Rise and Shine (Shine On Series, Book 2)

by Jewell, Allison J.

  “Silas, that tall man is in both of these photos.” She pointed to him.

  “Keen eyes, Emmie.”

  “You think these are connected somehow. That’s why you’re worried isn’t it?” she said quietly. He could tell from her expression she was attempting to put more pieces together.

  “Yes. And we are all done here. No questions, not tonight. It’s late and has been a long day.” Silas folded the papers and shoved them all in his leather satchel.

  Gabe let out a loud, exaggerated yawn. “I need to be heading home. Trick, you staying with me tonight?” he asked, getting up to get his coat and hat.

  Trick batted his eyes and smiled, “Gabe. You dirty rascal.”

  “Dry it up, Trick. Are you coming or not?” He laughed.

  “Nah… I’ll stay here. Pretty good bed back there… and I like roughing it in this house… you know, going outside to piss. Makes me feel like a man.” He started making his way to the bedroom.

  “Glad you have something to make you feel like one,” Silas said to his brother. The two bantered back and forth, throwing and blocking punches. Emmie had never seen them act like such kids. But then she’d never been with them like this before.

  “Be careful going home, Gabe. Come over tomorrow night and I’ll make supper for everybody.”

  “Thanks Emmie.” He leaned forward and gave her a hug and an awkward kiss on the cheek. “You know you’d be welcome to stay at my house. I mean I understand why you don’t, but I just wanted you to know you’re welcome.”

  “Thanks, Gabe.” She squeezed his arm. There was no way she was staying there but she appreciated the offer.

  He turned and opened the door. “Oh, and Emmie, why don’t you give Ava a call tomorrow when things calm down? She could use a friend.”

  “You mean someone to listen to her talk about lace and flowers?” Emmie laughed.

  Emmie was surprised that Gabe didn’t smile. His face looked solemn. “No, I just mean a friend.”

  Her eyebrows scrunched together as she thought about his words. What was that supposed to mean? Ava must have pouted to him on the phone about how Emmie had brushed her off about the wedding planning. But why would that make his face so hollow? Gabe left without another word.

  She locked the door and walked to the window, peeking out the curtain to be sure Gabe made it to his car and down the drive. Emmie felt two strong arms snake around her middle, crossing tightly over her abdomen. Silas’s scruff of a beard scratched her neck.

  “Well, I guess you convinced me.” His voice was deep and husky.

  “Of what?” she asked, trying to turn around, but he held her in place.

  “That I can’t keep you up on that pedestal forever.”

  “Pedestal?” Her voice came out as barely more than a whisper.

  Looking down at her he explained, “Good girl pedestal. I can’t keep you up there forever.”

  “I’m not sure that’s a good thing, Silas.” She chewed her bottom lip. “I just…” She worked up the courage to say what was in her heart. “I don’t want you to think less of me.”

  “I could never.” He pulled her hair away from her face as they reached the top of the steps. “What I meant to say was you’re more than just a good girl. I’ve been fooling myself… and selling you short.”

  He laid her down on the bed, and she sat up and scooted back against the metal bed frame. Working to steady her breath, Emmie chewed her lip.

  “You didn’t sell me short,” she said, watching him unbutton his shirt. He didn’t reply at first. His shirt fell on the floor. After pulling his white tank off, he sat on the bed next to her. His faded black cross tattoo rippled as the muscles in his arms stretched.

  “You are good.” He pulled his jacket off her shoulders and kissed the hollow of her neck. “And kind.” He kissed her temple. “And brave.” Silas moved so his body was positioned over hers, balancing his weight on his arms. “And smart.” He kissed her mouth again and again until she relaxed into his touch. “And beautiful.” Silas and kissed her on the forehead.

  “So,” Emmie swallowed hard, “does this mean want to be with me?”

  Silas smiled his crooked grin. He ran his thumb down her temple and shook his head. “It’s not a matter of want.” He made a sound she’d never heard before. An earthy, throaty sound and he looked into her eyes. “Because trust me, I want.”

  Emmie tried to find the saliva in her mouth but she was dry. Her voice cracked as she tried to speak. “Tonight?”

  Silas shook his head and muttered something under his breath. He rubbed his face. “Not tonight.” Even though he said the words, he didn’t look convinced.

  “Oh.” She frowned.

  “But it’s not that I don’t want to. Mo Chuisle. I love you. Gabe was right though that night he busted into the room. You deserve better than this.” He motioned to the room.

  “Silas, this is not some hotel. We haven’t been drinking. It is different.” She retorted unable to believe she was arguing with him about this.

  “Yeah, and my brother is right below us. No door, just open air. You. Deserve. Better.” He said.

  Oh. Trick. She’d forgotten about Trick. She licked her lips and brushed her hair back over her shoulder. “You’re right. Sorry. It’s just. I’ve never. I not good at this… this stuff,” Emmie wasn’t sure how to finish that sentence.

  “When it’s time we won’t have any doubts. Trust me.” Silas whispered in her ear. He planted another slow kiss on her temple. “But, we will be together. I swear it, Emmie.” She nodded in agreement and curled into him. She knew by society’s standards it was wrong for him to stay at her house like this. Wrong to sleep so close to her she could feel his breath on her back but she didn’t care. Never in her whole life had her house felt like such a safe and peaceful place. Silas brought her a feeling comfort she had never known.

  Chapter Thirty-five

  Emmie awoke the next morning just as the sun was coming up. She opened her eyes and looked around the room without moving. Everything looked the same as it had last night. Her ripped dress lay on the on the chair. His vest and holster were sitting on the table next to the bed. Everything looked the same but she knew things were different. Silas had promised her that someday they would be together. Emmie wondered if that meant he planned to be with her for good. Like death do you part, be together forever. And she realized now looking at the sunlight peeking in through the window that was what she wanted more than anything. Just to be with him, wake up every morning feeling safe, loved and at peace.

  Silas was snoring softly in her ear. She could feel his bare chest pressed against her back, his arm wrapped around her middle. Emmie lay there unmoving in his warmth. She closed her eyes and tried to go back to sleep but she couldn’t. She slowly moved his arm off her body. He stirred but never woke completely.

  Emmie pulled the quilt up around his shoulders. It was cold this morning he probably didn’t need to be so exposed. Sitting at her small vanity, she looked at her reflection in the mirror. She brushed her hair until it shined a glossy black. She started to braid it back but remembered Silas had once said he liked it long, and everywhere. So she left it alone. Emmie flushed as she looked back to the bed again. She wished Ava was here. There was no one else she could talk to. She felt a little guilty for brushing her off last night. Emmie made a mental note to call her back today.

  It was Sunday. Cold. Damp. The perfect day for a big breakfast. The kind like her mama used to surprise her with. There was nothing better than waking up to the smell of coffee and bacon. She wanted to do that for Silas. She stood and walked to the stairs; at the top of the landing she could feel the cool air of the first floor. She spun around and grabbed her robe but stopped. Instead she went for Silas’s shirt. She rolled the sleeves up to her elbows and fastened a few of the buttons to keep it closed over her nightgown. It smelled like him, as she breathed in the leathery scent.

  She warmed the stove and set the iron skillets to heat
. The kitchen was starting to warm but her feet were still ice cold on the wooden floors. Emmie went the den to add more wood to the fire. She wanted everything to be perfect when the boys woke. She looked up and walked into the den, nearly jumping out of her skin. A little scream escaped her mouth as she ran right into a figure in the dark.

  “Sorry, Emmie. I was just getting the fire going.” Trick grabbed her shoulders to settle her.

  Silas was down the stairs in a matter of seconds. “Emmie?” he shouted as he jumped the last two stairs.

  “Sorry. I just thought I was the only one up. Trick was in the den,” she explained.

  Silas breathed in and out heavily, clearly still trying to gather his bearings. It was only then she noticed he was carrying his gun and only wearing his underwear. He was the most handsome man she had ever seen. And he was hers. Her cheeks flamed red at the thought. He walked over to her, ran his hand over the collar of his shirt she was wearing and his knuckle brushed her jaw.

  “You okay?” he asked, his voice still hoarse in the cool morning air.

  “Yeah, just jumpy I guess.”

  “Emmie you really shouldn’t take Silas’s clothes on such a cold morning. The poor boy had to come down here nearly naked as the day he was born.” Trick attempted to break the awkwardness of the situation.

  “Get outta here, Trick,” Silas said without looking at his brother.

  Trick was glad to leave. He went to the kitchen and poured a cup of coffee. He also found some scraps and fed the dog that was dancing at his feet.

  He wrapped his arms around her, hers threaded under his. His bare chest felt so warm against her, she didn’t know how he wasn’t freezing.

  “I’m cooking breakfast.” She nodded to the kitchen. “I better get back in there before the biscuits burn. Nothing worse than black biscuits.”

  She pulled away and he grabbed her by her arm, pulling her back into his chest. “I love you, Mo chuisle.”

  She smiled unsure what it meant. It was on the tip of her tongue to ask but she didn’t get the chance. He spoke first.

  “Go fix us some biscuits.” Silas give his best country accent and smacked her lightly on her leg as she turned around.

  “Please don’t talk like that.” She snorted as he went upstairs to get dressed.

  The trio ate breakfast over smiles and stories of their childhood. Emmie was so intrigued by their brotherly bond. She wondered what it would be like to have a lifetime of memories with someone. Her mind went to Gabe. Maybe she should make an effort to know him better. This wasn’t his doing anymore than it was hers.

  “We better go get ready if we’re gonna make it to Mass,” Silas said, pushing up from the table.

  Trick nodded and moved to the bedroom to get dressed. Silas headed upstairs.

  “Alright. I’ll be up in a second, let me get started with these dishes.”

  Spotty stayed under her feet the whole time she was cleaning, anxiously awaiting a crumb or scrap of meat. He was not disappointed. When the dog stood stone-still then let out a bark, running for the door, she knew she had a visitor. The sinking in her stomach let her know who it was. She ran to the door shushing Spotty. His toenails clicked against the floor as he bounced. She opened the door and he darted out to welcome the truck. How could she have forgotten she’d told Bo she’d meet him early this morning? Granted, she thought they’d meet back at the field and not at her front door. But she still shouldn’t have forgotten.

  She stepped in her bare feet into the crisp morning air, closing the door quietly behind her. Bo opened the door of the truck. She raced over to him before he could get all the way out.

  “Hey Bo.” She held the open door but blocked his exit.

  “Emmie,” he laughed, “you ain’t really dressed for the hike to the cabin.”

  “I thought you were going to call and we’d meet in the field?”

  “Figured this would save you a few steps. No point in you walking all the way from here to the cabin.”

  “Well I appreciate the thought but now’s not really a good time. I’m going to church and then I’d like to say bye to Walter, Max, and Mae before they head out. Maybe tomorrow is better?”

  “Let’s talk inside. You have got to be freezing.” He made a move to step out of the truck.

  “It’s really better if you go,” she said, trying not to be rude.

  She inwardly groaned as she heard the front door slam.

  “Just go,” she said quickly.

  “Is he holding you here not letting you come with me?” he asked angrily.

  “What? No, nothing like that.” Emmie was baffled by his conclusion.

  She felt Silas’s hand gather the material of her nightgown and gently pull her away from the door. She stumbled as she stepped backward, trying to keep her footing.

  “What the hell are you doing here boy?” Silas asked.

  “I might ask you the same thing,” Bo said. “You’re looking a little too comfortable to be on a house call.”

  It was then Emmie noticed Silas still only had his pants on. And she was standing there in her nightgown and wrapped in his shirt. Oh dear Lord. Bo was going to think they’d…

  “Is that so?” Silas asked, his voice full of venom.

  “Bo, I’ll talk to you later okay. I’m sorry but tomorrow is better.” She moved around Silas.

  “You better not be making her back out on us.” Bo warned, pointing his finger at her. “Emmie you know Pap won’t stand for you backing out on him.”

  It happened so fast that Emmie didn’t see it coming. The sound came first. It rang through Emmie’s ears, making her freeze like a doe in the woods.

  Chapter Thirty-six

  “Oh my God, Silas. No,” Emmie shouted, trying to move past him. He kept his gun pointed at Bo who was now sitting stone still in the cab of the truck. His body crouched down in a fetal position. Silas’s arm with the cross tattoo shot straight out to the side holding her back.

  Bo slowly rose up feeling his body for wounds. “You actually shot at me.”

  “No. If I’d shot at you, you’d be bleeding,” Silas said with a grin. There was not a trace of humor in his eyes. “That was your warning. If it weren’t for your Pap, you wouldn’t get a warning. Am I clear?”

  Emmie bent down and crawled under Silas’s arm. “Are you okay?” she asked Bo.

  “Yeah.” He tried to sound confident. “I’m just fine, Em.”

  Silas reached his arm around Emmie and pulled her into his chest, never moving his pistol from Bo. “You will never threaten her again. She owes no promises to anyone. She does this or doesn’t do this of her own accord. Understood?”

  Bo nodded. He looked like he wanted to say more but thought better of it. Without another word he reversed the truck and backed out of the drive. When he was out of sight Silas slipped the pistol into the back of his dress pants and let go of Emmie.

  Emmie could feel her teeth clenching in anger. She spun around on her feet, balled her hand up into a tight fist and punched Silas in the chest. Much to her dismay he barely moved. So she did what any rational female would do, she did it again. This time he caught it.

  “I’m not going to let you do that again. This is not who you are.” He looked down at her.

  “Don’t shoot at my friends. Don’t shoot at people. What the hell is wrong with you?” she shouted and walked into the house.

  She wasn’t surprised to find Trick watching out the window.

  “Coulda used some help out there, Patrick,” she shouted at him.

  Silas locked the door as he entered.

  “You’re overreacting. Silas wasn’t going to hurt him,” Trick said matter of factly.

  “Did you not make it to the window in time for the shooting?” Emmie spread her arms wide.

  “If I were shooting he’d have a hole. I’ve already explained that. I was making a point.”

  “Yeah, well. You’re a smart man. You can use words to make a point,” she snapped. “We don’t s
hoot people. This is not how things go around here.”

  Without another word she headed upstairs to get ready. After a few minutes, Silas followed her. He pulled a white shirt over his chest. He paced around the room again while Emmie put on makeup, slamming the tubes and brushes down as she used them.

  “You mad at your makeup or me?” Silas asked from the other side of the room.

  “Don’t you be cute with me.”

  “I would have never shot him with you standing right there.” He bent down to be at eye level. “But I’m sorry I upset you.” He ran his knuckles down the side of her face. She shot him a dirty look. He laughed. That was not the response she was hoping for.

  “Bo shouldn’t have shouted at you.”

  “I’m done with this conversation. Keep your gun in your holster… or your pants… or wherever you carry it.”

  Trick laughed from the bottom of the stairs and Silas grinned. He put his hands up in defeat and answered. “Okay.”

  “What are you laughing at?”

  “Nothing. Look, lets not fight today,” he whispered.

  She sighed. “I don’t want to fight. It’s just sometimes I feel like I don’t know you. The man I was with last night was so gentle and I couldn’t see a trace of him a few minutes ago.”

  Silas frowned and took a step away from her. “I really don’t want to talk about this. Let’s just drop it. I said I was sorry that I upset you. Finish up, I’ll see you outside.” He said quietly.

  **********

  Mass was peaceful. The music was calming. The stained-glass windows were as beautiful as she remembered. The service was in Latin and she spoke no Latin, so she had no idea what the message was but the feeling was there. Silas kept her hand in his the whole time. Even at the end when he walked up to speak to the priest. She was most surprised when he inquired about a good time to stop by for confession. The man dressed in black actually offered to take him then. Emmie sat in the first pew and waited for him to finish. She closed her eyes and did a little confessing of her own. Then prayed for Max, Walter, and Mae. She prayed for Silas. When she finished she realized she didn’t have a speck of loneliness in her heart. When she opened her eyes Trick was sitting next to her. She had no idea he was there and nearly jumped out of her skin just like she had this morning. He smiled.