“Or he won’t.” Billy’s tone was severe and his tempestuous eyes cut to Beau’s reflection. “Or he’ll become one of them and he’ll be lost.”
Beau sighed loudly. “Gee thanks, Billy. You win the award for most depressing statement of the road trip. Next time maybe keep all the sunshine and rainbows to yourself.”
“No. It’s okay.” I patted Beau’s hand where it rested on my shoulder. “When Isaac left, I think it was good for me. I missed him, and I miss him now. But I didn’t get restless until he left for the army. If he’d done as my parents wanted, gone to college for marketing and joined the family business, I don’t know if I ever would’ve approached Cletus for help. Desperation is a great motivator.” I laughed, and Beau squeezed my shoulder again.
“So you went to Cletus for help?” The curiosity in Billy’s tone had me regretting my words.
“I . . . uh . . . yes. I asked him if he’d help me, uh, figure out how to get out there and meet people. And he said yes.” I rolled my lips between my teeth, hoping they wouldn’t ask about the particulars.
“I’m surprised,” Beau said.
“I’m not,” Billy’s eyes had clouded, as though he was recalling a specific memory.
Before I could ask why Billy wasn’t surprised, Beau spoke up. “You’re not? He likes to meddle with us, and he’ll help people with car troubles and the like. But after what happened with—”
“Beau.” Billy’s tone was sharp and exacting. “Mind your words.”
I glanced between the two brothers, knowing my eyes were wide with curiosity and anticipation. “After what happened?”
Billy shifted in his seat, his jaw ticking. He didn’t look at me. “Cletus used to, you know, lose his temper a lot growing up.”
I remembered this about Cletus, but only via hearsay. “My father used to talk about Cletus, at dinner. He said Cletus was a dangerous kid, always getting into fights, and that we should avoid him.”
“Cletus doesn’t like bullies,” Beau chimed in, but then volunteered nothing else, even though I got the sense he wanted to expand further.
Billy’s lips pressed together in a slight grimace. “He doesn’t like bullies,” he echoed. “He used to get into trouble for standing up to bullies, instead of minding his own business.”
“He still stands up to bullies,” Beau mumbled. “He’s just a lot sneakier about it now.”
Billy scratched his cheek, his eyebrows pulling into a V as he studied the road. “We should talk about something else.”
“Good idea.” Beau smacked the seat next to him. “How about we talk about Jennifer’s muffins and how I can get another taste?”
“Oh good Lord.” I chuckled, not caring that he made my cheeks burn red.
“Beau.” Billy’s voice was heavy with warning, but there was humor in it as well. “How about we talk about Thanksgiving? What are your holiday plans, Jenn?”
“Oh, we don’t usually do much. The week before is a busy time for my momma and me. I must’ve made over five hundred banana cakes last Thanksgiving, and every year it increases. So my father goes to a friend’s house to watch football on the day. My momma stays at the lodge and works.”
Billy glanced at me askance, visibly horrified.
But it was Beau who spoke. “Oh, hell no. You’re coming to our house for Thanksgiving. And you’re eating pie. Lots of it.”
“And you’ll bake nothing,” Billy commanded.
“I don’t know.” The idea of spending Thanksgiving with the Winstons struck me as wonderful, but also terrifying. “I wouldn’t want to impose.”
“You wouldn’t be.” Beau sounded so sure. “It’s settled.”
“Besides,” Billy added with confidence and a glimmer of something like mischief, “I’m sure Cletus was already planning to invite you. We just saved him the trouble.”
***
The car ride ended too quickly and by the time we’d reached our destination, I felt affection for Billy and Beau Winston.
What does this say about me? Was I doomed to go through life developing an affection for every new person I spoke to for longer than an hour?
If so, maybe my parents had been right to keep me sheltered.
I also couldn’t help comparing this new affection for Billy and Beau to my feelings for Cletus. It was different, but I couldn’t put my finger on why. My feelings for Cletus were . . . overwhelming, whereas my affection for Billy and Beau felt tranquil.
Clarity about the issue arrived when Cletus and Claire took the stage for the talent contest.