“Yeah, I think so, too. She’s amazing at the shop.” Del could easily pick up on the hint of pride and possessiveness in his brother’s tone. “Even when she’s tired as she can be and her feet hurt, she still takes care of the shop and the customers.”
Del hesitated for a few seconds then decided to be direct. “Is there anything going on between you that I should know about?”
“No. I’m…We’re taking it slow. You know she’s got quite a bit to overcome. But she’s healing.”
“Remember what a spitfire she was?”
“Oh, yeah, I remember.”
“I think the spitfire is still in there but it’s…”
“Tempered?”
Del nodded. “That’s a good word. I can tell she’s been through a lot. I think I know how she feels.”
“How are you doing with what went down in Afghanistan? Have you been able to sleep at night?” Del had given Clay the short, sanitized version of what had happened a few months before and that he had been having trouble sleeping because of it.
“It’s the same. I guess it just takes time for the memories to fade. Can I ask you something about the two of you?”
“What?”
“I can tell you’re trying to be diplomatic. You were never one to rock the boat. I’m asking plain and simple. Are you claiming her?”
Clay’s response was measured. “I’m letting her set the pace. She’s got stuff she needs to deal with first. She’s in a place where she can’t or won’t go forward in a relationship. And it’s not necessarily by her choice. It’s not the right time to claim her but I will if I get the chance. Are you saying you have an interest?”
“I wouldn’t pressure her or get into a pissing contest with you, but yes, I do. You say she needs time. I can give her time. You okay with that?” For some reason he would’ve thought that those words would come out more possessive, or competitive, but they didn’t, nor did those feelings follow his declaration.
Clay chuckled easily. “Del, there was a time when I would’ve told you to back off, that I’d claimed the right to pursue her when she’s ready. Things have changed in Divine lately. Why don’t you spend some time with us. Come to the hog hunt and get to know our friends and we’ll revisit the subject later. One thing about Lily hasn’t changed. She still loves with her whole heart. She wanted me to call and invite you over for supper tonight.”
“Man, I’d love to but I need to accomplish something around here. I think I’m just gonna have one of my frozen dinners and drink a beer tonight, once I get done.”
“You have any idea how pathetic that sounds? Lily is cooking tonight.”
“Maybe another night, Clay. Besides, I’m eating Lily’s cooking, too.”
“Okay, I guess I’ll just keep her all to myself then,” Clay said in a teasing tone.
“Fucker. That’s what you were hoping for all along. I’ll take a rain check. I need to accomplish something around here and I can’t do that if I’m running off to socialize when I could be working.”
“You sound like Lily. Just remember, all work and no play makes Del a big dull dud.”
“Nag.”
Del could hear Lily’s voice in the background and then Clay said, “Lily wants me to tell you that she won’t accept any excuses for Christmas. She wants you here by noon.”
What could it hurt? “Tell her I’ll be there. I’ll talk to you later.”
Del’s conscience tugged at him a bit as he ended the call. He hated to disappoint Lily about supper that night. Truth be told, he wanted to spend more time with her but didn’t feel quite right about it.
He could tell by the way Clay and Lily looked at each other that something was going on between them. Clay hadn’t been very forthcoming, but Del didn’t get the impression that was because he was feeling possessive. He’d come across as though he was respecting Lily’s privacy. Lily’s beautiful face swam in his mind, and he shook his head, mentally putting away the idea that there might be a future there. Clay had right of way.
Five hours later, he trudged into the dark house. He grabbed a beer from the fridge and dinner from the freezer. Sitting in his recliner, he ate in silence. The stereo was still hooked up and probably worked, but he valued the nighttime quiet, broken only by the sound of the wind whistling through the old window screens. Weariness settled into his muscles and joints, and he hoped this time he’d sleep for more than a few minutes before the nightmares started.
Chapter Fourteen