Chapter Four
It had been more than a few years since Jax returned to Chandler County. When his racing career took off, Jax had to go where it would be easier to access practice tracks and be in the middle of the action. That meant leaving small-town Chandlerville. His family still lived in Chandlerville and Carole and Big Jax couldn’t be more excited to have the hero home.
“Come on down here,” Carole called up the stairs. “I didn’t sweat in this kitchen all morning for you boys to sleep in. With Jax coming back, both his brothers Pete and Tommy came back to the family home and spent the night with everybody staying up way past their bedtime, telling stories, shooting pool and reminiscing about how things were when they all lived there together before adulting.
Carole buzzed around the kitchen, checking the pots and skillets to make sure everything was done and ready for her family. It was a hearty breakfast. Three men in her house, she knew they would be hungry. Pete, Tommy, Jax and their father eventually made their way downstairs after being called to breakfast once more by Carole. When they arrived, there was a spread of buttermilk pancakes, hickory smoked sausage, scrambled eggs, biscuits and gravy, crispy bacon, toast, grits and various jams and marmalades.
“Mom this looks good,” Pete chimed, rolling up his sleeves and sitting down at the dining room table. It was interesting how they all assumed the same seats they assumed as kids; mom on one end and Big Jax at the other. Once coffee and juice were served, the family sat down.
“Jax, will you say grace,” Carole asked as she reached for her children’s hands that were sitting closest to her.
“Big Jax or little Jax,” Tommy teased.
“Cut it out, Tommy,” Big Jax jokingly corrected. Every time, Tommy was good for the same joke.
Big Jax said a prayer and the family dug in. Bowl was passed, and plates were emptied. Once the meal was done, they all sat back in their seats and a few rubbed their full bellies.
“So how long are you staying, Jax,” his father asked.
“Not sure,” Jax replied. “I have some time before I have to get back. My next race isn’t for another month or so.”
“Then you should stay as long as you can, get back acquainted with home,” Carole encouraged.
“Yeah, we could hit all the old spots, kick up some dust on the back roads like we did before you got famous,” Pete suggested.
“We still got the old stock cars at the shop,” Tommy added.
“Sounds like fun,” Jax agreed.
“Hit a few bars, chase some girls,” Pete offered. Secretly, that part appealed to Jax, but not any girl, just one girl. It was a long shot but Chandlerville was a small town. He might find her; then again, he might not. He was willing to take the chance. What did he have to lose? Jax would have a chance to reconnect with his brothers, have some unencumbered fun, relax and possibly find the girl that caught his eye during the parade.
“Find some decent women so one of you all can give me some grandkids,” Carole interjected.
“Aw, mom,” Pete moaned and Tommy and Jax agreed.
That ended breakfast at the Sutton home. The boys had plans on being boys. Carole loved it, seeing her sons back together.
It was fun seeing Jax the day before, but Megan knew that was just an isolated encounter. It didn’t, it couldn’t mean anything. She would have the memory of seeing Jax in the parade and getting the key to her city and the smile they shared that lasted just long enough to leave an indelible impression on her heart. That night, Megan went to be with that gaze on her mind and his eyes piercing her heart. Jax Sutton…
But it was a new day, the next day and Megan convinced herself that spending all her time thinking about a man she couldn’t have was not only a waste of time, but it also took up too much of her time that would end up being fruitless in the end. Fortunately, her kids were on break and Megan didn’t have to brace herself to meet thirty wide-eyed fourth graders head on who had too much sugar for breakfast in their cereal and too much energy pinned up just waiting to explode in the classroom. No, Megan was on break and instead of pining for Jax, Megan decided to do some things she hadn’t done for a while, relax and take care of herself.
“We should go out tonight,” Megan said over the phone to her bestie, Bonnie.
Bonnie was also an educator so if Megan was off, Bonnie was, too. They talked about the things they’d like to do for summer break and spending time having fun was mutually agreed upon. So, Bonnie saying no to Megan was not even a thought. Bonnie would say yes, and she did. They agreed to hang out later for happy hour down at one of their favorite watering holes. It would be fun.
Jairos, Blues and Jazz Supper Club was the destination for Bonnie and Megan’s girls’ night out. Although Chandlerville had all the adorable qualities all those who love small towns looked forward to, Jairos added a different scene; a touch of sophistication, with cool colors painted on the club’s walls, heavy burgundy curtains reminiscent of any upscale supper club in any larger town across the nation, cool jazz sounds from a seasoned band, and savory flavors that tantalized the palette chased by chilled drinks to quench the thirst. Candelabras on the wall and candles on the tables provided ambient light, sufficient enough to create intriguing shadows and cozy opportunities for co-mingling or getting to know someone.
Megan decided to wear her newest little black dress for the occasion. She pinned her hair behind her ears and added rhinestone drop earrings that looked great against her elegant neck. She and Bonnie rode together to the supper club. Bonnie looked great too, choosing to go the opposite direction in a pale pink low-cut wrap dress that hit just below the knee. She wore her strawberry blonde hair loose and long and accessorized her outfit with a silver drop necklace that was soft, yet strong against her alabaster skin. When the ladies entered the club, it was undeniable that they turned heads. Every red-blooded male in the club saw the girls as they sashayed towards their table down front by where the band played.
Three of those red-blooded men were the Sutton brothers.
“Damn,” Tommy commented, seeing the two girls walk past their table. He did wait until they were out of earshot to make his comment. Tommy was the closest one to being the playboy of the group. He was the youngest and the least interested in settling down. Tommy had too many wild oats left to sow and refused to limit his availability to just one woman. Between Bourbonville and Chandlerville, Tommy had somewhat of a reputation with the ladies that he was damn proud of.
“I agree with you brother,” Pete chimed in, taking a second look. Pete was more like Jax in that, he had thoughts of finding a girl and settling down. But Pete wasn’t one to actively pursue. He was shyer than his other brothers and would much rather run into a girl in an accidental encounter that led to a casual conversation that could possibly turn into something more. He had a girl, a woman that he was very interested in making a life with, but it didn’t work out. That was three years ago, and Pete had been more gun-shy ever since. Pete was hoping for another accidental encounter. Maybe not with the two beauties that just passed their table, but maybe, just maybe there as a girl he could strike up a conversation with.
Jax's mouth was slightly agape when the two women passed their table. Sure, Chandlerville was small which increased the probability that he could possibly run into the girl from the parade again, but what were the odds? Maybe this was fate giving him the nod that staying in town for a while longer was the right idea. Jax tried not to stare, but she made it hard. She was gorgeous. Jax adjusted in his seat and chuckled with his brothers as they appreciated the women around them.
“We should end drinks,” Tommy suggested.
“We don’t even know what they’re drinking,” Pete countered.
“Just give it a minute,” Jax suggested. “you don’t want to look desperate,” he cautioned.
“But I am, man,” Tommy replied. “I am!” Tommy fell out laughing and his brothers joined in with him.
They ordered dinner, prime rib, lobster, twice baked potatoes, and a salad for balance and enjoyed the smooth jazz sounds from the band.
Megan and Bonnie were having a good time as well; their dinners slightly lighter, flounder instead of steak and rice pilaf to go along with their salads, but equally as satisfying. No matter how many times Megan had come to Jairos, there was always something good on the menu she’d never tried before, and a great band that got her swaying in her seat.
After dinner, Megan and Bonnie enjoyed a pour of Cabernet. It was a gift from the Sutton brothers. Once asked, the waiter pointed out the gentlemen who sent the bottle. It was only when Megan and Bonnie turned around to thank them did Megan realize Jax was in the club.
“Oh my God,” Bonnie screeched in a whisper, grabbing Megan’s hand where they guys couldn’t see. “Did you see him? Tell me you saw him,” Bonnie chirped. Besides the tight grip her best friend had on her hand, Megan felt another tinge, but this one was in her heart. She did see him, and once again, there was a brief moment where their eyes met. This time when a smile moved across her lips, almost instinctively, Megan turned away, feeling her cheeks flush and her heart palpitate. Yes, she saw Jax Sutton and from the smile on his lips, he saw her, too.