Unpredictable Love (16 page)

“
Was it bad?”

Jory nodded.

“
Did he yell at you?”

“
I spilled my guts and took off before
he could.”

“
Wise idea.”

Jory sat up. Her face was puffy, and a
tissue was crumpled in one hand.

“
He wanted to come in and talk to you,
but I told him to wait a day or two.”

“
Oh, thank God. Don’t let him in,
please, Nan.” Jory shivered and hugged herself.

“
He didn’t look mad. He looked
concerned.”

“
He looked mad when I last saw him.
Damn mad.”

“
Maybe when he returns, you’ll feel
like talking to him.”

“
Doubt it.”

“
Please keep an open mind.”

“
There’s nothing to think about. I
lied to him. He’s damn pissed about it and doesn’t want to hang
around a girl he can’t trust. I get it. Don’t blame him one
bit.”

“
Don’t be so hard on
yourself.”

“
I did a bad thing. Can’t erase that.
I took my lumps. Now, I want to leave it all behind.”

“
Do you really?”

“
I’ll stay for the garage sale, but
tomorrow night, I’m going back to Oak Bend.”

Nan patted her niece’s shoulder. “If you’re
sure that’s what you want.”

“
I have my job there. I’ll get over
him. Eventually.”

“
Why don’t you fight for
him?”

“
There’s nothing to fight for. He’s
done with me. I said as much, and he didn’t deny it. All he did was
ask questions.”

“
That’s all?”

Fresh tears threatened. “Even when I said I
was no prize, he didn’t argue. When I said I wasn’t in Amber’s
league, he didn’t correct me. I’ve never been so sorry to be right
before in my life.” Jory rubbed her chest over her heart, as if her
hand could erase the ache.

“
That’s awful. I’m so
sorry.”

“
Thanks.”

“
Amber feels terrible.”

“
For once, it’s not her fault. I did
it to myself,” Jory said, with a small smile.

“
Amber and I decided to go to Frosty
Freeze for a burger tonight, after the sale is over.”

“
You guys go ahead. I’m not very
hungry.”

“
Laura Dailey traded us six of her
delicious devil’s food cupcakes for your scarf.”

“
Fine. I’ll have a little soup and a
cupcake.”

“
Suit yourself,” Nan said, rising from
the bed.

Jory stretched out and picked up a book
she’d been reading. One more day to get through, and then she could
escape to her place in Oak Bend. After an hour, relief washed
through her. She’d done the right thing, the one thing she’d been
dreading for months.

Sure, her love affair with SSGT Trent
Stevens was over, but time would heal that. Yes, her dream had been
almost within her grasp. Now, it had been washed away by the tide
of truth. She sighed. At least she didn’t have to dread telling him
anymore, or continue to live a lie.

Sunday morning, she was the first one out on
the front porch. She set out the leftover items from the first day
of the sale. While her sister and aunt were finishing their eggs,
Jory was arranging and rearranging. She brought out the cash box, a
pitcher of sweet tea, and plastic cups.

Her mother had told her that keeping busy
was the best way to deal with sadness of any sort. Jory had
believed her at the time. Today, the diversion only served to keep
her from being aware how much her heart hurt.

The sun beat down, heating the air to a
pleasant warmth. Jory sat back in the wicker rocker and watched the
trickle of people, spilling from church services and others, who
didn’t attend, making their way down the street.

The Sheriff had closed off three streets to
create a giant mall feeling and people wandered freely from house
to house with no worry about cars. The occasional vehicle was
permitted through to pick up large items, like overstuffed chairs,
sofas, and bedframes. Jory nodded to the folks she knew who passed
by.

It wasn’t long before their table had a full
crowd. Nan and Amber joined her. The young beauty hugged her sister
before she volunteered to wrap some china items in newspaper. Jory
kept busy enough not to see Archie Peabody and Marla
approaching.

“
Where’s your boyfriend?” a familiar
voice asked.

Jory looked up. “Oh, Archie. It’s you.
Hi.”

“
Where is he?”

“
What?”

“
That military guy. The one you’re so
gaga over.” His eyes stared straight at her, his expression
unpleasant.

“
What’s it to you? Why are you
here?”

“
My girl, Marla, wanted to see if you
were going to sell any of those drawings he made for
you.”

“
What do you know about those?” Jory
put a hand on her hip.

“
Seems he’s some artist. Probably
gay.”

“
He’s a great artist, and he’s not
gay.”

“
Oh, that’s right. You should know.
You slept with him.”

Jory stopped. She handed the cashbox to her
sister, who threw a nasty glance at Archie.

“
I think you should go,
Archie.”

“
Why? I’m just speaking the truth. You
wouldn’t know the truth if it bit you in the ass.”

“
What do you know about
it?”

“
Everyone knows you were masquerading
as Amber to get this guy.”

Jory shot a hostile look at Amber, who
shrugged and looked away.

“
This is none of your business. Please
leave, Archie.”

“
Wouldn’t sleep with me, but slept
with a guy you barely knew. Know what they call that? They call it
slut,” he hissed.

Anger mixed with tears. Jory was glad they
weren’t selling any knives, as she would gladly have sunk one into
Archie’s heart—if he had one.

Jory turned to leave, but he was beside her.
He grabbed her arm and squeezed.

“
Ouch! Let go.”

He spun her around. “You were his slut, and
then, he dropped you. Dumped you. How does that feel?”

“
No, he didn’t. Watch the way you talk
to her,” a deep voice piped up.

The small crowd forming turned to see Trent
place a large hand on Archie’s shoulder. The Marine pulled him back
until he released Jory, who stared at him for a second. Tears
started, and she headed for the front steps.

“
I can’t do this now,” she muttered as
a buzz of whispered comments met her ears.

While she climbed the stairs, the group
quieted down. People turned to stare at Archie and Trent. Jory
slammed the screen door shut and went to the window. Ducking behind
a curtain, she watched the action on the lawn.

“
What are you doing here? I thought
you were through with her.”

“
You thought wrong. The lady asked you
to leave.”

“
She’s no lady.”

“
One more word, and you’ll be eating
out of the other side of your face.”

“
Are you threatening me?”

“
Figured that out, did you? Get outta
here before I flatten you. You nasty, disrespectful punk. Jory’s
life is none of your business.” Trent curled his fingers into a
fist and advanced toward Archie.

The newsman stepped back, sweat pouring off
his face. “You can have her.”

“
Are you still here?”

Jory bit down on her thumb, her gaze darting
from Trent to Archie and back again.

“
Come on, Archie. You shouldn’t be
shooting your mouth off like that. I told you about those pictures
in private. Come on. Leave these folks alone.” Marla tugged on his
arm.

“
I’m going. But only because you want
to, Marla,” Archie said, directing his words toward Trent, who
leapt at him, causing the smaller man to give out a shriek and
scurry away.

Jory smiled.

“
Thanks, Trent. I’ll go get Jory,”
Amber said.

The Marine touched her arm. “Wait. I owe you
an apology. I’m sorry for all the things I said to you the other
day.”

“
Don’t worry about it. I get
it.”

“
Thanks. Will you ask Jory if I can
talk to her for a minute?”

“
Sure.” Amber headed for the
door.

She almost bumped into Jory, who was waiting
in the entryway.

“
Before you open your mouth, I’m not
going back outside.”

“
Don’t be an idiot. Isn’t that what
you always say to me?” Amber rested a hand on her hip.

“
I’m not.”

“
Fine. The man of your dreams wants to
talk to you.”

Jory shook her head. “I don’t think so.”

“
He doesn’t look mad to
me.”

“
Who asked you?” The older girl turned
away.

“
Now who’s being a sissy and a coward?
Don’t make me get involved, Jory. He just wants to
talk.”

Jory peered out the window. Trent was
sitting on the front steps. Townsfolk were still milling about and
a few were buying things from Nan.

“
I’ve got to get back. Go talk to him.
You’re being a baby,” Amber said, pushing through the screen
door.

Jory followed her sister, stopping to lean
against the handrail next to Trent.

“
What are you doing here?” She tried
not to sound hostile, but didn’t succeed.

“
You ran off yesterday without giving
me a chance to speak.”

“
I couldn’t handle your anger. I still
can’t. If you want to let me have it, please do it in a letter.”
She straightened up and started down the remaining
steps.

He closed his fingers around her arm. “I
don’t think that’s exactly fair, do you?”

“
Nothing’s fair. Life isn’t fair. So
what?”

“
This isn’t a good time or place.
Could I come around and see you? Maybe at your place in Oak
Bend?”

She sighed. “I suppose you’re entitled to
have your chance to flog me. I deserve it.”

“
Give me a chance. I promise not to
lose my temper.”

“
Okay then. Here’s my address.” She
dictated it while he punched it into his phone.

“
This week? I won’t stay
long.”

“
Just long enough to reduce me to
ashes,” she muttered to herself. “Friday? Six?”

“
Perfect. See you then.” He pushed to
his feet and cupped her cheek with his right hand before making his
way down the street.

Jory touched her face and watched him walk
away. The limp wasn’t very pronounced, but it was still there. She
wondered what he wanted with her. A smile graced her lips as she
thought of having some time alone with him. Even if it was over
between them, perhaps they could be civil, almost friends?

Nope. The friend thing wasn’t happening.
There was no way she could stop wanting him, no matter how hard she
tried. How could she keep from kissing him? Friends don’t kiss like
that. And Jory wasn’t a “friends with benefits” type. With a deep
sigh, she returned to the table.

“
Jory, there’s no tag on this. How
much do you want for this wooden heart locket?” Nan
asked.

How much for her heart? It wasn’t for
sale.

* * * *

Jory anticipated and dreaded Trent coming to
her place. Fortunately, she had five busy days at the paper. She
did three interviews and wrote up first drafts. By Friday night,
she was tired enough not to be jumping out of her skin.

In a quick trip to the grocery store, she
picked up cheese, fruit, and crackers. Not knowing his favorite
kind, she got cheddar and Swiss, convinced that one had to be a
hit. As she unpacked in her kitchen, she thought about all the
things she didn’t know about Trent –like what kind of cheese he
preferred. She opened a bottle of Merlot and poured herself a
glass. She’d need fortification to face him.

She changed from her suit to a soft pink,
jersey shift, sloughed off her shoes, and padded around barefoot.
Might as well be comfortable while she was getting ripped apart. He
wouldn’t do that, would he? Touch her cheek then destroy her with
words? She shivered in anticipation. The dread reminded her of
going to the doctor when she knew she’d be getting a shot.

While she prepared the cheese and fruit
platter, she played the radio and sang along. A few more sips of
wine, and Jory decided no matter what he called her, she’d
survive—kind of like getting yelled at by the principal and doing
detention in high school. Except she wasn’t in love with the
principal.

The bell interrupted her musings. She
checked her watch.
Right on time. So
military.
Taking several deep breaths, she made her
way to the door. She did one stretch to ease her tension before
turning the knob.

There he stood, a vision of masculinity.
Tall, handsome, wearing a button-down, blue shirt open at the neck,
and khaki pants. She resisted the urge to flatten her palm on his
chest. He had one hand behind his back. He smiled at her, his gaze
connecting with hers. His eyes held warmth this time. Then, he
whipped his fist out in front, displaying a bouquet of plump, pink
roses.