Gentlemen Prefer Curves: A Perfect Fit Novel (23 page)

“Why woodworking, Dad?” she asked at they walked down the hall toward their classes.

“Pops used to make things for the house. Tables and cabinets and stuff. I’ve always wanted to do it, too, but he never taught me. He always made sure I was out practicing ball. I guess he was right in a way. Ballplaying worked out for me, but I still want to learn. I want to make a rocking chair one day. We had two when we were kids. My parents used to sit out there after dinner and just look out into the yard. My mama still does it, even though Pop has been gone for twenty years. You think your mother would like one of those, Junior?”

“Yes. She would love it. That’s a really sweet thought, Dad. Are you learning Spanish for
Mamá
, too?”

“I really just want to know what the damn woman is saying behind my back.”

She shook her head, remembering her mother’s colorful language. “You don’t want to know.”

“No,” he nodded, “maybe I don’t. But I’m going to retire soon. I’ve talked to a travel agent. I’m going to take your mother on a big trip to Europe.”

“But you hate Europe.”

“I do. Especially those damn pretentious French and don’t get me started on those Germans.”

“Dad!”

“What? I’m from Texas. No place on earth is more beautiful. I wouldn’t mind retiring down there, but I know your mother. She would never be happy down there. She gave up a lot for me. She gave up her career. She moved from the city to Durant because I asked her to. She sacrificed having a big family like she wanted because of me. It’s my time to do something for her. I’m just hoping we don’t kill each other before that time comes.”

“What do you mean she sacrificed having a big family for you? You didn’t want any more kids?”

“No, I wanted bushels of them. But when we went to the doctor we found out that it was me who had the problem. Too much time in hot tubs nursing my knee caused my count to go low, if you know what I mean.”

“I do,” she said softly, hearing the heaviness in his voice. “I’m sorry about that.”

“Why?” He ruffled her hair. “I got my Junior. I would like some grandkids, though. No pressure. But since you’re it, it’s all up to you, kid.” He grinned at her. “I’ll come get you after I’m done. I was thinking we could try that new pizza place. They stuff their crusts with cheese.”

“Okay. Don’t tell
Mamá
, though. She’ll drag me to the nearest gym by my ear.”

“I won’t.” He grinned at her. “But don’t pay her any attention. You’re built like the women in my family. And there ain’t nothing wrong with that.”

She left her father, glad that he had invited her to come. She’d learned more about him in those few minutes than she had in years. Her parents really did love each other. They had more than passion. They had compromise. They sacrificed for each other. It made her briefly think about Carter and her, but she pushed away those thoughts. He still didn’t want her around Ruby. There would be no saving them, even though in her most private thoughts she wondered if there might be a chance they could.

She walked into Cherri’s class to find her standing in the back of the room pulling out supplies. It had been months since Belinda had seen Cherri without her son. It was almost odd. Since Cherri had Joey, the boy seemed like an extension of her.

“Hey, baby cakes!”

Cherri looked up and smiled brightly at her. “I’m so glad you came! I just saw your name on my list a few minutes ago.”

“My dad is taking a few classes across the hall. So we are going to enrich ourselves together.”

“Your dad is taking classes?”

“Yeah. He told me that he’s going to retire soon. I think he wants to be able to fill his days. He’s taking woodworking and Spanish.”

“Woodworking! My father-in-law is teaching that class. You should see him, Belinda. He’s so excited he went out and bought a jacket and suit coat. Not that he’s going to wear either of those things for long. But—”

“Excuse me,” a little voice said. “Is this the paint class?”

“Yes, it is, honey,” Cherri said. “Come on in.”

Belinda turned around to see her classmate only to find Ruby standing just inside the doorway with her head full of messy curls, her oversized pink backpack on, and her small eyes wide with worry.

Damn it.

She couldn’t avoid father or daughter, it seemed, but Ruby she didn’t want to avoid. She only wished her father weren’t so dead set against them being friends. It bothered her a lot. So much so that it was all she had thought about that evening. She wasn’t sure why she couldn’t let it go. Carter was right. Ruby shouldn’t get attached to her and she shouldn’t get attached to Ruby. That’s what was happening. She was growing ridiculously fond of the kid.

“Ruby? What are you doing here?”

“Belinda?” Ruby hurried across the room to her. She didn’t stop until she had reached her, until she had wrapped her little arms around her and rested her head against her hip. Belinda stiffened at first, remembering Carter’s wishes, but that only lasted a second. She relaxed and ran her fingers through Ruby’s messy curls. “I was very nervous.”

Belinda lifted her up and set her on the counter. “Why, baby doll? Why are you here? Where is your father?”

“He’s at work. He said that they had classes and fun things to do after school for kids at the community center. And he asked me if I wanted to come here sometimes instead of sitting in his office. So he let me pick a painting class.”

“That’s a good thing. Why are you nervous?”

“Because I had to take the school bus here. I never rode on a bus before. Daddy always picks me up from school. My teacher made a big kid bring me here, but I wasn’t sure if this was the right place and that’s why I was nervous.”

“Don’t be nervous.” She kissed Ruby’s forehead. “You’re here and you’re going to learn to paint from my friend, Mrs. O’Connell. You’re going to have fun. I promise.”

“Hi, Ruby. I’m Mrs. O’Connell, but you can call me Cherri, since you know my very good friend Belinda.” Cherri made brief eye contact with Belinda before she looked back at Ruby. “And since you are the first one here, you get to pick your easel and your supplies first.”

“That’s Carter’s kid,” she said when Ruby went to pick her easel.

“I figured,” Cherri said as she glanced back at Ruby. “Ellis tells me you bought her to the shop.”

Belinda nodded. “Carter got stuck in the city. He needed me to go get her.”

“Hmm…”

“What? Why do you have that stupid smirk on your face?”

“Nothing. Oh, look. More students are starting to file in.”

Belinda turned to survey her other classmates. They were all children. “Cherri, is this painting class just for kids?”

“No. It’s for all ages.” She turned away from Belinda. “But you are the oldest student I have and it’s too late for refunds.”

“Belinda!” Ruby called to her. “Sit next to me.”

*   *   *

The clock had barely moved since the last time he had looked at it. Only two minutes ago. His leg jiggled nonstop. He tapped his fingers on his desk. He had too much nervous energy to focus on the work he was supposed to be doing.

He had let Ruby go. It shouldn’t have been a big deal. He had called the school that morning to make sure that the bus would get her to the community center. He had spoken to her teacher, who assured him that she would have a buddy to drop her off at her art class. He had called the community center to make sure she had arrived. Ruby was there, they told him. She was checked in as soon as she got off the bus.

She was fine. He wasn’t. Before they moved he had barely seen her, trusting her care to somebody else, but all that had changed. For the past few months Ruby was barely without him. He missed her more than he thought possible. But this was good for her, to be away from him, to be with other kids. To do things that she liked to do.

Twenty-two minutes until he had to leave for pickup. He wasn’t getting any work done. He got up and ventured across the hall to Steven’s office. Molly, his intern, was with him going over a set of blueprints.

“These are good, Molly. But you might want to think about the placement of this bathroom. Some people are fine with having one right off the kitchen, but kitchens are gathering places and nobody wants to hear anybody doing their business while eating their pork chops.”

“What if I move the bathroom to the other side of the laundry room? That way the plumbing lines don’t need to be moved.”

“That’s great thinking. Good work. You should get an A in this class.”

“Thanks. I’m going to miss being here after the semester is over.”

“You can always work here for free over the summer. We won’t kick you out.”

Molly smiled at him. “I’ll think about it. I’ve got to head out to class. I’ll see you in the morning.” She stepped away from his desk and spotted Carter. “Hi, Carter.” She gave him a shy smile. “I didn’t see you standing there.”

“I didn’t mean to intrude. I just came to talk to Steven.”

“No worries. I’m on my way out.” She lightly set her hand on his arm. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Maybe when I’m finished with this class I can take you and Steven out to dinner to thank you for all you’ve taught me.”

Carter shook his head. “You don’t have to thank me. Steven is your teacher here.”

“But I want to. Let me know what date works best for you.” She walked out then.

“Damn,” Steven said, shaking his head. “The girl has it bad for you. Clearly she has no taste, because of the two of us I’m more charming and way better looking than you.”

“I know,” Carter said, drily. “I often find myself daydreaming about what our future children would look like.”

Steven chuckled. “What’s up? I haven’t seen Ruby today.”

“She’s taking an art class at the community center. She took the bus there. She’s never taken the bus.”

Steven left his desk and clapped Carter on the back. “She’s all right, man. I took the bus to school every day from kindergarten on. My father was a bus driver. She’s fine.”

“I know that, but—”

“You have got to spend some time away from your kid once in a while. Come out with me this weekend. You’re single or soon to be. Right?” He smiled slightly. “I haven’t heard you say anything about Belinda lately. What’s going on there?”

Carter sighed, feeling heavy. “Long story short I don’t want to give her up, but I’m not sure we’re going to work out.”

“Why aren’t you sure?”

“Because she keeps asking me for the damn divorce papers. And then there is Ruby. She’s gotten so close to Belinda. What if Bell decides she really doesn’t want this and walks out again? I can’t let Ruby grow to love her, just to have her walk out on us.”

“It would be like losing another mother.” Steven nodded with understanding. “Have you talked to Belinda about getting back together?”

“Not really. I have this annoying little problem. I can’t seem to keep my hands off her whenever were alone.”

“You’re stuck on this girl. We both know that you can’t live in the same town with her if things are going to be like this. You’re going to have to figure out how to make this work or one of you is going to have to leave.”

He nodded. It would have to be him. It would be unfair to expect her to move away. Her life was grounded here.

“Why are you still single, Steven? You’re thirty-five. Don’t you want kids? Haven’t you dated every woman in this town already?”

“I was engaged once, remember?”

“Yeah, but you never told me what happened. I only met her once, but she seemed perfect for you.”

“She was. On paper. Nice girl. Good family. Beautiful, but something was missing, and it took me a long time to realize it was love. Rene was just some woman I was going to marry. She wasn’t the woman I wanted to spend the rest of my life with. I wasn’t stuck on her. And I kept thinking about you and Bethany. I didn’t want to end up walking down the aisle with a woman who was all wrong for me.”

“You knew Bethany was all wrong for me? Why the hell didn’t you say something?”

“We weren’t so tight then. It wasn’t my place to say anything.”

“I know we haven’t kept in touch over the years like we should, but I’m here now. Let’s not let that happen again.”

He nodded. “That’s why you’re going to come out with me on Saturday. You need to clear your head and I need to meet some new women.”

“I’ll think about it. I need to find a babysitter first.”

“My mother can watch her. Or one of my sisters. She’ll be fine. You have no excuse.”

“Okay, Steven. I’ll be there. I’ve got to go get Ruby. I’ll see you tomorrow.”

Fifteen minutes later Carter walked into the buzzing community center. There were kids everywhere, outside playing kickball, inside at the indoor pool, in the gym line dancing. There were adults, too, he found as he walked down the hallway where Ruby’s class was being held. They were in classes of their own. He passed pottery makers and what appeared to be quilters before he walked up to Ruby’s room.

It was empty except for three people. The tall blonde he knew as Cherri, Belinda, and his little girl. Cherri and Belinda were talking and Ruby sat there quietly on her stool with her head resting on Belinda’s stomach. Belinda was absently stroking Ruby’s curls.

There was no point in keeping them away from each other, he realized. Ruby was already attached. She was craving a woman in her life, and Belinda was the one she chose.

“Am I late?” he asked walking in. “I’m sorry, Ruby. I thought the class got out at five forty-five.”

“No, Mr. Lancaster,” Cherri said, turning toward him. “You’re not. The other kids belong to the kids’ club enrichment program so they all leave together to go to their next activity. Since Ruby is just signed up for this class, you pick her up here.”

“Good.” He breathed a sigh of relief as he lifted his daughter up. “Hi, honey. Did you have a good time?”

“I had lots of fun. I like painting.” She looked back at Belinda, whom he had avoided making eye contact with. “Belinda is taking this class, too. Did you know that, Daddy? Cherri is her best friend. Cherri paints things and people give her money for it.”

“That’s very cool, Rube.”

“She’s talented, Mr. Lancaster.” Cherri gifted him with a beaming smile. “Look at her work. She has amazing skill for a five-year-old.”