Country Heaven (23 page)

The rain was pounding down now, the sound deafening. Once Tammy was safely inside, Tory turned to wait for Rye, but he still stood there in the driveway, soaked to the bone.

“Rye, come inside!” she shouted.

He shook his head before taking off in the opposite direction.

That infernal man. The last thing she needed was for him to get struck by lightning. Pulling the door shut, she ran into the storm and jumped when lightning flashed close by. When she caught up to him, she grabbed his arm. “Rye. Come inside. Please.”

“I can’t,” he shouted. “It’s tearing me apart, being back here.”

When he started to move away from her again, she planted herself in front of him. “I know you’re hurting, but there’s no going back now. Your family needs you.”

“Leave it alone, Tory.”

When he started forward, she blocked him again.

“Leave me alone.”

“No!”

Through the veil of rain, his eyes shot fire at her. “This is none of your business.”

She ignored his menacing tone and stepped closer. “You’re wrong. You made it my business when you brought me here.”

He put his hands on his hips as thunder cracked and rolled. “What the hell do you care? If you had any sense, you’d be the one taking off.”

She pushed dripping hair out of her eyes. “I thought about it, but I’m staying to help you see this through.”

“Why, dammit?”

“Because I care about you, you idiot! And you’re lucky you still have a family.”

His arms caught her against him. “I told you. I don’t have anything to give you.”

“You’re wrong,” she said, twining her arms around him.

His hazel eyes burned a hole inside her belly. “I’m not wrong, and God help you.”

His mouth swooped down. The kiss was charged, as if it were feeding off the storm roiling around them. Tory clutched his back and opened her mouth. She wanted more. She wanted him. Teeth scraped. Hands fisted. He picked her up, and she wrapped her legs around his waist and held on with all her might, rain running in rivulets down their skin. Warmth from his body seeped through her soaked clothes. Rye changed the angle of their kiss and took it deeper.

Desire rumbled through her body like thunder, shaking her slender frame. She groaned. He growled. The feasting continued. When lightning flashed close to them, Rye broke the kiss and pressed his forehead hard to hers.

“God, I want you so much.
Right now.”

Her belly tightened. There was no going back. Steam rose from his wet hair.

“I want you too, but it’ll have to wait.” She slid down his body. “Come inside with me.”

Her dripping hand extended toward his. He studied it as lightning flashed in his eyes.

“Tammy needs you right now.” She smiled with effort. “I can have you later.”

His Adam’s apple bobbed up and down as he swallowed, and then he took her hand. They trudged back into the house, shoes squishing water, as the storm thundered behind them like the angels battling Lucifer.

Tory heard the shower running in the bathroom when she headed into her bedroom to change. She found some clothes for Tammy and waited in her room, sitting on the edge of the bed, towel–drying her hair.

Rye ducked his head inside. He’d changed, too, and had run a brush through his wet hair. He tucked his thumbs into his belt loops and rocked back on his heels.

“I found some clothes for her,” she said when he glanced toward the bathroom door.

“Good. Well…I’ll go make coffee.”

“Good idea. I’m sure we could all use some.”

He nodded and disappeared.

When the shower finally shut off, she knocked on the door. “Tammy? I have some clothes for you.”

The door cracked open, steam escaping. When Tammy stuck her hand out, Tory pushed the clothes at her.

“They’re not your usual, but they’re clean and dry.”

“I’m sure they’ll be fine. Thank you.”

The door shut with a sharp snap, and Tory headed straight for the kitchen. Rye was hunkered down, staring at the coffee maker like it was advanced molecular science.

“Couldn’t figure it out, huh?”

“Mama clearly bought this,” he muttered.

“Perhaps it’s child proof,” she said to add some levity.

He snorted. “What? They’re trying to prevent some kid from making coffee and stunting his growth? What’s this world coming to?”

“Perdition, I’m sure.” And she’d landed smack dab in the middle of it. She got the coffee started and then stepped back, rubbing her cold hands together

Rye leaned against the counter. “You were joking about the child proof part, weren’t you?”

“Yep.”

His gaze lowered to her mouth. “I’ll make you pay for that later.”

Oh, please
, her body said, but her mind had started working overtime too. “Rye…”

“Uh–oh. When you say my name like that, it tells me you’ve been thinking.” He sauntered forward. “Don’t.”

If only. “Look, when we first met at the diner, you said I could keep my job so long as I didn’t sleep with anyone in your band like your last cook. Now…” She dropped her gaze. “We’re heading that way.”

His sigh competed with the sound of the percolating coffee. “So, you’re wondering if I’ll fire you the next morning?” He settled his hands on her shoulders and squeezed. “No.”

“Then…”

“Tory, you have my word. You have your job independent of what happens with us. We both know this is probably temporary anyway. You have to do your research and finish your dissertation. And I’m heading back to Nashville to start my new album.”

It hurt, his acknowledgment that their time together would come to an end. When had he become so important to her?

He tucked a damp lock behind her ear and tilted her face up. “Tory, if you don’t think you can handle that…”

She didn’t, but she also knew she’d regret it her whole life if she didn’t make love with him. “No, it’s fine. It’s good to be clear, that’s all.” It seemed wise to step away to give herself some space from those warm kneading hands on her shoulders.

“Tory, look at me,” he said. “You need to know that I don’t want to hurt you.”

Like he could control that. “Let’s get some coffee and wait for your sister. She should be out soon.”

As for her, she’d just have to learn to enjoy the moment. You’d think by now she would have figured out that nothing was permanent.

***

Tammy felt bad listening to Rye and Tory, but she hadn’t wanted to interrupt them. So there
was
something between them. She found herself hoping it would work out.

If there were any chance she could have left the house without them knowing, she would have tried. She’d made enough of a fool of herself. Best get herself home, but it was getting harder to feel safe there. She tried to be the perfect wife and mother, but Sterling’s anger seemed to be getting worse, regardless of what she did or didn’t do. And here she was in a strange woman’s store–bought clothes, a complete wardrobe disaster for Sterling’s “perfect” wife.

Summoning all her breeding, she walked into the kitchen and made a beeline for the cookies. Her wet hair trailed down her shoulders, the heavy feel of it making her want to wince. She never wore her hair down. “I’ll just get out of your way.”

“Stay for some coffee,” Tory said. “Be good to settle your nerves before you head home.”

There was that word again. Home. She clutched the container as if it were a life preserver.

“Besides, it will give your hair some time to dry.”

Yeah, she hadn’t found a hair dryer. Granddaddy Crenshaw had been bald, so it wasn’t like he needed one, and Mama hadn’t seen fit to furnish the bathroom with one.

Rye pulled three mugs out of the cupboard, saying nothing, and started pouring. She’d never seen him do a domestic thing in his life, so she sank into the chair. Rye nudged Tory toward the table, almost as if he didn’t want to be alone with Tammy, and who could blame him.

The silence was unnerving as he set the mugs down.

“I’m glad the clothes fit,” Tory said. “You look good in jeans, Tammy.”

She rubbed the rough material with her thumb. “I don’t own a pair.”

“Well, maybe you should get some.”

Silence descended again. They all turned their heads when a loud knock sounded on the door.

“I’ll get it.” Tory darted out of her seat, and moments later, Amelia Ann walked into the kitchen with her, looking radiant.

“Good heavens, Tammy, what happened to you?”

“We’re having some coffee,” Tory interrupted, for which Tammy was glad. “Do you want some?”

Rather than replying, Amelia Ann continued to study them. Everyone had wet hair, and Tammy could all but feel her sister’s speculation. “I got caught in the rain,” she explained.

Amelia Ann made a clucking sound. “Don’t you keep an umbrella in the car?”

“I…must have taken it inside and forgotten to put it back.”

Amelia Ann didn’t ask about her clothes, thank goodness—she just grabbed Rye’s hand. “Rye, I just finished talking to Daddy.” A grin spread across her face.

Tammy hadn’t seen her look this happy in ages.

“He’s agreed to pay my tuition for Vandy. I’m just over the moon with joy. Oh thank you, Rye. Thank you!” she cried, bending over to hug him.

Vandy? What
was
she talking about?

“Wait a minute,” Tammy said, her stomach knotting up. “What’s this all about, Amelia Ann?”

As her sister filled her in, Tammy sank against the back of the chair. Law school? Like the rest of the Hollins men? My heavens. Mama wouldn’t recover. Hadn’t she already picked out Barton Pembroke for Amelia Ann? She looked from her sister to Rye, and back again.

“Isn’t that great, Tammy?” Amelia Ann asked, but even she seemed to hear the tremor in Tammy’s voice.

She fell back on manners. “Yes, that’s
lovely,
darlin’. I’m so happy for you.” But she wasn’t. She hated her Daddy for giving Amelia Ann what she wanted when he’d never done anything for her, never given
her
another choice.

“Oh, Rye,” Amelia Ann nearly sang. “We’re going to have so much fun, living so close. And I won’t have to marry Barton or anyone else Mama tries to force on me, making me miserable all the days of my life.”

The gasp came from Tammy’s mouth before she realized it.

“Oh, Tammy, I’m so sorry!” her sister said.

Her heart felt like a frozen glacier in her chest. “It’s all right. I know you didn’t mean anything.” Rising, she shuffled to the doorway. “I’m happy for you, darlin’. Really, I am.”

Tory rose and headed her way.

“I’ll have these clothes back to you tomorrow, Tory. Thank you for letting me borrow them. I’m sorry I was such a bother.”

“You weren’t a bother. Why don’t you stay and finish your coffee? We can…talk some more.”

About what? There was nothing more to say. Everybody’s life was changing but hers.

“Thank you, but I need to get back.”

When Tory handed her the cookies, Tammy took them in a daze. “Oh, how silly of me. Here I cause all this trouble and forget the reason I came in the first place.”

Rye’s long strides ate up the ground until he towered over her. “Tammy, stop it. You don’t have to act this way.”

She saw Amelia Ann press a hand to her heart, her face pale.

A laugh bubbled up her throat. “Act? That’s a good one. That’s the only way some of us get through the day.”

“It doesn’t have to be this way,” her brother said.

“Yes, it does. I’m married with two children. I have to make the best out of what I have.” Isn’t that all she did? There was nothing more. Nothing else. “You and Amelia Ann can live the lives you want, Rye.” When his warm hand settled on her shoulder tentatively, she jerked away. “I’m too far down the road.”

She walked stiffly out the kitchen, leaving behind silence. It was a sound she well knew. It was the main sound in her own home.

Only she wasn’t sure she could take it anymore.

When I was little, I watched
Gone with the Wind
with my grandma. The movie captured my imagination. The women seemed so elegant in their hoop skirts, dancing the Virginia Reel with men sporting wickedly handsome slim mustaches. Houses like Twelve Oaks with their curved staircases seemed a dream. Being an only child, I frequently imagined friends like Scarlett or Melanie for my tea parties. Using my grandma’s lace–edged napkins, I’d serve what we termed French éclairs. They were actually cream puffs, but again, we used our imagination. Scarlett wouldn’t eat cream puffs. Depending on how much time my grandma had, sometimes we’d serve the éclairs with vanilla pudding, which we called French custard. Other times, I simply settled for French Chantilly cream. Back then, I used Cool Whip with a dash of ginger. Now, I can make all these things from scratch. But as a child, those cream puffs were magical. And my imaginary friends in their fine gowns were always pleased.

Cream Puffs (or French éclairs a la Tory)
1 cup water
1 stick of butter
1 cup flour
4 eggs

Boil the water and butter until the latter melts. Add the flour and mix, forming a yellow paste. With a wooden spoon, add 4 eggs, one at a time, and beat well. Drop with a tablespoon onto a greased cookie sheet. Bake at 400 degrees for 30 minutes. Slit the cream puffs and fill with custard or cream, depending on your preference. Or fill with something else that sounds good to you. These airy, golden brown pastries work well with many fillings.

Tory Simmons’ Simmering Family Cookbook

Chapter 13

T
he sunlight shone in bright patches across the yard the next day. Birds chirped. Squirrels chased each other, bending thin tree branches before leaping into the air. It was almost as if nature had forgotten the torrential rain of the previous day. Tory watched it all from the window with a jumping stomach.

She and Rye were going on a date. He’d actually
asked
her last night. Said he wanted to romance her a little.

They both knew they were going to make love, so she appreciated his gesture. It confirmed she was making the right choice with him.