Threads of Steel (Bayou Cove) (32 page)

“Yeah, sure, Ronnie.
I’m two steps away from my deathbed. I don’t think
good
is the way to describe me.” She surprised herself by laughing. “But you know what? I spent a lot of money on this wig. I appreciate the lie.”

Ronnie chuckled then stepped inside.

Doti
walked past him, inhaling his scent, trying to pretend it didn’t still pull him to her.

“Can I get you something to drink
?
A beer maybe?”

“I’d like that only if you’ll have one with me for old time’s sake.”

“I wish I could say yes, but, well, beers and chemo don’t exactly mix.” She laughed but the sound was harsh. “I’ll get me
a water
and you a beer. You can wait for me in the den or come with me to the kitchen.”

“I always liked the kitchen.” He followed her down the hallway and helped himself to a can of cola from the refrigerator. “This looks better than a beer. I’m driving.”

Neither said a word.

She wondered what he thought about the house that they had bought together shortly after Caitlyn was born. Unlike their lives, nothing much had changed with it. She’d tried to keep it clean for her daughter, but being sick took a toll not only on her body, but also on the house.

She took her bottled water and sat at the table. “Anna Marie tells me you have a steady job and a nice lady that you’re dating.”

He smiled the same killer smile that had the girls reeling in high school. She took a gulp of water.

“She’s right on both accounts. I’ve been with this company for a month or so—

I know you’re going to say that it won’t last—but I think it will. I’m tired of not knowing where I’ll be from week to week or if I’ll have a paycheck. I like this company. It’s a home improvement place and they have me working in the lumber and hardware department. I didn’t know I learned so much about that stuff over the years, but,
Doti
, I’m good at it. I’ve used most of the things that the customers ask for and I can help them. My boss told me I’ll be looked at for a higher position if I stay with them.”

“I’m proud of you, Ronnie. I really am. What about the girl you’re dating?”

He smiled again. “You’d like her. She wants to meet you, but we both agreed that I needed to talk with you first. She’s a little older than me and a lot more sensible. She’s good for me.”

“Is it serious?”

“I hope so.”

“What about Caitlyn? What does this woman say about her?”

He pushed his chair back and paced around the table. “She says she’s there for me, and if I can convince you to let me raise my daughter, she’d do everything in her power to help me and to love her if she and I can make a go of it. I told you she’s sensible. She says she doesn’t want to rush into anything with me, but wants to see if I’m good to my word and stick with this job before we do anything. After Anna Marie left us in Birmingham, we discussed getting married, but she says it’s too soon. But I think it’s going to happen.”

Doti
stared at him for a long time, wanting to believe what he was telling her. “I don’t know
about you raising my daughter.”

“Our daughter,
Doti
.
She’s
our
daughter.”

“Okay, our daughter, but you haven’t been much of a father. She doesn’t even know you.”

“Yeah, well, that wasn’t entirely my fault.”

“You could’ve come around more.
Insisted that you wanted to see her.
Helped me with child support.”

Ronnie looked down at the floor,
then
sat down again. “Okay, I was a jerk of a husband and failure at being a father, but I want to make up for it. Please,
Doti
. Don’t tell me I can’t try.”

“If I agreed—and that’s a big if—I’m not so sure she’d be happy in Birmingham. Where do you live?”

She listened while he explained his plans about a bigger apartment, then a house, and the more he talked,
Doti
felt her resolve melting. He looked so sincere.

Maybe Anna Marie had judged him right. Maybe he had changed.

“I’d like to meet June.”

* * *

The holidays flew by in a haze. Because of the kind of business she and Stephen had formed, their holidays were spent mostly working on costumes. This year Mardi
Gras
season began early in January, and the only way they’d be ready, was to work while others celebrated Christmas and New Years. She and Stephen both managed to attend a few holiday parties, but mostly they toasted each other nightly when they turned off the light well after everyone else went home.

But their diligence and hard work paid off. In early January they handed out their first group of costumes and gowns for one of the balls. By the second week, they had another group ready to go. When the
Lowerys
called her to schedule a date to close on Miss Ellie’s house, she felt good about taking an afternoon off.

Once more Anna Marie checked into the golf resort. By this afternoon the house would belong to
Doti
, Nancy and her.

By this evening, she wondered if Nancy and
Doti
would already have the For Sale sign up.

Before going to the attorney’s office, she’d agreed to meet Doug. He’d called her regularly throughout the last weeks in November, but during the Christmas holidays his calls became fewer and fewer. She had to blame herself for that. With no encouragement on her part, he would’ve been a fool to pursue her harder, and she consciously tried not to encourage him. Even though each time she talked with him, she had to fight back the tears, knowing she wanted to see him.

Today, though, she’d called him on her way into town and was surprised that he’d agreed to see her. He was on the golf course when she called so he suggested they meet after he finished his round.

Her heart beat rapidly as she hung her clothes in the hotel closet and set out a few things on the bathroom counter. She hadn’t seen Doug for over a month, and she admitted she was excited to see him—really wanted to see him. So what if she were nothing more than his pastime on the golf trail? She convinced herself that she could enjoy being around him. There was no reason not to have a little fun and companionship when she was in town.

That thought made her pause. Now that
Doti
, Nancy and she would be home owners by this afternoon, she assumed there would more occasions to be back in Bayou Cove. That too
certainly gave her pause.

Did she want to be here more often? Did she want to be more involved with a community that had ostracized her years ago?

A knock interrupted her thoughts.

Happy to get her mind off of Bayou Cove, she opened the door to find Doug standing outside. Her heart skipped a beat.

“I’m a little early,” he said. “We were able to play through and finished a little faster than I thought. Is that a problem?”

“Absolutely not,” she answered and wanted more than anything to throw her arms around him. He looked so good even after eighteen holes of golf. “I’m almost ready. Come in.”

His grey eyes, looking more hazel than brown today, twinkled.

She walked back to hang another blouse, but turned back to Doug, who stood at the foot of the bed with a smile that nearly knocked her off her feet.

She reached for her sweater to leave the room with him, but as she walked close to him, he reached out, took her in his arms and kissed her hard. At first, with the shock of having his lips on hers, she didn’t respond, but then she melted into his arms and kissed him back. All thoughts of seeing him with the other woman at his house disappeared.

“I really have missed you,” he said when he broke the kiss, leaving her weak and wanting more from him.

His action had taken her so totally by surprise that she could only look up into his eyes and blink. When he gave her a gentle kiss on the lips and moved slightly away, she found her voice. “Wow, that’s a nice way to make me remember why I’ve wanted to get back over
here
.”

“Good. That’s what I wanted to hear.” He put a hand on her arm and led her out the door.”

“Where are we going?” she asked.

“Depends on how much time you have. If you’re in a hurry, we can just grab a drink at the clubhouse or simply go sit on the back deck.”

“That sounds perfect.”

He seemed pleased.

As they walked through the lobby, he took her hand. It was a big hand with small calluses where he’d handled the golf clubs over the years, hands that she knew the feeling of as he’d explored her body when they’d made love. Just the thought of their night together warmed her body just as the sun did as they found a seat on the deck.

He reared back in his chair. “I still can’t believe you were here last month to talk with
Doti
and didn’t stop in to see me.”

Anna Marie had avoided his question the couple of times he mentioned it in phone conversations, but today she couldn’t look him in the eye and not be truthful.

“Well, to tell the truth, I almost did.”

“That’s encouraging. At least you thought about me before you rushed out of town. Still a quick stop couldn’t have held you up too much.”

She bit her lip. “I tried.” He frowned and she swallowed before continuing. “I passed by your house, but didn’t stop because you had company.”

That wasn’t a lie, but it didn’t mention the other woman.

“Anna Marie, I never have anyone at my house that would keep you from joining us.”

She shrugged. “I thought I’d be interfering?”

“I don’t understand.”

“It’s not a big deal,” she said, not wanting to admit why she hadn’t stopped or what her
feelings were that night. “I needed to get back and when you had company I decided I’d better hit the road, that’s all.”

“Okay, if you say so, but don’t you ever come to town again without at least calling me.”

She wanted more than anything to ask who the woman was, but she let the subject drop. She simply nodded.

“So, Miss Ellie’s house will belong to the three of you in just a few hours.” His statement ended with a note that sounded like a question.

“That’s what I understand. No one in the family challenged the will. I’m really surprised because that grandson of hers was horrible. I thought he’d give us trouble.”

“And he might’ve tried, but he probably ran into a brick wall when he realized that Miss Ellie really did want you three to have her house. So what have you decided to do with your share?”

“I’m still unsure.” She laughed. “I realize I have to make a decision almost immediately, but the only thing I’ve decided is that I won’t stop them from putting it up for sale.”

The waitress brought over two large glasses of iced tea. Doug thanked her,
then
continued. “So you’ve decided not to keep it?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know.
Doti
and Nancy both need the money so letting them put it up for sale might be the best thing to do while I decide.”

She took a sip of her tea, but felt his stare. “You don’t think I’m doing the right thing, do you?”

“Nobody can make that decision for you. Just like your decision with Caitlyn. You had to work through it by yourself.” He reached across the table and squeezed her hand. “You’ll know what to do when the time is right. The housing market is down right now. Nothing might happen for a long time.”

“That’s what I was thinking. If it’s on the market a while, I can do some research into . . .” She stopped and shook her head. “Into whatever it is that I need to figure out.”

Doug laughed.
“Yeah, into whatever.”

* * *

Anna Marie pulled up to the Lowery brothers’ law office, turned off the motor, but didn’t get out. She sat staring at the door, knowing that
Doti
and Nancy were expecting her to know what she wanted to do with her share of the house.

It’s easy for them, she thought to herself. They need the money. They loved Miss Ellie and Miss Ellie’s house, but they love her even more now that she gave them a gift that would lighten their future. For her, it was more than the money.

“Yeah, right.
So what is it about?”

She got out of the car and slammed the door. She wanted to be happy about this day, but she was feeling anything but good. And she knew why. She was angry with herself for not being able to make a definite decision. Being indecisive wasn’t like her at all and it aggravated her to be so wishy-washy.

She needed time, but she wouldn’t find it today. Before she walked up to the front door of the law office, one of the
Lowerys
opened it. “Come on in, Miss
LaFaire
. Everyone is here and so excited about doing this today. What a wonderful day this is, isn’t it?”