Echoes in the Wind

by Debra Jupe

  “This room belongs to my younger brother, Adrian. As I’m sure you noticed from the spread photographs everywhere, he resembles Momma.” She waved a hand at the pictures throughout displaying a handsome Hispanic-looking teen in various stages of school. “He was here when we arrived the other night. He helped carry you inside after you fainted in the driveway.” Darla proceeded to give him an update on the events that occurred up until he’d awakened. “You’ll meet him at some point.” She placed her hands on her hips and glanced around the room. “But it’ll be later. He moved out a couple of years ago. He lives and works in Harlingen, plus he has a busy social life.”

  “He’s big in martial arts, huh?” He nodded to the numerous trophies won in tai kwan do or other karate-type competitions.

  “He participated in lots of contests when he was in school.”

  “What kind of awards are in your room?”

  “Mine are boxed up in the attic,” she explained. “My old bedroom is now the guestroom.”

  “I’d like to see it anyway.” A corner of his lip rose as he teased, “Give me a tour later?”

  She opened her mouth to reply, but her mother interrupted. “I made breakfast.” She breezed into the room carrying a tray of food. “You eat now. Then you rest. Later you’ll get out of bed.”

  Darla’s father shadowed her inside. “You ladies excuse us.” He gave Eric a meaningful squint. “The two of us are going to have a quick heart-to-heart, while Mr. Boyd enjoys his meal.”

  ****

  Late that evening, Darla lay in her bed, doing her best to concentrate on her book. A light tap came at her bedroom door. She looked up from her reading and stared at the closed entrance for several seconds before she whispered a soft, “Come in.”

  Eric poked his head inside. “Got a second?”

  “Sure.” She put her paperback aside, dragging the sheet farther up over her as he entered.

  “You’re looking healthier each time I see you.”

  “I’m feeling much better.”

  Hands thrusts into his pockets, he wandered about until he stopped at the dresser to scan the ornamented surface, though he didn’t speak.

  “Is everything okay?”

  He spun around and smiled ruefully. “I need to say a few things.”

  Darla shoved her hair away from her face and bobbed her head. He appeared uncomfortable, as if trying to find the right words. Fear welled in her chest and tightened inside. She webbed a curl through her fingers.

  He cleared his throat before he spoke. A corner of his mouth slanted upward. “Had that chat with your dad. He insisted I give him the details on what’s been happening and how I came to have a bullet lodged in my upper arm. Since you’d kept the specifics to a minimum, I had to come clean. To say the least, after I revealed everything, he wasn’t thrilled I involved you.”

  “Dads can be a little overprotective.”

  “That’s why I try to avoid fathers.” He chuckled. “Yours is a bit of a hard ass, yet he seems like a pretty good guy. I explained to him about our money situation too.”

  This news surprised Darla, though she did her best not to let it show. Or her satisfaction Eric was comfortable enough with her father to tell him of this major life setback.

  “I don’t believe there’s any way we’re gonna come out of this without everything collapsing first.” He gave Darla a weary grin. “But your dad thinks he can help me. He’s contacted your brother. The older one, the lawyer you were telling me about.”

  “Barry. My brother’s name is Barry.”

  “Right. Barry.”

  “We met for the first time five years ago when he and Dad found each other and reconnected. He’s a decent man. He’ll do whatever it takes to get this mess straightened out.”

  Eric nodded. “He plans on filing a bunch of papers—I don’t remember what the legal terms are—against Dugan on the band’s behalf. He’s already got in touch with our record company and finished setting up an account to where they can deposit any new royalties. He’s also connected with some private investigators he’s gonna call. He says they’re all good at what they do and one should be able to track the asshole down.”

  “Do you need to find Dugan before you can serve him with the documents?”

  “It helps, but apparently it’s not necessary we know where he’s at.”

  “That’s great.” Darla smiled. “Recovering your missing funds would be a big step.”

  “Possibly. Barry needs the copies of my contracts I signed with Dugan as soon as possible, so he and several of his colleagues can study them and start the process.”

  “Fantastic. You must be excited. There’s a chance you’ll get your money back.”

  Eric lifted a shoulder. “I still think with Dugan disappearing, it’ll be hard to recover. Your brother is anxious to start an investigation. The problem is, we signed those contracts. I’m trying to stay positive, but I don’t wanna get my hopes up either.” He roamed over to her dresser, picked up a knick-knack, and inspected the glass piece.

  Then he returned the trinket and turned back to her. He seemed to be searching for words. “I wanted to thank you. For everything. For helping me. For taking care of me and being so good to me when I gave you no reason to do anything for me.” He fidgeted. “I also want to apologize. For all the times I was an asshole. I don’t mean to be. Some people just don’t get my humor. And though it’s not an excuse, I’m not used to dealing with a real lady. But you deserve the best, Darla, don’t ever let anyone tell you, you don’t.” He turned his deep blue eyes to her. “Just wanted you to know.”

  With a slight grin, she bowed her head. “Thank you for the apology and you’re welcome for the help.” She raised her chin to meet his gaze. “You just require a bit of adjustment in attitude when it comes to dealing with women. While I appreciate the fact you’re up front about your intentions, you need to remember every woman is a real lady, even if we don’t always behave like one. You should treat them with respect.”

  “You’re right,” he agreed, but seemed uneasy. “I’d gotten spoiled from being in a band. Hardly anyone told me no. My mum would hit me upside the head if she knew about my behavior, because she taught me better. I’d forgotten how to be nice for real until I met you.”

  “I’m sure your way of life was a big influence. I get that.” She waited a beat before she spoke. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. You helped me a lot, even if you didn’t mean to.”

  “Any help from me to you was an accident, for sure.” Eric released a short chuckle, and then turned serious. “I have one more thing to tell you.” He paused. “I just got word from the detectives. They think they’ve caught the guy. The killer. He was lurking around Finn’s place when they found him.”

  “Seriously? Who? Who is this crazy person? Your former manager?”

  “Strange enough, the police have known about him for quite some time. A hired gun, like I believed in the beginning. And he carried the same kind of weapon that killed Finn and Drake. Plus, someone thinks they spotted him in the vicinity when Mitchell was shot. The detective claims he’s lawyered up, so there’s no confession yet or who is behind hiring him, although I’m betting on Dugan, especially since word on the street is, he’s been spotted hanging around the same area.”

  “I heard Shane mention it on our trip here.”

  “Can’t get anything past you.” He grinned. “The Dugan sighting could just be a rumor. Still, the man from homicide seems certain the man they caught is our guy.”

  Darla’s lifted her palms to her cheeks. “This is great news. Have you contacted Blaine?”

  He nodded. “Yeah, he and Stephanie are having a good time. They’re not returning to California for a while. The police don’t need him, because he didn’t witness anything. But they do want me to look at the suspect and possibly identify him. Maybe viewing him in person will jog a memory.”

  She dropped her hands to her lap. “You really can’t place him?”

  “N
o. I’ve been having bad dreams about that night, but I never see a clear face that I can remember. I wonder if I’ve blocked the image.”

  “That’s possible. What happened to you and finding Finn dead must have been horrifying. How is Mitchell? Can he help?”

  “Mitchell’s not quite well enough, plus he doesn’t remember any more than I do.”

  “Still, this is wonderful, and a relief that everything is over.” Darla gazed at him with a smile. “This has been an adventure, hasn’t it?”

  “Yes. And I’m sorry to say our journey is ending soon.”

  “H-h-how soon?” she stuttered. “When do you leave?”

  “In the morning. I’m healed enough to travel. I want to get this over with.” He rubbed his forehead with his fingers. “I’ve arranged to meet with your brother in Austin tomorrow. After, we’re going back to California to discuss Dugan with the authorities together. He says he’ll go with me to talk to the cops about this murder suspect too as support, although it’s not in his line of expertise. Then we can focus on the money situation.”

  “Sounds like things are beginning to fall into place for you. You get your freedom back and maybe even your money. How’s that for a happy ending?”

  “I hope. I’m afraid you’re reaching for a silver lining too soon.”

  “Don’t be negative. The bad stuff won’t last forever. Your luck is about to turn for the better. Actually, it already has now that the killer is in jail.”

  “That’s exactly what your mother predicted when she read my palm earlier. She told me my life had taken a major turn and in a few weeks I’ll be where I’m supposed to be.” Eric laughed, but instantly his expression altered to dark. “I believe my world has improved because this lunatic killing my band mates was caught. I can relax for that reason, though it doesn’t bring them back.” He walked to the door, and then he spun around to face her. “So, I guess this is good bye.”

  Their eyes connected. Her heart jumped. Darla understood this was the moment. If anything was to ever happen between them, if she wanted to solidify their connection, physically, emotionally, the time for her to act was now. And she had to take the initiative.

  The idea terrified her. He apologized, admitted his bad behavior. He wouldn’t dare do anything to compromise his regret. If he did, he’d come off as a complete jerk. Therefore, it was up to her to let him know.

  He touched the knob.

  She took a solid breath, opened her mouth but the word “stay” stuck in her throat.

  “Sleep well, luv.”

  Chapter 19

  Eric leaned his head against Darla’s bedroom door, resisting the urge to bang it into the frame. He only thought he’d known regret in the past. But having to leave her gave him a true understanding of disappointment. He did the right thing by telling her he was sorry for his boorish behavior, and he needed to make everything good between them before he left. He didn’t want to leave her with a bunch of bad memories of their brief time together. Therefore, he chose to walk away.

  Although he wasn’t sure why he wanted her to remember him as a decent guy. Respectability closed off any possibility of him ever fulfilling his yearnings for her. He not only longed for her, hell, he craved her to the point of obsession. She’d been in his head from the moment they met and stayed with him since. Now he realized he’d never forget her. Not for the first time, he wondered if this is what love felt like, but hurried to shake away the notion. Eric Boyd didn’t fall in love.

  He stared at the door for a while longer before he took a deep breath and walked down the hallway and into his room. Once inside, he stood in the center, his mind muddled. The click of the air conditioner cycling on caught his attention. He moved to stand under the vent, bathing his body in the breezy cool airstream.

  The chilliness helped, but the draft wasn’t frigid enough to drop his internal thermometer. A cold shower might help to redirect his thoughts away from her, and his lingering physical needs, and the fact he passed on the opportunity to take care of them. Tomorrow he’d be gone. More than likely he’d never see her again. Besides, there were other things to think about other than dwelling on what didn’t happen with her. Like what was next in his life.

  Even with Spiraling UP’s new hit, he was without resources. No money meant he and Blaine couldn’t move forward with their music unless Shane managed to find some cash from somewhere else for this tour, and that wasn’t a guarantee. Nor did he foresee them recouping their funds anytime soon, no matter how optimistic Barry seemed.

  After he took care of business in California he had to determine what direction he should take. He’d tossed many ideas around in his head since he’d awakened this morning. Time spent with the Hennessys made him realize he wanted to visit his family and how he needed normalcy in his life. Maybe he’d take Darla’s advice to finish college and earn his degree. If this new band didn’t produce the way they expected, he may get a job as an architect. Yeah, he might have to work in a cubicle at first, but he hoped design would be satisfactory as an outlet for his creativity. He wouldn’t totally quit music, though.

  They could use this upsurge from their new song as a base. There were area club contacts he’d made early in his career and they’d let him play. He didn’t even need Shane to pull any strings for that. Plus, he’d keep writing songs. No doubt his music would be about a dark-eyed southern teacher with wild curls.

  The tinkle of his cell phone yanked him away from his daydreams. He almost groused at the idea of leaving it on all the time as he glanced at the caller ID. Darla’s brother, his new attorney, was on the other end. With a heavy sigh he punched the on key. After a quick conversation, he pressed the off button, then gathered up his things to get ready for a shower.

  He quietly slipped out of his room and tiptoed through the hall leading to the bathroom doing his best to resist looking at Darla’s bedroom ahead. Instead of passing by her door like he should, he paused. On impulse, he put his hand on the knob, then let his fingers drop. He may never leave if he entered her room. The thought of intimacy with her had him searching for oxygen. His chest squeezed tight and he couldn’t breathe. He needed air. Forgetting the shower, he quietly, continued down the hallway, past the living area and stepped outside into the humid darkness.

  ****

  Darla stared into the blackened sky. The swaying of her father’s boat normally sent her into a serene lull, though tonight the movement only reminded her of her unfulfilled needs. She should have stopped him and asked him to stay.

  But it was too late. Eric was leaving and the sinking feeling in her gut told her he’d said goodbye for good. She sighed and again she wished she could be more like Stephanie, and not be so cautious in life and live in the now.

  A slight thump from behind interrupted her melancholy moment. With a foot she whirled the pedestal seat around, surprised by the welcomed but unexpected intrusion. Eric pinned his eyes on her to hold her gaze. He didn’t speak as he dropped a bundle of something onto the deck. Nervous flutters tickled her stomach as he glided across the boats surface to where she waited.

  He reached her, clasped her hands into his, and urged her to her feet. His face hovered above hers. There was no need to question him about what he wanted. The fire in his blue eyes told her everything.

  Without thinking, she lifted her chin with slightly parted lips. Fingers raked through her thick curls before he pressed into her, accepting her silent invitation with his mouth. A soft cry escaped from her throat, her arms instinctively slipped around him. The openmouthed kiss was hot, hungry. Their tongues interweaved heating her inside and out, her body screaming for more. She didn’t feel any need to hold back. She wanted him. Against her, in her, she wanted him in every way.

  He broke the kiss and asked in a hoarse whisper, “Is there someplace we can go?”

  “Below. There’s a bed downstairs.”

  He squeezed her before he released her, fingertips traced over her bare arms, then he laced his fingers with hers.r />
  “Lead the way.”

  She steered him through an opening which led underneath into the boat’s cuddy cabin. The only light was the moon’s reflection shining past the uncovered window, haloing the bed that sat to one side of the room.

  Inside, he directed her toward the bed and wrapped his arms around her, finding her lips with his. He gently guided her into the mattress, never breaking their connection, and then lowered his weight on top of her.

  She slid her hands over his biceps, drifting across his shoulders, and clutched him behind the neck. She tugged him nearer, impatient to feel him against her. Not shying away from his desires, he silently understood her direction, and pressed his hardened penis between the softness of her legs, spurring her thighs to open and allow him even closer.

  Eric let loose a ragged breath and moved away. “I’ve wanted you,” he said in a rough growl, “wanted to fuck you since the moment we met.”

  “Ditto,” she breathed.

  He released a quiet laugh. “And you’re the romantic?”

  “Stop talking.” She drew him tighter, putting her mouth back onto his.

  A coarse groan quivered from his throat. He rose slightly to slide a hand between them, under her thin top to possessively cover her breast. Her nipple tightened as he stroked and shaped it into his palm. She basked in each caress sure she’d explode at any second. Fingertips skimmed down her back, past the waistband of her sweats to glide the length of her bottom, triggering her to elevate her legs, then squeeze and lock securely around him.

  She tugged at his shirt. She wanted him naked. He desired the same from her and would have his way, raising enough to push her tank top over her head, after which he stripped her pants off. Once he had her undressed, his mouth hungrily closed over her nipple, his tongue sweeping around the tip to set off a series of internal upsurges.

  A raw moan tore from her. She squirmed, arched her back, and forgot about trying to get him undressed, fearful she may erupt at any second. Heat swelled throughout her body, soaring downward to pulsate between her legs. Hands scraped through his hair to clutch each side of his head. His hot, male scent bounded her. His closeness expanded a rush of absolute demand.