Sweetwater: The Kihn (The Sweet Series) (7 page)

“I wish you were going with us,” I say to Emma Rae.

“Me too.”

“Isn’t there anyone you can trade with?” Diane asks.

“I tried. Polly is off but has somethin’ goin’ on with her kids. Reenie has a doctor’s appointment. Bobbi has a hot date. Dawn’s mom has her doin’ some kind of wedding shopping thing, so I’ll make the next one,” she promises.

“Bobbi has a hot date?” Diane asks. “Who with?”

“I don’t know. She wouldn’t say.”

“You asked her?” I laugh.

“Yeah, more than once, but she clammed up tighter than a virgin.”

“Emma Rae!” Diane scolds.

“We need to get some sleep,” I say, laughing again at Emma Rae. I pull the covers back and crawl in.

“Wake me when you get up,” Diane reminds me as she heads for the door. She decided to sleep upstairs, so if Jake needs help, she’ll be close by.

“Hah!” Emma Rae punches her pillow. “You’ll be ridin’ all night. You won’t be in any condition to go tomorrow.”

I bust out laughing. Diane plants her hands on her hips and glares at us. I stuff the pillow in my mouth, trying to stop the laughter.

“For your information, I’m not even going into his room unless he needs me.”

“
Ohhh, Diane!
” Emma Rae does a good imitation of Jake. “
Can you come in here, darlin’? I have a joint ache.”
I have to hold the pillow tighter. “
Ohhh, Diane, darlin’, I’m stiffenin’ up.”

“Ha-ha,” Diane utters with a sneer.

“You’ll be yellin’ ‘
I’m comin’, I’m comin’
all night,” Emma Rae teases.

Diane makes a rude gesture before closing the door. This is so out of character for her, Emma Rae gives a shout of laughter, and I fall back on the bed, laughing with the pillow over my face.

Chapter Five

M
orning comes way too soon. The alarm clock is closest to Emma Rae, and when she can’t shut it up, she yanks the cord, silencing the racket.

I roll over. “Bless you.” She struggles out of bed and pulls the covers off me as she heads to the bathroom. “Heifer!” I call after her. I hear her turn on the shower and think about going back to sleep, but she’s drawn the covers all the way off the bed, and it’s cold. I’m definitely going to find a warm pair of flannel pajamas while we’re out today.

I drag myself into the steamy bathroom, answering nature’s call. I wash my hands and turn to leave, and then decide to flush the toilet. As I leave the bathroom, Emma Rae lets out a high-pitched scream.

Diane comes into the kitchen as I’m making a cup of coffee. “Ugh, who needs an alarm with Emma Rae screaming like a banshee,” Diane grumbles.

“How’d Jake do?”

“Okay, I guess. If he called for me, I didn’t hear him. I slept like a rock.” She sits at the table. She looks as tired as I do. “I peeked in on my way down. He was snoring away.” I hand her the coffee I just made and prepare to brew another cup. “Is Sawyer getting Jake some breakfast when he gets up?” she asks.

“I think Sam is bringing breakfast with him. Oh shoot! I forgot to call Jordy.” I punch in her number as Emma Rae enters with her hair wrapped in a towel. I hold out the second cup of coffee I’ve brewed.

“Bitch,” she mutters, taking the cup.

I explain the situation to Jordy and hang up. “She and Luce will swing by here and pick us up at nine-thirty.”

“I guess that’ll work. Do you think we can convince them to drive through one of the fast-food places for breakfast?” Diane asks.

“Worked up an appetite?” Emma Rae snidely asks.

“You’re just jealous.”

“I am.” Emma Rae grabs her coffee cup. “You two have a blast today and spend lots of money. I gotta dry my hair and head to work.”

“You want to hop in the shower first or should I?” I ask Diane.

“I’ll go.”

I stretch my arms above my head. Sitting and enjoying the quiet for a few minutes is so restful, but it also gives me time to remember the previous evening.
What is Jake thinking?
Does he for real think I’ll sit at home and not help? Nick doesn’t know me well, but Jake does. He’s partly responsible for the shaping and developing of my character.

I think about how we’ll tell the rest of the family. Ben will take everything in stride in his usual calm way. I’m sure Billy will start stockpiling arrows, and Jordy and Lucy will be right there with their men, no matter the situation.

Emma Rae sticks her head in the doo
r. “I’m outta here. Have fun shopping.”

“What’re you doing tonight?” I ask.

“Dunno, why? Are you gonna play poker?”

“Maybe.”

“I’ll stop by. See ya!”

“Bye!” I head for the shower. I gaze with longing at the bed as I pass, wishing I could crawl back in.

Jordy and Lucy arrive at nine thirty, and Diane and I trudge out to the car. We both have our hair in ponytails, no makeup, and we look as if we haven’t had any sleep. We’ve brought our pillows to catch up on the way to Springfield.

My aunt Jordanna lowers her sunglasses, looking at us over the top as we shuffle to her car. She and Lucy check us out as we settle into the back seat. “You girls have a rough night?” Jordy asks. Lucy giggles.

“Hmmm,” I respond as I stuff my pillow in the corner of the seat and wiggle in to get comfortable.

“Can we grab a sausage biscuit in Marshfield?” Diane asks.

“No problem. I’ll just wake you when we get there.”

“Thanks.”

I have to smile at Diane not recognizing the sarcasm in Jordanna’s voice. Lucy giggles again. We sleep most of the way to the Battlefield Mall in Springfield.

Springfield is the third-largest city in Missouri, Gateway to the Ozarks. I’d heard one old-timer remark that as long as he made it to Springfield, he could find his way home blindfolded from there. The drive to the south side of Springfield takes a good hour from Sweetwater, depending on the traffic.

The nap in the car refreshes us, and we grab a coffee first thing when we get inside the mall. Once our shopping is under way, Jordanna divulges they have instructions to see to it that I come home with no less than a complete new wardrobe, courtesy of Ben and Jake. I cry in the middle of the mall.

We leave around seven and head home. I have new jeans, slacks, blouses, and sweaters. I found three real cute dresses for church, and I bought lingerie from an upscale boutique I would never have been able to afford, but Jordy insisted.
I picked up a pair of heels to wear with my church dresses, a pair of black Converse, and a pair of knee-high brown leather boots that cost as much as I’d originally planned to spend on the whole shopping trip. I also got a new jacket and warm coat. We found a killer black dress, which I plan to wear on my date with Nick. Behind my back, Jordanna and Lucy bought me a pair of heels and a purse to go with the dress, along with a fringed wrap.

Oh, and I bought a pair of flannel pajamas.

Getting ready to go to the Shotgun Shack, I change into a new pair of jeans—the kind that looks worn and faded, even when they’re new. They fit well and are comfortable. I choose a red sweater and my new leather boots to finish the outfit. Jake’s playing poker tonight, and I want to show him how proud I am of my new clothes.

I leave my hair down in soft curls and apply a little makeup. I wonder if Nick is going to the poker game tonight. I don’t have a recollection of him saying one way or the other.

Diane honks when she pulls into the driveway. I check the back door lock and turn on the light over the kitchen sink, the hall light, and the front porch light. That should make the electric company happy, but I know I’ll be glad when I come home later.

We hear music from inside the Shotgun Shack as we get out of Diane’s car. Several vehicles are parked around the building.

“Sofie, Diane!” Sam hollers as we walk in. He’s behind the bar, talking to Rose and Mary Alice Burke, who wave at us. Diane takes off toward them, and I head for Jake.

They have two tables set up for poker. Jake, Sawyer, and Taylor are at one, along with Jackson Drake and Logan Rivers, whom I don’t know well. The other table has Terry Joe Wooten, some of the other regulars, and a blond guy I’ve never seen before. As I pass Terry Joe’s table, I notice the blond stranger looking at me as if he’s memorizing me.

“Sofie, how ya doin’?” Terry Joe asks.

“I’m good, Terry Joe, thanks. How about yourself?”

“You wanna sit in?”

“Not right now. Maybe later.”

“Sure.” He smiles.

I smile at the others in greeting.

Sawyer stands and waves for me to come over to their table. “I’ll talk to y’all later,” I tell them, noticing the blond guy still watching me.

I head straight for Jake, bend down, and kiss his cheek. He smiles at me. I hold my arms out and turn to model my new clothes. I pull my coat back, place my hand on my hip, and stick out a booted leg.

“Hey, spiffy outfit,” he says.

“Yeah, my amazing uncles bought it for me.” I bend down and hug him, whispering, “Thank you,” in his ear. My eyes are misty when I straighten up.

“Wait till you see what else you bought,” Diane inserts as she joins us, looping her arm through mine.

“Can’t wait.” Jake smiles at us. I feel guilty for calling him an ass the night before. I never said I didn’t have a temper.

“Sofie, my eyeballs are floatin’ over here.” Sawyer motions me over to him. “Sit here and keep these crooks out of my money.” And off he goes.

“Taylor,” I say in greeting.

“Sofie, you’re looking rather pretty tonight.” Taylor smiles warmly at me. He has the most attractive brown eyes, warm with a perpetual twinkle. My cheeks grow warm as he chuckles under his breath.

“Sofie, good to see ya,” Jackson says.

“You too, Jackson.”

I dip my head toward Logan, still a little flustered from Taylor. Logan Rivers is a friend of Jake’s. I’ve never gotten to know him well. Tall and slim, he has light brown hair that falls below his collar with a sweep of bangs falling across ice-blue eyes. His stubble adds something to his already handsome face. He has a killer smile, which has broken many a heart. At least, that’s what Lucy has told me.

He gives me one of his slayer smiles. “Hello, Sofie. It’s been a l
ong time.” I smile shyly. I’ve always felt awkward around Jake’s older friends. “Are you glad to be home?” I guess he wants to keep the conversation going.

“I am.” Aren’t I witty?

“Jake mentioned you’re living with him now?”

“Yes.”

“Well, maybe we’ll see more of each other.” He smiles again.

“Hey, are you gonna play cards or flirt with my niece?” Jake grins at me. If he were sitting closer, I’d kick him.

“Pay no attention to him. He’s pissy ’cause most of his money is right here in my stack,” Logan laughs.

“And it’s gonna be over here ’fore long,” Sawyer threatens as he comes up behind me. I’m more than happy to let him have his chair back. He leans toward me before sitting down. “Nice boots.”

“Thanks.”

I’m getting a bottle of water out of the fridge when Taylor sits at the end of the bar. “I told you what you needed wasn’t in there,” he reminds me.

Closing the door, I smile at him. “I think you’re trying to get me drunk.”

He laughs a little wickedly. “Now would I do that?” I’m getting the impression Taylor is a bit of a tease. I’ve already caught on he enjoys making me blush. With his dark good looks and that smile...

“There’s a new bottle of tequila back there I brought to share with you.”

“How thoughtful,” I tell him as I produce the bottle and a couple of glasses.

“Sam—anyone else?” Taylor motions to the bottle of tequila.

“Yeah, thanks,” Sam answers.

While Taylor opens the bottle, I snag a couple of limes out of the fridge. Sam hands me a small paring knife, a wooden cutting board, and some margarita salt. We’re all set.

“Sam?” I step close. I don’t want to speak too loudly. “Who’s the blond guy over by Terry Joe?” If I’d asked Sawyer this question, he would’ve teased me, but Sam will just answer.

Sam leans in close to speak low too. “He came with Taylor. His name’s Andy.”

“You don’t know him?”

“Never seen him before.”

Hmmm. I wonder how Taylor knows him if he’s just here visiting Nick. Where did Andy come from?

“Andy is one of Santiago’s men,” Taylor informs us. I glance at him, a little startled.
Geez, he has good hearing.
Before I get a chance to ask him about Andy, the outside door opens, and Emma Rae blows in with a gust of cold air. She heads to the bar in her usual good spirits.

“Is there a party in here? I had to park in the back forty!” She laughs as she slips out of her coat. “I didn’t think I’d get out of Murphy’s alive.”

“Why did you work tonight after you worked the morning shift?” I pour her a shot of tequila.

“Mary Burns has been sick all week, so I worked her shift. I need the money.” She shrugs.

“Who’d you work with?”

“Reenie, but that wasn’t the problem. The place was a nut house tonight. Who’s that?” She changes track so quickly, I need a moment to realize she’s looking at the new guy.

“That’s Taylor’s friend Andy. Cute, huh?” I smile at Taylor.

“Okay, let me go get him so you ladies can work him over,” Taylor offers as he pushes away from the bar.

“I think Emma Rae would appreciate that,” I tell him with a laugh.

Diane drops Jake and me off a little after one in the morning. I’m quiet on the way home, letting Diane and Jake fill the silence. It has been a fun night, getting together with old friends and forgetting all the troubles coming. I can’t help but wonder why Nick never showed.

It feels good sleeping until almost noon and then lying in bed a while longer, relishing the comfort and warmth. I have several things I want to accomplish before my date with Nick. The first: organizing and putting away my new wardrobe.

I slip on my new flannel robe and make my way to the kitchen. One of the things I love best about this house is all the windows, making every room bright and cheery. It might be just an old farmhouse, but it means a lot to me. The kitchen is sunny and warm as I fix myself a cup of coffee. Jake left earlier with Sawyer and Sam so they could help him feed cattle before they all go on to cut wood. I hope he doesn’t overwork himself.

My afternoon flies by as I do my chores while talking on the phone with Diane. I called my uncle Ben the day before to thank him and ask him to come by when he got the chance. He stops in, and I show him the clothes he and Jake have paid for.

“I can’t help feeling guilty, Ben,” I tell him.

“Why?”

“I think we got a little carried away and—”

“You did
not
, Sofie. You spent far less than we had figured, especially with my wife and sister along. We set this up before you came home from California.”

“You did?” Their generosity is just one more display of the remarkable love and care they’ve shown me through the years.

“Yes, we wanted to do something for you. It’s not as if you let us give you anything for Christmas or your birthday,” he admonishes. I have a problem with people giving me gifts. “You wouldn’t even accept our help while you were in California.”

I duck my head; he was pretty upset about that situation. I’m teary eyed as I hug him good-bye. Emma Rae pulls into the driveway as Ben is leaving.

“Hey girl,” she calls to me. I’m still standing on the front porch after seeing Ben off. “You okay? You look as if you’ve been crying.”

“I’ve just been thanking Ben.” She smiles in understanding. “Come on in. You want a cup of coffee?” We head toward the kitchen. “You look nice.”

She takes off her coat, revealing a dark blue pantsuit with a silky, lace-trimmed white cami under the jacket. Having curled her shoulder-length hair, it’s full and bouncy. She is also wearing more makeup than usual.

“I revise my comment—you look gorgeous.” She beams. “What’s the occasion?” I ask.

“I have a date with Taylor’s frien
d Andy.” She takes the cup I hand her and reaches into the fridge for the cream.

“That was quick.” I’m surprised, which, thinking about it, shouldn’t be so surprising; it was obvious the previous night the two hit it off.

“Right before I left last night, he asked if I wanted to go out tonight.” She props her chin on her hand and leans on the table with a dreamy expression. “Did you know he’s six feet tall? I can wear heels with him.” Emma Rae, at five foot nine, is forever on the lookout for tall men. She refuses to go out with anyone shorter than herself.

“Are you sure you should go? I mean, you just met him.” I can’t help but be concerned.