Leaving Liberty (18 page)

           
“Marie wasn’t perfect. Nobody is. The kids need the kind of person who is
willing to rearrange her whole summer for them.” He looked at her, really
looked at this beautiful girl who stayed in a town she hated because she didn’t
want the reading program to be canceled.

           
She lifted her head and gazed at him, a slow smile spreading over her face.
“There are a whole group of people like that around?”

           
He put the truck in gear and shot her a wink. “I’ve only met just one. Anyway,
this won’t take long. We’ll just pop in and grab the ribs. You know moms,
always worried you’ll starve unless they force-feed you.”

The moment the words were out of his
mouth he wanted to sink through the seat. Of course she didn’t ‘know moms’. Her
own had run away and left her with a drunk who didn’t bother to check whether
she was fed or not.

           
She didn’t seem to take offense, the line of her mouth relaxed into a grin. “Do
you cook at all? Maybe it’s not the mothering, but the skill of the child,
that’s the issue.”

           
“That’s a challenge if I ever heard one. Consider yourself committed to tasting
a home-cooked meal made by yours truly.”

           
She laughed out loud, a sound so welcome the tense muscles in his shoulders
eased. “Okay, I believe you. No need to throw down the gauntlet.”

           
Lane backed out of the parking space. “Sorry, too late. You’ve got yourself
roped into a visit with my mother
and
a dinner of questionable skill.
The way this is going, we’ll end up in Vegas getting hitched at the Elvis
chapel.”

           
“Because that’s the logical next step.”

Lane shrugged. “Just don’t say I didn’t
warn you when the minister is wearing a sparkly white leisure suit.” He loved
how he could share his deepest fears one moment and tease her mercilessly the
next. Tara had always been so sensitive, connecting thoughts and actions in a
way he had never even considered. They were the royal couple of
misunderstandings. Daisy wasn’t like Tara in a lot of ways… especially the girlfriend
part.

He turned the truck into the condominium
parking lot.

 “Are they both retired?” Her words
brought him to present moment in a rush.

“Technically. My mom’s a piano teacher
but she hasn’t really cut down her work load. My dad’s an engineer who spent
forty years developing food processing machinery. He’s supposed to be retired
but he works as a consultant now.”

He helped her hop out of the truck, the
warmth of her hand made the pit of his stomach leap. He noticed the nervous
movements as she smoothed her skirt and her hair. So, this girl who faced down
the city manager was afraid to meet a retired couple? Lane wondered what she
thought they would be like. He certainly had been unwelcoming enough when
they’d met that first day at the library.

Slipping an arm around her shoulder, he
gave her a gentle squeeze. “They don’t bite.”

“So you say,” she whispered, leaning
into him for the briefest moment. Straightening up, she put on that stiff smile
once more and said, “Let’s go get that BBQ. You might shrivel up and blow away
without it.”

He snorted, dropping his arm. “I’ll tell
you a secret. I make better ribs. We just let my dad think his are better so we
can keep the peace.”

“Oh, boy, now I have to carry that
secret, too. You’re really making this tough on me.” Her tone said the exact
opposite of her words. They made their way up the path toward the row of small
condominiums, spring flowers carefully tended in their beds.

Before he even got the chance to knock
on the glossy black Colonial style door, his mother swung it open, her face
creased with joy. “Laney!”

Heat rushed to his face. Nice. Nothing
like a childhood nickname following you around forever. “Hi, Mom.” He leaned
into her hug, letting her squeeze all her motherly love into him for a few
seconds.

“You didn’t say you were bringing
someone with you.” Her tone was a mild rebuke. “I’m Angela Bennett,” she said,
reaching out a hand.

Turning to Daisy, Lane opened his mouth,
ready to make the introductions that he’d been planning before his mother launched
her sneak attack. Daisy was already speaking, hand outstretched, shy smile
tugging at her lips. “I’m Daisy, the librarian for the summer.”

           
“I thought they were closing that old place. Isn’t that what you said, Lane?”
She frowned at him, but didn’t wait for a response. “Come on in, you two. I
want to hear all about your trip.”

           
Lane waved Daisy into the tidy alcove. A vase of fresh flowers decorated the
narrow side table, the color of the deep burgundy lilies matched the lush carpet
underfoot. “Not really a trip, we’re just-”

           
“Picking up supplies, you said. But Liberty doesn’t have much for young people
like yourself. Don’t you want to go shopping a bit, Daisy?” She gave her a look
of utter hopefulness that made Lane chuckle.

           
“Don’t try to drag her into anything, Mom. Daisy’s more of a book girl. She’s a
teacher and would probably rather spend her time in the library.”

           
Daisy turned to him, hands on hip, brows raised. “Are you saying all the really
smart girls hate shopping?”

           
Sliding a glance at his mom, then back to Daisy, Lane could imagine how it felt
to be on a high stakes quiz show. The clock was ticking, the women were waiting
for an answer.

“I just figured, since you grew up with
your dad, you weren’t the girly type.” He paused. What he meant, about shopping
and high heels and worrying over nails, was miles away from the words that came
from his mouth. This effortlessly beautiful woman, with her full-throated laugh
and sharp mind and fragile smile, turned pink in the cheeks. He searched for
something, anything to say.

           
A deafening silence filled the entryway. Daisy’s voice was even when she said,
“Growing up without a mother doesn’t make me any less of a girl.”

           
“Come on in to the kitchen, right down that way. Jerry’s in there making some
coffee, if you’d like some.” His mom shooed Daisy toward the bright yellow
breakfast area. As soon as Daisy’s back was turned, she gave him a look that
would have chastened a hardened criminal. It was the “I didn’t raise you that
way” look.

           
He tried to convey his absolute regret but she wasn’t having any of it. There
would be a price to pay, a lecture to sit through, but not at this moment. For
now, his mother’s entire energies were focused on undoing his callous words and
making Daisy feel welcome.

           
“Are you from the South, Mrs. Bennett?”

           
“I sure am! I’m from Mobile, Alabama. I met Jerry when he was stationed near
there in the Army.” His mom bustled into kitchen, selecting a mug and pouring
Daisy a cup of coffee without asking. She sent her husband a wink. “Jerry
doesn’t care for the smell of coffee but he knows I’m not happy without a pot
brewing so he keeps that to himself. Sugar? Milk?”

           
“Yes, please.”

           
“Honey, this is Daisy, the new librarian in Liberty. She’s taking over for
Marie.”

           
His dad unfolded himself from his usual seat at the kitchen table. “We need
some more young people in that town. Jamie always says it’s turning into a
nursing home.”

           
His short gray hair was tidy and his glasses were clear, the complete opposite
of his mismatched plaid shirt and crooked patterned tie. Lane had to smile at
the familiar sight. A brilliant man who needed a uniform if he ever saw one.

“I’m just here for the summer. I have a
contract to teach again this year in Fresno.” Daisy took the mug gratefully and
sipped at the steaming liquid.

           
Lane stared at the floor. A contract. This wasn’t just about Rocky or her
childhood or California’s sunny weather. She had signed a legal agreement to
teach and she’d be going back.

           
“Too bad. I always enjoy seeing our young people come home to raise their
families. There’s nothing like having a grandparent around when the kids are
little.”

           
Lane could see Daisy thinking this over. He hadn’t said her last name or
mentioned she’d come from Liberty. But his dad knew everyone and their second
cousin.

           
“It’s a beautiful place, to be sure.” Her voice was noncommittal.

           
“Have you made any new friends? I think our old church has got a lot of young
people. They even have their own singles night. Bowling and such.” Angela
frowned. “It’s on Friday night, right?”

           
He wanted to groan. His mother wasn’t the smoothest operator. She wanted to
know if Daisy was Christian and if she was single. “Mom, she doesn’t want to go
to a singles night at the church.”

           
“Oh, already have a boyfriend?”

           
“Mom.” He tried to catch her eyes but she was ignoring him. It would have been
funny, if he’d been sure that Daisy wouldn’t have felt cornered. As it was, she
probably felt like the whole world wanted to know her business.

           
“My church in Fresno has a really fun singles night. Well, we call it a young
people’s night, but it’s pretty much for singles. I’ve met some great people
there.” Daisy didn’t seem to mind the question at all.

           
“When we come to Liberty in a few weeks you should come with us to church.
We’ll introduce you to Mindy. She’s a teacher at Liberty Elementary and such a
nice person. You two will get along great.” Lane’s mom waved a hand as if it
wasn’t a question, but already settled. “And then there’s Barbara, right Jerry?
Barbara used to have story time every week for the preschoolers. The kids just
love her. She has so much energy!”

           
It was time to step in. Daisy surely wasn’t going to agree to be introduced to
every person under forty and anyone who ever stepped in the library. Lane
cleared his throat.

           
Daisy spoke first, her voice soft. “I’d like that.” She looked down at her
coffee. “I miss my friends. The cabin is beautiful, just perfect for a summer
getaway.” She glanced up, her lips lifted in a small smile. “But in the
evenings, it gets lonely. I wonder what the rest of the world is up to. It
would be nice to go out once in a while.”

           
Lane felt like sliding through the floor. He’d never thought about whether she
would want company. He had always been so focused on their disagreement over
the library and the tangle of emotions that happened when she was around. His
glance shot to his dad, who cocked an eyebrow. Lane knew what he was thinking;
anybody can let the new girl in town rent his cabin. It takes a real man to
offer hospitality, friendship, welcome, and invitation to the church community.

           
“Wonderful. We usually go out to Jamie’s for lunch afterward. She and Tom live
on the river so bring some sensible shoes.” With that last bit of bossiness,
Angela turned to Lane. “I found a really nice book for you. Come on in here.”

           
Maybe Daisy didn’t want to be left alone in his parents’ kitchen to talk over
the lack of Liberty nightlife with his dad, but she didn’t give any sign. She
threw him a bright smile that should have made his day, but only layered on the
guilt.

           
He didn’t have much choice but to follow his mom into the living room and
admire an ancient book of Chopin piano music. “Very nice. Not even moldy.”

“Play one for me, Laney.” She didn’t
wait for an answer but started to rifle through the pages.

“We’re just staying for a minute. She
needs to get back.”

           
“She’s a pretty girl.”

           
He wanted to roll his eyes. “Yes, Mom. Very pretty and very much not staying in
Colorado. Not even the wrong town, this time. We’re talking about different
states.”

           
She placed the open book on the sheet music rest. “Maybe after she settles in
and meets some more people her age, she can be convinced to stay?”

           
Lane sat on the bench, scooting it back to accommodate his long legs. “There
shouldn’t be any convincing. It should just be easy. Two people fall in love
and decide to be together forever. The end. No drama, no hard work.”

           
His mother paused, her hand on the edge of the yellowed paper. “Who told you
there wasn’t any hard work? I hope I never gave you that idea.” She sat down
next to him and touched his cheek. “The hard part is what makes it great.”

           
Lane smiled against her hand. “You’re saying that if you have to fight for
someone, it means more? I wonder what Jamie would say to that. She and Tom have
never had any real bumps since they met. Just smooth sailing all the way. I
don’t think that makes their marriage any less great.”

           
Dropping her hand to his arm, she frowned. “But he wanted to take that job with
the Forestry Department and she didn’t, don’t you remember?”

           
“Which job?” Lane searched his memory and came up with vague bits of
half-conversations.