“Or piping bags out,” Callie laughs as she picks up the bag filled with chocolate icing.
Six hours later, the cake sculpted into what will be an adorable pink troll, the salted caramel filling is in places I’d rather not mention, and the crumb coat applied. I roll the tray into the refrigerator to set while Callie works on making the more detailed features of the troll’s eyes, ears and the blue flowers to go on her headband.
“Callie, you’re getting great at that,” I remark, watching her use the ball tool to make the edge of the flowers raise up.
“Thank you. I’ve been practicing with some leftover gum paste when I’ve had time,” she beams, brown eyes twinkling at the praise.
“As soon as you get those done, put them in the refrigerator and head on home.”
“Are you sure? I know there’s a lot to do,” Callie questions but I can hear the hope in her voice.
“I’m sure,” I smile at her for reassurance. “Mom is watching Lila tonight. I can spend some extra time on the cake after it chills.”
“I can color the fondant before I leave.”
“No, just get those done. You’re making me feel like a slave driver. Go have fun. Enjoy your summer while you can. School will start before you know it.”
“Some of the kids said they were going to meet up at the lake and cookout,” she blushes.
“I’m guessing Brent will be there?”
“I’m not sure but I’m hoping.”
“Then what are you waiting for?” I tease as she turns back to the table.
“What if he doesn’t like me?” Her voice is timid as she asks.
“It won’t be the end of the world,” I reply, and her deep sigh fills the room. “It may feel that way though.”
“I just really like him. I can’t concentrate sometimes because he’s all I can think about,” she admits.
“When I was your age, I felt the same way about a boy. He was the center of my world.”
“Really? Your husband?” she asks hopefully.
“No, not James. I didn’t fall for James until I went to North Carolina. When we were in high school, we were just friends.”
“So, who was the guy?”
“His name was Zach, and I thought I would spend the rest of my life with him,” I respond wistfully. A pang hits my heart at the thought of the boy I used to love.
“What happened?” she inquires.
“Life. He was ahead of me in school and decided that he didn’t want to stick around after graduation. He left the state, and I was stuck here until I graduated.”
“He up and left?” she asks incredulously.
“His dreams were to become a famous country singer. I wasn’t going to stand in his way. He couldn’t do that staying here in this tiny town, especially back then.”
“Wait. Zach as in Zachary Marshall?” Her voice squeaks.
“One and the same.”
“You dated Zachary Marshall? He’s so hot and his voice,” she trails off.
“Yes, he has an incredible voice,” I agree, carrying one of the mixing bowls covered in chocolate to the sink.
“I got to see him in concert in Tulsa last year. But what happened between the two of you?”
“Not much,” I shrug as if it didn’t implode my whole word at the time. “He left and never came back.”
“And left you behind,” she guesses the words I didn’t want to voice. Stuck here with my hopes hanging on his dreams, ready to give all of this up for him. And tossed away like a used tissue.
“But anyway, I know how you feel and trust me it’s not the end of the world if he doesn’t feel the same.”
“How did you meet your husband?”
“He was from here too.” A small smile quirks my lips at the memory of James in high school. Tall and stick thin. A good wind would have blown him over. Always brushing back his dark hair out of his eyes. His quick wit and smile, braces and all. “We were in the same grade, but we were just friends. After high school, he went into the Marines. I ran into him when I was in culinary school. Each year the school hosts a dinner for the neighboring Marine base as part of our final grade. He was one attendee. He asked me out, and the rest is history.”
“That’s so romantic,” she gushes, a dreamy look on her face.
“He really was for being such a caveman,” I laugh.
“That’s the kinda love I want,” she sighs.
“It’s once in a lifetime, don’t let it pass you by.”
Later that night, George Strait croons through the blue tooth speaker sitting on the shelf above my head as I sing along to All My Exes Live in Texas while I run the white plastic over the dark pink fondant to smooth out any wrinkles. The mindless task allows my mind to roam about my orders for the next day. Since the start of the weekend, Claudia and Callie will work to help me keep up with orders. Birthday parties are the name of the game on the weekends. A first birthday cake in the shape of a fire truck. A sweet sixteen with multiple tiers with hot pink and leopard print. Three dozen cupcakes for the ladies' luncheon on Sunday afternoon. The regular muffins, pastries, and loaves of bread. I mentally check all the things off my list. The opening chords of The Dance hit me like a sledgehammer. The plastic tool clatters to the top of the counter as I slowly sink to the floor, the pain and grief wrap around me like a corset, the laces being pulled tighter and tighter until it’s hard to breathe. Memories flood through me from James’ funeral when the song played, holding baby Lila in my arms while the tears streamed down my face. The feeling of being lost without the man I love as his folded flag was placed in my arms. Lila’s little chubby hand gripping the fabric as I realize not only did I lose my husband, she’ll never know the warmth of her father’s smile or the strength of his hugs. How she’d always feel safe and protected by his side. I sink to the floor, my back sliding down the cold steel cabinet. The cold tile numbing my butt as I wish I could numb my heart. I’m not sure how long I sit there, but the song had changed to Blake Shelton singing about breaking out of jail and a hound dog. I wince when I stand up, the muscles in my back screaming in protest. My phone rings in my office and I stride across the floor and swipe it off my desk.
“Hello?” My voice is hoarse and scratchy when I speak.
“Dani, honey, are you okay?” Concerns bleeds into my mother’s voice. “You said you’d be by to pick up Lila by nine and it’s almost ten.”
“Shit. Sorry, Mom, I lost track of time. Give me fifteen minutes and I’ll be over.”
“No rush, sweetie. She’s sound asleep,” she says. “Why don’t you let her stay here tonight. It’s getting late and I know you’ll be up at the ass crack of dawn tomorrow anyway. That way both of you can get a good night’s sleep.”
“Are you sure, Mom?” I hedge.
“Of course, she can spend the day tomorrow if she wants. I’m off work and don’t go back until Tuesday.”
“If she gets to be any trouble, you holler, and I’ll come to get her.”
“I promise.” I can hear her smile through the phone. “Why don’t you and Jessalyn head to Walk the Line. You haven’t been dancing in a long time and I know how much you love it.”
“Mom,” I huff.
“It would be good for you to get out and socialize, Danielle.”
“I do, Mom.”
“I know you do at work but that’s business. You need to get out and live a little.”
“I don’t have time for any of that. You know how busy I am with work and Lila.”
“You’re more than just a business owner and mom, Danielle. You are also a woman. Maybe it’s time to start dating again,” she suggests.
“No,” I blurt.
“James wouldn’t want you to be like this, Dani. There’s too much love inside that big ole heart of yours not to share it with someone.”
“Not for another man. No one can fill the hole that James left,” I blubber.
“Danielle Renee, you are not meant to be alone.”
“I’m not,
” I argue. “I have Lila and you, Jessa and James’ family. I’m not alone.”
“That’s not what I meant, and you know it. You need intimacy, that connection with another person. Someone who calls to you, heart and soul.” My face heats when I recall the last time I was ‘intimate’ with Nathan. I don’t think getting bent over the end of the bed and pounded into oblivion is exactly what she has in mind. No matter how great it felt. Guilt floods through me at the reminder of betraying James that way. Especially with his own brother. Neither one of us has come to grips with his loss.
“Promise me you’ll go, Dani. You’re closed on Sunday. Lila can just spend the weekend with me, and you can pick her up when you come to lunch.”
“Ah, I see where this is going,” I chuckle despite the tears rolling down my face. “Finagling me to come over for lunch. All you had to do was ask, Mom. Do you want me to bring anything?” I wipe away the tears with the back of my hand.
“If you happen to have any cake or anything left over you can bring it,” she hedges, and I know she doesn’t want to ask outright for me to make her something. “I’m making fried chicken, mashed potatoes and gravy and, well, I’ll figure out what else. I have to check the garden first and see what needs to be picked before it ruins.”
“Ok, Mom. Around one?”
“That’ll be perfect. I’ll run by in the morning to get Lila’s clothes.”
“I’ll get her bag packed tonight.”
“Great! See you in the morning. Love you, honey.”
“Love you too. Give my munchkin a kiss for me.” I hit the red button to hang up the call. Son of a bitch. She made me promise. Scrolling through my contacts, I hit send when I reach Jessa’s number.
“Hey, Chica, wanna go dancing tomorrow night?” I blurt when she says hello. Her delighted squeal is all the answer I need. “I close at six. Come over and we’ll get ready then.” I can practically see her bouncing on the balls of her feet.
“Can I do your hair and makeup?” she begs.
“I guess,” I say on a sigh. I might as well face the inevitable. “See ya tomorrow. I need to finish this up and get upstairs. Busy day tomorrow.”
“I feel ya. I hate a love/hate relationship with tourist season,” she grumbles.
“They pay the bills.”
“Very true. Finish up and get some sleep. At least I get to sleep a few hours longer than you do,” she laughs.
“Night.” I hang up and get to putting up the cake and cleaning up my mess. Tomorrow night will come far too soon for my liking and I’m filled with dread and the tiniest bit of anticipation at the same time.
Chapter Six
Zach
“Come on, Zach, come out with me and Melanie tonight. We’re going to eat some BBQ then head over to Walk the Line. You need to loosen up a little bit.” We sit down at the picnic table on the dock. The breeze drifting over us brings the smell of lake water. He hands me my sandwich and a bag of potato chips out of the white paper sack. I hand him his bottle of Dr. Pepper.
“I’m supposed to be lying low, Wes,” I grumble.
“It’s Whiskey Bend, Zach. No one here will give you a hard time.” At my arched look he backpedals. “Okay, they’ll give you a hard time, but we protect our own. Just get out of the house for a little while. And I really want you to meet Melanie,” he pleads.
“I thought she was coming to dinner on Sunday,” I ask confused, unwrapping my sandwich from the paper.
“She is,” he confirms, “but I figured it would be a little more laid back for you meet her there. Mom tends to give her a hard time,” he grumbles before nearly ripping his bag of chips in half. He throws the yellow bag on the table in disgust.
“Mom doesn’t like her?” I ask incredulously. Mom likes everyone.
“You know how it is. No one's good enough for her boys.” He shrugs his shoulder twisting the top of the bottle of Dr. Pepper.
“Mom had no issues with Dani,” I speak before I think it the through. It’s a damn flaw of mine.
“Dani’s different. Mom’s known her since she was a little kid trailing after us. Melanie’s not from around here,” he takes a swig of his drink. “What made you bring Dani up, anyway?”
“Didn’t realize she was back in town until the other day. Last I heard she had moved off.”
“Yeah, she went to North Carolina to culinary school.”
“Is that where she met her husband?”
“No, he went to school with us. He was stationed there when they got together.”
“He went to school with us?” I’m shocked. “I didn’t realize he was a local.”
“James was in our grade.”
“James? As in Taggert?” I blurt. “The little geeky kid who followed Dani around like a little puppy dog?”
“One and the same,” he laughs. “He grew up though. One of the biggest m’fers I ever met. Especially after he joined the Marines. He would have given me a run for my money.”
“Really?” I ask dumbstruck.
“Yeah, I think after our junior year in high school he grew nearly a foot. Ended up being one of the biggest guys in our class.”
“He didn’t hook up with Dani in school?” I wince at the look Wes throws my way.
“She was too messed up over you to even think about that kind of shit. Hell, I took her to our senior prom just so she would go.” He keeps shooting daggers at me.
“Sorry, I brought it up.” He makes a little humph noise. “What?”
He sits the bottle down on the wooden top with a thud. “Why suddenly do you care where she is? It’s not like you gave a damn before.”
“I’ve always cared.”
“I’ll call bullshit on that one.” He makes a noise of disgust.
“You’re my brother. Aren’t you supposed to be on my side of things?”
“When you’re not acting like a complete and utter jackass, I will be. But how you treated Dani? I’m gonna be on her side.”
“I didn’t figure after all this time there would be a side.”
“It’s not that. Jeez. I can understand that after you left that things changed. I get it, I do. You still had a lot of growing up to do and made a lot of promises.”
“Wes,” I begin but he points a finger at me shutting me up.
“No. I get it. You were young and stupid and horny. And once you got away from here, it was a lot of temptation I’m sure. But, man, the way you left her and then didn’t say a word was cold-hearted as hell.”
“I thought it was for the best,” I defend.
“Really? Who’s best? Yours or hers?”
I look down, not able to look him in the eye.
“Maybe I took the easy way out.”
“There is no fucking maybe. You at least owed her a damn phone call or something.”
“Look there’s nothing I can do about it now,” I bite out. “It’s been over ten years. I’m sure she’s over it by now.” God, I hope she is. The guilt I felt at my callous treatment of her returns, eating away at me like a cancer. I take a drink out of the plastic bottle, the bubbles bursting over my tongue and stinging my throat.
“I’m sure she’s over the worst,” Wes agrees. “But I’m sure some hurt is going to come back when she sees you again.”
That’s what I’m afraid of.
The twang of the steel guitar fills the air as the multicolored lights bounce around the dance floor. Sam Hunt’s Body Like A Back Road blares from the speakers as the dancers two-step and twirl around the dance floor. I sit in the darkened corner with a bottle of ice cold beer pressed to my lips. The bitter liquid cools my parched throat. Melanie, my brother’s fiancée arrived five minutes before and she’s already annoying the shit out of me. She’s not my brother’s type–at all. Wes always went for the down-home, girl next door. Not the overly made up, face caked in makeup, worried about her designer shoes getting messed up on the wooden floor. Except she’s mentioned it twice already since she sat down. Or more like perched her scrawny ass o
n the edge as if she’s afraid to relax.
“Wes,” she whines, “how long do we have to stay, baby? I have an open house in Straten in the morning.” I wince as her voice grates across my eardrums. How the hell does Wes listen to her? I can only imagine the searing pain of her screaming in his ear when she orgasms. But then again, as tight as she’s wound, I bet she fakes it every time.
“Not long, honey,” he assures her as he picks up her hand and places a kiss on the back. Her eyes narrow for a second in displeasure before her face resumes its fake ass smile. “I wanted you to meet my brother before this Sunday.”
At the mention of the weekend, her mouth turns into a mulish line. “Sweetie, I may not make it Sunday. We’ve been super busy at the office and I need to catch up.”
“Mel,” Wes slumps back against the high-backed chair.
“I’ll make it up to you” she coos, her red-taloned nails walking up his arm. She bats her ridiculously long lashes at him and he sighs in defeat. “As a matter of fact, why don’t I head home and you and your brother can have a little guy time to yourselves,” she volunteers, sliding off the stool. She reaches up on tiptoes to plant a kiss on his cheek, leaving behind a print of garish red. Turning on her heel, Wes calls out before she’s out of earshot.
“You gonna come over later?” Her shoulders tense ever so slightly before she looks over her shoulder.
“Not tonight. I have to be up early in the morning and lord knows you won’t let me get any sleep at your place.” She shoots him a wink before she’s swallowed up by the other patrons.
“What the hell was that all about?” I inquire before taking a drink of my beer.
Wes eyes me with arched brows. “What?”
“She always just blow you off like that?” A shrug of his massive shoulders is all I get as he looks over the dance floor.
“A shrug? That’s it? You’re marrying this chick in a few months,” I blurt. “You’re tying yourself to her till death do you part and that’s all you do? She practically said you weren’t worth her time.”
“She has a career, you know. Her life doesn’t revolve around me.” I can only imagine the look on my face as he shifts in his seat. “I work odd hours. I wouldn’t want her to sit around waiting on me all the time. Her realty work keeps her busy, especially this time of year,” he bites out before emptying his beer. He tips the bottle toward the brunette waitress and she nods. A second later she sashays over with two ice cold bottles on her tray.
Pieces of a Broken Heart: Whiskey Bend Series Book One Page 4