The talk eventually turned to shop and he threw in his two cents when required, but his attention was drawn to the woman by his side. She began to fidget, and he thought maybe it was because she wasn’t crazy about the dessert. It wasn’t chocolate. But she ate her sorbet. So it couldn’t be the dessert. She was getting more apprehensive by the minute. Her whole body was tensing up. At first, he thought maybe he had missed something in her conversation with her brother because she seemed to be watching Ben intently. But then he realized her attention was just past him, on the band setting up in the far corner.
Why in the world was she so apprehensive about the band? Did she know someone in it?
Her fingers began to tighten around his, and they squeezed so hard his knuckles cracked. What the hell? He turned to her and placed his other hand over their entwined fingers.
“Hey, are you okay?”
She blinked and transferred her attention to him. “What?”
“I said, are you okay?”
“Oh…yeah.” She nodded, but her gaze was far too troubled for her words to be believed.
“You’ll be fine, sis,” Ben said. “It’s like riding a bike.”
What was that supposed to mean? What was like riding a bike?
Her father leaned close to pat her shoulder. “It’s time you got back to doing what you love.”
“But I am doing what I love, Dad.”
Kade wanted to ask what they were talking about, but one of the Colonels took the podium again.
“Well, tonight we’re very lucky. One of our own is going to play a few songs from her time with the Pennsylvania Philharmonic, as well as a few requests. Put your hands together for Ms. Brandi Wyne.”
One of our own? Philharmonic?
As his brain wrapped around the introduction, his mind backpedaled to keep up. Brandi had been with an orchestra? When did she find time to study design? And what did one of our own mean?
He stared at her, like a complete idiot.
Her mouth opened but only a sigh came out. Then she inhaled, squeezed his hand and leaned close. “Don’t leave. Okay? Promise me you’ll stay.”
He frowned. “I’ll be here.”
The woman he thought he knew nodded her thanks then tugged free and stood. “I can do this,” she said under her breath as she walked toward the makeshift stage area.
The major leaned close and winked. “You’re in for a real treat, son. My daughter is fantastic. It’s about time she stopped running from the things she loves. The violin was a great stress reliever when her mom was sick.”
His heart ached for the little girl and the tough childhood she must’ve had. “How old was she?”
“Eleven when her mom was first diagnosed with cancer,” the major replied. “Twelve when she died.”
So young. Too young. He’d been nearly the same age when his mom, well, left him…then died. His chest squeezed tight at the thought.
“Yeah, for a while, she was never separated from the violin,” Ben said. “She even carried it to school. The music teacher used to let her use the music room to practice during lunch and recess.”
Once again, Kade’s brain and mind played catch up. And while they were goofing off, Brandi stepped up to the microphone with a violin in her hand.
“Thank you for the invitation. It’s an honor to be here to play for you tonight,” she said. “There have been several requests sent in. We’ll try to get to them before our time is up.” She turned and introduced the other four musicians. “We’re going to start with the two hardest and get them out of the way. This first one’s called “Asturias” and goes out to my brother, Ben.”
“Sweet.” Her brother placed two fingers in his mouth and whistled loudly as others clapped. “Nothing like jumping into the fire, sis.”
Kade had no idea what the song was, but had the impression he was not likely to ever forget it.
He watched her take a breath, place the violin under her chin then nod to the band. Good thing he was seated. With the first four notes played, the woman’s talent and love for music was obvious. Her fingers flew and bow moved so fast he couldn’t keep up. Loud, strong, passionate, the music filled the room and blew him away. He never heard music played like that before. Never felt music before, but she made him feel. Every pull of the bow, every chord, had meaning.
When the song finished, the crowd stood and clapped.
Her father turned to him and smiled. “See?”
“I sure do, sir.” He inhaled then blew out the breath. “I feel like I’ve run ten miles.”
The major laughed and slapped his shoulder. “Just wait. She’s only warming up.”
Ben nodded. “Yeah. Guarantee she’s going to make you feel the gamut of emotions, and usually more than we expect.”
“Thank you,” she said as everyone sat. “Now, we’re going to do “Adagio for Strings.” And it’s tough for other reasons.”
She took another deep breath and…shit…started to walk toward the Fallen Soldier table. A table set up at all functions symbolizing those who could no longer attend. At this Dining Out, the small table was in the front of the room with a single place setting, tapered candle, single rose in vase, inverted wine glass, chair set against the table representing missing comrades. He’d avoided that side of the room for a reason. Christ, what was she doing? Air became thick and heavy. He couldn’t stay here for this. But, damn, he’d promised her he would. Had she planned this? Son-of-a-bitch. Did she do this on purpose? His heart rocked into his ribs then thudded so fast he lost his breath.
Get out, his mind screamed, but he remained seated, legs frozen. Completely immobile.
“This is for our fallen soldiers.”
With the first strings played, his erratic heart beats slowed and flowed, snagged with the mellow start, building, moving with emotional precision. Something within him cracked, and it was as if she saw inside and put it to music. Clued into the deep emotion, wrapped it around the bow and played his soul. All of it.
She found the pain, the grief, the guilt, the unfairness, the loss, and twisted them together, turning it all into a real thread of feeling, reaching for hope, a hope always just out of his grasp, making him feel like maybe this time he’d prevail.
When it ended, there was silence. No jumping up and clapping. There was also not a single dry eye in the place. And hell, he hadn’t even realized his face was wet until he blinked. The tight stranglehold around his heart had eased a bit, and he was able to draw in a few breaths, as did those around him. Then the clapping started and everyone rose to their feet once more, including him, since he miraculously found his legs again.
“Okay,” she said, stepping back to the microphone and swiping her face. “Phew, that was the toughest. Now, I’d like to move on to some fun selections. This one goes out to Kade.”
His head jerked back. She was playing a song for him?
“Good for you, man,” Ben said. “You must mean something to my sister for her to dedicate a song.”
He didn’t know about that, but his heart was pounding a loud, crazy-ass beat. Damned if he knew why. And the almost sexy smile she sent him ensured his pulse stayed at erratic. When she first started the rock symphony version of “Thunderstruck,” he smiled. He was not likely to forget this one either.
She was good. Once again her fingers and bow flew across the strings, spewing the perfect notes with the perfect rhythm. The woman continued to play rock, Beethoven and even Celtic.
A few songs later, the crowd went wild as she began to play “Zorba’s Dance” for her dad. The soldiers from the Pennsylvania Guard cheered loudest. He got the impression it was some kind of tradition. Her father and brother stood, took off their jackets and started to dance the traditional Greek dance. As far as he knew, they weren’t Greek, but didn’t seem to care. The faster she played, the faster they danced. Soon Kade found himself clapping and smiling with the rest of the room, cheering the Wynes on, his earlier distress forgotten as he got caught up in the light
hearted fun.
After the song ended and she hugged her family, Brandi took the stage one more time. “Seems only fitting to end with this song since we’re in Texas. This one goes out to the Texas Guard and anyone else who happens to like a little something called “Orange Blossom Special.””
His brows rose. No way. Fiddle? He smiled, sat back and enjoyed the final song from the very talented musician. And that’s what she was, a musician. An accomplished one. No one played like that if it was just a hobby. The woman no doubt had slept with the instrument under her pillow in her youth. Her talent was an eat-breathe-and-sleep talent.
A virtuoso.
What the hell was she doing designing rooms? Not that she wasn’t great at that, but…damn. It was a sin to let all the talent, practice, blood, sweat—the tears go to waste.
When the last strings died and the country band took the stage, it was a good ten minutes before Brandi reached the table. Every few steps someone stopped her, to shake her hand or give her a hug. Kade made sure to have a fresh glass of water ready and the chair pulled back.
After hugging her father and brother, she dropped into her seat and reached for her water. “Thank you,” she said.
He settled into his chair and watched as she downed half the glass before she set it on the table and turned to him.
“You stayed.” She reached for his hand and squeezed. “Thank you.”
Cocking his head, he narrowed his gaze and studied the woman. “Did you make me promise to stay so I wouldn’t leave during your second song?” He couldn’t bring himself to say “Fallen Soldier” out loud. But he needed to know. He didn’t appreciate being manipulated, even if the song somehow released a bit of the constant pressure from his chest.
A frown wrinkled her brow and she shifted closer. “No. I asked you to stay because…I…because you make me feel strong. Like I can do anything. And going up there was tough tonight. I haven’t played since I left the Philharmonic.”
Ah hell. He squeezed her hand and lifted his other to touch her face, uncaring that her father and brother were watching. He’d more than likely panic later. Right now, his concern for her won out. “You are strong, Brandi. You don’t need me or anyone. All you need is you.”
She inhaled as tears filled her eyes. Damn. He hadn’t meant to make her cry.
“Well said, son.” Her father stood and smacked her brother’s shoulder. “Let’s mingle and give these two some privacy to talk.”
With that, all the other soldiers at the table stood, and soon he was alone with Brandi.
“Your dad doesn’t pull any punches, does he?”
She laughed and sniffed. “No. Not hardly.”
“I like him. He’s a good man,” he said, wiping a stray tear from her face with his thumb. “I’m glad he was there for you.”
She nodded. “Me, too. I know I was lucky.” Her hand tightened around his. “Are you okay?”
His insides froze, as they always did whenever the are-you-okay subject came up. “Yeah, I’m good.” And the thumb she used to brush the underside of his wrist made him feel even better. His insides went from frozen to stirred. He needed to fight it for another minute. “Brandi, what did the Colonel mean during your introduction about you being one of our own? Did he mean a Wyne or…”
“I joined the Guard when I was eighteen.”
She was former military? Son-of-a-bitch. Taking the news like a slap to the face, he released her hands and sat back. “You have any more secrets?”
She blinked. “It wasn’t a secret. It’s just not something that comes up.” Sighing, she dropped her gaze and fumbled with her fingers on her lap. “I loved the Guard, but left when my weight started to interfere with my performance. I was worried I’d fail the PT test, and not only embarrass myself, but my dad.”
Understanding instantly cancelled his mistrust. He reached for her knotted hands and gently pried them apart. “I’m sorry.”
She nodded.
He wanted to ask if she’d been overseas, but the thought of her seeing the things he’d seen, experiencing the horrors…did something unpleasant to his insides. And given the way she’d played that song. The emotions she’d tapped into…he knew... Yes, she had been deployed.
“You want to dance?” he asked, because otherwise he was going to give into the urge to kiss her right there in public, in front of his peers, her family…his men. He needed to lead by example. Show restraint.
“Yes,” she replied.
For a moment, he stilled, not sure if she meant the dance or the kiss.
“Both.” A slow smile spread across her lips as he led her to the dance floor.
She was killing him. Mindful of her father and brother in the room, he forced himself to hold her luscious curves at a respectable distance. “And how do you know what I’m thinking?” he asked, unable to resist the teasing gleam in her eyes.
Her hands slid up his chest to hook around his neck. “Because it’s exactly what I’m thinking,” she replied, brushing that damn thumb across the back of his neck, sending shivers straight down his spine.
Then she stepped in close—decimating that respectable distance—to inhale near his neck, and this time shivers shot down the front of him, then back up when she puffed a soft, sexy little moan near his ear.
“Oh… I might have to wear these shoes more often. All our good parts are lined up,” she observed, deliberately brushing against him.
He sucked in a breath and stilled. “Jesus, Brandi. You have to stop that. Your father and brother are here. And my men.”
“Sorry.” She sighed. “I can’t help it. My body has a mind of its own where you’re concerned.”
“I know what you mean,” he admitted close to her ear, fighting the urge to nibble. “But you are right about your shoes. You do need to wear them more often…and without clothes.”
She let out a strangled moan.
He smiled. “What are you thinking?”
“That…that you look so good in your uniform, but…I really want to drag you up to my room and take you out of it.”
Even though all the blood rushed south, his brain managed to hang onto two important facts. One, she actually said something positive about him in a uniform, and two...
“You have a room?”
He could feel her smile against his neck. “Yes. I drove up last night to meet my father and brother.”
Ah hell. He’d forgotten about them. His shoulders slumped. “Oh.”
“They have their own rooms,” she informed, thumb brushing circles on the back of his neck again. “And Dad doesn’t usually stay at these gatherings ‘til the end.”
And after three more songs, as if to prove the woman right, the major met them back at the table.
“It was nice meeting you, Sergeant Dalton,” her father said, shaking his hand. “I can’t tell you how relieved I am to know my baby is in good hands.”
He wasn’t sure what gave the man the impression he and Brandi were in a relationship, but was to the point he didn’t care anymore. “Nice meeting you, too, sir,” he replied, deciding to remain quiet on the in good hands subject.
“Will I see you both for breakfast?”
If a herd of tap-dancing elephants danced across eggshells without breaking them, Kade wouldn’t have been more surprised. And judging by the deer-in-the-headlights expression Brandi had going on, she was just as shocked.
“What? You think your old man ain’t hip?” The major grinned. “Just make sure you use protection.”
If Donny came in dragging two brawling bikers Kade wouldn’t have been more surprised. Damn. The major was two for two. And Brandi looked so incredibly cute with her face all red.
“Dad! Really?” She slapped her hands over her ears.
Ben joined them at that moment and smiled. “Ah, Dad gave you the old use protection line, didn’t he?”
“Hey, responsibility is key.” Her father shrugged. “And you haven’t given me an answer. Will I see you both at breakfast?�
�
Kade shook his head. “Sorry, sir. I’m on duty at oh-six-hundred. I have to drive back to Harland County tonight.”
“Then I’d best say my goodbyes now.” They shook hands again, and the major squeezed tight. “Just remember, son, it isn’t a sign of weakness if you admit you need help.”
Unsure what he had to do with that statement, he nodded anyway since her father seemed to expect a response. The major released him to turn to his daughter and kiss her cheek.
“You did great tonight, kiddo. I knew you would,” her father stated. “I’ll see you in the morning. Goodnight.” Then the man pivoted on his heel and strode for the door.
“It was nice meeting you, Kade.” Ben held out his hand. “Don’t hurt my baby sister. You do not want the Wyne brothers down here, trust me.”
He nodded.
Her brother released his hand and smiled. “Now, if you two will excuse me, I’m going to go ask the pretty blonde server to dance.”
And like the wind, the man was gone.
“I’m sorry about that, Kade,” Brandi said, face still a deep shade of red.
He smiled. “Don’t be. Just goes to show how much your family loves you. Kevin and I put Brock through the same treatment with Jen.”
“Oh, boy. I suddenly feel very sorry for her.”
His smile broadened. “As you know, everything worked out just fine.”
“True.” She fell silent.
“What’s wrong?”
“I…well...” Her cautious gaze held a glint of hope. “It feels as if our non-relationship status changed tonight. Am I right?”
He studied her a moment, not sure where she was going with the statement and question. Something had changed, though. He felt it, too.
“Yes.” Somehow, whether due to her music, their dancing, touching…he wasn’t certain of the cause, he just knew he felt an unidentifiable bond to the beauty. “Just be gentle with me,” he said, pulling her in close. “I’ve never been in anything other than a non-relationship before.”
A sinful smile curved her full lips. “I’ll be whatever you want, Sheriff.”
Her Uniform Cowboy (Harland County Series Book 3) Page 20
