Out Of Focus: An Adams Grove Novel Part 24

Kasey and Scott shared a look, then laughed.

Kasey put up her hands. "I'm not talking."

Everyone looked curious.

"I sprung her from jail after Deputy Dan arrested her," Scott said, and paused for a reaction.

The room got quiet.

Allison almost choked on a swallow of beer. "Oh, no. You're not the one he accused of stealing Scott's car, then threw you in the slammer?"

Kasey nodded and put both of her hands in the air. "Guilty."

"Man. We've been riding him all week about that. That man gets in more fixes."

"All right," Scott said. "Now let's be fair. Everything worked out, and we got to meet our new neighbor. How about a toast to our new friend Kasey?"

Everyone raised their gla.s.ses and cheered.

Allison waved from across the room, capturing Kasey's attention. "You know, you look so familiar. I just can't place you. Have we met?"

"I don't think so. I haven't been here long," Kasey said.

"And you're a photographer?" Allison asked.

"Yes."

Allison's brows pulled together. "Really? Like at the Walmart?"

Kasey smiled, trying not to snicker. "No. Not exactly. I shoot advertis.e.m.e.nts and calendars, commercial photography. Celebrities, cars, that kind of stuff."

Allison squealed in a pitch so high that the people around her leaned away. She snapped her fingers. "Oh. My. G.o.d!" She bounced as she spoke. "I know who you are. You're the Kasey Phillips that was on tour with Cody Tuggle. I can't believe it. I just love him. You were dating him?"

Chapter Twenty-Four.

Kasey felt the color drain from her face. "No. No. No. You can't believe everything you read. I was shooting his tour. It was a job. That's it."

"But you're like friends, right?"

"Yeah." Her mood lifted a little. "Yeah, I'd call him a friend."

"I keep hoping he'll come to the Carolina Crossroads. I'm dying to see him in concert."

"I photographed the tour for a book that will be coming out later this year," Kasey said. "I'll get you a copy."

"Oh. My. Gos.h.!.+ Like, he is so freakin' hot, and I read in that newspaper-which one was it? -I don't remember, but I did see y'all on the cover together. You looked pretty cozy. I am so jealous."

A momentary look of discomfort crossed Scott's face.

Kasey said, "Strictly business. He's a nice guy. We were running to the car and dodging paparazzi. That's it."

Allison winked at her. "Oh. Okay."

"I'm serious." Kasey could tell there was no changing Allison's opinion. To her that gossip rag was gospel. Kasey started to say something else, but figured there was no point.

Thankfully, Chaz s.h.i.+fted the conversation and the group headed out to the patio.

Scott's outdoor kitchen was as nice as the one indoors. A propane grill took up at least five feet of one end of the deck. Scott plopped the steaks on the sizzling grate of the stainless steel monstrosity, and then everyone split into teams to throw horseshoes.

Kasey had never played, and she didn't have beginner's luck. Her new friends were getting a good laugh over of her lack of skill. That was fun for a little while, but she decided she'd do better taking pictures than playing. She took some candid shots. When Scott halted the games so he could flip the steaks, she got everyone together for a group picture. She set the timer on the camera and joined the group for the photo.

Chaz's wife was fluffy and had an outdated hairstyle. Her cheeks plumped from the smile that never left her face. She was the kind of person you instantly liked. "I just love photographs, Kasey. I hope you won't mind getting me copies of a few of these pictures to remember this nice day."

"My pleasure. I love to sc.r.a.pbook. I'd be happy to put something together for you."

"I'm a sc.r.a.pbooker, too! We should get together sometime."

"I'd like that. And I want to thank you personally for the delicious cake you baked for me. I really enjoyed it. That was such a sweet gesture."

"I am glad you liked it, and I'm glad you're here. It will be nice to have some new young folks around this old town."

Scott clanged a dinner bell from the porch. "Okay troops, soup's on."

Everyone lined up around a long oak table and piled their plates high. Once they took their seats, they bowed their heads for a prayer that Chaz led before they dug into the bounty. Kasey eyes misted as Chaz said the prayer and everyone held hands. She felt so much comfort and love with this quirky group of folks that seemed to accept her as one of their own. No questions asked. Well, except for Deputy Dan, but she figured he'd show up with an apology one day and she'd have to accept it.

After dinner, they all moved inside since the sun sank lower and the air grew chilly. Folks departed, few by few, until Kasey and Scott were left alone.

"I had the best day. Thank you so much for inviting me."

"You were the best part of it."

Kasey swallowed hard, searching for a response. "You have a beautiful home and terrific friends," she said. "And you're right: you do make the best steak around."

"Thanks." Scott hesitated as if he wanted to say something but couldn't decide whether he should. He put some leftovers in the refrigerator, then leveled his gaze on her. "So, I have to ask. Did you really date Cody Tuggle?"

"No. That was just a gossip rag lie. You can't believe anything they print in those things."

"Good. I don't think I could compete with a country star."

The comment caught her off guard. As nice as he was, that wasn't something that she could even imagine. "Well, I'm no prize," she said quietly. "I've got more baggage than the airlines and I doubt this old heart will ever be the same after what I've been through."

He nodded once. "I didn't mean it. Actually, yes...I did mean it like that." He let out a loud breath and then shook his head. "I'm sorry. I know it's lousy timing. But you're nice. I like you." He s.h.i.+fted awkwardly. "You know, I was married once."

"You mentioned an ex-wife. You don't seem the marrying kind, though."

"You saying I'm ugly?"

"No," she responded-almost too quickly. "You just seem very well settled into your bachelor life."

"It is pretty sweet." He smiled easily. "But I miss having someone in my life."

"What was your wife like?"

"A little like you. A city girl. Ruth and I met in college. She was from Atlanta." He shook his head and frowned a bit. "Man, I loved that girl." He walked into the living room.

"What happened?" she asked as she followed.

"I guess the country sounds more charming than it is." Scott sat on the couch and motioned for Kasey to join him. "She was lonely, hated the quiet and being so far from shopping and fancy restaurants. She couldn't stand being so far away from folks, and she didn't like the fact that there wasn't much privacy in a small town."

Kasey sat next to Scott.

"She spent most of her time begging me to transfer to a bigger town. Ruth hung in there for almost two years. She was miserable and...well, before we knew it, we both were. I wasn't going to live in the city. I'm not the type, and she couldn't live here."

"Different worlds. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn't. Sorry that happened to you."

"Yeah, me too. But hey, we get through what we have to, don't we?"

"Yep."

He put his arm up on the back of the couch. "How are you liking the country life so far, Miss City Girl?"

"Loving it. So far, so good."

"No regrets?"

"Not one."

"It's only been a week," he reminded her.

"Hey, give me a break. I can handle the country. I did live on a farm out in the country in Pungo, remember?"

"That's pretty close to Virginia Beach, though. You could go to the mall without much trouble, or to a nice restaurant." He brushed her hair behind her shoulder. "But I hope you're right. It will be nice to have you as a neighbor."

"Thanks."

"What are you doing on Wednesday?" Scott asked.

"I'll probably get some of my stuff put away. I don't know. Why?"

"It's my day off. I'm going fis.h.i.+ng. Why don't you join me?"

"It's kind of cold, and isn't it supposed to rain?"

"Nothing more peaceful than sitting on the dock listening to the rain splatter."

"Could make for a bad hair day."

"You could wear a hat," he said.

A man with an answer for everything.

She started to turn him down, but why? "What should I bring?" she asked with a smile.

"Just that smile. Rain or s.h.i.+ne. We get started at seven."

"In the morning?" She rolled her eyes. "I'm still hugging a pillow at the time of the day. I'll bring coffee."

"Sounds good. I think you'll have fun. If you don't catch a fish, maybe you'll at least catch a good picture or two."

"How could I say no?"

He nodded. "You're my kind of gal."

He leaned in and kissed her softly on the mouth.

When they parted, she opened her eyes and blinked.

"Holy s.h.i.+t." The moment froze in her brain. She blinked, so stunned she stated the obvious: "You just kissed me." She touched her lips, still warm from his soft, moist kiss.

He held her close. "Not sure where that came from. I just couldn't resist."

"It's okay," she whispered. "I think it's okay. It was kind of nice."

"Well, this is certainly a little awkward now, isn't it?"

"Yeah." Conflicting emotion made her dizzy.

"Ready to head home?" he asked.

"I think I should."

"All-righty then. Let's go."

"Should we finish cleaning up first?"

"No. I'm not sure I can trust myself with you bent over my dishwasher."

That lightened the moment. "You're being silly. But okay."

The drive home was a little quiet. She was thankful it wasn't that far.

As Scott neared her driveway, they saw another car parked next to Kasey's Porsche. "Looks like you have company."