by Kinney Scott
“Why didn’t you say anything to me?” Ravenna asked, concerned and angry with herself for missing the signs of Linnea’s pain.
“I was hoping she’d say something - and I could tell if I brought it up at work, she’d crack.” The shower turned off, he peeled back the curtain, and Ravenna stood staring.
“Babe, a towel,” he said with a heated smile as her eyes finally moved north.
When she lifted her arm to hold out the dangling towel, Wade pulled his woman to his wet body. He scooped her up as she squealed, “you’re getting me all wet!”
“I’m going to have to check,” he laughed knowing she’d be ready for him by the time he stripped off her clothes. He’d be late to the brewery, but God that lost hour was worth it.
***
Seth glared from his perch high on a ladder as Wade walked in, late. The Noble Fir had been delivered and set up an hour before Wade arrived. It towered high in the taproom filling the space with sharp fragrance.
Wade’s head panned upward, “Wow, that’s bigger than it looked in the field.”
“Ya think?” Seth growled, “They brought the monster in on a gooseneck trailer.”
Natalie appeared from behind the wide expanse of evergreen. The massive pyramid shape had completely hidden her from view. Arms coiled in white lights, she smiled, “coffee, donuts, and scones are in the office. Linnea went to the hardware store to buy more lights. Wade, your sister seems off today. Doesn’t she like the holidays?”
Ravenna walked in, a bag from Goldfinch Bakery in one hand and garland in the other. She’d heard Natalie’s question and braced herself for Seth and Natalie’s reaction.
Wade shook his head, “She loves Christmas, but maybe not this year. She and Rick have spent the last few nights apart.”
Ravenna finished the thought after hearing Natalie groan in disbelief, “She hasn’t said a word to either of us.”
Seth’s voice echoed down from the rafters, “I knew something was wrong. Rick’s not usually talkative, but I don’t think he spoke at all yesterday.”
“What do you think happened between them?” Natalie asked Ravenna.
Her friend answered, “I know Linnea would never leave him, not now. It must have been Rick’s decision. I did the only thing I could think of that might help,” she held up her hand.
“Double chocolate cookies,” Natalie nodded and understood.
Wade looked up at his cousin Seth where he balanced high atop the ladder, the men both shrugged. He loved Ravenna, but many things would forever remain a mystery. Chocolate addiction was only one.
The front door of the taproom opened and closed, “I found more lights!” Linnea called. She froze as all eyes locked on her. Her body sagged. Damn it, they knew. Her family and friends might mean well, but thinking or talking about Rick hadn’t been her plan.
Natalie passed the loop of lights coiled on her shoulder to Wade and crossed the taproom with Ravenna. The three girls disappeared behind the closed door of the office together.
Wade knew that he’d need to talk with Rick at some point soon, but taking action too quickly might make the circumstances worse. He’d watch and wait for a few days, and probably take a drive along the Columbia to clear his head before saying a word to Rick.
Linnea pulled another tissue from the box, her breathing finally returning to normal. “This is precisely why I didn’t say anything,” she said as she pointed at her face, “I’m such an unattractive crier.”
“You’ve got nothing on me. These eyes swell, and this nose gets so red! Maggie’s chocolate therapy actually helps,” Ravenna said holding up the pink bag with a goldfinch on the side.
“Thank you. After we have a cookie, getting back to work will help the most. I need the distraction.” She spilled her heartache to her friends but kept Rick’s name out of the mud. He needed to focus on his boy, and Linnea tried to respect that decision, even if it hurt.
The girls emerged from the office to discover a lit Christmas tree shimmering over the taproom. “I’ve never seen a more gorgeous tree! Thank you, it’s perfect,” Linnea’s eyes shimmered with happy tears instead of sad.
She hurried to line up boxes of red ornaments along the bar. Taking turns on the ladder the tree began to shimmer in red and silver creating the perfect tone for the holidays. A few clusters of decorations strategically placed on saws, shelves, and ancient cast iron logging implements completed the overall look.
Seth and Natalie dashed out to pick up lunch for the decorators just as the first customers of the day arrived. Linnea soaked in the spirit, choosing joy instead of wallowing in sorrow.
With no place in particular to go, Linnea worked late. By nine, she couldn’t ignore the screaming in her stomach any longer. She was about to head home when Ravenna and Natalie pulled her from the office. “We thought you might still be here. Time to go. Let’s hit The Northside and have some drinks,” Natalie said tossing Linnea a coat.
“Wade and Seth offered us rides home. Leave your car here for the night. You need a drink.”
“I’m in,” Linnea nodded, locking up the office. She checked in with Dillon and climbed into Natalie’s truck for the ride north of town. Music turned up in the cab drowned out any hesitation to enjoy a girl’s night out.
Dillon watched her leave, glad to see a smile on her face again. His only regret was knowing she’d be across town, single and ready to blow off a little steam, while he was trapped at Mosquito Creek Brewing.
***
Rick circled the table, trying to ease the tension in his arms before taking the shot. Justin leaned against the wall, waiting for Kent to return with a second pitcher of beer. Kent seemed to be taking a while, talking to Iris and Grant at the bar.
“Not gonna make that shot,” Justin provoked, attempting to shake Rick. He didn’t know how Rick kept his concentration. He had a baby waiting at home and the guy had managed to run off his girlfriend.
Linnea was arguably the most stunning woman in Ashwood. Justin couldn’t forget the way she’d looked in that steamy superhero get up at the Halloween party. Most men in town committed that image to memory or even their cell phones. It helped that she was in a group photo on the Mosquito Creek Brewing webpage poured into that sexy costume.
Kent leaned casually on his elbow at the bar, waiting for the right moment to drop the information. Igniting gossip should prod Rick into action, and nothing motivated like jealousy. While at the bar Kent spotted Ravenna, Natalie and Linnea walk in and snag a table out of Rick’s line of site.
“Hey, Iris. Could you do me a favor?”
“Depends on what it is,” she smiled.
“Send something high octane and fruity over to Linnea’s table from me. One for Nate and Ravenna while you’re at it.”
Iris’ eyes narrowed a bit questioning his motives but she played along, “And the occasion?”
“Linnea’s out on the town. Single and trying to have a good time. I’m just sending her a bit of liquid Christmas cheer,” he added loud enough to push the words in Grant’s direction.
Single, hot damn. Grant didn’t say a word but spun on his barstool to take a good long look at Linnea.
That should do it. Kent thought and smiled, “Put it on my tab.”
“Will do,” she said lifting the heavy pitcher of beer to Kent.
Iris stopped to talk as she delivered three strawberry daiquiris to the girls nestled in the corner of her bar.
“Compliments of Kent,” she said taking a seat for a moment. Natalie leaned back in her chair to find a line of sight to the men shooting pool. Kent tipped his head her direction, with a smile that made most girls swoon.
“What’s Kent up to?” she asked Iris.
“Seems he was interested in brightening Linnea’s night,” Iris shrugged, still confused. Kent’s loyalty to Rick wouldn’t cross a line, not even for Linnea Michaels. “He told me you and Rick have hit a rough patch,” she said carefully to her friend.
Linnea leaned forward an
d sighed, dreading a spotlight in this small town, “Why would he say that? Especially here.”
“He cares about you. We all do. Anything you need, Linnea, all you have to do is ask,” Iris insisted standing, giving her friend a hug.
“I need to get back to the bar, but please stop in when it's quiet and we can talk.”
“I will, thank you, Iris,” Linnea’s strained smile eased a bit as she took another sip of the potent drink. Halfway through the first daiquiri Grant showed up at her table, asking for a dance.
She hesitated but saw no reason to turn down his polite offer.
Rick wondered why Kent took so long at the bar and felt a prickle of familiar awareness. Looking around, he expected to find Linnea but didn’t spot her at any nearby tables. Justin lined up for a shot, sank his chosen ball and paused, staring at the dance floor. His friend's tight-lipped expression turned Rick’s head.
“No fucking way,” Rick muttered under his breath. Spotting Linnea wrapped in Grant’s arms on the dance floor moved Rick forward a fraction, but he froze in place. He stared at the consequences of his choices swaying close to another man. Damn it, she was free to do as she wished, but this was too fast.
Kent watched him - Silently willing Rick to move, take a stand or get pissed! Anything, but watch while Grant moved in on his woman. Rick turned, set down his cue, slipped on his jacket and left Northside Grill without a word.
Grant stiffened his arms around Linnea, bracing for a confrontation when Rick began to move. As Rick left The Northside, Grant eased his hold on Linnea. With her back turned to the commotion, only her body knew when Rick left the building. An electric energy exited with him, leaving her feeling deflated.
Linnea searched, already knowing he’d gone home. No words passed between them, but his silence answered her question. When he asked her to move back to her tiny house, he’d also dismantled their relationship.
Undeterred by her dark mood, a determined string of men asked Linnea to dance. Locked in several sets of arms, she spoke, moved, laughed and smiled.
Later at home, nestled under the sheets of her bed, she lay in the dark. Her head fogged, as alcohol swam her bloodstream. Guilt weighed heavily. She couldn’t recall a single feature of the men who invested time in her night, but dancing with them felt like cheating someone, if only herself.
SEVENTEEN
“Where do you want the next box stacked?” Dillon asked Linnea. Her pointed focus on the food drive at the exclusion of all else had the brewery filled with everything from peanut butter to macaroni.
“The office?” she asked.
“Linnea, you won’t be able to make it to your desk,” Dillon pointed out.
He knew what she had avoided all week and offered, “Let me go next door and ask Seth if we can use his storage space for the canned food, blankets, and diapers.”
She shook her head, “No, I’ll go.”
It had been two weeks. With December half gone, she just wanted to get past this Firefighter’s Food Drive event. She’d begun planning this party with Rick, but now was forced to handle the rest of the details on her own. Soon, Amanda would be home from Hood River to enjoy an extended visit for Christmas. After visiting with her cousin, she planned to escape for a few days to Yakima.
Last week Dillon asked her to go to the Food Drive Christmas Party with him. The semi-formal catered event, by Ashwood standards, was lavish. Everyone bought tickets at reserved tables. This year the fire department hired a DJ to play big band music along with holiday standards. The throwback theme Cruisin’ Christmas included a vintage car cruise ending at the taproom for dinner and dancing.
Marching with determination, Linnea walked over to Whitewater Homes to find Seth. She kept her eyes trained forward, hoping to avoid Rick. The place looked quiet. Knocking on Seth’s door, she prayed Seth or Natalie would be inside. Her tentative tap on the wood was answered by a deep voice - the only voice she dreaded hearing. Linnea began to turn on her heels, but the door swung open. Rick stood in front of her and she couldn’t speak. He seemed to swallow up all the available space.
Surprised to see her he blurted, “Linnea.”
“Rick,” she squeaked. “I…” her mind froze, unable to recall why she was standing in Whitewater Homes.
His lips parted, lips she longed to feel again. Rick eased closer, “Linnea, why are you here?” he asked.
Her eyelashes lowered to the floor, a floor she hoped would crack beneath her and swallow her whole.
Rick’s eyes moved over her shoulder, and she heard Dillon’s voice, “Hey, Rick. We wanted to ask Seth if we could store some of the supplies for the food drive here. The Taproom is overflowing. It will only be for a few days until after the party this weekend.”
Dillon’s hand slipped to Linnea’s waist. A touch of reassurance. Rick saw the possessive move and his jaw tightened. “Sure. No problem. I’ll get out of your way.”
He moved past Linnea, as she stepped into the office and spotted his search on the computer. The baby backpack she’d told him about had a thank you for your order across the screen.
Rick and the baby would move on without her, going on hikes she’d dreamed of taking. Linnea longed to experience Ricky’s wonder as he took in nature’s beauty at his Daddy’s side. True, Rick might be Ricky’s uncle, but if she knew the man, he’d already grown to care for the baby with a fierce protective father’s love.
“Come on, Linn. I’ll bring the boxes in here. Let’s get you back over to the taproom. His pressure at her waist caused her to turn. Concern and a touch of desire stared back at her. Linnea allowed herself to sink close taking what Dillon had to offer, even if she craved it for selfish reasons.
“I can help with the boxes. I’m okay.” Each trip to and from the Whitewater office eased away a bit more pain. The pair stood staring at the stacks of canned goods, amazed by the towns outpouring of good will.
“Are you driving your’79 Camaro for the party?” Linnea asked, trying to look forward to their date.
“Yeah, it looks like the snow will hold off,” Dillon said thankful he’d be taking her to the event.
“I’m glad. Most of the car club won't’ take their restored babies out in bad weather. Bill’s already put another coat of wax on his truck. I can’t wait to see your car,” she said trying to remember how to flirt, but knowing she’d failed.
“I’ll have it ready,” he encouraged. “I’ve got to pull out all the tricks to impress you.” His teasing progressed to cautious flirtation, now that Dillon was convinced Rick did not intend to fight for Linnea.
She welcomed his invitation and didn’t mind if Dillon asked her out of pity. After accepting, she noticed a caring side of her brother’s friend from high school and wondered if there was a small chance it could turn into something more.
***
“I’m so happy you decided to stay in your old room while I’m home!” Amanda said as the pair slipped into snug vintage skirts recovered from a trunk buried in the attic.
“How did anyone move in these things?” Her hourglass figure filled out every inch of the snug red skirt and the below knee length added definition. She turned to inspect her lush curves in the mirror.
Amanda wore a slightly shorter skirt of green and blue plaid. Both found simple scooped necklines sweaters in their own wardrobe to compliment the look.
“When are Dillon and Justin picking us up?” Amanda asked. Linnea arranged for the double date when she heard Amanda planned to go with her family.
“We’ve got about a half hour. The weather held, so he’s driving his Camaro.”
“Cool! Dad’s polished his ‘84 Chevy Silverado. He put a lit Christmas tree in the back just to make Mom smile.”
“Linnea, I wondered…will Rick and Kent be there?” Amanda had to ask.
“I don’t know? Probably, Rick’s still part of the volunteer department but Kent hasn’t said anything about going.”
“Have you talked to Rick?” Amanda asked as she replaced
her silver posts with dangly gold earrings.
Linn shook her head, “Only in passing at work.”
From downstairs Sandy hollered, “Amanda, Linnea, come down when you’re ready. I’d like to take pictures.
Neil waited patiently by the fireplace, the mantle draped in greenery. Stockings for the family hung in a row, waiting for the big day to arrive.
“Awesome! You decided to come to the party!” Amanda shouted when she spotted her brother in jeans and a button-down shirt.
“Mom threatened to send back one of my Christmas gifts,” he said with a shrug and a smile.
Neil avoided crowds, usually an easy task in Ashwood. Tonight Neil broke his self-enforced rule and caved to his mother’s request. The pressure of social conversation sometimes brought back bursts of stuttered speech and painful memories of relentless teasing. Knowing Amanda planned to attend helped. For some reason, his speech never caught in his throat when she was within sight.
“Stand between us,” Amanda drug him to the center. Neil flung his long arms around his sister and cousin’s shoulders, waiting for his mom to aim her phone in their direction.
“Oh no!” his mother cried, “I’ve done it again.” Neil’s fingers dashed over his mother’s phone erasing the shot she’d taken of herself…again.
“Come on Mom, join us in the picture. I’ll get you in the group selfie,” Neil snagged his mother by her elbow and nestled everyone together. He grabbed the shot from the end of his extended arm.
Sandy pulled the phone her direction and glanced at the screen, “Perfect! Thank you, Neil. Now I have something for my page.” Her kids groaned.
“Neil do you want to ride over with us? You can squeeze in the back of Dillon’s Camaro,” Linnea offered.
“Nope, Mom bribed me. I’m chauffeuring them to the party in Dad’s truck,” he bragged with a waggle of his brows taunting his sister.