Backstage (The Barter System Book 4)

by McClendon, Shayne

  “Would you care to see my etchings…I could actually say it and be dead serious. Jesus, my brain is made of squirrels.”

  “Thank god,” said a laughing voice. “We’re all nuts around here.”

  Turning, beautiful identical twins stood watching her in fascination. “Best you know I talk to myself now. I’m Gabriella Hernandez.” She held out her hand and each of the women shook it with broad grins.

  “I’m Madeline Zelder. That’s gorgeous.” She gestured to the quick sketch she’d done of the design.

  Lola crossed her arms over her chest. “I told you she was brilliant.”

  “Easily distracted, quickly amused,” Brie clarified.

  The other woman looked ready to do jumping jacks. She practically vibrated with energy. “I’m Mikayla. Oh, I’m also a Zelder. Have you had a chance to see the play yet?”

  “I wish. Lola got me tickets for a few weeks from now but…I didn’t even know all these old buildings were here. I’ll be walking for months before I see them all.”

  Two good-looking men exited a narrow staircase behind the sisters. One had a scar that made Brie’s hand itch to sketch him.

  She wondered if he ever saw the perfection in the imperfection.

  “Have they properly frightened you off yet?” The bigger man asked. She shook her head with a grin. “I’m Isaiah and this is my brother Ezra.”

  “Such a pleasure to meet you. I’m Brie…this building is surreal. I could draw the four of you for days. You’re all so vibrant.” With a sigh, she added, “This is the reason I typically communicate with my clients online. I clearly can’t hold a normal conversation surrounded by such stimuli. I don’t know how you get any work done.”

  Mikayla said, “I want to adopt her.”

  “She needs to be our friend,” Madeline agreed.

  Ezra grinned. “As you can see, we have little decorum here. Your thought processes are a welcome addition. Have you eaten?”

  “No but if you let me sketch the building and provide me with stupid amounts of coffee, I’ll work for free.” She wasn’t kidding; she wanted access to the features of this space.

  “She damn well will not work for free,” Lola inserted with a glare. “We’re all going to pretend I’m her manager for five minutes. You want Brie. She’s talented and fast. The manager for the old Anaheim Theater approached her when he saw her sketching the marquee but she wasn’t comfortable with him.”

  “He’s creepy,” Kayla nodded. “You’ll like it better here.”

  Brie agreed wistfully, “I like it already.”

  “Swear to god, Brie…this isn’t camp.” Hudson’s poor assistant was ready to throttle her.

  “Can I pretend?”

  “I’ll pretend with you!” Kayla added happily.

  Madeline laughed. “Excellent, we’ve arranged a play date. You’re hired, Gabriella. Walk with us to coffee heaven.”

  They entered the main theater and Brie put her hand over her heart. Isaiah smiled. “You like it?”

  “Love it, I love it.” Then the two of them talked colors, fabrics, and paint while the others kept them moving.

  “I create the stage sets.”

  “Would I bother anyone if I looked at them? I promise not to touch anything.” He grinned as she followed him up the stage steps and watched as he pulled a rear curtain aside. “You did this?” She knew her voice was reverent.

  “I did.”

  “You have a phenomenal soul, Mr. Zelder.” She examined the paintings, analyzing the brush size used. “You’re a gorgeous man but your heart is even better looking. The two of you are going to have some blindingly attractive kids with gorgeous insides.” She took a step back and sighed. “I’d imagine this filled up your brain and hammered away until you painted it.”

  When there was no response, she turned to see Madeline and the brothers staring at her in surprise. Lola looked smug. Mikayla skipped toward her.

  “I talk to myself. I think I mentioned it. What did I say?”

  “You called my hubby gorgeous.”

  Brie tilted her head in confusion. “O-kay…”

  “He still thinks I’m a freak or something for seeing past the scar.”

  “Oh no…I like the scar. I’m sure the pain was horrific but…see? If you follow the path of how it was made, it actually frames his loveliest facial feature. On that side, you have no choice but to notice the shape and depth of his eye.”

  With Mikayla beside her, she walked to the big man, and held up her sketchbook to cover the unscarred side from view.

  Isaiah’s wife sighed with a warm smile.

  “Right?” She lowered the book. “It was the first thing I noticed but in a good way.” Gesturing behind her, she added, “You are a brilliant artist. I envy the scale you’re able to create.”

  “Fine,” the big man said gruffly after a long pause. “We can adopt her.”

  Mikayla squealed, hugged her, and hauled her bodily toward the wings. “Coffee!” Practically running, she skidded to a stop in front of a professional kitchen. A small blonde woman turned with a smile.

  “I’m Gabriella Hernandez. It smells like paradise back here.”

  “I’m Theodora Grove.” Tilting her head, she added, “You must be the graphic designer everyone has been dying to meet.”

  “I’m a graphic designer but mostly, I love to draw things. You’re so pretty. Has anyone ever drawn you before?”

  The petite woman blushed. “No but my husband photographs me more than I believe is normal.”

  “Oh no, you’re lovely.” Glancing down, she noticed the baby carrier tucked behind the counter. “Is this your little girl?” Teddy nodded proudly as Brie beamed. “She’s your mirror image. So pretty!”

  “Emma’s father will be picking her up in about an hour. He had a meeting with a gallery this morning.” She gestured to a chair. “Sit and let me get you coffee and a little treat. Any food allergies?”

  “No and how sad would I be if I had any?”

  Teddy laughed. “You and Kiefer will get along like a house on fire.”

  Sitting with the caterer, she was excited to hold the little girl when she woke up while Teddy wrote down her recipe for cheesecake bars.

  At a little less than six months old, it was clear she was a big thinker.

  Lola sat beside her with a sigh. “You’re getting top scale, brat. Make all the friends you want but you’re getting top scale.”

  Bumping the other woman gently with her shoulder, she said, “You take such good care of people. I’m so happy you brought me here.”

  It was the first day Gabriella spent in the theater. Over the following months, there would be many dozens more.

  She would come to know details of their love stories through her conversations with Mikayla, Madeline, and Theodora. No matter the anecdotes they told, the blushes they experienced, or the giggles the bunch of them would fall into, it would be the visual evidence that sold her on their happily ever afters.

  It was the daily actions of the men in their lives that spoke of ideal matches, perhaps even soul mates. Isaiah, Ezra, and Kiefer showed their love and respect for their women in ways large and small.

  The unlikely romances that unfolded within the walls of the Zelder Theater convinced her once again…it was almost always about timing.

  And maybe a little about being in the right place at the right time.

  Bishop Foundation After-Party

  Present Day

  September 2014 – Season Three (first night of charity previews)

  The house lights came up, brightening the space and showing the audience getting to their feet.

  Brie was proud of her friends. They’d worked so hard to bring the play to life. “It was even better than I remember.”

  “Outstanding. I’m so happy we came,” Natalia told her with a broad smile. “I see why you were so excited.”

  Hudson was not a frivolous man. He rarely laughed but he turned to her with a grin, she felt as if sh
e’d done something amazing.

  “You liked it?”

  “Very much.” Few words, high impact.

  With a wink, she returned her gaze to the stage. After numerous encores, Madeline spoke eloquently about the Bishop Foundation and asked that patrons give generously.

  Then Mikayla took the microphone in a rare moment of public speaking.

  “Last year, the cast and crew of the Zelder Theater had the pleasure of meeting a young woman who instantly became part of our little family. A few months later, she was involved in a horrible accident that almost claimed her life. She fought her way back with quiet strength.” Looking up at the box where she sat, the exuberant Johannson twin waved. “I think I speak for all of us when I say, we are that desperate to see your smiling face. Welcome back, Brie.”

  The girls blew her kisses, bowed, and walked into the wings.

  It took her several minutes to calm the resulting tears before she felt capable of being pushed out of the box. Natalia kept her arm around her shoulder and whispered soothingly.

  Finally, she nodded and Hudson stroked his hand over her hair.

  They were clearing the door when Mikayla and Madeline pushed their way through milling groups of people and knelt on either side of Brie. Mikayla wore the slinky red dress from the last scene and her sister wore the nude bodysuit from under her gypsy costume.

  They spoke so quickly that she didn’t know which of them was talking. “We didn’t know you were in the audience until the end. The guys didn’t want to get our hopes up in case you couldn’t make it. I wish you would have let us visit. We missed you.”

  “I’ve missed all of you so much.” She wiped her eyes. “This is Hudson Winters and Natalia Roman.”

  The sisters stood and shook hands. “It’s too late to pretend maturity so we’ll just say that it’s a pleasure to meet you.”

  Hudson said, “Likewise. The play was excellent.”

  “We have too much fun for it to be considered work.” Mikayla was practically bouncing in place. “You look great. Why didn’t you let us come see you?”

  “Pride and more than a little embarrassment. I’m getting out more now.” She smiled. “How is everyone?”

  They started to fill her in, talking fast and animatedly, when they were hugged from behind by their husbands. The brothers greeted Hudson and Natalia warmly.

  Ezra winked. “You can all chatter like magpies at the party. Linn, you look naked in this thing. Please, please change before I get arrested for the looks you’re getting.”

  “It’s not that bad,” his wife insisted.

  Mikayla shrugged. “I know I look like a hooker in this outfit. I make Isaiah pay my highest rate when I wear it home sometimes. He’s a great…tipper.”

  All of them laughed and Isaiah bent to kiss Brie’s cheek. “Teddy will be thrilled to see you. Emma celebrated her first birthday last month. You look fantastic, Brie.”

  “Thank you.” To the girls, she said, “Go change. Let’s plan something on your next day off. I’ll ply you with liquor and sweets until your husbands have to carry you home.”

  “Again…you forgot to say again.”

  “Don’t be a stickler, Ezra. The play is still awesome, both of you are as much fun as ever, and now you have to go get some clothes on!” They exchanged more kisses and hugs before the Zelder brothers lead their wives away with their arms around them.

  As Brie watched them go, she sighed happily. “You have an unbelievable root system, Hudson. Deep like a redwood that led me to so many good people and experiences.” She glanced up. “Thanks.”

  “You’re welcome. You used the connections in ways I never would have, Gabriella.” He started pushing her toward the exit so that Leonard could take them across town. “Do you feel better?”

  “I feel…like feeling better is possible.”

  Natalia breathed a sigh of relief. “It’s a step in the right direction.”

  * * * * *

  Brie was excited when they arrived at the location for the party and she realized it was an expansive art gallery. The venue threatened to make her anti-social as she tried to examine everything on display at the same time.

  Hudson introduced her to the Bishops and her mouth dropped open. “You’re the most stunningly symmetrical people I’ve ever seen in my life.” They laughed and Shania Bishop explained how she’d met her husband Spencer. “You’re…flawless. From your proportion to your features to the way you move.”

  Absently, she moved for the bag in the pocket of the chair that held the pad and pencils she carried with her everywhere.

  Hudson touched her arm and gave her a gentle smile. “You can sketch them later. Perhaps a photo?”

  Shania laughed happily. “You have no idea how many times I hear those words.” Bending closer, she whispered, “My own supplies are beneath our table.”

  Her husband smiled and Brie found herself struck dumb. “Wow.”

  “Finally, a kindred spirit. We need to have lunch.” The couple posed together for Natalia to take a photo and then shared a kiss. “It was such a pleasure to meet you, Brie. We’ll make plans.”

  Watching them walk away, she blinked away the fog. “I’m deranged.”

  “You’re an artist. It’s allowed,” Natalia told her firmly.

  They pushed her around the large gallery and she became self-conscious of the need for them to do so. Needing a break from circulating, she requested time to examine the most incredible rendition of a whale arcing from the water while they mingled.

  The entire sculpture was done in scrap metal. Being in the hated chair, she was unable to get close enough to see the plaque affixed to the piece.

  “Do you like it?” someone asked quietly.

  She turned in the chair and smiled. “Very much.” She held out her hand. “I’m Gabriella.”

  “Harrison.” A gorgeous man appeared at his side. “This is my husband Morgan.” After pleasantries, her attention returned to the piece of art. “What do you like about it? If you don’t mind my asking.”

  “A whale is a heavy, seemingly clunky creature when out of its element. In the water, it’s fast, graceful, and exquisite to watch. This piece – taken in its individual components – is made of heavy, clunky parts. However, together, they are graceful and equally exquisite.”

  “She’s not only beautiful, she’s brilliant. She loves my sculpture.”

  Her eyes went wide. “This is yours?” He nodded and she exhaled. It was fascinating to meet people who brought the pictures in their minds into a tangible piece of reality. Her work was simplistic, usually people who inspired emotion. “Well done. It’s very beautiful.”

  “All the proceeds go to charity.”

  She blinked. “This is for sale?”

  He nodded, grinning. “Of course. The charity runs a silent auction.”

  “Oh my god…I have to talk to Hudson. Excuse me.”

  Getting to the opposite side of the room in a wheelchair took a ridiculous amount of time. Hudson stood in conversation with a business associate. He stopped mid-sentence and gave her his complete attention.

  She waved her hand. “Not an emergency. Finish your conversation.”

  He lifted a brow and she sighed. To the man beside him, she murmured apologies. Then she got to the point. “Dumb question because you know my lack of culture. How do you bid on something in a silent auction? Is there a secret code, do I raise my hand, shoot a spitball on the piece in question while screaming dibs, or what? I need to throw money at something before someone else gets it.”

  “Which piece?”

  Normally his methodical way was soothing but she had a feeling someone else was going to snag her sculpture any second.

  “The whale…over there.” He took his time to locate the piece. “Hudson, we need to hurry.”

  “The bids don’t close until midnight.”

  She rubbed her temple. “So…it isn’t technically sold yet?” He shook his head with a smile. “Okay…I want it.
”

  “I gathered.”

  She couldn’t help her chuckle. “I don’t spend money often but for this…I’m making an exception. Make sure it is my money, not yours that pays for it.”

  From behind her, a man said, “Winters. An introduction.”

  Brie’s eyes stared into Hudson’s as the smile slipped away from her face. There was no doubt in her mind that her friend was able to read the instant, visceral reaction she experienced at the sound of the man’s voice.

  In less than three seconds, the words infused all of her with heat. She was astounded to realize she was wet.

  Hudson held her gaze without blinking. One side of his mouth quirked into a smile only she could see.

  Glancing past her, he replied, “Delkin.”

  There was a long pause and Brie carefully controlled her breathing as she looked over her shoulder. Harper Delkin’s hair swept back from his face and she realized she’d never seen the man so close. Pewter gray eyes stole her ability to think and she was inexplicably terrified.

  Hudson turned her chair and stood to one side. Natalia appeared on her other. The two dark men locked eyes and the silence felt intensely heavy.

  Brie didn’t trust herself to speak.

  Elijah, Delkin’s bodyguard, stepped around his boss and captured her attention. Cutting her eyes to his, one of his lovely pale green ones winked. It made her grin before she knew what she was doing.

  Then the lean man went down on one knee in front of her. Eye to eye, she stared at the lines of his face and didn’t realize she’d zoned out until he took her hand in both of his.

  “I’m Elijah Eklund. I’ve heard quite a lot about you, Miss Hernandez. We have mutual friends.”

  “Mutual friends?”

  “My cousin Eira works at the winery.”

  “Eira is your cousin?” She couldn’t stop the smile that broke over her face. “I adored her as an intern.” Laying her hand over the top of his, she added, “I was happy she returned after college. How is she?”

  “Well. She speaks highly of you and asked that I send her regards.”

  She closed her eyes for a moment and his waited when she opened them. “I can’t…recall her last name. I don’t think it’s the same as yours.”