Page 17 of Ocotillo Kisses
Mrs. McKay’s eyes were bright, and her smile dimpled as she led Britt into the house, back to the kitchen where she’d set out a tray of fruits and cheese, a pitcher of ice water.
“I’m so excited,” Mrs. McKay said as she took a seat across the table from the chair she offered Britt. “I haven’t done anything like this in years, since the kids were young. Can you tell me what you’re thinking?” She picked up a pen and a pretty floral journal, ready to take notes.
Britt took a seat, opening her laptop wondering if Mrs. McKay was really that excited, or if she was in a hurry to get started so Britt could get out of here sooner.
“Well, I got my budget, and it’s not huge. The council assured me that people would bring their own fireworks like they did last year, but they also really wanted a band. Any band from San Angelo wanted more money than I thought we should spend, and also wanted rooms at the motel so they wouldn’t have to drive back late at night, which I don’t think Sofia would like, since her rooms are limited and she’s actually wanting to make money that weekend, and the town paying for it, well, that wouldn’t be in the budget. Kimmel doesn’t have a great selection of bands, though they have the dance hall, which to me doesn’t make sense. So I haven’t been able to track down a band. I talked to Hailey over at The Wheel House, and the bands she usually books are from Kimmel, so she didn’t have any leads for me. Do you know of any bands around here? Maybe people who used to be in bands, maybe, and might like to do a reunion?”
Mrs. McKay’s eyes widened. “What a great idea. I’ll ask around. That would be so much fun, wouldn’t it, revisiting the good old days.”
“And additionally, we wouldn’t have to pay them too much, since they’re not professional, you know? And if they’re local we wouldn’t have to worry about any travel expenses. Can I put you on that?”
“Absolutely.” Mrs. McKay made a note of it.
“I’ve been able to lure some food trucks for the day, but they’ll head back to San Angelo around eight, so we’ll have to hope everyone’s spent their money by then. I got a fried chicken truck, a Cajun one, an Asian fusion one and a churro truck.”
“That sounds wonderful! If I hit my goal for June, I’m totally allowing myself a cheat day.” Almost as soon as she said it, she looked as though she regretted it.
“I think that’s great,” Britt said sincerely.
“Whatever you do, don’t let yourself gain weight. It’s easier to put on than take off, and it is one of my greatest regrets.” She picked up a strawberry, then set it down. “I’m lucky Vic loved me no matter what.”
Britt nodded, not sure what to say.
“So I just kind of jumped right into things here. You must think I’m so rude. I just got excited. Tell me about your life. Do you like Houston? Do you like your business?”
Britt lowered the lid of her laptop and smiled across the table. “Yes, to all of that. There’s so much to see and do, and I’m always meeting new people. It was an adjustment at first, but now coming back here is the adjustment.”
“I can only imagine. I’d love to hear more about your job. I lived here my whole life, except when I went to Tech for college, but never in a big city.”
Britt gave in to the light in Mrs. McKay’s eyes, so she indulged her in telling her about all the restaurants, and going to the traveling shows that came through town, the concerts.
“When I first moved to Houston, I went to so many concerts. Some of them, I didn’t even know the artist, really, had just heard a song or two, but it was so much fun just to go, you know? I kind of backed off that a little, because it is more fun to go when you know more songs, at least in my opinion.”
She wanted to get back on track with the plans for the celebration, though, because she wanted to be out of here before Con came back. If Con came back. Maybe, like her, he’d look for her car and decide to make himself scarce until it was gone.
Finally she’d satisfied Mrs. McKay’s curiosity, and they got back to business. The woman was lonely. Clearly her loneliness went on beyond her widowhood. When Britt had known the woman thirteen years ago, she’d been at the center of town business, even though she’d lived on the outskirts of town.
When it was time to go, Mrs. McKay walked her to the door, though clearly she was exhausted. Britt wondered how much was the drain of company and how bad her health was overall.
“You come back and see me, Britt,” Mrs. McKay said, her hand on Britt’s arm. “It’s so good having you in the house again. I’ll make sure Con isn’t here, if that bothers you.”
“It was good to see you again, too,” Britt said, leaning in for a hug that lasted a bit longer than Britt was comfortable with. “I’ll come back. You don’t have to chase Con off. We’re adults now.”
The woman’s eyes were wet when Britt straightened, and she touched Britt’s hair. “I’m so happy you got to follow your dream and have so much success in your life. I always wanted that for you. For all of you.” She motioned to a picture behind Britt of Claudia and Con, one of those posed studio pictures that neither of them seemed too excited to be a part of.
Impulsively, Britt turned and hugged Mrs. McKay again. The woman had lost so much. “I’ll be back,” she promised.
When the two women walked out on the porch, Britt saw Con’s truck was down by the barn, and another truck nearby. Con was inside the corral with another man and a little girl, and he was showing the little girl how to saddle a horse, though the child was clearly too small to lift a saddle. Still, he had his head bent, and was showing her how to cinch the saddle, and the child was watching raptly.
Britt was pretty rapt, too, watching the muscles of his back beneath his snug white t-shirt, even at this distance.
The other man must have said something, because Con turned at the waist to look up at the house. He saw her, nodded, and turned back to his task.
“He gives Caleb Pearson’s daughter riding lessons twice a week,” Mrs. McKay said to her unasked question. “My husband wanted to do it, you know. He formed an attachment to Sophie. But he just wasn’t able. But Con does it, and he’s very good with her. I guess I never thought of him being good at something like that.”
Neither had Britt, and seriously, a little spark flicked on deep in her belly at the sight of his strong hands guiding the child into the saddle, then stepping back as she took the reins.
Britt had to resist going down for a closer look. He didn’t need the aggravation of her around him. So she said goodbye to his mother and drove off.
