When Noonday Ends: A Southern Romantic-Suspense Novel - Nantahala - Book Two Read online

  Cassandra rolled her eyes. “You guys are ridiculous. Sit down and eat,” she demanded. “You and your French…and I do know that means I don’t know what. Radiant…humph!” She harrumphed again as she sat to the right of her husband. “So, Chad told you the news, I take it.”

  Chad risked a peek in his direction, shrugging his shoulders. “Should have known we couldn’t catch Cassie off guard.” He laughed and scooped up her hand and then held his hand out to Tom. Tom accepted his friend’s hand, then picked up Turner’s little hand across the table, as Cass picked up her son’s other hand, a custom he had become comfortable with at the Wilkinsons’ house. Chad said a quick blessing and then they passed around the plates.

  As much as Tom loved coming to their house, sometimes he wondered if it did more harm than good. It made him long for what he didn’t have. He enjoyed his time with his niece and sister too, but he knew he’d enjoy it that much more if he didn’t always wish he had a family of his own.

  His phone buzzed and he pulled it out of his pocket. He had to make sure it wasn’t his boss, even at dinner. The firm wouldn’t be happy if he didn’t accept a call, at least while he was still a newb.

  “I’m sorry…”

  Chad waved him off. He understood, as his father had been a doctor, and Cass’ father had been an attorney, so they knew he had to be available at all times. Although, he always made the call short. Took the message and hung up.

  “Tom Turner,” he said as an answer.

  “Tom. Hey…it’s Shelby.”

  “Hang on.” Tom bounded from the table and walked across the room to the outside deck, waving at Cass and Chad to carry on with dinner. “Hey. Are you okay?” he asked the moment he was outside the French doors.

  “Yeah. I’m good. It’s been a tough day, but as you know, there wasn’t any love lost between Carlin and me. The hardest part has been trying to figure out how to tell Justin. Though, so far, he hasn’t even asked. He’s with his grandfather right now.”

  Tom sighed with relief. For a second, he thought that maybe she was back in jail. But now he wondered why she was calling him. “I can’t imagine,” was the only thing he could think to say, which was the truth.

  “Hey, I was wondering. I haven’t been out of the house in forever. I never trusted Carlin alone with Justin, and I, of course, had no desire to go anywhere with Carlin, so I’ve been chained up around this house.” She paused long enough for a breath, then started again, “I was wondering if maybe you’d meet me out somewhere. So we could…I don’t know…talk.”

  Tom was speechless. “Uh…” He’d never been speechless in his life that he could remember.

  “If that’s not kosher, that’s okay. I just…you’re the only person I feel as though I know, and I’d hate to go out by myself.”

  He paced the deck, peeking inside at Chad and Cassandra, who seemed to be watching his every move through the glassed-in wall. Or was he imagining their staring because he felt guilty for what he wanted?

  “No, no…um…there’s nothing wrong with it. I’m not your attorney, after all.” He wasn’t, and that fact caused a smile to lift his cheeks as he realized at that moment how much he wanted to see Shelby again. “Sure,” he finally said, recovering from his stuttering speechlessness. “Where would you like to meet?”

  “There’s a place on Depot Street in Bryson City. They have awesome burgers and wings, and sometimes they have a live band.”

  He almost choked. The woman was speaking his language. Though he didn’t drink much anymore, he still loved to sit and watch the game with strangers, making him feel as though he weren’t alone. “I know the place. It’s one of my favorites. What time?”

  “Eight too late?”

  “Not at all. I’ll see you at eight.” He tapped the ‘end’ icon and opened the French doors that led to the open kitchen area and great room.

  “Oh, man!” Chad rolled out a laugh as soon as he stepped inside. “My boy has it bad. That was her, wasn’t it?” Chad asked through his laughter. “In all the years I’ve known you, you’ve never gone outside to take a call.”

  Tom smacked his friend on the head as he walked by, then slid into his chair. “Yes, I have.”

  Chad shook his head. “Uh-uh. Never. Not once. You’ve never cared what anyone thought, Tom. No biggie. You know I don’t care. Just sayin’.”

  Tom glanced across the table at Cass for her opinion.

  She smiled sweetly but shook her head. “Never, Tom. Chad’s right.”

  “Really?” he asked. “Well, aren’t I the rude one?”

  They both laughed and then Chad smiled wide. “My boy’s in love with a girl he doesn’t even know, who may or may not have killed her husband.”

  Cassandra slapped his arm. “Walter Chadwick Wilkinson!”

  “Oops…I’ve done it now.” Chad laughed. “I only hear my full given name in passion or anger, and we ain’t in the bedroom.”

  “Innocent until proven guilty, my dear husband. I think I remember a time you said that to me.” Cass was giving Chad the same spiel he had. Of course, she was an attorney too, just not practicing, so she’d be on his side. “And, Tom.” Uh-oh. He peeked up at her. What had he done? “Are you sure it’s wise to be seeing this woman.”

  He ran his hand through his hair. “I honestly don’t know. But I’m a hundred percent sure she’s innocent, and she’s not my client, so I don’t see how it can be unethical.”

  “It may not be unethical, but you could get hurt badly—again.” She smiled softly as she said the words. Cassandra was one in a million. But if there were any chance he could find his needle in a haystack, he had to try. And no woman—other than Cassandra—had ever caught his heart, and more importantly, his mind, within seconds, as Shelby had. He had to know; he couldn’t let Shelby slip through his fingers without knowing.

  “I know I’m treading on dangerous ground, but I don’t think I have a choice. I can’t stop thinking about her. I couldn’t even sleep last night.”

  Chad watched the exchange without saying a word and then lost the obnoxious grin and nodded as though he understood. “You have to try, Tom. I’ve never seen you like this. You’re completely smitten.”

  Tom sat back in his chair, inhaled a deep breath, and then picked up his fork. He dug into the pot roast Cass had probably worked on all day.

  After swallowing the mouthful that practically melted in his mouth, he looked up at Chad’s wife. “By the way, Cass, you do look radiant, but of course, I’ve always thought that. Congratulations,” he said, picking up his water glass as a salute to his two best friends. “You guys are the greatest. I’m going to see Shelby at eight, but I’ll be fine.” He grinned. “At least I know she doesn’t have a disgruntled ex-husband who’ll try to beat me up. So, what’s the worst thing that could happen? It’s not as though I’m marrying her…we’re just meeting for wings.”

  Chapter Fourteen

  Tom arrived fifteen minutes early at the local bar that he and his friends used to frequent after kayaking when they didn’t feel like driving to Cherokee.

  He selected a high table at the end of the room, farthest away from the stage and the DJ booth, in case a band would be playing this evening. As much as he liked the atmosphere, he’d prefer to talk where it was quiet.

  He glanced at his watch every five minutes after he arrived, and now that it was 8:15, he found himself looking at his wrist at least once a minute, wondering if his watch was broken. He couldn’t believe she was going to stand him up. Well, at least it would solve that problem. No way would he agree to go out again if she stood him up. Had something happened? he suddenly wondered.

  A check of his iPhone revealed his watch was working fine, and she hadn’t called. He’d programmed in her number this time, so he’d see if she called.

  He was about to get up when a woman walked into the bar, turning every man’s head in the tavern. He swallowed hard as his mouth dropped open.

  Remembering his manners, he scrambled to
his feet to pull out a stool for her. It was a good thing he’d gotten lessons from Chad because this woman was going to get him into trouble, he was sure.

  “Wow…” Other than the one word that flew out of his mouth, he was speechless again. He held the back of the metal high-top stool as she climbed up, thankful he’d picked a barstool facing the wall; otherwise, he had no idea how every guy in the joint wouldn’t be able to see up that tiny jean skirt.

  The strip of denim was doing a fabulous job of showing off the impeccable curve of her backside, while the white tank top clung to her front, revealing flawlessly proportioned breasts. Not too big, not too small. Perfect.

  He lowered his eyes, letting his gaze drop to the floor, but then he saw the cowboy boots that covered the bottom half of her legs, and he couldn’t help but continue his gaping up the rest of her tanned legs that almost looked…‘glowing’. Had he really thought that? Yep, her skin was glowing.

  “Up here, Mr. Turner,” she said through a laugh, causing his head to pop up and discontinue his ogling. Where the heck were his manners? He’d forgotten that both times he’d seen Shelby she’d been incarcerated. He had no idea that she could look better than she already had.

  As he took his seat, he chuckled. “Did I say ‘wow’ already?”

  “Yes, you did.” She didn’t seem the least bit offended. Evidently, Shelby knew she was hotter than Florida in August. And Florida was sweltering in August. She tilted her head, which must be her ‘play up the sweet-thang’ look even more. This woman knew how to work what the good Lord gave her. “Well, I must say that you’re making me blush, Tom Turner.” She lowered her head, as if in his confidence. “But I like it. I was afraid that maybe I’d lost my looks in the last couple of years.”

  Tom shook his head, trying to retain the childish grin that threatened to give away his suave approach he normally had with women. “Not at all, darling. What would you like to drink? I don’t think there’s a waitress working tonight. Then again, maybe I haven’t recognized that there might be another woman in this place.”

  She giggled, and Tom was in his glory. He wouldn’t be speechless again. This was what he did. He spoke for a living. And after a few drinks, it would be time for a little interrogation, the fun kind.

  Shelby tilted her head as her lips curved into a sweet pout, causing his heart to tap out a rhythm against his chest in response.

  “Hmm…” she finally said, touching her finger to her mouth and then nibbling on her manicured fingernail. “How ’bout a white wine spritzer?”

  He hopped off the barstool and headed toward the bartender without a word. He needed to catch his breath. Either, she knew how sexy she was and played it up, or she hadn’t a clue that she was driving him crazy.

  New Tom, he recited to himself. You’re the new Tom, not the old Tom. Do not get carried away.

  He carried her spritzer and a bottle of Coors back to the table. “I ordered a plate of wings while I was up there. You mentioned wings, right?” But then the thought of watching her lick those delicate fingers while eating hot wings, sent his mind into a tailspin again.

  New Tom, he chanted internally.

  She nodded, accepting her drink from him. As soon as he sat on the barstool, she slurped down the entire drink. He hopped off the stool, laughing. “You need something stronger?”

  “No.” She wiped at her mouth with her fingers. “I just needed something to take off the edge.”

  He nodded in understanding and made his way to the bar. The men sitting at the bar stopped talking as soon as he approached.

  Not good, he thought again.

  His father had always warned him against the struggles of dating a beautiful woman, said he’d had to defend his mother’s honor more times than he could count when they were young.

  Of course, Tom had always dated beautiful women, but Shelby stood out in a crowd. Her height, her shape, her long blond hair. Everything about her made her stand out like a walking beer commercial.

  And the clothes she wore didn’t detract. He certainly didn’t mind them. But he didn’t want to test his newly learned skills on the first day, as most of these men appeared as though they’d been in a brawl or two.

  Accepting his drinks from the bartender, he returned to his date without making eye contact with any of the male vultures perched and ready to partake the moment he crashed and burned.

  “So, Shelby, tell me about yourself,” he said as he took his seat again, hoping a server would start to help them soon. He’d told the bartender he’d take care of him with a hefty tip if he didn’t have to keep going up to the bar for food and drinks. And then to show his sincerity, he gave him a twenty for starters.

  She shrugged. “What’s to tell? You said you read my file, so you already know my history.”

  “True. Okay...How about telling me how you and Carlin met. Not to be rude, since he was your husband once, and he’s now gone, but—”

  “I know,” she cut in. “He was…sweet...at first. And I guess…well, I guess I wanted someone who could take care of me. I was doing well. College was paid for…I got good grades. But when he wined and dined me and showed me his life.” She sighed. “I guess…I just got lazy. I gave him what he wanted and next thing I knew I was pregnant.”

  She dropped her head, and Tom felt bad for bringing it up. What man asked a woman how she met her husband? “Tell me about Justin,” he said quickly, changing the subject.

  A beautiful smile spread across her face. “He’s the best. You know how people say they wouldn’t change a thing, even if they could avoid the sorrow. It’s true. If I had to endure all the beatings, I’d do it again. Of course, I wouldn’t have ever gone back with Carlin the second time. But my son is heaven sent. He’s worth every ounce of pain that loser caused me.”

  “He sounds wonderful. How old?”

  Shelby tilted her head and laughed, her slender fingers toying with her stirrer stick. “Do you have kids, Tom?”

  “I have a niece and nephew, both thirteen months.”

  She nodded, lifting the straw to her lips and chewing on the edge. “Oh, that makes sense then. Justin was two last month.”

  “What makes sense?” he couldn’t help but ask.

  “I don’t know. Not many single men are interested in a woman with a child.”

  He laughed. “And what makes you think I’m interested?”

  “You’re not?” She feigned shock, throwing her hand against her chest as if he’d thrust a knife into her.

  He ran his fingers over her hand that she still had wrapped around her glass. “Yes, I’m definitely interested.”

  New Tom, he reminded himself for the hundredth time. The old Tom is gone. He knew he could get her into bed, but he didn’t want a trophy; he wanted the real thing for once. He retracted his hand, but he swore he felt electricity surge through him. Man, Chad was right. He was toast.

  She peeked up at him beneath thick eyelashes. “Thank goodness I didn’t go through all this work fixing up myself if you weren’t interested.”

  He threw back his head, releasing a burst of laughter. “Shelby, I was interested in you the first time I saw you in an orange jumpsuit. You could have walked through that door wearing a potato sack and I’d still be interested.”

  “Whew. Okay then, ice is broken. So tell me about being an attorney. What kind of cases have you had?”

  Tom relayed his one ridiculous case with the rabbit farmer and his neighbors. She rolled with laughter, and he loved it. For the first time since he’d taken the case, he was glad he had. Hearing Shelby laugh made the entire situation bearable.

  The bartender brought their food and asked if they wanted another round of drinks. Tom passed, but Shelby ordered another. “I came in a taxi. I hope that’s okay,” she said after the man left the table.”

  “That’s great. I’ll be happy to drive you home.”

  They talked about close to everything for hours, and Tom knew Shelby was the one he’d been looking for.
>
  He leaned forward. “So, I have another question, an important one…”

  She inclined her body toward him, mirroring his actions. “Go for it! You already know every detail of my life. Although, I don’t think I told you the name of my favorite teddy bear growing up.”

  Tom roared. He’d asked her a million questions. “What is it? By all means I have to know that about you.”

  “Casanova. ’Course, I call him Cass for short.”

  “Funny, my best friend’s wife is Cass too, only she’s Cassandra. Okay…my question. Do you like to kayak?”

  “Love! Love! Love!” she squealed. “Andy and I used to go all the time.”

  “Will you marry me, Shelby?” he joked, but not entirely.

  Her eyes sparkled. Although it was probably from the wine, it still made them even more beautiful, if that were possible. “Sure…um, wait. Maybe not. I have a question before I can say yes.”

  He lowered his head and stared into those baby blues. “I was kidding…”

  She waved her hand. “Oh, I know. But seriously, I have an important question for you, Tom.” Her glassy gaze focused intently on him, as though she would be able to read his answer. “Have you…have you ever hit a woman?”

  Oh, God! he thought, swallowing a breath and sitting up. Blood rushed through his body as his heart pumped double-time, causing his vision to blur from the immediate rise in his pressure for a second. He wasn’t ready to share that part of his past. “Umm…” He was speechless again…he never said um. He’d excelled in speech and had taken Gold in Persuasive Speaking nationally.

  Her breath hitched in her throat, and she pushed against the table, trying to move her barstool back. Tom reached for her arm, and she jerked it out from underneath his touch.

  “Don’t touch me,” she screamed, and the entire bar seemed to still. “I can’t believe—”