Stronger Within (The Silver Lake Series Book 1)

by McCallum, Coral

  “Sorry, boys,” she apologised. “I didn’t intend to make you feel uncomfortable there.”

  “No harm done,” said Rich with a smile.

  The wine waiter approached with the two bottles she had selected from the list. Lori nodded her approval and asked him to pour. Once they all had a full glass, she proposed a toast, “To the success of Silver Lake”

  “To rock’n’roll,” declared Paul theatrically.

  “No,” corrected Jake warmly, “To Lori. Happy Birthday, Mz Hyde.”

  She blushed, then added, “To health, wealth and happiness.”

  While they waited for their starters to arrive, Becky produced a gift bag from beneath the table and gave it to Lori.

  “It’s from all of us,” she said with a smile.

  Lori carefully opened the small bag to reveal a long slim black jewellery box. She opened it to find a silver charm bracelet with three guitar charms, drumsticks and two music notes. It was perfect.

  “Thank you,” she said softly. “Can one of you help me to put it on?”

  Jake obliged by helping her with the catch before producing a second small gift bag, “And this is from me.”

  Inside the bag she found a second small black box, squarer in shape. She opened it to find a delicate silver chain with a treble clef hanging from it. There was a small diamond in the tail of the treble clef.

  “It’s perfect,” she whispered, kissing Jake on the cheek, “I love it.”

  “Put it on, Lori,” squealed Becky, clapping her hands.

  Again, Jake assisted her, kissing the nape of her neck as he fastened the clasp. “I’m glad you like it.”

  “Thank you,” said Lori again. “I never expected presents. You’re all too kind.”

  “Nonsense,” stated Grey. “It’s the least we could do after all you’ve done for us this week and for Becky.”

  “It’s been a pleasure.”

  From across the restaurant, the maître d’ spotted the birthday celebrations and quietly slipped off to the wine cellar. Just before the party’s main course was brought out from the kitchen, he came over with a bottle of champagne.

  “Compliments of the house, Miss Hyde,” he said with a smile. “And happy birthday from Amarone.”

  “Thanks, Marco. This is too kind.”

  “Nonsense.”

  “Can we save it for dessert, please?” suggested Lori.

  “Of course,” he replied and retreated from the table as the waiter arrived with their meal.

  Champagne and gateau provided a delicious end to a wonderful meal. All the stresses and strains of the studio seemed a long way away as Silver Lake laughed, told stories and joked with each other through all three courses of dinner. As the champagne bubbles lowered Lori’s guard a little, she told a few tales about her exploits with Maddy and the rest of girls club. Before they knew it, their meal was over and it was getting late. At some point, Becky had climbed up into her daddy’s knee and fallen asleep with her head resting on his chest.

  “I’d better get this little girl home to bed,” he said, cradling her in his tattooed arms.

  “Time we were all making a move,” agreed Jake, reaching for his wallet.

  Lori put a hand on his arm, “Already taken care of.”

  “You shouldn’t have to pay for your own celebratory end of recording dinner,” she countered with a mischievous smile. “You can buy me dinner tomorrow night, rock star.”

  “Deal,” he said, kissing the back of her hand.

  “We’re going to head up to Times Square,” announced Paul, pushing his chair back. “Let our hair down a bit.”

  “Don’t let it down too much, boys,” cautioned Grey.

  “We’ll behave,” promised Rich, with a wink to Paul. “Thanks for dinner, Lori.”

  “Pleasure,” she replied softly. “Jake, can you ask the waiter to call us a cab?”

  Once back at the apartment, Lori went to open a bottle of wine while Jake put on some music. Grey had carried the still sleeping Becky downstairs to put her to bed. The little girl had barely stirred during the drive back uptown. With the gentle strains of some country music filtering through the house, Lori carried the wine through to the lounge. She had left her cane lying propped up in the hallway and Jake resisted the temptation to reach out and help as she limped across the room, a mix of determination and pain etched across her face. Setting the bottle and glasses down on the coffee table, she asked him to pour.

  “You ok?” he asked, passing her a glass.

  She nodded before replying, “Just over did things this week.”

  “Have you taken something for the pain?”

  “Yes, mom,” she teased. “I’ll be fine in a few minutes.”

  Before Jake could reply, Grey came striding back in, “She’s still sound asleep. I think you’ve worn her out this week, Lori.”

  “I think they’ve worn each other out,” Jake observed, handing the bass player a glass of wine.

  “We’ve had fun,” said Lori, stretching out on the couch. “It’s hard work having fun.”

  “You’ve spoiled her rotten,” stated Grey. “I don’t know how to repay you. Thank you just doesn’t seem enough.”

  “Don’t be silly,” smiled Lori. “I had as much fun treating her as she’s had getting presents. After what you’ve both been through, she deserved a little spoiling.”

  “You’re an amazing woman, Lori Hyde,” said Grey, raising his glass to her.

  Lori blushed and took a sip from her own glass. The painkillers she had taken were starting to take effect. Slowly she bent and stretched her leg a few times then sighed.

  “Leg still troubling you?” enquired Grey a tenderness in his tone.

  “A bit.”

  “From the look of pain on your face earlier, it’s more than a bit,” commented Jake, moving to sit on the floor in front of her.

  “Ok,” she confessed. “I’ll not lie. I’m sore tonight, but I’ll be fine in the morning.”

  Jake rested his hand on her knee, “You’re stubborn, li’l lady.”

  “That’s what’s got me this far,” she stated. “Oh, Grey, Becky saw my scars earlier. Just in case she says anything. She was really sweet about them.”

  “Thanks for the warning,” he answered then to change the subject asked, “What’s your plans for the next couple of days?”

  “That’s up to Jake,” replied Lori. “Although it will include a trip to the Metropolitan Museum of Art.”

  “Oh, will it?”

  “Yes, it will,” she stated firmly. “I love that place, but I didn’t think Becky was ready for it so I’ve not had my fix yet.”

  “I was thinking of going with the guys to the Empire State Building in the morning if you’ve no plans,” admitted Jake.

  “Fine by me,” agreed Lori.

  “Rather you than me,” declared Grey. “I don’t do heights. This place is high enough for me.”

  “It has to be done,” laughed Jake. “I’ve never been that high.”

  “What? Never?” teased Grey playfully. “I beg to differ, Mr Power. I remember a certain night in Baltimore….”

  “Shut the fuck up, Grey,” growled Jake. “Lori, doesn’t need to hear about that.”

  “It’s OK, Grey. I know he’s been there,” said Lori, running her fingers through Jake’s hair. “We’ve all got stories we could tell, but are best left in the past.”

  As their glasses emptied, Lori announced she was worn out and headed to bed, leaving the two friends to chat over the last of their wine. Both musicians watched her as she left the room, limping heavily. She paused in the hallway to pick up her cane then made her way carefully down the oak staircase.

  Once he was sure she was out of ear shot Grey said, “She’s a wonderful girl, Jake. Look after her.”

  “I intend to,” replied Jake sleepily. “Grey, I love her.”

  “I can tell. You guys are great together. There’s a special chemistry there.”

  “I hope so
,” sighed Jake, finishing the last of his wine. “Time for bed.”

  ♪

  There were more than a few tears from Becky the next morning as she said goodbye to Lori and her three Silver Lake uncles. At her insistence, Jake carried her down to the garage and promised that she could come over for a BBQ on Saturday and that he would play in the ocean with her. That was enough to stem the flow of tears long enough to get her into the truck and strapped into her car seat. Clutching her doll, she waved as Grey pulled out of the garage into the bright sunlight. Back upstairs Rich and Paul were getting ready to head off to the Empire State Building. Both of them were nursing hangovers and had decided a walk down to 34th Street would be the best cure. Planting a kiss on Lori’s cheek, Jake promised they would be back for lunch.

  With everyone gone, Lori decided that she was going back to bed for a couple of hours. Her own head was a little muzzy, a combination of the wine, champagne and painkillers she’d taken the night before. Another couple of hours of sleep would help. As she snuggled down in the soft mattress, she reflected over the last few days. Having friends around had been good for her. Inside, she felt more like the old Mz Hyde than she had since her accident. The ghosts of her past hadn’t risen to haunt her as she had feared. She had faced several demons, although so far she had avoided the scene of the crime. Feeling content within herself, she closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep.

  It was Jake’s gentle kiss that wakened her some time later. He was stroking her hair and smiling down on her as she opened one sleepy eye.

  “Good afternoon, sleeping beauty,” he whispered.

  “Shit!” she exclaimed. “What time is it?”

  “Almost two,” he replied.

  “Lunch,” she muttered. “I had meant to order in some food.”

  “Calm down, li’l lady,” soothed Jake, as she sat up. “Rich has gone out to find a deli. He’ll bring back lunch for all of us. Are you ok?”

  “Fine,” she replied. “I must have really fallen into a deep sleep.”

  “You must’ve needed it,” he answered, helping her up.

  “I guess. Let me jump in the shower quickly. I’ll be up in a few minutes.”

  “Take your time, Lori,” he said. “The guys aren’t planning to leave until about four. Plenty of time.”

  “Ok. I won’t be long.”

  It was nearer five when Rich and Paul finally gathered up their bags to leave. As he handed over the keys to his truck, Jake made his friend promise to take it easy, not to take it over sixty five and to watch his paintwork in the city traffic. As the elevator door closed on the two musicians, Jake wrapped his arms around Lori and kissed her on the forehead.

  “Finally,” he sighed. “We’re alone.”

  “Will be kind of quiet here without them all,” she mused. “It’s been a busy week.”

  “Tell me about it,” laughed Jake, hugging her tight. “Do you feel up to going for a walk?”

  “Let’s head over to the park and see where we end up,” suggested Lori. ”As long as we don’t end up at the toy store!”

  They meandered through Central Park hand in hand in the late afternoon sunshine. Several joggers trotted past them as they made their way towards Fifth Avenue. Occasionally Jake stole a glance down at Lori as they walked. Every so often they would stop to rest on a bench or a rocky outcrop and watch the world go by. Lori guided Jake through the park to show him the Alice In Wonderland statue that Becky had so excitedly told them about over dinner. They then sat on a bench for another spell watching the model yacht fanatics’ sail their craft on the pond. As the day slipped towards dusk, it began to grow cooler and a welcome gentle breeze wafted over them. Suitably rested, they exited the park onto Fifth Avenue.

  “Where to now?” asked Jake, as he looked up and down the busy avenue.

  “Hail a cab,” instructed Lori glancing at her watch. “I’ve an idea and we might just make it on time.”

  “Yes, ma’am.”

  A few moments later a yellow cab pulled up at the kerbside. Ever the gentleman, Jake helped Lori in before sliding in beside her.

  “Rockefeller Plaza,” requested Lori.

  Jake looked at her quizzically, but she just smiled. A few short minutes later the cab stopped alongside the Rockefeller Center’s Observatory entrance. Allowing Jake to pick up the fare, she then led them into the building. Much to her surprise, the queue for tickets to the Observation Deck was short considering the time of day. With two tickets and a map clutched in her hand, they followed the line through to the elevators. It was busier through here, but the lines were moving and they waited patiently with all the other tourists. Within fifteen minutes they were at the head of the line and first into the next empty elevator. As they stepped out of it a few moments later, Lori breathed a sigh of relief. They had made it just in time. Taking Jake’s hand, she led him across the Observation Deck to watch the sun set over the city. It was a beautiful clear evening and the view was as breath-taking as she remembered it. She let Jake go up to the top level on his own while she enjoyed a quiet moment, gazing out over Central Park, trying to locate her own building off to the left of the Natural History Museum. When Jake came back down to join her, they moved to the opposite side of the observation area and gazed out over lower Manhattan.

  “Good call, Mz Hyde,” he complimented, as he stood behind her with his arms wrapped round her shoulders. “The view’s stunning at this time of day.”

  “It is, isn’t it?” she agreed wistfully. “Do you want to take the ferry tomorrow and visit the Statue of Liberty and Ellis Island?”

  “We could do if you’re feeling up to it.”

  “Don’t fuss, Jake. I’ll be fine.”

  It had grown dark and the sun had fully set by the time they were back at street level. Smelling food from the dining area in the courtyard reminded them both that they hadn’t had dinner. Deciding not to venture any further, they wandered through the plaza in search of somewhere to eat. They checked out the menus at a few places before selecting the gourmet burger bar on the grounds that it looked less crowded.

  Just as she was about to take a bite out of her burger, a silver haired man approached the table, “Well, well, well the elusive Lori Hyde.”

  Dropping her burger onto the plate, Lori whirled round sharply, “David!”

  Rushing to her feet, she hugged the stranger tightly, then turned to face a rather bemused looking Jake.

  “David, this is my friend, Jake Power,” she introduced shyly. “Jake, this is David Chandler, my accountant and financial conscience and mentor.”

  The two men shook hands, both silently noting the other’s strong firm handshake.

  “Will you join us?” asked Lori, taking her seat again.

  “I’ve already eaten,” explained the older man. “But I’ll join you for a quick drink if that’s ok?”

  “Pull up a chair,” welcomed Jake warmly.

  As he sat down, David asked how the week in the city had worked out.

  “Busy,” admitted Lori. “Jake has been in the studio all week with the band. I’ve been looking after his friend’s little girl. I did manage lunch with Maddy midweek.”

  “That creature will get you into trouble one day,” cautioned David, failing to mask his obvious dislike of Maddy.

  “I can get myself into enough trouble without her help,” laughed Lori, in an attempt to lighten the atmosphere.

  A waitress took another drinks order from them, then David asked, “And how are you recovering, Lori? Honestly now.”

  “Slowly,” she confessed, without looking up from her plate. “I just need to be more aware of my limits.”

  “Yes, you do,” agreed Jake. “This is one stubborn lady, sir.”

  “Oh, don’t I know it!” David replied, with a twinkle in his eyes. “I’ve known her for almost thirty years. She’s never been anything else. Drove her poor father crazy.”

  “David!” exclaimed Lori shrilly, “No stories, please!”

 
“No promises,” he replied, winking at Jake. “Now I do have some paperwork at the office that needs your signature. How long are you in town for?”

  “Another two days,” she replied. “Courier it over and I’ll look at it.”

  The accountant nodded, then asked what their plans were before they returned to the beach. He offered a few suggestions of alternative things to do, then glanced at his watch before declaring he would need to run. “I’m meeting Olivia outside St Patrick’s. She’ll nag if I’m late.”

  “Give her my regards,” said Lori fondly. “You’ll both need to come to Rehoboth sometime. The sea air would be good for you.”

  “Too hot and crowded for me in summer,” he muttered. “Maybe in the fall if you are still there.”

  “I’ll hold you to that.”

  “Pleasure to meet you, Jake. Take good care of her,” said David, smiling over at Lori.

  “I intend to, sir.”

  With a wave, he was off and heading towards the door.

  “He’s a character,” remarked Lori a few moments later. “David was my dad’s closest friend and advisor. After Dad’s death, he became my financial advisor and conscience.”

  “He manages your affairs?”

  “Yes,” she replied before adding, “He manages my business affairs, holds the purse strings. I joke that he’s my Jiminy Cricket. All my expenditure from the trust goes through him. Anything into four figures gets his approval.”

  Jake laughed at the thought of her having to ask permission to spend her own money.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “I just got a mental picture of you asking for an allowance,” he smirked.

  “Oh, I get a very generous monthly allowance,” she replied. “And he doesn’t touch anything I personally earn. I’m not good with the big numbers though. I’d be lost without him.”

  “Glad to have met him.”

  “I’m glad you met him too,” she confessed. “After the accident, it was David who sat with me in the hospital. Him and Maddy. One of them was always there. Every day for the first three weeks. They both put their lives on hold for me.”