Authors: Renee Miller
Kristina’s gaze traveled to his jeans, horrified when heat spread from her stomach down to her thighs, to areas it had no right warming up. Embarrassed, she looked away, her cheeks on fire. Obviously, the stress of the past few months wreaked havoc on her senses. Wade was at least fifteen years older, and not someone she should even consider thinking of that way. She risked a glance at his face. He smiled, furthering her humiliation. His eyes darkened just a little and Kristina cursed herself for being such a child. Damn, she wished she didn’t wear her thoughts on her face for everyone to read.
“Have you ever bartended?”
“No.”
“Would you consider it?”
“I don’t know.” Kristina knew where this was going. Wade was going to offer her a job at his bar. He was right, the money would be better than she earned working the jobs she currently held, but anyone who did risked being looked down their noses by the town’s elite and she’d had enough of feeding the gossip mill. Besides, Daniel would freak out. Only trash worked in a bar, not mothers with responsibilities and self-respect. Daniel expected her to present herself with dignity. Funny, he didn’t think it was necessary when it pertained to his treatment of her.
Wade shrugged. “It’s up to you, but at least give it some thought. You could quit at least two of these jobs. I’d bet the tips you’d make with those eyes and your cute little ass would be enough to quit all three.”
“Wade, stop it.”
“I’m sorry. You’re just fun to tease; the way you blush at just a thought is fascinating. Makes me wonder if it’s just your cheeks that get all flushed.”
Kristina smiled.
“Oh and dimples too.” He clutched his chest dramatically.
She laughed.
“Seriously, though, at least consider it. You shouldn’t be working yourself ragged like this. Your daughter deserves more than just a piece of you.”
He was right. “I’ll think about it.”
“Good, I’ll come in again in a couple of days.” He turned and walked to the door, pausing before he opened it. “I hope you change your mind. It’d be nice to see you smile again.” He pushed the door and walked out.
Kristina stood for a moment, staring after him.
Wade got into his car and although the lights shone in the window, he didn’t pull out.
She walked to the sink and filled the mop bucket. When she emerged into the main section of the store, he was gone. As she dipped the mop into the water, she realized he hadn’t bought anything.
***
Walking through the darkened street to her mother’s apartment building Kristina hugged her purse close to her body. No one roamed the sidewalks, not even a car traveled the main roads. Midnight in Laighton was quiet, but in a couple of hours when the bar let out there would be a few people stumbling home. Now she had the town to herself. It made her nervous and she glanced around before stepping toward her parents’ apartment building at the end of Jamieson Street.
Earlier, while she cleaned the store and tallied her cash, she had mulled over Wade’s words. Now, as she rushed past darkened homes, jumping at imagined noises and hallucinated shadows—never able to shake the feeling of being watched—she was tempted to take his offer. She fished her key out of her pocket to unlock the main door. Maybe she’d run it by her mother.
As she climbed the two flights of stairs to her parents’ door she continued to think about Wade’s offer, wavering once more. As it was, she hated how people talked about her and Daniel. Could she handle more gossip?
When her mother opened the door, Kristina realized she’d forgotten to call. “Sorry Mom, I forgot.”
“It’s okay. I called and Carrie said you were on your way.” Her mother wore her favorite housecoat, muted pink with tat
tered sleeves, and held it closed with her arms. “You look tired.”
“I am.” Kristina sighed.
Her mother backed into the apartment. “I’ll wake your dad while you get Cadence ready.”
“Wait, I want to ask you something.”
In the small kitchen next to the hallway, Kristina set her purse on the counter, then walked to the living room and flopped down into the couch. She loved her mom’s couch. Although it was probably fifteen years old it felt like sinking into giant fuzzy arms.
Her mom sat in a mismatched leather chair opposite, her body stiff, perhaps worried she would hear more bad news. Shame warmed Kristina’s cheeks. She’d put her parents through hell and she could never make it up to them.
Kristina offered her mom a smile. “Wade came in tonight and offered me a job.”
Her mom relaxed, and brushed a hand over her red curls. “Oh, I thought you had bad news. That’s great.”
“You don’t think it’d be kind of trashy? I mean, they wear those little shirts and I’d have to buy some black pants. I don’t have any. And I’m not sure I could wear them quite as snug as the rest of the girls. He might not like it.”
“I don’t think Wade would make you wear anything you’re uncomfortable with. The tips there are really good. I heard they make more than a hundred a night. Add your regular wage and you’d be able to quit all these shitty jobs.”
“But I’d have to work until three in the morning. It’s going to be rough,” Kristina argued.
“So? You’d have all day with Cadence. You wouldn’t have to work all week either. Imagine spending whole days at home. You’re crazy not to do it.”
Kristina stared at her hands. Her mom was right. She had one day off each week and spent it cleaning and running errands. Poor Cadence received very little attention unless she was crying or hungry. “So you think I should do it? People are going to talk. Wade’s not exactly a squeaky clean kind of character.”
Her mother waved her hand and Kristina smiled at her scrunched nose. “Screw them. They talk anyway; it’s a small town. Wade is a good man; he’s been a loyal friend to your dad and helped us out of trouble more times than I can count. He keeps his private business separate from the bar and besides, he’s not asking you to do anything other than serve drinks. He’s offering you a chance to change things and I think you should take it. Besides, Amy looks after the bar too. It’s not like it’s going to be just you and Wade there. No reason for rumors at all. Find out how many shifts you have, keep the gas station until you know what kind of money you’ll make or stay at Maude’s, and quit the other two. I’ll keep Cadence overnight when you work at the bar.”
“Oh Mom, I can’t ask you to do that. You have to work too.”
Her mom leaned forward and smiled. “Stop it. This is easier for me. I work afternoons, remember? Cadence can come here, go straight to bed and I can sleep. I don’t have to wait for you and your dad doesn’t have to get up to take you home. It’s better for all of us.”
“Okay, I’ll tell him when he comes in again.”
“Good, it’s a smart move. I’m sure of it.” She stood and walked to the bedroom to wake her husband.
Kristina smiled. She hoped she was right in doing this. It would be nice to work a regular week like everyone else. She even dared to hope her life was turning around.
Kristina pulled the mop bucket through the small door. She bumped her hip on to the ice cream freeze and grunted as burning pain shot down her thigh. Two customers roamed the aisles, which meant she’d have to wait to begin cleaning up. As she turned to step behind the counter, the bell above the door jingled. Stomach fluttering, she surprised herself by hoping it would be Wade. She glanced over her shoulder to meet his gaze. He smiled and Kristina rushed through the little door and to the safety of the cash register.
“So?” He came to lean on the counter as he’d done the night before.
“Yeah, I think I’ll try it if the job’s still available.” Kristina’s cheeks burned.
A chip bag crinkled.
Kristina turned.
Katherine Morton paused in her perusal of the chips to stare openly.
Anger rose to sting Kristina’s throat.
Katherine, or Kat as she preferred to be called, a short round woman in her forties and one of the worst gossips in Laighton, could be sweet as honey to your face—until she ferreted out the information she wanted. Then she’d turn it around to make it more interesting before telling whoever would listen. Kristina could imagine where she’d take this little scene.
Wade followed Kristina’s gaze and nodded at Katherine. “Hey Kat, nice to see you recovered from last weekend. Harold ever find you? Or was Matty taking you home when you guys left out the back door?”
Kat reddened.
Kristina felt a sense of pride at Wade’s subtle way of putting the bitch in her place.
“Of course he found me. You know I went straight home. I don’t often drink so much, but it was a birthday party. Matt was getting me a cab.”
“Of course. Hope to see you in again soon. I’m sure Harold would love to come with you next time.”
“Yeah, probably,” she muttered and walked to the coolers at the back.
Wade turned to Kristina and winked. “You won’t regret it, I promise. It’s better than running around like you have been. I’ll call you with your hours.”
“Sure, but I’ll have to give notice so they can cover my shifts here. I’m not worried about the gas station. They just hired a student so they’ll be fine.”
“We’ll work it all out. Dirty Truths will be a brighter place with you in it.” He smiled.
Distracted by Katherine and an older man bringing their purchases to the counter, Kristina didn’t reply. Wade moved to the side and she wondered why he didn’t just leave. She grew more flustered. Her hands trembled as she scanned Katherine’s items through the register.
Katherine must have noticed too and smirked as she closed manicured nails over her change. She flipped dark hair streaked with platinum over her shoulder. “You look tired, dear. I guess single parenting doesn’t agree with you. Say hello to Daniel for me, would you? I haven’t seen him in ages.”
Kristina bit her lip. To reply would only make Katherine worse.
The woman gathered her things. “Have a good night, Wade.”
He nodded, his gaze never leaving Kristina. He tapped his keys on the wall and then ran a finger along the magazine rack hanging below the counter.
Kristina rang the old man’s purchases through.
He smiled a toothless grin and took his bag. “She’s just jealous because all the chemicals and tools on the planet won’t give her a gorgeous face like yours. You have a good night Sweetie.” He nodded to Wade.
Kristina felt the heat of another blush. “Thank you. You too.”
“Oh I will now that I’ve seen your pretty smile,” he chuckled, and winked as he walked to the door.
Kristina never knew how to react to customers who flirted. They were only being nice but it unnerved her every time.
Wade stood grinning, his hands again tucked into his pockets. “I need your number.”
“Oh shit,” Kristina laughed and pulled a slip of paper from the receipt feed. “I’m sorry. Of course you do.”
He took the paper, his fingers closing over hers.
Perhaps he lingered just a little before pulling away but then she scolded herself for being silly. Her hand tingled where his fingers ran over her knuckles as he drew away.
“I’ll be talking to you. Make sure you do have a good night, sweetheart, like the old guy said.”
Kristina nodded and he left. Sighing she moved away from the register, and pushed the mop bucket to the middle of the store. She ignored the voice in her head warning she’d regret it.
***
Wade clutched
the paper she’d given him, opened the car’s door, and climbed in. The light from a large white sign on the front of the building lit up the empty parking lot directly below. He’d parked to the side, just out of the pool of light. Hidden in the shadows, he waited.
Kristina lugged a yellow bucket out and began mopping.
He slipped the key into the ignition but didn’t turn it, his gaze on her face.
She bit her lower lip as she mopped, her brow furrowed in concentration.
If he didn’t know her better, he’d think she was searching for the secret to life under the dirty floor. But he knew she mulled over her decision, probably regretting it already. By morning, she’ll have worried herself sick, and if he didn’t act before she did too much thinking, she’d change her mind.
She heaved the mop over the bucket again and wrung it out.
He remembered the day he met her at a barbeque held at a friend’s house. She’d been so young; a little chubby, with fuzzy strawberry blonde hair, and a tendency to slouch. She’d turned and smiled at him and a little shiver had coursed down his spine. Her dimpled smile and pale green eyes boldly appraised him. The look had stuck in his mind, haunting his dreams and causing him a few sleepless nights.
Being drawn to her had disgusted him. Christ the girl wasn’t even sixteen. A child. But over the years—as he and her father, Joe, became good friends—he’d watched the gawky child grow into a beautiful woman. The brassy hair had darkened to a deep brown and she’d slimmed out a little, but the innocence stayed there for a long time. He’d been sad when it disappeared, as though part of her had been stolen from him. Although, he didn’t know why he thought it belonged to him in the first place.
Kristina pushed the bucket toward the back of the store. She straightened, rubbed her lower back, and turned.
Wade froze, certain her gaze met his, but she turned away and leaned over the mop again. As she moved acr
oss the floor, he relaxed. Her mouth was set in the frown that marred her beautiful face too often.
When
Joe had lamented over the man she’d begun dating a few years ago, Wade checked him out. He hadn’t liked what he’d found.
Daniel Riley had been accused of several assaults, but the accusations never amounted to any real charges. His high school sweetheart left town before she finished her senior year. Those who knew her said she’d left a complete mess, with a broken arm and wounds on her face that would stay with her for life. She didn’t go to the police though. Wade figured Daddy Riley had something to do with her sudden silence. He would bet if the old man lived today, Kristina wouldn’t have gone to the police either. The old man’s wife had disappeared years ago, and no one could explain what happened to her.
At the time, Wade advised Joe to stop the relationship before it progressed too far, but Kristina had proven too stubborn. The more her poor father objected, the more she fell in love with the miserable prick. She had been impressed by Riley’s name and his charm, a trait Wade grudgingly admitted he had.
Daniel used to be respected around town, rather his family’s name was respected; the man himself was a loser. His connections and his bad boy reputation made his slow manipulation of an innocent girl much easier. Nice girls always fell for the tormented soul, the one no one understood, believing their love could tame the beast within. Men like Riley made sure they played up the fantasy too. If the girl could just make herself good enough, she could make him happy, and then she’d earn scraps of his affection. Although Wade thought it sick and ridiculous, he understood how a girl could fall for it. Especially a gentle soul like Kristina. In his youth, Wade had used a similar ploy, but unlike Daniel he’d never wanted to control or abuse them. He’d just wanted to get in their pants. Wade smiled at the memories.
When he heard Kristina agreed to marry Riley, Wade could do nothing. He couldn’t even tell her how he felt; a married man, friend of her father, and far too old to offer her anything more than sex. She’d have laughed in his face. Amy didn’t care if he slept around. He had done that more than he cared to admit. But he knew she’d have a problem if she found out his feelings for Kristina went beyond sex.
Remembering how Kristina had been at her wedding made his stomach burn, his hands tightening into fists. He didn’t want to go but Amy had insisted. She made a fuss about appearances. In the end he went just to shut her up. He hadn’t seen Kristina in nearly a year. The difference between the woman in white satin and lace and the girl he knew before had been startling and sad.
She should have been radiant and hopeful. Instead, her voice was empty, and her skin so pale. When Daniel’s voice turned sharp, she flinched and kept her eyes downcast. How did the guests miss the misery written in every move she made? They’d laughed, danced, and made jokes to the newlyweds. Everyone, except Wade and her parents, behaved as though the couple were normal and happy.
As the night wound down Wade had hugged her and leaned in close to her ear. “You deserve better than this jackass. Promise me you’ll ask for help if you need it.”
She’d pulled away, flashed a startled gaze and quickly pasted a false smile on her face. “It was good to see you and Amy. Thanks for coming.” Then she’d turned away.
After the wedding, the light in those beautiful eyes had gone out completely under a myriad of bruises and insults. He knew what Daniel had done, and he often reminded Joe he could get rid of her problem once and for all. But Joe asked him to stay out of it.
Wade stayed away from her for months so he wouldn’t have to endure the evidence of Daniel’s cruelty; although Amy loved to tell him everything she heard. He ignored his wife’s gleeful reports as much as he could.
He’d pushed the fantasy of Kristina away the second she got married, not allowing himself to think about her. Then, a few months ago, Joe mentioned she’d left Daniel. Wade had thought of little else but his old fantasy—and how much he wanted out of his marriage.
His obsession began in earnest when she went through with the divorce. He stopped by the gas station while she worked, observing her secretly. A few times, he’d waited in the parking lot behind a hedgerow that divided it from the house nestled between a lumber yard and the convenience store. At the end of her shift, he would walk behind her to make sure she made it to her parents’ house safely. She’d looked around a few times, as though aware someone followed her. She never saw him. He was too good, though Kristina was far from his regular prey.
Who was he trying to kid? No matter how much he wanted her, he’d never have Kristina. Not the way he wanted to. Amy would be around until she died. She knew far too much, and the Brotherhood wouldn’t allow her to keep breathing if she got too far away. He couldn’t sign her death warrant just because he didn’t love her anymore. Amy wasn’t a bad person, not all the time. They just weren’t meant to be. Kristina would only see Wade was a married man.
When she glanced at the window again Wade turned the key, the paper still in his hand. He had to stop thinking of her in that way. She would never allow what he desperately wanted to happen. Although the way her hand trembled tonight and the flush of her cheeks told him she would like to.
He backed out of the empty parking lot and turned toward home. Opportunities arose for a reason and only a fool would let them pass by unnoticed. He’d see her eyes light up again, if only for a moment, before he let this silly fantasy go. Maybe he’d see more. As he stopped at the red light at the end of town, he shifted uncomfortably in his seat. Damn if his pants didn’t grow tighter at the thought. Wade imagined her whispering his name and groaned. If things were different, if Kristina were different, he’d have had her by now.
***
Kristina set her keys on the counter and carried Cadence to the living room. In the playpen, she covered the baby with her favorite pink blanket. Cadence stirred, curled one corner of the soft cover into her fist, and rubbed it against her cheek. Kristina smiled and turned to check the phone. The light on the answering machine next to it flashed. Her stomach ached. Probably Daniel, calling to confuse her some more.
Sighing, she pressed the play button and waited. Wade’s deep voice startled her. The sound released a strange feeling, like tiny bubbles bursting around her heart. She replayed the message to hear his voice again.
“Hey Kristina, it
’s Wade. Bet you didn’t think I’d call so fast. I had to make sure you didn’t have time to back out,” he chuckled.
Her breath caught.
“Could you come in Friday and Saturday around eight? I’ll have a shirt for you. I think I have one to fit, but if not we’ll figure something out.”
Kristina smiled at the thought of the slinky shirts.