She sensed rather than saw Jake move behind her.
The clerk at the cash register stopped straightening the bags. Her eyes traveled between the tabloids and papers to Lucinda’s face as she realized who had walked into her store.
Selma Mae, according to her name tag, whipped out a Kleenex. “Here you go. You poor, sweet thing. You’ve had an awful few days, haven’t you? Jake, take her to the back and make her a cup of tea. Farley’s back there if you need help.”
“No!” Lucinda took the offered tissue, feeling like the worst kind of fool. “I’m fine.”
The outside door opened again, letting in a wave of summer heat.
“Jake,” a deep voice said.
“Lordy! When it rains, it pours,” Selma Mae muttered.
A craggy-faced man stood just inside the door. Ten or fifteen years ago, Lucinda suspected he’d been extremely good-looking. But time and gravity had since gone to work. Yet there was still strength there. A strength you could count on. And a knowledge that came from experience. She’d bet there’d been lots of coffee, sun and cigarettes along the way too.
He wore a sheriff’s badge on his khaki shirt and a gun on his hip. This must be Howie Parker. Jake’s dad.
Now she knew where Jake got his black hair and his height. But the eyes…cold, steel-gray. Not an ounce of warmth. No welcome home.
Lucinda silently agreed with Selma Mae’s assessment.
“Dad.”
Jake stood where he was. So did his father.
Lucinda hated that she was here, witnessing this uneasy reunion .
“Heard you were back in town.”
“Yep.” Jake kept his eyes fixed on his father’s.
“Stayin’ this time?”
“Far as I know.”
“You done with all the foolishness, then, son?”
“Foolishness, Dad? Putting people back in homes, back on their feet? Helping them get their lives back on track?” Jake shook his head. “Sheer foolishness.”
“You know what I mean.”
“Yeah, I do. Giving my time away instead of chargin’ hundreds of dollars a pop.”
“All I’m sayin’—”
“I know.” Jake held up his hand and shook his head. “We’re gonna have to agree to disagree about this, Dad.”
He narrowed those arctic eyes and changed the subject. “Been to see your mother yet?”
“No. We’re gonna stop by a little later.”
“I heard you brought someone with you.” He tipped his chin in Lucinda’s direction. “This the gal?”
The gal. Lucinda cringed.
“Yes, Dad.” Jake gestured toward her, his beautiful green eyes taking on a world-weary tarnish. “Lucinda Darling, my father, Howie Parker.”
She walked over, held out her hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, sir.”
Howie tipped his head, took her hand in his strong, work-roughened one. “Pleasure’s mine. Not every day a man gets to meet his future daughter-in-law. One that’s just left another man twiddlin’ his thumbs at the altar.”
Jake’s eyes shot fire. His fingers clenched.
Selma Mae moved from behind the counter. “Better go get Farley.”
Lucinda shook her head almost imperceptibly and pasted on her best corporate smile. “I’ve heard so much about you, Mr. Parker.”
“Well, that’s convenient, isn’t it? With what you’ve heard and what I’ve read—” Howie nodded toward the tabloids, “—we’re almost old friends.” He glanced toward Jake. “Talk to you later, son.”
He turned and pushed out door.
“Welcome to Pride, Lucy.” The cold sarcasm in Jake’s voice could have frozen over Lake Okeechobee.
Chapter Ten
They left the little grocery store with life’s bare necessities. Half-and-half for her coffee, a bag of chips for Jake, a loaf of bread, a jar of jelly and one of peanut butter. Tomorrow they’d come back in his Jeep, but for now, this would hold them.
Jake stowed the items in his saddlebags, then stopped and scrubbed his hands over his face. “I have to keep reminding myself I’m doing this for Gram.”
“I’m sorry being engaged to me is so horrendous. The experience will probably leave you scarred for life.” Lucinda couldn’t keep the bite from her words. She was tired, both physically and emotionally. She hadn’t slept well last night. Today, she’d been paraded in front of a half dozen strangers, introduced as the happy fiancée and expected to play the role.
Fine and dandy, but she needed a little support. If Jake was going to go all mopey and act so put-upon, he could find somebody else to play the role of blushing bride-to-be. Wanda Sue would be more than happy to say yes to Mr. Grumpy.