Bourbon Springs Box Set: Volume III, Books 7-9 (Bourbon Springs Box Sets Book 3)

by Jennifer Bramseth

  After perfunctory good-byes and disposal of trash, Rissa marched to the visitors’ center with Rick at her heels.

  “So,” Elliot said as Jorrie put her purse over her shoulder. “Care to go anywhere else?”

  “Uh, no,” Jorrie said and began to walk to the visitors’ center once Rissa was out of sight. “I really need to get home.”

  “Well, before you go, would you at least do me the honor of taking a walk with me?” Elliot offered her his arm.

  It was chivalrous and polite, and she knew she couldn’t refuse without looking classless.

  Jorrie took Elliot’s arm and they walked away from the table and back to the visitors’ center. Instead of entering the building, Elliot led them to the left and around the wraparound porch. They passed several tables filled with happy diners and then turned a corner where they encountered a long line of rocking chairs overlooking the distillery building itself and small valley below.

  There were only a few people on this side of the porch, with an elderly couple at the far end sitting in rockers and holding hands. There were no tables of diners, and the expanse of the porch was completely dedicated to the notion that it was important to simply have a nice place to sit quietly and appreciate a lovely view.

  He gestured to the rocking chairs, and after they took their seats, Jorrie knew she needed to come clean with him. But he spoke first.

  “Rissa spilled it that you have a boyfriend,” Elliot said.

  “What? I didn’t tell her she could tell you that!”

  “She was upset when she came back from the bathroom and she just blurted it out.”

  “Look, Elliot, I’m sorry,” Jorrie said. “I didn’t want to break this date since I’d promised a few weeks ago, but since then, well, things have changed for me.”

  “Only a little?” he asked expectantly. “Or a lot?”

  “I guess I have to say a lot.”

  “Jorrie, I don’t know what’s going on with you back home, but I’ll tell you this: I’d love to work with you, not date you. I’m just along on this little lark for the fun of it and, quite frankly, to keep a lid on Rissa. She’s been rather insistent I meet you, and I knew that I’d have fun anywhere she might want to go, especially to Woodford.”

  “Same here.”

  “I’m not a hiring partner or anything, but she let it slip that you’re looking to leave Bourbon Springs. The firm does need new associates, and I happen to know that the hiring partners love to snag former prosecutors. You’d fit in just fine at the firm.”

  “Did Rissa give you my resume as well as show you a picture of me?” Jorrie asked irritably.

  “No,” Elliot laughed, “but she did talk a lot about you. She said you really wanted to get out of Bourbon Springs. But—I guess that’s changed?”

  How to answer that question?

  He sounded just a little too hopeful. She remembered that this guy was a litigator, enjoyed the fight and challenge of getting something he wanted.

  “I’m keeping my options open,” Jorrie said vaguely.

  “Good to hear. You’d be an asset to the firm.”

  And probably as his arm candy, she thought, despite his protestations that he wasn’t out to date her.

  They sat silently for several moments, looking out over the valley and to the distillery building which was located below the visitors’ center along Glenn’s Creek. Steam rose from the building, and Jorrie could hear the distinct sound of the barrels rolling along the barrel run from the distillery to a rickhouse.

  “I hope I didn’t insult you about the no-dating thing,” Elliot said, apparently misinterpreting her silence.

  “Not at all.”

  “Good,” Elliot said with relief. “But allow me to say this: your guy back home sure is lucky.”

  Lucky.

  The one thing Mack Blanton thought he wasn’t.

  10

  The nerves were back.

  First concert at Old Garnet and he was an absolute mess.

  Mack looked out over the grounds of the distillery before the simple stage and saw dozens upon dozens of people. His anxiety had returned to that uncomfortable level he’d felt at the visitors’ center when he’d sung for Goose and Harriet and when he’d performed at the fair.

  He knew why he felt this way.

  He really wanted to do a great job.

  This meant something.

  And while he’d been nervous when he’d been competing in The Big Sing Thing in Nashville, those anxieties were really excitement, the same feeling he got when he was on a rollercoaster.

  But performing back home was different. He wasn’t excited about himself or his chances or whatever the performance could gain him. He wanted to do well for the hometown crowd.

  And particularly for Jorrie.

  She’d picked him up and driven him to the concert that evening in her new car, a nice blue sedan that had that intoxicating new-car smell. He’d not been treated to that aroma in a long time, and even though the purchase wasn’t his own, he’d still enjoyed the experience. She’d promised to drive him there because his truck was having engine problems and, as she had admitted to him, she wanted an excuse to get out in her new car.

  “I kind of have you to thank for it, in a way,” she’d joked, referencing their strange experience by the roadside when her car had been hit.

  Mack was with his band on stage setting up, but his eyes kept wandering to the area in front of the stage, which was covered with a colorful patchwork of blankets, beach towels, and camping chairs. Jorrie and several people related to the distillery and the farm, including Pepper and Hannah, had staked out prime real estate right up front.

  He was tuning up with the band when his eye caught Jorrie sitting next to Pepper on a blanket. Jorrie was smiling at him, looking gorgeous and happy in a pair of bermuda shorts and a simple white polo.

  He had no idea how long the performance would last but prayed it wouldn’t be so late that the two of them couldn’t go off together later. As much as he wanted to get her alone somewhere, he had the sense that she wasn’t quite to the same place he was as far as their physical relationship.

  God, had he wanted her when they’d gone up Springfield Knob. He hadn’t expected them to get so intimate so fast, but he’d seriously underestimated his attraction and growing feelings for the lithe blond attorney.

  And over the past week, they’d had two intense make-out sessions, both behind The Windmill.

  They’d gone out twice for simple evening meals and ended up acting like teenagers behind a Dumpster. He’d suggested going to his truck, but Jorrie had rejected the idea, and instead they’d sat on an old log behind the diner and done just about everything they could to each other in public and not be violating the law.

  He knew he couldn’t take Jorrie home for more—his grandpa was always there, and he hadn’t worked up the nerve to suggest her place or even going back up the Knob (because it had been pretty damned cold on that hill).

  But he’d hatched a plan. And even if it didn’t lead that night to making love to the woman in the audience with whom he kept exchanging smiles and looks, he still knew that they’d end up having a good time together.

  “He can’t take his eyes off you,” Pepper said.

  Jorrie was staring at Mack and trying to open a bag of chips at the same time when she heard Pepper’s comment and became extremely self-conscious. As a result, she pulled a little too hard on the bag, causing it to pop open and rain down chips upon herself and her companion.

  “Apparently it’s a two-way street,” Pepper giggled.

  The women laughed and Jorrie sensed that Pepper was about to bombard her with a lot of questions, but they were interrupted by the arrival of Jon (laden with food from the café), as well as Hannah, Kyle, Bo, Lila, Goose, and Harriet.

  “Where are CiCi and Walker?” Harriet asked.

  “On a short trip with Rachel and Brady. They all went to the Smokies for a few days.”

  Kyle helped hi
s wife into a camp chair. She was the only member of the little group sitting in a chair rather than on the ground—but she also happened to be the only member of the group who was nearly seven months pregnant.

  “You sure you’re okay in this heat?” Kyle asked. He took a seat on the ground next to his wife.

  Hannah waved him off, but Kyle’s face was still wrinkled with worry.

  A few minutes later, Pepper rose and walked to the stage.

  “Thank you for coming out tonight!” Pepper greeted the crowd as she spoke into the stand mic. “On behalf of Old Garnet and GarnetBrooke, we welcome you and hope to see you many more times through this summer and into the fall.”

  Pepper went on to explain that the profits from the café would be going to charity and that any donations would be gladly accepted at the distillery visitors’ center, which would be open through the evening.

  “And now I’ll shut up and introduce the guys you’ve been waiting for—Mack Blanton and the Foolcatchers!”

  A round of hearty applause and laughter went up from the crowd as the musicians took the stage. Mack hugged Pepper as she left the stage.

  “Foolcatchers?” whispered Lila. “I didn’t know that was the band’s name!”

  “I didn’t either!” giggled Jorrie.

  Mack stepped to the microphone and greeted the crowd, thanked them for coming out, and introduced every member of his band. He was wearing almost the same attire he’d sported at the county fair: jeans, boots, and a cowboy hat.

  The only difference was his shirt: an Old Garnet polo, with the logo on the chest.

  “I want to explain that name you just heard—the Foolcatchers. Not my idea at all,” Mack said, shaking his head. “They thought of that name,” he said, gesturing behind himself to his band. “So guess who that makes the fool?”

  The crowd started to laugh as Mack pointed to himself.

  “Enough of that—let’s get this thing started!”

  For the next hour, the band played without a break. Mack performed several of the songs she’d heard at the fair, plus a few by some famous Bluegrass artists. She wondered whether he was going to play any new music; he’d mentioned a few times that he’d been writing, but he hadn’t shared details.

  She also hadn’t pressed him for any, either.

  She had come to understand that his music and writing were something very special and sacred to him, and she didn’t want to intrude in his world. She was simply honored that he’d written one song for her—a song which she hoped he would play that evening.

  “Okay, folks, we’re gonna take a little break and be back in ten,” Mack said before heading offstage.

  Jorrie stayed put but Pepper nudged her.

  “Aren’t you going to go say hello to him?”

  “But I’d look like some kind of groupie.”

  “Well, aren’t you?”

  “Point taken.”

  She sprung up from the blanket and headed to the side of the stage.

  Mack was surrounded by a number of giggling young women, and Jorrie approached slowly, the bad memory of taking him unawares at the fair coming back to her. She had decided to return to her seat, but he spotted her and called her over.

  “Where do you think you’re going?”

  He broke away from the group, pulled her to him, and gave her a quick kiss on the cheek.

  A very public announcement that he had a girlfriend. No others need apply.

  “Thought I might be bothering you.”

  “You can bother me anytime.” He kissed her on the lips.

  His bandmates whistled and Mack told them to shut it.

  “Why don’t you introduce me?” Jorrie asked.

  Mack agreed, and Jorrie was quickly introduced to the seven-member group. The band members started to drift back to the stage, and Mack gave Jorrie another quick kiss before returning to the stage for the night’s last session.

  “Thanks for sticking around—we’ve only got a few more songs for you tonight, and then we need to go,” Mack said, addressing the audience as Jorrie retook her seat next to Pepper.

  Mack and the band launched into a few pieces from his album, and Jorrie found herself getting more and more disappointed with each song. She wanted to hear that new piece he’d played at the fair.

  But she got something even better.

  “This is the last number tonight,” Mack said softly. “It’s called High Hills.”

  A seed so small, a thing so low

  A windswept hill, a place to grow

  With you there, our place to start

  There it was, you saw my heart

  The glory of the night

  A moon not full yet bright

  And yet there ’twas the light

  Of you, of you

  The glory of the night

  A moon not full yet bright

  And yet there ’twas the light

  Of you

  The stars above, the earth below

  Between we soared, belle and beau

  And still I fly, for I can see

  Your sweet face, my hope and dream

  The glory of the night

  A moon not full yet bright

  And yet there ’twas the light

  Of you, of you

  The glory of the night

  A moon not full yet bright

  And yet there ’twas the light

  Of you

  Before the song ended, the crowd was on its feet, but Jorrie remained sitting, stunned.

  Had she really been his inspiration?

  It had to be so. Those details…

  Pepper finally nudged her with a foot and helped pull her up.

  “What kind of spell did you put on him?” Pepper asked as she clapped along with the audience.

  Jorrie couldn’t answer, keeping her face turned toward the stage and toward Mack.

  Her eyes found his face, and he was staring directly at her. Then he blew her a kiss.

  She swallowed hard as she stood there, dumbstruck, as all those around her were clapping and yelling their approval.

  Mack had now written two songs for her—no, not for her.

  About her.

  About what he felt about her, about his hopes, dreams, and fears about her.

  About the future.

  As the applause died, Jorrie felt Pepper giving her a small hug, and Jorrie snapped back to reality. She helped Pepper and Jon clean up their picnic paraphernalia, all the while keeping an eye on Mack, who was surrounded by admirers at the edge of the stage.

  For the first time in a very long time, Jorrie felt a pang of jealousy, but the green-eyed monster retreated when she heard a passerby humming the last song Mack had played.

  Jorrie said good-bye to Pepper, Jon and the rest of her companions, and headed for Mack. Just as she’d done during the break, she hesitated a little and stopped before she reached the outer perimeter of his admirers. But her hesitancy this time was not out of a sense of unease but because she wanted to watch him.

  He was so happy.

  Mack was surrounded by a thick knot of people, again many of them young women, but there were several kids there as well. He addressed the kids more than anyone else and barely looking at the girls, who kept shoving pieces of paper and pens in his face, whining for autographs.

  After a few minutes, Jorrie noticed that Mack had stopped giving autographs and was completely focused on a group of kids that appeared to be of elementary school age. He let the kids touch his guitar, played a few songs for them, and even draped his guitar strap over one boy’s shoulders. He crouched behind the boy, and showed him how to play a few chords.

  The boy was delighted, and after Mack reclaimed his guitar and put it on the stage behind him, the boy flung his arms around Mack’s waist, giving him a tight hug. Mack patted the boy on the back as the boy’s parents took his hand and led him away. She then saw Mack stiffly greet an older man and a teenager, who were the last of Mack’s fans.

  Jorrie crept tow
ard him, enthralled by how he’d handled the kids. Although she knew he was a teacher, she’d never seen him around children. He was in his element with them, just as he was on stage. He didn’t notice as she drew nearer; he seemed to be watching the older man and the teen as they headed for the distillery building.

  Jorrie touched his arm, then took his hand. Mack turned to her, smiling.

  “That song…,” was all she could say before choking up. She put a hand on his cheek.

  He pulled her hand from his face, brought it to her lips, and kissed it.

  “Glad you liked it. There’s more where that came from.”

  “More? You… you’ve written more about…”

  “Yes, about you, Jorrie,” Mack said. “No one else. I’ve lost track of how many now.”

  She gaped for a moment, then put both hands on the back of his neck to pull him into a kiss.

  Jorrie’s action knocked him off balance. He stumbled into her, forcing him to grip her waist as he pulled her closer. She felt the hardness growing beneath his jeans and wanted nothing more than to feel it inside her that very night.

  Their amorous activity did not go unnoticed by his band members, and they were once again subjected to taunts and teasing. Mack broke the kiss and grinned.

  “Hold that thought.” He told her to wait on him in the visitors’ center while he helped the band with their equipment and cleaned up.

  Jorrie was so excited that she practically skipped the distance between the concert grounds and the visitors’ center, where she found a sizeable crowd getting last-minute treats at the café. People were streaming out, holding ice cream cones and other frozen sweets, and she got in line to get something for herself, not knowing how long Mack would be.

  She marveled at the combined brilliances of Pepper, Hannah, and Mack: the idea woman, the coordinator, and the creator. What a formidable combination they had proven to be. She sensed that these concerts were going to be successful and raise a lot of money, if the number of people she’d seen that evening in the café had been any indication.

  And what would the concerts’ success mean for Mack?

  She knew that he loved performing, but would he want more than what he could get here in Bourbon Springs?