wide to let in the morning air.

Wesley pushed a broom around the production area, corralling piles of sawdust on the concrete floor. His dog rose from his bed in the corner. His tail wagging, he moseyed over for the ear scratches he had coming. Wesley stopped sweeping. “Morning.”

“Hey, man.” Kyle slapped him on the shoulder. “How’d everything go last night?”

“Quiet night. No problems.” Wesley’s gaze swung to her.

“Are you heading to the diner this morning?” Cory asked, hoping the Malloys wouldn’t mention finding her asleep at the wheel.

“In a few minutes.” Wesley studied her with inscrutable intensity. “You want to join me?”

“Not this morning. I ate a big breakfast at home.” She inched her way toward the stairs and averted her gaze. Another lie. She’d eat a big lunch to make up for it. “I’ll take a rain check. Say hi to Jenny and Harlen for me.”

“Will do.” Wesley crossed the room to pick up the dustpan.

Paige moved to the kitchen area to start the coffee, and Ryan headed upstairs. Cory followed him. Once she reached her office, she settled herself at her desk and booted up her computer to check her e-mails. She searched for word from the law clinic. Nothing. Working on getting health insurance for L&L employees, herself included, gave her a lifeline—a point in time where the possibility of getting better shimmered like a mirage on the horizon. Maybe she’d even begin a search for a therapist today. There had to be places that specialized in trauma counseling.

Ted appeared in the doorway. “Hey, I talked to my brother about the insurance group and the hardship fund. He’s going to have one of their interns put together some nonprofit paperwork for us to file, and also a legal document formalizing the coalition. We should have them by the end of the week.”

“Oh, good.” Her pulse raced at the sight of him. “We’re ready to take bids then. I’ll spend some time today putting a list of providers together for the committee. Thank you, Ted.”

“No problem.” He leaned against the door frame. “Did Paige mention the rodeo to you?”

“Rodeo?” She shook her head. “No.”

“I was going to bring it up today.” Paige appeared behind Ted. “But since you already did, go ahead.” She put her hands on Ted’s shoulders and propelled him into the room so she could get past him. “Ask her.”

Cory raised her brow in question. “Ask me what?”

“Ryan and Paige have tickets to the rodeo for next weekend. They want to know if we’re interested in joining them Saturday night.” He shot her a hopeful look. “No big deal, just friends hanging out.”

“Oh. I’ve never been to a rodeo.” Her insides fluttered at the thought of going anywhere with Ted. She rearranged the pens, a letter opener and a ruler in the ceramic jar on her desk. “Sure. Sounds like fun.” Risking a peek at him, she caught the look of pleased relief flashing across his face.

“Great.” He straightened and smiled. “See you two at lunchtime.”

“Let’s go somewhere different today.” Paige took a seat at her desk. “I could go for Italian, and there’s a brand-new place right outside of Boonville Ryan and I have wanted to try for a while. It’s called Carrabba’s.”

“I’m in.”

“Me too,” Cory chimed, remembering her promise to eat a big lunch.

“Good,” Paige said. “Ted, can you find out if the rest of the guys want to join us? I’ll make a reservation once you give me a head count.”

“We need a reservation for this place?” Ted looked down at his jeans and work boots. “It’s not too fancy, is it?”

“I don’t think so, but I hear it’s popular, and we’re a large party.”

“Right. I’ll go ask them now.” He backed out of the door, his eyes connecting with Cory’s for a brief, breathtaking second.

I’m hopeless.
They’d agreed to keep their relationship strictly friendly. Right. Sighing, she started a Google search for insurance providers.

“Are you OK, Cory? When we saw you sound asleep in your truck, it kind of—”

“Sure. I’m fine.” Not really. “I just haven’t gotten much sleep lately.”

“Ryan used to have trouble sleeping too. He said most of the trouble started for him once he fell asleep. Have you considered seeing a medical doctor? They can prescribe something.”

“Do you have any idea what an office visit would cost? Or a prescription, for that matter? Believe me, I’ve looked into it, and therapy. One session costs around a hundred forty bucks, and I’d need to see someone once a week for starters.” She snorted. “I’m still hoping the law clinic comes through for me soon. In the meantime, I’ll tough it out until we have health care benefits.” She shifted in her seat. “It’s not like I don’t get any rest. I do. Some nights are just worse than others.”