Tennessee Whiskey

by Donna K. Ford

  Emma felt the heat rise in her cheeks. “Um. She’s upstairs, I think.”

  Lily peered at Emma, making her squirm. She was sure her aunt could read her like a book.

  “I see.” Lily smiled. “Hmm. Yes, I think another drink would be good.”

  * * *

  Dane heard Emma talking to someone in the kitchen as she padded down the hall. She wasn’t sure if Emma was on the phone or if someone had stopped by, so she ducked up the stairs to her room for some fresh clothes. She doubted Emma would want to explain what a naked woman was doing coming out of her shower.

  She dressed and combed her hair, taking her time to allow Emma privacy in her conversation. Dane was disappointed their evening had been interrupted. Now that she had a taste of Emma, she wanted more. She wasn’t ready for the real world to come crashing down on them.

  A soft knock at her door made her jump.

  “Yes.”

  The door opened, and Emma stood smiling sheepishly at her. “You going to hide up here all night?”

  Dane smiled. “I thought you might need some privacy.”

  Emma stepped into the room and placed her hands on Dane’s chest. “I do need privacy, but it doesn’t look like I’m going to get it. My aunt Lily is downstairs, and she wants to see you.”

  “Really?”

  “Yes, really. I think she has a crush on you.”

  Dane laughed. “I can work with that, but she isn’t the girl I was hoping would notice me.”

  Emma kissed Dane lightly, pulling back to run her tongue along her lips. “I notice.” She pulled away. “Now come downstairs before she starts asking questions.”

  Lily was in the sitting room, her elbow propped on the end of the sofa, a glass of whiskey aloft in her hand. The bottle of Jack sat on the table in front of her. Dane crossed the room and planted a quick kiss on the old woman’s cheek.

  “Hello, Lily.”

  Lily narrowed her eyes studying Dane and then Emma. The corner of her mouth lifted in a wry smile. “I’m glad to see you’re still with us. You’re good for Emma.”

  Dane made sure not to look at Emma, who she knew would be turning scarlet. “Thank you,” she said as Emma slipped out of the room.

  Lily held up her glass as Emma came back into the room with a fresh glass for Dane.

  Emma placed her hand lightly on Dane’s back as she came to her side. Dane took the glass, letting her fingers graze across Emma’s hand. Emma reached for the bottle filling first Dane’s glass, then Lily’s, before filling hers.

  Lily’s gaze was like a hot branding iron burning into Dane’s flesh. She felt exposed. It was like the time when she was in middle school and had been caught kissing Faith Litton in the girls’ bathroom.

  Dane cleared her throat. “Emma said you wanted to see me. What did you want to talk to me about?”

  “Yes. I thought a lot about your mother after our last talk.” She leaned over and rifled through a large leather purse that looked like it could hold a bowling ball. After a moment searching, she pulled out a small stack of photographs.

  “I went looking through our old albums and came across these. Your mother was always at our house for one thing or another and more times than not ended up in the family photos. I thought you might like these.”

  Dane set down her glass and reached for the pictures. She stared, shocked by the image of her mother as a young girl, her arm slung loosely across the shoulder of another girl about the same age.

  “Dane, that’s your mother Jenny, and this is my sister Ann. Thick as thieves those two. I used to tease Ann that she loved your mother more than she did me.”

  Emma gasped. “Our mothers were best friends?”

  Lily nodded. “Jenny and your mother were inseparable when they were younger, until the house fire and Jenny going to live with her uncle Tobias and his family. But even though Jenny couldn’t come around as often, they were still close. Ann tried to look after Jenny when she could. I hadn’t thought about her in years. I was older and didn’t pay much attention, so it took me a while to remember these.”

  Dane turned to the next photograph. It was her mother and Ann again. They wore plaid skirts and white shirts. Each had a ribbon tied in her hair. They could have been sisters. They were wearing roller skates and were holding hands. The photo captured the moment they were looking at each other, a beaming smile on Ann’s face, Jenny’s head tilted slightly back in laughter.

  “She looks so happy.” Tears stung Dane’s eyes. Had she ever seen her mother this happy?

  “She was always like that. I remember our dad used to call her Smiley.”

  The next picture showed changes in her mother. She was a teenager, her hair long and shiny, draped across her shoulders, one side tucked behind her ear. She was seated at a booth at a diner. Dane recognized her father sitting next to her mother, his arm cast casually around the back of the booth behind her mother, his gaze riveted on her as she smiled at the camera. Ann sat across from Jenny next to a boy Dane guessed was Emma’s father.

  “Is that your dad?” she asked leaning forward, so Emma could see the photo.

  “Yeah.”

  Lily reached for the bottle of whiskey. “That was just before I married and moved out. And not long before Jenny and David left. I wish Ann was here to tell you about her. She knew Jenny better than anybody.”

  Dane nodded. “Thank you for this. I can’t tell you how much this means to me.”

  “It’s no trouble. I’m glad I thought of it.”

  Emma frowned. “I don’t know much about the time when mom and dad were dating. Dad always said Momma was the prettiest girl in town, and he fell in love with her the moment he laid eyes on her. But they didn’t talk about things they did or much about any of their friends.”

  Lily sighed. “Well, by the time you came along, Jenny had gone. As far as I know not even Ann knew where Jenny and David had ended up. Back then things were different. It was a lot harder to find someone that didn’t want to be found, and most folks around here don’t bother looking for anything outside the county lines. You’d think the world just drops off into nothing once you pass the sign at the edge of town.”

  Dane leaned close to Emma so she could see the photo. Emma had scooted her chair next to Dane’s and leaned close so that their shoulders touched. The heat of Emma’s skin was a comfort. She had come here looking for her mother and she had found her at last. She smiled down at her mother’s smiling face, so much like the woman she had known, but different. She couldn’t help but think that this was what her mother had wanted her to remember about her.

  Emma shifted, sliding her arm around Dane’s shoulders. “You do have your mother’s eyes.”

  “You think so?”

  Emma nodded. “Yeah, they even crinkle at the sides like yours do when you smile.”

  Dane looked back at the photo. She was thankful for this connection to her mother. She wanted to believe she was like her. There was still so much she didn’t know, but her mother’s smile looking back at her from the photograph gave her hope. She could almost feel her mother’s arms around her. Her gaze shifted to her father. She couldn’t remember him ever looking at her mother with that much love. Had she been the wound that separated them? Was he ashamed of her?

  Dane swallowed the lump forming in her throat. She imagined how their lives could have been different if that terrible thing hadn’t happened to her mother.

  Emma must have sensed the change in her mood. She tightened her arm around Dane’s shoulders and ran her hand up and down her back. “I think there are some answers you can only get from him.”

  Dane shook her head. “That will never happen. I don’t know that man. He isn’t like that anymore. Not with me.”

  Emma stroked her back. “Things change.”

  Dane looked up to see Lily watching her, a faint smile lifting the corner of her mouth.

  Lily nodded. “Yes, they do.”

  Chapter Ten

  Emma poured drinks and wa
ited on tables while Dane ran the kitchen and kept the trash emptied. It was one of those nights when Emma thought she needed a bigger place and the staff to run it. Maybe—anywhere else but here. She would never be able to trust anyone with her bar. She glanced at Dane as she ducked out the back door, dragging two giant trash bags behind her. Emma took time to go to the back to watch Dane. She couldn’t stand a repeat of the night Dane had been beaten up outside. She had installed floodlights around the bar to illuminate the parking lot and the trash bins and had discreetly placed hunting cameras around the property, so she would have evidence if anything like that ever happened again.

  Dane smiled as she stepped through the door, her arm brushing lightly against Emma’s breast. “Nothing better to do than ogle the staff?”

  Emma laughed. “Nope. Nothing at all.”

  “Just wait, I have a few things I’d like to show you later.”

  Emma shook her head. “Just help me get through this night, and you can have anything you want.”

  “Oh, I can’t wait to show you what I’m thinking right now.” Dane waggled her eyebrows.

  Emma shook her head. “Get back to work before I forget myself.”

  Dane winked at Emma as she turned back toward the kitchen.

  Emma stopped in her tracks as she looked up to see Trevor walk through the door. “Oh no. Now what?”

  “What?” Dane asked, following Emma’s gaze. She clenched her jaw when she saw Trevor. “This can’t be good. Let me handle him this time.”

  “No. I’ll do it.” Every time Trevor made an appearance, something bad happened. She braced herself for the next wave of shit he’d send their way. She felt Dane’s watchful eyes on her as she went to the table Trevor had chosen in the back.

  Emma cleared her throat. “What can I get you,” she asked, stepping up to Trevor’s table.

  He folded his large hands on the table, looking up at her. “You know why I’m here.”

  “Curtis isn’t here.”

  “I’ll wait. For now, I’ll have a Coors and a shot of Jack.”

  Emma’s blood boiled as she went to the bar. What did he mean by he’d wait? Wait for what? Why did he insist on coming here to torment her? She would never let him peddle his death drugs in her bar. Her only hope was to get him to say something on tape that would prove he was dealing drugs and behind the recent overdose deaths.

  The glass clinked on the table as she sat the beer and the shot down sharply. “Anything else?”

  “I want to talk to Dane.”

  Emma flinched. “Dane?” What could he possibly want with Dane?

  “You heard me. I know she’s here.”

  Emma hardened her gaze and her voice took on a warning tone. “She’s working.”

  Trevor shrugged. “Fine, I’ll find her after work then, but I will talk to her.”

  Emma shook her head and stormed off. She went to the kitchen and pulled Dane aside.

  “He wants to talk to you.”

  “What?”

  Emma searched Dane’s face for any sign that there was something going on that she needed to know, but Dane appeared as shocked as she was.

  “What do you two have to discuss?”

  Dane shook her head. “Your guess is as good as mine.”

  “Shit.”

  Dane placed her hand on Emma’s arm. “I guess there’s only one way to find out.” She didn’t like this any more than Emma, but she wouldn’t back down from this bully. Besides, she was curious about what he was up to.

  Trevor watched her as she approached, his gaze moving up and down her body, sizing her up.

  “You asked for me,” Dane said, stopping a couple of feet away from Trevor.

  He studied her a moment longer before motioning for her to sit.

  Dane slid into the booth. “What’s this about?” She didn’t like the way he was looking at her. What was he up to?

  “I wanted to meet you. You’ve been asking a lot of questions lately.”

  “What’s it to you?”

  He smiled. “I understand you went to see Thomas Stewart at the prison the other day. I wanted to see for myself what the fuss was all about.”

  Dane tried to put the pieces together, but she wasn’t sure what he was getting at. How did he know about her visit to the prison, and why did he care? “Well, here I am. Like I said, what’s it to you?”

  Trevor laughed. “He said you were a dumbass.”

  Dane wasn’t about to let her emotions show. “Look, if you have something to say to me, just say it. I have work to do.”

  “Yeah, it looks like you’ve gotten pretty cozy with Emma. Maybe you can help her out. That brother of hers owes me something. Maybe you and I can work something out together.”

  “Fuck you.”

  Trevor leaned forward. “Now, is that any way to talk to your brother?”

  Dane flinched. She squinted at Trevor. “What the hell are you talking about?”

  He grinned. “Thomas Stewart is my father. I never thought about having a sister, but now that you’re here, I thought we could do a little brother-sister bonding.” He tilted his head to the side, appraising her.

  “You are not my brother.”

  He shrugged. “That’s not how I heard it.”

  She slapped her hand down on the table. “I don’t care what you heard. That sick fucker is not my father and you are not my brother.”

  Trevor held her gaze, a stupid smile on his face saying he’d gotten the reaction he had been looking for. “Suit yourself. But one way or another I’m going to collect what’s owed me. If you decide you want to save Emma a little heartache, give me a call and we’ll see what we can work out.” He slid a piece of paper across the table to her with a number. “It’s the least I can do for family.”

  Emma stepped up to the table, looking down at the paper Trevor handed Dane. “Is everything all right?”

  Dane slid out of the booth. “Yeah, we’re done here.”

  Emma watched Dane storm off before she turned back to Trevor.

  “Was it something I said?” He laughed.

  Emma wanted to smack the smirk off his face. “What, no threats tonight? Found another way to sell your poison?”

  Trevor shook his head. “I have no idea what you’re talking about. I just came in for a drink. I’m meeting an old friend.”

  Emma frowned. This wasn’t the answer she’d been looking for. “Really? I wasn’t aware you had any friends.”

  “Now, Emma, is that any way to treat a customer?”

  Emma held his gaze. “That doesn’t even scratch the surface of what I’d like to say to you.”

  Trevor smiled and lifted his glass to her. “Cheers. I’ll have another.”

  Emma ground her teeth together and marched off. She grabbed the bottle of whiskey from the shelf and poured two fingers. She seethed with anger. She hated having to serve Trevor but didn’t want to cause a scene in the bar. She had no idea what he’d said to Dane, but she was clearly upset.

  Emma turned. She dropped the drink on the floor, the glass shattering at her feet. “Curtis?” She gaped as Curtis slid into the booth across from Trevor. “Where have you been?” Emma demanded.

  Curtis looked up at her. His eye was mottled black and green, but the swelling had gone down. “Hey, sis.”

  “Curtis, you need to go home.”

  Curtis shook his head. “No. I have to talk to Trevor. I have to make things right.”

  Emma glanced at Trevor. “Haven’t you caused enough trouble? Get out.”

  Trevor smiled, leaning forward. “Easy. Think about what you’re saying, Emma. Curtis doesn’t look so good. Do you want me to meet with little brother here where you can keep an eye on him, or would you prefer we go somewhere a little more private?”

  Emma blanched. “Curtis, please.”

  “I’ll see you at home later,” Curtis said dismissively.

  Emma glared across the room, trying to read lips as Curtis talked with Trevor. She couldn’t imagine
what Trevor was putting Curtis up to this time. What would it take for Curtis to learn that Trevor was no good?

  She struggled to focus on orders. Her heart was pounding and sweat trickled down her back. Trevor had Curtis in his clutches, and he was flaunting it in her face.

  She straightened when Curtis stood and walked toward her. “I’m sorry, Emma,” he said as he stepped up to her, his head bowed.

  “What is all this about, Curtis?”

  He shook his head. “I gotta go. I’ll see you later.”

  Emma grabbed his arm as he turned to leave. “Curtis, wait. You have to tell me what’s going on. Let me help you.”

  “Everything’s fine. I told you I just needed to talk to Trevor. Everything’s fine. I’ll see you later, Em.”

  Emma stared after Curtis as he walked out the door. Curtis clearly didn’t understand.

  Trevor stood, tossing a few bills on the table. He tipped his hat to her on his way out, his smile telling her this was far from over.

  Emma wanted to run after Curtis, but the bar was full, and Dane had disappeared after her chat with Trevor. What the hell was going on?

  * * *

  Emma was relieved to see Dane’s Jeep sitting in the yard when she pulled up. The light was on in Dane’s room, but there was no sign of Curtis.

  Emma patted Samson’s head before going inside. She made her way up the stairs, stopping at Dane’s door, listening for signs that she was awake. She heard the faint clink of glass. She raised her hand and knocked on the door. “Dane?”

  “It’s open.”

  Emma slowly opened the door. Dane sat on the bed with her back to the wall. A bottle of Tennessee Whiskey sat open on the floor. Dane held a glass of the amber liquid in her hand.

  “Can I come in?”

  “Suit yourself. Want a drink?” Dane said raising her glass.

  Emma shook her head. “Are you okay?”

  “I don’t think I’ll ever be okay.”

  “What happened? What did he say to you?”

  Dane sipped the drink. “It doesn’t matter.”

  Emma could see Dane wasn’t going to share. “You can talk to me.”