by Darcy Burke
“When you think about the mayor—two mayors—being not just members of the KKK but the leaders in the area…” Kelsey shuddered. “And one brother being involved with the death of another—that’s pretty crazy.”
“I know. I’m trying to figure out how that works into the screenplay, but I don’t think it does. I’m telling Dorinda’s story, and that ends with the fire set by the KKK. And her murder.” A chill stole up Crystal’s spine, which often happened when she thought of Dorinda dying like that.
“I think you should write a book that includes the second half of the story—about the Stowes. Their multiracial family, the good vs. bad brother, the patriarch who came from Tennessee to start up a KKK Den or whatever they were called.” Kelsey’s eyes lit. “Or, you could hire a ghostwriter—I know they novelize movies. I have a ton of them in the middle grade section. They could write a book that included your screenplay plus the Stowes.”
Crystal hadn’t thought of that. If Jamie found more information on Turner Stowe and his family, maybe it would be worth telling that story too. “Good suggestion.”
Kelsey chewed her lip. “I don’t know. Maybe not. The whole KKK thing makes me nervous. And nauseated.”
“Yeah me too. Hell, the whole thing makes me nervous. I’ve never done anything like this. What if it sucks?”
Kelsey shook her head with vigor. “It won’t. Totally impossible. Dorinda’s story should be told, and you are the only one to tell it—as far as I’m concerned.”
“What do you mean? You could do it. In fact, why aren’t you? You’re a librarian with a master’s degree. You’re way more qualified than me.”
Kelsey cocked her head to the side. “Seriously? I don’t know anything about writing a screenplay or producing a movie.” She gave Crystal a side-eye. “I think you’re stuck with it. But I’d be thrilled to read it!”
Crystal laughed. “Okay.”
Kelsey went back to the counter and motioned for Crystal to join her. “You can help me shelve books if you want.” Her mouth tilted into a subtle smile. “That way you can update me on how things are going with Jamie.”
“They’re going fine. We’re just friends.”
“With benefits!” Kelsey said, laughing.
“Yeah, okay. With really good benefits.” But that was all it was even if the temptation for more was so close, she could taste it.
* * *
After Crystal left, Jamie had a hard time focusing. He kept thinking of their quickie on the couch, which had felt like really satisfying foreplay. He couldn’t wait to get her alone later, especially since she was leaving tomorrow.
Ugh, he didn’t want to think about that.
A light knock on his nearly closed door drew Jamie to look up from his computer. “Come in.”
Luke walked in and was closely followed by Cam.
Cam eyed the sofa. “Hey, you cleaned it off. Can’t imagine why.” He elbowed Luke, who coughed.
Jamie threw a paper clip at Cam. “Really?”
Cam easily dodged the flying office supply. “Can we sit, or do we need to sanitize it first?”
“For fuck’s sake,” Jamie muttered. “Why are you both here?”
Luke pushed Cam toward the couch, sending him sprawling onto the cushions. “What jackass here is trying to get around to is Crystal. We saw that she was here for a while. With the door shut.” Luke sat on the arm of the sofa and looked up at the ceiling. “And I may have heard some…noises. I swear I wasn’t trying to.” He gave Jamie an apologetic look.
“It’s nice to know at least one of my brothers isn’t a dick.” Jamie glared at Cam briefly.
Luke picked up the solitary throw pillow and smacked Cam in the head.
“Hey!” Cam slid to the far end of the couch. “Sorry.” He turned his attention to Jamie. “I didn’t mean to be a dick. What can I say, you both bring out the worst in me.” He grinned, and they all laughed, breaking any remaining tension.
Well, most of it. Jamie suspected what was coming next and wasn’t sure he wanted to have this conversation.
“Does this mean you guys are heating up?” Cam asked, propping his legs on the table after moving one of Jamie’s piles.
“It’s not a secret that we’re…” What were they exactly? “Together. Ish.”
Luke crossed his arms in front of his chest. “Ish?”
“It’s complicated. Actually, it’s not. It’s the opposite of that. We have an undefined relationship. We have fun together, and we’re not looking for anything serious.” Although, he had to accept things had moved past “casual.” He cared about her and was pretty sure she felt the same. He missed her when they weren’t together—he hadn’t been kidding earlier when he said he’d missed her since seeing her that morning. She was heading back to LA tomorrow for a couple of weeks, and he was dreading the time apart.
“That’s how Brooke and I started out,” Cam said. “Sort of. Ah hell, it’s all complicated, isn’t it?” He looked from Jamie to Luke.
Luke let out a laugh. “Totally. Mom keeps asking when Kelsey and I are setting a wedding date. Never mind that it isn’t any of her business, but I just don’t know right now. Kelsey has a lot of trust issues—and understandably so.” Her ex had been physically abusive and was now dead after serving time in prison. Her and Luke’s relationship was probably the definition of complicated.
And yet they were happy. And secure. “I don’t think you guys need a wedding date to prove your love or your commitment. From where I’m sitting, you look pretty solid,” Jamie said.
Luke’s mouth spread into a smile. “Thanks. Yeah, we are. Besides, it’s enough with two weddings this summer between this joker.” He jabbed his thumb toward Cam. “And Kelsey’s grandma.”
Cam shook his head, looking suddenly defeated. “You aren’t kidding. Try planning a wedding to a woman with two sisters and a very available mother.”
Luke didn’t look remotely sympathetic. “Do you really mind? They’re a great family.”
Cam snorted, his mouth cracking a smile. “No. They are pretty great. Unlike Kelsey’s family—her grandma notwithstanding, of course.”
Luke rolled his eyes. “No kidding, Kelsey’s folks are a piece of work. I’m glad they live in another state.”
Jamie wondered what Crystal’s family was like. She’d mentioned them, of course, but he also knew she spent as little time in Blueville as possible. Was that because of her family? Families made him nervous after what had happened with Sadie. Sir Geoffrey had been pretty brutal letting Jamie know exactly what he thought of him—which wasn’t much.
Because of that experience, he’d kept every woman since then at bay. Until Crystal. He hadn’t meant to let her get close, but here she was. And she was already better than Sadie. She was far more supportive when it came to his quirks. Sadie never would’ve brought him an organizer or cleaned his kitchen. She would’ve lectured him about the importance of being tidy and dragged him out to spend a bunch of money he didn’t have on a fancy dinner so they wouldn’t have to eat in his messy flat.
Bollocks, why had he put up with that shit?
“Earth to Jamie,” Cam said.
Jamie blinked. “What?”
“We were talking about when Mom might be in the right headspace to turn over the family history to Kelsey.”
Jamie huffed out a breath. “Your guess is as good as mine.”
“I talked to her this morning,” Luke said. “She said she’s waiting for you to do some research. What’s the holdup?”
“I have a friend who can help me but she’s been on vacation. She might be back now, but she has to play catch-up before she has time for me.”
“Bummer. Tell her to hurry up. Mom’s giving Kelsey a few things—photos of Ribbon Ridge and some other documents, but I’d love for Kelsey to have everything for the exhibit opening.”
“I’d like that too,” Jamie said. “Believe me, I’m working on it.”
“Cool.” Luke stood from the couch. “Come
on, Cam. Let’s give Romeo some space.” He slid Jamie a dubious look. “I just realized—you gave us some BS story about hooking up with Crystal on New Year’s Eve. That wasn’t BS, was it?”
Jamie thought about what he’d told them, then he thought about that night. He couldn’t keep a smile from spreading his lips. “You figure it out, Sherlock.”
Cam jumped to his feet. “Hot damn, little brother.” He flashed a smile at Jamie, then shoved at Luke. “Come on, let’s leave him to his spreadsheets.”
Hayden appeared in the doorway, his face pale. “Uh, Bex’s water just broke. I gotta go.”
Cam rushed him and wrapped him in a tight hug, lifting him off the ground with a loud whoop. Luke hugged him next, and Jamie jumped up from his chair to join in the congratulations.
Cam stared at him. “Dude, why are you standing here? Never mind, I’ll drive you to the hospital. Where’s Bex?”
Hayden looked a bit shell-shocked. “At home. She stopped working at the end of last week. I need to go get her.” He shook his head, his eyes coming back into focus and looking suddenly energized. “Shit. I need to go.”
“Do you want me to drive you?” Cam asked.
“No, I’m good.” He grinned. “Really good. Will you let everyone know?” He turned to go.
Cam nodded. “Of course. Keep us posted!”
Hayden waved his hand as he broke into a run and flew downstairs.
Luke grinned widely. “Well that’s fantastic. Shall we divvy up people to call?”
They did just that, and Jamie returned to his desk to do his part. After spreading the news, his mind turned back to Crystal and their Complicated Relationship That Wasn’t Complicated. Things felt really great—now. But what about when those complications reared their heads? He knew she had a hang-up about being older than him. She also had some insecurities, namely about her intelligence. Their conversation up the hill at the excavation site came back to him, causing him to feel unsettled.
She wasn’t the only one with hang-ups. She’d asked about his money problems, which were a nearly constant source of frustration and stress. Crystal was a freaking millionaire. What would she do if they got together-together, absorb his debt? That wouldn’t be weird. Here, pay for all the credit cards I ran up romancing someone else, along with my education, which you maybe resent.
He didn’t really think she resented that, did he?
He told himself this was all premature thinking. They were just enjoying themselves and hadn’t talked about the future beyond tomorrow. He had no idea what would happen when she came back next month. In fact, maybe she wouldn’t. They’d made no promises to each other.
Promises or not, her life was in LA, not here. She’d made it clear that small towns were not her thing—been there, done that, didn’t want to do it again.
So yeah, where exactly could they go? He decided he didn’t want to think about that now. He wanted to enjoy tonight with her. He’d see what the future held…in the future.
13
Seated on the love seat in Stella’s coffee shop, Crystal snuggled into Jamie’s side as she watched the morning drizzle dampen the street outside. Thick clouds had moved in late last night, storming against the windows of Jamie’s loft, the rain impatient to let loose.
Jamie pressed a kiss to her temple before sipping his coffee. Just sitting here with him, enjoying the peace and quiet was bliss. She had no desire to venture out in that ice-cold rain and go to the airport.
“Are you sure you don’t want me to drive you?” Jamie asked, as if reading her mind.
“No. I have a car picking me up.” She always used a service going to and from the airport.
“If I drove you, that would be another hour plus that we’d get to spend together,” Jamie said.
Crystal turned her head on his shoulder and looked up at him. “You’re pathetic, you know that?”
He grinned. “Utterly.”
“Besides, you need a nap. We got up way too early.” They’d gone to the hospital around five when the birth of Bex and Hayden’s baby had been imminent. Summer Emily Archer had come into the world just after six. A crowd of Archers and Westcotts had filled the waiting area.
Jamie yawned in response. “Worth it though. Summer’s adorable.”
Crystal couldn’t help but agree—as were Summer’s parents. Bex and Hayden had been absolutely glowing despite their exhaustion.
Stella, the grandmotherly owner of the shop, came nearby, wiping the table next to them. When she finished, she moved closer, her gaze falling on Crystal. “You’re Alaina’s friend, aren’t you?”
Crystal straightened next to Jamie. “Yes. I think we’ve met but it’s been a while.” One of Stella’s employees had made their drinks earlier, but Crystal had come into the coffee shop before.
Stella smiled, and she pushed her glasses up her nose. “I think so too. It’s nice to see Jamie with someone.” She winked at Jamie. “Won’t your mother be happy to have all three of her boys married off?”
“Whoa there,” Jamie said, uncrossing his legs. “No one here is getting married.” He slid an amused glance at Crystal, who nodded in agreement.
Stella chuckled. “You won’t hear it from me.” She leaned forward and lowered her voice to a stage whisper. “But you know how small towns talk—and if you’re going to canoodle on my love seat in front of the main window, you’re just inviting speculation.” She winked again, but Crystal didn’t find any of it amusing. She’d come from a small town that liked to talk, and she hated going back there. She suddenly wasn’t too upset about leaving today.
“Well, I appreciate you not feeding any rumors,” Jamie said wryly.
“Speaking of rumors,” Stella said, looking at Crystal again. “I heard you’re writing a screenplay about Ribbon Ridge and that the KKK is somehow involved.”
What the hell? Crystal’s insides churned as adrenaline dumped through her. She clasped her hands in her lap. “Where did you hear that?”
Stella shrugged. “A friend of mine. She said she heard you talking to Kelsey at the library.”
Great. Crystal hadn’t realized anyone had been within eavesdropping distance. Son of a bitch.
“So is it true?” Stella prompted.
Jamie put his hand over Crystal’s. “Crystal doesn’t discuss projects in development.”
“Sounds like she did at the library.” Stella fixed her with a pointed stare. “Well, if you are, I would hope you’re doing your due diligence. I can’t imagine the good people of Ribbon Ridge putting up with the KKK in our town.”
Crystal started to shake. “History is full of bad decisions.”
“I suppose that’s true. Still, to think that happened here…” She clucked her tongue in disapproval. “Even if it did, why not set your story someplace else? Make up a fictional town or something. Folks around here would appreciate that a lot more, and if you do have a future with the charming Mr. Westcott here, you’d be better off.” She cast a smile toward Jamie.
“I’m sure you’d want history to be told,” Jamie said with a chilly edge to his tone. “And showing that it happened here—which it did—proves that it can happen anywhere.”
“I don’t dispute that. But like I said, why not make up a fictional town—because it could happen anywhere.” She looked back toward Crystal. “I thought Hollywood liked drama based on true stories but not actually true stories.” She laughed as if that would take the sting from her practically threatening words.
Though it wasn’t time for her car to arrive at Jamie’s, Crystal wanted to leave. “I’ll take your suggestion under advisement.” She didn’t bother keeping the sarcasm out of her voice as she stood.
Jamie got up beside her and looked her way. “Ready?”
Crystal nodded and reached for her cup on the table next to the love seat.
“I can take that if you’re finished,” Stella offered with a smile. “I didn’t mean to upset you—just keeping things real. We like to do that here in Ribbon R
idge.”
“Actually, it sounds like you don’t,” Crystal practically snapped. She immediately regretted it. Piss off the wrong people, and they made your life hell.
Stella’s eyes narrowed slightly. “Well, we do protect our town—and our own. You’d know that if you were a Ribbon Ridger like this nice young man.” Stella picked up Crystal’s cup. “You’ve still got some coffee left.”
Crystal forced a brittle smile. “I think I’m done here. Thanks.” She turned and left without waiting for Jamie. But she didn’t have to. He was right behind her, his hand against the small of her back.
Once they were outside, she let out a series of swear words that would’ve made her mother plug her ears.
Jamie took her hand as she dug her hat from her purse and smashed it on her head. “I’m so sorry that happened,” he said.
“I can’t believe someone was eavesdropping on our conversation at the library. Actually, I can. I guess I'm just out of practice when it comes to small towns. I should’ve known better.” She looked both ways down the street and started across.
He kept up with her. “This isn’t your fault.”
She looked at him askance. “Isn’t it? I’m dredging up some pretty awful history that it seems most of the town—maybe all the town—isn’t aware of. It really seems as though they covered things up and did a great job of it.”
“It still isn’t your fault. It’s Redmond and Hoyt Stowe’s—my ancestors. I’m way more to blame than you.”
She stopped short on the sidewalk and stared at him. “That is the stupidest logic I’ve ever heard.”
His mouth curved into a lopsided smile. “It’s only marginally worse than yours.”
Rolling her eyes, she started walking again. “Fine.”
“Look, Stella’s an old-timer. Her parents would’ve been around in the ’20s when the KKK was having a resurgence. Maybe it’s a sore point for her. No one wants to be associated with that,” he said. “Well, no one worth a shit anyway.”