Make Me Crazy (Loco, Texas) (14 page)

Andy let out a raspy chuckle. “Hell, Rand, you think your granddaddy did everything around here? Hell, no. Lazy son of a bitch barely scratched his ass.”

Rand bit back a smile at the lie. Granddaddy had run the Double C with an iron fist of control which is why she’d worked so hard to prove she was worthy.

“I just meant that I know I’ve been distracted, but things will calm down after all this business with granddaddy’s will is over with.”

Andy patted her shoulder firmly. “You’re a good egg, Rand. R.E. would be proud.”

Rand’s eyes burned and she covered her emotions by clearing her throat. “Thanks, Andy. I’ll see ya later.”

Jake locked up the store a little after seven and walked to his truck, fiddling with the ring box in his pocket. He’d meant to give it to Rand last night, but been distracted by what had happened in the kitchen. He hadn’t meant to go all caveman on her, but even when he had been sick, he had wanted Rand. He’d stewed with his frustration for three days and when it had finally erupted, he’d been impatient. After they’d finally gotten around to dinner, he’d made love to her slower, and gentler until she’d been the one to surprise him.

“I’m not made of fine china, Jake. I don’t break easily.”

God, he loved that she was saucy. She wasn’t afraid to tell him what she thought to his face and he had always appreciated it.

“Well, look at you. You got tall, Jakers”

Jake froze at the door of his truck and turned to face his brother. “I’m the same as I was the last time you saw me.”

Dustin Hansen stood a few feet away and Jake hardly recognized his big brother. An inch or so taller than Jake, he was brawnier, and intimidating as hell. It wasn’t just the size of him though, it was also the lines on his face that hadn’t been there before, and the look in the dim lighting of the street light. His brother’s eyes looked haunted.

Dustin stuck his hand out and Jake took it, surprised when Dustin yanked him in for a tight, back slapping hug. “It’s good to see you, Jakers.”

Jake chuckled. “No one calls me Jakers, Dusty.”

Suddenly, Jake found himself in a headlock, on the receiving end of some painful noogies. “No one calls me Dusty, either.”

 Jake cursed and squirmed away, laughing. “So let’s make a deal. No Dusty or Jakers.”

“Deal. So you want to come by mom’s and meet your nephew? He’s a cute little shit.” Dustin’s whole face glowed with pride.

Jake hesitated. “Sure, but I’ll have to call Rand. She’s expecting me.”

“Mom said to bring her along. She wants to talk to her about the bridal shower, something about a co-ed one? I think mom is trying to get with the times,” Dustin said, laughing.

Rand was going to love that.

Rand had agreed to go with Jake to his mom’s house for dinner, although she’d been pretty put out that Jake hadn’t told her Dustin was coming home.

“I just forgot. We’ve had a lot of other things going on.”

Rand didn’t believe him for a minute, but she wasn’t going to keep arguing about it on his mother’s stoop. When the door flew open, Dustin stood in the doorway, his eyes popping out of his head. “Rand, is that you?”

Rand gave Dustin a wide grin. Jake’s older brother had always been a favorite of hers, and not just because he’s treated her like one of the family. “Sure is.”

Dustin waved them in and caught Rand up in a big hug, squeezing the breath from her. He had Jake’s sandy hair, shaved close to his head, but instead of bright green eyes, Dustin’s eyes were a golden hazel.

Dustin gave her a smacking kiss on the cheek. “Whewee, Rand, you’re a pretty sight. Why in the hell do you want to marry my ugly little brother?”

Rand caught Jake’s scowl and played along with the teasing. “Eh, ran out of options.”

“You’re both hilarious.” Jake’s tone said he thought they were anything but. However irritable he might be though, he still reached out and took her from under his brother’s arm, pulling her close to his side. Being hugged close by Jake was definitely better than being held by anyone else.

“Come on in, y’all, I’ve got dinner on the table.” Jake’s mom yelled from the other end of the modular.

Rand let Jake lead her farther in, memories tickling her brain as she remembered how many times the Hansen’s had let her eat dinner with them, and best of all, how nice it had been to spend time with a normal family, until Jake’s dad had left and she’d moved in with her granddaddy. After that, Jake’s mom had worked so much, Dustin and Jake had picked up the slack; cooking their own meals and cleaning the house. Rand thought it had taught them responsibility, but she knew it had been hard on Jake, especially those first few years and then again when Dustin had left.

Jake’s mom came out of the bedroom holding onto a little tow headed boy with rosy cheeks and bright green eyes. Rand couldn’t take her eyes of the toddler, and unbidden longing rose up inside her. The boy’s eyes were so much like Jake’s, who had gotten his eyes from his mom.

If we had a baby, would he look like this?

Rand silently scolded herself for thinking about something so ridiculous. She needed to see if they could make it through a year together, not start day dreaming about children she may never have.

She had always assumed she wouldn’t have any, since she had no plans to marry.

Until the will…and Jake.

“Here’s my guy.” Dustin said, reaching out for his son, who let out a childish squeal as he jumped into his arms. Dustin held him close, and Rand saw him close his eyes, his expression one of pure happiness.

“Luke, this is your Uncle Jake and your Aunt Miranda.” Rand started at Mrs. Hansen’s introduction, and as if reading her thoughts, reached out to pat her hand. “A little less than a week, and it will be official.”

The little boy watched them, his small thumb shoved in his mouth. For some reason, he held his arms out to Rand first. “’M’anda.”

Rand had spent very little time around children, but those sweet eyes melted her like a stick of butter on a hot day. Holding out her arms, she took Luke from Dustin and cradled him against her, his warm body squishy against hers. He smelled fresh and clean, as if he’d just had a bath.

She pulled away from his tight embrace and looked into his face, smiling. “Hey Luke. It’s nice to meet you.”

She turned to face Jake and was puzzled by the wide eyed terror she saw on his face. His skin looked a little green, and she was suddenly concerned his food poisoning was back.

“Jake, are you okay? You look sick.”

“I need some air.”

Before she could blink he was almost out of the modular, slamming the door behind him. His mother let out a weary sigh and Dustin’s mouth set into a grim line.

“I’ll go talk to him.”

Rand bounced back and forth with Luke in her arms, turning her attention to Mrs. Hansen. “I’ve never seen Jake act like that.”

Mrs. Hansen’s smile was tinged with sadness. “Just be patient with him, honey. Jake’s been fighting all kinds of demons since his daddy left. Seeing him with you, though, gives me hope.”

Whatever she was thinking, Jake’s mom needed to know the truth. “Mrs. Hansen, Jake and I are just friends. He’s only doing me a favor.”

The older woman reached out and patted her cheek. “Oh honey, I know my boys, better than they know themselves. Trust me, this is more.”

Luke squirmed out of Rand’s arms, ran awkwardly to the couch and grabbed something soft and white. He came back to her, holding the stuffed animal out to her with pride. “Cooddles.”

Rand let herself be distracted by the adorable little cherub, trying not to dwell on Mrs. Hansen’s ideas or Jake’s hang ups.

Jake stood outside under the clear, dark sky and took several deep breaths of crisp air. Something about Rand holding Luke had struck a chord, something deep, primal, and terrifying. For a split second, he had imagined the child Rand held was his, and he had been excited. Happy.

He couldn’t think like that though. He knew the risks and right now, Rand and he were happy, but there were no guarantees. And he was afraid when it came down to it, he would turn tail and run, just like his dad.

 Dustin had ditched them the minute he turned eighteen, but look at him now, playing daddy to a kid barely old enough to talk.

“So what’s crawled up your burr hole?”

Speak of the devil. Jake was in no mood to bare his soul to his brother though.

“Nothing man, I’m fine. Y’all can start without me.”

There were no retreating steps, so Jake knew Dustin was still hovering around behind him.

“I just needed some air, Dustin.” Jake knew he was being a Grade A prick, but why couldn’t he take a hint?

Still, Dustin was quiet. Finally, when Jake was about to lose his temper, Dustin spoke. “Look, Jake, I know you have beef with me for taking off after graduation, but I’m not dad. I am never gonna be dad. I just needed to see something besides Loco before I died, and I did. I wasn’t deserting you though.”

 
Jake took a deep breath. He couldn’t really blame Dustin for wanting something more. His brother had a right to live his own life.  Hell, there had been times he wanted to take off and go somewhere, anywhere. What happened when that itch got too strong not to scratch?

Maybe that was partly why he had resented his brother for the last ten years or so. Dustin had gotten his chance to escape, and now he was back; he was a single dad trying to do what was best for his son. If he was put in his brother’s shoes, would he do the same?

He wasn’t sure.

“I’m afraid I’m like him. Like dad.” Jake hadn’t meant to say it out loud and when Dustin started laughing, Jake stiffened again. Dustin tried to put his hand on Jake’s shoulder and he shook him off. “I wasn’t joking.”

“I know. I’m sorry, it’s just the fact that you’d think you were anything like that piece of shit is absurd.” Dustin put enough pressure to make Jake face him before he continued, “Jake, you stayed and helped out mom when you could have gone off on your own. You are the most loyal, standup guy out there. You shouldn’t worry.”

“I don’t know…how can you be that kid’s dad? Doesn’t it terrify you?”

Dustin’s smile flashed in the dark. “All the time. But I’m all he’s got and he makes me a better man. Love makes even the worst situations bearable, Jake.”

Jake had no idea what to say to that, so he just kept quiet and followed Dustin inside for dinner. His gaze caught sight of Rand on the floor with Luke, her dark head bent next to the light blond curls. When she looked up at him, concern in her brown eyes, a flash of understanding shot through him as he mulled over his brother’s words. He had never felt that overwhelming kind of love, but he did understand wanting to take care of and protect another person. He understood being needed.

Walking over to her, he squatted down and gave her a soft kiss. He pulled back and saw Luke giving him the stink eye and he stuck his hand out. “Hey Luke, I’m your Uncle Jake. It’s nice to meet you bud.”

Curled up in Jake’s arms that night, Rand listened to the sound of his heart’s steady thump in her ear. Tonight had been wonderful really, despite her trepidation about the co/ed bridal shower Mrs. Hansen had all planned out. Dustin and Jake had been engrossed in their own conversation while Mrs. Hansen and Rand entertained Luke. She had fallen head over heels for the adorable toddler, and when he’d crawled up into her lap and proceeded to doze off, a warm glow had started in her stomach and worked it’s way out. Cuddling Luke against her, she had rocked and hummed a lullaby her mother used to sing to her, enjoying the way Luke melted against her. She had been loath to part with him, but when Dustin had offered to put him to bed, she had let go reluctantly, and turned to catch Jake watching her grimly.

 When she’d asked Jake what was wrong, he’d just said “nothing” and she’d let it be. Something told her that if she pushed Jake on whatever was eating at him tonight he’d turn into an angry badger and she didn’t want to spoil the day. Especially when they walked through the door and Jake kissed her so softly, removing her clothes slowly as they’d made their way to the bedroom, then proceeded to kiss every inch of her body until she was coming apart at the seams.

Whatever issues Jake had been holding onto, she would help him lay them to rest. Anything to live in this crazy, happy bubble she was currently floating on.

Chapter Fourteen

Friday night Rand stood in her kitchen, surrounded by all of the Calhoun sisters, several of their friends and Jamie, listening as they talked excitedly. When the phone rang at five after seven, she rushed to pick it up, escaping into her bedroom to answer.

“Save me,” she whispered.

Jake’s laugh was music to her ears. “I was just calling to see if you were hanging in there.”

“They are putting a poster up of a naked guy right now! How do you think I’m feeling?”

“Yikes. Yeah, make sure that’s taken down before I get home.”

Home
.
The way he said it made her insides warm up.

Suddenly, the door to her bedroom was thrown open and Jamie cried, “There you are! We’re ready to get started!”

“What time is the party over,” Jake asked.

“I think ten,” Rand replied.

“Better make it eleven, Jake,” Jamie yelled, her margarita sloshing dangerously.

“Have fun.”

Jake hung up before she could say anything and Jamie grabbed her hand. “Come on, we saved you the best seat.”

Rand took a seat on the couch between Tabby and Jamie, her gaze zeroing in on the area of penis shaped devices on her coffee table.

What the fuck did she get into?

“Ladies, welcome! During the demonstration, I only ask that you try to keep the noise level down. Other than that, let’s just have fun. Are we ready?”

The living room exploded with cheers, while Rand’s horrified eyes followed the demonstrator as she picked up a hot pink penis shaped device about nine inches long.

“This is The Corruptor. It uses a nine volt battery and has six speeds, three rotations, and a clitoral stimulator. With this bad boy in your drawer, you will never need a man again.”

Rand reached over and grabbed Jamie’s margarita and started chugging. She was going to need a lot of alcohol to get through this.

Jake walked in the door to find Rand and Jamie on the couch, giggling as they played with a hot pink vibrator.

Stunned motionless, his gaze traveled over the penis balloons, streamers everywhere, and the floor covered in tissue paper.

“Jake!” Rand jumped up from the couch, wobbling in her bare feet. “Do you want some penis cake?”

Jake looked at the half eaten cake that was down to the balls and grimaced. “No thanks. Did you have fun?”

“So much! Jamie is just waiting for her ride home, but check this out.” She held up the vibrator and pressed a button. Suddenly, the thing bent to a fifty degree angle and started spinning. “Isn’t it hilarious?”

A honk sounded outside and Jamie jumped up with a grin. “That’s me!”

Rand spun back towards her friend and threw her arms around Jamie. “Thank you for staying and for the party!”

Jamie was laughing, her eyes shooting Jake an apology as she detangled Rand’s arms. “You’re welcome, honey. It was fun. I’ll see you Sunday!”

Jamie left the room and Jake took the vibrator from Rand, tossing it on the couch. “You don’t need that.”

“I don’t? Cause I have you,” she teased, standing up on her tip toes to kiss him.

She tasted fruity and delicious, and he swept his tongue inside. He started backing her towards the hallway.

“Do you want to see what else I got?” She whispered it against his mouth.

“Later.”

Rand sat in the middle of the bed an hour later and a lot less giggly as Jake went through the sacks of stuff she’d received.

“Tasty Titty Cream?” He looked up at her with a grin and set it aside. “That’s going in the keeper pile.”

Rand shook her head and held up a leopard print nighty with crotchless panties. “Never.”

“Oh come on. That’s hot.”

She threw it at him and he pounced on her, pushing all the bags out of the way as he hovered over her.

“I have something for you. It’s been burning a hole in my pocket for days.”

He bent over the bed and came back up with a ring box. “My mother gave this to me to give to you. It was my grandmas.”

He opened the box and she gasped. “Jake I can’t-

“Yes you can,” he said softly.

She took the box with shaky hands, the implications playing havoc with her firm stance that she didn’t love him. He’d given her his grandmother’s ring.

It had to mean something right?

After church on Sunday, instead of her usual afternoon of leisure with Earl, she had donned a long cream skirt and purple blouse she’d bought while out with Jamie and Tabby, and headed over to the town grange hall. She’s invited Earl to come to the shower of course, but the old goat had simply snorted at her.

When she walked through the door, her gaze took in the autumn colors blended about the room. The tables were laid out with plain white table cloths, but a dark, forest green doily covered the center, where orange pumpkins filled with an array of flowers sat. Streamers were woven across the ceiling with white lanterns hanging throughout.

“Hey, what do you think?” Jamie had popped up next to her, giving her a little start.

”It’s awesome.” Rand meant it. The whole place was elegantly beautiful.

“Oh, and Mrs. Hansen wanted to know who your bridesmaids were going to be. Jake was just going to have Red and his brother, so she suggested you pick two people.”

Rand smiled. “Could you and Tabby do it? You two have really been there for me these last few weeks, even when I wasn’t-”

“Really? Yay! Absolutely. We will take care of everything, don’t you worry.”

As she whirled away, calling Tabby’s name, Rand shook her head with a laugh.

Suddenly, someone snatched her hand, and she turned to find Jake grinning at her. Relieved to have him there, she let him drag her into a broom closet and press her against the door.

“What are you doing? Your mother is going to have a cow if she finds us in here.”

“No she won’t, and besides, I missed you.” He nibbled along her neck and she pushed at his chest weakly.

“You just saw me in church an hour ago.”

“I meant I missed you naked, in bed, your body beneath mine as I-”

The door flew open and they turned to find Jake’s mom looking put out. “Jacob Michael, I asked you to go to the store twenty minutes ago.”

“I did,” he protested and Rand covered her mouth to smother a laugh as Mrs. Hansen reached out and caught her son’s ear, yanking him off her and out of the closet.

“Then go make yourself useful instead of pawing at your bride!”

When she released him, Jake rubbed his injured ear with a glare. “If I want to kiss my bride, I’ll do it any time I damn well please.”

Rand chose that moment to make her escape, her eyes tearing with suppressed laughter. Who would have ever thought going through all the pomp and fuss of a wedding could be so much fun.

When they got home that night, the last thing Rand wanted to do was put all the presents away, especially after she, Tabby, and Jamie, had spent yesterday cleaning up the house after the bachelorette party.

“I guess I’ll terminate the lease on my apartment early. I’ll take a hit, but it doesn’t make sense to keep it.” Jake said, putting a set of oven mitts in a drawer.

Rand stopped opening the new coffee maker and asked, “How much will they charge you?”

“Don’t worry about it. It’s just my deposit, and I’d pay more in rent keeping it. Besides, this has to be real right? Can’t do that if I’m keeping an apartment on the side.”

She walked over to him and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Which means I should probably make some room for your stuff, huh?”

He kissed her, nipping at her lips. “That would be nice.”

“I’ll have to see if I can get Red and a couple of the guys to help me move and get rid of stuff to make room.”

“We can do it after the wedding. I won’t be so busy then,” Jake said.

“No, it’s fine, I’ve been meaning to get rid of stuff, just Granddaddy wouldn’t let me. It’s time though.”

“Have I mentioned you are one of the toughest women I know,” Jake asked, backing her against the kitchen counter with a deep kiss, his hands all over her.

“Hmmm, and you like that.” She grabbed a hold of the buttons of his shirt.

“Hell yeah. I need a firm hand.” To prove his point he grabbed a hold of her hand and brought it down to where his cock strained against his jeans.

“Hmmm impressive, but according to the demonstrator, once you have the corruptor, nothing else compares.”

Suddenly, she found herself ass up over his shoulder and squealed at the resounding smack his hard hand made. “Sassy mouth, I’ve told you before. You don’t need to compare anything.”

She held on tight as he carried her down the hallway and proved it to her.

Red came over on Monday to help her clean out the attic and pack up her Granddaddy’s things for the church. She was loath to part with everything, so she kept his old corduroy jacket, his best black Stetson, and his favorite cowboy boots.  The smell of pipe tobacco still lingered in the fabric of the jacket and her eyes stung as she breathed in the same smell that had enveloped her with every bear hug. She hung the jacket back in the closet and made her way upstairs to pick through the attic.

Red and Jesse, one of the hands, were struggling down the stairs with an antique dresser she was going to sell to Martha Robert’s for her guest bedroom.

“Don’t scratch it, you two,” she said it with mock fierceness and Red gave her a dirty look as he continued to puff.

The two men set it down and Red panted, “You are…so lucky…we’re friends.”

“She pays me,” Jesse puffed.

“You’re right. I should get paid for this.” Red held his hand out. “Hundred bucks.”

She gave him a smack on his hand as she passed. “How about a low five?”

 
“You owe me,” he yelled.

She smiled, glad that in the few days that had passed, they had seemed to get back to their comfortable banter and heckling.

Reaching the top of the attic stairs, she looked around the array of boxes that still needed to be sorted. She grabbed the box closest to her, and read the name on the top. Catherine. Her mother.

She took out her box cutter, cutting through the packing tape carefully. Opening it reverently she looked inside, her heart flipping with excitement.

Inside she found a framed picture of her mother and granddaddy, smiling for the camera. Her mother was dressed in a cap and gown, and looked so beautiful it pinched Rand’s heart. Setting it to the side, she unwrapped a jewelry box that was obviously from her mother’s childhood and flipped the lid open. A tiny ballerina danced to a tinkling tune and cheap beads, plastic rings, and a few pictures in crayons lay within. She set the pink box next to the picture and continued through her mother’s memories.

A hand dropped onto her shoulder and she wiped at her wet eyes, not even aware that she had been crying. “You okay, Rand?”

Nodding, she said, “Of course. Can you take this box down to my bedroom, please?”

“Sure.” Red didn’t say anything else, just reached down to help her repack the box and left. She looked at a few other boxes that said kitchen and several others filled with more clothes. She saw an old hope chest against the wall and reached out to open it.

“Hey boss, anything else for me?”

She was so focused on the chest that Jesse’s voice behind her made her jump. She pointed to the boxes by the opening wordlessly and he took several back down.

She turned her full attention back to the chest and lifted the lid. A handmade quilt lay inside, beautifully designed with small squares sewn together. She ran her hand over it and pulled it out of the trunk to find a garment bag underneath.  She stood up with the canvas cover and slid the zipper down slowly. White, gauzy fabric appeared as the zipper spread open and she gasped. Afraid to touch it with dusty hands, she closed the bag and set it back inside the trunk with the quilt on top. When Red and Jesse came back upstairs, she asked, “Can you two take this down to my bedroom too, please?”

Red went to grab the handle and groaned. “I’m going to need a four hour massage after today.”

Rand smiled and said, “Well don’t look at me. I’m about to be a married woman.”

Rand stood in front of her mirror and for the first time in her life, she twirled. Her grandmother’s wedding dress. The same dress her mother had worn to her own small affair, and now, it was her turn. It needed a few nips and tucks, but the beautiful satin dress with short sleeves was encased in a layer of lace and pearls. She had also found a veil with the dress, but it was so large it made her look like a ghost and she decided not to wear it. A set of good china and a box of letters were nestled at the bottom, and carefully she removed them. Opening the box, she’d picked up several pictures of her mother with a handsome man in a uniform and looked at the name on all of the postmarked letters.  Sgt. Earl Humphries, U.S. Marine Corps.