Nothing But Trouble. BEVERLY BARTON
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peace for that woman.”
“I don’t feel a bit sorry for you. When she gets into trouble and calls you for help, all you have to do is refuse.”
“You know I promised her brothers I’d keep an eye on her. They were well aware of what a little heathen she is. I swear, Spence, I never knew a woman could cause a man so much grief. I thought things would improve when she got older, but I think they’re getting worse.”
“I guess you know there are plenty of men who’d like to be in your shoes,” Spence said.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
“I’m talking about the fact that, underneath those blue jeans and grease, there’s quite a woman. Smart, caring, sensitive and pretty. You seem to be one of the few men around these parts who hasn’t realized there’s a sexy woman hiding behind that grease-monkey facade of Tallie’s. Now, I wonder why that is?”
Peyton didn’t want to answer his brother’s question. To find the answer would involve some deep soul-searching where his relationship with Tallie was concerned, and that wasn’t something he intended doing. He had too many mixed emotions when it came to that damned irritating female. A part of him wished that she’d simply disappear off the face of the earth. Then another part of him couldn’t imagine his life without her—without thinking about her, worrying about her, taking care of her...wanting her.
The customer ahead of Peyton and Spence paid for his food, leaving them first in line at the concession stand window. Spence placed their order, then waved at someone two lines over. Peyton’s glance followed his brother’s. The bottom dropped out of his stomach. Tallie Bishop, her hands filled with a tray of food and drinks, walked toward them, a warm smile of greeting on her face. Solomon stood at her side, and accompanying them was Mike Hanley, her muscle-bound business partner.
“Hi, there.” Tallie rushed over to Peyton, Solomon following her. “You here to watch J.J.’s game?”
“Yes, Donna and I came with Spence and Pattie.” Peyton wasn’t sure why he wanted Tallie to know that Donna was with him. Maybe it was because of the way Mike stood so close to her, as if he was proclaiming ownership.
“Well, Danny’s game will be over soon. I just might drop by and watch the rest of the varsity game.” When Peyton made no comment, she turned to Spence. “Eric Miller is here, and he’s been drinking. I thought about calling Lowell and seeing if he’d send over a deputy, but he’d just tell me he couldn’t arrest Eric unless he caused a problem.”
“I wish that man would stay home when he’s drinking. He’s such an embarrassment to Tony.” Pulling his wallet from the back pocket of his jeans, Spence took out several bills to pay for his order and laid the money down on the counter. “If he gives you any trouble, Tallie, let me know.”
“I can handle Miller if he starts bothering Tallie.” Mike draped a protective arm around her shoulders.
“Who is Eric Miller and what’s this all about?” Never taking his eyes off Tallie, Peyton reached out and picked up one of the cardboard food trays.
“Eric’s son Tony plays varsity ball with J.J. Half the time, Eric shows up at the games three sheets to the wind,” Tallie said. “He harasses the umpire, curses the players and creates problems for his son. At the first game of the season, Miller caused such a ruckus, he wound up spending the night in jail.”
“Yeah, and even after he found out that Tallie was the one who called the sheriff, he wouldn’t leave her alone,” Mike said.
“What do you mean he wouldn’t leave her alone?” Peyton asked.
“Well, it seems Miller has the hots for our Tallie. He’s been giving her a rough time lately,” Spence said. “The guy doesn’t want to take no for an answer.”
“Why didn’t you tell me about Miller?” Peyton glared at Tallie.
“There was no reason to bother you.” Tallie tightened her hold on her food tray. “Solomon acts as a deterrent. Believe me, even Eric Miller doesn’t want to take him on. Besides, at that first game when he got really obnoxious, I called Lowell and he took care of things.”
“Couldn’t you avoid the man?” Peyton asked. “You could stay away from these games. You’re not a parent.”
“Neither are you! Besides, I’m not going to let the likes of Eric Miller keep me from doing whatever I want to do and going wherever I want to go.”
“Well, that first game when you called Lowell, you could have stayed out of it and allowed the other fathers to handle everything, including calling the sheriff.”
“They were too busy trying to drag Eric off the field,” Tallie said defiantly. “They sort of had their hands full since the man is six foot two and weighs close to two-fifty.”
Peyton took a deep breath, releasing it on a loud sigh. “This food is going to be cold if we don’t get it back to Donna and Pattie,” he told Spence, wondering why he ever bothered trying to talk sense to Tallie. She always had a rational explanation for everything she did, regardless of the consequences.
“Yeah, you’re right.” Spence turned to Tallie. “I’ll keep an eye out for Miller. Come on on over when the Little League game ends. We’ll introduce you to Peyt’s lady friend.”
“I’ll do that.” Thrusting out her chin and sticking her nose in the air, Tallie gave Peyton a see-if-I-care-who-you’re-with smile.
Peyton grumbled under his breath as he and Spence made their way back to the field where the game had just begun.
“What’s the matter, big brother?” Spence asked. “Don’t you think it’s time for the two women in your life to meet?”
“The two women in my... Tallie Bishop is not a woman in my life. She’s a pest. A nuisance. A thorn in my side. But she is definitely not a woman in my life.”
“Sure. Whatever you say.” Spence grinned from ear to ear.
* * *
Thirty-five minutes later, Tallie waited with Sheila Vance for her son’s coach to finish the after-game pep talk and instructions on when the Little League team would practice next. A cool springtime night breeze reminded the women that summer was nearly two months away. Tallie zipped up her black and yellow jacket.
“Are you planning to go over to the varsity game to meet Donna Fields?” Sheila asked. “I think Mike was hoping you’d leave when we did.”
“Ever since Mike’s divorce, he’s had some crazy notion that the two of us would make a great team. I’ve tried to tell him that being business partners and friends is all there is ever going to be between us.” Tallie ran her fingers through her short, windblown hair, lifting her curly bangs off her forehead.
“Give him time and he’ll get the picture.” Sheila buttoned her beige cardigan sweater. “Even if Mike can’t be the man, I wish someone would come along and wake you up to the fact that Peyton Rand is not the only man in the world.”
“I know he’s not the only man in the world. It’s just that—well, he was the first man I fell in love with...and there hasn’t been anybody else.”
Releasing her indrawn breath on a loud huff, Sheila shook her head. “I don’t understand you, Tallie. If you want Peyton, why don’t you go after him? Use your feminine wiles on him.”
“I didn’t say I wanted him.” Tallie kicked at the ground with the tip of her black tennis shoe. “Besides, I don’t think I have any feminine wiles. Growing up with only a grandfather and three big brothers, I didn’t learn much about being female.”
“Pooh! You don’t have to learn to be female. It’s just something you are. And believe me, honey, you’re all female. What you have to do is go over there and show Peyton Rand that you’re more woman than that Donna Fields could ever be.”