Kiss Me Hard Before You Go (15 page)

“What do you want, Evelyn?” she asked. “I’m on the phone.”

“I need a Band Aid,” she choked on her sobs while saying it.

“You’re always getting hurt, and Mommy is on the phone,” she snapped.

Evie cried even more, and her mother said a quick, clipped goodbye, slamming the phone against the receiver.

“Mommy had to get off of the phone with a very good friend because of you. I hope you’re happy.” She yanked Evie by the hand and stormed into the bathroom.

“I remember playing out here,” Katie said. “We would make mud pies, remember?”

Evie nodded. “I liked this house, but Daddy didn’t see any reason in living in it once the big house was empty.”

“Why didn’t he ever rent this house out? He could’ve made some money.”

“Sentiment, I guess.” She shrugged. “It’s the only thing left of his marriage to my mother. Well, besides me.”

Evie unlocked the front door and pushed it open. They were immediately overcome by dust, a musty scent, and a wave of stifling heat. “Geez Louise, this place needs a maid.” Evie fanned her hand in front of her nose and scrunched her face. “It’s hotter than a hen house in here.”

“It’s not so bad,” Katie said and coughed. Beads of sweat formed on her olive-complected skin.

Evie frowned. “This probably isn’t good for the baby.”

Katie touched her on the arm. “It’s better than home,” she said.

“I guess we better open some windows and do some spring cleaning so you can make this place bearable for the time being,” Evie said, heading outside to the truck. Katie followed her, and they grabbed a broom, dustpan, mop and bucket from the back of the truck bed. They made a second trip to get a set of sheets, towels, and a bag of food Evie had packed earlier that morning.

“You go on. I have this,” Katie said.

“You sure?”

She nodded. “You’ve got work to do, and I can manage.”

“I’ll be back later on tonight to check on you, and I’ll bring a fan too.”

Katie leaned in to hug her, and Evie patted her lightly. “You and your cruddy hugs,” Katie said and gave a dry laugh.

“It’s the best you’re going to get,” Evie said.

“I know. Thanks for helping me out.”

“We’re best friends. Of course I’ll help you.”

“I’m just learning who I can count on, and anyway, thanks.”

“I’ll see you later.” Evie left and drove home.

***

Shortly after noon, Nate McDaniels pulled up on Gray’s property in his brand new 1977 Dodge pickup. Nate liked new things: new cars, new mistresses, new toys and gadgets. While most farmers were content driving a truck until it reached its death, Nate bought a new one every few years, tiring of the old and replacing it with a newer, bigger, flashier model.

This one was painted beige with brown trim, and a rail was attached to the bed. A heavy duty brush guard covered the front, making it appear more rugged than it really was. Nate professed to be an expert hunter and outdoorsman, but most people knew he trapped his animals before the big kill.

He wore a cowboy hat, a button-down short-sleeved shirt, and a brand new pair of Wranglers. A sterling silver belt buckle glistened in the shining sun. Gray always said that Nate dressed too nice to be a farmer, and some of the townspeople swore he manicured his nails. He walked slow and kept his hat low on his head, and his five o’clock shadow was always present.

He knocked on the front door, and Evie got up from eating lunch and answered it.

“Hello, Evelyn,” he said. He never called her by her preferred name, and it really annoyed her.

“Hello,” she said.

“Can I come in?” His hand was already on the screen door.

She nodded.

He walked inside and took a look around. “Still looks the same,” he said with a twisted lip. A toothpick hung from the inside of his mouth.

She knew that wasn’t a compliment. “What can I help you with?” she said.

Gray entered the room with a frown. “What do you want McDaniels?” his tone was curt. 

“I’m looking for my Katie,” he said. Evie thought it was pompous that he referred to everything as “my.” My truck, my wife, my Katie. Everything was his.

“She’s at home, ain’t she?” Gray said with some confusion, looking at Evie.

Nate all but rolled his eyes and said with an exasperated tone, “If she were I wouldn’t be here, now would I? She left last night, and I figured this would be the first place she’d go.” He narrowed his eyes on Evie’s.

“We haven’t seen her,” Gray said.

“You sure?” Nate asked him but looked at Evie as he did so.

“Yeah I’m sure. Go check somewhere else ‘cause she ain’t here,” Gray said with annoyance.

“Has she called you?” he asked Evie, flippantly ignoring Gray.

“No,” Evie said, relieved she could answer that question honestly.

“And she’s not here?” he questioned.

“No,” Evie said. Katie was indeed not there.

“Hmm,” he mumbled and scratched at his chin slowly. It sounded like sandpaper rubbing against wood. “If you see her, you call me. She needs to come home. Her mother and I are worried.”

“Okay,” Evie said. Her heart beat rapidly, and her palms were already damp. The man made her nervous.

“We’ll let you know. You best be going now, McDaniels. We need to finish our lunch,” Gray said, gesturing for him to the front door. “And we have work to do. I’m sure you can relate to that,” he added in an underhanded tone. Gray had said more than once that Nate didn’t work: his cronies did.

He tipped his hat and walked outside, peering over his shoulder at Evie before he left.

“What in tarnation was that all about?” Gray asked Evie.

“I don’t know,” she said.

“I reckon you do, and it must be for good reason you aren’t telling me,” he said, tilting his head to the side and looking at her skeptically.

Evie gulped.“Really, I don’t know what he’s talking about.”

“Well, if she’s run away, I sure hope she’s safe. I’m surprised it took her this long. If that man was my father, I would’ve run like the wind the moment I could walk. He’s a snake,” Gray said, shaking his head in disgust as he went back to the kitchen.

Evie peered out the window, watching Nate’s truck speed off. She knew he’d come again, and she hoped she could keep her wits about her and fib convincingly when that time came.

Chapter 15

She hadn’t been to Kip’s carnival since she was in her early teens, and that was because Katie had forced her. Some guy who Katie had a crush on told her he’d meet her there and would bring a friend for Evie too. Not that Evie was too thrilled. Katie heard a lot of grumbling, and Evie, after much persuasion and begging from Katie, reluctantly went with her best friend.

His friend wasn’t at all Evie’s type: pimply faced, thick bottle cap glasses, and a slicked- down bowl haircut. He breathed heavy and always seemed to be sniffing. Katie’s date was a dream compared to Evie’s, and after an hour of watching them having the time of their lives on those rides while she was subjected to countless Dungeons and Dragons stories and annoying factoids, Evie said a quick good night and walked home alone, thanking the stars above that the disaster of a date was finally over.

When Katie learned Evie had gone, she left her date and showed up at Evie’s house, profusely apologizing. “I’m sorry. If I had known, I wouldn’t have set y’all up.”

“You didn’t have to end your date on my account,” Evie had said.

“Silly goose, we’re best friends. I’ll always choose you over some dopey guy,” Katie had said. Evie swore to Katie she’d never go on another blind date again, and Katie never asked her to double date after that.

She knew Gray would suspect something was up if she went somewhere that night, saying she was going to town. Evie was a homebody and rarely went anywhere unless it was with Katie. She figured the most believable thing she could say was to tell him that she was going to the carnival to see how things were going. She needed to check on Katie, and realized she’d have to tell a thousand more lies to him by the time Katie had decided what she was going to do.

“You’re always checking on things over there. Let me go for the night,” she said to him. She decided the only way to partially tell the truth was to actually visit the carnival. It would at least make it believable when he asked her how things were coming along.

“Sounds good, Punkin. I’m right tired anyway,” he said, and she could see the strain on his face and the newly formed circles under his eyes. He laid back on the couch, his bare feet dangled over the edge. “You hear anything from Katie?” he asked.

“Nothing yet,” she answered and shot out the door before he could ask her more questions. It was only a matter of time until she’d cave-in and tell him the truth.

She strolled through the midway, hearing the clack, clack, clack from the carnival games – the ones where people paid too much so they could possibly win a stuffed animal. Kids ran past her, hurrying to ride yet another ride, and the smell of cotton candy, popcorn and funnel cakes permeated the air. She gagged a little and continued on, hoping she’d spot Finch soon. Flashes of colored lights filled the night sky. Rides were decorated in them – blue, red, white, and yellow. Edison bulbs lit the midway. Food and games filled tents.

A man wearing a black Bowler hat, a red vest and black shirt hollered to the crowds passing him by. “Play the game; everyone is a winner!”

Evie put a little more effort into her fashion choice for the night – lip gloss was applied, and she chose to wear a pair of white shorts to show off her farmer’s tan and a white and blue ringer shirt that was a snug fit against her breasts. She’d deny it if she was asked. She’d swear that she had no interest in Finch Mills, and she was just curious about how things were going at the carnival, that’s all. And a part of her would believe what she was saying because her attraction for Finch was buried deep in her subconscious.

“Heya, hon,” shouted Doris.

Evie turned and saw Doris standing outside an orange striped tent, fanning herself. She moved her way. “Hi,” she said.

“Don’t think I’ve seen you here before,” Doris said. Her make-up was more extreme than usual, and cornflower blue eyeshadow covered her eyelids.

“It’s been a long time,” Evie said and peered at the sign hanging above their heads, boasting “Kip Kierkin’s Freaks and Curiosities Presents: The World’s Strangest People.” It bothered her, and she wondered how Doris could be so unaffected by being called a “freak.”

“That sign ain’t doing us no good anymore,” Doris said. “Used to have a lot more of us freaks. I think the townies don’t feel like they got their money’s worth when they realize they’re just looking at an old fat lady, a shortie, and a man with a bunch of tattoos,” she said with a half shrug. “Our lines get shorter and shorter each year. They want to see the juggling acts and the knife throwing. I hear one carnival has a guy that rides his motor cycle through a ring of fire. Look at the line waiting to see Dmitri.” As she pointed at the line wrapped around the tent, a flicker of sadness showed in her almond-shaped eyes. “They’d rather see him juggle, I guess.” She sighed, and her lips cast down.

“Does it bother you?” Evie asked.

“Makes me worry that I won’t be able to make a living much longer,” Doris confessed with a sense of sadness, failing to understand what Evie was really asking. “Kip ain’t going to keep us on much longer, I figure.” She let out a long sigh.

“I’m sorry,” Evie said. “Does it bother you that he calls you a freak?”

She shook her head. “No. I’ve been made fun of my whole life. At least this way, I can profit from it.”

“Oh,” Evie whispered, not sure what else to say.

“So what brings you to our neck of the woods? Finch said he helped you wrangle in some cattle the other night.”

Evie’s cheeks turned red, and her face felt hot. She quickly recovered and said, “Yeah. He saw the gate was open. It’s a good thing too. My dad’s banking on those cattle.”

“Came sauntering in here like a wet mop,” Doris continued. “I used to do a little moonlight swimming myself.” She winked and gave an impish grin.

“Oh no, it wasn’t anything like that,” Evie said.

“Sure, whatever you say, Honey Lamb.”

“No, really. We were washing the manure off of us,” she said. The rise of color once again appeared on her cheeks.

“Is that what they call it now?” She let out a hardy laugh. Mouse and Friedrich came toward them, smiling.

“Hi, Evie,” Mouse said and tipped his burgundy fedora. He was dressed in gray trousers, a white shirt, and a gray plaid vest.

“Hi.” She waved and smiled at him. She thought he looked smart and realized she had never seen him in anything but nice clothes.

“Hello, Evie,” Friedrich said. He wasn’t in his typical garb and wore a blue t-shirt and jeans with pointed boots. Evie noticed that they were alligator skin and wondered if he had wrestled one in Florida to get them.

“You seeking Finch?” he asked her.

“No,” Evie said, trying to refrain from groaning.

“She says she’s checking on things for her daddy,” Doris said in a tone that evoked, “she’s full of shit but I’ll go along with it anyway.”

“I am,” Evie defended.

Doris winked and her lips curled up. “How about you come inside for a Coke?” She pointed to the empty tent.

“You sure?” Evie said.

“Ain’t no one gonna come in here. Our last show was an hour ago, and I highly doubt we’re gonna have an influx of townies trying to peep at us.”

Doris gestured for Evie to follow her. The inside of the orange striped tent was lined with wooden benches – narrow and long. A raised wooden platform faced them. Friedrich sifted through a styrofoam cooler and pulled out two bottles of Coke. He popped the caps off and offered them to Doris and Evie. Evie grabbed the bottle and took a sip.

“We always keep Coke handy,” Doris said. “So, it’s a good night for a swim,” she continued. “Or a good night to wash manure off of you.” She raised her perfectly trimmed eyebrows, and upon further inspection, Evie determined that they were painted in.

Evie didn’t respond.

“Well, I can see I’m not funny,” Doris said. “How’s that bull of yours? Took us a few days to get that stink out of my tent.”

“I’m sorry about that,” Evie said with a frown.

Doris waved her hand at her. “Don’t be. It was a sight to see, us trying to get him to move. Seems like Finch was the only one with the touch.”