Derailed Page 6

  As soon as his mother spotted him she said, “Everett, you remember Harmony Clark from school?”

  “Oh hey, Harmony. It’s been a while.”

  “Twelve years.”

  “Harmony is taking over for me as principal when I retire.”

  “Catholic school principal. You’ll have your work cut out for you.”

  “Not as much, since the Davids have all graduated.”

  “This is true.”

  “Say Mom, I’ve got to run over to Ashton’s place and Courtney says I should use a mule?”

  “Keys are in it. Knock yourself out.”

  “Is it like the golf cart?”

  “It’s got more substance than a golf cart.”

  “Do you know if it has lights?”

  “Honey, that thing has more features than my Mercedes.”

  “Mind if I go with you?” Harmony asked.

  “Have you seen him since you left town?” Mom questioned.

  “No, but I’ve heard.”

  “Oh honey, I’m afraid he’s a shell of the man you once dated.” Mom patted Harmony’s hand in consolation.

  Harmony stood. “I want to see him.”

  Mom cut her worried gaze to Everett. “If anyone can turn that poor soul around, it’s you. Be careful.”

  Everett kissed his mom on the cheek. “We’ll be fine.”

  Harmony and Everett walked to the garage, Everett slowing to Harmony’s pace. In heels and a skirt, she was careful as she stepped.

  “So, you’re moving back to the bayou country.” Everett queried.

  “I am.”

  “Got to be a let down coming from California.”

  “Actually, I miss it and am excited to be moving home.”

  “Is it the heat you miss, or the giant radioactive mosquitos?”

  She smiled derisively, “That’s funny.”

  He opened the door to the garage and gestured for her to pass. Inside were Dad’s truck, Mom’s Benz, the golf cart, and a camouflaged metal abomination. “I guess that’s the mule?”

  Harmony walked up to it, sat behind the wheel, and ignited the motor. “Get in, fancy pants. I’ll drive us.”

  Before he conformed to her demands, he depressed the button to open the garage bay doors.

  After she backed out the mule, Everett climbed in next to her. He searched for a switch. “I’m not sure how you turn on the headlights in this thing.”

  “I got it.” Harmony flicked a button and the path before them was lit.

  “I take it you’ve driven one of these things before?”

  “When I come home on holidays I don’t sit around looking pretty in a suit.”

  “Touché. Your family still have the riding stables?”

  “We do.”

  “You still ride?”

  “I rode this weekend. I actually rode to the edge of your property.”

  “You know you can ride anywhere you like on the property.”

  “I know.”

  The motor was quiet for an all-terrain vehicle and Everett could hear the sound of twigs breaking under the weight of the tires. It was more than a little spooky and he shuddered, trying hard to diminish the outward signs.

  “What’s wrong? You’re not scared, are you?”

  “Even you have to admit it’s kind of creepy out here.”

  “Are you afraid of the crickets?”

  “I’m more afraid of the Headless Horseman, Jack the Ripper, vampires, voodoo”—

  “Wow Everett, I don’t remember you being such a nerd in high school.”

  “Hey, you have to remain alert. That’s all.” A howl broke free in the dark night somewhere behind them.

  “What was that?”

  “I’m pretty sure that was an owl.”

  “It was a howl, not a hoot.”

  “No, it was a hoot.”

  “No, it wasn’t. Stop trying to make it into something small.”

  “Okay, it was a howl.”

  “Do you really think so?” Everett scooted closer to the inside of the vehicle. “What do we have out here that would howl?”

  “Maybe it’s a werewolf.”

  “Fuck.”

  “Jesus Everett, you act like you didn’t grow up here.”

  “And you act like you didn’t either. You know there are alligators, water moccasins, bats, and various other night crawlers—things that will not hesitate to attack us.”

  “Well suck it up Ebbwet, we’re almost to our destination.”

  “Don’t call me that.”

  “What’s wrong, still can’t say your name?”

  “Let’s just get this over with.”

  “You’d think since he was expecting you he would have put on some lights.”

  “I don’t think being hospitable is a top priority of Ashton’s.” Everett dug out his key ring that also doubled as a flashlight.

  “You’re prepared.”

  “Boy Scouts.”

  “What?”

  “Never mind.” She’d only tease him more if she knew he’d made it all the way to Eagle Scout.

  They exited the mule and climbed the steps to the porch. Everett reached his hand out to grasp the knocker, “Man I’m really getting tired of playing with this lion’s head. It kind of looks like the eyes are glowing.”

  Harmony reached her hand around his and used the offending décor to knock on the door.

  “He just texted for me to come in.” Harmony stepped back and let Everett take the lead, for once. Inside a dim glow at the back of the house was barely visible down the long entryway. Everett followed the trail of light that became brighter with each step.

  “Ashton?”

  “In the back.”

  The floors creaked and leaves crunched beneath their feet. Shadows on the wall made him jump until he realized the hulking figures were made from the tree limbs outside, the moon casting their shadow.

  Finally at the den, he found Ashton on the old worn couch. Soft jazz music filtered in from somewhere. As usual, Ashton didn’t stand to greet Everett, so he walked to the couch across from him and forced himself to sit. Harmony took the cushion next to him.

  “Ashton, you remember Harmony.”

  His expression smoothed as his eyes widened at the sight of her. For several moments he did nothing but stare at her, unblinking. He slowly stood aiming a remote somewhere behind them. “Leave. Both of you.”

  Everett wasn’t really the type of guy who usually reacted to absurdity, but despite his good intentions he’d been unwanted more than once today and that proved to be one time too many.

  He stood. Ashton was just about out of the room when he said, “I’m not leaving until you tell me why you’ve brought me here in the middle of the night. If I don’t like the answer, you’ll need to get yourself another lawyer.”

  “I told you before not to bring anyone here but yourself and you deliberately went against my wishes.”

  “Honestly, if Harmony hadn’t come with me I would have never made it here tonight.”

  “Still, you broke my rules.”

  “Your rules?”

  “Yes. Rules. I’m your client. You are to conduct yourself according to my wishes. My business with you is to be kept strictly confidential and now two outside parties are privy to my information. I’m suing you.”

  “It’s true. You’re fucking bat-shit crazy.”

  Ashton proceeded to storm out.

  “It upsets you that much to see me?” Harmony’s voice was clear and soft and stopped Ashton in his tracks.

  He turned slowly. “Your father ruined my family.”

  “No, he didn’t. Your father did that.” She replied.

  Shit. Everett had forgotten the events that had led to their separation. Ashton was red hot and seizing with anger, all of it directed at Harmony as he approached her. Everett stepped in front of her. “Ashton?”

  “Get her out of here!” He lifted a thick glass ashtray and threw it somewhere behind them. Everett heard a
large amount of glass shatter. In a flash Ashton was gone. Hearing Harmony crying next to him he placed his arm around her. The sound of the shattering glass had startled him and left him more than a little stunned so he couldn’t imagine what Harmony felt at Ashton’s reaction to her.

  “I’m sorry. I never should have let you come here.”

  She removed her hands from her face, making her wet lashes visible to him. “It’s not your fault. I should have known. I just thought maybe enough time had passed that he’d …” She inhaled a sickening, ragged breath laced with much pain. “The hatred has eaten right through him.”

  Everett drove them back across the expansive property while Harmony cried beside him. His natural reaction was to console a woman when she was upset, but he didn’t know if there was anything that would make her feel better after what had happened.

  He parked the ATV and stood, but Harmony stayed seated with no indication she would be following his lead. “Do you mind if I sit here for a bit and gather a little composure?”

  He sat next to her.

  “You don’t have to stay with me.”

  “Do you actually think I’d leave you out here alone?”

  “You’re very kind.” She smiled—a lovely, slightly crooked smile that gave her a distinct character. With her dimpled cheeks and big brown eyes, she was extremely attractive.

  “Ashton thinks your father ruined his family?”

  “My father was the first cop on the scene. Mr. David was intoxicated. Ashton wanted Dad to sweep that bit of information under the rug.” She inhaled raggedly. “I begged my father to do it, but he wouldn’t.”

  Her tears flowed faster down her face as she recanted the pain of her past. Everett got the tissues from his mom’s car and handed them to her.

  “Thank you.”

  She shuddered with the efforts of a good cry and he took her into his arms. “I know Mr. Clark is your father, but that doesn’t mean you’re to blame for the events that occurred that night.”

  “No, you’re right it doesn’t. But he’s my father, I’m his blood, and it pains Ashton to even look at me.”

  She was so close to him he could smell her perfume. Something floral—a good scent for her. Suddenly her look changed from pain and hurt into something Everett was good at recognizing—desire. Their heads drew together like magnets and their lips connected. The kiss deepened and she sighed sweetly into his mouth.

  She tasted sweet—like watermelon gum. He realized it was her lips and thought she must wear lip gloss. When they parted she looked shyly down. What was going on he did not know. They’d both been rejected tonight. Rejected by people they loved or wanted to love. In that moment, however, they both wanted each other and it felt good.

  “Well. Um … that was good.” He cleared his throat.

  “Yeah, it was.”

  “I should probably apologize, but I don’t feel remorseful.”

  She giggled. “I’m glad you don’t. You should know I’m a lost cause. I’ve been in love with Aston since I was sixteen.”

  “Wow.”

  “Yeah, I’m pretty pathetic.”

  “Not at all. Earlier tonight I got shutout by a single mother for telling her how she should raise her son.”

  “Ouch. That’s like the cardinal rule of dating a single mom—don’t criticize her parenting.”

  “I know that now.” They exited the ATV and walked toward the house. “You don’t have to go home tonight. You can stay in any of the spare bedrooms.”

  “I’ve been meaning to ask where everybody is.”

  “Parker has moved in with his fiancée. Julian is uh … finding himself. Courtney works long hours selling real estate and Ari is living in the dorms. She’s in a sorority, so it’s been an adjustment for us all.

  “Wow, I never thought Parker would have a fiancée. That’s good for him. I guess that means you’re next.”

  Everett laughed nervously. “Since my prospects are currently one below par, I don’t think my odds are looking too good. Maybe Courtney though—I heard her mumbling the name Sawyer in her sleep.”

  “Sawyer.”

  “Yeah, do you know any Sawyers?”

  “I do know a Sawyer, but I don’t think she’d be talking to him. He’s kind of”—Harmony shrugged—”he’s a weird guy.”

  “Actually, Courtney’s good with weird.”

  “Weird is a misnomer on my part. He’s actually got serious problems and I don’t think he’d be in a position to date anyone.”

  “Ah.” Everett nodded. “Do you want to stand out in the darkness all night or shall we go inside?”

  “I think I’ll take you up on your offer to stay over.”

  “Great.”

  Everett led Harmony to the bedroom Maura used to stay in before she disappeared. It could be said Everett thought Julian was the greatest fool, for if Everett could get Fiona to look him in the eyes the way Maura had looked into Julian’s, he’d never let her go. Unfortunately, Everett sensed a dead end with Fiona.

  “Let me know if you need anything. I’ll be on the other side of that door.” Everett pointed toward his door.”

  “Thank you, Everett. You’re a good guy. Give it time—your single mom will come around.”

  He found it hard not to smile, given her sincerity. “Good night.”

  Chapter 5

  As much as Fiona wanted to hate Everett for suggesting that she was depriving her son of male attention, she realized the reason his comment hurt so much is because he was absolutely, one hundred percent correct.

  Fiona sat up in her bed and sighed. It was chocolate chip pancake morning and she hoped that would be enough of a distraction that Ryder wouldn’t be too concerned with Everett’s absence.

  “Everett!”

  It seemed maybe that wasn’t going to be the case, however.

  Ryder walked into her room, took one look in the bed, and then padded over to the bathroom still wearing his superhero pajamas. “Everett?”

  “He’s not here, baby.”

  Her heart broke as his little body deflated, starting with his shoulders. “He didn’t stay?”

  “No, I’m sorry.” Fiona patted the spot next to her on the bed. “Come here.”

  He unstably climbed up onto the bed, nursing his casted arm.

  “He left because I asked him to, but he really wanted to stay.”

  “Why wouldn’t you let him stay? You know I wanted him to.”

  “I know.” At the hurt look in his eyes Fiona knew she’d made a mistake. “We had a little argument and I asked him to leave.”

  “Was he mean to you?”

  His concern was true and a light gasp escaped her lips. “No, baby. Sometimes grownups disagree with one another. I got upset and asked him to leave, but he didn’t want to. I wish he was still here.”

  Ryder pursed his lips. “We have to take him some pancakes and you have to say you’re sorry.”

  “I think you’re right.”

  Fiona helped her son bathe and dress which proved quite difficult with a cast. At some point the steam must have caused a case of tumultuous itching down in the cast because Ryder seemed like he was about to crawl out of his skin if he didn’t get relief. She slid the parting end of a comb down into his cast. The sounds of relief he made reminded her of Mr. Whiskers when he used the back scratcher.

  After Fiona showered and readied for her day, she joined Ryder in the kitchen.

  “I lined up all the ingredients on the counter.” He stood on his stool and poured chocolate chips into a bowl. He’d even pulled the griddle out, but he knew the house rules and so he’d refrained from turning it on.

  “Great, let’s get started.”

  Ryder loved to stir things, but given his cast, he settled for being the measurer. “You’re the best sous chef a girl ever had.”

  “I’m going to make this one for Everett.”

  “Okay.” Fiona smiled and let Ryder lean over the griddle using his stool. He carefully placed chocolate
chip clusters in various places on the bubbling cake until Fiona recognized he was making a smiley face.

  “He’s going to love it.”

  “Do you think he will make up with you?”

  “I hope so.”

  “How many pancakes does a man eat?”

  “Hmm, that’s a good question. I’ve seen you eat three so maybe five or six.”

  “We’ll go with six.”

  They wrapped his six pancakes in foil with care. “Do you want to take the whipped cream in case he doesn’t have any?”

  “Yes. And some chai tea.”

  “We’re going to need a to-go container.”

  “Here, Mommy.” He passed her his Spider-Man thermos.

  “You’re going to let him use your prized thermos?”

  “I guess so.” He nodded half-heartedly. “Just make sure we bring it back home.”

  “I’m sure that won’t be a problem.”

  They packed the picnic basket and headed out to the SUV.

  “Do you think Everett will be at home?”

  “There’s a good chance.” At nine o’clock on a Sunday she assumed he would be home. However, if he were at church wouldn’t she feel like a heathen?

  She pulled into the massive paved drive that served as passageway to the large, stately home. A winding gravel lane wound into a circle in front of the house. In the center was a fountain at least as large as the one gracing St. Peter’s Square in Rome. She recognized Everett’s BMW, but there were several other cars she didn’t.

  “Wow, it’s a mansion.”

  “It’s pretty fancy, isn’t it?”

  “Look”—Ryder pointed to the fountain—”it’s a bunch a children with umbrellas.” Fiona looked closely and saw Ryder was correct. It was an endearing image really. The children were carved wearing shorts and made to look as if they were playing and jumping in puddles.

  “I wanna carry the basket.”

  “But your cast”—

  “I can do it.”

  “Okay, at least let me get it out of the car for you.” She pulled the basket from the vehicle and placed it carefully across his arm. “Is it heavy?”

  “No, it’s perfect.” He skipped up to the front door, leaving Fiona shaking her head. She loved her little guy’s spirit.

  “These look like the doors at the Emerald City.”

  “Wow, they really do.” Seeing things through the eyes of a child was quite revealing. Fiona razored her lip thinking about what Ryder may have seen last night and how he’d interpreted her behavior.