Chapter Two
Jayce Weathers held up his hand as Mason entered the diner. Mason saw him, smiled and made his way to the table. It took a bit longer than he’d like, but there were a good many of his female students in the diner and it seemed that they all wanted to say good-morning.
“Sorry,” he apologized to Jayce as he took at seat across from him.
“Man, you’ve got every woman in town headed for the beauty shop and spa twice a week to get curled, dyed, plucked, waxed and polished.”
Mason rolled his eyes then looked up at the waitress who approached their table with a big smile on her face. “Morning, gentlemen. Mason what’re you having to drink, hon?”
“Coffee.” He looked at Jayce. “Have you ordered?”
“Yeah, but told them to hold off ‘till you got here.””
“I appreciate that.” He turned his attention back to the waitress. “Steak, medium rare, two eggs boiled and a sweet potato if you have it.”
“You know we do. Be right back with your coffee.”
“Thanks, Sandy. You’re the best.”
After she hurried away, Mason turned his attention back to Jayce. “So, did you have a look at the place?”
“I did.”
“And?”
“And it’s gonna take a bit of work to get it back up to snuff, buddy. The place has been empty for what – five years?”
“Something like that.”
“Well, places that sit for that long start to develop problems.”
“Problems that can’t be fixed?”
“Oh no, they can be fixed.”
“Okay, I get it. It’s not going to be cheap. Ball park it for me.”
“Fifteen thousand.”
Mason leaned back in his chair. He’d been back in Cotton Creek for almost four months, and was sick and tired of living in town. He’d rented the bottom floor of Nellie Mae Baker’s house but that wasn’t working too well. That woman couldn’t keep her nose out of other people’s business, or herself out of his room.
He needed to get the old homestead livable, but had hoped not to have to put that much into it. After paying the lease on the dance studio and renting a space for the leather shop, he’d spent half of everything he’d saved.
But he had to have a home and his parent’s old place would be perfect. It was small, but on the lake, outside of town where it was quiet. There was a small paddock, a four-stall barn and twenty acres, so he could have a horse if he wanted, and he did.
“Fine. Let’s do it.”
“Let me get you a contract.”
“A handshake will do.” Mason extended his hand across the table to Jayce. “I’ll have half the money for you this afternoon, if that’s enough to get you started.”
“More than enough. I’m gonna need to consult you on particulars.”
“You know where to find me.”
“You mean dancing dirty in the high school auditorium?”
Mason knew Jayce was poking fun and wasn’t offended. Hell, he understood. He and Jayce had grown up together, gone to school together and hung out. When Mason won a local two-step dance contest senior year, no one had expected a scout to show up and offer him a modeling contract.
Mason was the most surprised of all, but at the time it seemed like a whole lot of money, and a whole of chances to be around hot women and live somewhere besides Cotton Creek.
He never stopped to think that a modeling career might be short lived, but lucky for him, his agent did. She put him in dance lessons, all kind of fitness programs and fortune decided to steer him to Broadway. At least for a while.
Mason turned his thoughts away from the past. “Hey, don’t point the finger at me. I suggested about five other musicals, but those gals were dead set on that one.”
“Yeah, I guess they all secretly dreamed of being Baby.”
“I guess, but whatever the case, it’s what we’re doing and if we’re really lucky it will only suck.”
“As opposed to?”
“Suck big, loud and long.”
Jayce laughed and Mason chuckled as well. “Man, when we were growing up, I figured I’d grow up and work the rigs like my dad. Find me a little gal, settle down and have a family.”
“Things don’t always go the way we thought they would.” Jayce agreed. “Hell, look at me. Until a couple of years ago, I thought I was doomed to be single. Then Callie showed up with her little girl, Lily and my whole life changed.”
“That Callie is a hell of a woman,” Mason commented. “Smart and my god is she talented. I can’t believe she turned down a recording contract to marry you and stay here. No offense, but that was a big deal.”
“Yeah, it was. And I never forget what she gave up.”
“She seems to think you’re worth it. And man, the Lily is something. The other day, she and Callie came in the leather shop and she must’ve asked a hundred questions. And not foolish ones.”
“Yeah, Callie told me you gave her a kit to make cell phone holster and Lily’s working on it to give to me for my birthday. That was nice of you, Mason.”
“She’s a great kid, and her face just lights up when she talks about her dad. I get the feeling the sun rises and sets on your shoulders, man. You have to love that. And your little boy, Lucky is a pistol. A year old and not just walking but running.”
“Oh yeah, he doesn’t burn daylight, that’s for sure. He’s on full steam from the time he wakes up until he drops over.”
“Drops over?”
“Yeah, he goes until he’s done and then he just lays down wherever he is and it’s lights out for eight hours.”
“You’ve got a great family, Jayce. I envy you.”
“Well, there’s nothing stopping you from finding a good woman and settling down.”
“Except that I can’t find the right good woman.”
“Well, from what Callie tells me, that writer lady, Savannah, the friend of Annie Morgan’s who is here to work on a book with her? Seems she’s been seen quite a few times watching rehearsal.”
“Riley said she was there for research on a book. In fact, she left me a note the other day asking if she could hire me to answer some questions – research stuff.”
“What did you say?”
“I haven’t called her yet.”
“Maybe you should. She’s hot.”
“But is she single?”
Jayce’s eyebrows rose. “Good question. I don’t think anyone has ever mentioned that. I guess you could ask.”
Mason shrugged and looked up as the waitress returned with their breakfast. “Maybe I will.”
Or not. He thought. That lady looked like one of those hot intellectuals, the type who would slice you to ribbons with their words and leave you bleeding in the street.
And he’d seen two of the movies that were adapted from her books. She rubbed elbows with people way out of his league. He couldn’t imagine she’d be interested in an ex-Broadway dancer turned leather shop owner and small-town dance teacher.
Which was a shame. There was something about her that made him wonder if she was as cold beneath the surface or if that frost concealed a heat she didn’t let show.
It might be interesting to find out. After all, nothing was going to happen in terms of them getting emotionally involved.
They were just too different.