BeeJibe patted his massive stomach. “Oh, yeah, and I’m buzzing, dude. We will definitely talk after my gig. You sticking around? Don’t suppose you brought your cello?”
Stephen held up his hands, palms out. “Sorry guy, not this time. I’m on a date.” His arm slid around Bekka’s waist as he introduced her.
“Winters? E-man’s sister, you say? And you’ve lived to tell the tale?” BeeJibe rubbed at his thick beard. “Interesting.” He kissed the back of her hand in greeting before he turned back to Stephen. “I’ll shoot you a text soon as I’m done. Go enjoy your date.” Even though he wore glasses, Bekka could tell his eyes grazed over her from head to foot. “Lucky dog.”
“Sounds great, Bee. I’m looking forward to catching up. And I’m eager to hear your new tunes. Heard you’ve been writing your own stuff lately.”
“Some. Get tired of just doing covers. Time to step up.” He pointed at Stephen. “We’ll talk.”
As BeeJibe walked off toward the stage area, Stephen pulled her toward the crowds seated along the edge of an open area.
“What does his band play? He doesn’t look the rocker type, like your other friend.”
“No, he’s a jazz singer. Loves the oldies. He plays a sax but has a great voice. You’ll see.” The food trailers were set nearby, and he led her to an empty picnic table. “Do you mind sticking around? We can go—”
“No, I love listening to music. Always have.”
When BeeJibe took the stage, he started with a lively jazz song before going into more bluesy songs with lyrics about love and heartbreaks. Bekka sang along with the few she’d heard before. She realized the middle section had been reserved for dancing.
“Ah, one of my faves.” Stephen stood and held out his hand.
“Uh, I’m not sure I know those steps. I’m more of a stand in one place and bob my head or sway back and forth kind of dancer.”
He chuckled and pulled her to her feet. “Come on, I know better than that. You only need to follow my lead.”
He dragged her into the midst of people who swung and moved like pros. What was she thinking? This was music Daisy and George Alton could jive to, but not her. Stephen helped her find the beat, then began with a couple of simple swing moves. As the song progressed, his steps became more complex and daring until he spun her into a lift that left her breathless and a little dizzy.
But she was having a blast!
He brought out the fun side of her, no matter where they went. She loved it. And him for how he made her feel so alive and free. Throwing her arms around his neck, she hugged him tight as the song ended and the next one started, another upbeat tune. But he didn’t swing her around this time, instead he wrapped his arms tighter around her waist and held her against him. He pressed his face into the crook of her neck, his lips lightly brushing against her skin.
They swayed together, no longer concerned about keeping up with the beat or the other dancers. For that moment, Bekka was lost in Stephen’s warm breath and his strong arms, the woodsy scent of his cologne and the softness of his cotton shirt. Her fingers trailed upward into the short, bristly hair growing along the nape of his neck.
He pulled back enough to look into her eyes, his hands slid up over her arms and then cupped her face. His palms were warm and soft against her skin. “I never stopped loving you, please believe me. I pushed it away, tried to fight it, but I’ve lost that battle. I was a stupid fool for not fighting for you in the first place.”
Now that she’d allowed her hands the freedom to explore this beautiful man before her, she touched his cheek, brushing her thumb over the new growth covering his chin. He remained perfectly still, a small smile pulling at his full lips. His blue eyes shone so brightly, she wanted to simply float away in them like a kite caught in a brisk wind. “There’s things I should have done different, too. I’m willing to start fresh. We’re different people now, don’t you think?”
“I’m certainly trying to be, hon. I want to be the kind of guy you deserve.”
“Maybe you already are.” She touched his bottom lip and held her breath, feeling as if she were standing on the edge of a precipice. All she had to do was lean forward a tiny bit and fall….
“What are you thinking, lady? Tell me right now, I can’t stand how you’re looking at me. My heart’s about to burst right out of my chest.”
“I’m… thinking…” Her cheeks warmed as her own heart beat a new rhythm. Fast. Wild. Brimming with hope. Yes, yes, she loved him, as well. “I’m thinking about how much I’ve missed kissing you, mister.”
* * * *
It was time.
And what was so crazy about this moment was that Stephen didn’t feel any rush of uncontrollable desire. He wasn’t afraid he’d take things too far. No, this precious lady in his arms was like holding onto a prized gift. Something valuable he wanted to cherish and take good care of.
His kiss was gentle. Her mouth formed to his perfectly. She tasted of sugary sweetness from the cotton candy. A low moan purred from her throat, sending a trembling from his hands all the way down his arms. The music slowed to a soft ballad. He didn’t care. The only thing that mattered was this beautiful woman against him and how she kissed him back with matched passion. He loved the softness of her cheeks against his palms, her silky hair falling over his fingers. He adored everything about her.
With a sigh, she pulled away. He didn’t insist on more, determined to let her lead in this area. At least until he had a better handle on himself and his past issues.
She smiled up at him as she bounced on the balls of her feet. “Yep, that’s what I missed.”
Chapter Twenty-One
Haley rested against her handsome Yankee’s chest. His bow arm made a circle around her head as he gently played a soft tune on his violin. They lounged on the couch in the sitting area. The fireplace crackled with flickering flames. She held perfectly still as his bow swayed and tilted.
They had no guests tonight, though the next couple of weekends were booked for graduations. She had so many little issues to figure out on managing the restaurant and inn together. Ethan decided to clear out his room at the barn and have his family stay where they’d be closer to the construction of the big lodge.
Hopefully, her in-laws wouldn’t be too angry about being in-laws before they actually knew it.
She heaved a long sigh, pushing away the worrisome nagging thoughts. For now, tonight, in the arms of her handsome guy, she’d relax and enjoy this moment. Her feet hurt and muscles ached from another busy Friday night, but her heart swelled with happiness. Could she ask for anything more? At the moment, her life was brimming with more than she imagined she’d ever deserved.
A loving husband who adored her. Ethan was so attentive. She had no idea a man could be this loving and protective. Luck? No, a true blessing.
Ethan stopped playing for a moment. His instrument rested on her back. “You’ve been very quiet tonight. Maybe I need to play something more upbeat?”
She scooted up a little and kissed his chin where that tuft of hair grew under his mouth. “Whatever you want, babe.” Her lips traveled up his jawline until she could reach to nibble at his ear.
“Well, I can’t play anything when you’re doing that.” He gently set the violin and bow in the case on the coffee table, then his arms wrapped around her. “But don’t stop doing that. I like it.” And he was kissing her back, exploring with his hands and mouth any bit of skin not covered in fabric.
Loving him in this way was like opening a beautifully wrapped present over and over again. The gift was hers and would always be hers, and she delighted in him each and every time. She had managed to loosen the buttons of his shirt when a knock sounded at the door.
Ethan let out an irritated growl. “If Bekka forgot her key, she can sleep in her car.”
Haley sat up with a laugh. “You wouldn’t do that to her.”
“Wouldn’t I?” He scooted up, as well, when the pounding grew louder.
“Your sister never forgets her keys, or anything else important. She’s too … um, organized.”
His grin widened. “Right. That’s a nice way to put it.” He stood and closed his instrument case, then quickly adjusted his shirt while he headed toward the door. “Think it might be a late night guest? Someone needing a room?”
Haley hopped up and hurried to the coat closet. Inside the wall, some past Madison family member had installed a hidden gun cabinet which Haley made use of. “See who it is, but do not open that door until I’m ready.”
“For what?”
When she pulled out a rifle, his grays widened with his gasp. “Babe, no! You put that right back where—”
“Nope, not till we know who’s out there. Don’t you watch the news?” She released the safety with a resounding click in the quiet house.
“Woman, I love you, but you scare me sometimes.”
The uninvited visitor found the buzzer and was laying on it heavy.
“Good.” Haley gave a quick nod toward the door. “See who it is.” She rested the barrel on her arm, remembered to breathe steady, and not lose her head if it was some kind of no-gooder.
Ethan peered out of the peephole. “Who’s there? How can we help you?”
“Ethan baby? Is that you? Please tell me I have the right place.”
Who in the lands would call him that? Haley lowered the weapon but didn’t set the safety just yet. The female voice sounded desperate. Who knew what might be going on out there?
Her step-daddy, Mad Maddix, always said, “Never lower your guard till you see the whites of their eyes and their empty hands, girlie.”
But Ethan was already turning the lock, despite her warning hiss to wait.
“Jean?” He yanked the door open.
Haley stood just behind the opened door, out of sight. She peered around to find a lone, small figure standing on the door stoop. Her black curls hung wet against her face. Beyond the porchlight, a misty rain fell. She shivered and rubbed her hands up and down her arms. The woman couldn’t have been any more than five-two in height and as skinny as a pre-teen cheerleader.
“What are you…?” Ethan gasped before realizing Haley still had the rifle readied and aimed. “Put that up, babe. This is Stephen’s mother. Jean Gaines.” He rushed out and escorted her inside. “Get her some blankets.”
Haley moved into action. After setting the safety back in place, she propped the rifle against the closet door. She’d return it to its place soon as they had the woman taken care of. Running to her room, she pulled a thick fleece from the linen closet.
Ethan had led Mrs. Gaines to one of the tables by the time she returned.
He took the thick blanket from Haley and wrapped it around the woman’s trembling shoulders. “Can you make her some hot tea?” He crouched beside her chair. “Are you alone, Jean?”
She nodded, pulling the cover tighter around her shoulders.
Ethan sat in the chair beside her. “I didn’t notice a car pull into the drive. We can usually see lights in the window. How’d you get here?”
“R-ran out of g-gas. About a-a mile d-down the road. Walked. Then it started to rain.” She began sobbing into her hands. “I’ve no place to go. Boyd left me with nothing. Wh-where’s Stephen? He’s gotta help his mama. You’ll make sure he does right by me, won’t you baby?”
Ethan hushed her. “Are you hungry?”
She nodded.
Haley couldn’t help but feel for this shell of a woman. Dark circles caused her eyes, the same color as Stephen’s to appear sunken in like a skeleton’s. Tattoos and leather wristbands covered her thin, pale arms. If a hard enough wind blew up, she was sure it would carry this woman away like an untethered balloon. “I’ll rustle something up. And brew a pot of strong tea.”
Ethan stood with a nod. “Jean, you relax. I’m going to help Haley, and we’ll be right back.”
Jean grasped his wrist. “Is that your girl? Your Mom told me you were engaged.”
He motioned Haley back and properly introduced her.
Jean let out a raspy chuckle. “Where’d you snag a southern gal?”
His smile was wary, but Haley knew he was putting on his best act of hospitality. The way his eyes flashed with measured annoyance was starting to scare her. Just a little. “A long story for another time.” He gently pushed Haley toward the kitchen. “We’ll be back in a couple of minutes. You relax and get warm.”
Haley flipped on the light switches for the counters and stove. “This isn’t good, is it?” She rounded on him, her hands perched on her hips.
Ethan leaned against the island and rubbed at his furrowed brows. “No, it’s not. What am I going to do? I can’t turn her away, but I can’t possibly allow her to stay. Stephen is going to have a coronary when he finds out she’s tracked him down.”
Haley blew out a long breath. “We’ll put her up for tonight.” Ethan started to pull his phone from his back pocket when she grabbed his hand to stop him. “Leave them be. Nothing Stephen can do right now.”
“I think he should be warned, don’t you?”
She shook her head. “Let them enjoy their date, babe. You and I can take care of this.”
“I don’t know. Maybe I should drive her to the motel.” When Haley opened her mouth to protest, he placed his finger over her lips. “You don’t know how Jean can be. She’s here for only one thing, and it’s not a pleasure visit, trust me. I’m not being cruel or callous, just truthful.”
Haley kissed the tip of his finger. “Then let me handle her. I’ve had experience dealing with that type. You go sit and talk to her. Find out what she’s doing here and how long she intends to stay. I’ll get the tea going and some soup.”
He didn’t move. She slipped her arms around his neck. “It’s going to be fine. Look what the Lord’s done so far for those he’s brought to us. You and I, we just gotta be ready to catch those he drops on our doorstep. Isn’t that part of what we’re doing here?”
He pulled her tighter against him. “It is. You’re so right, beautiful. That’s a big part of what we’re doing. Thank you for reminding me.”
“That’s fine. When my thorns rise up, you’ll be the one to remind me. I’m countin’ on it.”
* * * *
Ethan stood outside the kitchen door and sent up a silent prayer. Not sure what you’re up to, Lord, but help me be open minded like my wife. He recalled Haley’s motto: The Madison Creek Bed and Breakfast where Northern hospitality meets Southern comfort.
Hospitality and comfort, that’s what he needed to offer Jean.
He approached her table and pulled out the chair next to hers. “Did you bring any luggage?”
She picked a bit of lint off the blanket. “Left them in the car. The map showed you were only a short distance down Highway 31. I didn’t remember your number, and I knew Stephen wouldn’t answer if I called him. So I didn’t bother.”
“I’ll drive down and get your stuff in the morning. We have robes you can wear tonight. Haley provides guests rooms with essentials people might forget.”
Jean looked around the garden room. “This place is nice. Do you live here, too?”
Ignoring her question, he leaned forward with his elbows on the table. “How did you find me, Jean?”
“Your Mom. I called Martha two days ago. Was desperate for a place to stay after that-” whatever the latest boyfriends name had been was replaced with a foul word “-left me with barely a tank of gas. I panhandled enough cash to make my way north. But Martha said they were leaving Marquette for some town called Madison Creek. I looked this place up on my cell before it completely died. Found I wouldn’t need as much gas to get here, so…” She shrugged. “Knew my son would be attached to your side, or not too far away.”
“What made you think he hadn’t returned to New York?”
Her faded penciled brows furrowed. “He was in New York?”
Ethan buried his face in his hands. Oh man, Stephen would be so furious when he found out
she was here. He pushed his bangs from his face. “I’ll give you one night. Then you’ll need to find other accommodations. I can’t tell you where to go, but let’s face it, when Stephen returns, he’s going to blow….”
She reached over and tugged at a strand of his hair that now touched the top of his shoulders. “Your Mom’s going to be the one who blows when she sees you shacking up with your girlfriend. Your hair’s long like some hippie ragamuffin.”
“I’m not shacking up, Jean! What makes you say that?”
She laughed, that mocking mother-knows-best laugh she’d always had. The one that drove her son crazy. “Think you can fool me? Shirt’s all rumpled and buttoned up wrong.” She rubbed her thumb over his chin. “Lipstick marks. Tell me you’re not doing anything.”
He rubbed his face where Haley had been kissing him. He was about to go on the defensive with the truth, but couldn’t tell Jean before he told his own parents. Too many already knew as it was. Luckily, Haley came out at that moment with a tray laden with a teapot and steamy bowl of leftover beef barley soup. He jumped up from the chair to help her with the burden, silently begging her to help him out, but fearing what his rambunctious wife might actually do.
He should have called Stephen. This was his problem! Ethan had enough worries with his own parent’s imminent arrival.
Haley took the bowl and sat it before Jean. “I can spice it up for you, iffen you like. Warm you up real fast.”
Ethan waved his hands and shook his head in warning behind his wife’s back. Jean’s mouth pursed in amusement as she drawled, “No thanks, darlin’. Is that a Texas accent I’m hearing? There’s a little too much twang for you to be from the Deep South.”
“That’s right. Spent most of my life in the heart of the great Lone Star state.”
For a moment, the way Haley threw out her chest, Ethan was sure she’d start whistling Deep in the Heart of Texas.
Haley plopped down in his vacated chair and poured a cup of tea for each of them. “Lived on ranches most of my years there. Rodeos the other part. I’ve dealt with the most ornery livestock and wild cowboys that ever walked south of the Red River, let me tell you.” She set the cup down beside the bowl. “Would you like some sugar with that?”
Raining Fools (Madison Creek Bed & Breakfast Book 2) Page 22