When Love Returns

by Lorana Hoopes

  Inside, his heart soared. He didn’t want to end their day so soon, and the hospital held no fond memories for him. “Thank you.”

  Hand in hand, they walked back down Main Street to Cooper Street and then up the road to his parent’s house. As they entered the house, the sound of Joy and Anna in the kitchen carried to them. Brandon was glad Joy was in out of the cold.

  Inside the kitchen, Joy’s face was pressed against the back glass window, and Anna sat at the kitchen table nursing a coffee and coloring. She looked up as they entered and winked.

  “Daddy, it’s snowing.” Joy squealed and turned from the window long enough to jump up and down in an excited little dance.

  “I know, Bug,” he said to her before turning to Anna. “Dad is getting released, so Presley and I are going to help Mom. Can you watch Joy a little longer?”

  “Sure.” She took a sip of her coffee, which made him want to pour a mug of his own. He grabbed a travel mug from the cabinet and filled it up.

  “You want any?” he asked Presley.

  “Do you have any creamer? I never got used to drinking it black. I prefer my coffee tan.”

  Leave it to Presley to have to be unique. It was another thing that had always attracted Brandon to her. Though the chunk in her hair was not always purple, it was always a color different from her natural dirty blond. Her nails were typically painted in some sparkly polish, and even her clothes were often brighter than most people would choose to wear, but somehow on her it worked. Most people probably saw her as an oddity with her quiet nature yet sparkly exterior, but Brandon knew the real Presley who was somewhere in between the two.

  Opening the fridge, he found some white chocolate creamer in the door. She nodded her approval as he held it up, and he rescued another travel mug from the counter and filled it up for her along with a healthy dash of the creamer. The coffee was indeed a light tan color when he handed it to her.

  She took a long sip, closing her eyes in delight as she swallowed. The look on her face sent his heart pumping again. Images of morning coffee breaks following blissful nights flooded his mind.

  He forced his eyes away from her soft pink lips though all he really wanted to do was cover them with his own again. A subtle head shake cleared his thoughts, and he grabbed his keys from the hook that hung on the wall. Then he grabbed his coffee, though the heat from his thoughts had chased away the cold.

  “Back in a minute, Bug. Be good for Anna.”

  “Okay,” she said, but her face was still pressed to the glass. It didn’t snow in Dallas, but Joy had always been fascinated. Brandon hoped it snowed enough for her to play in it tomorrow.

  Presley followed him out of the kitchen and to the car. Opening her door, he took a moment to steal another kiss. With her back pressed against the car, she grabbed his coat with her free hand and pulled him closer. Brandon could almost feel her heart beating through the thick fabric that separated them. Too soon, but for his own sanity, the kiss ended, and they climbed into the car.

  Her hand found his as he started the car, and he shot her a smiling glance. It was nice having her in the car with him. Even after all the years apart, her presence still soothed and calmed him.

  “Joy is amazing,” she said as they pulled onto Main street. The snow was still falling, though lightly, and the street was empty. Everyone must be inside their homes bundled up.

  “Yeah, she is.”

  “Do you want more?” The question was tentative and soft.

  “More what? Kids?” His eyes flicked from the road to her face for a moment. She nodded, but her eyes were cast down on her lap as if she was afraid of his answer. “I honestly haven’t thought about it.” Though that was only half true. He had thought about how another child would impact his work and make it that much harder, but that was before Presley re-entered his life. Maybe if the situation were right, he would be open to another child.

  They arrived at the hospital a few minutes later. His father’s face was still shocking, and Brandon squeezed Presley’s hand as he heard her soft gasp beside him. His left eye was now a faded purple, but still swollen. There were stitches across the back of his head where they’d had to drill a hole to relieve the initial pressure, and he was thinner. He looked as if he had lost twenty pounds as his shirt hung loosely on him, and his pants required a belt to stay up.

  Brandon’s mother’s eyebrow raised at Presley’s and his clasped hands, and a smile pulled across her lips.

  “Mr. Scott, I’m so happy to hear you are coming home,” Presley said.

  His father turned his good eye to her. “Is that Presley Hays? Thank you for the treats.”

  “You are welcome, sir.”

  The orderly arrived a moment later and helped load his father into a wheelchair. He, of course, protested the whole time, declaring his ability to walk even as his legs shook against the foot petals.

  When they reached the hospital entrance, Brandon and Presley stayed with him while his mother hurried to get her car. As she pulled up in front, his father attempted to stand and collapsed back in the chair. Brandon took one arm and Presley took the other. His father’s face furrowed as if he was about to protest, but then his lips flattened into a line, and he shuffled forward.

  It was a slow walk the ten or fifteen feet out of the hospital to where Brandon’s mother had parked the car, but his father was out of breath when they arrived. With eyes full of concern, Brandon glanced at his mother. Though he knew his father had taken a nasty fall, he was not used to seeing him so weak and helpless.

  She nodded once to let him know she was aware, and her smile assured him that everything would be all right.

  Presley seemed to sense his unease on the drive home. Her hand landed on his arm. “Don’t worry. He’ll be okay. Sometimes it just takes a little longer to heal. I’ll be praying for his speedy recovery.”

  Brandon knew she was trying to help, but at this moment, he wanted to do anything but think about his father. “After we help get him inside, how about we go to that dance after all? I could use a distraction.”

  Nodding, she squeezed his knee, and that simple gesture sent a flood of peace through his body. He had definitely missed having Presley in his life.

  Chapter 9

  Presley glanced in the mirror at the blue dress she had chosen. It was knee length, and had a line of flowers around the neckline. Simple, but dressy. She grabbed a cardigan in case it got chilly in the barn and threw her coat over her arm so she would be ready when Brandon arrived.

  The knock sounded precisely at seven pm. Brandon had not lost his need to be punctual. A smile was already on her face as she opened the door, but it expanded at the sight of him. Though she could not tell what he was wearing underneath his heavy coat and hat, she could see his eyes and the smile behind his beard.

  “You look beautiful.” He took her hand and stepped into the apartment.

  As he pulled her close, she could smell his cologne – a mixture of sandalwood and a clean scent like the ocean. Her hand pushed his hat back so she could run her fingers through his hair and then caress his cheek. Presley wasn’t sure she liked his beard, but it was softer than it looked. When her fingers touched his lips, he grabbed them and moved them over his heart before placing his lips against hers. Heat flamed through her body as the kiss deepened.

  “We better get to the dance or we may never make it out of here.” His voice was breathless and husky.

  Recovering from the emotions flooding her body, Presley could only nod and slip into her coat. Being around Brandon was intoxicating, and she would have to be vigilant not to let it go too far.

  The snow had stopped, but a layer of white lay about the town. Presley loved the snow like this, when the air was crisp and cold and everything looked pure and new. It wasn’t quite enough snow to build a snowman with Joy as she had promised, but she was hopeful it would snow more. If her itchy nose was any indication, it would.

  Brandon’s fingers laced through hers as they began
the walk to the barn. The town was quiet, and it looked different in the dark with few places lit up. Even Max’s diner was dark as they neared it. Presley had a hunch that Layla had dragged him to the dance, though he would probably pretend to be annoyed by it.

  Strings of white Christmas lights hung from the trees near the barn and several strands crisscrossed back and forth across the front of the building. Either someone had hung them since the festival or else Presley hadn’t noticed them earlier.

  Music carried on the still air – a lively teeny bopper tune that made Presley wonder if they had raided Justin’s CD collection from a few years ago.

  “Oh, dear, are we sure we want to do this?” Brandon asked, but the smile on his face belayed his amusement and softened his words.

  The inside of the barn had been transformed again. The tables and the CD player were still on one side, but the other side had been cleared of the pop up tables, allowing for more dance floor space. Trudy waved from across the room and then raised her camera and snapped a shot.

  Presley returned the wave as Brandon pulled her toward an empty table where they shed their coats. At the back wall, a row of potluck food lined a long table. As Presley’s eyes took in the savory casseroles and bowls of salads, her stomach rumbled, and she realized she hadn’t eaten in a few hours.

  “Can we get some food?”

  “Already ahead of you,” he said laughing. “Why do you think I chose the table right by the food?” The old saying stated the fastest way to a man’s heart was through his stomach, and whether that was true or not, Brandon had always enjoyed food.

  As they joined the dozen other people in the line for food, Presley sneaked a look at Brandon. His green button-down shirt hugged his broad shoulders and tapered down to a narrow waist. It was tucked into a pair of black slacks that skimmed the curves of his lower body, hinting at what lay beneath.

  After grabbing some salad and a casserole chunk which resembled lasagna, they returned to the table to see that Ned and Amelia, the quiet girl who ran the flower shop, had joined them. In traditional Ned flair, he was sporting a brown bow tie over a green shirt. His hair was parted on the side and flattened down, but like Alfalfa, he had one finicky cowlick that stood on end at the back of his head.

  Amelia’s eyes were focused on her plate as she shifted a piece of salad back and forth across the plate. Her shyness was an odd contrast to Ned’s outgoing persona. Her brown hair was curled into ringlets and pulled back with a white flowered headband.

  “Presley, you might know. What would you think about me offering a taxi service for animals like Lyft?” Ned asked as he shoved a giant piece of bread in his mouth.

  “I don’t know much about Lyft, but where would animals need to go?” Presley asked, pursing her lips to keep from smiling.

  “I would take dogs from their homes to daycare and back.”

  “Who would you drive? There is no dog daycare around here.” Brandon rolled his eyes as he sat down.

  Ned’s head turned as he pondered this. “I could drive them out of town I suppose, but my sister’s car is not very reliable.”

  Brandon and Presley shared an amused glance and continued eating their food. If nothing else, Ned’s ideas were always good for a laugh.

  When their plates were empty, Brandon grabbed her hand and pulled her to the dance floor. As his arms circled her, Presley’s heart accelerated. She could feel the muscles in his arm through his thin shirt, and the chiseled features of his chest when he tightened his grip, pulling her closer. His eyes stared into hers, daring her to get lost in the chocolate pools that resided there.

  Her throat closed making it hard to swallow. She could live here, safe in Brandon’s arms. The feeling was natural, organic until his ringing phone interrupted it.

  “Sorry, I have to take this.”

  And just like that, the mood was broken. His face hardened back into the stiff posture she saw the first day, and without a second glance, he left her on the dance floor and headed to the entrance of the barn. His phone was already attached to his ear as he wound through the dancing couples.

  Trudy arrived at Presley’s side moments later. “What happened?”

  Presley shrugged, tears pricking her eyes. “Work, I think, but he didn’t really say.” She hoped it was just work, but her mind was thinking back to the last conversation she had with Pierre.

  She sat on the small terrace, sipping a cup of tea and staring at the Eiffel Tower lit up in the distance. Tonight was her last night in Paris. It had been an amazing few years studying baking and then working in the city of lights, and she was going to miss it.

  “I do not want you to go.” Pierre joined her at the little table and handed her a small cup of her favorite dessert, chocolate mousse. Breathing in the heavenly scent, she flashed him a warm smile.

  They had met a year ago at a bistro. He had been reading the paper and watching her as she devoured her first chocolate mousse. After her second, he had come over to her table, explaining he had to meet the woman who so enjoyed her dessert. Though mortified, Presley allowed him to join her at the table, and it became the first of many dates. While she knew they would never marry, he had filled the hole in her heart that existed since leaving Brandon, at least until she had seen him with another woman.

  “I know, but my time here is up.” Scooping a delicate spoonful of the fluffy brown dessert, she closed her eyes as the spoon entered her mouth. She had never figured out why, but the chocolate mousse lit up her taste buds and set her pulse racing. One day, she hoped to be able to duplicate it in her own shop.

  “What will I do without ma Cheri?” Pierre stood and crossed behind her. His hands landed on her shoulders and gently massaged them.

  A shiver traveled down her spine. There were some things about Pierre she would miss, and the feel of his lips on her neck was one of them. “I’m sure you’ll go back to all your other women,” Presley said, trying to remain in control. Though she said the words lightly, they stung even as they left her mouth. It was only a suspicion, but perhaps if he thought she knew, he would admit it to her.

  “But they will not be you,” he whispered in her ear.

  And there it was. The reason she could never stay with him. She had seen him with a buxom blond two weeks ago, but they hadn’t appeared overly friendly. However, the next day her friend, Minuet, informed her that she saw him stealing kisses with a blond. Her description closely matched the woman Presley had seen him with, though she hadn’t told Minuet about the sighting. She knew then it was time to leave. She put her notice in and began packing up.

  “I have to go see my family again,” she said softly, changing the subject. There was no reason to fight about the other woman. Pierre had never said they were exclusive and somehow here in France, a woman or two on the side was more acceptable, though it was not acceptable to her. “It’s been years, and I miss them.” Another spoonful of mousse found its way to her mouth, and she sighed. Though Pierre was no longer one of them, there were things she would miss about France.

  “I could come with you.” Pierre’s breath tickled her ear.

  The words snapped her eyes open. She did not want Pierre coming with her. “You would hate it, Pierre,” she said trying to keep her voice even. “The food isn’t nearly as good, and I’ll have to live with my mom and younger brother for a while until I can get my own place again.” Ryan wouldn’t be there as he worked in Houston, but Pierre didn’t need to know that.

  His hands left her shoulders, and he circled the table and sat in the other seat. Placing his chin on folded hands, he stared into her eyes. Those eyes – they were Presley’s weakness and he knew it. With his dark hair, he reminded her very much of Brandon, which was probably why she had fallen for him in the first place. His eyes were an arresting blue, the color of the ocean after a storm, and they were what kept her coming back. She would miss those eyes.

  “I think you are trying to convince me not to come,” he said in his lilting accent, “but I
agree. I do not think I would like what you are describing. So, I suppose tonight is goodbye.”

  Though he stayed a little longer, he seemed anxious to leave now that their dating relationship was over. When he finally bid good night, Presley felt a flood of relief. After another longing look at the city that had been her home for the last few years, she stepped back inside the flat to finish packing. It was going to be a long flight home.

  “I don’t think I will be able to take it if there’s another woman on the side.”

  Her hands were shaking as Trudy led her back over to the table. Thankfully Ned and Amelia were dancing, and they were alone.

  “Oh, girl, that cheating Pierre affected you more than you’re letting on, didn’t he?”

  Presley nodded; she had told Trudy just a little about what happened with Pierre.

  “Well, I don’t think Brandon is like that.” Trudy’s voice was soft as she placed a hand on Presley’s arm. “Did he ever date multiple women in high school?”

  She shook her head. Though she was worried about another woman, she was almost more worried that it wasn’t. Because if it was his job, it would be even harder to compete with. “Work can be a mistress too.”

  Presley’s voice was soft, but Trudy heard the words, and her eyes widened in understanding. Then her eyebrow arched, and she indicated something behind Presley with her head. Presley knew without even looking that Brandon had returned.

  “Sorry about that,” he said sliding into the chair next to her. “It was my assistant, but I think everything is worked out. She shouldn’t bother us any more tonight.”

  He was trying to make her feel better. She could tell from his tone, and while she was still worried about her fragile heart, she decided to try and enjoy the rest of the evening. “Okay, shall we finish dancing then?”

  “I thought you’d never ask.”

  He took her hand once again, and Presley shot a final glance at Trudy, who smiled and nodded. If she believed that it wouldn’t overpower their relationship, then Presley guessed she could too.