Page 19 of A Family Affair: The Vow
But maybe that philosophy had been all wrong...
10
“So how are things going with your aunt?” Vic held the board while Josh measured it. They were working in Mrs. Desantro’s, a.k.a. Mrs. D’s, garage, building a workbench for Lily to lay out and put together her pressed-flower collection. “You haven’t mentioned her in a few days so I’m guessing things are settling down?”
Josh cut the board to the line, let out a loud curse. “It’s only going well when she’s asleep. The minute she opens her mouth, the lecture starts. She’s so damn uptight, it’s ridiculous. All she wants to do is tell me how to improve mysituation,as she calls it, and then she starts slamming me with questions about my future, my girlfriend, where do I see myself in ten years.” Another curse, a scowl. “How am I supposed to know that when I don’t know where I see myself next week?”
Yeah, Rachel Darlington had a way of spinning people around, pointing out what she perceived as their weaknesses and areas that required improvement, though she’d been almost tolerable these last five days. Once they’d gotten past the initial I-don’t-want-to-work-with-you BS, they’d both settled down and she actually listened to Vic’s instructions, asked questions, and by day four, she understood purchasing, receiving, the warehouse, and could navigate the software system with 90% accuracy.
It was a start. And if she continued to grasp the rest of the business this fast, Vic bet in a few weeks he’d be able to give up his three-hour training sessions and head back to ND Manufacturing. Okay, she’d still have to contact him if she had questions, but he wouldn’t need to sit next to her, walk her through every step...inhale her citrus scent. Vic cleared his throat, tossed out the first thought that landed in his brain. “She’s just not used to having a kid around.”
Josh bristled. “A kid? I’m not a kid, Vic. Just say the truth. Rae’s not used to havinganyonearound who has an opinion that’s different from hers. She wants to tell us all what to do, when to do it, how to do it. Line us up like robots.” His voice amped up three decibels. “It doesn’t work that way. People have opinions and they should be allowed to speak them, don’t you think?”
“Yup.” Boy, he’d nailed that observation better than he’d nailed the last board. “She does seem to like that control feature, and maybe right now, it’s because she’snotin control.”
Josh laughed. “Oh, you mean because she’s around normal people instead of those stuffed shirts she hangs with...like Dick, the boyfriend?”
Dick, the boyfriend. “Right, like that. It’s an adjustment for her. Small-town life, quieter, not the constant hustle-bustle and nonstop work. It’s a lot different and so are the people but you have to give her credit for coming here and helping out.” Vic lifted another board onto the sawhorses, waited for Josh’s response.
“Sure, I’ll give her aCfor coming since she hasn’t been here in three years. Guess that says she does have a heart after all and maybe even realizes what family means.”
Those comments were touching on some serious emotion. “Did you ever ask why she hasn’t been around?” Was Vic the reason she’d avoided this place? He’d wondered that now and again, but he’d always kept it buried deep in his brain.
“Nope. The last time she visited she was really cool, not so uptight. I thought it would be more of the same this time. Sure, it’s a bummer about Mom and things are rough, but I figured we’d pull together, party a little, just chill and get through it until my mom could get back.”
“Are we still talking about the way she went after you for the mess in the house?” Rae had been right on that one—no excuse for a pigsty—especially when the pigsty didn’t belong to him.
“Nah, I get it. I shouldn’t have done that, but I can’t even have Hannah stay over. Rae gives me the stink eye when I tell her I’m not coming home. She knows I’m staying at Hannah’s, but she never calls me on it, just stands there staring at me like she wants to burn me with those eyes. I keep waiting for her to lash out, but she never does.” A long breath, followed by a laugh. “Bet it’s killing her to stay quiet.”
Vic ran the sander over the edge of the board. “Hey, gotta give her credit for that.”
“She gets one star. You know what I think she needs?” Josh set down the nail gun, held Vic’s gaze. “She needs a good, long, hard—”
“Hey. That’s enough.”
“It could relax her.” Josh eyed him, smiled. “And I’m thinking you might be just the one to provide that service.”
“Josh, if you say one more word about your aunt that has to do with sex or service, I’ll consider it a sign of disrespect and you won’t like the repercussions.”
The boy stepped back as if he thought Vic might flatten him. “I’m not trying to be disrespectful. I’m trying to get a breath and livemylife, but she won’t let me do it. What does she know about relationships anyway? She bailed on us, she’s got a dweeb for a boyfriend, and she’s so hung up on being in charge she doesn’t know what it means to feel.” He homed in on Vic, as though picturing him and Rae together. “You’re a no-BS kind of guy. All the women are after you and even when you break their hearts, they’re not talking bad about you. They’re just hoping for another chance to change your mind about commitment, marriage… All that crap.”
Yeah, all of that, which was not going to happen. “Your aunt has a boyfriend, and even if she didn’t, I’m not her favorite person. We don’t really get along and we’re only working together to help the business and to help your mom.”
A slow smile spread across Josh’s face. “When I mention your name, you should see how red she gets. She sniffs like she’s smelled bad Chinese takeout, she blinks hard, and stumbles over her words. When have you ever known Rae to stumble over anything? I might not be a psychologist, but either she really can’t stand you or she’s really attracted to you and doesn’t want to admit it… even to herself. I’m going with the last one. I think she’s got a thing for you and that’s driving her crazy.”
No way, not possible. Vic’s ridiculous heart thumped two times faster. He drew in a breath, blew it out nice and slow. “Doubtful. Is the boyfriend interchangeable or would I just be… WhatwouldI be? A diversion?”
The smile inched further, the laugh followed. “Maybe. Probably. But who knows? Less likely people have ended up together. How about Nate and Christine Desantro? What about that one? Or Cash and Tess Casherdon? The guy kills her brother, and years later, here they are…married with children. Sounds like a real soap opera. Want me to keep going?”
Vic frowned. “Please don’t. I’ve heard enough.” Josh was grabbing at possibilities, and they had to be wrong. Rae couldn’t stand him,andshe had Dick, the boyfriend. As for Vic, even if deep down he admitted to the tiniest interest in her, he’d never act on it. Nope, he’d been down that path before and he wasn’t getting burned again.
“I got a feel for this kind of thing. I’ve been trying to find somebody for my mother but it’s been a dead end.” He must have seen Vic’s expression because he shrugged. “She’s still kind of young and she deserves to be happy. I’m not saying she needs a man to be happy, but if she had one, then she could live her own life and I could live mine.”
Typical kid, always considering the angle that would give him his own freedom. “Thanks for the input, but I think you’re off on Rae.”
“Just observe, that’s all I’m asking. See if she gets jittery or stumbles over her words or gives any indication she’s not in control when you talk to her or when she’s around you. Yup, that means she’s got a thing for you and you should take advantage of it.”
“I’ve never taken advantage of a woman in my life and I’m not going to start now.” This discussion was getting way past personal. “Now do you want to learn how to make a miter joint?”
