SomedayMyGoodOleBoyWillCome Read online

  “Wow.” She smiled at Derek, blinking back tears. “I didn’t think it would be this emotional for me to be back.”

  “Why not? You spent sixteen years of your life here, or over at our place. Emotions make sense to me.”

  “Did it feel overwhelming to you when you came back home?”

  “Yes. And no, I’m not saying that to make you feel better. I realized that I had missed the lifestyle in Leeburg. It is so much slower than most of the rest of the country, not to mention my family and my desire to start one of my own.”

  His words sent a dagger into her heart, bringing with it a stab of shame. She was so wrong for keeping this from him, for keeping his son from him. God help her, she didn’t know how to tell him. I mean really, how do you put it? “Oh, by the way, our night together in Atlanta resulted in a child. His name is Caleb and he is six years old.”

  “A family, huh? Well that sounds good. You and Shelby will make a good couple.”

  Derek growled low in his throat. Fast as a striking snake, Jacey was in his iron grasp, her face millimeters away from his own.

  “I don’t want Shelby. I want you, Jacey, you. Got that? I. Want. You! Bottom line, end of story as in there is no more, fin, finite.”

  “Derek…” she began. Tears started to fall from behind her dark eyes.

  His callused thumbs wiped away the tears from her silken skin as they fell. “I know. Act like civilized adults. Fine. Just one more thing.”

  Dear God in heaven, it felt so right being held in his arms, it had to be wrong. “What?”

  “This.” His lips swooped down upon hers. Branding her for life. That kiss told her there would never be another man for her. Hell, she had known that in Atlanta, but now that she knew his true identity there was no chance for a second start. She’d loved this man almost twenty years.

  Jacey gave into the torrent rush of longing that flooded her body. Her arms encircled his neck as she kissed him back. Kissed him with all the pent up sexual tension she had since she had seen him last. It had been way too long since she had a good relationship with a man.

  Jacey attempted to crawl inside his skin. Her body arched against his as her arms pulled him deeper into her curves. Her tongue dueled and parried with his own. She couldn’t get enough of him.

  His hands cupped her bottom and lifted her to press against his arousal. She pushed her hands under his shirt.

  Jacey’s eyes fluttered at the feel of his skin beneath hers once again.

  She was in heaven.

  * * * *

  BAM!

  A noise from the upstairs sounded like a gunshot. A noise that garnered a specific reaction from Jacey, who took both of them to the floor in a millisecond, her smaller body offering protection to Derek’s larger one.

  Derek once again found himself looking into the eyes of a warrior, all traces of desire gone. The look scared him. It took a few seconds before her dark eyes softened as she looked back down on him.

  “I’m sorry, Derek.” Jacey stayed on top of him, as if she didn’t want to leave him. She placed little kisses all around his mouth before sucking his lower lip into her full mouth. “We can’t do this.” Her mouth was back on his the second she stopped talking.

  Derek’s hands were moving up under her shirt when she pulled away. She caressed his face with one hand and kissed him once again. A long, heated kiss before she got off of his prone body.

  As he gained his own feet she was busy tucking in her shirt. Derek looked, really looked at the woman that had stolen his heart. Her chest rose and fell sharply with every breath she took. He could wait, for he knew it was only a matter of time before she wouldn’t be able to stop herself. The only reason she had been able to this time was because of the intrusive noise that came from upstairs.

  “Don’t apologize to me.” Derek walked over to her and cupped her oval face in one hand, enjoying how she trembled beneath his touch. “If anything, I should be apologizing to you.”

  “No, please don’t.” A smile broke across her face and, at his questioning gaze, she added, “Your hair is gray. From the dust when I took you down.”

  “Oh, so seeing me with gray hair is funny to you?” He hated the sadness she had in her eyes and wanted to be the one that made her eyes light up.

  Jacey began to back away as she replied, “Well yeah, especially with a huge dust ball on top of your head.”

  “Well come on, woman, get it out.”

  “I don’t know. I think it kinda works for you.”

  His reply was bared teeth, a response that made Jacey laugh and hold out her hands in a surrendering gesture. “Okay, okay. Come over here and sit on the stairs, you are too tall.”

  After Jacey and Derek had shaken off most of the dust on themselves they started to open up the downstairs. Boarded up windows were once again exposed to the light. Doors were shoved open to allow the hot, muggy summer air through the stuffy house.

  Sheets were pulled off furniture and tossed out on the porch to be washed. Within a few hours both Jacey and Derek were covered in sweat and dust. As they stopped for a break to get a drink of water, Jacey looked over him.

  “I think it may be easier to get a hose and just spray out the whole house.”

  “You know your mama would whip you,” Derek stated as he began to laugh.

  “And once she was done my papa would be right there to take up the job. It is too blasted hot for this, let’s call it a day.”

  Derek nodded his agreement. “If you’re sure.”

  “I just want to open the upstairs windows first, and the doors to the balconies. Maybe the cooler night air will help clean out this staleness. I frickin’ forgot how humid it was down here in the south. I’m sweatin’ buckets.”

  “Still look good to me,” Derek added.

  And she did. The sweat made her skin glow. He had always admired a woman who wasn’t afraid of hard work and he had one here with him now. Side by side they headed up the stairs and took opposite ends of the house. They met back in the middle and, dusty and sweaty, headed back down to the outside.

  “Thanks for helping out, Derek. It means a lot to me.”

  “There is nothing that I wouldn’t do for you, princess.” His voice rang low and seductive.

  Her eyes narrowed and she coyly asked, “Then would you stop calling me princess?”

  “Nope.”

  “What happened to there being nothing that you wouldn’t do for me?”

  “There isn’t, but calling you princess is for me, not you. I like doing it.”

  Jacey rolled her eyes as she slid behind the wheel of her car. “Of course you do. Why do you call me princess?”

  Derek took a deep breath and got in the car beside her. Placing his hand on hers when she tried to start the car, Derek leaned in close to her face and whispered, “Because, to me, you are a princess and I want nothing more than to be your Prince Charming.”

  She blushed but pushed him back over to his side of the car. “Aren’t we a bit old for fairy tales?”

  “Never, princess, never. And someday I hope you will find your happy ending, with me.”

  “Derek…”

  “No, this time you listen, Jace.” Derek put his hand over her mouth. “I know you have Caleb, but I plan on fighting to keep you. You said you had something to tell me, well I have something to tell you as well, and I will just wait until you are ready to hear it. I can’t sit here and let you walk out of my life.”

  He shook his head. “No, I won’t sit here and let you walk out of my life. But I will respect part of what you asked of me. I will behave, for the most part. But don’t ask me to leave you alone, because I won’t do it.”

  Chapter Eleven

  Jacey had no response to that, so she silently started the car. What was she going to do now? Every fiber in her being wanted to be with him, but if he found out the truth would he still want to be with her? No, he said he wanted a family, so since she had kept his son from him of course he would be pissed
. Who wouldn’t be?

  They drove back to the farm and saw Carson coming outside. “Hey, Carson!” Jacey yelled as she stopped the convertible.

  “Hey, Jacey, Derek. How’d it go over there?”

  “Not too bad,” his cousin responded. “Had to get out of there, it was just too damn hot. We’ll head back over later on this evening when it cools down.”

  “Well I’ll be glad to go with and help out.”

  Jacey spoke before Derek could voice his opinion. “That would be wonderful. I have a lot to do on that place before my mama comes and tells me it is too dirty. I think as long as I have the kitchen good, I’ll be alright.

  “Carson,” Jacey asked, “is Honey gone already?”

  “Yes, she and David left early. She said that she wanted to spend some time with you this evening, so they are having their date early.”

  “Cool, thanks.”

  “Say, Jace, what you’d bring our little cousin that David will like?” Derek teased.

  “Some articles of clothing that you will never see. So don’t even think about spying on us tonight. It is girls only.” With an evil smirk she looked at them both, “All I’ll tell you is it is a bunch of lace, snaps, see-through material and silks and satins.”

  “But don’t you think a man should be around to make sure the effect is what it is supposed to be?”

  “Thanks anyway, Carson.” She splashed water from the pump on her face then added, “I already know they have the desired effect.”

  “Do tell.” He waggled his eyebrows at her.

  “Not on your life, Carson. Not on your life.”

  As the trio was heading inside another vehicle pulled into the driveway. It was R.J. Lawrence, owner and proprietor of the one and only garage in Leeburg. As his big truck rolled to a stop, Jacey was already striding over towards him.

  R.J. was a big man, all around. His dark hair stuck out wildly from his head, his jeans were covered in grease, and Jacey knew that there would be more under his fingernails. A white shirt was covered by a sleeveless flannel shirt, R.J.’s normal wear.

  At about six feet, three inches, he looked just about the same as he had the day she left Leeburg. “Jacey-girl,” he said in his booming voice.

  “R.J.” Jacey launched herself at him, ignoring the grease that covered him. “It is so good to see you.”

  He caught her easily and hugged her to him.

  “You too, girl. Lookin’ good. How’re you doing? How’s your family?”

  “Fine. Everyone is fine. Look at you, you look wonderful. How are you doing?” Jacey stepped back out of his embrace as she asked her questions.

  “All right. You know how it is here.”

  “Starting to get the picture.”

  “Not much has changed since you left.”

  “Seeing that as well.” Another smile broke across her face. “Damn, it’s good to see you. I missed you.”

  He laughed. “Sure you did. Did you even think about me?”

  “I always thought about you. Especially when my vehicle didn’t work. I wished you were there every second.” She winked at him.

  R.J. grabbed her and spun her around one more time. “Crazy girl. I missed you too.”

  “Hey, R.J., why don’t you come on inside for a nice cold drink?” Derek shouted from the porch.

  R.J. nodded as he smiled again at Jacey and together they ambled towards the porch arm in arm, with Jacey’s head on his shoulder.

  Jacey got cleaned up and returned to the kitchen to join the rest for a light snack. After a bit Jacey looked at her Aunt Ro. “Can I help you with dinner, Auntie Ro?”

  “Are you sure?”

  “Of course. That way we can catch up on some things.”

  “Very well. R.J., will you join us?”

  “Yes, ma’am. I would be honored to join you for dinner.” His eyes sparkled at the prospect of a home-cooked dinner that he didn’t have to prepare, for while he was an amazing mechanic he was a horrible cook.

  Auntie Ro smiled at the man who was like another one of the family. “Good. We are having crawdad bisque.” Everyone’s mouth began to water at that announcement.

  ♠

  Honey sat across from David on the checkered blanket. They were supposed to be having a nice date but all he wanted to do was get information about Jacey.

  “Well, what does she do?” he pestered.

  “David, what has you so interested in Jacey? Just last night you seemed upset that she was asking you questions. Why are you doing the same thing about her?”

  “I’m sorry, baby. I was hoping that if I had some insight on her maybe I could find a way for us to become better friends. I don’t want her to not like me.” David sent her a smile that relaxed as he saw her nod.

  “She does like you, she told me so. Don’t worry. You can get to know her better tomorrow at the cookout. You can still come, right? It would be a good chance for Bubba and Susie to get to know you better also.”

  Anger flashed in his eyes for a mere second. “I’m looking forward to it.”

  David brushed some of Honey’s hair behind her ear as he scooted closer. “I’m glad your cousins got out of jail. I wasn’t sure how I was going to offer to help. Your parents don’t seem to be eager to take help from others.”

  “I’m glad too. I have no idea how we would have paid for their bail.”

  “Where did Jacey get that kind of money?”

  For the first time Honey felt uncomfortable with David. “I’m not sure,” she lied. She knew Jacey was wealthy but it wasn’t her place to tell her friend’s business to others.

  “Well, for around here that is a lot of money. I don’t want people to begin to talk and have your name linked with hers if it turns out bad.”

  Honey pulled away from her fiancé. “Jacey is my friend. My best friend. She would never do anything to hurt me or our family. And I won’t allow anyone to say anything bad about her either, and that includes you, David. So back off.”

  David reached for his fiancé again, but Honey pulled farther away.

  “I’m sorry, Honey.”

  A terrible war was brewing inside Blanche Moser. If David insisted on speaking about Jacey in a bad way she would have no choice to stop the wedding. But maybe she needed to step back and review the situation. Jacey had been right on the phone when she said it seemed to have happened fast.

  One minute they seemed to be barely tolerating each other and the next David had proposed and they were engaged. Was she moving too fast?

  “Honey? What are you thinking? Don’t be upset with me. I shouldn’t have said that to you and I am sorry.”

  “Take me home, David.” Honey began to pick up the picnic items and repack them into the basket.

  Rage flashed in his blue eyes. “What about our date?” His words were clipped.

  “It’s off.” Honey narrowed her eyes, rigid with fury. “I refuse to spend time with you when all you want to do is slander my best friend. I am beginning to think that you may have something against her based on her skin color, and that, David, is something that I will not tolerate in the slightest. Now take me home.”

  With elegance and poise that belied her anger, Honey got into his car and waited for him to follow. The ride back to the Moser Farm was filled with tense silence. As they pulled up into the drive Honey noticed that R.J.’s truck was there along with her cousin’s GTO.

  They must have been working on it, for it shone in the late afternoon sun. Its yellow body was spotless and the ground around it was still wet from the water they used to wash it. As soon as the car stopped Honey jumped out of the car. She grabbed her basket and slammed the door behind her, walking fast towards the porch.

  David got out after and followed. “Honey…wait. Please, I said I was sorry.”

  Derek opened the porch screen and watched as David reached for his cousin. The second David put his hand on Honey she stopped and turned. Leveling a withering glare at the man that held her arm she jerked free and sp
at, “Just leave, David. Leave. I need some time to think.”

  “Fine,” he seethed. “I will see you tomorrow at the cookout, unless I am no longer invited to that either.”

  “Do what you want.” Honey shouldered her way past her protective cousin and disappeared into the old farmhouse.

  David, not willing to deal with Derek and the distrust in his gaze, turned and stomped off towards his car. Damn it all, he had almost ruined everything. This told him that he would have to be much more careful in the way that he handled the “Jacey” problem, not to mention Derek.

  As he started his car he felt a sudden cold chill. Goosebumps sprang up along his arms and he realized he was feeling fear. His eyes flickered back and forth to pinpoint the source of his feeling.

  There, along the barn, stood the town mechanic and next to him stood Jacey. Her body was not positioned in any threatening position but he knew she was where the feeling came from. His body felt the same way it had at the party when she had not been amused with his smart answer regarding her friend, and her eyes had taken on a frightening deadness.

  David peeled out of the driveway, not caring that he knew everyone would realize what had gone on between them. All he knew was he needed to have another chat with his father and Red. Apparently Jacey was going to be more trouble than he had first believed. Than any of them had thought.

  ♠

  After David left, Jacey and R.J. came back into the house. With a fast glance around, Jacey knew that Honey was nowhere in the immediate area and so she headed toward the bedroom. Knocking softly before she stuck her head in, Jacey opened the door to see Honey curled up on her bed in a small ball, crying.

  “Honey? What happened between you and David?”

  Jacey shut the door quietly behind her and settled beside her friend.

  All she got in response were big crying sobs. Placing Honey’s head in her lap, she sat there in silence stroking her friend’s hair. Eventually Honey’s sobs began to subside. Jacey continued to offer silent comfort as Honey sniffed and wiped away the final wave of tears.