by Angela Drake
Picking Max up and settling him in the crook of an arm, he extended his other hand to her. She eyed it only momentarily before accepting it with her free hand. A shiver coursed along her spine with the contact. She found herself unwilling to break the connection. He obviously felt the same as he laced his fingers with hers. Together the three of them made their way down the block to the trolley depot.
The depot was full of people. Several were pointing to locations on the large map, deciding on a colored route to take. A few stood in line at the ticket window. No one gave notice to the tall handsome cowboy with a toddler perched on his shoulders.
Looking around at the crowded open lobby, she was aware of the lack of attention paid to the superstar. She knew the way Brendan presented himself had a lot to with it.
There was no entourage following him everywhere, no limo waiting at the curb. He was just Jeep Cherokee Brendan. He didn’t dress or carry himself as the highest paid entertainer in the business. To an unsuspecting person, he was just another dad spending the day with his son.
A warm glow welled up inside as she saw what everyone around them must see. It should be Matthew standing here waiting to take Max for a trolley ride. Yet even as she closed her eyes, it wasn’t her late husband she envisioned. Eyes open or closed, Brendan still stood there.
“Here we go buddy,” Brendan’s voice interrupted the direction her thoughts had gone. Taking Max from his shoulders and putting him down, Brendan enveloped a small hand in his. Stepping aside, he motioned for her to board first. Knowing her son’s passion for ringing the bell, she slid into the seat behind the driver. Brendan sat next to her, balancing Max on his left knee.
Heat radiated from Brendan. Near tangible flames licked at hers where their thighs met. The close proximity was nearly her undoing. He felt it too, she was sure. His eyes twinkled with amusement as he looked at her, daring her to move away.
“Have enough room?” His voice, quiet and smooth as silk, fanned the flame within her.
She refused to reveal more than her blushed complexion already confessed. Instead, she focused on people boarding.
“Yes. I’m fine. I can put him on my lap, if you’d like. That would give you a little more room.”
“He’s okay. Aren’t you buddy?” He jostled his knee, sending the boy into a fit of giggles.
“Pull the chord, Little Man,” the driver instructed.
“Bell! Bell!”
With a clang of the bell, the driver put the trolley into gear and they were on their way.
She had chosen the red trolley route. The five-mile historic loop would take them the scenic route up to the Crescent Hotel. On the turn around, the driver would make a stop a couple doors from her house on its way back to the depot. The entire trip would take about thirty minutes, getting Max back home in time for a quiet supper and bed. And with any luck, Brendan would choose to get out at the hotel.
The trip went by quickly. The trolley wound its way along the historic residential path, treating the passengers to views of stone cottages and quaint Victorians. Locals gathered in their quilts before the evening dew sat in. The smell of hamburgers grilling floated on the breeze.
Momentarily cloaked in memories of lazy Saturday afternoons, she turned to gaze out the window. Even before they’d married, Matthew had arranged to be off early on Saturdays. That was their afternoon. They’d gone on picnics, had cookouts with his friends from the department and taken walks in the early evenings.
All the things she had hoped someday to do with Brendan, Matthew had provided. She missed those days. Kimberly had been a part of those memories. What did she have to offer their son? Would he remember days like today?
She turned to look at Brendan. He’d been watching her. She’d felt it, just like always. Draping his free arm across the back of her seat, he gave her shoulder a reassuring squeeze. Instinctively she reached up, placing her hand over his. It felt right.
“Crescent!” The driver called as the trolley came to a stop at the entrance of the historic hotel.
She still held his hand as well as his gaze. Passengers disembarked yet neither of them moved.
“This is my stop.”
She shared his reluctance to let go when he removed his hand from beneath hers.
“I’ve loafed long enough.”
“Thank you for this afternoon Brendan.” Realizing she truly meant it as she slid a dozing Max onto her lap.
“Can you get him home okay?”
“We’ll be fine. Chet will stop right in front of the house for me.”
“I’ll bring your shopping bags down tomorrow. You can’t carry both.”
“Thanks. Join us for dinner? Dave and Jennifer usually spend Sundays with us.”
“Last call for the Crescent Hotel.”
“I’d like that. I’ll see you then.” Bending down, he brushed a gentle kiss to her lips before stepping off.
As the trolley pulled away, making the turn-around, she placed a free hand against the glass in a half-wave. The parting smile he shot her put another crack in the already crumbling wall around her heart.
* * *
Brendan watched the trolley descend the hill away from the hotel. With a courteous nod to the doorman, he turned and went up to his suite. He checked his phone for messages. After returning calls, he sat on the couch, satisfied with how his day had gone. The impromptu concert in the park had begun a something he hadn’t been aware of needing. Tension within him flowed away like the healing springs, replaced with a sense of contentment. Creativity he felt he’d lost somewhere along the way surfaced with the strumming of the guitar. A voice from within suggested he might be happier if he didn’t go back on the road.
Then there was the feeling of pride as he’d held Max. Experience told him to protect the little guy from any paparazzi that might be in the crowd. Yet gut instinct led him to act like a father, being nonchalant about the attention and removing the boy from the situation as calmly and as quickly as possible. Last but certainly far from least, was Stephanie. He’d not missed the look of confusion flickering across her face as he’d held Max. What had she been thinking? She was a good mother. She’d trusted him with her son, turning Max lose to run to him. That small gesture spoke volumes in his book.
He also knew from conversations with Jennifer that there’d been no one special in
Stephanie’s life since coming to Eureka Springs. He was further inclined to believe that relaxing days like today didn’t fit her schedule often. That is where he intended to start. Stephanie Douglas was about to be reminded that life existed outside of the office. They would experience that life together.
Chapter 6
Stephanie flipped through the appointment book. Nearly every day for the next two months, except for Sundays, was full. It seemed as if the fall colors brought more weddings to Eureka Springs than any other time of year.
Her preference would be in the spring when the dogwoods bloomed profusely, creating one huge petal-soft cloud throughout the valley. The glow cast by a full moon filtering through the trees was perfect for a late evening stroll with that special someone.
Slamming the book closed in agitation; she tossed the pen onto the desk. What did she know about moonlight strolls and romance? Those had been fine, naive thoughts in the early days with Brendan.
They’d never taken a moonlight walk in their time together. Instead, they’d played in nature’s spotlight as it shown across the island of his bed. That was a time when she truly believed loving him would be enough. Growing up had been a hard step when she realized he had to return that love.
She and Matthew had shared a different type of love – one grown from mutual respect and friendship. Theirs hadn’t been the flame-consuming passion she’d felt for Brendan. Yet, she would have given her life for his.
But he wasn’t physically here. He couldn’t hold her, touch her shoulder, brush a stray hair from her face, and kiss her... Stephanie put a hand to her lips with a moan. Those days were
gone. He’d never touch her again. That didn’t stop her body from wanting to experience those moments. Brendan would do them all so well.
A week had passed since their day with Max. Everything felt so right. The way he’d buddied up with the toddler or the quiet solace he’d conveyed when he knew she’d been thinking of Matthew.
The Sunday dinner went just as well. Dave and Jennifer were like family. Over the last year, they’d all found their special task. Jennifer brought a salad and a vegetable. Stephanie provided the potatoes and the meat, which Dave carved. Since her introduction to the kitchen, Kimberly usually made a dessert of some type.
To this particular dinner, Brendan arrived with the ingredients for a Green Bean casserole. He’d also brought a replenishing supply of assorted teas and flavored coffees in an antique Stafford shire footed bowl.
Just as they’d done the night of the art club meeting, everyone took on an unspoken task for after dinner clean up. From there, they’d spent the rest of the evening playing board games. Brendan was the first to leave, professing an early meeting in Branson the next day; but not before she’d let slip an open invitation. He was welcome anytime.
“What was I thinking?”
“I don’t know. What were you thinking?” Kimberly came into the room and leaned on her mother’s desk.
“That it’s almost lunch time.” She evaded the question that was sure to start a long conversation full of answers she wasn’t ready to give. “Getting hungry?”
“More so than normal?”
“How about Cindy’s? One of the turkey club’s sound really good.”
“Okay, but I’m not sharing with you,” Kimberly admonished with a grin. “You can share with the munchkin.” She motioned towards her brother who was intent on a movie.
The bell above the main entrance tingled. Darn it! Why hadn’t she locked the door? She tried to remember on the weekends. The sign out front stated ‘CLOSED SAT. & SUN.’ But it didn’t stop someone who just had to plan an event of some sort at the last minute. She stopped halfway to the door as Brendan stepped out of the hallway into the room.
“Bedan!” Max quickly lost interest in the movie. His chubby arms wrapping around one of Brendan’s ever jean-clad legs.
Tightness formed in her chest as he picked the child up into a bear hug. They made a wonderful picture. Too wonderful, she thought, wishing more than ever that she’d locked the door.
“Brendan!” Kimberly spun away from the desk. “What are you doing here?”
“Hey, kiddo. I thought I’d see if anyone had a taste for a cinnamon roll.”
“You must be psychic. We were just talking about going to Cindy’s for lunch.”
“So how ‘bout it? Can I take the Douglas clan to lunch?”
“Mom, please.”
Stephanie looked from the pleading look of her daughter to the boyish grin on Brendan. Instincts told her to decline, but remembering how he’d related to Kimberly she shook her head in resignation.
“I guess so. Will you please take Max upstairs and get him ready?”
“Cool! Come on squirt, let’s get your coat on.”
“Bedan do it,” Max protested, clutching tighter to his friend’s neck.
“Go ahead buddy.” He disentangled the toddler’s laced fingers from behind his neck. “I’ll wait right here for you. Promise.”
Stephanie watched as her son reluctantly went to his sister. As soon as she was sure the children were out of hearing she leveled her best ‘I’m the mom, that's why’ look at Brendan.
“Why do you do that?”
“What?”
“Just show up! You’re everywhere I turn lately. I can’t do anything with my children without you becoming a part of it.”
“Ah, come off it Steph. It’s lunch for cryin’ out loud. What are you afraid of?” He spoke calmly, his gaze steady. “You look like you need to eat. You’re smaller than I remember.”
“I can’t be smaller than I was thirteen years ago, I’ve had two kids.” But she knew there was some truth to what he said. Since Matthew’s death and raising the kids by herself, she didn’t eat right. There always seemed to be something that needed done and by evening she was just too tired. She sighed, massaging her temples.
“That’s better.”
She wanted to slap the victorious smile off his face. He was just too sure he’d get his way.
Within a half-hour the four of them had taken the trolley down to the depot. From there, they’d gone to Basin park first so Max could listen to the “moosic”. It allowed the heavy lunch rush to clear out of the tiny eatery. Kimberly took charge of her brother as they turned to leave the park. Soft as the flutter of butterfly wings, Stephanie sensed Brendan’s hand at the small of her back. Together they crossed the street to the plank skywalk leading to the eatery.
Cindy’s sat on the second floor of a collection of businesses built on the lower level. Another street ran along the upper level with stores on either side. The plank board skywalk was one way of connecting the two levels. Alternate routes were the narrow forked streets or a myriad of stairs peeking from between the tall middle row of old brick and stone buildings. Thus giving Eureka Springs the nickname, ‘stair-step town.’
Brendan held the wooden screen door open for them. As usual, the place was busy. Several ice cream parlor tables were scattered to one side of the small room. An ice cream bin and a condiment bar took most of the other side. The line started at the opposite end of the room.
A family run business, one of the older children stood behind the register taking customer orders. A younger sibling took a cinnamon roll from the pan and put it on a paper plate. By customer choice, the made-from-scratch confection was drizzled in rich, snow-white icing or left plain. A plexi-glass wall allowed visitors to the café to see batches of cinnamon rolls in progress and waiting their turn in the oven.
The proprietor bantered with his family and customers as he created a fresh batch of the sweet rolls. A pleasant woman came in and out of the kitchen as if caught in a revolving door. She’d put a plate laden with a sub sandwich large enough for two and a generous amount of chips on a tray at the counter. Each order was served with a “hello” and a sincere smile.
Stephanie led the way to a vacant table.
“If you want to hold the table, I’ll stand in line.” Brendan took the booster seat Kimberly had secured and settled Max in. “What would you like?”
“I’ll have a turkey club.”
“Me too,” Kimberly added to which Max piped “Me!”
“We’ll share.” Stephanie playfully tapped her son’s nose. “He’ll eat mostly chips anyway.”
Through lunch she listened to Brendan and Kimberly. He seemed to show a genuine interest in her likes and dislikes. Her daughter bubbled as she talked about school, her friends, and things she enjoyed.
“Mom, can I take Max to Becky’s,” Kimberly asked as they finished eating.
“I guess. You really don’t have to take him. Why don’t you and Becky enjoy yourselves?”
“That’s okay, we like the squirt,” she said, grinning. “He’s fun. Besides, he’ll be ready for a nap soon.”
“All right. Here are the trolley passes.”
They sat, neither speaking, for a few moments after the children had gone. Other than the night after the club meeting, they’d never really been alone. She knew what they should talk about but she wasn’t ready to go there. Not yet. Brendan broke the silence.
“I’m going to get a refill. Want one?” He picked up his glass and motioned to hers.
“No, I’m fine, thanks.”
“I’ll be right back.”
She watched as he unfolded his long legs from beneath the small table. With grace and assurance, he strode across the deli to the soda fountain. No one stopped him and that still amazed her. She wondered how someone in his position moved around so freely. He seemed to draw less attention now as an entertainer than he had when they were together before. Then he’d ha
d the attention of every girl from fourteen to forty-plus. Any kid too drunk or embarrassed to face their parents knew Brendan’s couch was always available - no questions asked.
“You’re deep in thought.” Brendan resumed his place at the table.
“I just can’t get over how you move around so undisturbed.” She shook her head in bewilderment. “You are a top draw on the concert circuit, yet you walk around this town untouched. It’s like you’re invisible or something.”
“What I am isn’t important. When I’m not performing I’m just Brendan Keane. I’m someone’s son, someone’s father.”
She winced inwardly at the last word, watching as he took another long draw from his soda. Slowly, yet without hesitation, she reached across the table to rest her hand on his forearm. Her gaze never left his.
“Someone’s first love.”
Sitting the glass down, he reached for her hand. With slow precision, he traced the length of each finger with his own. A low growl escaped his lips as he turned the palm of her hand up and kissed it tenderly before clasping it between both of his.
“You tempt me so Stephanie. I know what I want, Angel. But you’re not sure yet. That’s okay. I can wait. Lord knows I’ve gotten good at it.”
Slowly she pulled her hand free, unwilling to break the contact. She knew about steps and she wasn’t prepared to take the first one on the journey that lay before her... for all of them. It was very warm all of a sudden. She had to get some air.
“Shall we walk?”
“Sure.” He pushed back his chair, reaching over as he did so to pull hers out as well.
Hand in hand they walked along Spring Street looking in shop windows. As they shared opinions on the various handcrafted items, jewelry, and quilts she allowed herself to just enjoy the day.
On the way back to the trolley they paused at Sweet Spring. Brendan sprawled across the park bench while she chose to stand overlooking the spring. The melodic tune of the waterfall washed through her.
Why couldn’t it always be like this? The day had turned into an enjoyable “family” day but she knew it wouldn’t last. Once Jennifer’s wedding was over he’d be gone. How was she going to prepare the kids? They were both growing quite attached to the singing playboy.
