Page 279 of Love in Riverbend
“Ricky,” Cory Sims calls, coming closer and patting me on the shoulder. “We were hoping you’d show this morning.”
I nod to Joyce and take my cup, following Cory to the back table. “Who are we?”
Cory’s eyes circle the table. “About everyone. Dax has been organizing people to help at the Sheers farm.”
“He has?”
“You know Dax. He has spreadsheets and shit.” Cory laughs.
“Fuck,” I mumble. “I suppose I should have reached out to Dax.”
The bell above the door jingles as Dax Richards and Nick Dancy walk in together. Looking up, I think about how different the two men are. Dax is an attorney and does some shit with a title company. Nick is a plumber. On a cold Saturday morning, they are just two friends. A few steps behind, Mick Reynolds and Harvey Russel enter.
“Ricky,” Dax says, taking a chair across the table. “I’m glad you’re here.”
“Cory tells me that you and I need to talk.”
“About Justin and the farm?” Dax asks.
I nod. “I’m taking a sabbatical. I’ll be here until harvest or when Justin is ready to take over.”
Dax leans across the table. “I heard you were hired by Parker and Stevens in north Indy. That’s an accomplishment. You shouldn’t waste it.”
My lie about not getting the job is on the tip of my tongue.
Nick saves me by jumping in. “You know, Rick. You and Dax will make a good team, and we’re all willing to do what we can. Maybe then you can put off that sabbatical.”
I lift my coffee cup toward Dax. “Let’s talk.” Justin married my sister, and Dax married Justin’s sister. That’s Riverbend. “Family.”
“Family.” Dax smiles and lifts his cup.
I didn’t believe I was feeling sorry for myself, but the shock and relief of knowing I won’t be doing this alone alleviates stress I didn’t realize I was carrying. It is probably similar to the relief Justin felt when we spoke yesterday. Maybe there’s a way to save my job in the process.
If there is, I know who I owe for that possibility.
Regret is a bitter pill early in the morning, especially mixed with coffee.
“What do you boys want to eat?” Joyce asks, walking around the table and taking orders.
Cory elbows me after I give Joyce my order. “Are the rumors true about you and Marilyn James?”
Probably not anymore.
Chapter 31
Marilyn
A week later
“Have you been home?” I ask Devan, seated across the table from her in the hospital cafeteria.
She nods. “Once or twice. It’s nice knowing Ricky is there and the house isn’t empty.”
Devan pushes the leaves of her salad around in the bottom of the plastic container. When she looks up through veiled lashes, I know what’s coming.
“What happened between you two?”
Ricky and I aren’t a subject I’ve spoken to anyone about. Not even Jill. Everyone is too close to the epicenter of our tale. I’m also scared that if I start to talk about it, the waterworks will begin again. It took two days and so many hot baths that I was pruney before I could wear eye makeup.
