Between Tears by Pamela Ridley

Author:Pamela Ridley
Language: eng
Format: epub
ISBN: 978-1-58571-517-6
Publisher: Kensington
Published: 2006-04-04T00:00:00+00:00

Chapter 23

Andrea

“Girl? What is this? Why are you throwing away these perfectly good flowers? Did you and Ben have a fight?” Distressed, BJ stood over the trash can in my kitchen.

I poured a second cup of coffee and offered more to BJ, but he declined. “No, those aren’t from Benjamin, BJ, they’re from Eugene. Since his open house, he’s sent me flowers three times; twice at school and once here.”

“Oh, poor thing; can’t get a clue. And after all those years you two were apart. What’s his problem?”

“I don’t know. Well, I kind of do. You see this scar?” I pointed and leaned toward him.

“Yeah. What happened?”

I filled him in on the details, while BJ placed each rose on damp paper towels. “What! I know Benjamin was hot! Folks don’t play that mess. Eugene’s going to end up dead not respecting boundaries.” He found the card and read it. “‘For me.’ I don’t think so, my brother.”

“Actually, the cards would be kind of cute if they weren’t unwelcome. On the first card it said ‘You are,’ on the second card it said ‘The one’ and then this last one.”

“Cute my ass, what are you going to do about him?”

“I’m getting hang-up calls. I’m thinking about calling the police.”

“Have you told Benjamin?”

I closed my eyes and shook my head. “Nope.” I sighed and sat down at the kitchen table. This was bad. If I told Benjamin, I’d never hear the end of it. As it stood now, I’d already kicked myself enough for misjudging Eugene. I didn’t need anymore help from Benjamin in that regard.

“Tell Benjamin.” BJ opened drawers and cabinets until he found a plastic bag for the flowers he’d salvaged. “He’s got enough muscle to take on that hairy oak tree of a man. If he doesn’t, he can get a few of his friends from the street crew to help pound the message home, if you get my drift.”

“That’s another reason why I haven’t told Benjamin about the flowers or calls. I don’t want that, BJ. No violence, no uproar, no mess. Can I get through one Christmas without a lot of drama for a change?”

“I hear you. Carolyn’s drama did steal the joy from many a holiday. Well, as long as you aren’t scared of Eugene or anything, it can probably wait a few days, but you definitely should tell Benjamin.” BJ joined me at the table, placing the bagged flowers next to him. “Christmas is next week, you know, and these flowers are going to look right nifty on my coffee table until then.”

I smiled.

“Had you realized Christmas is around the corner?” he asked. “I looked under that tree that you have all nicely decorated and there was nothing under it addressed to moi.” He batted his long lashes at me. “An oversight, I hope.”

“Did you notice there’s nothing addressed to anybody under that tree? Roy is expecting Santa Clause to bring all the gifts this year.”

“Oh, that explains it. Well, I know I’m on Santa’s list.

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