Now what?
It’s lunchtime, but I’m far from hungry. Still, I need to eat. I won’t be any good to Donny, Rory, or anyone else who needs me without strength, and that requires fuel.
Rory’s in town today, teaching voice and piano in her little studio next to her former apartment and above Raine’s hair salon. Soon to be Willow White’s hair salon. Will Rory be able to keep her studio there?
I walk down the stairs, out of the building, and then two blocks to the salon. It’s closed now, since Raine’s out of town and Willow hasn’t opened yet, but Rory’s studio is accessible by a staircase in the back alley. I ascend and open the door. Lonnie Jefferson, a young woman who works at Rita’s part time, is sitting in the small waiting area, and through the wafer-thin walls, I hear the keys of a piano plunking.
“Hey, Lonnie,” I say. “Is Janae having her lesson?”
“She is. Almost done, I think. How are you, Callie?”
“I’m good.” Big lie there, but I’m used to it.
“Your family getting along okay?”
The pity. Here it goes again. I force a smile. “We’re all fine. Thank you for asking.”
“If there’s anything Jerry or I can do, please let us know.”
“Of course. That’s kind of you. But we’re getting along fine.”
She smiles. “I’m glad to hear that. I’m sorry to hear about Raine and Rory.”
My, good news certainly travels fast in this small town. I should be used to it by now, but I’m not. I’m a private person.
“They’re both in a good place,” I reply.
“That’s good to know, and”—she flashes a toothy smile—“you and Donny Steel, I hear?”
Lonnie is a nice person, but I never knew her to be the town crier. When a Steel is involved, though…
“We’re seeing each other,” is all I give her.
“I’m thrilled for you.”
I’m not sure how to reply, so I’m thankful I don’t have to. Six-year-old Janae barrels out of the studio. She’s an adorable knobby-kneed first grader, and Rory says she has a lot of potential on the piano.
I’ll take her word for it. All I heard was plinking of single keys.
“How’d it go, sweetie?” Lonnie asks her daughter.
“Good! Miss Rory says I passed all my songs.”
Rory smiles. “She’s a natural, Lonnie. You wouldn’t believe how many students can’t find middle C after ten lessons. She got it the first time.”
Janae smiles, cute with one of her front teeth missing. “Thank you, Miss Rory.”
“Not at all. See you next time, Janae!”
Janae and her mother leave the studio, and I turn to my sister.
“How are you holding up?”
She sighs. “I’m good. Just worried. Not just about the Pat Lamone thing, but about my livelihood. Raine’s already drawing up the paperwork for Willow to buy this place. Willow may not want amateur pianists and vocalists making noise above her salon.”
“You can see your students at home. Mom and Dad won’t mind.”
“Who wants to drive a half hour to a lesson when they’re used to walking a few steps outside?” Rory shakes her head. “Won’t work.”
She’s right, of course.
Things are changing for the Pikes.
And not for the better.
Still, I have happiness in my heart because of Donny.
I almost feel guilty for it.
Then I remember those words. Back in a fucking cage.
I can’t. Can’t allow myself to go there. Donny wouldn’t want me to pry. Would he? I love him so much. I don’t want to take any chance of losing him.
Besides, if Donny finds out about the whole Pat Lamone situation…
“We should talk, Ror. Have you reached out to Jordan and Carmen yet?”
“Not yet. Jordan’s in as big a mess as we are with the fire. Uncle Scott and Aunt Lena don’t even own the property. They just live on it and make a living. That fire has screwed us all. And then Raine. And Willow White. Not to mention that asshole Lamone.” Rory’s eyes cloud up.
“Hey, we’ll get through it.” But even I don’t believe my words.
“Cal…”
“Yeah?”
“You don’t suppose Donny would…”
“Would what?”
“Never mind.”
“Oh. You were about to ask if he might be able to…”
“Yeah. Forget I even thought it.”
“I won’t lie, Rory. It’s crossed my mind. But I’m not asking my boyfriend for money. I can’t do it. Would you ask Raine?”
“It’s not comparable. Raine and I aren’t together anymore.” She paused. “But…no. I wouldn’t.”
“See?”
“But it’s hardly comparable, as I said. Raine’s a hair stylist with a modest income. Donny Steel’s a freaking billionaire. He can afford to save all of us. It’s pennies to him.”
“I know. And trust me, it’s crossed my mind, but that’s not how we’re wired, Rory. We don’t take charity. I can’t stomach the idea.”
“Normally I can’t either, but this Lamone thing has me on edge. Big time.”
“Me too. You want to grab lunch? I’ve still got a half hour.”
“Not hungry.”
“You think I am?” I shake my head. “Not in the slightest. But we have to eat, Ror. If we don’t, we risk becoming weak, and we can’t be weak right now.”
She sighs. “You’re right. What sounds good?”
I scoff. “Nothing. But Rita’s is the cheapest, so that’s my choice.”
“Good enough.” Rory follows me out of the studio and locks the door behind her. “We need to talk about how to approach Jordan and Carmen, anyway. I’d rather we do it together.”
I nod.
My sister’s right.
The problem? I don’t want to talk about Jordan and Carmen. Or Pat Lamone. Or the fire and what it’s cost us. Or Raine and Willow White.
All I want is to run.
Take Donny Steel and run.
Chapter Seven
Donny
I told Callie the phone call I got right before she left my office wasn’t important. In the grand scheme of things, perhaps it isn’t.
Except that it is.
It was John Lambert. He’s thought of a way I can pay him back, and he wants to meet me for lunch here in town.
I’m headed over to Lorenzo’s. I’m steering clear of Rita’s—where the sheriff and his officers lunch nearly every day—and Ava’s—where I’ll run into my cousin and probably other family members who may be in town for the day.
Lorenzo’s is a safe bet.
Well…the safest Snow Creek has to offer. If Murphy shows up, I’ll feign that I’m working with Lambert to get Murphy reimbursed for the damages he’ll suffer by being closed for a week.
The week is a boon. I asked Lambert for three days.
I’m not unhappy about the extra time, especially with all that’s going on with Dad’s hospitalization. More time is good.