Believe Me (Hearts for Ransom Book 3) (4 page)

If she could figure out a way to get Mason Wright out of Spencer’s life without hurting her son, she’d do that, too. Maybe when Spencer turned sixteen and got his license, he’d like doing things with his peers more and ease Mason out of his life. Claire hoped so.

Getting Mason Wright out of her life couldn’t happen soon enough.

Mason Wright looked at the clocks over the bar—when did they put up three clocks? Trimbles was the best place in Ransom to pick up a woman, but he never noticed the—wait, the bottle on the clocks was flashing off and on. Was that a warning? Did they all need to get out of there before something blew?

Blew…blow. Something was gonna blow, all right. He looked around at the waitresses with their skimpy tops barely covering huge chests and stretched belts posing as skirts and knew most any one of them would entertain him tonight. And by gosh, he was gonna get some action tonight.

He had been drinking steadily for a couple of hours, but he was a big man at nearly six feet tall and over two hundred twenty pounds of muscle, so he could hold his liquor. Just because he hadn’t gone on a good bender in a while, didn’t mean he still didn’t know how to do it.

There she was. A young waitress with long, blonde hair like a beach babe and pretty blue eyes—he thought—he couldn’t get past her chest when he tried to look up at her eyes—sat across from him at the table.

“Do you need to talk?” she asked in a soft-spoken voice.

“You’re pretty,” he told her bosom.

“I’m off work if you need to talk.” She sounded too…
nice
.

“I don’t wanna talk. I want some ack…shun!” He hiccupped.

“I think your friend will be here soon. We can talk until he gets here, though.” Why did he have the only woman in the place who wanted to
talk
at his table? And what about his friends?

“I don’t wanna talk about my friends.” Well, lookie there! Her eyes
were
blue. “All my friends are stoo-pid. Logan got hisself married to Em…Emly. Brody’s poplar. Didja know women don’t pay no tention to me if Brody’s around? But he don’t wanna get no ack shun anymore. He’s buried…married to Abby. She’d beat the livin’ daylights outta any woman who tried to mess with Brody.” He leaned closer so he could warn her. “If Brody ever comes in here, ya better jiss stay away. Okay?” He hiccupped again.

Her head was moving up and down so he felt like his should too. All this nodding made him feel kind of sick, though. He’d try shaking his head instead. That should fix everything.

The waitress reached across the table and gently placed her hand over his. Her hand was beautiful. He was just going to look at her hand for a while. He was finished talking.

“Do you have any other friends?” The lady with the soft hand was talking to him again.

“I have stoo-pid friends, I tole you. Coop…the idiot…married Marie. They were practicalally living together. He didn’t hafta marry her to get what he wanted. But he did anyway. Matt’s been married for–ev–er. Him and Lisa haf a liddle boy. Cole…Colton has a hot wife. She’s got red hair and she’s really, really hot. But she’d slap me if I tole her that.”

He shook his head sadly, almost hitting the table with it as he lost his balance for a moment.

“Jake…Jake was like me. He liked women. He got ack shun. He liked haffing fun if ya know what I mean.” He tried to wink, but he was pretty sure both of his eyes closed for a moment. They felt kind of good that way. But he had to tell this beautiful hand about Jake. “Then Jake got hisself a girlfriend. Tish…Tricia…that’s her name. She ruined my best partyin’ buddy.”

The beautiful hand patted his. Now, there were two beautiful hands on his. Why had she suddenly grown an extra hand? Wait a minute. He had two hands up there, too. If he was gonna see two of everything, he was gonna look at her chest again.

“So, none of your friends are single anymore?” Why did she sound so sad? Were all her friends stupid too?

Did he have any friends who were single? He snorted. “Jesse don’t got a girl. But he’s so tall and skinny, he’d hafta find a woman with vizzun problems before she’d luck at him.” A picture came into his mind. It made him sad. “And Bo…Bo says it bites, but he don’t really think it bites anymore, on accountta he’s got Jan, and Sef, and now he’s gotta baby girl. He’s gotta baby girl. Her name is Loooo see.”

The lady had four eyes. They were pretty eyes. She was lucky to have four pretty eyes. Why was she looking at him like that? He wasn’t stupid like his friends.

“You don’t hafta feel sorry for me. I’m not gonna be an idd…idiot and seddle down. I’m only twenny…” He lifted both hands and looked at his fingers. He had a lot of them, but he still didn’t think there were enough of them to count on. “twenny –eight. I still gotta lotta wild oats to sew.”

The waitress started to say something, but Mason had a confession. “I hafn’t sewed any wild oats for a looooooong time—not since I had…had…sex with my baby’s mudder.” He hiccupped. “I ain’t had sex in over a year. Can you bleve that?”

“I’m sorry.” She was sitting there with that sad look in her eyes again. She must not have any single friends or had sex in a long time either. He finally found someone who understood.

“Well, now I haf a liddle girl. Would you like to see her pic…picture?” Before the waitress could answer, he went on. “Well, so would I. I took adtatave…ad…van…tage of my baby’s mudder. I did somfin’ ungorvivable.”

Her hand was back on his. “Are you okay?”

“I was shamed of myself. I got outta there as fass as I could. Now she says I’m not fit to be anybody’s fodder and since I’ve  swept...slept wif lots,” He stopped and raised both hands to show her his fingers so she would understand he meant a whole lot. There weren’t near enough fingers, even with four hands. “of womans my whole wife…life and I took vantage of her, I figger she’s right. I’m not fit to help pay for my own babe…baby. I can’t even fly…buy her a diaper. I’m not even fit to gif her my mane.”

“What are you doing, Mason?” He knew that voice. Why did Logan sound so tired?

His eyes lifted and slowly focused on his friend, who stood at the table, swaying from side to side.

“You dint bring Emly wif you, Logan. You can’t dance. Member, she’ll get mad at you if you dance wifout her.” He hiccupped again.

“Thank you for staying with him.” Logan was talking to the kind waitress. Emily probably wouldn’t like that, and Mason would be blamed for it.

“Kit…Quit it, Logan,” he ordered the other man. “If you sheet on Emly, she’ll kill me.”

“I’ll handle him from here.” He was still talking to the waitress. “Tell Mel I said thanks for calling me, too. He may have to put me on speed dial one of these days if these idiotic buddies of mine don’t cut this out.”

Mason was confused. “Why do want a pee dial?” He didn’t know what it was—probably something new for the fancy schmancy toilets they put in their houses. But it still sounded disgusting. “Thass nassy, Logan.”

“Come on, Mason. I’m taking you home so you can sleep it off.” Logan none too gently pulled him up. Oh. He knew what Logan wanted to do. “I’ll dance wif you. Emly won’t get mad if you dance wif me.”

He tried to grab Logan’s hand, and throw his other arm around Logan’s shoulders, but his friend stepped to the side, nearly letting Mason fall.

“I should have called Bo and let him come in here after you. He could have held hands with you. You two are both plain and simple morons when you’re drunk.”

Mason didn’t understand. “Bo don’t wanna hole my hand.”

Mason felt himself being stuffed into his coat and then Logan was half dragging him out of the bar and into the parking lot. “My truck’s right over there. Will you at least try to walk? You must weigh a ton.” Mason lost his balance, and nearly took both of them to the ground. “What are you? Six feet of bricks?”

“Bo don’t wanna hole my hand.” Logan had to believe him. “He’s got Jan and Sef and…” He stopped as Logan lifted on him, trying to get him into the passenger seat of the truck.

“I’m gonna tell you the same thing I told Bo. If you barf in my truck, you have it detailed.” Logan was mad. Maybe
he
wanted to hold Bo’s hand. But Bo wouldn’t want to hold Logan’s hand either. He wouldn’t even want to hold the waitress’s beautiful hand. He’d only want to hold Jan’s hand.

Logan was reaching across him fastening the seatbelt. Mason grabbed his arm. “Bo has Lucy. I haf Zoey. She’s my baby girl.”

“What?” Logan was standing very still. Hadn’t he heard Mason?

“I haf a baby girl Zoey.”

Logan stepped away from the truck and closed the door. Mason watched him bounce around the front of the truck and get into the driver’s seat. He didn’t know Logan could bounce.

“Thass neat, Logan. Will you teash me to do that?”

“Will I teach you to do what?” Logan sounded worried. Did he want to be the only one who knew how to bounce?

“I wanna learn to bounce so iff I ever get to see Zoey I can show her.” Maybe Claire would be impressed and think he was worth something if he could do something special like that.

“Zoey is your daughter?” Logan still sounded worried.

“Shhhh.” Mason nearly hit his eye with his finger. “I can’t tell nobunny cause I don’t zerve to be her dad. I don’t zerve to lay one eye on her.” He poked his eye to make his point. “Ouch.”

“I won’t say anything.”

Logan was a good man. “Fank you, Logan. You’re my friend. You’re stupid cause you got Emly and don’t wanna get some ack shun, but you’re my friend. Tell her I danced wif you at Trimmle’s so she don’t get mad at me again. Okay?”

“Okay. Now, why don’t you just stop talking?”

Mason looked at Logan. “You haf pwetty brown hair, didja know that? I bet Emly likes your hair. I wunner if Zoey has back…black hair like me or blonde like her bomb…mom.

“Why don’t you rest?” Logan reached over and pulled on Mason’s hair to lay his head back against the seat.

“Okay.” That did feel better. Mason wished he could have shown that lady with the beautiful hands a picture of his baby girl. He wished he had a picture to look at, himself. Did she look like him or Claire? Maybe there was a little girl who looked like him living in Spencer’s house. A little girl without her daddy. Maybe she needed her daddy. He needed her.

“Will you get your sister ready to go to Louise’s?” Claire asked Spencer as she rushed through the living room. “I have to be at work in half an hour.”

“I still can’t believe they called you in on a Saturday.” Spence, who was watching television as his sister got in her morning nap, didn’t move.

Claire had explained this before. “I can’t afford to turn down the extra hours, and with the convention in town, the tips should be hefty. Christmas isn’t that far away, and we can use the extra money.” She fastened her watch strap. “Will you please put Zoey’s coat on her?”

“I’m not going anywhere.” He turned down the volume. “I’ll just keep her here with me.”

“That’s sweet, but don’t you have something you’d rather do than babysit your sister?” Claire picked up her purse and took out some money.

“Yeah, Mom.” He grinned at her. “I’m going to watch reruns of stupid TV shows. Zoey can watch them with me.” He stood up and stretched, spreading his shirt tightly across his broad chest, and making his nearly six-foot frame look even taller. “Don’t worry about her.”

She started to hand him the money, intending to let him have the rare treat of pizza delivered, but then she remembered what day of the week it was.

“Don’t you have any plans with Mason?” She had to make sure the man wasn’t in this house. “Will he be here today?”

Spencer’s eyes were troubled. “No, Mom.” His gaze searched hers. “What’s going on? Are you mad at Mason or something?”

Maybe this was a chance to plant some seeds. “I just think it would be nice if you started doing more things with kids your own age. Maybe you shouldn’t rely on Mason so much.”

“But then who will take me to ballgames?” Spence immediately became agitated. “How will I know how to handle those girls who keep pestering me at school? And you’re too busy to let me drive. He’s gonna have to help me, or I won’t get my fifty hours in before my birthday.”

“Okay.” Well, that hadn’t worked. “I’m sorry. Of course, you can see Mason. I just need to know ahead of time…in case I want to make plans for our family.” And so she could keep the man away from Zoey.

Spence still looked confused. “He always lets us know.”

“I know.” She pulled on her coat and picked up her purse. “Thank you for watching your sister. You can order Chinese or pizza.”

He didn’t take the money from her extended hand. “You’re working on your day off to earn extra money, Mom. I can stick fish sticks and French fries in the oven.”

She couldn’t believe this young man was her son. “I am so proud of you.” She decided it was worth the groans and hugged Spence anyway. He reluctantly hugged her back.

“I’ll be home as soon as I can.” She rushed out of the house, trying to keep her son from seeing the tears in her eyes. Claire had no idea what she had ever done to deserve such a kind-hearted soul as her son.

Two hours later, she was up to her knees with tables full of hungry customers. And table seventeen, which seated twelve people, was filled with men from the convention. They were spending quite a bit on their lunches, so she hoped they would tip big. As soon as she took their desserts to them, she’d be finished until they were ready for their checks.

She inwardly groaned as she saw the Peter Jennings wannabe elbow the man sitting next to him. If she wasn’t mistaken, he was going to give it the old college try and ask her for a date this evening one more time. He had been nothing, if not persistent.

As she set the pieces of pie each ordered in front of them, she tried to ignore the outright leer he directed her way.

“Are you sure I can’t talk you into a movie tonight, sweetheart?”

She had told him no very politely enough times. She had one more answer to give him.

She smiled sweetly. “Okay. I’ll go.”

He sat straight and flashed a triumphant grin to his fellow diners.

“But do you mind letting my fifteen-year-old sit up front so we can put the baby’s car seat in the back? She’s not old enough to ride in the front seat yet.”

What she would have given for a camera at that moment! And now she would have the pleasure of seeing how he reneged on his invitation.

“I only have a two-door car.” Well, that was pretty original. She’d have to give him a few extra points. “I don’t think we can get a car seat in the back.”

She stood there smiling blankly, playing her “dumb blonde” role to the hilt. If he thought she was going to make this easy for him, he’d better think again.  Maybe the next time a woman told him no, he’d accept her answer the first time she gave it.

“I guess we’ll have to make it another time.” He couldn’t hide the relief on his face as he spoke.

The guy sitting next to him suddenly grinned. “You can borrow my SUV, Ron.”

“Ron” blindly shook his head. “I couldn’t put you out like that, Glen. But thanks.”

“I insist.” Glen was obviously enjoying himself, causing Claire to wonder how many times he had seen Ron harass a woman.

Ron looked around the room like he was about ready to start hopping over tables and head for the hills. “I forgot about my conference call with Mr…Smith. He’s one of my biggest clients.”

Bzzzztt. She’d have to deduct points. Smith was a pitiful excuse for a made-up name.

“I’m sorry,” he told her. “I’ll look you up the next time I’m in town.”

“You do that.” Claire placed her free hand over her stomach. “Maybe this little guy will have made an appearance by then.” She widened her smile before she turned and walked away. Yep. He’d think twice.

As she returned to the computer to print out their tickets, Judy Dyer walked up beside her. The lighting in the dining room seemed to pick up a hundred different hues in Judy’s auburn hair, which she wore in the requisite ponytail, and her emerald green eyes twinkled as she smiled.

“Loved that last one you threw in,” she told Claire. “So how many points did you give that guy?”

“He was doing pretty well, until he fell back on the ‘forgot a call,’ and used Smith as a name. I only gave him a four.” She pulled the last ticket from the machine. “I probably just talked my way out of a good tip table, but it was worth it.”

“You have three customers at table six,” Alma, the hostess on duty, told Claire.

Claire looked at Judy. “Later.” She walked over to the prep area and filled three glasses with ice water before she put them, as well as three menus, on her tray. As she took them to table six, she swung by her failed date and dropped off their checks, thanking them for choosing Butlers. Ron studiously avoided making eye contact.

She had to watch where she was going as she walked to her next table, dodging patrons making their way to and from the all-you-can-eat salad bar, so it was an unpleasant surprise when she arrived to find Mason Wright sitting there.

Claire deliberately turned her attention to his table mates and handed out the menus. Logan and Emily Taylor were with him. They had taken over from Pastor Rhinehart, the man who started the church program modeled after Big Brothers. The Ransom group was now officially named “Brothers at Heart.” Claire had talked to them several times when she dropped off or picked up Spence.

“Can I start you off with something to drink?” She addressed Logan and Emily, not even looking at Mason.

“Hi, Claire!” Emily warmly greeted her. “I forgot you worked here. How’s Spencer?”

Claire returned her friendly smile. There was just something about the beautiful woman with long, brown hair and kind, hazel eyes that made it impossible not to like her. “He’s great. I just signed the permission form for him to take driver’s education next semester, so he’s pretty excited right now.”

“I told him I’d ride with him so he can get his hours in.” Mason figured the best thing to do was act like nothing was wrong; he was simply her son’s mentor. “Emily is loaning us her car so we don’t have to drive my truck or Charger.”

“Thank you, Emily.” Claire still couldn’t bring herself to acknowledge Mason.

Emily looked at her husband. “Can you believe it, Logan? Spencer will be getting his drivers’ license before we know it.” She returned her gaze to Claire. “I just can’t believe how quickly our boys are growing up.”

“I know.” Claire glanced around at the crowded dining room. “I’m sorry. I wish I could visit, but we’re pretty busy. I should take your drink orders.”

“Of course,” Emily said. “I’m sorry.”

“She gets to talking and forgets to stop sometimes.” Logan produced a sympathetic smile as he patted his wife’s shoulder. “I’ll have sweet tea.”

Emily playfully poked Logan’s side. “Make mine unsweetened with no lemon, please.”

Claire stood there, silently waiting.

“I’d like a Sprite, please.” Mason was perfectly aware he’d been put in his place.

Claire still addressed the couple. “I’ll be right back with your drinks.” She turned and walked away.

“What did you do to get on her bad side?” Logan asked Mason.

Mason looked up from the menu. “What do you mean?” Of course, they both had to notice how Claire acted toward him.

“Ice wouldn’t have melted, the way she was with you.” Logan leaned forward in his chair. “I think she would have ignored you if she could. Did something happen between you and Spencer?”

Mason shook his head, returning his eyes to the menu. “Claire just doesn’t approve of my lifestyle. She’s always been on me to make sure I keep it separate from my relationship with Spence.”

Logan folded his menu and gave Mason his full attention. “You haven’t acted like you did last night in a long time. What was that about?”

“I was just looking for a good time,” Mason answered defensively.

“Who’s Zoey?” Logan asked.

A loud crash jolted all three of them.

Claire heard her daughter’s name come out of Logan Taylor’s mouth and dropped her tray with all three drinks and salad plates on it. She immediately sank to her knees and began picking things up.

“I’m sorry,” she told them, not looking away from her task. “I’ll take care of this and be right back with new drinks.”

Judy appeared and knelt to help Claire clean up the mess she’d made.

“That’s okay.” Emily’s pleasant voice floated to Claire. “We’re not in a hurry. I shouldn’t admit it since I’m the head emergency room nurse, but we drop things at the hospital all the time.”

“Like livers, spleens, patients…” Logan teased.

Emily giggled. “Not quite.”

Claire had her tray full of the empty glasses and broken plates. “I’ll just go get rid of this and get a new tray fixed up. I’ll be right back.”

“Thank you, Judy.” Claire managed a shaky smile for her friend before Judy returned to one of her own tables.

Alan, one of the waiters, was on his way to the kitchen. “I’ll take care of that.” He lifted the tray from her hands before she could say anything.

“Thank you,” she called after him. Most of the people she worked with were like that. Everybody pitched in and helped each other. That was one of the reasons she’d been able to stick this job out for so long—nearly sixteen years now.

Claire picked up a new tray to start over with. She placed three clean salad plates on it and was standing at the soda dispenser when she heard a familiar voice.

“I made you do that,” Mason said in a matter-of-fact voice.

She whirled on him and glanced around to make sure nobody was near before she spoke in a low voice. “I heard Logan ask you about my daughter. We have an agreement. Nobody is supposed to ever know about…about us.”

“He doesn’t.” Mason kept his voice just as soft. At least he didn’t think he told Logan anything about him and Claire.

“Then why was he asking about Zoey?” She felt frustration growing inside her. “How does he even know her name?”

“I might have mentioned her,” Mason sadly admitted. “I’m not sure.”

“You’re not sure?” She couldn’t believe it. “Let me guess. You were partying, and got so trashed, you can’t even remember what you did.”

Claire realized what she said as soon as the words left her mouth. Who was she to judge him for doing the same thing she had done? Even though she hadn’t set out to get drunk, nobody held a gun to her head to make her get that way. But even so…