“How much land do you think they have here?” Dave was also surveying the property. I didn’t answer because I had no idea. He pointed to the forest behind the house, drawing my attention to it. It lay beyond an enormous, lush, green field dotted with red and purple wildflowers. “That’s the national forest. This place is right on the park.”
I nodded absentmindedly, distracted by the wildflower field blanketed with silvery mist.
Beautiful.
Reluctantly, I climbed the stairs to the porch. It had the natural wood luster of a recently restored antique. Seven rocking chairs lined one side. Two hanging wooden porch swings dangled at each corner, calling to mind lazy afternoons reading books outdoors, or holding hands with loved ones under a starry sky.
By all outward appearance, the house was grand, but it also felt like a home.
Dave had insisted earlier that he walk me to the door,reminding me of my dad and how he used to drop me off at a friend’s house. He’d walk me to the door, meet the parents, look them in the eye, suggest a tour of the house, ask if they owned any guns, or had any vicious animals as pets.
Dave rang the bell and less than a minute later Cletus answered the door.
“Hello.” He was wearing a tweed jacket and a red bowtie. He was also holding a brandy snifter.
“Hey, Cletus.” Dave grinned. “How’s the tractor?”
“Dead. For now. But I ordered a part from a junkyard in Galveston. It should be getting here next week. I have high hopes for its resurrection.” Then to me Cletus nodded curtly, his eyes moving up and down my body in a way that felt entirely scientific. “That should do it. Y’all come in.” Cletus stepped to the side, motioning for us to enter.
“Nah. I know you guys.” Dave waved the suggestion away, as though the two of them were old friends.
Dave glanced over his shoulder at the long driveway, lined with old oaks, winding toward the house. “But, if you don’t mind, I’d like to walk the perimeter.”
Cletus nodded solemnly. “Of course.”
“Nice to see you, Cletus.” My smile was genuine; despite our original rocky start, he and I had become something of co-conspirators. I had no idea why he was helping me, I was just happy to have him on my side. “You’re looking very dapper this evening.”
“Repeat that later.” He reached for my arm and tugged me into the house, calling over his shoulder, “Feel free to skulk all you’d like, Dave. Jethro will have her home before eight as we’ll all be going to the jam session tonight.” And with that, he quietly shut the door behind us.
“You brought wine,” he whispered, releasing me and grabbing both bottles, tucking one under his arm as he juggled his snifter. “That’s good. Ashley will like that. She’s always complaining about the lack of wine, but Jess is a beer drinker. She don’t care.”
“Who is Jess?” I whispered because he was whispering.
“Duane’s girl and my calculus teacher. Duane’s the surly twin. Beau is the friendly one. Careful of him though, he’ll try to hump your leg.” He paired this statement with an exasperated eyebrow lift, like Girl, you don’t want to get me started.
Once again, I covered my mouth with my palm to contain my laughter.
Cletus grinned at my movement, his hazel eyes dancing happily. “You are remarkably pretty when you laugh.”
“Cletus?” Jethro’s voice sounded from someplace behind me, sending a shock of nervous energy down my spine. “Did you get the door?”
Cletus hastily deposited the bottles on a table under an antique mirror but didn’t answer Jethro. “Right,” he continued whispering to me, “the kitchen is through there.” He pointed down a hallway lined with framed pictures and turned me toward it. “That’s where your man is, barefoot, making delicious turkey pot pie. Go.”
“But, wait,” I glanced at Cletus over my shoulder as he pushed me, “do I tell him I let myself in?”
“He won’t ask.”
“But—”
“Just go. I’ll be in soon. That whole business with Tom Low today gave me an idea. I need to make an entrance.”
With one last gentle shove, Cletus sent me down the hall.
I took three steps before I realized how out of control my anxiety was, and I froze.
Staring forward, eyes wide, I whispered to myself, “Don’t make any jokes. No jokes. In fact, don’t speak. At all.”
Just as I finished my quiet pep talk, Jethro popped his head into the hallway. Judging by the initial glower on his features and then the abrupt clearing of his brow, I guessed he’d expected to see Cletus.