Stephen’s stomach heaved again. He couldn’t believe what he was hearing.
Mallory, who’d he’d been treating like an infectious disease, arrived just in time to save his lousy behind from getting the life beat out of him.
Maybe God didn’t hate him as much as he’d thought.
Chapter Eleven
Haley poured two cups of coffee, added a splash of cream to Ethan’s, and a bit of sugar to hers. She’d awakened too late to make anything for breakfast. Sending up a silent thanks that she had no guests this weekend, she settled on popping a few slices of bread in the toaster.
Ethan entered, his hair still damp from his shower. He went directly to his phone and began sliding his fingers across the screen and punching at silent buttons. Anger pursed his lips and furrowed his brows.
He was probably checking for a message from Stephen. Where had that boy gone? Haley set their cups on the table along with a tub of butter and jars of apricot and strawberry preserves. “It’s early. Considering how late he left, I’m sure he’s still sleeping. Somewhere.”
“Somewhere!” Ethan yanked out the chair out and plopped down hard into it with a painful wince.
Good night! He was still aching from yesterday’s craziness. None of them had been able to take a single break last night. Five hours straight! She’d not let that happen again. Not if she wanted to keep her handsome Yankee happy. And the other workers alive.
“He probably made up with… or maybe…” she shrugged, giving up on trying to defend Stephen.
“That is the problem.” He buried his face in his hands with an exhausted sigh. “I’m depending on him today and once again he’s off doing his own thing. Didn’t bother to take his phone. Or find one to call and let me know he has my truck or where it’s at.”
Haley sat with four pieces of bread and began to butter them, not that he’d want to eat. He generally lost his appetite when he was agitated.
She wasn’t helping matters any with her restaurant idea that had become a real monster, gobbling up a big chunk of their time and energy.
“Babe, it’s early yet.” She buttered a slice and handed it to him. “Try to eat a little something. If you want, I’ll take you to town. We’ll—”
“Like either of us has the time to waste looking for him? He’s a grown man. Needs to start acting like it.” He set the toast on a napkin.
“Then what do you want to do?” She smeared a bit of the strawberry preserves onto her slice. “You still need to practice for tonight, don’t you? Though I’m sure you’re going to be brilliant as usual.”
Her comment produced a small quirk of a smile, but it was fleeting. He stood and took his cup. “I think when he does show up, I need to tell him to go on back to New York.”
Haley couldn’t believe her ears. She pretty much had a good idea why Stephen tore out of here like a rooster with a coyote on its tail.
“You can’t send your friend away.”
Ethan smeared a little apricot on his toast and made it disappear in a couple of bites. “Yes. I can. And will.” He finished off his coffee, then pushed the chair back in with his foot. “I’m going to practice for an hour. If he doesn’t return by nine, I’ll have Bek’s take me to the church early so I can look around for my truck. She said last night that she wanted to go into town today.”
But Ethan couldn’t give up on Stephen yet. Even if he was a stinkin’ polecat sometimes. Haley had been watching him. He really was trying to do better.
Most of all, the last thing the Lord had impressed on her was to be kind to him. She had a feeling that she and Ethan were the only ones at the moment who could show God’s love to Stephen.
Besides, this might not have happened if Ethan hadn’t been teasing Bekka about smoochin’ with Beetle Bob. Her guy was in denial about Stephan’s feelings for his sister. And his sister was in denial about her feelings for her brother’s best friend. Soon they’d be in for a rude awakening once they all opened their eyes to the blinding truth.
“You can’t.” Haley smacked her fist down on the table and flew out of her seat. She threw her arms around his waist before he escaped through the swinging door. “You just cain’t give up on him.” She propped her boot against the door jam, and hung onto him with the same force she would use to wrangle a bucking calf. He’d not bolt away from this. She wouldn’t let him.
“Why do you say that I cain’t.” He drawled, peering over his shoulder at her.
The best she could come up with was, “Cause, he needs you. An’ you need him. Mostly ‘cause he needs God, and I think you might be the only one keeping that door open for him.” She hugged her arms tighter around Ethan’s waist, breathing in his spicy cologne. “I read the other night about how love is kind. You know? An’ patient. An’ something about not being selfish or proud. An’…”
“It’s not easily angered, and it doesn’t keep a record of wrongs.” Ethan’s hand clasped over hers and pulled her around to stand in front of him. His head slowly shook back and forth as a real smile claimed his lips. “Someone’s been reading that big white Bible again.” His long graceful fingers brushed a wayward curl out of her face and tucked it behind her ear.
“Yep. I love that big ol’ Bible. Memaw used to set me in her lap and read stories from it. When I sit up at night and can’t sleep, I can read it and feel like I’m getting a hug from her.” She buried her face into his soft flannel shirt. “Especially, when I’m missing you.”
His arms went tighter around her, and his warm breath brushed over the top of her head. “I’m sorry, beautiful. I think you’re right. I need to come clean with them. And I will. Soon. At least Bekka. I’m not sure about Stephen anymore. We’ve been friends for a long time. Maybe, I’ve held that door open long enough.”
“How do you know what’s long enough?” If God was eternal, where did anyone get off saying what was long enough? She tilted her face up so she could look into his stormy grays. “Do you honestly feel the Lord will be alright about you dumping Stephen along the road now? He was hurtin’ last night.”
“We were all exhausted, babe.”
“Not outside. Inside. His heart.”
“You going to explain?” Ethan’s arms loosened as he took a step backward and studied her.
She’d tried telling him before that there was something between Bekka and Stephen, but he hadn’t wanted to hear it. Doubtful anything had changed.
But that was between Stephen and Bekka and much as she loved her handsome Yank, he needed to respect their decision.
“It is what it is. The real question is, would you want to be tossed aside if you were in your best friend’s shoes?”
“I think Stephen is waiting for me to give up.”
“Then you can’t, can you? You’re gonna have to buck up and take what he dishes out. For now. God loves Stephen, too, you know. He’s waiting for him to find his way home, even more than we are.”
* * * *
Ethan sat in the passenger seat of his sister’s car, his arm resting on the open window. She’d spent most of the morning in her room. He hadn’t mentioned Stephen, but she seemed to know what was going on when Ethan asked her for a ride into town. They’d both known their wayward friend long enough that explanations simply weren’t necessary.
“Where do you want to look for your truck first?” She asked when they reached Main Street. Her voice sounded distant, almost dead.
“Go down to second. Let’s check the bars. That’s where he usually heads first.”
Aside from running her hand through her dark hair, she said nothing in response. What had her so preoccupied this morning? She’d been vague about her date last night. Haley had scolded him for interfering. But that’s what siblings did. Interfered in each other’s lives. Yet, since her arrival earlier this month, he’d found Beks more stand-offish than usual. Actually, she’d seemed sort of put out with him.
Most definitely time to tell her the truth. “Hey, while we’re alone. There’s something I’v
e wanted to talk to you about.”
She leaned closer to the steering wheel and slowed as they approached an empty parking lot. “There it is. Just as you suspected.”
His little truck, which used to belong to her, sat lonesome in one of the spots outside the Down by the Creek Lounge. Ethan had brought the spare set of keys in case Stephen had locked it.
She turned in and pulled up beside the red dodge. “Good luck finding Stephen. Or are you going to make him walk home?”
“Was thinking of sending him back to New York, but Haley said I cain’t.” He drawled out the last word which brought a flicker of a grin from his sister. “Anyway, about what I was saying earlier—”
Her hand rested on his arm. “Can you save it? Please? Ethan, I have things I really need to do this morning. I told Haley that I wanted to help you guys out tonight. Maybe we can talk when I get back?”
Something was bothering her, but from her distant expression, it was best not to ask now. She’d go spend time alone, mull things over, then come back later more willing to talk. Some things never changed.
“Okay, sissy.” He leaned over and kissed her cheek, then reached into the back seat for his violin case. “Love you.”
“Love you, too, bonehead. We’ll talk later. Promise.”
He laughed and climbed out of her car. As she drove off, he went over to the truck. He sure missed his Camaro, but this was functional for now. At least Bekka no longer used it so he could take it over. Soon as he was able to get a better vehicle, he’d probably pass this one down to, Jeremy, their younger brother. The little squirt would have his own license by the time the rest of the family came to stay this summer.
All his family here. Yikes. Yes, he needed to have that talk with Bekka. Soon.
His phone buzzed from his back pocket then Blackbird started playing. He checked the ID. Snow Belle. He’d never changed it to Haley’s proper name, but she still had Handsome Yank on hers, so they were even.
“I found my truck, but no Stephen,” he answered, figuring she was calling to check. He hit the unlock button and sank into the driver’s seat.
“I found out where he’s at, but you can’t have a conniption fit over it. Not until you hear the whole story.”
He set his instrument in the passenger seat. “How much is the bail?”
She snorted in that way she had when irritated with him. “Mallory called me. He forbade her from calling you, so she found a way around that. Anyway, seems he had a close call last night.” As she related the story, Ethan leaned his head back, thankful that it seemed God had watched over his friend.
Haley continued her story. “Luckily, her EMT friend happened by about the time she finally dragged him to her apartment. Ray took care of Stephen during the night. Made sure there were no adverse effects from the drug.”
Better than Ethan’s experience. When he’d finally woke up, he was in some strange girl’s apartment.
“Mal is getting ready to head to work. She said he was awake and getting going.”
Ethan leaned his arms on the steering wheel. “Is that the same Ray that plays guitar on the worship team?”
“One and the same. Mal said he watched over Stephen so she could get some sleep. I’m gonna make him some cookies.”
That brought a chuckle from Ethan. Leave it to Haley to fix things with food.
“Babe, I know you have every right to be angry with him. And I know you wanna give up, but I really think… he just needs…” She grew quiet for a long moment. “Don’t give up on him yet. He needs you. And I know he loves you very much.”
Ethan’s chest tightened until he had trouble swallowing. Clearing his throat, he managed to say, “I better get going if I’m going to make it to practice on time. Thanks for letting me know what’s going on.”
“And I love you, too. You’re such a kind man. I know you’ll do what’s best, no matter what you may want to do. I’ll be praying for you both today while I’m doing my work.”
Ethan closed his eyes. “I always cherish your prayers, beautiful.”
As he ended the call, Ethan knew he was looking at this all wrong. They’d both hopped from one mess to another during college, coaxing and dragging each other along. It had been Ethan’s idea to join the fraternities which opened the door to drinking and drugs. Ethan’s Christian upbringing was what enabled him to pull out of the spiraling downslide before he’d gone too far.
Stephen didn’t have that rope to grasp on to. Haley was right. He couldn’t abandon him now. Searching through his contacts, he found Mallory’s number.
“Well hello, handsome,” she answered with a teasing laugh. “Did you lose something? I happened to find a lost dog at the Lounge last night.”
“That sounds about right. Is he awake yet?”
“In the shower. Ray left earlier to bring my car to me before he heads out.”
“Sounds like you saved Stephen from a really bad night. Maybe more, Mal. What a blessing you are.”
He could picture her rolling her eyes. “You’re such a sweet talker. It’s all good. I’ve enjoyed laughing at him. But,” her tone grew more somber. “I’m going to have a talk with Sheriff Taylor Boyd about Jenkins and Turner. Those jerks! We all know they’ve been up to no good, but if they really did drug Stephen, like we suspect, they’ve sunk to an all-time new low.”
“I’ve not heard much about them. You really think they would have lured him outside to rob him?” Ethan rubbed the bridge of his nose. Had Stephen really had that close of a call? Here? This was such a quiet town. Well, even small towns had their share of delinquents, he supposed.
“Ray said he’s seen it a time or two before. It’s why the owner of the Lounge won’t let the brutes in anymore. How they slithered in last night, I’ve no idea. But Gary will be getting a call from me. He needs to know what’s going on when he’s not there.” She grew quiet for a second, then said in a quieter voice, “Sounds like he’s out now. He didn’t want me to call you—”
“I’ll tell him I guessed. Let me talk to him.”
“Sure. Hang on.” A clattering noise came through the line. Muffled voices argued in the background before Ethan was able to make out Mallory swearing at Stephen. Another shuffling noise. “Talk to him.” A door slammed.
Come on, Gaines, don’t hang up on me. I’ll come over, and you’ll wish those thugs had gotten to you first, so help me…
“Look,” Stephen’s voice sounded raw. “Don’t yell at me. Your truck is—”
“I’m sitting in my truck. All I want to know is if you want to wait at Mallory’s until I’m done with practice, or if I should pick you up on my way?”
“Come get me. I’ll be waiting out front.” The line went dead.
Ethan threw his phone into the seat beside his Wilhelm, then slammed the truck’s door extra hard. “Lord, I’m… I’m so done with him.” He leaned his head back against the seat’s rest. “If you want me to… I don’t even know what to do anymore. He doesn’t want to hear anything I have to say.”
Don’t give up on him yet. Haley’s words pounded on his heart. You cain’t.
Oh, but he could. Except, in all reality, he knew he couldn’t.
Chapter Twelve
An hour later, Bekka strolled along the white sandy shore pondering the possibilities currently before her. The corner store didn’t appeal to her as she’d hoped. Somehow, she simply knew opening a business here was not the answer.
She still kept an eye out for local broadcast news studios, though following newscasters around felt like settling. Perhaps that’s what prompted Ethan to flub his auditions for the orchestra. Did he also feel he was settling if he accepted the position? He’d walked away from the secure job for something much riskier. Even now he struggled to finance the recording studio and feared he’d fail to make it work.
Finding a weathered bench, she sank onto the hard seat, warmed by the sun. Blowing out a long breath, she gazed across the expansive cornflower blue lake that eventually disapp
eared into a pale haze.
Is having a bit of clarity too much to ask, Lord? A real purpose or sense of direction. Her life felt as if she were floating in the middle of that humongous lake without sails to catch the wind or a paddle to move her in any direction. The possibilities before her provided no promises, no certainty of success.
She thought about Stephen who was basically on his own, except for Ethan. Talk about being in limbo, but he didn’t seem to stress over it. He kept pushing ahead, taking what came and making the best out of it.
“Stop thinking about Stephen!” she scolded herself. Would he stick around? Help Ethan? Neither had said either way, but she’d not asked. For a moment, a very short moment, she wondered what her life would have been like if they’d not pushed each other away. Sure, he’d explained that he didn’t think he was good enough for her, but that didn’t excuse his behavior over the past few years, did it?
Music and laughter drifted toward her. Just up the shore, seated under several umbrellas and shade canopies were a group of elderly folks. Some played card games around folding tables. Others occupied chairs circling a small camp fire. Another group danced beside the lake to jazz music.
Bekka dug out her camera and zoom lens. Hoping not to be spotted, she zeroed in on one particular couple who could definitely cut a rug, or perhaps sand. She snapped a few pictures before realizing she recognized them from Saturday nights at the inn. That was Haley’s great aunt and her husband!
She laughed as she caught a few more shots of Mrs. Alton dancing in her husband’s arms. Oh, what bliss! She hoped to be so lively at that age and still in love. If she ever let herself fall in love in the first place. She tried to picture herself with Bob Beaty at that age but instead imagined an older version of Stephen. His father had been a handsome man. More than likely, Stephen’s thick crop of hair would simply turn a distinctive white starting at the temples. Men had all the luck when growing older.
Raining Fools (Madison Creek Bed & Breakfast Book 2) Page 13