“Keep it in your pants there, stud,” Wes jokes as he walks by me toward the water. Dani wraps one kid then the other in towels as the others pass me by.
“Don’t feel bad ,man. We were all thinking the same thing,” Carter slaps me on the back as he walks by.
“You better not be,” I mutter. She bends over to pick something up off the ground causing the material to creep up the sides of her toned butt. Sonofabitch. Does she realize what she’s doing to me?
“Of course, we are but we know better than to try anything,” Cash intones.
Wes reaches Dani first and her daughter launches herself into his arms, cuddling close with a big yawn. Carter gathers up Blaine and settles him on his hip while the little guy talks a mile a minute. Cash gathers up floats and other doodads and walks up from the shoreline. Then it’s just me and her as she struggles to get the chair into its cover, the handle keeps getting tangled up on the legs.
“Here let me help,” I offer and hold out my hand.
“I hate these darn things,” she grumbles before handing it off. She pulls on some white cover up thingy, the bikini top stretching tight across her chest, her puckered nipples press against the blue cloth. The white shirt falls over her chest and my eyes follow its path down her torso where my gaze catches on the colorful tattoo on her right hip. Before I can make heads or tails of what it is, the rest of the cover up drops to her thighs.
“Quit eyeballing me, Zachary,” she complains but I can hear the laughter in her voice. “Not like you haven’t seen it before.”
“Doesn’t mean I still can't appreciate it,” I smile. “Looks better than it did a decade ago.” Her only reply is the noise only females can make when they think you’re spewing bullshit.
“Yeah stretch marks and cellulite are soooo sexy,” she answers with a dramatic roll of her eyes. She marches up the slight incline toward the shop where the others have disappeared.
“What is it with women? Can’t take a freakin’ compliment,” I huff, following behind her at a distance. She may think I’m lying but I could watch that ass sway all damn day. I don’t know what she’s bitching about. Walking up to the dock, the guys are sitting at the outside tables, nursing beers, well except for Wes since he’ll be on duty tonight.
“Hey bro, want a cold one?” Wes hollers, digging into the ice.
“Sure.” He tosses me the bottle as I pull up a chair. “Any more chores for Mom that we have to get done?”
“Not right now. Dad will start up the grill about an hour before it gets dark. Mom has all the sides loaded in the fridge and Dani brought dessert. There have been rumors of making ice cream later.”
“Damn, I haven’t had Mom’s homemade ice cream in years.”
“Dude, how is that possible?” Carter asks, eyes wide. “If I hear a hint she’s making it, I make up some bullshit excuse to come over.” He shakes his head in disbelief.
“It’s been a while since I’ve been home.” I shrug off the guilt.
“I think it's time to change that, don’t you?” Wes chimes in. I nod in his direction. He’s right, I need to come home more often. The blonde spitfire may be the reason.
An hour later, Dad has the grill fired up as families start arriving. A few I know from before I moved but others are strangers. Screams and laughter drift over us from the swimming area as parents keep a careful watch. The smaller children play in the splash pad near the swing sets and one rambunctious brown dog joins in the fray. The aroma of grilling meat fills the air making my stomach rumble.
I didn’t realize until now how much I missed this. Family gathering together. No fans clamoring for my attention. No schedules or interviews. Here I get to be Zach. Not the country music star, Zach Marshall.
“Hey, Zach, can you grab a platter from inside for your Dad?” Mom asks as she sets a bowl of potato salad in top of the ice-filled tub on the tabletop. “The hot dogs are ready. I know the kids are getting hungry.”
“Sure, Mom. No problem.” I pull open the glass door, the cold air smacking me in the face and nearly run into Dani as she carries three bowls stacked on top of each other. “Let me get the door for you.”
“Thanks,” she smiles at me. “Knowing my luck, I would have dropped one of these trying to push it open.” I hold the door open but where she has to brush by me when she passes by. “Do you know where Mom stashed the platters?”
“Over there on the back table.” She points her head in that direction.
“Thanks.” Her arm brushes my chest as she walks through the door. My eyes focus on the denim cupping her butt like a second skin. Yep, I could stare at that ass all night long. I shake my head and let the door close. I snag two platters and head back outside. Dani has seated herself next to her daughter and the Madsen brothers with the addition of Carson. The kids are shoving hot dogs into their mouths smearing ketchup and mustard across their faces. Blaine and Lila look at each other before bursting into laughter. Dani rolls her eyes as she picks up a napkin, a small smile ticking up the corner of her mouth. Carson reaches over and wipes a dollop on her nose. The shocked expression on her face sends the table into hysterics, even Dani as she cleans it off. The whole family picture they’re painting just burns a hole in my gut.
“It’s nice to see her smiling and laughing again,” Mom walks up beside me.
“I guess.”
“You guess? That girl’s had it rough. She deserves to be happy.”
“Don’t know if that jackass is the one to do it.”
“He’s the first one she’s let in since James died.” Mom adds a smirk. “Plus, he’s got a nice ass.”
“Jeez, Mom.” I spit out the drink of beer I took.
“What? I may be old but I’m not dead.” She elbows in me the side.
“She needs more than just a nice butt.”
“Of course, she does dear,” she agrees. “But it doesn’t hurt.” She winks. Lord help me.
“What she needs is someone who will love her for her.”
“Everyone needs that.”
“She also needs someone to stand beside her. It has to be hard being a single mother and owning a business. I’m sure she doesn’t have a lot of free time on her hands, so he’ll need to be patient too.”
“Absolutely. It takes a lot of hard work to raise a child. I don’t know how I would have done it without your father.”
“And he’ll need to push her outside her comfort zone. She has all the potential in the world to do what she wants. She gets complacent and won’t challenge herself.”
“She needs someone that knows her well, what buttons to push and when to step back and allow her to shine.”
“Yeah.”
“Sounds to me like you’re the right man for the job.”
“It sure does,” I agree before I realize what I said. “Now wait. I didn’t mean…”
“Yes, you did,” Mom interrupts. “You’ve always been the man for her. I knew it even when you were younger. I don’t know what happened to you when you went to Nashville, but I’ve always known your heart. And that girl has always been at the center of it. Now the question is are you man enough to do something about it?”
Chapter Fifteen
Danielle
The hairs on the back of my neck stand up, the intensity is unnerving and exciting at the same time. I have felt nothing like it since James and I locked eyes across the table years ago. I finish wiping off Lila’s face, scanning the area. My eyes stop on Verlene and Zach. Zach has the most intense look on his face as he stares in my direction. Verlene is looking up at him saying something I can’t make out at this distance. She glances in my direction with a soft smile on her face before she reaches up and pecks him on the cheek. I wonder what that’s all about.
“Hey, Dani, you want anything else to eat?” Carson asks drawing my attention back towards him.
“Huh? Oh no. I’m waiting on ice cream.”
“She is making it?” Carter asks eagerly.
“Yeah she had Gri
ffin get the ice cream maker out of the shed earlier.”
“What flavor?”
“Vanilla, I think. Most people like that.”
“She makes killer vanilla. Maybe I’ll go ask if she needs any help setting it up.” Carter nearly trips trying to get off the bench he’s sitting on.
“I take it he really likes Verlene’s ice cream,” I chuckle.
“You can say that again. He hasn’t stopped talking about it since he heard that she might make it.” Carson grumbles.
“I’ve been trying to talk her into letting me sell it at the shop.”
“How’s that going?”
“She keeps telling me it’s a family recipe,” I pout.
“Damn that sucks. It would be great with one of your brownies.”
“Or apple pie.”
“You make an apple pie?” I can practically hear him salivating.
“You haven’t tasted anything close to mine.”
“Do you sell it in the shop?”
“No, I usually make it for special occasions.” At his hound dog look I add. “Maybe I’ll make it for you sometime.”
“I’m holding you to that.” He smiles at me, full of promise. I’m not sure how I feel about that. Am I leading him on?
“Momma, I’m done. Can I go play now?” Lila tugs on my shirt breaking into my thoughts.
“Wash your hands first and then you can go to the playground.”
“Blaine too?” She grabs his hand in hers looking up at me with big pleading eyes.
“Blaine will have to ask his Daddy.”
“But he’s gone.” She pouts, her bottom lip puffed out almost comically.
“He’s right over there with Aunt Verlene.” I point over toward the store where Carter is helping add ice to the machine.
“Come on, Blaine. Let’s go!” she orders pulling him along behind her.
“Quit being bossy young lady!” I holler at her as she runs toward the deck.
“I don’t think he minds,” Carson laughs. “A lot of guys enjoy being led around by a beautiful woman.”
“Yeah but if she starts now, I’m afraid that’s how she’ll be with everyone.”
“Nothing wrong with being a leader.”
“You’re right but I don’t want her to be a bully either. There’s a difference.”
“You’re a good mom, Dani. She will be a feisty young lady that won’t take any shit from anyone, but she has a kind heart.” He reaches over and squeezes my hand.
“Thank you for that. I always worry if I’m doing right by her.”
“Don’t be too hard on yourself. We all make mistakes. No parent is perfect.” His thumb traces the back of my hand, relaxing me with its hypnotic pattern.
“I don’t want her to grow up to be one of those people in therapy because their parent screwed them up.”
“I doubt that will happen.”
“I’m just glad we moved back where she is surrounded by family.”
“That’s why we all moved here, to help Carter raise Blaine.”
“Carter never talks about Blaine’s mom.”
“No, he doesn’t.” His face hardens.
“Can I ask what happened?”
“I’m not sure I know that whole story. Carter and Angie weren’t married, but they were living together. Everything seemed great until she left one day. Not a word to anyone. Carter came home to find Blaine screaming in his crib.”
“Jesus. I can’t imagine.”
“Carter freaked out thinking something awful had happened. Her car was gone and her purse but nothing else was taken. He called the cops, but they couldn’t do anything. There was no evidence of foul play. He had to wait an ungodly amount of time before he could file a missing person’s report.”
“What happened?”
“The cops found her two days later. She told them she left voluntarily and wasn’t missing.”
“What a bitch.”
“My sentiments exactly.”
“Why leave Blaine alone like that? She could have waited until Carter got home.”
“I think that’s what upset Carter the most. Something could have happened to Blaine.”
“Every once in a while, he’ll hear something from her, and it’ll put him in a foul mood but they’re few and far between.”
“You and Cash moved here when he did?”
“Yeah, it had always been Carter’s dream to open a bar, and that’s what he decided to do after he got out of the Army.”
“I didn’t realize he served.”
“He was only in for a little while. It wasn’t the life he wanted. He may look like a tough guy but he’s a big teddy bear. Don’t tell him I told you that,” he whispers.
“Your secret is safe with me.”
“When he decided this was the place, Cash and I packed up and moved too.”
“Nothing tying you down?”
“Nah, I shared an apartment with another guy I barely tolerated.”
“No steady girl?” I tease but my smile drops at the hurt look in his eyes.
“Not at the time.”
“I’m sorry for being nosy.”
“It’s okay,” he says but the mood has darkened.
“I’m going to see if Verlene is ready for the desserts to come out. It won’t be long before it’s fireworks time.” I glance toward the setting sun, the oranges, pinks and reds reflecting off the surface of the lake.
“I’ll go check in with Cash and make sure everything is ready to be set off.” He hurries off toward his brother where he’s talking to a cute brunette.
“Hey, Verlene, you want me to bring out the desserts?” I ask walking up the steps.
“Sure, love. Let me get Zach to clean off the table so you’ll have room. Za…” She turns around to yell for him, but he appears right behind her.
“I’m right here. I’ll take things in.” He picks up a few of the empty plates, stacking them noisily on top of each other.
“You okay?” I ask when he drops another one on top.
“Sure,” he huffs, not looking at me.
“I can take this in if you don’t want to.” I reach out to take the dishes, but he pulls back.
“No, it’s okay.” He spins on his heel toward the door with his hands full. Right before I ask him if he wants me to get the door, it opens from the inside and the person holds the door open allowing him to escape.
“Don’t mind him, Dani. I said something to him earlier and I think it rattled him.” Verlene lays her hand on my arm.
“Some things never change.” I smile at her.
“No, they don’t,” she agrees. “He always gets pensive when he’s thinking.”
“Maybe I’ll wait until he clears out before I go in there.”
“Don’t let him scare you off.”
“He doesn’t scare me,” I scoff.
“Of course not. Now get in there and bring me out one of those chocolate cupcakes you made. If I don’t get one now, they’ll be gone before I get a chance.” She gently pushes me toward the door.
“Like I wouldn’t save one for you.” I pat her arm reassuringly.
Entering the store, I don’t see Zach over the tops of the shelving as I walk to where the desserts were placed. They have added several others to the ones I brought. Gathering up as many as I can safely (who am I to risk dropping the chocolate?), I walk back outside. Verlene is dishing up bowls of the finished ice cream to the kids with an eager Carter bouncing on his heels like a kid himself behind them. The sight draws a laugh from me. I place the offerings on the table and catch Zach staring at me across the deck, leaning back against the railing, hands gripping the wood. Heat floods me as our gazes lock. My nipples harden and my panties dampen at the lust and heat that have darkened his gray eyes. He strides over, confidence oozing in his swagger. Everything else fades into the background except for him. My heart flutters and my breath catches. He come at me in slow motion as he makes his way toward me. I wipe my sweaty palms nervously on m
y shorts.
“Momma, can I sit with Blaine when the fireworks go off?” My little munchkin stomps up the steps. “Momma!” she yells catching my attention.
“What, Lila?” Zach stops short at the interruption, arms crossed over his chest
“Ugh, can I sit with Blaine when the fireworks go off? His daddy said it was fine with him. They have blankets laid out on the ground so we can just stare up at the sky.” She looks up at me pleadingly.
“If it's okay with Carter, then I don’t mind. Just mind your manners, young lady.”
“Yes, ma’am,” she grins at me before taking off like a shot, blonde hair flying like a flag behind her. As I watch, she joins the Madsen family as she and Blaine plop back on the blankets laughing. Shaking my head at their antics, I look back where Zach had been, but he’s vanished. I lean forward against the railing, releasing a sigh. I don’t know if it's relief or resignation.
“What was that for?” comes the deep voice from behind me.
“What?” I tense up realizing he’s right behind me.
“That sigh.” His arms come down on either side of mine as he cozies up closer, my back absorbing the heat of his chest.
“I don’t know what you mean,” I answer a little breathless.
“You have two different sighs, Dani.” His breath warm against my ear as he leans in closer. “One that says you’re bored. The other one is when you’re unsure of yourself. Which one is it?”
“Maybe you don’t know me as well as you think, Zachary.”
“I don’t think that much has changed in all these years.”
“Maybe you haven’t but I’m not the naïve girl you left behind all those years ago.”
“You weren’t naïve, Dani, I was. I thought when I left here that I’d go to Nashville and bam I’d be recording music and making money hand over fist. It was a wake up call when I realized that it wouldn’t be that easy and I’d have to struggle to even get my foot in the door.”
“Zach…”
“No listen. I had every intention of coming back and getting you but there’s no way I could have where I was when the time came. I was too ashamed,” he whispers, voice full of regret. The wall around my heart cracks a little.
Pieces of a Broken Heart: Whiskey Bend Series Book One Page 11