Chapter 5 #2
And I feel like an idiot about three minutes later, when she heads towards the business wing, and I realize that all this time she's just taking a business administration program.
Asking her would not have been a big deal, but we haven't spoken much about school, and that which we have spoken about has been more to do with the people here.
Class is great and I make up my mind to finally buy a drafting table for the ranch.
But I've got to ask Billy and Piper first. I'd rather not have something that high in value at home so my dad can trash it.
As I drive back into town and out of Dallas, I find myself driving down to the antique store again, and sure enough, Lennie is still inside.
It's late and the closed sign is up, but I see her in the back, working on something, so I tap the glass door stupidly, forgetting that she's deaf.
The only way that she's going to know that I'm here is if the door opens and signals that red light to flash at the front desk.
But then I remember Buddy is next door. He sees me a moment later, after I tap on the glass on his side, and he lets me in.
"Levi, nice to see you. Twice in one week, eh. That's a record."
"Sure is. I was just coming back from class and I wanted to stop in to say hello."
He lifts a brow. "To me or to Lennie?"
"Both of you." I half lie.
"What's on your mind, Levi? Y'all want more of that there coffee?"
I lift a hand. "No, I'm good. Shoot, as it is, I'll be up for hours."
"Heard your daddy's up for bail."
"Yeah? I hadn't heard. I suppose Nash knows, but he probably didn't want to talk to me until after I was home from school."
"I'll let him tell you the rest, but, as far as I know that judge granted him bail today."
"Go on and tell me what you know, Buddy. I don't mind, and I'm sure that Nash won't mind you saving his breath on the subject."
We walk to the back of the store, where there is a computer, a filing cabinet, desk, and several boxes with various labels on them. Buddy grabs a box cutter from the desk and breaks the seal on one of the boxes. "Word is that your brother's girl got him off easy. That she dropped the charges."
"Then why does he need to be let out on bail?"
"I heard it was a condition of Braylynn's to play it up, even though the charges were dropped.
Give your daddy a few turds in his shorts if you know what I mean.
" He chuckles nervously. "Of course, if that were me, I'd a made him think she died.
A man like that needs more than just a little scare.
I'm hoping that after this, Brady down at the bar won't let him inside the doors anymore. "
"I don't think that'll matter, Buddy. Daddy'll just find somewhere else to drink is all."
"Not in this town, he won't. And I think Braylynn also made the sheriff pull his license, even though he wasn't drinking and driving."
"That's smart. He's lucky he's never killed anyone yet, but he came close."
"Anyway, once he's done in rehab, he'll be coming home. Are y'all ready for that?"
"I don't need to be. I'm never there." I explain carefully but firmly. "If I'm not at the ranch, I'm at Shelly's."
"Shelly? Who's that?"
"My girlfriend. She doesn't live here. And I'll thank you for keeping that to yourself."
"Which part? About how you've got yourself a girl, or that she doesn't live here?"
"Both, if it's all the same to you."
He nods once for emphasis. "Fine by me. So, what can I do for you tonight, Levi?"
"Nothing much."
"Just looking for some company, are you."
"Sort of."
He studies my face for a moment. "Y'all want me to give Lennie a heads up that you came to pay her a visit?"
"Sure. If it's not too much trouble."
He winks. "Not at all. I'll take you on over."
I follow him to the door, and he unlocks the door to the other side, setting off the red light, prompting Lennie to lift her head from the computer that she's working on in the back. "Hi, Lennie. Levi here wanted to pay you a visit."
Lennie looks even more luminous than she did yesterday. Her blonde hair is all blown out, caught up only on one side with a small clip. The woman doesn't wear a stitch of makeup, but her lips are pink as punch. "Levi. Is there a problem with the picture?" She asks, concern washed on her face.
I lift a hand. "No, not at all. Nothing like that." I make up something quick. "I, um, I just wanted to find out when y'all wanted to come by for them riding lessons. And I don't have your number."
"Oh." She smiles. "The address and number are stamped on the receipt, Levi, and it's also on the box. You didn't have to make a trip all the way here for that."
"It's okay. I was just in the area, anyway."
Buddy interjects, clearing his throat. "I've got to get back and finish up for the day. Levi, you call me if you need anything, and I'll keep mum on all that talk about your daddy, too."
"Thanks, Buddy. I appreciate it." I nod and shake his proffered hand.
Once he leaves, I turn to Lennie. "Sorry if I'm intruding. I won't take up much of your time."
"That's okay. I was just finishing up for the day. I don't have much worry about inventory changes for today, I was just working on my next project. I'm going out late tonight, anyway. It's a full moon tonight."
I'm impressed. "Yeah? So, you want to get a good shot of the moon?"
"Not exactly. There's a small brook I want to get a shot of, while the moon is reflecting on it. I found it after the last full moon and I wanted to grab the opportunity, especially since it's a clear night tonight."
"Sounds interesting."
"Do you want to come along?" She lifts her brows, and her face doesn't say that she feels obligated to ask me.
"Sure." I frown. "When do you want to leave?"
"Any time. I just need about five minutes to finish with this photograph." She gestures with her chin to the laptop computer sitting on the antique desk.
"Let me guess. Buddy?" I tip my head over towards the oak piece of furniture.
"Of course. I found this desk and I couldn't resist. It's beautiful."
The way she says the word makes it even more appealing.
I want to say, 'just like you', but I stop myself.
What the hell is wrong with me? I'm not going to be one of those dudes that knocks up every goddamn girl in the state.
I'm with Shelly and that's that. I shouldn't even be over here with Lennie, but I just couldn't help myself.
Something about her just makes me want to be around her.
The air is lighter in her presence. I feel different when I'm around her.
I know that sounds ridiculous, since I just met her yesterday, but I feel like being around her gives me good karma, good vibes, and I just feel better now that I'm here.
Even all that talk about my daddy didn't upset me, because I knew that I was going to see Lennie right after that.
"Can I give you a hand with anything?"
"Um," She looks around. "Do you want to take my car or your truck?"
"We can take my truck if you want. I've got a few chairs in the back if y'all want to sit down while we wait for the moon to make its full appearance."
"Are you sure?" She checks innocently.
"Absolutely. Do you want me to take your camera equipment out to the truck?"
"As long as you think it'll be safe out there."
"I'll keep watch. I promise." She's very guarded about her things and I don't blame her one bit.
Ten minutes later, we're in my truck. My stomach flutters with excitement. "Tell me where y'all want to go."
"Promise you won't get mad?" She says, looking at me with this child-like expression that makes my heart melt.
"I promise. Is it at the ranch?"
She smiles. "It is. That little brook that lines the grass by the pasture."
"Oh, yeah, I know the one."
"Perfect. Now, I'm not sure if the shot is going to look too much like a postcard, but it's worth a try."
"I'm sure that anything you put a spin on will be beautiful." I thumb towards myself. "I've seen your work. I've bought your work. I own your work."
She chuckles. "Yes. Thanks to you and that lovely woman that was looking for a twentieth birthday present for her grandson, I made more money yesterday than I have all month."
"I'm glad to have helped with that."
"Did you decide where you're going to hang the picture?"
I think about my daddy, and the fact that he's going to be home from rehab in a couple of months. He'd stop at nothing to break that photo. "I'm hanging it at the ranch."
"Good. I'm glad."
We drive to the ranch and I'm careful to pull up close to the resort house, so that nobody sees us from the back. It's also a shorter walk to the pasture. "Do you want to ride a horse or walk there?"
Her face lights up. "Are you serious? We can ride there?"
I smile at her. "Well, I do work here, Lennie. And I ride the horses all the time, darlin'."
"But can we do it with the camera equipment?"
I nod. "I can use the saddle with compartments.
" We get out of the truck, and I grab the equipment out of the back for her.
We see Liz and Wyatt walk out of the barn, and I want to shout out hello to them both, seeing as I haven't seen them since they got married, but the way that they're walking says that something intimate is going on, and it stops us.
"Um, just hang back here for a second, Lennie.
" I whisper, knowing that my volume level won't make a difference to her, since she's reading my lips, anyway.
It gives me shivers the way that she pays special attention to my mouth when I'm talking.
It's almost sexual, but not quite. It's like I'm all that matters when I'm talking.
Lennie turns around and watches them for a moment. Liz says something to Wyatt and Lennie turns around, biting her lip. "I think we should give them some privacy."
"Why? What's up?" I'm about to ask her if she heard something, and then I stop myself.
"She just told him that she thinks she might be pregnant."