There was no denying that his friend was truly and madly in love with the woman in his arms. And she loved Ethan back equally. Already, they practically acted and functioned like a seasoned married couple. They worked together on everything they did.
Maybe Stephen was jealous.
He glanced over his shoulder at Bekka. What he wouldn’t give to find a girl he could have that kind of relationship with. At one time, he’d thought perhaps she might be the one… but then Ethan put a stop to that idea. Stephen would not risk his friendship with Ethan, again. The Winters clan had been the only true family Stephen had.
However, maybe during this project with her, he could at least attempt to make amends and restore their friendship. He’d never forget how she got him through that dark time in his last years of high school during his parent’s divorce. Life had become too unbearable for him.
And then later, when Dad couldn’t stand his life anymore and ended it, Ethan was there every moment, helping him, encouraging Stephen to not give up. They’d formed their musical team, The String Brothers, the following year while in college. Ethan insisted he needed Stephen to make a go at stardom. They had a future in music, but they needed to stick together.
Stephen tapped a pen on the desktop. He studied the picture. His friend had never been this happy. Not only because he was in love, either. Ethan’s dreams of making his own music, of opening a recording studio while his parents built a travel lodge on the farm property had sparked a light in his best friend that was almost contagious. Stephen had been biding his time, waiting and watching to see how he could help. The video was a start. But other ideas were dancing around his head. They might actually be able to make a real go at this if they pooled their resources. And Stephen had a nice little lump of resources sitting in a bank from his recently acquired trust-fund.
Straightening in the desk chair, he jotted a couple of notes on a piece of scratch paper. First, if he was going to stick around, he’d need to make things right between him and Bekka.
He’d apologize. Which meant he’d have to swallow down his fear and be the one to bring up that night. Sucking in a long breath, he opened his mouth to catch her attention at the exact same moment Ethan breezed in still wearing his elfin garb.
“Ah,” Bekka finally managed a smile. “The king returns. What took you so long?”
Sure, for her brother she had a smile and playful words.
Ethan pointed his finger at her. “Next time you need to make sure Haley wears better shoes. She was chilled to the bone wearing those slippers.”
Bekka waved her hand dismissively before returning her focus to the computer. “Her red ropers wouldn’t have complimented the costume. And I took several shots of her feet. It’s not that cold today.”
Ethan slid out of the dark blue, knee-length jacket that Bekka had made for the shoot and draped it over the back of the couch where she sat. She was a marvel at making costumes among her many other talents.
“Not for us,” he snapped, loosening the buttons on his white shirt. “But she’s not used to our weather and gets sick easily. He headed for the stairs leading up to the loft. “I’m going to shower and hope this gunk comes out of my hair.” He pointed to the silvery streaks painted into his hair. “There’ll be heck to pay if it doesn’t.”
The door to his room closed with a bang.
Bekka shut her laptop and shoved it into her bag. “Sounds like I better make myself scarce. I’m going over to check on Haley and finish uploading the videos over there. I can make her some herbal tea that will help.” She hung the bag over her shoulder and slipped into her sneakers.
Stephen propped his feet up on the edge of the desk. “It will come out, right? All that glitter stuff you painted in his hair?”
She smirked, and his heart did a happy flip. “Eventually.”
Stephen had to laugh. “Want me to text you when he’s done ranting?”
As fast as the smile appeared, it disappeared. “Whatever.” She rushed out the glass door to her blue Prius and was soon driving away. From upstairs, the water cut off.
A moment later Ethan bellowed. “Rebekka, I’m going to wring your neck!” The shower started again.
Stephen rubbed his hands over his face. He’d really missed those two and was glad to be back to the only place that ever felt like home: with the Winters clan.
Clicking on the first video icon, he waited for it to download onto his computer. From his back pocket, Bad to the Bone played with an incoming call. He jumped up to check it. His stomach plummeted at the name on the screen: Jean. Great, what did she want?
He hit the accept tab. “Mother.” The word ground out like crushed glass. “I’m a little busy at the moment.”
“You’re always busy, Stephen Michael.” Rock music blared in the background. Was she at a bar? Certainly not this early. He was sure that was Guns and Roses’ Rocket Queen. Fitting. The music dimmed indicating she must have stepped outside. “Are you still in California? Or back home in Marquette, mooching off the Winters family again? You’re always moving around, I can’t keep up with you.”
Did he want Jean to know where he was? Depended on if she was on the outs with her latest playboy. If that was the case, then definitely not. “Where are you?” He bit his lip before sounds like a bar, managed to slip out.
“Oh, me and Boyd stopped at a restaurant on our way to Indianapolis. Did you know about the nuthouse releasing your sister two days ago?”
He needed a smoke! Another string of threats came from Ethan’s room before the shower started yet again. Stephen pushed through the glass door and headed to the patio table where Ethan said he was allowed to indulge in his nasty little habit.
Beth had actually called him last week letting him know she had completed her therapy sessions and was going to be released from the hospital. She’d warned him in no uncertain terms to not tell Mother. They’d both come into the inheritance left by their father. Did Jean hear about it already? Was that why she was calling?
His hand trembled as he flicked the lighter and set the flame to the end of the cigarette. The first drag didn’t bring the sweet relief he’d hoped for. Nope that might require something stronger with no ice. “Mom, don’t worry about Beth. She’s doing fine.”
“Ah-ha, so you have talked to her! I’m her mother. I want to know where she is. She must have changed her number, again.”
Some mother. If she’d not brought her affair into their home, maybe his sister wouldn’t be in such a terrible mental state. But watching your father beat a man within an inch of his life left some deep scars.
“No idea,” he lied. “She didn’t give specifics. Just leave her alone. Let her live her life.” And let me live mine, he wanted to throw in.
“That’s how it’s going to be, huh?” The sound of her breathing in let him know she was puffing on her own smoke. “You can’t pretend I don’t exist. You know these things have a way of coming around to bite you in the—” He yanked the phone away from his ear as her voice rose to a pitch he feared might burst his eardrum.
His fingers tightened around the device. Oh, how he wanted to throw it and her across the deck. He set it on his leg and hit the speaker button. Nobody was around to overhear his sordid family drama.
“You still haven’t bothered to tell me where you’re at, Stephen Michael.”
He pulled in another drag off the smoke and coughed. Bitterness filled his mouth and burned down his throat. Before he could come up with a lie, Ethan came out, his wet hair hanging down in his furious face. “Where is she?” He turned toward Stephen, gray eyes wide and face red. “Bekka better know of a way to get this junk out of my hair!”
“Is that sweet Ethan I hear?” Jean asked, her tone turning all sugary. “I should have known you’d be with him. Always attached at the hip, you two.”
Ethan’s anger turned to sympathy as he took a couple of steps closer. “Hey, Jean. How are you doing?”
“I’m great, baby. Are the rumors I’
ve heard about you true? I heard you’re engaged.”
Pulling the damp hair from his eyes, Ethan shook his head with a roll of his eyes. “Yes, the rumors are true.”
A squeal came through the phone. Stephen winced. Ethan patted his shoulder.
“My babies are growing up. Sweetheart, I’m so happy for you. I bet she’s beautiful. Wish I could drop in and see you.” At that, Stephen started to shake his head in warning, silently begging his friend to not give away their location. “That boy of mine refuses to tell me where he is.”
“Uh…” Ethan stammered.
“That’s because we’ve been all over,” Stephen interrupted. He knew E-man had a problem lying. Though he appreciated his friend’s honesty, it could be a real pain at times. “I really need to be going. It’s been nice talking to you.” Not!
“But… what about—”
“Next time I speak to Beth I’ll let her know you were asking about her. I’m sure she has your number if she needs to reach you.”
“Like she’d do that. Steph—”
“Really, I got to go. Take care.” He punched the end button and let out a long breath. The cigarette had burned down to the filter. He threw it into the coffee can and replaced the lid.
“I take it Beth doesn’t want—”
“She doesn’t want anything to do with any of us.” Stephen’s hand went to his breast pocket before he stopped himself. He’d never be able to stop if he kept letting things get to him like this. “I only managed a five-minute conversation with her when she called to let me know the doctor approved her release. She did say she would return to her job, but planned to move to another apartment.”
“So, she’s still in Chicago?” Flecks of silver paint clinging to Ethan’s hair glistened in the hazy morning sunlight. The sight actually caused Stephen’s mouth to quirk up in a half smile. Leave it to Ethan to always bring him out of his gloomy moods.
Stephen nodded, then said, “You look kind of freakish, man.”
Ethan plopped miserably into the other chair. “Why didn’t you two tell me this wouldn’t come out?”
“Hey, I had nothing to do with that.” Stephen was actually able to chuckle. “But before she high-tailed it out of here, she did say it would come out.” He scooted his seat back a few inches. “Eventually.”
“Great, I’m supposed to attend the small business association meeting tomorrow.” He shook his head in exasperation. “I’m going…”
“Going to what?” Stephen chuckled, knowing he’d do nothing to his sister.
“Hopefully, it’ll come out by then. Let’s go see if all this,” He flicked the long bangs out of his face, “was worth it.”
Stephen followed his friend back inside. “Wait until you see the pictures Bekka captured.”
Ethan stopped just inside the door and faced him. “You okay, Gaines? I’m sure Jean means well.”
“Right. She’s traveling with some guy named Boyd. I don’t even have a clue….”
Ethan grasped his shoulder. “Whatever she’s done or continues to do, she’s still your mother. I know there’s a lot of hard feelings, but do you think pushing her away is really—?”
Stephen narrowed his gaze and moved out of Ethan’s reach. “You can’t possibly know what Beth and I have had to deal with. She only takes an interest in us when she needs something. Man, you come from a great family. Your parents love you. How can—”
“You’re right.” Ethan held up his hands, palms out. “You’re right. I don’t know. But that doesn’t mean I’m not concerned for you.”
“Appreciate it. Really.” Stephen hurried over to the computer, swallowing down the ache building in his throat. Ethan had always been there for him. And he probably understood more than Stephen was willing to give him credit for. One thing was certain, he cherished his friend above anyone else. The months in California had put their friendship to the test. Stephen had, once again, done some stupid things. But Ethan had a big heart and always managed to find a way to forgive. At least most things.
“Whoa,” Ethan gasped when he saw the picture of him and Haley on the big screen. “That’s… amazing. Is that really us?”
“Well, it’s the elf king and queen.” Stephen sat in the rolling chair and called up the video that had finally finished downloading. As it started to play, pride filled his chest at what Bekka had been able to capture. “She really is amazing.”
A slow smile pulled Ethan’s mouth up at the corners. “Sure is. And it’s time she put her talents to good use. This picture alone is enough to forgive the streaks in my hair.” He tapped the file and called up his email service. “Haley is going to love this one.”
Good thing Ethan was the forgiving type.
Chapter Three
Bekka spread her work across one of the several tables in the Victorian’s garden room which was used for Haley’s weekend dinner restaurant. She’d returned to the Inn with the intention of making her future sister-in-law some herbal tea, but Haley wasn’t in the main part of the house. How was she supposed to know the southerner was having a difficult time adjusting to their climate?
Instead, Bekka decided to take advantage of the quiet to go over all the clips she’d captured. Without the distraction of her yelling brother, or that busy-body Stephen’s meddling, she might actually get something accomplished. Hadn’t she been the one who spent the last several years at Film College and the occasional short-term local news station jobs learning how to create a video? Not Mr. Cello man.
Checking the storyboard she had sketched prior to setting up the scenes, she began loading the clips onto her computer. Next she needed to set the snippets she’d captured into a logical order.
This was her area of expertise. The one thing she could do and feel somewhat good about. Bekka needed this opportunity to prove to herself she could accomplish something important. Probably more than Ethan needed a music video to impress the town’s investors. Bekka needed the time to figure out what to do with her life.
Ever since graduation, she’d been praying for guidance. None of the jobs she applied for had panned out. They wanted people with more experience. But how was she to get experience without working? Then Ethan came home during the holidays, all in love and full of what he called grand ideas. Mom jumped on board right away. Dad was hooked once he’d seen the land Ethan had purchased.
Her brother’s offer to create his first music video seemed an answer to her prayers. Or, so she’d hoped. What really kind of chapped her was that he was getting everything she’d ever dreamed of having. Someone to love. A pretty home to live in. A cottage-type of business that wouldn’t cause too much stress. Well, at least he was his own boss, anyway.
Bekka didn’t really want to leave her family and strike it out all on her own. She’d always been one to stay within sight of her own yard while growing up. During college she ventured into the mission field with her church buddies. But even then, she’d been under her home church’s umbrella and only took excursions to safer places.
No, Bekka didn’t care to step out into the storm that life could sometimes be. She didn’t care to take risks without a safety net. And she certainly didn’t wish to move to some far off city, away from her family and the friends she’d kept from school for those few jobs that were willing to take her on at the bottom level.
Lord, why won’t you show me what you want me to do? I’m willing to listen.
Her phone beeped with an incoming message. Probably Ethan wanting to yell at her about the silver streaks in his hair. But the caller ID read Stupid Head.
Stephen.
She glared down at the phone. “Lord, if you intend for me to stay here. Maybe build a life here in Madison Creek, you’ll have to send that pest away. I can’t live in the same town with him.”
She couldn’t and wouldn’t. God needed to understand that fact.
With a swipe of her finger, she called up his message, despite her inner voice telling her to just ignore it.
Have u
loaded all clips? Im alrdy getting ideas!
The nerve. She didn’t need his ideas. She had enough of her own, thanks very much. Pushing the phone away, she turned her focus back to the computer. Her shoulders sagged as she slumped in the chair, no longer in the mood to work on the video.
Maybe a walk in the woods surrounding the house might clear her head. How long since she’d spent time alone with the Lord? Maybe that’s why he wasn’t answering as clearly as she’d like. She’d not taken the time to be still and listen.
Yet she needed to work on the video. The sooner it was finished, the sooner she could leave and get away from Stephen and his beautiful blue eyes. Why’d he have to come, at this time, anyway? She’d prayed for God to help her stay away from him because she couldn’t trust her heart where he was concerned.
“He’s the one who needs to leave,” she muttered, glancing out the window. The late morning sun nearly blinded her.
Air. She needed to breathe. The room seemed stifling at the moment. She’d take a short walk while the clips downloaded onto the laptop. The legs of the chair slid across the wood floor. She needed a chance to rein all her emotions back in. If Stephen wanted to help, he could do so from the barn. Being so close to him this morning had put her out of sorts. Soon as she could, she’d talk to Ethan about giving his friend another job to do while she put the video together.
As quick as the thought entered her mind, she heard Ethan’s many reasons on why he’d invited Stephen to come help in the first place.
Bekka exited the side door of the garden room that led onto the massive deck. Metal tables lined the railing. Ethan said the restaurant was starting to book up all three nights each weekend. They’d decided to start offering patio seating now that the weather had begun to warm. It was a nice idea, but the rain had made the outdoor seating unavailable her first weekend there.
The sound of chopping drew her attention. Who was out here chopping wood? Following the noise, she circled around to the side of the house where a semi-enclosed cook shack protected Haley’s impressively large grill. Gray wisps spiraled from a blackened stack attached to the smoker, filling the air with the scent of burning apple wood. Her stomach rumbled from the smell of roasting meat. The flavorful food Haley prepared was nearly enough to convince Bekka this was where she should spend the rest of her life.
Raining Fools (Madison Creek Bed & Breakfast Book 2) Page 3