“Of course, we are.” He looks at me like I’m crazy for even doubting him. “Look at all you’ve accomplished, and you did it all on your own. Three Grammys and artist of the year. You may not have won that singing show, but you’ve made a name for yourself.”
“Thanks, Dad. You don’t know how much that means to me.” Me eyes sting. “I can’t believe that you know how many awards I’ve won.”
“Your mother has the shows recorded and has watched them several times. Along with every concert special you’ve been on and your music videos,” he chuckles. “God forbid anyone come into the house and tell her they haven’t seen something of yours. She’s dragging them into the living room and pulling them up.”
“I can just see her doing that. I remember when she had that old video recorder stuck to the side of her head when Wes and I played football.”
“Those tapes are still around somewhere. I know that she had mentioned getting them transferred to something else since everything is digital these days.”
“Remember when Wes got his head stuck in that helmet that was too small?”
“Oh lord. That kid was running around screaming bloody murder when she tried to pull it off because it was hurting his ears.” We both laugh at the memory.
“Or the time he thought he would chase that mean ass goose at Mr. Franklin’s house?”
“I’ve never seen that kid run so fast when that goose turned on him and took flight after him.” Dad wheezes out as if picturing my brother running for his life. I brace myself against the counter to keep from falling in the floor I’m laughing so hard. “He’s still scared of them to this day, but he’ll deny it with his dying breath.”
“Really? Mr. Tough Sheriff’s deputy?”
“They had an accident out on Farm Road 49 and one of the trucks was carrying cages full of ducks, chickens and geese. According to Sheriff James, Wes froze when he saw them all and made one of the other deputies round up the geese while he got the chickens. Dalton still gives him hell about it.”
“I would have paid money to see that.” My stomach hurts and my breath wheezes out between the words.
“Have you thought about his bachelor party at all?”
“Crap! No, I haven’t. He sprung the best man thing on me last night. I need to get thinking and planning.”
“Don’t get too crazy now.”
“Who? Me? Please,” I scoff at the idea.
“Oh, lord.” He shakes his head. “Just remind me when it is so I can have the bail money ready.”
“You’re not coming with us?”
“No, I think I can miss my sons’ night of debauchery.”
“I need to write down who to invite.” As soon as the words cross my lips, I realize that I don’t know a single one of my brother’s friends.
“Well, there’s Chris Rainey, Jeff Dorman, and Max Holt from high school. I know he still talks to them regularly. And he’s friends with the Madsen brothers too.”
“The Madsen brothers? The ones who own Walk the Line?”
“That’s them.”
“I think I met one of them last night when he was dancing with Dani.”
“Which one?”
“Huh?”
“Which one was dancing with her? Carter, Cash or Carson?”
“Not sure. I didn’t catch his name.”
“My money’s on Carson. He’s been trying to get her out on a date for the last year.”
“She doesn’t date much?”
“Much? Try not at all,” he snorts. “I don’t think she’s been on a date since James passed away.”
“You think she needs to date?” I press.
“Well yes. That girl has a lot of love to give.”
“Maybe she will. When she’s ready.”
“I’m not sure she’ll ever be without a nudge.”
“What do you think about Wes’ fiancée, Melanie?” I ask changing the subject.
“She’s nice enough I suppose.” He chugs the rest of his drink. “Pretty.”
“Beautiful,” I agree. “But?”
“Besides that, I don’t understand what your brother sees in her.”
“Thank God I’m not the only one,” I breathe out a sigh of relief.
“Rubbed you the wrong way, too did she?”
“She couldn’t wait to leave last night.”
“Did the same thing the night Wesley brought her over for dinner. Gave your mother back handed compliments about her dinner.”
“Oh shit. I bet that didn’t go over well.”
“I thought your momma would snatch out her hair. If she’d been a man, I would’ve had her step outside and taught her some manners.”
“I can’t believe Wes let her get away with that.”
“I don’t know what’s going through your brother's head. He didn’t say a word to her but apologized to your momma.”
“And he’s marrying her?! Doesn’t he realize that he will be caught in the middle of the two?”
“I don’t envy the boy, that’s for sure. Come on, let’s head home. I’m sure dinner will be on the table soon.”
Chapter Eleven
Danielle
“Dinner was great, Mom,” I decree. “Thanks for cooking.”
“I’m glad you could come over. You too, Nathan.” I look over at him sitting at the end of the table as he forks another spoonful of potatoes into his mouth.
“Thanks for inviting me,” he drawls. “Don’t tell my mom but you’re a better cook.”
“You hush your mouth, Nathan Taggert,” Mom laughs as the blush highlights her cheeks.
“Unca Nate, Unca Nate can we go to the park?” The whirlwind, better known as my daughter, barrels into the room, throwing herself into his arms. His chair tilts back precariously on two legs when he catches her.
“What’s the hurry, Lila? The park’s not going anywhere.”
“It’ll be nap time soon. We have to hurry,” she pleads climbing down from his lap and tugging on his hand.
“If you want to take her, Nathan, it’s fine. I’ll help Mom clean up.”
“No, Momma, you have to come too!”
“Go ahead, honey. I’ll get this all cleaned up,” Mom encourages. “Right after I have a piece of your cake.”
“If you’re sure,” I whisper as she slices her knife into the pink icing with a devilish glee.
The park is almost empty except for a few other kids but the toddler part of the grounds is empty. The large oak trees surrounding the park provide much needed shade as Nathan and I sit on a bench inside the fenced in area and watch Lila race to the slide, blonde hair whipping behind her.
“How’s everything going, Danielle?” Nathan’s deep timbre washes over me as he stretches his arm across the back of the seat.
“It’s good. Been busy at the bakery.”
“That’s good to hear,” he says. “Now, how are you?”
“I’m not sure what you mean,” I evade.
“Small town, Danielle.”
“I don’t know how I am honestly.”
“That’s understandable. I’m sure seeing Zach after all this time was a shock.”
“I knew he would come back for Wesley’s wedding but not until then, you know? I thought I’d have more time.”
“More time for what?”
“To prepare myself I guess.”
“I thought you were over him.”
“I am. I was. I…” I take a deep breath. “I don’t know.”
“What happened last night?”
“We danced. He tried to apologize, and I basically told him to go suck an egg.”
“Good for you.”
“It made me feel better,” I confess with a smirk.
“Dani, you’ve had this weighing on you for years with no outlet. You’re bound to feel relief.”
“And then he showed up at the bakery this morning,” I begin.
“Wait. He came to the bakery? Why?”
“He wanted to clear the air.”
“What were you even doing there? You’re closed today.”
“I was making the cake for dinner today. Would you quit interrupting?”
“Sorry,” he apologizes then motions zipping his lips.
“He came by this morning to clear the air. We talked about baking and how long it can take to do some of the cakes, and he didn’t believe me.” Nathan opens his mouth and I shoot him a look that has him closing his mouth hard enough that his teeth clack.
“I showed him my cake portfolio, and he was suitably impressed. Then he made the comment about how much better off I would be if I opened a bakery in the city.”
“Which pissed you off.”
“You got it in one.”
“He’s right you know.”
“Excuse me?”
“If you were in a bigger city, you would probably be more successful.” He holds up a finger when I would protest. “It doesn’t mean that’s what you have to do to be successful. Everyone defines success differently. Some thinks it's all about money or recognition or fame. To others it's about being able to do what you love and making a career out of it.”
“I didn’t think of it that way.”
“Now Zach, he defines success as his songs being played on the radio, concerts where thousands of fans are screaming his name. At least I assume that’s what drives him.” He shoots me a smile.
“What about you, Nathan?”
“It used to be making money. The more, the better. Buying up properties and businesses to expand my holdings. The thrill of obtaining what they told me was unattainable.”
“And now?”
“The thrill is gone. Those mergers and acquisitions don’t keep me warm at night. I want what you and James had.”
“You want to fall in love?” I ask in disbelief.
“Shocking isn’t it?” He laughs, the sound drawing attention from Lila at the top of the slide. “I know I’ve always said I didn’t want to get married or have a family but the last few years have changed my mind.” He stretches his long legs out in front of us as we watch Lila slide down the yellow and plastic squealing the entire time. “I’m tired of being alone.”
“There’s nothing like finding the one you’re meant to love for eternity.”
“I want someone to look at me the way you looked at James.”
“There’s nothing like it that’s for sure.”
“You can have that again you know,” he mentions. He turns slightly toward me, picking up my hand and rubbing his thumb over the back.
“No,” I deny. “No, that kind of love is once in a lifetime. I was beyond blessed with what I had with James.”
“Yes, you were, and he was too. But you can love again, Danielle.”
“My heart’s been broken into too many pieces as it is. I can’t afford to love again.”
“James wouldn’t want you to go on like this and you know it.”
“Why does everyone keep telling me that?!” I huff out.
“Because it’s true. You need to get out there again, even if you’re not ready to fall in love. Go out on dates, flirt with some guys. Live a little.”
“I still have Lila to think about.”
“You don’t have to introduce her to every guy you go out with.”
“She’s already lost her dad. I don’t want her to think she’s losing her mom too if I start dating. I spend so many hours in the bakery I don’t have a lot to devote to just her every day.”
“Lila was just a baby when James died. As much as I wish it wasn’t true, she doesn’t realize that she’s lost her dad. It’s always been just the two of you.”
“And I don’t want to upset her by changing the status quo.”
“Danielle, be honest with me.”
“I miss him, Nathan,” my voice waivers. “I miss him so much it hurts to breathe. I dream about him at night and when I open my eyes in the morning, I expect to see him there beside me. Every morning I break my heart again.”
“Momma, what da matter?” Lila voices sadly as she climbs into my lap, wrapping her arms around me before burying her face in my neck. Her strawberry scented hair fills my nose as my tears dampen the strands.
“Nothing’s wrong, baby,” I reassure her, rubbing my hand up and down her back.
“Then why you crying?”
“I’m just missing your daddy.”
“Daddy don’t want you to be sad, Momma.”
“How do you know, sweetie?” She raises her face to mine, identical eyes peer into mine with a seriousness beyond her three years.
“Cause he tells me in my dreams. He loves us and wants us to be happy.” At her words, my heart lightens.
“Do you dream about Daddy a lot?”
“All da time,” she replies with a nod.
“Are they good dreams?” Worriedly I wonder if she has nightmares about him even though I try to keep all her memories of James positive but little ears hear what you don’t want them to. Mine tend to run the gamut of our good times and what could have happened to him overseas that took him away from us.
“Yup. He takes me to the park and pushes me on the swing. Or he reads me a book.”
“I’m glad he does, baby.”
“Unca Nate, will you come push me on the swings? Pweeessse?”
“Sure, kiddo. I’ll be there in just a second.” She climbs off my lap and darts across the gravel. “Out of the mouths of babes.”
“I didn’t know she was dreaming about him.”
“Maybe it’s a sign, Danielle.”
“Of what?”
“That it’s time for you to move on,” he states. “Me too. We need to quit trying to lose ourselves in each other and find the one that completes us.”
* * *
The jingle of the bell on the front door drags my attention from wiping down the already spotless counter. I’ve been distracted all day with the conversation that Nathan and I had on Sunday and I’m still at odds with what I want, what I need.
“Well hello there, beautiful,” comes the southern drawl from the doorway.
“Don’t come in here sweet talking me, Carson Madsen.” I can’t keep the smile off my face at the sight of him. He reminds me of Chris Pratt in that dinosaur movie, all rugged and buff.
“But the sweets are what I came in here for,” he argues playfully. “But I’ll take a date with you instead.”
“Oh please,” I reply with an exaggerated eye roll. “What can I get you?”
“Just some snacks for our weekly staff meeting. Just throw together whatever you have.”
I quickly box up a variety of cookies, brownies and cupcakes from the display case and ring up the total. He hands over the money and he puts the change in the donation jar sitting on the counter.
“At the risk of you shooting me down once again, how about grabbing something to eat with me this weekend?” He implores with a smile.
This is it. Do or die time. Time to get back on that horse.
“Okay.”
He fumbles with the white boxes as he looks at me in disbelief.
“I’m sorry. Did you say okay?”
“Yes, I did. I’d like to get something to eat with you.”
“Uh, wow, okay,” he mumbles. “Saturday night okay with you?”
“Sure, we close at five.”
“I’ll pick you up at six?” I nod at his question.
“I’ll be ready.”
“Okay, great,” he smiles as he backs toward the door before bumping into the handle. “I’ll see you then.”
When the door closes behind him, Callie peeks her head out from the kitchen.
“Did I hear right? You said yes this time?”
“I did.”
“Holy crap, Dani. That’s great,” she gushes while she bounces on the balls of her feet, ponytail flailing behind her.
“It’s just dinner,” I protest.
“But it means you’re getting back out there. And he is so hot.” She leans back against the door fram
e and fans herself dramatically.
“He is very good looking,” I agree.
“What are you going to wear? Where do you think you’ll go? Are you going to stay in town because you know it’ll be the talk of the town if you do,” she rattles off without a breath between the questions.
“Good grief, Callie. Slow your roll,” I implore. “I just said yes like five minutes ago. I haven’t had time to think about any of that.”
“Oh right, ugh, sorry,” she stammers. “I’m just excited for you.”
“I know. Why don’t we get this placed cleaned up so we can close up early? Carson wiped us out of just about everything left from today anyway.”
Later that night after getting Lila into bed, I call Jessa. The concerns that Callie voiced earlier having been running through my head all evening.
“What’s up, Chica?” Jessa’s voice purrs over the line.
“You wanna come over? I need your help.”
“Gimme a few minutes. I just got out of the tub.” There isn’t a moment of hesitation in her answer
“Okay, the door will be open.”
A few moments later, the door swings open as I pour two glasses of white wine.
“Now that’s my kinda welcome,” she drawls as she swipes a glass from my hand. “Munchkin asleep?”
“For about half an hour.” We walk into the living room and set up on opposite ends of the couch.
“All right. Spill it?”
Deep breath. “I’m going out with Carson this weekend.” I cringe waiting for her response. Her jaw drops.
“Shut the front door. You are going out on a date? With one of the hottie Madsen brothers?” she asks in disbelief.
“I am.”
“Did hell freeze over when I wasn’t looking?”
“No,” I chuckle.
“What brought this on? Not that I’m not happy for you.”
“Well, Nathan and I were talking last Sunday.”
“Talking, talking or talking?” she asks with a wicked grin making a gesture imitating sex.
“Actual talking, thank you very much.”
“And?”
“I decided that maybe it’s time to try dating again.”
Pieces of a Broken Heart: Whiskey Bend Series Book One Page 8