by Wendy Vella
“Handsomeness?”
Branna waved to Belle, who was debating something with Newman beside a stall, before she looked back at Jake. Surprisingly, he was embarrassed, which was a revelation to her. She’d never seen him flustered before.
“You know you’re handsome, right?”
“Cut it out.” Taking her hand, he tried to start them moving again, but she stopped in front of him.
“My God, you’re embarrassed and there I was thinking nothing had the power to do that to you.” Branna hooted with laughter. “You own a mirror, right?”
He looked uncomfortable; his eyes checking to make sure no one could hear their conversation.
“Most women have a silly smile on their faces whenever they see you, McBride. It’s lucky I’m not the jealous kind, because my insides would be twisted by now.”
“Will you quit it!”
Oh, this was just too much fun. He was really uncomfortable now, his eyes looking everywhere but at her.
“And don’t get me started on your body.” Branna hummed her appreciation. I overheard that Ellie Putt, saying you should pose nude because it was just a downright sin to cover all that delicious flesh up.”
“You having fun?”
“Totally.” Branna gave him a big smile, which made him growl. “The fact that you don’t know what a dreamboat you are is cute.”
“Totally,” he mimicked, and then wrapped a hand around her neck. “So, you think I’m a dreamboat?”
“Ellie thinks you are,” Branna corrected.
“And what about you, Rosebud, do you know how hot you are?”
“Don’t try and change the subject.”
“Fair’s fair. I have to walk around with the hottest woman in Howling, watch all the men ogling her, and pretend it doesn’t bother me, and don’t get me started on your body.”
He pulled her closer so no one could see the hand that cupped her breast, which was devastatingly accurate, or the thumb he rubbed over her hard nipple that made her knees go weak.
“I yield.”
His breath was uneven as he planted a smacking kiss on her lips, before he pushed a piece of fudge in there.
“Just so you know, I only have to see you to want you. One touch and I’m so hard it hurts, and—”
“Jake, we are in the middle of the entire town of Howling,” Branna whispered.
“All the more reason to make you understand what you do to me. In fact, I’m thinking this whole Carnival thing is overrated and we should just head home.”
“Stop that,” Branna laughed, as he turned to leave. “We can’t leave; we’ve only just arrived.”
“You better make it up to me later then,” he said, giving her a sexy smile that made her heart skip a beat.
“Branna, Delray and Macy are just ahead of us, you want to head in the other direction?”
She looked up and saw Macy, who, as usual, looked beautiful and immaculate. But this time, Branna looked closer, after what she’d seen that day in the drugstore, and really saw the look in the woman’s eyes.
“Damn,” she muttered.
“What?”
“I saw Macy in the drugstore one day; she didn’t know I was there because I was hiding behind one of the displays.”
“Why were you hiding behind the displays?”
“Never mind that, it’s what I saw when I was hiding that matters,” Branna added. “Macy walked around the display, so no one could see her, then put her head in her hands and sobbed. Honestly, Jake, she looked broken, and I could feel her despair from where I stood.”
“Macy?” Jake looked at the couple who were walking toward them. “That Macy?”
“I overheard Mr. Pike saying she had a sore stomach, but to me it seemed to be much more than that, and that’s silly, right? I mean, how could I know that with one look?”
“It’s called instinct, Rosebud.”
“It made my eyes itch to see her, Jake, which has to tell you how bad it was, because she’s not one of my favorite people, as you know.”
“No secret there.”
“But now, I feel sorry for her, which is a real piss off, because I hate when that happens, as I’ll have to be nice to her.”
“You? The girl who doesn’t collect people? The emotional void, the—”
“I get the idea, McBride, you don’t need to belabor the point.”
He cupped the back of her neck and gave a gentle squeeze before he took her hand again, and they walked to where Brian Delray was talking loudly to a group of people.
“Hey, Macy.”
“Jake, Branna,” her words were cold.
The woman was dressed as if she’d just walked down Hollywood Boulevard. Hair perfect, face coated in a fine layer of makeup, clothes fitted to show off her body, and tottering on six-inch heels.
Macy’s smile didn’t reach her eyes, but her husband’s did. He pumped Jake’s hand and grinned at her.
“I-I’m sorry to hear about your house.” Macy said the words slowly, almost as if she was thinking about each one as she said it.
“Thanks. You still need help with the reunion?”
Surprise made those long fake lashes rise.
“Yes.”
“Well, here’s my card; you just email me with what you need done, and I’ll see what I can do.”
Fingers tipped with long pink nails took the rectangle of white.
“There you go, honey, told you it would all work out fine.” Brian Delray wrapped a hand around his wife’s waist and pulled her close. To Branna’s eye, Macy looked as stiff as a board, and not too happy about the embrace. “She’s working so hard on the reunion that she’s not sleeping. Last night, I found her pacing the hallway muttering about banners.”
Macy didn’t laugh with her husband; instead, she had a blank expression on her face.
“You need me for anything, Macy, you just let me know.” As someone who’d been desperately unhappy in her life, she recognized it in another person, and Macy Reynolds-Delray was unhappy.
“Thank you, Branna, I’ll let you know.”
“Same goes for me, Macy, minus the emcee duties.”
“Thank you, Jake.”
“Well, hell, if they’re volunteering, I guess I should, Macy. You got any jobs you want me to do for the reunion?” Buster came to stand on Branna’s left, his mouth full of the same fudge that Jake was just about to put in his.
“Th-thanks, Buster, I’ll let you know.”
Jake studied Mrs. Reynolds-Delray as she spoke to Buster. Branna was right, something was off with her. He’d never looked at her long enough to see the emptiness in her eyes or the blank expression on her face. She was just always smiling her silly smile and covered in makeup. Always perfect, her hair styled, clothes designer.
“I told you they’d rally, Macy. And thanks so much, everyone, for offering to help. I’m doing the best I can, but business is busy right now, so I can’t do much.”
Brian Delray was relaxed, unlike his wife. He smiled his nice guy smile, the same one he’d always used since the day he moved into Howling and wooed Macy. He’d then stepped into her father’s shoes and into the people’s hearts, and taken over the Reynolds Real Estate business. Jake hadn’t had a lot to do with the man, just in passing, but he’d always figured he and Macy were happy, not that he’d given the matter much thought. They’d not had a family yet, but there was still plenty of time for that, although now that he thought about it, that was strange too. Macy had told anyone who’d listen when she’d first married Brian that they were going to settle down and raise kids. Maybe they couldn’t have them?
“Macy and I need to catch up with a few people, so see you all later,” Brian said.
Jake lifted a hand to the Reynolds-Delrays; Macy didn’t return the gesture, just let her husband lead her away.
“Something’s not right there, Jake.” Branna was still watching them walk away as she spoke. Worry drew a line down her forehead.
“Think you could be o
nto something, Rosebud.”
“What?”
“Macy, Buster, something’s off with her.”
His friend was looking at the backs of Macy and Brian, his forehead also now creased.
“Off how?”
“She’s unhappy, I noticed it a few days ago, and looks…frozen.”
Buster looked at Branna when she finished talking. “What the hell does that mean?”
Jake stayed silent as she tried to enlighten Buster as to her concerns about Macy. The hand he didn’t hold waved about as she spoke. He liked anchoring her to him, liked that she wanted it too. Her hair hung in a long plait that he wanted to wrap around his hand to draw her in for a kiss, then he’d remove that short scrap of material she called a dress from her lovely body. The color of her eyes, it hung in a simple straight line down her curves and there was nothing simple or straight about how it looked on her. It clung to the soft swell of her breasts, and stopped high on her thighs, which left those long shapely legs free for him to lust after. She was understated in what she wore, not much makeup that he could see or jewelry, just a small gold bangle and necklace, and she was the sexiest woman he’d ever known.
She’d tied him in so many knots, he’d forgotten where he began and ended. His dark places were getting lighter and suddenly, he wanted to get out of bed in the morning. Not strictly speaking, true, as he wanted to stay in there with her, but in general life had suddenly become worth living.
“It’s been brought to my attention that the members of our award-winning high school band of 2004 are all here in Howling tonight.”
Branna spun to look at the stage, where Mr. Hope now stood at the microphone.
“Is th-hat Mr. Hope?”
Jake felt Branna’s fingers grip his tightly as she spoke.
“Yup, since he retired from teaching, he’s become the unofficial emcee in Howling,” Buster said. Unlike Jake, he hadn’t made the connection to Branna and the band of 2004.
“Don’t be shy now, you people,” Mr. Hope’s voice continued to boom into the microphone. Jake eased Branna’s nails out of his flesh as they dug in. “I taught each and every one of you, in class and in band practice,” Mr. Hope added. “I know how good you are.”
“Hide me.” Branna’s voice was desperate.
“What’s the problem here, Branna?” Buster asked.
“She was in that band,” Jake replied.
“Well, shit.”
He and Buster looked around for the nearest escape route.
“Anybody see our band members?” Mr. Hope yelled so loudly that Jake winced. “Annabelle Smith and Branna O’Donnell, I know you’re out there.”
“I’m going kill Mr. Hope. I don’t care if he gave me an A in music.” Annabelle appeared before them. Unlike Branna who was literally shocked into a statue, she was fuming. “Springing this kind of shit when neither of us have touched an instrument or played together for years. This could be a disaster. Still, at least that would ensure it never happened again.”
“I’m not going up there.” Branna found her voice.
“Where you planning to run to, O’Donnell? Your path is blocked and these people can be mean when they don’t get what they want.”
Jake watched Branna look around her at Annabelle’s words. It was crowded, but if she really wanted to leave, he’d have her out in seconds.
“Suck it up, Bran, and let’s get it over with, then I’ll buy you a beer.” Annabelle grabbed Branna’s hand.
“I hate beer and I’m not singing,” she gripped Jake’s hand as Annabelle tried to get her moving towards the stage.
“I thought you Irish were meant to be tough,” Jake cupped her cheek, running his thumb over the soft flushed skin. “Where’s that fighting backbone your countrymen are known for?” Jake gave Annabelle a look and she dropped Branna’s hand.
“I can’t do this, Jake.”
He pulled her into his arms, ignoring the people around him, and whispered into her ear. “I heard you sing once and I remember thinking that I’d never heard anyone sound like you before. Every hair on my body stood up and I thought that one day I’d be listening to you on the radio, Rosebud. You have the voice a million musicians would die for. If you don’t want to sing because it scares you, fine, I’ll get you out of here, but if it’s because you don’t believe you can, then I’m here to tell you that’s bull.”
She sighed, her breath brushing his neck, then lifting her head, she gave him a wobbly smile.
“I hate that you always know just the right thing to say all the time. I hated it in school and I have to say it still bugs me.” Her words made him smile.
“What can I say? Life sucks.”
She kissed him, which surprised the hell out of Jake, because she wasn’t one for demonstrative gestures, especially not in front of the entire town of Howling and then let Annabelle lead her through the throng of people towards the stage. He lost sight of her briefly and then she was taking the stairs.
“I’m thinking a mystery muffin might have to be made in her honor for this. I’ve never seen a woman turn white that fast,” Buster said, as he and Jake watched the girls walk up the steps.
“You know how anything that crawls turns you into a weeping, sniveling infant? Well, this kind of thing does that to her…without the weeping and sniveling.”
Buster whistled, not at all put out by Jake’s explanation.
“She’s scared to death then.”
“And then some,” Jake added, watching Branna say something to Mr. Hope that made him laugh. She talked to the other guitarist, drummer, and Annabelle, and after a discussion they all took a few seconds doing things with their instruments, and then Branna stepped up to the microphone and Jake held his breath.
Come on, baby, you can do this.
“I’ll be expecting you all to dance, seeing as you dragged us up here.” Nerves made her accent thicker. A ripple of laughter swept through the crowd after she spoke.
“There will be two songs, as Mr. Hope won’t let up after just one, so if you don’t like what you hear, stick your fingers in your ears.”
Beside him, Buster snorted, and Jake felt a smile on his lips. She looked so sexy standing up there and she was his.
Her voice was still amazing, that deep husky purr that ran up and down his spine and accompanied by Annabelle’s backup vocals and nimble fingers on the keyboard, they sounded as if they’d been playing together for years. They played two well-known rock ballads that had everyone dancing, like Branna had asked them to. She’d gone up there terrified and delivered an amazing performance; he was so proud of her his chest hurt.
“She’s good.”
Jake didn’t answer Buster; his eyes never moved from Branna.
He thought about what she’d endured and overcome to be the smart, funny, sexy woman he knew today. She’d fought her battles alone, as far as he could see, but she’d come out the other side. Jake knew she had baggage, most people had some, but she’d gone on living her life, being who she wanted to be.
“So, you know how I said I’d stand aside and give you a clear run with her, McBride?”
“She’s mine, Tex, go find your own woman,” Jake said, as Ethan moved to his other side.
“The little lady can sing, McBride; can’t believe she doesn’t do it for a living.”
“I thought you liked her books?”
“I do, they’re awesome, but hell, this is talent.”
“It is at that,” Jake agreed.
“Annabelle’s got some talent going on there too, shame she’s such a she-devil.”
Buster joined in the conversation by saying. “You’re just pissed she turned you down when you asked her on a date.”
“Shut up, bakery boy, when I want your opinion I’ll ask for it,” Ethan said.
“Make me that appointment when you fly home tomorrow, Ethan.”
Ethan looked surprised at Jake’s words, because he’d been after him for months to go see the shrink he knew.
&
nbsp; “I’ll do that, McBride, and come pick you up when it’s time.”
“Appreciate it.”
Jake was grateful Ethan didn’t ask why now, he just picked up where he started with Buster and they continued abusing each other, while Jake watched his girl.
She was his now, and she deserved him to be whole. Deserved that he at least try to make sense of the nightmare that was inside his head. He might or might not be a doctor again, but he needed to at least try, and he needed to do it for both of them.
Her voice was a thing of beauty and one song turned into three and he never moved, just drank in the sight of her body swaying to the music. By the time she sang the last note, she had the entire crowd in the palm of her hand, sitting right alongside where he’d been since she’d arrived in Howling.
“Good night, everyone, and don’t expect a repeat performance next year.”
Everyone applauded as Branna spoke, and then kept clapping until they’d left the stage. People touched her shoulder as she walked, and she smiled and spoke a few words and then she was there in front of him.
“Hey, you.” He was so full of pride he could hardly get the words out.
“Hey, you.” Her smile was real, but some of it was relief, Jake was pretty sure.
“You were amazing.” Wrapping a hand around her neck, he pulled her into him briefly. Inhaling her, he kissed her cheek, then let her go.
“I hate to admit it, Bran, but that was fun. Maybe we could just do a bit of jamming when we get time?”
Branna literally glowed as she turned to Annabelle. “I guess we could use the shed now that Geraldine’s at Jake’s.”
“Will you guys play at a party I’m organizing?”
“I suppose you think that’s funny, rich boy?” Annabelle rounded on Ethan as he spoke.
“What?” He looked confused. “I was serious.”
Jake looked over the heads of the people milling, as Branna and Annabelle talked to Ethan…correction…they talked at Ethan…loudly. He saw the tall dark-haired man walking towards them. People seemed to naturally move to one side as he wove his way through them, and there was something familiar about that face. Dressed in a blue shirt and jeans, he should have fit right in here, but didn’t; he stood out. Even his walk was different; he seemed to glide, long legs moving with ease as he covered the distance, and then it clicked into place. He knew another person who walked like that.