Keeping Up With the Joneses

Part Three

Chapter Seven

Jonesy pulled up to the Frayne’s house early Saturday morning. Before he got out of the truck, he looked in the rearview mirror and appraised his appearance. He had carefully shaved that morning and slicked back his dark hair. He dressed in a nice short sleeve shirt, although he knew he would be working on a vehicle. Jonesy stared at his reflection and practiced his most charming smile. He hated the fact that his teeth were stained yellow from years of smoking. He tried to quit repeatedly, but any time he experienced stress, he started back again. Maybe I’ll be able to quit this time, for Katie, he thought. She doesn’t seem to be the type who appreciates cigarette smoke.

Jonesy had seen a picture of Katie’s husband. Win, he thought with a snort. What kind of name is that? He knew from the picture that Win was one of those men that the ladies liked. He had a full head of dark, red, wavy hair and had a nice face. One of them rugged types, he leered, remembering Win’s strong set jaw and chiseled features. Win Frayne resembled a redheaded young Robert Redford. Jonesy looked in the mirror, again. Jonesy knew he wasn’t the rugged type; the only Hollywood type that he looked like was a young Jack Nicholson. He even had that same crazy look in his eyes.

Jonesy hauled a large trailer behind his pick-up truck. He had acquired the proper fan belt to fix the truck, as well as a case of oil. This time he brought his own toolbox, so he would not need to use Win’s. He had another item in his truck. During their dinner conversation, Katie had mentioned how she hated leaving her prized rose bushes when she sold the house. So, for the first time in all his 34 years, Jonesy bought a large bouquet of roses to give to a woman.

Jonesy hopped out of his truck and, with the roses in his hand, knocked on the front door. When Katie answered, she took his breath away. She had on a blue sundress that matched her eyes and her hair was pulled away from her face. She looked like an angel.

“Good morning!” she said in a cheery voice. Then she spied the large vase of red roses. “Oh, my! What lovely flowers!”

Jonesy nervously studied his feet and handed her the bouquet. “You mentioned having to leave your rose bushes if you sell the house. I just thought these might make you feel better.” He anxiously wrung his hands.

“Thank you so much,” Katie stammered. “That was very sweet of you, but you really shouldn’t have. I mean, I barely know you, and I’m sure they were expensive, and…”

“I just thought you might need some cheering up. You looked a little down during dinner that night. And don’t worry about the money. With the truck farm doing so well, I have more money than I know what to do with.” Jonesy explained nervously. Instantly, he was filled with apprehension. What if she thinks I’m moving too fast? he wondered. “I didn’t mean to offend you any. I just wanted to…”

“They are very lovely,” Katie said earnestly. “They do cheer me up. It’s been a long time since I’ve gotten flowers, especially roses. My husband always bought me white orchids.” She stepped away from the door, not seeing Jonesy roll his eyes at the mention of Win. “Why don’t you come in for a moment while I put these in the house?”

Jonesy went into the living room and anxiously looked around for Jim. “Where’s your boy?” he asked, trying to sound concerned.

“He’s out in the barn. He wants to take his horse out for a ride later on.” Katie placed the flowers on the shelf above the fireplace. “He’s planning to go after he helps you with loading the plow. He knew you were coming early this morning and didn’t want to keep you waiting.”

Just wants to get rid of me, is more like it! Jonesy thought bitterly. “That’s real helpful of him,” he said as obligingly as possible.

The phone rang before Katie could reply. “While I get that, maybe you could go out and get Jim.”

Jonesy gave her a quick nod and went outside. He stayed out of sight on the porch and eavesdropped to see who was calling Katie.

“Hello…Yes, Mr. Butler…So glad to hear from you…Yes, we want to sell if they are still interested…”

Satisfied that the caller was not a rival for Katie’s attentions, Jonesy strutted to the barn in search of Jim. He went inside and found the boy carefully grooming his horse. “Gonna take a ride on old Dog Food?” His comment coupled with the tone had the desired effect on Jim. The boy jumped in surprise at Jonesy’s gruff voice. Jim glared at Jonesy with an angry look on his freckled face. He recovered quickly, however, and continued brushing his horse.

“Don’t talk much, do ya, boy?”

Jim went right on currying, not bothering to look up. “Don’t have much to say.”

“I thought yer daddy taught you to respect yer elders.”

“He did, but he also taught me that respect should be earned, not expected.” Jim calmly ran his brush over the gelding’s back.

Jonesy’s eyes darkened with rage. “Why, you little… What are you sayin’? That I don’t deserve yer respect?”

Jim innocently shrugged his shoulders. “You were the one who brought up my father’s lessons. I just happened to remember that particular one and thought I’d mention it.” Jim put away his grooming supplies and patted his horse on its flanks. He looked up and stared Jonesy in the eye. Jonesy may have caught him off guard, but Jim was determined not to act afraid of the offensive creature before him.

Jonesy stared right back at Jim, trying to convey every malicious thought in his wicked brain. If he wasn’t trying so hard to pursue Katie, he would earn that brat’s respect, all right. He’d take that whip down from the wall and show that kid who was boss.

Suddenly, Katie Frayne appeared at the barn door. “Oh, good. You found each other,” she smiled at them both, unaware of the tension that filled the air. “Jimmy, why don’t you help Mr. Jones with that plow, and then you can go on your ride?”

“Are you sure you don’t want me to stay here with you, instead?” Jim glanced suspiciously at Jonesy.

“No, son. You should ride as much as possible while you have the chance. I heard from Mr. Butler and that family is buying the farm.” She hesitated a moment before adding, “He said they might want to buy your horse, as well.”

Jim’s heart sank. “Well, I guess that’s for the best,” he said, disappointment evident in his voice. “At least old Blackie here won’t have to move.”

“You know that my friend is always willing to take yer horse off your hands.” Jonesy’s friendly tone belied his mean taunt. Katie smiled at Jonesy, thinking he was trying to comfort her son.

Jim angrily set his jaw. “I think it’s best for Blackie to stay here. And I think it’s best for me to wait until after dinner to go on my ride.” He eyed Jonesy, skeptically. “Mom, you might need me to look after things here.”

Katie laughed. “Now, Jim, I’ll be fine. You take too much responsibility on yourself. I think I can stay here and cook lunch without setting the house on fire or electrocuting myself.”

“Don’t worry, kid. I’ll be here to keep an eye on yer Ma.” Jonesy smirked at the alarm on Jim’s face.

“That’s right, Jimmy. If anything goes wrong here, Jonesy will be here to take care of it.” Katie still had not observed the strain between the two. “You go on your ride. I’ll be fine here. Now let’s see how difficult this equipment will be to load.”

Katie followed Jim and Jonesy outside. Grudgingly, they worked together to get the machinery on the trailer. With Katie in hearing distance, Jonesy made sure to watch his temper and not say anything he might regret. Jim, knowing his mother was close by, dutifully followed instructions. Soon the task was accomplished.

In an attempt to impress Katie, Jonesy amicably slapped Jim on the back. “That’s a fine worker you got, Katie.” She beamed with pleasure at the praise for her child. Jim, however, was not so easily deceived. He cringed at the feeling of Jonesy’s touch, but he did not say a word.

“Jimmy, you’d better get Blackie saddled up if you want to be back by lunchtime,” his mother said. Jim futilely tried to protest once again but was interrupted by his mom. “No, it’s been settled. You go ride. Get dirty. Fall in the pond. Catch frogs. Enjoy being a ten-almost-eleven year old boy!” She playfully patted him on the backside. “Now, go on with you!” Jim dejectedly trudged to the barn. He did not like the thought of leaving his mother alone with that man.

Jim obeyed his mother and bridled and saddled his horse. As he led Blackie out of the barn, he noticed that his mother had returned to the house and that Jonesy had begun repairing the truck. Feeling a little better, he gently kicked Blackie’s flanks and trotted off. He would go on his ride, but he made a mental note to not be long. He didn’t trust Mr. Jones one little bit.

Chapter Eight

Jonesy worked for over an hour repairing the truck’s fan belt. After he finished that, he began changing the oil. He was sure that task hadn’t been performed for quite some time, judging by the dark, black oil that seeped from the oil pan. He was finished with the truck, and went into the barn to wash his hands.

Earlier, Katie had brought him a large glass of water. She stayed momentarily to check on the progress of the work and then proceeded to hang freshly washed sheets on the clothesline out back. As Jonesy left the barn, he watched her, fascinated by the vision she made. The breeze was gently blowing her blonde waves, which were shimmering in the sunlight. She had a faint blush on her cheeks which made her even more attractive. She was having a difficult time hanging a large sheet on the line. One corner refused to stay on the line and kept fluttering to the ground.

Jonesy smiled and made his way to the clothesline. “It looks like you could use a little help,” he said, picking up the transgressing corner and a clothespin.

Katie looked up at him, quite startled by his sudden appearance. “Don’t worry,” he teased. “I don’t think yer clean sheets will mess up my dirty hands too bad.” He was even more amused at how quickly Katie’s eyes darted to his hands and the look of relief that passed over her pretty face.

“You’re as bad a tease as my husband,” she gently scolded.

Jonesy gave a hearty chuckle. “If you weren’t so pretty when you get mad, it wouldn’t be so much fun.”

Katie weakly smiled. “That’s just what Win used to say.” Both Katie and Jonesy were suddenly uncomfortable. “Are you finished with the truck?” Katie asked, breaking the silence.

“Yes, ma’am. I fixed that belt like new. Should run like a top now. I did notice it was in need of an oil change.” Katie’s face filled with worry. “Don’t worry,” he assured her. “I thought it might, so I brought a case of oil with me and already took care of it. I’m awful glad I did. By the looks of the oil that came out, it hadn’t been done for a good bit. You wouldn’t want your motor to burn up.”

Jonesy was rewarded for his hard work by a large smile from Katie. “Thank you, so much! I never would have thought of changing the oil. That was more Win’s department, although he didn’t do a very good job of it.” Her smile turned rueful. “He hated working on the truck. He usually had it serviced in town; though I’m sure it hadn’t been done for some time. Now, what do I owe you for all your work?”

Jonesy shook his head. “Not a thing. Call it a good deed.”

“Surely I can give you something in exchange for all your work. I don’t like to be beholden to any person.”

Jonesy thought for a minute. He would like to ask for a kiss but knew that would be rushing her. Instead, he said, “How about if I’m ever in the area, I can drop by for one of yer delicious home cooked meals?”

Katie laughed. “It’s a deal. You are staying for lunch, aren’t you?”

“I wouldn’t miss it.”

“I’m finished here. Why don’t you sit on the front porch? After I check lunch, I’ll join you outside.” She started to pick up the laundry basket, but Jonesy quickly beat her to it. He followed her into the laundry room, set down the basket, and went to the porch. He sat on the swing, hoping Katie might sit beside him. A few minutes later, she joined him. However, instead of sitting on the swing like he hoped, she chose the rocking chair.

“Dinner should be ready soon,” she said. “Jimmy should have time to make it home and get cleaned up.”

“Is he ridin’ close by?”

“Yes,” Katie nodded. “There are several lovely trails around here.”

“It sure is a pretty place here. I bet you’ll miss it when you have to move.”

Katie sighed. “We will miss it. It’s the only home Jim has ever known. Win and I moved here a year after we were married. This place has so many memories. I hate to leave it.”

“You sure do have a lot of junk to pack up. I saw some things in the garage that Jim said belonged to yer husband.”

“Yes, Win always kept busy. He was a naturalist and kept many things he needed for his studies. He also did a lot of teaching. And of course, there’s also his woodworking materials. He was very talented. He even made this rocking chair I’m sitting on. I just...”

“Yer boy told me his dad was good at a lot of stuff,” Jonesy interrupted. He was getting irritated at hearing about this wonderful Win. I get rid of one perfect man and have to compete with another, he thought bitterly. The wounds caused by never being able to measure up to Jack Jr. were still fresh. Jonesy noticed the look of hurt that passed Katie’s face. If I’m gonna sweep her off her feet, I better let her talk about Mr. Perfect, no matter how sick it makes me! “I saw that shelf he was workin’ on. Looked professional. Did he ever sell any of his stuff?”

Katie smiled and shook her head. “No, Win simply enjoyed it as a hobby, although I tried to persuade him to open his own shop. He was afraid it might take too much time away from me and Jim.”

“From what yer boy tells me, he sure was a good dad. That’s nice the kid had someone to look up to. Not every boy has that.”

Katie intently studied Jonesy. “Were you and your father close?” she asked.

Jonesy shifted in the swing and looked uncomfortable. “No, ma’am, we weren’t. Pop fed me and clothed me and put a roof over my head, but that was about it. He didn’t have much to do with me. He was always much fonder of my older brother.”

“I’m so sorry,” Katie said, softly. A wave of compassion passed over her for this man. She could tell that Jonesy hadn’t had the same kind of upbringing as she and Win had. She reached over and comfortingly placed her hand on Jonesy’s arm.

Jonesy looked up at her and tried to look as pitiful as possible. He knew he was garnering this lady’s sympathy and decided to milk it for all it was worth. “I just wish I could be a good role model for some kid. I’d like to have a son someday to teach stuff to, and do junk with.” He sneaked a glance at Katie. Is she buying this? To his surprise, the look of pity on Katie’s face turned into admiration.

“I think that’s wonderful,” she said. “I know Jim needs a good role model to look up to, now that his father is gone.”

“Those would be two big shoes to fill.” Jonesy’s voice dripped with earnestness, but in truth, he was sickened by his own words. Whatever it takes, he reminded himself.

“Yes, it would take a special man to be a step-father,” Katie almost whispered. “A good one, that is.”

Their conversation was interrupted by the sight of Jim riding up the driveway on Blackie. Jonesy noticed the look of pride on Katie’s face when she saw her son.

“Jim sure does ride good,” Jonesy said. “Rides almost as good as any grown man does.”

Katie nodded. “He takes after his father. Win could ride as well as any cowboy. He had a natural gift with animals.”

Jonesy gritted his teeth. So, we’re back to Win, are we? Why ride a horse when you can just walk on water? “Well, his boy sure does take after him.”

Katie stood up from her chair. “I need to go in and finish up lunch since Jim is home. Why don’t you go out to the barn? Maybe you two can visit for a few minutes while I get the food on the table.”

Might as well. I’ve heard just about enough of Mr. Perfect. “I’d enjoy a talk with the boy,” he said out loud. That’s not a total lie, he thought. I do enjoy torturing the kid…

Jonesy sauntered out to the barn. Jim had taken Blackie’s saddle and bridle off and was carefully grooming him after their long ride.

“Have fun on yer ride, kid?” Jonesy asked him.

Jim looked up briefly and nodded. “Guess so,” he answered.

“Well, I had a fun time with yer ma.” If it were possible, Jim’s eyes would have burned holes in Jonesy’s head.

Jonesy chortled. “Don’t you worry, Jimmy. I was a good boy while you were gone.”

Jim didn’t say a word. He silently brushed his horse, keeping his eyes on his work. His silence bugged Jonesy.

“You don’t like me much, do ya kid?” Jonesy asked, studying the young man through his slanted eyes.

“No, I don’t,” Jim answered honestly, never taking his eyes off Blackie.

“We’re even then, kid, because I don’t like you either,” Jonesy sneered.

“Gee, I couldn’t tell.” Jim looked up at Jonesy briefly, then put his horse in his stall.

“How ‘bout we make us a deal?” Jonesy asked in a conciliatory tone. Jim looked at him in surprise.

“What kind of deal?”

“We may not think much of each other, but we both care for yer ma.” Jim’s eyebrows lowered, but he let Jonesy continue. “I know you don’t want someone replacing yer old man, but somebody needs to help yer ma out.”

“My father told me to take care of my mom,” Jim said, a touch of defiance in his voice.

“I know yer tryin’, kid, and yer doin’ a good job. But you can’t do everything. There’s gonna be some things come up that you can’t take care of. Like the truck.” Jim lowered his head and nodded. He may not like this man, but he knew Jonesy had a point.

“My only interest is helpin’ out yer ma. I like her a lot and I’m not planning on hurtin’ her,” Jonesy continued. “There’s a lot around here that needs to be done before you move. So let’s try and get along as best we can, for yer ma’s sake.” He stuck out his hand to Jim. “Is it a deal?”

Jim thought about it for a moment. He slightly hesitated, then clasped Jonesy’s hand. “It’s a deal,” he said quietly.

Gotcha! Jonesy thought, all the while a benevolent smile on his face.

Thank you so much to my editors! Lori, you are the grammar queen! Thank you for all your help, especially with those stupid commas! KayRenee, you always know just how to word something! Thanks for your input! And Kaye, you always notice those little things that are very vital to the story! You’ve saved my backside several times! Thank you so much! And a big thank you also to my dear husband for all his technical advice about fan belts and oil and junk. I’m not exactly known for my prowess under the hood of a vehicle!

{This is April’s husband, and I wanted to write and say “Thank you” for acknowledging us husbands with your dh support group. We do the best we can at coping with hearing about “Jix” and “Uni’s” and “MB’s” and “PM’s” and “dh’s” etc., etc….)