When the Heart Lies - By Christina North Page 0,35
the bed grunting and tugging as she feigned resistance. Once she stood, he dropped her arm quickly and bolted toward the bathroom, announcing, “I have to pee, pee.”
“Wash your hands.”
When Max re-entered the hallway, his little feet were clad in his favorite red rain boots that he had decided were perfect for combating the sandy trek to Colt’s house. They headed to the kitchen, him following close behind her. The second time, his foot caught her flip-flop, she stumbled into the kitchen. Wayde, no surprise, remained sitting exactly as she’d left him. By this time, Savannah had woken from her typical hangover and sat slumped in the chair next to him.
“The Queen is up,” Savannah said.
Without looking at her, Kinsley sighed heavily and said, “Don’t start with me. Max, you go out on the porch and stay put. I’ll fix your Goldfish and milk. You can have your snack outside.” When he was out of earshot, she scowled at the two of them. “I asked you to leave the door open when you’re smoking.” Not only could she smell the foul odor, the smoke hung in the air casting streams of dirty, white ribbons. She was so bottled up that if she let her anger out now, she’d surely say something she’d regret. She needed to get away from the house for a while.
Wayde grumbled and lit another cigarette. “How many times do I have to tell you? The door has a hole in the screen.”
Before weighing her words, she said, “When are you going to get off your ass and fix it?”
He slammed his hand down on the table. Startled by the sudden sound, she spun around. He shook his finger at her, slow and methodical. The end of his cigarette glowed bright orange looking nearly as fuelled as he did. “Look. I don’t know who you think you’re talking to, but if I were you, I’d start thinking twice before opening your mouth to me.”
“I’m taking Max down to Colt’s to play for a while.”
“You ain’t going nowhere.” He looked over at Savannah. “Make any tips last night? Don’t go givin’ ‘em to Remy. Put them in the bank and save them. I’ve been saving for thirty years. Got a dream girl waiting for me.” He swung his head in Kinsley’s direction. “Not like this smartass.”
Thirty years of saving? Can dream girl come today? “Or Savannah could pay some rent.” Kinsley pitched the spoon from the milk into the sink and headed out to the porch. Her teeth clamped so tightly the tension crept up her jaw and into her temples.
Savannah glared at him. “You gonna’ let her talk to me like that? You told me she wasn’t gonna be no trouble.”
“You just mind your business. I’ll take care of her.”
The porch door opened and slammed closed as Kinsley and Max left.
Savannah eyed Wayde. “Don’t look like you’re taking care of her to me. Shoot. I ain’t never seen you let no one talk to you that way.”
He ignored her comment. “Remy comin’ over tonight?”
Without looking up, she continued picking at her nails. “Ain’t sure. I asked him to.” She sounded snotty.
“I said I’ll take care of her, damn it. Now get me some sweet tea, would ya.”
~ ~ ~
Kinsley and Max strolled leisurely along the dirt road to Veda’s place, stopping to play now and again. The heat radiating from the ground gave the air above it a rippling appearance, and when the swarms of gnats were too much to bear, they sped up.
“Max don’t get too far ahead.”
He always hurried to get to Colt’s. There wasn’t much for him to do back at the house. They had no cable, so there were none of his favorite shows, and they had left most of his toys in New York. The swing with a slide in the backyard was okay, but he hated the prickly crabgrass and the sand that would work its way into his shoes making him itchy.
Max reached Veda’s before she did. When she caught up, the boys had gone to the barn already. It never seemed to bother Veda when they were in the barn alone, but Kinsley felt uneasy whenever they were. Colt knew all the rules, but Max had never even seen a barn before.
Veda, a little woman, all country, had her blonde hair pulled back and wore her favorite Garth brooks T-shirt and a pair of worn out jean shorts. She waved vigorously in Kinsley’s direction. “Hey, how ya doing, hun?