Finding Love in Ivy Falls

Chapter Thirty-Four

MANNY

Blotting Out The Ache

All afternoon Lou begged me to take her to the Dairy Dip for a milkshake. As I supervised the final installation of the flooring at the old Thomas Place, she sat on a box in the corner quietly watching a movie on my phone and had not complained a lick. That may have also been because she’d finally been granted access to screens after a long break.

Before I’d released her from her punishment, we had another talk about Brittany and the other girls at school. She admitted the teasing had not entirely stopped, but it’d settled down, especially after she told all the girls that my newfound status would make it easier for her to meet her idol, Harry Styles (never gonna happen).

When the plumber finished in the kitchen, I double-checked the measurements for the cabinets that were due to be delivered next week. The film crew had worked in the space earlier this morning, shooting B-roll for the interior and exterior of the home, but, thankfully, they were gone now.

Torran spent most of the afternoon working upstairs in the master bathroom. We’d spent hours going over whether or not to include a built-in soap alcove in the shower. If the flooring was a good match for the marble slab we’d selected for the countertop. The low creak on the staircase and solid thud of footsteps said she might finally be coming up for air.

She walked toward me with her phone pressed to her ear. Her voice low and tense.

‘Issues?’ I whispered.

She put her hand over the mouthpiece. ‘Lauren wants us to go to Atlanta to meet with the network. They want to discuss final details about the contract for Season Three in person.’

‘Not unless we can come to some kind of tentative agreement about the publicity and social media.’

Torran tapped the speaker icon and Lauren’s voice filled the room.

‘Manny, can you hear me?’

‘Atlanta? Really, Lauren?’ I said.

‘Yes. We need you both at the corporate office to meet with the head of the network to work out the final contract details.’

‘Fine. When do they want us there?’ I said.

‘The second week of February,’ Lauren answered.

‘That’s right around the time the coffee bar will be finished. Tor, didn’t you say Tess was planning a small party to celebrate?’

My voice caught on Tess’ name. Much to her credit, Torran didn’t jump on it. She’d seen how I’d spent all my time focused on this house in hopes of blotting out the ache I felt by not spending time with her sister.

‘I swear this won’t interfere,’ Lauren said.

After I agreed, Torran went over a few more filming details before she hung up.

‘I know you weren’t expecting this, but Lauren swears the network is willing to negotiate with us.’

‘All right, but I’m driving to Atlanta because that tin-can truck of yours won’t make it ten miles past the city limits.’

‘Hey.’ She feigned hurt. ‘Don’t talk about Sally Mae that way. She’s a classic.’

‘A classic wreck,’ I mumbled.

She jokingly punched my shoulder before beelining her way toward Lou and swinging her around in a circle.

‘When you’re done making my child dizzy, we need to talk about where you want the appliances in the kitchen.’

She gave Lou a quick squeeze and followed me into the shell of a room that had once been banana yellow and avocado green. We went back and forth before agreeing on the placement for the new stainless steel fridge, double ovens and wide farmhouse sink.

Her phone beeped, and when she glanced at the screen, her shoulders sagged.

‘Lauren again?’

‘No, it’s Beck. He canceled dinner tonight.’

‘Guess he’s busy, huh?’

She shrugged and shoved her phone into the front pocket of her overalls a little too sharply.

‘Tor,’ I urged. ‘Something wrong?’

‘Beck…’ She shook her head and walked to the framing where we’d decided to put the stove.

‘What’s up with him? Haven’t seen him around lately. He must be working hard.’

‘He’s been distracted lately.’

‘Distracted how?’

‘Not answering texts right away. Staring off into space like he’s miles away. I’m worried he’s keeping secrets from me.’

‘What makes you think that?’

‘He talks on the phone, but when I come into the room, he hangs up quickly. When we were at Sugar Rush last week, he had all these quiet side whispers with Barb and Susan.’ She tapped at the phone in her pocket. ‘This is the second time in ten days he’s canceled dinner on me.’

I gave her a pointed look. ‘You know what I’m going to say.’

‘Talk to him,’ she said with a hint of frustration. ‘Our life has been good this last year. Piper is settled. We’re working on this house, which has always been a dream of mine. I don’t want to think about anything interfering with how smoothly things are moving along.’

‘Open and honest communication,’ I said firmly. ‘If you don’t talk, your mind builds up all these dire scenarios, which are probably all wrong. If you know the truth, your brain can’t think the worst.’

She arched a brow. ‘Is that what you’ve done with Tess?’

‘Tess and me,’ I sighed. ‘We’re complicated.’

‘Billy,’ she seethed.

‘I’m not going to lie, being away from her, giving her space, is one of the most painful things I’ve ever done. But I also need to respect her wishes. Wait until she’s ready to try with me again.’

‘And how long can you wait?’

‘I can’t answer that, but she has to find her way through this. Figure out how she can incorporate Billy into her new normal with the girls. That’s something I understand. I had to swim through the muck after losing Gina, and it took me a while to figure out a rhythm for Lou and me.’

‘I know what he did for Silvio when he fell from that ladder. How he’s been helping to care for Mrs Vanderpool’s yard on the weekend. Doing odd jobs for her around the house. But I’ve also known Billy most of my life. There is a selfish side to him, and that doesn’t change overnight. Some way, somehow, he’s going to hurt Tess and the girls again. I can feel it in my bones.’

My thoughts flickered to that night at the house when I accused Billy of being at the field. For a moment I considered asking Tor about it, if she thought he was lying, but then I pressed my lips together. The last thing Tess needed was another person doubting her choices.

‘That’s not what I want. Not what you want either,’ I said quickly. ‘The best outcome is that he figures out his purpose. Keeps a job, pays child support, and stays out of all of our lives as much as possible.’

‘Pop.’ Lou appeared in the doorway to the kitchen. ‘My show is over. Is it time for a milkshake?’

Torran shuffled across the kitchen, her worried look morphing into joy as she reached out for Lou’s hand and spun her in another circle.

‘Dragging your dad to the Dairy Dip?’ she asked.

‘Yes. Some kids at school say they have a new milkshake that tastes like peppermint.’

‘Oh, that sounds delicious.’ Tor hesitated. ‘Things good at school? Your Pop told me you were having trouble with one girl.’

Lou swapped a look with me. I nodded, telling her she could say whatever felt comfortable.

‘Yeah, she was being mean.’ Lou leaned in. ‘But I think she’s jealous ’cause I told her Pop could introduce me to Taylor.’

Torran cackled. ‘As in Swift?’

Lou nodded, and Torran gave me an amused smile.

‘Lou Lou, we’ve talked about how saying things like that is not okay,’ I said.

‘I know, but it was kind of fun to watch Brittany’s eyes bug out for a second.’

Torran muffled a laugh with her hand. ‘You know, Lou, I’ve seen your Pop do some amazing things. Taylor’s not totally out of the question.’

‘Really?’ Now Lou’s eyes went wide.

I let out a groan. ‘Please do not encourage her. And Lou, that’s not something we should be spreading around. I’m just a guy working on a TV show with his annoying best friend.’

Torran gave Lou another spin and had the gall to wink at me. ‘Come on, Manny. With you, anything is possible.’

The only spots open at the Dairy Dip were two seats at the counter. The place sparkled with red and green twinkle lights. Foil trees in gold and silver hung from the ceiling. ‘Sleigh Ride’ blared from the whimsical jukebox set in the corner of the shop.

A neon sign above the counter was lit up with blue and yellow lights, advertising a dozen types of milkshakes, ice cream bars, cookie sandwiches, as well as regular sundaes and thick mixed desserts with crushed candy bars inside.

Lou climbed onto a red leather stool, and I took the one beside her. A teenage boy took our order. Lou asked for the ‘Peppermint Kiss’ shake while I opted for the caramel and vanilla swirl.

The song changed to ‘Jingle Bells’, and Lou hummed along. A friend of Piper’s, Maisey Bedford, sat at one of the wrought-iron tables near the door with her husband, Joe, a local lawyer, and her two small kids. When she saw us she gave a warm wave.

The teenage kid at the counter slid a glass mug and a silver cylinder with extra shake toward Lou. Her face lit up as she took her first sip.

‘This is so good.’ She held out her mug. I took a drink and tried not to shiver. The sweetness made my jaw ache. My thoughts immediately went to Tess and her worries about cavities. Yeah, we’d definitely have to thoroughly brush Lou’s teeth tonight.

‘Pop, we need to talk about something serious.’

I froze. She’d been good about not asking about Tess and the girls, like she sensed how it was hurting me. But it’d been a while since we’d spent any time with them, and I sensed Lou was at her limit.

She straightened her shoulders. Tipped up her chin. ‘Is there any way I can talk you into putting a motorized scooter back on my Christmas list? Kick ones are for babies.’

I held back a laugh as she set her small mouth in determination.

‘Nope. We start slow. You show me how you can ride a kick one safely, and then we can talk about a motorized one later on.’

‘Okay. Like when I’m twelve?’

‘Maybe thirteen,’ I said.

She started to protest until Iris and Rose sped toward the counter calling her name. I’d tried to hide my feelings when I was around Tessa at the store, but my traitorous heart went light at the sight of her racing in after them. She wore jeans and a sky blue sweater that set off the red in her hair. It felt like torture not to reach out and touch her. Kiss her. Tell her how beautiful she looked.

Lou excitedly pulled Rose onto her lap. I moved to let Iris take my spot at the crowded counter. Tess gave me a hesitant smile. The curve of her beautiful pink lips tense.

‘A mom and daughters outing?’

‘No,’ she said on a brittle breath as Billy walked in the door.

‘Oh, okay,’ I managed to say even as my heart cracked straight down the middle.

‘Lou says the peppermint shake is the best. Can I get one, Mommy?’

Joy made little Rose practically vibrate. I guessed that was what happened when you finally saw your family as whole.

‘That’s a lot of sugar, sweetie. What about a vanilla cone?’

‘Ah, come on, Tessie.’ Billy tucked those stupid black sunglasses into his shirt pocket and pulled Rose off Lou’s lap, propping her on his hip. ‘I think this one time we can let our Rosie have what she wants.’

Rose giggled, and Tess shot Billy an annoyed look. Iris quickly added she wanted the same milkshake.

‘Fine.’ Tess reached into her purse for her wallet.

‘That’s okay,’ Billy said, grabbing a few bills from the back pocket of his jeans.

Tess double-blinked as he paid for the drinks and went back to his conversation with Iris and Rose.

Even though I tried, I couldn’t pull my gaze away from Tess. Worry filled the lines around her mouth. She’d said she needed space, but I had to know what made her look like she wanted to tear her own hair out. I motioned for her to move farther down the counter, and she inched my way.

‘What’s wrong?’ I asked.

She scrubbed a hand over her mouth. Shook her head. ‘Long day at the bookstore. The warehouse sent the wrong order for the church’s book club. We had a kid get sick on the rainbow carpet after story time.’ She muttered something about regurgitated blueberries. ‘But’ – her eyes finally filled with light – ‘most of the coffee and tea I ordered arrived. The leather stools came in too, and they’re gorgeous.’

This is what I wanted for her. Joy in her voice. A warm smile brightening her entire face.

‘That’s good. I’ll be by tomorrow to check out the crew’s final work on the bar.’

‘But it’s Sunday. I thought that was your “no work” day?’

‘Torran and Beck offered to take Lou to the movies.’

‘Oh, that’s good.’

I hated the sudden weight that returned to her shoulders. The way she cocked her head left and right as if she was carrying the weight of the world. My fingers twitched, wanting to reach out and smooth out that knot in her neck again.

My gaze kept moving to her pillow-soft lips, and her eyes narrowed on my face. She could ask for all the space she wanted, but there was no mistaking the ache in her eyes too. I wanted to protect her. Let her know that I was always here for her, but my mind kept going back to those damn sunglasses. How Billy insisted to Lucas in the hardware store that he hadn’t been driving around town a month before he hit the tree, which was impossible because no one else in Ivy Falls had a car like his.

‘Tess, don’t you think it’s weird that since he’s been back there haven’t been any more incidents?’

She glanced over her shoulder, watching Billy poke Iris’ side and making Rose laugh.

‘Halloween night was a prank. And the window…’ She hedged like she was trying to talk herself into the next thought. ‘Well, that could have been the wind.’

‘Tess.’ I moved in closer. ‘Do you really believe that?’

‘Please, Manny. Not now.’

I took another step, wanting to reach for her, convince her of the truth, but a loud crash stopped me. The steel container holding the rest of Lou’s milkshake spun on the floor. Spilled ice cream oozed across the tile like a pink river.

‘What happened?’ I said, pulling Lou into my arms.

‘It must have fallen off the counter when I wasn’t looking.’ Her eyes went watery. ‘Can we please go home?’

‘Sure, yeah, okay.’ I glanced at the teenage kid behind the counter and mouthed, ‘Sorry’. He waved a hand at me like it happened all the time.

Tess came over to comfort Lou, reaching out to rub her back.

‘Don’t touch me,’ Lou snapped.

‘Louisa! Apologize to Tess right now.’

Iris, Rose and Billy watched the scene with concern.

Lou struggled out of my arms and rushed for the door. I made more apologies to Tess before I went after Lou.

The Saturday afternoon sidewalks around the square were crowded with people doing their holiday shopping. A few tourists pulled out their phones and took pictures while I chased after Lou. She sprinted past Sugar Rush and the hardware store. Just as she was about to dart into the street, Silvio stepped off the sidewalk and grabbed her before a massive truck rolled past.

‘You gotta watch where you’re going, kid,’ Silvio said.

Lou burst into tears, and when I reached her, she flung herself into my arms.

‘What’s happening, Lou?’ I said, choking on the words, my entire body vibrating with fear.

She mumbled a few words into my shoulder. I pulled back, and with a sob-crowded voice, she said, ‘Miss Tessa is going to live with that man.’

‘You mean Iris and Roses’ father?’

She nodded. ‘Iris said her mama and daddy were happy now. That they were going to be a family again.’

‘Oh, honey. That is more about what Iris wants than what is true.’

‘But Iris wouldn’t lie. She’s my friend.’

‘She’s not lying, but I’m not sure she understands the situation.’

‘How do you know? She could be right. That would mean they wouldn’t need us anymore. Want to spend time with us. I love Miss Tessa and how she makes wonderful chicken Parmigiana. How she can do all the wonderful voices from The Lorax . We lost Mama. We can’t lose her and my friends too.’

She threw herself back into my arms, and I held on as her sobs rang in my ears.

The shuffling of feet made me look up. Tess raced toward us and stopped only inches away.

‘Is she okay?’

Lou didn’t deserve any of this. She needed to have a carefree life. To run and play with her friends. Not worry about the unraveling of her world.

‘Silvio grabbed her before she ran into the street and got hit by a truck,’ I snapped.

‘Oh, Manny,’ she gasped. ‘What can I do to help?’

‘I can’t do this with you right now,’ I flung back.

‘Talk to me,’ she pushed. ‘We’re friends.’

‘Are we?’ I said bitterly.

She flinched, and I held onto Lou tighter, knowing the last thing she needed was to hear me argue with the woman who’d been like a mother to her this last year.

‘I can handle this. Go back to your family, Tessa.’

She blinked back tears and gave me a broken nod. ‘I’m sorry,’ she whispered before walking away.

Lou continued to sob in my arms. I shouldn’t have snapped at Tess, but what was happening was confusing for someone as young as Lou. Hell, it was confusing for me.

I wanted to convince Lou that what Iris said and what was actually happening weren’t the same thing. But after watching how Billy had insinuated his way back into Tess’ life, I wasn’t sure I could promise her that anymore.