Still Waters (8 page)

Gently extracting the cloth from her fingers, Jake mo
tioned to the phone. “Relax. I wash up pretty well. Go ahead and call your mom. Let her know you’re all right.”

“Good idea.” Tiffany grabbed the phone and dialed her mother’s number. As she suspected would happen, the phone was picked up on the first ring. “Hi, Mom.”

“Tiffany? I’m so glad you called, I’ve been worried sick. Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. I just fell asleep and lost track of time.”

“You didn’t hear the phone ring? When you didn’t show up for choir practice I phoned your house. Several times in fact. What’s going on?”

Tiffany recognized the edge creeping into her mother’s voice. Her initial worry over, Patti Anderson wanted answers. “I fell asleep out on the gazebo swing and didn’t wake up until Sheriff Reed came by to check on me.”

“What were you doing out on the swing? You told me that was your worry spot. Is something going on that I should know about?”

Tiffany glanced at Jake who had wet the dishcloth and was using it to clean ice cream from his head. “It’s a long story, Mom. Why don’t I call you back at a decent time and fill you in?”

“I’ve been up for hours worrying about you. Another few minutes isn’t going to hurt me. Besides, you know I never sleep well when your father is away.”

Tiffany glanced at Jake again. He’d finished with the cloth and was scratching the back of Bandit’s ears. Tiffany lowered her voice and stepped out into the hall. “Okay, something has happened and it upset me so I went out and sat on the swing to think.”

“This isn’t about Tom Bishop, is it? Rumors are flying all over town about that young man working for you.”

“No, Tom is doing great. It’s Brian I have a problem with.”

“Brian? You’re kidding. I thought you two were as thick as thieves.”

“Yeah, so did everyone else.”

“Did you have an argument? Is that what this is about?”

“We didn’t argue. Exactly. It’s more like I suddenly realized Brian isn’t the kind of man I want to be married to. And if he isn’t worth marrying, he’s not worth dating.”

Silence, heavy with unspoken thoughts, stretched across the phone line.

Tiffany rushed to fill it. “I know this is a surprise and I know you’re probably disappointed. I am, too. But staying with Brian would mean accepting less than what I think God wants for me.” Tiffany felt the lump forming in her throat as she said the words.

“I’m not surprised. I’m relieved.”

“What?” Tiffany was so shocked she forgot to keep her voice lowered. “What do you mean relieved? You love Brian. You said he would make a great husband.”

“He will. But not for you. I realized soon after you started dating Brian that he would never value you the way he should. Your father felt the same way. We’ve been praying about it.”

“I wish you had filled
me
in.” Tiffany heard the whining sound of her voice and winced.

“Really? Do you think you would have listened? You’re an adult with your own life. I stopped trying to tell you how to run it a long time ago,” Patti hesitated, then continued. “Well, mostly I don’t tell you how to run it.”

Tiffany grinned at her mother’s admission. Though she tried to keep quiet about her daughters’ lives, Patti had been known to give a bit of advice when she felt it was needed.

“Tiffany, if I hadn’t thought you would make the right decision about Brian I would have talked to you about it a long
time ago. But, as your father is always saying, we didn’t raise a fool. I figured sooner or later Brian would wear on your nerves and you would dump him.”

“What if I hadn’t?”

“It was your decision to make. I wouldn’t have interfered. The person you marry is someone you need to choose on your own. Without me sticking my nose into it.”

“You’re right, Mom. You usually are.”

“Chalk it up to age and gray hair. So, now that you aren’t dating, maybe you can get together with your old Mom. I’ve been dying to try that new Chinese restaurant in Rocky Mount but you know how your father hates to try new things.”

“I’d love to.” Tiffany paused before asking a question she desperately wanted an answer to. “Mom, I dated Brian for a year and didn’t realize there was a problem. How did you figure it out so quickly?”

“Oh, that’s easy. He didn’t spend enough time wooing you.”

“
Wooing
me?” Laughter bubbled up around the tears Tiffany had been holding back and a wet gurgly sound of amusement escaped. “Come on, Mom. I’m not the kind of woman men court with roses and candy.”

“What kind of nonsense is that? Of course you are. Besides, candy and roses are nothing. I’m talking time, affection, love letters. You know. Like your dad when we were dating.”

“I’m afraid Dad is one of a kind.”

“True, but you’ll find your own one-of-a-kind guy. You just have to be patient.”

Tiffany sighed but didn’t argue. Her mother had been married since the day after she turned nineteen. She had no idea what it felt like to be over thirty and single. “Maybe so.”

“There’s no maybe about it. God has someone special waiting for you. Now, when are we going for Chinese?”

“Pick a night. I’m free for the foreseeable future.”

Her mother laughed. Tiffany didn’t think it was all that funny.

A few minutes later, she said good-night to her mother and went back into the kitchen. The room was quiet and empty. Tiffany tried to tell herself she wasn’t disappointed at Jake’s departure, but when a whisper of sound drifted from the mudroom her heart did a little tap dance of pleasure.

“Jake?”

“Your dog seemed hungry, I found his bowl and filled it with kibble.”

A soft snuffle and crunch let Tiffany know Bandit was enjoying his meal. “Poor Bandit. I meant to feed him before I left for choir. He must have been starving.”

Jake raised a dark eyebrow, a half smile curving his lips. “I doubt you have to worry about that. The dog is built like a tank.”

Tiffany shrugged, feeling Jake’s gaze as she grabbed the ice cream-coated dishrag and rinsed it in the sink. Though Jake’s words and actions were casual, Tiffany couldn’t help wondering if he’d heard what she was saying to her mother and retreated to the mudroom to get out of earshot. Blushing, she tried to think of something to say.

Jake watched as Tiffany rinsed the dishrag for the third time. A black smudge ran the length of her cheek, looking suspiciously like smeared letters. Leaning closer, Jake made out the word
he.
“Newspapers don’t make very good pillows.”

“What?” Tiffany looked up from the dishcloth, her green eyes wide with surprise.

Jake took the wet cloth and rubbed it against her cheek, trying not to notice the gold flecks in Tiffany’s eyes, or the freckles sprinkled across her nose. “See? Ink.” Jake lifted the cloth so Tiffany could see the dark stain on its edge.

“You’ve got to be kidding. Can this day get any worse?” Tiffany grabbed the cloth and rubbed at her cheek, replacing black with irritated red.

Jake couldn’t help smiling at the picture she made, curly hair springing in every direction, green eyes flashing with annoyance. If he were a painter he’d want to paint her just like that. “Probably not.”

Tiffany stopped scrubbing and looked at Jake, her eyes filled with suspicion. “Did you hear what I said to my mom?”

Jake had hoped she wouldn’t have the guts to ask. He should have known better. “Which part?”

“What do you mean, which part?”

“The part about Brian McMath being an idiot? Or the other part about Brian McMath being an idiot?”

Tiffany’s mouth dropped open, her eyes glistened, and for a moment Jake was afraid she was going to cry. Then, as if a dam had burst, laughter exploded in great, gasping breaths. “Sorry…the last thing…I…expected,” Tiffany gulped back more laughter, “was honesty.”

Jake fought his own laughter and wished, for the first time in longer than he could remember, that he had a different past. That he hadn’t made so many mistakes, been touched by so much ugliness. But he had, and it had made him who he was—a man who knew that laughter and love lasted less time than it took to walk down the aisle and exchange vows. He pushed aside the regret and spoke as he walked to the back door. “Would you have believed a lie?”

“No. I guess not.”

Tiffany walked up beside him, and Jake could see the
frown that marred the smooth skin of her brow. Perhaps she sensed his sudden withdrawal and wondered at it. He fought the urge to apologize, to reach out and smooth away the worry line. “Don’t worry. I didn’t hear anything that I didn’t already know.”

“That’s supposed to make me feel better?” Tiffany grinned, her eyes beckoning Jake to join in.

And in that moment, Jake knew he needed to stay away from Tiffany Anderson. The banter between them was too easy, her smiles too hard to resist. Ignoring her question, Jake made a show of glancing at his watch. “It’s late. Guess I’ll be on my way.”

Tiffany didn’t seem to notice his eagerness to escape. Or if she did, she didn’t acknowledge it. “All right. Thank you for checking on me. I’m sorry I had everyone so worried.”

“No problem.” Jake stepped out onto the front porch, the sight of a ladder leaning against the house reminding him of Tom Bishop’s trouble. “I almost forgot. Tom Bishop had a run-in with some of his pals today.”

“What kind of run-in?”

“The kind where their fists ran into his face.”

“Is he okay?” Tiffany’s concern was obvious even in the fading moonlight.

“He’s fine but I don’t trust that group of teens. They wanted access to your account information. I guess they were trying to get credit card numbers off the invoices.”

“I never would have thought of that as a potential problem but some of the invoices do have credit card information.”

“Tom put a stop to them for now, but I wouldn’t put it past them to try again. I’ve got some officers doing regular patrol along this street until the summer crowd leaves. But take precautions anyway. Keep your windows and doors locked.”

“I will. Thanks for the warning.”

“I know you don’t want to hear this, but having Tom around might bring trouble your way. You should consider letting him go. At least for the summer.”

“That’s not a possibility.”

Jake could see from the set of Tiffany’s chin that her decision was final. He wanted to argue. Wanted to tell her in detail exactly what happened to people who trusted too much. But that wasn’t his right, so he bit back the words and nodded. “Be careful then.”

“I will.”

“Good.” Stepping down from the porch, he surveyed the early-morning world and tried to convince himself that he didn’t mind leaving Tiffany alone in her oversize house. The descending moon wove a spell of shadows across the yard. Night sounds had quieted as the moon moved toward the horizon and it seemed the world was holding its breath, waiting for dawn to streak across the sky.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Tiffany’s words drew Jake’s attention and he turned toward her, saw the dreams in her eyes, heard the yearning in her voice, and wanted to share it all.

“Beautiful?”

“Yes. The way night ends. Sometimes, when I can’t sleep I come out here and watch. First, the world grows silent and then, like a special surprise, glimmers of light shoot up from the horizon and a new day is born. Each time I see it, I feel as if my soul has been touched by God’s hand.”

Jake knew he should leave. The moment felt too intimate, the thoughts too personal. Yet Tiffany seemed unfazed by her own revelation, unperturbed by the piece of her heart she had just revealed, and Jake’s feet refused to follow his brain’s command. Instead of leaving, he remained rooted to
the spot, watching the farthest piece of sky until a faint tinge of light streaked into the darkness.

He might have stood until daylight chased away night if Tiffany hadn’t yawned and broken the spell that seemed to hold him in place. Turning to her, Jake tried not to imagine what it would be like if he didn’t have to leave. “You’re tired. You better get to bed.”

“Good night, Jake.”

“Good night.” Stepping off the porch, Jake made his way to the Chevy. He didn’t look back.

S
unday morning dawned bright and beautiful, and despite prayers to the contrary, Tiffany felt fine. No fever or migraine, no flat tire on the Cadillac, no natural disaster. Absolutely nothing to keep her away from church. It wasn’t that she didn’t
want
to attend service. She did. She just didn’t want to face the speculative looks and knowing glances that sitting without Brian would garner.

And of course there were other things to consider. Like the possibility that she would run into Brian. Or worse, Jake. Even now Tiffany blushed when she remembered the way she’d waxed poetic in the early hours of Tuesday morning, her voice droning on about darkness and daylight. She had to give Jake credit—he hadn’t laughed. Hadn’t even smiled. He had just looked at her, his face solemn and still, while something flickered and faded in the depth of his eyes.

He probably thought she was a nut and Tiffany couldn’t
blame him. She had managed, in the short time she’d known him, to almost drown herself, run out of gas on a deserted road, splatter Jake with paint, and cover him with ice cream. Not a very auspicious start to a new friendship.

Not that Jake had offered her anything but the help she needed. She hadn’t seen him since Tuesday. Nor had she seen Brian. Strange that Jake’s absence seemed to leave a greater emptiness than the one left by a man she’d dated for a year.

Refusing to think of the reason for that, Tiffany pushed thoughts of Jake and Brian aside. She had a Sunday school class to teach and no matter how much she might want to avoid the knowing looks of friends and acquaintances, Tiffany couldn’t shirk her duty.

Twenty minutes later Tiffany wished she had stayed in bed with the covers pulled over her head. The whispered condolences and words of support were bad enough, but when Brian walked by, Lisa Jenner clinging to his arm, Tiffany wanted to sink beneath the floor. Her closest friends closed rank around her, forming a barrier against Brian and the woman fawning at his side. Though Tiffany tried to explain that the breakup had been her idea, her friends just smiled benignly and continued to pat her on the back.

Tiffany tried hard to keep her smile in place, but then she noticed the huddled group of men standing along the wall and her smile slipped. Boyfriends, fiancés and husbands of the women surrounding her, they waited in companionable silence for their concerned counterparts.

Abruptly Tiffany stepped back from the crowd of women and raised her voice so it could be heard above their tsks of sympathy. “Thanks for your concern, everyone, but I think service is about to start.” Tiffany waved her friends away, a smile pasted to her face, watching as they moved toward
their partners. Some linked hands, others twined their arms together. There were smiles and whispered conversations. Secret looks that passed from one to another. And down the hall, just entering the sanctuary, Brian leaned close to Lisa and said something that made her smile.

Tiffany had never felt so alone in her life.

Jake’s morning had been going pretty well until he walked into the church and saw Brian McMath. The doctor hadn’t wasted any time finding Tiffany’s replacement. The blond woman he was escorting through the church clung to his arm like a flea on a dog’s behind. Jake had watched with narrowed eyes as the woman maneuvered the doctor down the hall and past a huddled group of women. A flash of red-gold curls shone through the crowd at the same moment a look of triumph passed briefly over Brian’s date’s face. Pale pink fingernails dug slightly into the gray suit McMath wore, marring the line as the woman staked her claim to the doctor.

Jake tried to ignore the two and tried even harder to ignore the group of women who were slowly dispersing, each walking off with a boyfriend or husband, until Tiffany stood alone in the middle of the hall. Organ music drifted from the sanctuary as the call to worship began but Tiffany didn’t seem to notice. Her eyes were downcast, her hair falling softly against her cheeks and down over her shoulders blocking Jake’s view of her face. Then she looked up, her shoulders straightening, and Jake could see the flash of fire in her eyes.

A grin twitched at the corner of Jake’s lips. He’d seen Tiffany in a variety of embarrassing, uncomfortable and downright upsetting situations, and her reaction had surprised him every time. No wilting flower, she refused to be
brought low by the circumstances she found herself in. Jake figured it was one of the few things they had in common.

Fighting the urge to go to her, he watched as Tiffany smoothed a hand down the front of the lilac sundress she wore. The material hugged her waist and fell in a gossamer cloud to her ankles. As she moved to the sanctuary door the fabric floated around her legs, making Jake think of wildflowers tickled by a breeze. He imagined he could hear the gentle brush of fabric against skin. Imagined how that same material would wrap around his pants-clad legs if he were walking beside her.

With a muffled exclamation, Jake turned abruptly from Tiffany’s retreating form. He refused to think about what would never be. Frustrated with his errant musings, he stalked to the sanctuary door and walked in several paces behind Tiffany.

Tiffany chose her seat carefully. Knowing from experience the back pew usually remained empty, she slid across the smooth wood surface and tried not to look around. It wasn’t that she cared if Brian had a new girlfriend, though she supposed she probably should. She just wished he had waited a few more weeks to find one. Then the church wouldn’t be buzzing with the story that he had broken up with Tiffany in order to date Lisa.

Running a hand through her loose curls, Tiffany pretended she didn’t care that half the congregation was sneaking peeks at her. Though the church community wasn’t small, its members numbering just over four hundred, she had grown up with most of the people who attended and they all felt as if they were part of her life, even when she didn’t want them to be.

Tiffany lowered her head and tried to ready her heart and mind for the service but the sick knowledge that she was
alone while all her friends sat with their significant others nudged its way into her thoughts again and again. Forcing herself to relax, Tiffany focused on the organ music. The melody was a familiar one and she could feel tension easing from her neck and shoulders.

Then she smelled the perfume. Feminine and flowery, it drifted on the air as a scuffle of movement told Tiffany someone had claimed the pew in front of her. She opened her eyes, ready to smile at the newcomer and caught sight of blond hair pulled into a sleek chignon and manicured fingernails tinged a discreet pink.

Before Tiffany could close her eyes and pretend ignorance, Lisa turned toward her. “Tiffany. So nice to see you. It’s been a long time.”

“Yes, it has.”

“I was just commenting to Brian that the shade of purple you’re wearing suits you. Wasn’t I, Brian?”

Brian nodded, his eyes meeting Tiffany’s for a moment before he turned his attention to the empty pulpit.

Tiffany tried on a smile that felt more like a scowl. “Thank you. I love lilac.”

“Yes, well, with your coloring, it’s surprising you’d choose such a pale shade but it does enhance your eyes.”

Tiffany bit her lip and didn’t respond.

“Oh, look, there’s Maggie Morrison. I’ve got to go tell her about last night.” Lisa smiled pointedly at Brian before turning back to Tiffany. “Excuse me, won’t you?”

The organ music prevented Tiffany from hearing the conversation between Maggie and Lisa, but from the blonde’s wolfish grin and gestures in Brian’s direction, Tiffany figured she could guess what it was about. When Lisa shot a knowing glance her way, Tiffany decided she’d had enough. Reaching for her purse and Bible she got ready to move.

A hand covered hers, preventing Tiffany from retrieving her belongings. “Don’t give Goldilocks the satisfaction.”

Startled, Tiffany looked up into Jake’s blue eyes and watched as he slid into the pew beside her. He didn’t look happy. “I—” Tiffany was prevented from commenting by Ben Avery’s arrival at the pulpit.

Settling back against the pew, Tiffany glanced in Jake’s direction. Jaw set, eyes staring straight ahead, he seemed as approachable as a polar bear on the hunt.

But he’d been right. Leaving the sanctuary would have played into the act Lisa had been putting on. And that was the last thing Tiffany wanted to do.

As Pastor Avery’s rich baritone filled the sanctuary, Tiffany straightened her skirt and relaxed for the first time in hours. Music, announcements and prayer gave way to the sermon and she forgot Brian and Lisa, forgot that the entire church thought she’d been dumped, forgot everything but the truth of the words Ben spoke and the warmth of the man sitting beside her.

When the last hymn had been sung, Tiffany turned to Jake wanting to share her enjoyment of the sermon. “What—”

“Tiffany?” Lisa’s Southern drawl was unmistakable.

In most people, Tiffany found the drawl charming. In Lisa it was annoying. Gritting her teeth she turned to face the woman. “Yes?”

“Brian and I were hoping to speak to you for a moment.”

“Sure, what’s up?”

“We had the most wonderful dinner last night. Didn’t we, darling?” Lisa didn’t wait for Brian’s answer, though a glance his way told Tiffany that he agreed. He had certainly never looked at
Tiffany
that way. “The General’s Club House, I’m sure you’ve heard of it. Wonderful lake views and fantastic food. So romantic, you know.”

Tiffany didn’t. Brian had never taken her there. But she wasn’t about to say so. “How nice for you.”

“Yes. Anyway, we discussed the Sunday school class you were helping Brian teach. So kind of you to help out, but—” Lisa paused, her gaze flicking from Tiffany to a point beyond her shoulder and back again.

Tiffany felt, rather than saw, Jake move behind her. She’d thought he had left and couldn’t decide if she was pleased that he had stayed or embarrassed that he could hear the conversation.

“—Well, we’re just not sure you’ll be needed in the class anymore.”

Tiffany focused her attention back on Lisa’s words. “Are you trying to say you want to teach the class with Brian?”

“Well, yes. If you don’t mind. It just seems more appropriate. You understand.” Lisa laid a proprietary hand on Brian’s arm.

“Sure.” Tiffany’s disappointment was keen but she tried to mask it. The young men and women in the teen class had a zeal Tiffany didn’t often see in adults. Their enthusiasm and dedication to the things of God had astounded and humbled her at times. But it looked like that was over for the time being.

“Great. I am so excited about the opportunity. Brian thinks I’ll be a great role model for the young ladies. I plan on giving mini courses on fashion and modesty. And of course,
I
understand the importance of supporting a husband or boyfriend in his chosen career.”

“Are you implying—” A hand landed on Tiffany’s shoulder, squeezing lightly, and cutting off her words.

The low timbre of Jake’s voice rumbled next to her ear as he spoke. “I’m sure you’ll be wonderful, ma’am. Now, if
you’ll excuse us, Tiffany and I are teaching the four-year-olds this morning.”

“We are?”

“Well, I am. I was hoping you might be willing to lend a hand. The Sunday school coordinator called last night and asked me to teach the class. Seems the teacher is on maternity leave.” Jake didn’t look at Tiffany as he spoke. Instead he smiled at Lisa and Brian, acting for all the world like he wanted Tiffany to help.

She suspected otherwise. “Jake, I—”

Tiffany was going to say she didn’t think helping him was a good idea but he cut her off before she could utter the words. “I don’t have much experience with kids. I could really use the help.”

Tiffany doubted Jake
ever
needed help, but a smug grin flirted at the edges of Lisa’s mouth, as if the woman knew Jake was just trying to help Tiffany save face. “Of course, I’ll help. I love kids.”

At least she loved her nieces and nephew. Though, if pressed, she’d admit she had never actually dealt with a large group of youngsters. Shrugging, she followed Jake’s lead, saying a quick goodbye to Lisa and Brian before walking out into the hall.

She hurried to keep pace with Jake, a nervous flutter starting in the pit of her stomach. She wasn’t sure which was worse, having to face a room filled with preschoolers, or having to spend an hour with a man who obviously didn’t want her around. Before she could make up her mind, Jake rounded a corner and opened a door, disappearing into the room. Squaring her shoulders, Tiffany followed him inside.

Jake hadn’t been lying when he said he didn’t have much experience with kids. He usually avoided them like the
plague. Not because he didn’t like them, but because he didn’t know what to
do
with them.

Ten minutes after entering the preschool class, Jake realized he had nothing to worry about. The kids knew what they wanted and made it pretty clear. He had little ones climbing his legs, hopping on his back, begging for horsy rides, and asking him to read books. He let them have their way for a few minutes then corralled them all onto an area rug to begin the Bible lesson.

He tried to keep his gaze on the story or on the kids, but it kept drifting to the back of the group where Tiffany sat, swirls of lilac material spread around her legs, two children cuddled in her lap. When the story was over, she set papers and crayons out and supervised the activity page, moving among the children with an ease and grace Jake found alluring.

He should never have asked her to help but watching McMath’s blond friend preen in front of Tiffany had set Jake’s teeth on edge. When he’d first seen Lisa and Brian slide into the pew in front of Tiffany, he’d told himself to ignore the situation. But then McMath’s new girlfriend had made a point of engaging Tiffany in conversation. Before he could think better of it he was next to Tiffany, telling her not to get up and leave.

Things had gotten worse from there. His plea for assistance with the four-year-olds had taken the wind out of Lisa’s sail but it had also put Jake in a position he’d wanted to avoid—namely, close proximity to a woman he’d be better off avoiding.