Backstage (The Barter System Book 4) (27 page)

“Do they wear you out a bit?  They do me because I don’t know
where
they get all their get up and go.  I want to sit down and watch
Ellen
.” 

“I admit absolute
envy
of their energy.  They manage to burn off calories they haven’t eaten yet.”  They looked at the twins.  Both had their mouths full of food and it made Theodora and Becky laugh.  “They try to keep up but it just doesn’t work.”

“You are such a vibrant breath of fresh air.  The Johannsons adopt people.  We get them into our family and never let them out!”

“That sounds lovely, Mrs. Johannson.”

“Call me Becky!  The only way I could get you on a more permanent basis is to marry you off to one of my boys…” 

Score the first point to Becky Johannson.

Chapter Three

“Oh my goodness!”  Face blazing, Theodora released a nervous chuckle.  “I’m afraid you’ll have to settle for adopting me in.” 

“We’ll see.  I want you on the team full time and any of mine would score major points if they managed to sweep you off your feet.” 

Gently pushing her curls off her face, Theodora cleared her throat.  “Men don’t really look at me that way, Becky.  I’m usually placed in the
mom
zone or the
friend
zone.  Neither category interests me in the slightest.  I have plenty to keep me busy so most of the time, I don’t even notice there isn’t a man in my life.”

Kiefer watched her face carefully and realized she was on the verge of tears.  “Men are
highly
overrated,” he told her with a grin.  “We’re gross, we leave the seat up, and we scratch ourselves in inappropriate places.”  Leaning on the counter with his arms crossed, he added, “I could curl your hair even more with stories of burpin’ and fartin’ contests between my brothers and me.  Absolutely disgustin’.” 

Her eyes lifted to his and she gave him a small smile.  “I’ve heard horror stories from my cousins and friends.  Sounds
awful
.” 

With a serious nod, he replied, “Men suck.  Dogs are much better.” 

“Any particular breed?” 

Though he felt his mother and sisters staring at him, he didn’t look in their direction.  “Always pick a mutt.  The ugly one that no one else wants.  That’s the friendliest, most loyal creature on the planet.” 

“Do you have dogs?”

“Three of the sweetest and dumbest mutts you’ve ever seen.”  He winked.  “Anyone comes to the door they don’t know, it’s a potential
Deadliest Animals on Earth
situation.  Loyal means fiercely protective and I think my mailman is on anxiety medication now.” 

“I like a dog that will snuggle but still be willing to rip the face off of a mugger.  Sounds like the best of both worlds.” 

“Exactly.  If you have a shaded park near your house, you can walk it without hurtin’ your skin or eyes.”  He smiled.  “I’d be happy to help you pick a sweet mutt while I’m here.  We can chart out a safe walking path for you.” 

“How kind of you, Kiefer.  I’ll think about it for a couple of days.  I would never bring an animal into my life if I wasn’t certain I could give it all the attention it would need.” 

“You’re already ten miles ahead of most people who adopt.  Now, I’m tryin’ real hard not to beg for one of those cupcakes but I can feel myself weakenin’ by the second.” 

Laughing happily, Theodora lifted the tray and he gave up trying to choose and took one of each variety.  “A two-fisted eater makes a caterer’s world go round.” 

“I’d trough it if I wouldn’t get weird looks.  I told you, men are pigs.”

“Not so much, just exuberant.”  To the women standing nearby pretending not to eavesdrop, she said, “Give me a few minutes to get things straightened up and we can talk about food for your weddings.  I’m giddy to put menus together.” 

Kiefer knew his mother and sisters well.  Their minds were turning rapidly and he needed to let them know up front that he wasn’t looking at the caterer as a long-term thing.  He couldn’t deny that he was attracted to her but they’d never work. 

The life she led wasn’t his style.

Becky smiled brightly.  “Next week, we’re havin’ a big dinner together to celebrate.  One of Ivan’s friends here in New York made us reservations at Peter Luger’s and we’d love you to join us.” 

“That happens to be my
favorite
restaurant.  Isaiah and Ezra used to take me there every year for my birthday.  That was when Mom could still get around.” 

“I’m sorry, dear.  The girls mentioned that your mama’s sick.” 

Theodora nodded.  “She has rheumatoid arthritis.  It’s progressed to the point where she can’t walk anymore.  Her doctors finally found a combination of medications to manage her pain.  For that, I’m grateful.” 

Walking around the counter that separated them, Becky pulled Theodora into a tight hug.  “I like you more and more.  Will your mother be alright if you spend the evenin’ with us?” 

“She has around the clock care and she pushes me to get out more.  Thank you for the invitation.” 

“Naturally, you’re invited!  Now, what can I help you do to finish up?” 

“Absolutely nothing, ma’am.  Spoil your girls and I’ll see you tomorrow.” 

With that, Theodora hustled the Johannson women toward the dressing area.  They went laughingly as the last person finished eating and headed deeper into the backstage area. 

While she started condensing the food in sealed containers, Kiefer busied himself rinsing the huge stack of dishes that everyone used and placing them in the dishwasher. 

She stared at him with a puzzled look on her face. 

“Mama gave all of us chores.  Daddy raised us to do what had to be done.  Doesn’t make sense to stand around while you clean up after twenty people you fed.” 

“But…I’m a caterer.  Cooking and cleaning up is what I do.” 

“Not today, Teddy.” 

“Teddy…?” 

“I bet no one ever gave you a nickname before and you should have one.  Theodora is a mouthful and I’m super lazy.”

“Ha!  That’s bullshit.”  Hearing her cuss tightened his groin.  “Some people tried to shorten it to Dora and I’ve never been a fan.  No one ever suggested Teddy.” 

Nodding sagely, he replied, “You’re welcome.” 

They worked together in silence, getting the space cleaned, cleared, and squared away.  Drying her hands, she gave him a brilliant smile.  “Thanks, Kiefer.  I appreciate it.” 

“Sure thing.” 

* * * * *

With a final wink, Kiefer wandered off to find the rest of his family and Theodora watched him go with her eyes glued to his ass. 

Under her breath, she muttered, “Damn.” 

The wildest Johannson son continued to seek her out every afternoon at the theater.  He made her laugh and she cautioned herself to put defenses in place.  He was good looking, charming, and smarter than he seemed to want anyone to know. 

It was useless.  By the third day, she
waited
for him. 

A few days later, as they finished dishes and straightened up her space, he turned and leaned against the counter.  The position tightened his clothing across a body meant to be appreciated like a work of art. 

She did so happily. 

“I was gonna take a cab to the hotel to clean up.  How about I take you for coffee and drop you home?” 

“I don’t want to be a bother.”

“You just fed me another ten thousand calories that seduced my taste buds and put me in a food coma.  You’re no bother.  After coffee, I’ll take a long nap before I’m required to think again.” 

“That would be great of you.”

She put a sign on the fridge for the crew to help themselves to leftovers and picked up her pink messenger bag.  They chatted as they walked up the block to the coffee house.  He picked a table away from the window where the setting sun was brightest and sprawled in a chair.

Her gaze was drawn to his hands.  They were large and tanned with definition that attested to his physically active lifestyle.  For a moment, she wondered if the palms were rough…and how they’d feel on her skin.

“What do you do for fun, Teddy?” 

The sound of his voice startled her from her daydream.  Chuckling, she replied, “I don’t do much.  I watch movies, spend time with my mom, read, and cook a lot.  Not very exciting, I know.” 

“Life is as excitin’ as you make it.”  There was no denying the innuendo.

“You’re right but I’ve settled into a rut.  I do the same things over and over each day and changing them rarely crosses my mind.”  She took a sip of her coffee, thinking.  “My life is a series of lists.  I make them, check them off, make another, and repeat.” 

“It sounds like you don’t really like that way of livin’,” he observed.  “If you could do anything, no limits, what would it be?”

“Taking my albinism into account, I’d write cookbooks and make food for people I love.” 

Kiefer sat up slowly and folded his arms on the table.  She was fascinated by the veins in his forearms.  Lifting her gaze to his, she knew he recognized her attention to his body.  It was likely attention he was used to receiving from the opposite sex. 

“You’re distracting.” 

“Thank you.  I’m glad you think so.”  His smile was slow.  “I find
you
distractin’ as well, Teddy.” 

The words made her laugh softly.  “You are
such
a charmer.” 

“I’m also honest.  More on how much you distract me in a minute.  What’s stoppin’ you from livin’ your dream right now?” 

The change of subject took her by surprise and she pulled her lower lip between her teeth.  “I hate to say…” 

“You won’t get any judgment from me.  You have my word.” 

“It would be easier and safer for me to work from home eventually but I don’t now because of…my mom.”  When the words were out, it felt as though a floodgate opened inside her.  “I-I can’t stand being home all the time, watching her fade away, losing a bit more of herself every day.” 

Kiefer stared at her for a long time in silence.  “That you can’t handle watchin’ it bothers you more than anybody would guess, doesn’t it?” 

She nodded and wondered at the amount of personal information she was sharing with a man she’d known for a handful of days. 

“I love her and seeing her in so much pain shatters me on the inside.  She was always there for me.  It’s horrifically selfish of me.”

“You know, when my brother was hurt, it was bad.  He almost died.  Reynold is my oldest brother, the one who looked out for all of us.  I love him more than I can explain.”  He closed his eyes.  “Seein’ him like that, broken and in constant agony, I couldn’t handle it.” 

“What did you do?” she asked softly.

His smile was self-mocking.  “I wasn’t as good as you, Teddy.  I set my alarm and left the house before dawn to do chores on the ranch so I was gone when he woke up.”  Pausing, he explained, “The pain meds they gave him at night always wore off and he’d wake up screamin’.”

“That must have been awful.  I’m sorry.”

“I wasn’t used to seein’ him…helpless.  It made me feel fucked up but I realized something.  Reynold was Superman to me.  When he got hurt, it gave me a glimpse of my own limits.”  One shoulder lifted in a shrug.  “No one wants to realize how fragile life can be.”

They stared at one another for a long time.  “I look at my mother and I see myself.  Her disease is chronic; slow moving but devastating to her physical body.  It eats her one day at a time.” 

Picking up a napkin, she blotted her eyes.  “One day, I’ll be blind.  My vision worsens every year.  Like Mom, there’s nothing I can do to stop it.”  The fears she felt when she was alone threatened to break loose and she steadied her voice. 

“There will be pain but no one will be able to see it.  I will be isolated even in a crowd of people.  I’m not ready to face that future so I ignore it.  I wear a happy persona until it infects me and I get through my days as well as I can.” 

“I’m sorry, Teddy.  Is there anything that can be done?”

“No.  I’ve known since I was a child.”  She glanced toward the window.  “I used to feel as if I lived in an hourglass, just waiting to go blind.  When I was a teenager, I learned how to put it out of my mind.  I knew if I didn’t, I’d never have a life at all.”  Meeting his eyes, she added, “I’ve never admitted any of that to another person.” 

“Thank you for trustin’ me with it.  I never told anyone how I felt when Reynold had his accident.  All these years, that shame festered like a sore inside me.  I’m glad it’s out.”

“I don’t feel as alone.  Thanks, Kiefer.” 

He patted the top of the table in a quick rhythm.  “You and I are gonna be great friends.”  Tilting his head at her small laugh, he clarified.  “Not
friend zone
kinds of friends.  I should warn you about that up front.” 

They maintained eye contact. “Good to know.”  Folding her hands on the table, she said bluntly, “I assume there will be no strings attached?  You seem like a man who enjoys your freedom.” 

For a moment, she could see that he wanted to deny it.  She watched as he accepted his nature and opted for honesty.  “No strings but I’ll treat you well while I’m here in New York, Teddy.”

“I expected nothing less.”  Though she admitted that she’d hoped for more.  “Understand that all my friends, especially the sort of friend you’d like to be, need to get to know me first.” 

“Understood.”

There was a long pause and then she nodded.  “I rarely make friends and never one like you.  You’ll be an experience I can look back on fondly.  Even when my world is dark, I imagine that the memories you leave me with will be some of the brightest.”

Her words drilled deep, hitting him hard, and she saw him begin to second-guess his decision.  She wasn’t fooled in the slightest. 

“Will you be a friend who
pities
me, Kiefer?” 
Fuck that…

His eyes cleared and he sat forward.  The position of his body broadcasted how powerful he was and she wanted a taste of what a man like him offered…just once.  She wasn’t naïve.  There would be no
keeping
Kiefer Johannson.