by Jae Dawson
Bella
The way Cade caressed the microphone sent shivers down my body. Memories floated to the surface—Cade, sitting in bed wearing nothing but Bob across his lap; Cade, in the kitchen, making sure more frosting ended up on his finger than the actual birthday cake. Cade, lovingly hanging a beautiful photograph of his grandparents above the fireplace in their old house, where we now lived.
“A blinding vision
Illuminated
My heart is shouting
Obliterated”
He belted out their Billboard chart-topper into the microphone and goosebumps shimmied across my skin. I never tired of watching him on stage. It stirred in me a heady mix of yearning and pride and anticipation.
The lights were low. No pyrotechnics or huge screens behind them—the Showbox was a cozy venue in South Seattle, and Burning Umbrage played as if they knew every person in the crowd. The band was playing smaller venues now—focusing on fewer, more intimate shows—a decision to return to their underground roots and perform the type of indie rock they had played originally. Kenzie the Fierce pushed back at first, but they had found a new manager who supported their vision and had miraculously convinced Kenzie to rebrand Burning Umbrage’s image. And, if album sales were any indication, the fans had missed the old sound as much as the guys did.
To my left, Gramps squinted at the stage, and reached up to adjust his hearing aid. Turning it up or down? I wasn’t sure. Deloris sat next to him, seemingly as comfortable here as she was at Maple Lane’s knitting night. I smothered a smile as I glanced to my right, where Mamma sat on the edge of her seat in rapt attention. As if Cade, Dev, Andy, and Bale cast their own kind of spell.
The final notes of the song landed like fresh snowfall—swallowing the crowd in a moment of hushed silence. And then the audience leaped to their feet and exploded into applause, loudly whistling and clapping.
Moonlight & Belladonna had been their encore. The roar of the crowd demanded another, but Cade always finished his shows with this hit.
The lights faded and the stage was now black.
“Come on, let's head backstage,” I encouraged.
There was something about the moment Cade came off stage. An energy vibrated around him that I drank in like the smoothest, richest honey. A sweetness that stayed with me long after the show ended.
But Gramps couldn’t move quickly and the crowd tangled around us. It took us five minutes to make our way to the front, where we flashed our badges to the muscled security guard.
“We’re with the band,” Mamma purred. She drew a finger along the guard’s chiseled collarbone as we passed.
“You're gonna get us kicked out of here,” I groused. Her all access pass was making her even bolder.
“There are worse things than being teased by a beautiful woman,” Gramps casually suggested. Deloris chuckled by his side, his arm looped through hers for extra support.
Noticing his limp, Mamma put a hand on his shoulder, to better stabilize the older man’s uneven gait. Then declared with a flourish, “Frank understands me. We are Burning Umbrage’s biggest fans. They need us.”
“Uh huh,” I said. Sure Mamma. Like they need a string of sexual harassment lawsuits following in their wake . . .
“You know, Belly, I was thinking it may be time for another ritual.” Mamma was appraising me with a sly look that I did not like one bit.
“I’m not letting you bully me into any more magia. I have absolutely everything I want.”
“Not me. Don’t Frank and I deserve a grandchild? You and Cade would make such beautiful children together.”
“Mamma!” I slapped my hands over my eyes. She would be the end of me.
“Angelically rascally children too.” Deloris exchanged a conspiratorial smile with Mamma. Leaning in across Gramps, she added, “Could you imagine a little boy with Cade’s devious smile?”
“And a daughter with Belly’s lustrous hair?”
Gramps came to my rescue. “Look, there’s Cade.”
Cade was striding over. His black military-styled button-down revealed a sliver of tanned pecs and I shivered again. I couldn’t fight the goofy smile on my face as he wrapped his arms around me then spun me in a circle.
“Good evening, Mrs. Owens.”
“Great show, Mr. Owens.” I placed a firm kiss on his sweaty cheek. Even now, three months in, I hadn’t gotten over the thrill of being Mrs. Owens. I wasn’t sure I ever would.
Cade released me to embrace Gramps and then kissed Mamma and Deloris on the cheek in turn. “What did you guys think?”
“Sounds good to me.” Gramps waved a hand.
Devon, Andy, and Bale strolled over to join us. Dev clapped a hand on Gramps’s shoulder. “You always were a man of discerning taste.”
“I put up with you two screeching in the garage for half a decade, didn’t I?” Gramps shot back.
“He’s ready for sainthood,” Bale offered, a soft smile on his pierced lips.
“You make magic up on that stage.” Mamma was gazing at Andy and Bale—especially Andy—with an intensity that made me blush.
“Guys, you remember my mother-in-law, Amara?” Cade asked.
“How could we forget.” Andy took Mamma’s hand and kissed it. “Amara, you are unforgettable.”
“Why is he encouraging her?” I whispered to Cade. Andy and Bale barely escaped her clutches at the wedding. And I swore I spied her hand on Andy’s ass while they danced.
“Flirting is Andy’s primary form of communication.” Cade’s breath tickled my ear. “It’s a miracle he learned English.”
“You looked so powerful up there behind your instruments,” Mamma was saying. “So full of raw emotion.”
“Music does that.” Andy nodded sagely. “Anytime you want to bang my sticks and find out how raw and powerful . . .”
I made a retching noise.
Dev rolled his eyes and turned to us. “So, are we on for midnight waffles?”
“I thought I banned you from midnight waffles.” Cade lifted an accusatory brow at his friend.
“Yeah, but Bale and Andy decided to overrule you.”
“They can’t just do that. You can’t just do that!” Cade hollered after Andy, who had turned to show my mother something on stage.
“Time for a vote. Who is in favor of midnight waffles?” Dev called out.
Bale, Dev, and Andy raised their hands, as did Mamma. Gramps and Deloris slowly raised theirs too. Cade let out a huff of mock exasperation. I pressed my lips together to hold back my grin as I hoisted my hand in the air.
Cade’s hand flew to his chest. “Et tu, Mrs. Owens?”
“I can love you and want waffles.”
“The ayes have it. Waffles are a go,” Dev announced triumphantly.
Andy draped his arm over Mamma’s slim shoulders. “This is good,” Mamma said first to Andy, then peered at the rest of us. “Belly needs to build her strength up for her next ritual.”
“Oh boy.” Gramps waved a shaky hand. “I better start walking now.” He ambled off, cane in hand and Deloris at his side.
“Next ritual?” Dev pretended to rest his chin in his hands. “Do tell.”
“Non dire un'altra parola,” I warned Mamma, throwing my hands into the air, the kind that communicated that I would disown her if she even so much as breathed a word. But she was shameless.
“A fertility spell.” Mamma beamed at me.
“Is it just me, or is it kinda hot when Bella speaks Italian?” Andy stage whispered to Cade.
Cade shot Andy a glare and playfully flipped him off.
Mamma continued, much to my horror. “The seed of Belly’s intention flowered into this beautiful romance. Now we must ensure the ground is fertile for other seeds.” Mamma waggled her eyebrows.
I tipped my face into my hands. She never listened! I was going to kill that woman. Slowly. Gleefully. It didn’t matter if she birthed me from her own loins. She was dead.
“I’m confident my seed will
do just fine on its own . . . when the time comes,” Cade choked out.
“God, I need some popcorn for this.” Andy let out a delighted chuckle.
“No, bro, we’re getting waffles,” Dev said. “Catch up.”
“How about this.” I looked up, determined. “Guys, catch up with Gramps and get the car. Mamma, never speak the words seed, or soil, or fertility in my presence again or so help me God, I will disown you. I’ll stay here and die of embarrassment. Good plan? Great.” I clapped my hands.
“Let’s go get Bob.” Cade wrapped his arm around me and started towing me away. “We’ll meet you guys at the back entrance.” He kissed the top of my head. “You’re so sexy when you’re bossy,” he murmured.
“That woman is the death of me.”
“Nah, you’ll push our kids around like that one day.” Cade put Bob into his case, buckling it up.
My heart soared. “You mean it?”
“That you’ll be bossy?” He smirked, a devilish glint in his eyes.
Asshole.
My eyes narrowed. “Kids. That we’ll have kids.” We hadn’t really talked about kids yet, but I did want them. And I wanted them with Cade. Well, when he wasn’t being a jerk.
“Not on your mom’s timeline.” He met my eyes after he finished with Bob, the teasing glint replaced by a warm softness. I felt myself held fast by those deep blue pools. “But . . . yeah.”
I threw my arms around him and pulled his lips to mine. He tasted sweet, and salty, and mine. No other words needed to be spoken. He knew the rhythm of my heart as if it were his own.
He circled an arm around my waist and we strolled toward the entrance, where our friends and family waited. With Cade, I had found the love of my life. But I had found more, too. I had found a new family—silly and dysfunctional, but fiercely loving. Every personality an instrument, lending its unique sound and texture to the symphony of this life Cade and I were building in Hartwood Falls.
“My poison, my drug,” Cade softly sang in my ear. “You intoxicate me with your love.”
I grinned, melting into him. “I love you, too, Cade Owens.”
If you liked Moonlight & Belladonna, you’ll love Heartbeats & Roses, the next book in Jae Dawson’s Hartwood Holiday series!
ORDER HEARTBEATS & ROSES TODAY!
HEARTBEATS & ROSES
A Hartwood Holiday Romance: Valentine’s Day
* * *
Will old high school crushes find a second chance at love in this small town holiday romance?
Florist Rose McDaniels is the unofficial matchmaker of Hartwood Falls. Her annual Secret Valentines have brought together more happy couples than she can count. Too bad the only person she can’t seem to help find love is herself. Try as she may, no one holds a candle to the boy who made her first believe in love . . . right before he left town with her heart.
When cardiac surgeon Liam Bradley returns to his childhood home of Hartwood Falls for the first time in fifteen years, his life is falling apart all around him. With his career at risk and a relationship with his longtime girlfriend on the rocks, true love is the last thing on his mind.
His quiet retreat turns upside down when he comes face to face with the girl he left a secret message for all those years ago.
Then a freak accident finds this self-proclaimed cynic up to his ears in roses and love notes—all because of her.
Rose and Liam gamble their hearts and confess old secrets in this heart-warming tale of second chances and forgiveness.
ORDER HEARTBEATS & ROSES TODAY!
SONGS BY BURNING UMBRAGE
Written by Jae Dawson
MOONLIGHT AND BELLADONNA
* * *
Falling in my dark, it was you I found.
Moon touched angel, you brought the light crashing down.
* * *
Trapped in a cage, fighting to be free
You’re my silvered poison and my gilded key
* * *
A blinding vision
Illuminated
My heart is shouting
Obliterated
* * *
Moonlight and Belladonna
My poison, my drug
Moonlight and Belladonna
You intoxicate me with your love
* * *
Your love (my poison)
Your love (my drug)
* * *
Lost in the spotlight, it was you I found
Moon touched angel, you brought the night crashing down
* * *
Trapped in a nightmare, fighting to be free
You’re my silvered poison and my gilded key
* * *
A blinding vision
Illuminated
My heart is shouting
Obliterated
* * *
Moonlight and Belladonna
My poison, my drug
Moonlight and Belladonna
You intoxicate me with your love
* * *
Your love (my poison)
Your love (my drug)
* * *
I want you to touch me
To see me
Kiss my soul
I need you to want me
To feel me
Love me whole
* * *
Moonlight and Belladonna
My poison, my drug
Moonlight and Belladonna
You intoxicate me with your love
* * *
Your love (my poison)
Your love (my drug)
My poison (your love)
My drug (your love)
* * *
Your love
WILTED
* * *
Sunshine pink rain
Golden black hail
My heart has withered
Wilted and no more
Ash blue autumn
Red winter sky
My soul has withered
Wilted and no more
* * *
Nothing makes sense without you
My world has wilted, wilted
Nothing matters without you
My life has wilted, wilted
* * *
Midnight green clouds
Orange new moon
My heart has withered
Wilted and no more
Gray summer sun
Brown spring mist
My soul has withered
Wilted and no more
* * *
Nothing makes sense without you
My world has wilted, wilted
Nothing matters without you
My life has wilted, wilted
* * *
Nothing makes sense without you
My world has wilted, wilted
Nothing matters without you
My life has wilted, wilted
* * *
My love has wilted
Wilted, wilted
About the Author
Jae Dawson is a yoga-pants wearing, messy-bun topped Seattleite who sparkles in the PNW daylight and writes romance by misty moonlight. She’s a secret dog whisperer, a hippie reader of the stars and planets, and a whirlwind world traveler. But you’ll most often find her haunting the moss-draped forests around her home with a tumbler of coffee and a camera around her neck, talking to the woodland creatures like a Disney princess.
Her stories are slice of life romances baked with quirky characters and misadventures, heated to perfection, and drizzled with humor for a sweet finish. Spend your holidays in Hartwood Falls, falling in love with her debut Hartwood Holiday series.
Connect with Jae online at: http://jaedawson.com
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