Chapter Four
Alex closed his front door, bolted it, then sat on the padded seat to remove his shoes. When he’d stowed them under it, he walked through the house to his kitchen, carrying his bag of groceries.
Well, that was a pleasant surprise.
He’d liked Joshua Trant at first meeting.
So often in cases like Greg’s, the parents or relatives were loud and demanding, frequently jumping to conclusions and giving way to anger.
Joshua’s one outburst had been short-lived, and his sincere apology afterward had left Alex with a lingering impression of a good, sensible man.
His demeanor and temperament made him appear genuine.
Of course, the fact that Joshua was a handsome man wasn’t to be overlooked either.
Alex’s day had taken a turn for the better. He’d left the office tired and frustrated by numerous calls, but he’d exited the coffee shop with renewed enthusiasm for life—and a new friend.
Today can’t get any better.
Then he noticed the blinking light on his phone. He hit the playback button and listened.
‘Hey you. Yeah, I know, I should’ve called your cell, but my phone died and took all my numbers with it. The only freakin’ number I had written down for you is this one. So call me when you get this? Preferably today? Because I know you, Alex. Bye.’
Smiling, Alex got his phone out and dialed Manda’s number. When it connected, he plunged ahead. “There. Now you got my number. Is that all?”
“No, it is not all, you bastard.”
“Yeah, I missed you too.” It had been six years since he’d seen her. They’d spoken sporadically on the phone and online, and that had been fine by Alex. He loved Manda like she was his sister, but they’d known each other since they were nineteen, and that meant she’d want to ask Questions.
Alex really didn’t want to answer them.
“Quick question. You got room at your place for a guest for the weekend? Because I could be there in less than three hours, and I figure we’re way overdue for a catchup.”
“Where are you?” Then he realized he didn’t have to ask. “You’re at your grandma’s place in Lame Deer, aren’t you? Is she still with us?” Grandma Asha had to be in her late nineties.
Manda snorted. “Grandmamma, you still with us?”
From the background came a quavering voice. “You still falling in love with pretty boys, Alex?”
Alex burst out laughing. “Tell her, not recently, no. Not for a great many years.” He’d first met Asha when he’d gone with Manda on a visit, a long while back. Many visits later, she was someone he loved like she was his own family.
“Well? Do I get to come see ya or don’t I? Because I can just as easily drive my rental to the nearest airport and catch the next flight to Louisville.”
Saying no would be so easy. Except he knew in his heart they had to talk.
Alex sighed. “Get your ass here. You know the address, right?”
“If it’s the same as the one on those revoltingly cute labels you insist on sticking on the envelope containing your Christmas cards, then yeah. See you in three. Less, if I really floor the gas pedal.”
“Drive carefully!” he yelled as the phone went quiet at her end. He replaced the handset, then glanced around his home. Thank God he was a tidy man. All he really needed to do was make up a bed for her, and get food ready for when she arrived.
Manda was always hungry.
Looks like this day isn’t done surprising me yet.
~ 0 ~
The clock above the fireplace said eight o’clock when Alex heard a car pull up in front of the house. He opened the front door and peered out into the increasing darkness, before flicking a switch to let bright light illuminate the cleared front path.
“Just tell me again why you choose to live in a place with this much snow? It’s freakin’ cold!”
He laughed. “Living in Kentucky has made you soft.”
Manda locked her Explorer and strode toward him, a backpack slung over one shoulder. “Hey, whaddaya know? Looks like it was you on the phone and not some stupid recording. Because I was certain you’d died or something.”
And there it was, the first barb of what Alex knew would be many. “It takes two to make a conversation. I don’t recollect my phone buzzing with multiple calls from you.” He stepped aside to let her enter, then locked the front door.
Manda laughed. “Don’t you shit me, Alex Rycliffe. You’ve been avoiding me.” She enveloped him in a firm hug. Her cheek pressed to his, she whispered, “I was nice. I stayed away. But it’s been five years, babe. Surely we can talk about it now?”
“Only if there’s a lot of alcohol involved.” He needed its buffering qualities.
She released him, pulled her backpack from her shoulder, unfastened it, and removed a large bottle which she thrust into his hands. “That do?”
Alex groaned. “Oh dear Lord. You brought tequila. Not only that, a lot of tequila. I may not make it into the office tomorrow.”
Manda’s eyes shone. “You will go to work in the morning, or there’ll be none of Grandmamma’s bison chili waiting for you when you get home.”
“Bison chili. You brought some?” Alex’s mouth watered. “Talk about fighting dirty.” Unable to stop himself, he gave her another hug. “God, it’s good to see you.”
This time she didn’t release him, but held onto him for what seemed the longest time. “Hey, blood brother.”
Alex laughed softly. “God, how old were we?”
“Twenty—and drunk.” She snickered. “No change there then.”
He took a step back. “I figured we’d have omelets. Nothing too heavy at this hour.” He led the way to the kitchen, Manda following.
Manda laughed. “You might wanna rethink that idea. Tequila, remember?”
Alex reached for the door of the freezer. “I’ll get the fries.”
Lord knew what his head would be like in the morning.
~ 0 ~
The omelets, fries and salad had been devoured, and Alex had gotten a fire going in the living room. Manda had dumped cushions on the floor in front of it and was currently lying on her side, staring into the flames. As he walked over to her, she held up her empty wine glass. “Refill.”
“We’ve finished the bottle.”
Manda rolled onto her back and grinned. “Tequila time then. C’mon, take pity on me. Four days with Grandmamma, and she wouldn’t let me drink. You know how she is. I had to stop at a liquor store on the way here for the tequila.”
He sighed and went over to the liquor cabinet to collect two shot glasses. “This is a really bad idea.” That didn’t stop him from picking up the bottle before carefully easing himself down onto the cushions next to her.
“Jeez, you move like a fifty-year-old man,” Manda quipped, the firelight catching in her eyes.
“That’s because I am a fifty-year-old man! The same age as you, remember?” Except she moved a helluva lot more flexibly than he did. “What’s your secret?”
“Yoga,” she replied promptly. When he fell silent, she nodded vehemently. “I’m freakin’ serious. It keeps me mobile, it stops bits of me from seizing up. You should try it.” Then she grinned as he passed her a shot glass filled with tequila. “That’s more like it.”
Alex sat with his back to the couch, his legs bent, hands resting on his knees. He waited until she raised her glass, then knocked back his own, wincing as the tequila hit the back of his throat. He placed the empty glass on the hearth.
“Okay, let’s see…” Manda pursed her lips. “Since we last spoke, no one new to report?” She locked gazes with him. “If you can think back that far. It has been a while.”
Another barb, but she had a point. He’d been remiss in calling her, and the times when she’d visited Asha and had invited him up there, he’d cried off, claiming to be too busy. Not that it had been a lie, exactly, but seeing her would have opened up wounds he’d been trying to let heal.
“Well? Are you seeing anyone or aren’t you?”
Alex huffed. “I could ask you the same question.”
Manda let out a derisive snort. “Who’d have me? A sassy, smart-mouthed fifty-year-old bitch with no filters. Not to mention my propensity for getting into political arguments.”
He gazed at her long, dark brown hair, pulled over one shoulder, freed from its usual braid and catching the firelight so it almost glowed. “Any man would be lucky to have you,” he said softly. He envied Manda’s flawless skin, which gave her the appearance of a much younger woman.
“Yeah, well, maybe if things had been different.”
Alex knew what that meant. There had been a couple of times when he really thought she’d found her soulmate—until it turned out both guys wanted children in a big way, and that was never going to happen. Kids—or her inability to have them—had brought her more than her fair share of heartache.
“And don’t think I haven’t noticed how you dodged my question.”
He sighed. “Nope. No one new on the scene. To tell you the truth, I think I’m done.” When Manda didn’t react, he glanced across at her. “What? I’m fifty. That’s too old to be looking for Mr. Right. Too much hassle these days.”
“That’s it? You’re giving up?” Manda sat upright.
“He’s been gone, what, five years?” She gave him a hard stare.
“Okay, so you’re not looking for Prince Charming.
At least tell me there have been other guys since Todd.
There have, right? Right?” When he didn’t reply, she let out a low growl.
“Jesus, I knew I should’ve ignored you every time you put me off visiting. ”
Alex refilled his shot glass, then held out the bottle. “If we’re going to discuss Todd, we’re gonna need some more of this.”
Manda thrust her empty glass toward him. “I knew I did the right thing buying the large bottle.” They drank the tequila, and she shuddered. “Damn. Where’s the salt? You got any lemons or limes in this place?”
Alex laughed. “You mean, you didn’t bring any? You’re slipping.” He put down the bottle and went in search of the requested items. As he was slicing up the lemon, he caught movement behind him.
“Why did you keep me at a distance? I thought we were friends.”