by J. Darling
“Welcome to the Bon Ton!” the twenty something bartender said, as he headed towards her. “What’s your order, gorgeous?”
Not sure, and ignoring his compliment, she looked at the wall of bottles, featuring all different kinds of alcohol, and realized she didn’t really care what she had. She just wanted something.
Grinning he said, “Beer, wine, mixed drinks, shots, non-alcoholic, we got it all. What are you thinking?”
“Liquor.”
“Okay. Mixed or straight up?”
“Strong, a shot, and make it a double,” she answered, having made a decision. Pointing toward the wall of bottles, she said, “Some of that brown stuff.”
Turning and looking at the shelves, lined with bottle after bottle of liquor all the way to the ceiling, he chuckled and said, “There’s lots of brown stuff up there, which one?”
“Don’t matter, pick one.”
Grabbing a bottle, he poured her a shot, and watched as she swallowed it whole, his eyes opening wide. Damn, that burned, she thought, as the shot glass smacked on the counter. “Again,” she demanded.
“You sure?” he asked, hesitating as he stepped forward to pour another shot.
“Yep.” Down it went.
Scratching his head, he said, “It’s not often I have a pretty little thing stumble in here slamming shots without a party. Care to tell me what’s got you coming in here, looking for what I have to offer? I’ll be sure to make it good for you.” He smiled, clearly proud of his inadvertent come on.
Not happening, she thought, unimpressed. She’d fix this. “Well, let’s see,” she said, gathering her thoughts. “How about this, walking in on your fiancé as he’s getting it on with one of your coworkers, or better yet, running into your high school love, who was supposed to be your prince charming, but he got another woman pregnant, and then disappeared without a word, only to return five years later. It was either come here and have a drink, or begin the process of castrating all men. I came here. I wasn’t interested in cleaning up the mess.”
“Ouch! Okay. Right. Got it. I think I know just what you need to take your mind off things. You new around here, I haven’t seen you before?”
Watching him as he pulled bottle after bottle from the shelves, she answered, “I’m old new.” That’s a lot of alcohol he’s pouring, she thought.
Looking over in confusion, he said, “Come again.”
Annoyed with the interrogation, she explained, “Born and raised here, left, now back and ready to leave again after a mere—she looked at her watch—forty-two minutes and seventeen seconds. Are you almost done? I don’t have much time.”
“Oh, really? What’s the rush?” he asked, as he placed a flaming drink in front of her.
Staring at the glowing concoction, she watched as he leaned over and blew out the flames. He was so close, his face just inches from hers. Looking up at him, she said, “What is it?”
“A shot, and you drink it straight up in one gulp.” Nudging the drink towards her, he said, “You’re stalling, answer the question. What’s the rush?”
Feeling her emotions surfacing again, she looked down and answered him, “Because if it weren’t for bad luck, I wouldn’t have any luck. So, I really want to be out of Luck right now.”
Hearing the door open behind her, she picked up the shot and put it too her lips, swallowing it whole. Oh, good Lord! The burn! Heat spread from her chest and traveled a steady roll outward to her abdomen, then on to her limbs, effectively curling her fingers and toes. Then following a current of rising tension, she was struck by a bolt of lightning deep in her gut, making her sway and lean against the bar. Overwhelmed by the scorching heat and scream deep within, she gasped for a breath, and actually saw double.
What the hell did she just drink? Short panting breaths sawed in her chest, as her stomach rolled the waves and pulses of molten lava. A wonderful warmth and loosening spread within her. The shot glass rattled on the bar as her arm, reduced to a loose ribbon, came down. She clung to the edge of the bar to prevent herself from drifting. Her brain numb and eyes dazed, she looked at him. He was enjoying this, she thought. “What was that?” she mumbled in a breathy whisper.
Chuckling, his response full of male pride, he answered, “A Flaming Hot Screaming Orgasm, gorgeous, and just for you, I made it a double. You can thank me later.” Then he jumped back from the bar as a fist went flying straight towards him.
Huh? What’s going on, she wondered, her brain a fuzzy bliss. Nik’s here. Oh, and Jake too. Why are they trying to get over the bar? Hey, they’re going after that nice man who helped me. They really need to work on their manners. Maybe they’re bringing him back so I can thank him. Oh that’s right, he said I could thank him later. Never mind. I really need to sit down. Fumbling for the barstool, she tried hopping up on it, but instead slid down the shiny surface. Strong arms caught her before she hit the floor. Hey, Kris’s here. It’s a party! Now why’d they turn out the lights?
CHAPTER 3
Driving along in Jake’s pickup, Nate headed to his parent’s house. It took a lot of convincing on the part of her brothers, but he’d agreed to stay away from Linnie long enough for them to get her back home and figure out what was going on. He’d agreed on one condition, Jake would call him with an update the second she was home. If they didn’t, or they were taking too long, he’d go after her. Period.
Pulling up in front of his parent’s house, he saw his father tinkering around in the garage. Uncertain of his welcome, he took a deep breath as he got out of the truck, straightening his uniform in the process. On his way up the drive, his father turned and stepped to the open doorway. Stopping a few feet away, the two stared at one another without saying a word. Then after a few moments, his dad reached out, took hold of him and pulled him in next to him. Standing side by side, his Dad’s arm went around him and he clamped onto his arm, pulling him in tight against his side. Then he gave Nate several reassuring squeezes. Turning his head, he looked at his father and said, “I’m sorry, Dad.”
More squeezes, his dad nodding in acceptance as he stared off into the distance, his lips rolling and compressing, while his eyes blinked rapidly. And that was it. The two stood like that for several minutes, lost in the moment and time, as their minds worked through what had been shared, but not spoken. Releasing him, his father walked over to the screen door of the house, and called for his mother.
“Bev…Bev come here.”
“Steven, I’m busy getting dinner ready. It’s almost done.”
“Bev, turn off the stove. Come here.”
Her voice getting louder as it came closer, she said, “Honestly, Steven, what is so important it can’t wa—” She shrieked, then burst out the screen door, flinging a dishtowel towards his father, while running to Nate and throwing her arms around him.
Catching her in his arms, he held her as she cried, and cried, tears of joy. Squeezing him tight, she rocked him in her arms, as she mumbled sweet nothings. Leaning back, she patted his clothes, brushing away her tears, then went back to hugging him again.
Looking down at her, he said, “I’m sorry, Mama. I’m so sorry.”
More tears, then she held out her hand to his father, and they pulled him into their embrace. They just stood there, in the driveway to their home, holding one another in the arms of their family’s love.
Later, as they sat at the dining table eating and talking, the phone rang. His mother, having gotten up to get it, came back talking. From the sound of the conversation, it had to be Jake. As the agreement was, that Jake would call when Linnie was back home, Nate was hopeful this was the case. Soon, his mother was handing him the phone.
“Jake?”
“Yeah, it’s me. She’s here. Passed out, but here. So, we still don’t know anything.”
What was he talking about passed out? Did they have to knock her out to get her home? “Excuse me, I need details.”
“After she took off, she drove around for a while. We caught up with her
at the Bon Ton. Just as we walked in, she drank a hell of a lot of booze, then passed out within minutes. We’re thinking she isn’t a drinker, or she’d have lasted a little longer, but then by the looks of her, she hasn’t eaten much in the last several years, so it didn’t take much to put her three sheets to the wind. Anyways, she passed out in Kris’s arms, and he carried her out of there, while Nik and I shared with the bartender how much we appreciated his hospitality. Dad’s out fixing her car good, so she can’t take off again, then he’s taking the keys out of all the vehicles, and locking them up. The only way she’ll be able to get out of here, is to walk, ride a cow, or get someone to drive her.”
Feeling a small measure of relief, Nate responded, “Good. That’s good.”
“Ahhh, Nate, this is kind of tough to say, knowing how much you want to see her and all, but we really need you to stay away for a while. We need time to see what’s happened, and to find out where she’s at in her head. If I promise to call with updates, can you give us some time?”
No! No, he couldn’t. Then Jake’s words came to him. Nate! Stop! Think! This was about Linnie, and what she needed, and right now she needed time. Hadn’t she told him as much when she sped off? He’d wait. He could do this for her. Not liking it one bit, he answered flatly, “Yeah, I can do that. Just call…please…and often.”
“Will do. We’ll take care of her, don’t worry. I’ll keep you posted.”
“Thanks, man.” Hitting the end button, he disconnected the call. Disappointed, he sat back in his chair, then looked up to his parent’s expectant faces.
“Is everything okay?” his mother asked.
“Jake picked me up at the airport, and then took me to the farm so I could use his pickup. Just as we got there, Linnie pulled in, and…” he stopped, having run out of steam. On the exhale of a deep breath, he finished, “It didn’t go so well.”
“She’s getting married,” his mother said softly, “and she endured a lot when you left. I assume Jake told you about their mother, and what happened when Linnie saw Naomi?”
Nate nodded. “Yeah, I know. But she’s not getting married. No one knows what happened. They’re trying to find out.”
“Give her time, son. If it’s meant to be, it will be.”
“What about Naomi and the baby?” his mother asked.
Ignoring the question, he looked to his father and said, “I need help finding an attorney. I don’t know who that child’s father is, but it’s not me.”
“How can you be sure?” his mother asked. “I mean, he’s a cute little boy. It wouldn’t be the end of the world.”
Unwilling to discuss how he knew, he clenched his jaw and repeated, “I’m not his father. Dad, will you help me?”
His dad nodded. “I’ll help. We’ll get an attorney specializing in family law, that way all our bases will be covered. I’ll call Ted tomorrow morning, see if he can point us in the right direction. We’ll go from there.”
“Thank you, both of you. I really appreciate it.”
Later that evening, Nate lie in the bed he’d grown up sleeping in. It was a tight fit, and he definitely needed to get something bigger, longer at least, or maybe without a footboard. He’d changed, and as Jake had mentioned, he was big. He hadn’t realized how big though, until he entered his old room and saw all his old clothes. Everything would have to go. Nothing would fit, not even a sock.
Rolling onto his side, his gaze fell on a picture of Linnie, the old Linnie. He’d stared at that picture for years, his thoughts and dreams of her based on how she looked in that picture. She was so beautiful, then and now. He’d seen much in the time he’d been away, and was glad to have memories of the two of them to fall back on, because if he’d learned any one thing while being gone, it was that life is fragile. He thought of how fortunate he was to have found her so young. How many people go through a lifetime never finding their one true love, he wondered, and then was thankful he wasn’t one of them
Turning to his back, he held the photo to his heart. Linnea Katherine Albrecht. He smiled. He’d have to bend just to kiss her. He had to be over a foot taller than her, and he’d have to be careful hugging her too. She was teeny, and he…wasn’t. He smiled some more. She’d be fun to snuggle with, he thought, and she was ticklish. His body responded upon thinking of the adventure. He’d be gentle. Oh yeah, he was way into snuggling with her, and he would, soon. Turning back onto his side, he set the picture back on the nightstand, and stared at it. I love you, Linnie, I always have. Grabbing a book on plumbing, he began reading, trying to put off the inevitable. He had to keep his eyes open, he just had to.
**********
She smelled food. Who was talking? Was that Jake? Wait. Where was she? Cracking one eye open, Linnie looked at her surroundings in the dim morning light. At home in her room. Wait! What? How? Her mind recounted the series of events…driving home, Nate, the Bon Ton, some shots, and a…party? Oh God. She’d passed out. How had she gotten home? Oh Lord, who’d seen her? Did they know Nate was back? The phone lines were probably burning up right now. Hell a parade council was probably being formed, along with a welcome home social at the Danish Brotherhood Hall.
Pulling the covers over her head, she noticed she still had her clothes on from yesterday. Did she need to get up? Couldn’t she just lay here for the rest of her life? Too late to get out of here without anyone noticing, she thought. She needed a shower, and some coffee. She’d have to go to her car and get her things first. Sitting up, her head sung like a church bell. She closed her eyes. Advil, she needed Advil, and coffee. Standing up, she saw all her things had been carried in from her car. She didn’t know if she should be happy or not. It just meant she’d have to carry it all out later when she left. Grabbing some of her things, she headed for the bathroom.
Upon stepping into the kitchen, Nik said teasingly, “Oh look, Linnie’s here. It’s a party!” Then he and his brothers snickered, while Jake smacked him on the head, and their father gave them a shut the hell up or I’ll beat your asses look.
Ignoring them, she grabbed a cup and poured herself some coffee. Sitting in the chair she’d sat in all her life, she pushed away the plate and reached for the cream and sugar, then poured some in and stirred the swirling decadence. Lifting the cup, she took a sip, mmmm, heaven. Sitting back, she closed her eyes and drank a long drink, then hugged the cup to her chest and relaxed. Opening her eyes, she found them all staring at her. Feeling irritated, their having invaded on her moment, she looked away. Nik, who was sitting across from her, pushed the plate back in front of her. Looking back, she glared at him. Apparently some things never changed, she thought. They’d always felt the need to tell her what to do. Then Kris, who was sitting next to her, started putting food on her plate.
“I’m not hungry,” she snapped in annoyance.
“Duly noted, now eat,” Jake said.
“Don’t tell me what to do,” she bit out. “I managed to survive five years without all of you telling me what to do.”
“Aha, eat, or we’ll feed you like a baby,” Jake replied, then smiled a fake, yet charming smile, while wiggling his eyebrows in delight at the proposed opportunity.
She growled inside. Knowing them they’d do it too. She hated mornings, and she hated when they told her what to do. Glaring at her brothers, and feeling as though they were picking on her, she looked to her father for support. “Daddy…”
“Listen to your brother, sugar.”
That did it. Slamming her almost full cup of coffee on the table, its contents flying everywhere, she grabbed the plate of food, walked it over to the garbage can, and threw the whole damn thing, plate and all, in the trash, then walked out. Heading to her room, she began grabbing her stuff and hauling it to her car. She was out of here. She didn’t know why she was acting the way she was, she never lost her cool, always remained calm and collected, but not now, and after everything that’d happened, she didn’t care.
With her car loaded, she fished through her purse for h
er keys. Not there. Hah! They thought they were so smart taking her keys. Well, she had a spare. Finding it, she put it in the ignition and turned. Nothing. She literally saw red. Slapping her hand on the steering wheel, she released the hood and stormed out of the car. Lifting it, she looked. They’d taken her battery! Fine. She’d fix it.
Stomping over to the farm’s shop, she threw open the door and started rummaging through drawers and cabinets. They were probably yucking it up right now, she thought. Well, she’d show them. Grabbing a pliers and a socket set, she headed for the truck garage. Going in, she opened the hood on an idle truck, quickly and efficiently removed the battery, then walked to her car and expertly installed it. She was out of here! Getting in her car, she turned the key. Nothing. Swearing like a drunken sailor, she released the hood, got out of the car and slammed the door. Under the hood again, she searched for the problem. Spark plugs. They’d taken them all!
Back in the shop, she searched and found replacements. Grabbing a specialty socket, she headed back to her car and installed them. She turned the key. Nothing. She screamed, loud and long. Chest heaving, she released the hood. Searching, searching, searching the engine over, she would figure it out. Lifting the lid on the fuse box, she gasped. They’d taken them ALL! She needed those fuses! Her car wouldn’t run without them! Turning to the house, she blew in like a hurricane, slamming the front door against the back wall so hard its window rattled and a picture fell from a nearby wall. There they sat, all of them, in the living room. They’d been watching her out the picture window!
“Oh look, Linnie’s here. It’s a party!” Nik quipped.
That did it.
Linnie felt herself being pulled off Nik. It was official. She’d lost it. Held back by her father’s arms, she heard a bunch of yelling going on. Oh, that was her. Giving her a shake, her father called her name, but she wasn’t listening. She fought him. She wanted to leave, she needed to leave, she couldn’t stay. They’d make her stay. Picking her up, he carried her to his chair, then sat holding her tight, just as he’d done many times over when they were little and pitched a fit. Then, when it was over, they were expected to “have a talk about their behavior.” Face in his neck, she cried. Okay, this needed to end, she thought. This was so unlike her, she was acting like she was two. What was going on with her? She had to work to get control. As she calmed, she took some deep breaths, then sat up. They were all there, waiting. They all knew the routine. The talk.
