by Hope Franke
“You got it.” Ciara called the order into the kitchen. Gabriele sat at a table between the bar and the stage and removed her jacket. The storm that had threatened the night before turned out to be a false alarm. The wind continued to be a nuisance, but not hazardous. The sun had disappeared behind a grey and misty gloom she’d associated with England.
Gabriele eyed the guitar on stage and remembered her short performance warmly. Ciara called from behind the bar. “You can play it if you like.”
Gabriele glanced around. The bar was on the empty side for a change. It felt strange sitting at the table alone, so she took up Ciara’s offer and retrieved the guitar. She was comforted by playing, picking out melodies and humming along. She closed her eyes and for a few minutes she let herself slip away from the craziness her life had become.
Ciara arrived with her breakfast and pulled up a chair beside Gabriele. Gabriele handed her the guitar. “Play for me.”
Ciara pierced her with her dark eyes. “You want me to serenade you while you eat?”
“Sure, why not?” Gabriele looked pointedly at the near empty room. “It’s not like it’s busy.”
Ciara grinned, hugged the guitar on her lap and began to play. Gabriele smiled back at her. “You’re really good, you know. Do you have ambitions beyond this bar?”
Ciara pursed her lips. “Sometimes. It’s a pretty far-fetched dream.”
“Tell me.”
“I’d like to go to America.”
“Really?”
“I know. It’s a dumb dream.”
“It’s not a dumb dream, Ciara. If you want to do it, you should.”
“Hey, is this what I’m paying you for?” Riley pulled up a chair and nudged his sister’s shoulder. “Leave you alone for a minute and you bunk off.”
Ciara ran her fingers along the strings of the guitar before handing it to Riley. He took a turn picking out a riff.
“It’s so cool that you both play,” Gabriele said as she wiped her mouth with a serviette.
“We come from a musical family,” Riley said as his fingers danced along the strings. He had a way of tapping the guitar and making it hum.
“There’s six of us kids,” Ciara said. “I’m the youngest.”
Riley laughed. “Which explains why she’s so spoiled.”
“Wow, six kids? What was that like growing up?”
“Busy,” Ciara said.
Riley added, “Loud.”
Ciara nodded. “Chaotic.”
Gabriele was intrigued. “Sounds fun. Tell me about your siblings.”
“Maeve’s the oldest, and my only sister. The rest are all stinky boys.” She looked at Riley and laughed.
He smirked. “She means the other brothers. I’m obviously an exception.”
Gabriele chuckled. “Obviously.”
“Grady’s next,” Ciara said. “He’s a priest.”
“A priest in the family? Interesting.”
Riley ran a hand through dark hair. “Confession is convenient, especially after a couple o’pints.”
“Declan and Finn are twins, and they’re pure trouble.”
The way Ciara’s eyes shadowed over when she said it made Gabriele believe that she wasn’t simply kidding around.
“They’re all still in Ireland,” Riley added quickly. “We’re the only two who’ve left.”
The Riley siblings looked up in tandem when the door chime rang, the signal that another customer had arrived. Gabriele cranked her neck and groaned.
Callum. Again.
Ciara eyed her. “What’s up with you two?”
“He’s my annoying neighbour.”
Ciara cocked a brow. “That was why you asked about the Leatherby boys?”
Gabriele nodded.
“Why did you think their last name was Jones? Or was it Smith?”
“Just a misunderstanding.”
Callum walked straight over to their table. His hair was damp from the drizzle and he had bags under his eyes. “Hey,” he said, nodding to Ciara and Riley.
“How’s it going?” Riley asked before carrying the guitar back to the stage.
“All right.”
“You look rough,” Gabriele said.
“Yeah, not sleeping enough lately.”
Gabriele squinted. Did that have something to do with her?
“Can I get you a coffee?” Ciara offered.
“Please. Two creams, two sugars.”
Gabriele leaned back and crossed her arms. “You’re persistent, I’ll give you that.”
Callum grunted.
Ciara sat a steamy, creamy mug of coffee down in front of Callum and asked playfully, “So stranger, are you in town long?”
Callum answered, “It depends.”
Gabriele frowned. She knew it depended on her for some reason.
“It’s been a while since we’ve seen you around these parts,” Ciara continued.
“My job keeps me in the city.”
“What do you do?”
“City of London sustainability.”
“Sounds…interesting.”
“Very,” he said without making eye contact.
“Okay, then,” Ciara said when Callum failed to be more forthcoming. “We’ll see you guys later.” She left a bill and carried away Gabriele’s dirty dishes.
“I’m just going to write off your rudeness to you not being a morning person,” Gabriele said, “even though it’s almost noon.”
“I wasn’t rude. I just don’t think what I do and when I do it is anybody else’s business.”
“She was just being friendly.”
“And I wasn’t unfriendly. Just to the point.”
“And how’s this as to the point: I’m not leaving today.”
Callum grunted. “Why am I not surprised?”
“Good.” Gabriele felt her phone buzz and removed it from her pocket while saying, “I’m glad we got that sorted.”
Julia Milch
Well??
Gabriele Baumann
I’m staying a little longer.
Julia Milch
Dinner must’ve went well *wink* At least send me a pic of the brother.
Callum watched her. “Who are you texting?”
“My friend Julia.” Gabriele held up her phone, took a photo of Callum and sent it to Julia.
His brows shot up in alarm. “What are you doing?”
“She wants to see what you look like. Don’t tell me you have the same photo phobia as Lennon. Which surprises me, by the way, considering all the photo albums in your house. You guys didn’t grow up camera shy.”
Julia Milch
You’ve got to be kidding?????
Gabriele Baumann
Nope. Identical twins.
Julia Milch
WAAAAA
Gabriele Baumann
Believe me, I know.
Callum set his empty mug down with a thud. “What are you telling her?”
“That you are charming and delightful,” she said snidely, “the best neighbour ever.”
Julia Milch
You must be really messed up right now.
Gabriele Baumann
You could say that.
Julia Milch
Is he why you’re staying?
Gabriele Baumann
Yes, but not for the reasons you think.
Julia Milch
What other reason is there???
Callum threw her a look of annoyance before going to the bar to pay for his coffee. Gabriele sighed.
Gabriele Baumann
It’s complicated.
Julia Milch
I bet. Oh, boo. Ulrich just got here. I have to go. Call me later!
Callum returned to their table just as Gabriele put her phone away.
“Are you ready to go?” he said.
She scowled at him as she put her jacket on. “Since when are you my babysitter?”
“Since you refuse to leave the country.”
“About that. Are
you ever going to tell me what’s going on?”
“I have a feeling I don’t have a choice.”
Ciara walked by with an order belonging to a nearby table. “See you guys around.”
“I still need to pay my bill,” Gabriele said.
Ciara spoke over her shoulder. “It’s been paid. Callum covered it.”
Gabriele squinted at Callum. “You didn’t have to do that, but thanks.”
He shrugged and held open the door.
Then . . .
“YOU FREAK OUT EVERY YEAR,” Gabriele said to Julia with a knowing smile, “and every year you love it. Come on. It’s practically tradition. You have to.”
Gabriele pushed Julia to the front of the line despite her protests. Julia twisted the single dark side-braid that hung over her left shoulder. “I don’t know why I let you talk me into this every year. You know I’m afraid of heights.”
The Ferris wheel stopped in front of them, swinging slightly. Gabriele tugged Julia inside by the hand. “You love it.”
“I hate it.”
Julia squealed as their bucket lifted higher. Gabriele laughed and ran fingers through her short, bleach-blond hair, feeling free. She raised her arms high above her head and inhaled deeply. The air had a nostalgic smell: a cooling, hot summer day; the sweet scent of cotton candy, roasted nuts and fruity drinks; and the savory aroma of bratwurst sausages. Eighties music was piped into the ride, but above it the fairgrounds along the Elbe River were filled with chatter, laughter and the bells and whistles of a variety of game booths.
Julia gripped the bar in front of her with two hands, knuckles glowing white in the soft moonlight. “If I fall out, my blood is on your hands.”
Gabriele patted her on the shoulder. “Don’t look down. Look over.”
They’d reached the top of the wheel. In front of them was a perfect, unobstructed view of Dresden, Altstadt, with its majestic baroque buildings gussied up in lights as if it were a debutante dressed in a gorgeous, expensive gown for her ball. Automobile traffic was halted for the fair and the Augustus Bridge was packed with pedestrians crossing the river that sparkled like a priceless necklace strung between the stone arches.
“You’re right, Gabi.” Julia breathed out. “It’s beautiful. Thank you for making me do this.”
Gabriele bought them both a drink at one of the nearby kiosks as a reward and to help Julia calm her nerves. She’d just taken a sip when she felt a body bump into her from behind.
“Excuse me,” the male voice said in English. Gabriele turned and replied back in English, “It’s fine.” Her mouth dropped open slightly when she took in the face of the voice’s owner. Handsome features surrounded by shaggy, unkempt dark hair. His eyes, almost black in the dim light, seemed to pierce her and she felt an unfamiliar but not at all unpleasant tremor in her belly.
“You speak English,” the guy said with a note of relief. “Maybe you can help me?” He removed a heavy-looking backpack and set it on the ground at his feet before retrieving a mobile phone from his pocket.
“I’m trying to find this hostel.” He held out his phone and Gabriele stepped nearer to view it. “My navi doesn’t seem to be working and it brought me here.” He grinned. “Obviously, not the right place.”
Gabriele couldn’t help but smile in return. “Yes, I know it,” she said. It was not far from where she lived, but she wasn’t ready to tell that to a complete stranger—no matter how attractive he was or how endearing his British accent. She gave him directions.
“Thank you,” he said, shoving his phone away. “Would it be too forward of me to join you for something to drink? I meant to buy one anyway.”
Gabriele somehow doubted that he’d gotten lost and accidentally ended up at the city’s biggest annual fair of the year, but she couldn’t stop the guy from buying a beverage. She shrugged and said, “Sure.”
“He’s cute,” Julia said when the guy had left to get in queue.
Gabriele nodded. “He is, isn’t he? I wonder what his story is?”
“Why don’t you just ask him?”
She didn’t have to wait long before the handsome tourist returned.
“My name’s Lennon Smith,” he said, stretching out a hand.
Gabriele shook his hand. His grip was warm and strong. “I’m Gabriele. This is my friend Julia. She doesn’t speak English that well, but she understands quite a bit.”
Lennon shook Julia’s hand. “Hello.” His dark gaze moved back to Gabriele. “Are you from around here?”
“Yes, Dresden is our home.”
“Such a beautiful place.”
“How about you?”
“England, as you probably gathered from my accent, but I’m planning to remain in continental Europe for some time.”
Gabriele’s gaze darted to his backpack. “Have you been traveling long?”
“A few months.” He took a sip of his drink. “Your English is very good. Did you learn it in school?”
“Everyone takes English in school, and of course, we hear a lot of it in music and in movies, but I’m studying languages in university. I have one more year to go.”
“Languages? What else do you speak besides German and English?”
“French, Spanish and Italian.”
“That’s so cool. I want to learn a second language. I took a little French in school, but now I wish I’d taken German.”
His lips tugged up in a way that weakened Gabriele’s knees.
Julia was quiet, but Gabriele could tell by the glint in her eyes that she understood everything. Especially what wasn’t being said. She felt attracted to this Lennon Smith and she was fairly certain by the signals he was giving off that he felt the same way.
“I think we should show him how to get to his hostel,” Julia said in German with a mischievous grin.
Lennon’s dark eyebrows arched slightly in question, like he knew Julia had said something about him.
Gabriele ignored her friend. She smiled back at Lennon. “Are you traveling alone?”
Lennon nodded and took a quick drink. He didn’t expand and Gabriele sensed he didn’t want to discuss why he was going solo. It explained why he’d be lonely and wanting to chat with the first person he met who spoke English. Her heart softened a little.
“Julia and I are heading in the direction of your hostel. We could walk with you if you like.”
Lennon’s smile brightened his face. “I’d love the company.” He hoisted his pack over one shoulder, not letting his gaze leave Gabriele’s face. “Lead the way.”
By the time Gabriele and Julia said good-bye to Lennon that night, Gabriele had agreed to meet him for lunch the next day. Lennon had invited Julia as well, but Julia made up an excuse at the last minute, pretending to have an appointment she’d forgotten, thereby coercing Gabriele to meet him on her own.
Not that she was afraid of him. She just wasn’t interested in getting involved romantically with someone who was clearly passing through town. She met him at the Turkish restaurant and it was the first thing she addressed after they ordered.
“I don’t do flings or one-night stands.”
Lennon jerked back and studied her with wide eyes. “Good to know. Neither do I.”
She cocked her head suspiciously. “Really? Are you saying I’m the first girl you’ve asked to lunch since you began your solo trek?”
“You are actually.”
Gabriele narrowed her eyes. “Why should I believe you?”
“What if I told you I’m thinking of staying in Dresden?”
“Why would you do that? Don’t you have a job back in England?”
“Not anymore. I don’t want to go back there, either. My plan was to travel Europe until I found the place I wanted to stay. Set up a new home. Dresden is as good a place as any.”
“But you don’t speak German.”
He grinned. “You’re a language specialist. I can hire you to teach me.”
Gabriele suddenly found it hard to breathe. Was thi
s handsome, British boy planning to stay in Dresden because of her?
Not that she minded. She took a sip of her sparkling water and studied him behind her glass. He leaned back casually in his chair and raked his fingers through his dark, unruly hair. No, she definitely didn’t mind. A pretty, British boy was something she would be happy to clear her calendar for.
Lennon grinned crookedly at her with amusement in his eyes as if he could read her mind. She felt a blush burn across her cheeks and took another long sip of water.
GABRIELE FULLY EXPECTED to see Callum’s face on the other side of the door when she heard the knocking. She didn’t have any friends here other than Ciara, and she was really more of an acquaintance than a friend. Besides, Ciara seemed to live to work and Gabriele had yet to spot her anywhere in Emsworth besides Callahan’s Irish Pub. Callum had informed her that the house on the other side was rented out to vacationers and had been quiet and dark since Gabriele arrived. She paused to look in the mirror that hung near the entrance and ran her fingers through her hair. She wished she had time to put on a little lip gloss, but the knocking started up again and she couldn’t keep him standing outside too long without him getting suspicious or worried.
Her jaw dropped when she opened the door to Julia’s wide smile.
“Surprise!”
“Julia?”
“Yes, it’s me!” She squealed and threw herself into Gabriele’s friendly embrace.
Gabriele pulled back and stared into Julia’s bright eyes. “What are you doing here?”
“Are you going to invite me in?”
“Of course, come in.”
Julia sauntered in with just a backpack on her back. “So this is the inheritance,” she said, taking in the cozy space. “Nice. And right on the beach! I didn’t know you’d be this close.”
“Yeah, it’s kind of great.”
She barged in and took in the place like she owned it. “It’s cute. I can see why you’re hesitant to sell. Besides the other reason.”
