Stay: Changing Tides, Book 1

by Candi Wall

  Linwood stopped at the edge of the fairgrounds and shut the engine off. He climbed down stiffly, and for the first time, Brack really noticed the man’s age. “You doing okay, old man?”

  “Never better.” Linwood tossed several heavy traffic cones at him for emphasis. “Don’t worry ’bout me.”

  Brack set his cones in place and smiled. “For the first time in a long time, I’m not worried.”

  That wasn’t completely true. He’d worried about Abby most of the day. Her cryptic explanation about helping a family member had shaken his assuredness that what they’d shared wouldn’t cause problems this time around. Questions had raced through his mind throughout the day. But one stuck out more than any. Had she just needed an excuse to get rid of him?

  Linwood chuckled, breaking the depressive train of thought. “Well, that wouldn’t have nothin’ to do with your truck parked at Abby’s early this morning, would it?”

  Brack eyed the old man. He’d left at ten minutes of six. “How’d you know that?”

  Linwood shrugged. “Didn’t till now.”

  “Shit.”

  The old man chuckled. “None o’ my business, no how. Now let’s get this place set up. I got a date tonight and I don’t plan to be here any longer than I have to.”

  A date? Brack shook his head. He grabbed boxes of decorations and passed them to the volunteers gathering on the fairgrounds. All of his team was assembled as planned. Except one.

  Thinking about her constantly couldn’t be good, and he immersed himself in the setup details.

  The day would go much quicker if he kept busy.

  By the time the auction tent was erected, the townspeople had started to gather. Festive lights ran from one tree to another, and the first warm-up strains from the band twanged through the early evening air.

  The delicious scent of numerous homemade dishes and casseroles filled the air to mingle with the aroma of the huge pig roasting in an open pit at the end of the food tent. Brack’s mouth watered, his stomach rumbling in reaction.

  “Brack!”

  Casting a glance up to the heavens with a silent prayer for strength, he turned to find Meg and Lou making their way across the mucky ground. Meg’s high heel shoes sank into the fresh spring mud and created an awkward gait for the woman. She stopped before him, snapping her expensive miniskirt in place as she looked for more solid footing.

  “Where’s Jonathon?” She glanced at her watch. “We really need to be going.”

  Brack held a hand out to Lou. “Good to see you, Lou.”

  The older man shook his hand in return, his rheumy eyes roaming over the huge food tables. “Looks like you’ll have your regular turnout.”

  Brack nodded. “Seems that way.”

  More and more people filtered onto the grounds from all directions, but Brack had eyes for only one. Abby walked across the muddy entrance boards with a large casserole dish in each arm. With amazing agility, she managed to sidestep an older couple and dodge two young boys before setting her dishes at the edge of one of the tables.

  She glanced around, and when her eyes locked with his, he winked. A subtle blush colored her cheeks before Gigi got a hold of her. She disappeared beneath the food tent and he returned his attention to Jonathon’s grandparents. “Lou, help yourself to a bite before you go. Jonathon just went to the truck to get his bags and say goodbye to a few people. He should be back in a few minutes.”

  Meg grabbed a hanky from her purse and covered her nose. “What is that horrid smell, anyway?”

  Lou scoffed. “It’s pork, dear.” He pointed to the huge spit that held the entire pig.

  Meg paled, and Brack had the sneaky suspicion Lou received a semblance of pleasure from her stilted, gagged silence.

  Jonathon appeared near the end of the first food tent with his bag slung over his shoulder. He waved as he moved away from the tent, but suddenly, he stopped. In the next moment, Abby walked out to greet him, wiping her hands on a towel. She spoke to him for a moment, but from his angle, Brack couldn’t make out what they were saying.

  Then her gaze drifted to him, and Jonathon turned as well.

  “I’ll be right back.” Drawn by the dynamic duo, Brack left Meg and Lou staring after him. He crossed the distance quickly, and a surge of need stroked his body. He wanted to hug her, kiss her, anything to close the distance between them.

  Jonathon signed, “I told Abby we’d go fishing when I get back.”

  Brack’s breath hitched in his throat as he signed back. “What did she say?”

  “She said we’d have to see.” Jonathon’s smile grew. “But I’m pretty sure we can convince her.”

  “I don’t know. She’s a woman who knows what she wants.”

  Abby cleared her throat and gave her undivided attention to his son. “You have a great time. I’ll miss you.”

  Jonathon agreed and waved to his grandparents. “I have to go. Gram looks like she’s ready to kill someone. The quicker we’re out of here, the better. Easier on Gramps that way.”

  Brack hugged him quickly and let go the moment he felt him pull back. Nothing could squash the happy sensations that brief contact created. He hadn’t hugged his son in years. Abby was right. Again. It would take time, but he and Jonathon would heal.

  “Now get going.”

  “Yes, please let’s go,” Meg whined from closer than Brack expected. “My shoes are ruined.”

  It took extreme effort to pull his greedy eyes away from Abby’s strained smile. Something in the clear depths warned him. The smile plastered to her face might fool everyone else, but it didn’t reach and light her eyes. Today had taken a toll on her, and he had every intention of finding out why and what he could do to help.

  “You’ll help us get Jonathon’s things to the car, Brack?” It wasn’t really a question. “Unless of course you plan to stay here and stare at my dead daughter’s replacement.”

  Brack’s startled gasp matched Abby’s, and before he could say a word, she gave Jonathon a sunny smile and disappeared beneath the tent.

  Furious, Brack stepped closer to Meg. “That was beyond rude.”

  “As if staring at that woman in front of me wasn’t rude.” She tossed her shoulder-length black hair over her shoulder, revealing more age than he remembered the last time they’d met. Lines carved out a permanent scowl across her face. “Just because you’ve forgiven yourself for her death doesn’t mean I have. Maybe you should spend more time focusing on your son rather than chasing another woman.”

  Lou grabbed her arm and pulled her along, whispering furiously in her ear.

  Stunned by the outburst, Brack ignored the painful memories that surfaced in his mind and patted Jonathon on the shoulder. This was one time he was glad his son couldn’t hear. “You’d better go. I think Meg’s ready.”

  Jonathon slung his bag up on his shoulder again and hurried after Lou and Meg. With a final wave, he skirted the large wooden fence. Brack waited a moment longer before he turned back to the assembled crowd. He had to pull it together. The auction was the biggest fundraiser of the year, and he still had a few things to check and setup before the fun really started. For now, he’d push aside the hurt Meg’s cruel statement had caused.

  He grabbed a couple of chairs and turned toward the tents when Abby’s concerned smile stopped him dead in his tracks. Meg’s influence over his feelings didn’t stand a chance against how good Abby made him feel.

  “Let’s try this again without Meg’s viciousness. Hello, beautiful.”

  “Hello yourself, handsome.” That simple, teasing statement shouldn’t have affected her the way it did, but she couldn’t stall the pleasure that coursed her body. Even when she could see he was hurting, he pushed it aside to worry about how she felt. She indicated the direction his in-laws had gone. “Troubles?”

  “Nothing I can’t handle. I just wish you hadn’t had to deal with it.”

  “It was a little shocking,” she admitted. “I’m just glad Jonathon didn’t see wha
t she said.”

  “Yeah. Me too.” His eyes met hers in question, searching. “Walk with me? I have to finish setting up the sound system for the auction, but I missed seeing you today.”

  It would have been impossible to say no, even if she wanted to. She’d thought of little else but him throughout the long day. No calls had come in to disrupt her day, and she’d checked her pager several times to make sure it worked. Finally, she’d forced herself to concentrate and managed to find several different treatment facilities that were viable options. Her mother could show up at any time, and Abby needed to be ready.

  They walked through the people assembled everywhere. Laughter and conversation filled the space. “Good turnout.”

  “Always is. It’s the perfect time of the year for a party. End of winter. Cabin fever breaks with a good get-together like this.” He scooted over to allow a man with four dogs to pass, but stayed close to Abby, his fingers light against the small of her back. She shivered under his touch, her body responding to his heat.

  “Too bad Jonathon will miss this.”

  He nodded and steered her toward the back of the huge tent set smack in the middle of the fairgrounds. “His grandparents aren’t around much, so I’m glad he’ll have a bit of time with them.”

  She sat on the edge of the stage as he bent to work on the wiring. She didn’t know how he figured out which wire went where when there were so many, but she enjoyed watching him. His brows were furrowed with concentration, and he let out a few whispered groans and curses here and there. Her gaze refused to budge from the strain of his shirt across his broad shoulders, and when he glanced up, his eyes were dark. He stood slowly, his mouth curved in a delicious, confident grin.

  “You’ve got to stop looking at me like that.”

  Would if I could. “Can’t help it.”

  He nudged her legs apart with his thigh and leaned in closer. Brushing her hair back from her eyebrow, his gaze slowly traveled between their bodies. “I thought about you all day. I was worried about you.”

  She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, but it did nothing to stop the sparks between them. “I’m fine.”

  His thumb traced over her bottom lip. “You sure? I thought—well you seem like you have something on your mind.”

  She had to steer this conversation away from her for now. They could talk after the fundraiser. “Just a long day.” She bit lightly at the pad of his thumb. “I do have a couple of things on my mind though.”

  His smile spoke his understanding, and he slid his hand around to grip the back of her neck. He held her there, pinned to his body, as he lowered his mouth to hers. Brushing a light kiss over her lips, he whispered, “I’d love to hear about your thoughts. But you’ll have to save them for later.”

  She nodded, unable to do more when her mind couldn’t conjure an image that didn’t include them naked, in bed. Especially when his thumb was tracing the inside of her thigh with slow, deliberate circles.

  “Mercy, Abby. What you do to me.” He stepped back a fraction. “I wish you weren’t leaving.”

  Ice water couldn’t have had more of an effect.

  She jumped down from the staging hiding the tears that burned at her eyes. This shouldn’t be as scary as it was. But it was there just the same. She’d always planned to walk away, so if he said her life was too hectic, too much for Jonathon, she’d fall back on her old ways and leave. She’d be opening herself up to his rejection tonight, and if she didn’t get out of there, her nerves would have her blurting out something stupid. “I’d better get back to help Gigi.”

  She hurried away before he could say more. There was no reason to look back. He stared after her. She could feel the heat of his gaze.

  Chapter Seventeen

  “Do I hear fifty?”

  Linwood scanned the group of laughing people with a cynical arch to his brow. “Come on, folks. I know someone can use Jensen’s strapping muscles around the house. Hell, you can even make him wash windows, ladies.”

  Jensen cast a pathetic scowl over his shoulder, but Brack just shrugged. “Suck it up, nephew.”

  “I’ve got fifty. Do I hear fifty-five?”

  Brack leaned against a banister, his attention once again drawn to Abby. She stood aside with Linda, her smile radiant, drawing several other stares in her direction. Rand’s, for one. When his brother limped closer and adjusted his crutches to wrap an arm around her shoulders, Brack fisted his hand at his side.

  “You know, if you stare too hard, people are going to know you like her.”

  Gigi nudged him with her shoulder as she spoke. He didn’t look away from Abby. “She’s leaving, Gi. I don’t understand why she feels she has to, but I don’t want her to go.”

  “She’s got her own troubles to deal with, something she hasn’t even shared with me.” She looped an arm through his and squeezed. “Maybe, if you just let go of your past, and your guilt, you might be a reason for her to stay.”

  She chuckled and patted his arm before walking away.

  A reason for her to stay…

  “Going once. Going twice.” Linwood brought the gavel down with force. “Sold, to Mrs. Mason for sixty dollars. Hey, Brack, he beat your price by five bucks!”

  Jensen jumped down off the stage amidst the laughter that erupted from Linwood’s jab, and hugged his elderly neighbor. Brack caught a snippet of Jensen telling the older woman he’d have come over to help her anyway. She cackled merrily and promised him a fresh batch of cookies while he worked.

  “Now, we’ve got a special treat. Our newest member of the fire and rescue team.” Linwood helped Abby onto the stage. “Ms. Abby Burke.”

  A few wolf whistles and hoots of encouragement erupted from the crowd. Color flushed her cheeks as she stood in the spotlight. She’d spun her hair up and clipped it to the back of her head. She stood uncertainly, her hands clasped together before her.

  Linwood took no pity. “This gal’s got grit. Broke Brack’s record for fastest swim, and before she even became an official member, she jumped in Parson’s Lake during the rescue of Hunter and Dana Smith. She’s a bona fide hero-ess, so why don’t we start the bidding at thirty. Thirty dollars, do I hear thirty-five?”

  “Thirty-five.” Brack heard himself say the words, and the urge to smack himself in the head came on strong. Linwood cackled. “Hmmm. Captain’s bidding. Do I hear forty? Someone’s got to keep Brack from getting what he wants.”

  Rand raised a hand. “Forty!”

  The gathered crowd laughed and encouraged the brotherly competition.

  “Forty-five.” From an unseen bidder near the back.

  Another round ensued, and Brack heard himself top Rand’s bid. Sixty? He shook his head. What the hell was the matter with him? But he knew. The thought of Abby spending a moment of the time they had left with someone else just didn’t settle.

  “Seventy-five.”

  Brack glared at the back of the crowd for the unseen bidder.

  “Eighty.”

  Damn, he was going to have to make a fool of himself. Then he spotted Gran Martin. Perfect. He skirted the crowd as the other men continued to outbid one another. He whispered his request to elderly woman, “I need you to bid on Abby for me, Gran. No amount is too high.” She patted his shoulder, and he returned to the side of the stage and waited.

  He should feel awful for taking advantage of Gran’s softness for him, but when it came to Abby, there was just no telling what he would do.

  Linwood’s smile revealed his pleasure. “Do I hear eighty-five?”

  “Eighty-five,” Rand interjected.

  “Oh” and “ah” erupted through the gathering. Abby’s cheeks were on fire, and she fisted her hands to keep from hiding her face. What the hell was going on? Brack shouldn’t be bidding, neither should Rand. It looked too much like a pissing contest. But the bidder in the back really grabbed her attention when he called out again. “Ninety dollars.”

  This time, the crowd parted a fraction and Garret
t winked up at her. She shook her head. Men!

  Linwood whistled. “Ninety it is from the good doctor. Do I hear another bid?”

  Silence filled the clearing.

  “Going once.”

  “One hundred dollars.”

  Abby sucked in a deep breath. Good Lord. She glanced at the elderly woman near the edge of the stage, her kind blue eyes lit with mischief. “Can’t let this poor girl go to the wolves, can I?”

  With a huge smile, Abby looked at Linwood. “You’d better close the bidding now, or I’ll make your life a living hell for the next ten fire drills.”

  Linwood’s gavel hit the wood with authority. “Sold, to Gran Martin for one hundred dollars.”

  Abby jumped down off the stage and hugged the older woman. “I have no idea why you saved me, but I’m sure glad you did.”

  Gran chuckled. “You’re most welcome, my dear. Now go have fun. I’m sure Brack will tell you what needs to be done.”

  She walked away before Abby could ask for clarification. Not that it mattered. She’d do whatever the woman needed and gladly after saving her from the three men. Brack’s laughter drew her gaze. He stood across the clearing, his words muffled by the music that began. He smiled so openly tonight, more in the last few days than she’d ever seen from him.

  “Hey, big shot.” Rand tossed one of his crutches aside and pulled her toward the crude wooden dance floor. “You know, that’s the most anyone’s ever raised off a single auction.”

  He tugged her closer before awkwardly spinning her away to the tempo of the music.

  “Guess I’m just good luck,” she murmured. “How’s your ankle?”

  “I’ll live but the crutches are a bitch.” The heavy press of his hand landed against her back, dragging her against his chest. “Abby, I’ve got to ask. Are you and Brack seeing each other?”

  Shit. “That’s none of your business, Rand.”

  He shrugged and kept her close even when she tried for a semblance of space. “Maybe not, but I like you. Wanted to know if I stood a chance. Seems like every time Brack is in the mix, I get the short end.”