by Vella, Wendy
He lived in town with his grandma, mother and brother. His mother travelled with her job and the rest of his family was too busy to take much time with him, so Branna, Jake and Declan did.
“Grandma said you came to visit, Annabelle.”
“Yup, did that two days ago, squirt. Just checking her over because she doesn’t like to leave the house much.”
“Is she all good?” His little face was worried.
Jake placed a hand on his head to reassure him. “All good, Mikey. She just needs to keep up with those meds of hers, and not get too much stress in her life.”
“Connor gives me stress, so I can only imagine what he does to Grandma.”
He was a serious young boy most of the time and they often commented on his being almost too old for his young age. He had an above average IQ like Branna, so they were the perfect match for each other.
“Branna and I think he’s got a few issues he’s dealing with, squirt, and it wouldn’t hurt to cut him a break or two.” Annabelle felt Ethan move around the room and then he came into her line of sight before disappearing towards the kitchen. Suddenly she could breathe again.
“Issues?” The boy leaned on Branna.
“Not sure he’s all that good with his words and reading, bud. We tested him when he came into the clinic, and he struggled with what I told him to read.”
Annabelle and the rest of the adults waited while Mikey worked through what she had told him. He was smart; he’d come to right conclusion, but he was also still a child, and she didn’t want him scoffing at his big brother’s issues.
“You think he’s illiterate?” He looked concerned. “I’ve heard that some adults can get right through school and still not be able to read and write because they have issues that stop them.”
“Yes, but the trick now is to confirm what Annabelle and I believe, Mikey. So we’ll put our heads together next week and work it through. Then if it’s true, you can help him, if we can get him to agree,” Branna added.
“Okay. I guess that would explain why he’s such a dickhead most of the time.”
And there was the eleven-year-old boy again, Annabelle thought as she swallowed her laughter while Declan told him not to swear in the presence of ladies.
“Ethan told me you squealed like a little girl when he took off, Annabelle,” Jake said, running his chin over his fiancée’s hair, which made another tug of longing to be loved like that pool in her stomach. “I have to say I thought you were much tougher than that. Seems I was wrong.”
“I did not squeal!”
“Yes, you did.” The Texan wandered back out of the kitchen with a mug of coffee and pulled out a chair at the table. “You squealed and giggled, then sighed. It was a shock, I have to say. I’ve never heard anything but cussing and insults from you before today.”
“Piss off, Gelderman,” Annabelle said, then looked at Declan in horror. “I’m sorry, Declan, Mikey, for swearing like that.”
“I’ve used the word a time or two myself, Annabelle. I have no problem with it, especially considering my daughter swears like a longshoreman, but I think considering this young man’s ease with vulgarity, it would pay to hold off when he’s around.” Declan rubbed Mikey’s head again.
“It’s true, she does.” Jake gave Branna a last kiss before releasing her. “Can you run Annabelle to her place, Declan, when you head into town?”
“Of course. It will be my pleasure.”
“That’s right,” Branna said, frowning at Annabelle. “Didn’t you drive to Brook this morning? Where’s your car?”
She had known Branna would ask the question, because Branna knew how independent Annabelle was, and what that car meant to her.
“I wasn’t using it, so I sold it.”
Branna, who had been about to lick the edge of her chocolate frosting, lowered her cupcake and looked at Annabelle. “You didn’t tell me you were going to Brook to sell it. When did you make that decision?”
“A few days ago.” Annabelle waved her hand.
“But you loved that car.”
She could feel the tears again, and the desperation she’d felt when she’d seen her car drive away. She’d saved two years for it, paid cash for it, and still remembered how proud she’d been when she’d driven it home. She could feel Ethan’s eyes on her as he listened intently to the conversation, Declan and Jake too. Branna opened her mouth to say something else, but Ethan beat her to it.
“So, how was book club, Branna? Still running the town?”
Branna wanted to continue with her questions; Annabelle could see it in her friend’s eyes. But something stopped her, and Annabelle hated that it was probably a look from one of the men in the room.
Damn it, they were all sharing looks behind her back now.
“Good. We’re planning a road trip to Brook and Annabelle has been designated to drive us in Mr. Lindt’s van.”
“Fine, but you have to bribe me with chocolate cupcakes,” Annabelle said, relieved the subject had changed. “But if that Millie Lawrence starts in on me again, then I’m fighting back.”
Howling Book Club had being going for years, and membership was highly sought by many of the women in the area. However, an opening was only available when a member died, which seemed to be a rare thing to every woman anxious to get in. Branna was in—much to the dismay of all the women who had been waiting for years—due to the death of her friend Georgie, who’d died and left Branna her house.
“She told me the other day she thinks Buster is running a secret drug ring, ’cause no man can look like him and not be,” Branna said, which made everyone laugh.
“Please, dear God, let me be the one to tell him that,” Ethan said, laughing. It made his white teeth flash, which pissed Annabelle off because he looked so hot, so she looked away.
“Branna still won’t spill anything,” Jake groused. “I have no idea what they talk about, but I’m damned sure it’s not all based around books.”
From the corner of her eye, Annabelle watched Ethan lick the chocolate frosting from the top of a cupcake and she felt her stomach clench as she imagined him licking her. No, no, no, there will be no licking of any body parts by either of them!
“I made a promise. It’s part of the pledge when you join, as you very well know,” Branna said.
“I’m the man you love. That should come with some weight.”
They joked and poked fun at each other for another hour, and all the time Annabelle was aware of the Texan, and she hated it, because she’d been aware of him before but now it was worse—now that she knew what it felt like to be kissed by him. Knew that he could take a woman under in two seconds just by brushing his lips against hers. The imprint of his warm hand was still on her neck and the smell of his body lingered in her nostrils.
“I would be the first person in the history of the Howling Book Club to be booted out. Jake, you wouldn’t want that for me, would you?”
Grateful for the reprieve from her thoughts by the ringing of her cell phone, Annabelle dove into her bag. Looking at the caller ID, she turned it to silent and shoved it back in. Cooper could go to hell before she spoke to him again.
“You’re not going to answer that?” Mikey questioned her.
“No one important.”
“How are your brothers, Annabelle?”
Her eyes shot to Jake as he asked the question. There was nothing in his expression to suggest anything but genuine curiosity, so she relaxed.
“Good. Zach’s at sea somewhere, and Coop’s still taking Vegas by storm.”
“What does your brother do at sea?” It was Ethan who had spoken this time, so she had to look at him again.
“He’s in the Navy.”
“Zach’s just made Chief Petty Officer, Tex,” Jake added.
“And Cooper’s in IT, right?”
Annabelle nodded in answer to Ethan’s question this time.
“In school he was like this geeky nerd who could fix anything that had a cable,” Ja
ke added. “Brightest person I knew.”
“That’s changed now, of course,” Branna added.
“No, I actually I think he’d take you on and win, Rosebud. The guy’s a genius.”
“I’m a genius,” Branna said calmly. “Remember how I kicked your butt at Scrabble last night?”
Jake rolled his eyes. “Only because you cheat and I have no idea you’re cheating because you always come up with the origin of the word, and an elaborate meaning.”
“She’s always cheated at Scrabble,” Declan said.
“Dad!”
“It’s true, Branna, and you know it.”
“So Cooper works in Vegas?” Ethan said over the top of the teasing, his eyes on Annabelle.
“Yup.”
“Who does he work for?”
“Some corporation. He goes around fixing things when they break.”
“Must be doing well for himself.”
“Peachy,” Annabelle snapped, thinking about her $25,000.
“When did you last catch up with your brothers?”
“We talk all the time. What’s with the inquisition, Gelderman?”
“Just being friendly, Smith. I’m a friendly kind of guy. Ask anyone.”
“Whatever.” Annabelle waved a hand. She didn’t want to talk about Cooper right now, in case she spat out something she shouldn’t.
“Hey, Declan, how’s the new book going? Bran said you released it last week.” Deliberately changing the subject, Annabelle latched on to the one thing that would draw Ethan’s attention.
“Yes, it’s going well. Thank you, Annabelle.” She watched him get to his feet and leave the room briefly before returning with two books. “These are for you two.” He then handed one to her and the other to Ethan.
“I-I… wow.”
Annabelle couldn’t help her laugh as color filled the Texan’s cheeks and he fumbled for words. The only thing in this world that seemed to unsettle Ethan Gelderman the Fifth was talking about Declan’s and Branna’s books. Both were crime writers, and very well-known ones, and he was, she’d come to realize, their biggest fan.
“It’s signed To Ethan, It’s an honor to have you in my life. D.J. O’Donnell.” The awe in his voice made everyone smile. He looked like a young boy who’d been handed his favorite toy.
“Jesus, Tex, will you man up? Seriously, this worship shit is getting old.” Jake slapped his friend on the back. “They’re in your life now. You need get this stuff under control. It’s getting embarrassing.”
“Ha, ha.” Ethan found a smile, and it wasn’t his usual wide, smooth one; this was sweet and innocent, but Annabelle was damned sure it didn’t endear him to her in any way. Climbing to her feet, she gave Declan a look.
“Shall we leave now, Annabelle?”
“Would that be alright with you, Declan? I have a few things I need to do, and looking at him is making me nauseous.” She nodded her head toward Ethan, who was running his hand reverently over the cover of the book.
“Not even your acid tongue can spoil this moment for me, Smith.”
“Why are you guys always doing that?”
“Doing what, Mikey?” Annabelle grabbed her purse off the back of the chair and slung it over her shoulder, then bent to pick up the rest of her things that Ethan had carried inside.
“Insulting each other?”
“Because, Mikey, if they stop, they might actually find they like each other, and that will never do.” Branna said this as she too regained her feet.
Annabelle and Ethan ignored her.
“See you at The Howler later, then, Belle,” Branna said, grabbing Annabelle’s hand and giving it a quick squeeze as she passed.
“Okay, sure, see you there.” Damn, damn, damn, she didn’t want to go out tonight, not when inside her there was a war going on between self-pity and rage. Not to mention the fact that she didn’t want to spend any of the money she’d made for her car. That was needed to make mortgage payments and pay bills, and have a backup should she need it—not that there would be much left after the bills had been paid.
Minutes later, after saying their goodbyes, they were in Declan’s car and driving out of Jake’s driveway.
“Weather’s starting to cool.” Declan gave a final wave as they turned onto the road at the bottom of the drive.
“Yup, time to stock up my wood pile, I’m thinking.”
The town of Lake Howling, Oregon had its small population scattered amongst the redwoods and around one side of the lake. Most were grouped in a few streets; the rest were scattered up drives, tucked back from the road. Being born and raised here, Annabelle might have been biased, but she believed it was the most beautiful place on earth. During the tourist season, the place was busy with people wanting to trek through the trees or play out on the water. It even smelled right here. Fresh and healthy. You inhaled and got only air, not pollution or exhaust fumes. The best part of the scenery was the clear waters of their lake and the distant mountain ranges topped with snow. The redwoods stood on sentry duty as they had forever, watching over the town.
“Are you alright, Annabelle?”
Drawing her eyes from the glittering waters, she looked at the man driving. He was only about 16 years older than she was, even though he was Branna’s father, and he was good looking, with that pale, soft Irish complexion and mass of black hair that his daughter also had.
“Of course. Tired, but happy to be home. I always feel that way. Sometimes I’m desperate to leave here, but when I do, I always want to come home again.”
“And now you have no car to leave should you wish to.”
He was a watcher, Declan O’Donnell. He stood back and observed. He was quietly spoken, insightful, and if anyone would notice Annabelle wasn’t herself, it would be him.
“True, but I can use the money and save for another one.”
“If you need a car, you can always use mine.”
“I can’t use your car!”
He turned briefly, his green eyes settling on her then returning to the road. “Yes, you can.”
Annabelle sighed. “Declan, please let it go. You owe me nothing. Branna is fine. Can we not move on?”
“My daughter told me she would have taken her life had you not stepped into it when you did, Annabelle. That isn’t something a father can forget, or for that matter forgive. I wasn’t there for her when I should have been, but you were, and to my eyes that means I’ll be there for you should you need it, in whatever capacity.”
Annabelle sighed again. She’d had this conversation with him before, at least three times. “Well, I’m not driving your car, no matter what you think.”
They didn’t speak again as they entered the town, and then turned right. Small and quaint, the shops and businesses of Lake Howling had labels like The Hoot, The Howler or The Roar. Immaculate from its pristine storefronts to the swept streets and tidy sidewalks, the town was a lovely sight with the lake as its backdrop on one side and the tall trees in the distance.
The house Annabelle had lived in most of her life was old. Her uncle had lived there first, and after the death of Annabelle’s mother, she and her brothers had moved in with him. It sat back from the road, and as Uncle Gerry was big on privacy, he’d planted a ton of trees which created a shield from the neighbors, who weren’t all that close anyway. Three years ago Annabelle had painted the clapboards with help from her friends, so the small place was tidy, and she kept the yard clean, beds weeded.
“Thanks, Declan.” Annabelle kissed his cheek as she got out, but of course, true gentleman that he was, he got out right along with her, then retrieved her things and walked with her to her door.
“You need anything, Annabelle, just give me a call.”
She managed a smile, and when he was satisfied with whatever it was he needed to be satisfied with, he climbed back into his car and drove away. As she lost sight of him, Annabelle slumped against the door. Suddenly everything she had kept at bay was there in her head, churning around
inside.
Fumbling with her keys, she managed to get the door open. She closed it behind her, then found her favorite chair and fell into it.
Her gaze went around the four walls that made up the room, looking at the marks beside the door that she and her brothers had put there to track their growth. She saw the painting she and Zach had found secondhand and reframed, and the cabinet that housed the trophies her brothers had won. Zach’s for sports and Cooper’s for academic achievements. Was she going to lose this place and all the memories that came with it?
“Damn you to hell and back, Cooper Smith!” Annabelle leaned her head back against the chair as she thought about her brother.
She’d told him she didn’t want to speak to him again, but that didn’t stop the fear she felt over what he was doing to himself. The nurse in her knew the toll all the drug-taking and drinking was having on his body. It would break, eventually; no one could withstand that kind of abuse indefinitely. She didn’t want to worry about the boy she had raised and helped through college, yet it was impossible not to.
Annabelle could still see him as he’d left Howling on his big adventure. Healthy and whole, he had been filled with excitement, as she had been for him. She’d known she’d miss him, just as she missed Zach, but she’d known it was time for both of her brothers to take off and spread their wings, and at the time she’d believed she’d done enough for them. She’d taught them the difference between right and wrong, and tried to instill the life lessons she’d believed they needed, but it turned out that she’d failed with Cooper.
“Oh, God, Cooper.” Putting her head in her hands, she sat and cried for the sweet boy she had lost forever.
CHAPTER FOUR
“Why does my beer have an umbrella and a piece of pineapple in it?”
Ethan looked at Branna, who was sitting to his left, and then back to Jake, who had just placed the beer in front of him. They were in The Howler, the town’s main watering hole for locals. Looking around him, Ethan noted some people were wearing Hawaiian shirts and flower leis, and the ceiling had them pinned everywhere.