Page 14 of Inevitable

CHAPTER SEVEN

Sunday, July 23rd

Brady parked his truck in front of Claire’s ranch house and hoped like hell she liked surprises. He’d decided not to call and see if she wanted company because it would give her a chance to say no. When he’d read about the dog adoption fair at Beaullieu Park, he’d known it would be the perfect excuse.

He got out of his truck and hoped she had recovered from the hangover she was probably suffering from. Lilly had made a deadly thing called an Orange Blossom, which had mandarin vodka, Bayou Satsuma Rum, lemon, orange juice, and star anise. The ladies had more than a few and he figured they were all suffering today. He, Brock, and Hunter had kept to beer, so he was feeling as fit as a fiddle on this beautiful Sunday afternoon.

As he walked up the path to Claire’s front door, he took the time to notice that the front was nicely landscaped and she had an impressive array of flowers blooming next to the front door. Which meant someone had taught her about the importance of gardening.

A house wasn’t a home until a woman took hold of it and made things right, and it seemed that Claire had done just that with her small house. He knocked on the front door and hoped she wasn’t going to be too pissed that he’d shown up.

Didn’t seem like that was going to be possible because the woman who opened the door did not look happy at all. Claire was wearing a pair of pink boxers, a T-shirt that advertised the local drive-through daiquiri place, and a hairstyle he didn’t dare to describe. “Hey, darlin’.”

“Brady, what are you doin’ here?”

“I found a dog fair for us to go to.”

When she stepped back, he walked in and closed the door behind him. Looking around, he knew he’d been right about a woman making a home. Claire had made this old house a beautiful, warm sanctuary. There were pictures hung on the walls, bookcases stuffed with books and mementos, and a soft blanket draped over the couch. All the touches that men never thought of were present. “Go put some clothes on and we can grab some lunch and then see if we like any of the dogs that are up for adoption.”

Sighing, she slowly walked into the kitchen and pulled out a pitcher of iced tea, then filled two glasses. “I don’t want to get dressed.”

Shrugging, he took the glass of tea she offered, sat on one of the stools at the bar, and grinned. “Just put a bra on, then, and a pair of shorts. Our dog could be out there and we don’t want to miss him just ’cause you didn’t want to get dressed.”

Slapping her hand on the counter, she huffed out a breath. “I was having a peaceful afternoon binging on Criminal Minds and I do not need the likes of you interrupting me.”

“Fine, don’t put a bra on. Just don’t be mad when I hit someone for staring.”

Waving her hand around, she sputtered, “This is why I decided to try online dating. The crazies are usually weeded out.”

He took a healthy drink and shrugged. “Yeah, I don’t think that’s working out so good.”

“If this is your charming personality, I’m going to give a hard pass.”

“I’ll take you to Olde Tyme Grocery and get you a sandwich and a snowball.” When her shoulders lowered and some of her venom disappeared, he figured she was softening. He kept his mouth shut and drank his tea because if wanted a chance, he’d best not gloat.

“I’ll be ordering fries to go along with my sandwich.”

“Wouldn’t expect anything less.”

“I’m not putting on any makeup.”

“You’re too pretty to need anything.” He watched her fiddle with the towel next to the sink and then take a drink of her tea. If he was a betting man, he’d say he had her. Could be the promise of fries and a snowball. Whatever it was, he was grateful.

“All right.”

The smile that threatened to break across his face would not make her happy, so he looked down at his glass and tried to keep a straight face. If she got any hint as to how satisfied he was, she would take back her yes and just give him a bunch of no’s. “Thank you,” he said.

“I see that smile you’re fighting and I suggest you keep doing it. A woman does not like to think that she’s easily played.”

“Never thought that for a moment.” When she walked out of the kitchen, he let out a breath. So far so good. All he had to do was take small steps in the direction that he wanted them to end up and hope like hell she didn’t figure it out until they’d arrived. If God was planning on bestowing any favors on him, he sure would like Claire to be happy when they did.

***

Brady sat next to Claire in the small dining room that sat adjacent to the market and enjoyed his sandwich. They were sitting at the table right next to the stuffed bear and he swore the dead animal was glaring. Not much had been said since they sat down and started eating and he hoped it was due to the deliciousness of the po’boys in front of them. He didn’t mind quiet while he ate. He just wanted a little indication from Claire that she didn’t either.

His bold move this afternoon had as much of a chance at failing as it did at succeeding and he didn’t know which side they were closest to. He figured once she’d had a snowball, she would think this was all a pretty good idea. “Need anything?” he asked as she took a break.

“My goodness, no. This is perfect.” Leaning back, she bumped into old Smokey and laughed. “Not every day you eat next to a bear.”

---