Bayou Born

chapter 34

The clock on the wall clicked to six forty-five. Branna paced in the living room and tried not to pick at the new red polish on her nails. The manicurist had said red, a nail-color neutral, always went with anything. Branna’s plan to be ready and waiting when James arrived hadn’t taken into account the butterflies in her stomach or the dryness in her mouth.

Buzz. Buzz.

The ringing cell phone sent her diving for her clutch on the kitchen counter. She held her breath. James wouldn’t call to cancel their date, would he? Had his return trip delayed him? Was his injury causing a problem?

Caller ID glowed. She wasn’t familiar with the phone number, but recognized it as the same one from earlier. The one that had called twice before. “Hello?”

“It’s your sister.” Camilla sounded somber.

“Has something happened? Are you okay?” Despite their differences, they were sisters. She couldn’t hide her worry.

“I need to talk with you. It’s really serious stuff—”

“I really want to talk to you, too, but I’m about to go out.”

The doorbell rang. “Hang on for a moment. I think that’s my date.”

Branna walked toward the front door and glanced at the clock on her way. Six fifty-five. James was always certainly punctual, but would he mind waiting ten minutes for her to talk to Camilla?

She opened the door and nearly dropped the phone.

“Steven?”

Framed by the doorway and carrying enough flowers to make three bride’s bouquets, Steven stood tall and straight. She blinked. Her jaw dropped.

Steven reached toward her and with his finger, closed her mouth. She continued to stare. His navy blue suit and red stripped tie was one he wore when litigating before a jury, a power-suit. Did he intend to sway her as he often managed to sway a jury?

“Hello?” Camilla’s voice screamed from the phone still in her hand.

“Aren’t you going to ask me in?” Steven asked.

She fumbled for the phone. “Camilla, Steven’s here. I need to go.”

“No! Do not hang up on me. Make him wait. I must tell you something.”

With the cell phone to her ear, Branna held up a finger and signed to Steven to wait. She closed the front door half way and walked toward the kitchen for privacy. “Seriously Camilla, I know we need to talk, but this is turning out to be an inconvenient—”

“Then don’t talk. Just listen. Steven is vile. You cannot go out with him. You absolutely cannot take him back. I don’t care what smooth moves he’s working on you, promise me you won’t go out with him.”

“I—” she started, but the doorbell interrupted again. In a huff, she crossed the room to the door and flung it open.

“Really?” Only instead of just Steven on the front porch, James greeted her looking handsome, and relaxed. Not like a man who’d been shot twenty-four hours ago.

“James!” She hugged him tight around the neck, careful not to touch his arm. She tried to kiss him, but the second before lip contact, he turned his head toward Steven. Her lips met James’ smooth cheek.

“Branna!” Camilla hollered. “What’s going on?”

Flustered, Branna stepped back inside the house. “We’re going to do this civilized. Won’t you both come in?”

“Branna, don’t do it!” Camilla ranted. “Don’t let him in!”

She gestured toward the couch. Steven took a seat on the end, still holding the large bouquet. A whiff of rose drifted to her nose. She used to love those flowers. Now, the scent reminded her of him and his indiscretions.

James took a seat in a chair at the opposite end of the living room. She didn’t blame him.

“My sister is on the phone. I need just a minute. In the meantime, James, this is Steven, my ex-fiancé. Steven, this is James, my lover.”

The look on both men’s faces made her smile. Let them stew on that for a while.

“Camilla, I’m outside, now. They can’t hear me. I’m not going out with Steven. Not now. Not ever. I am going to go dancing with James. We need to talk, but tomorrow.”

“If you’re not going out with Steven, what’s he doing there?”

“Little sister, I don’t read minds. Rest assured, he was not invited.”

“I love you, Branna. I never wanted to hurt you.”

“I know.”

“You know?”

“Yes, Camilla, I know you slept with my fiancé. I know you weren’t the only one.”

“Not the only one?”

“Don’t be shocked. I love you. You’re my sister. We’ll work it out. We always do. Let’s talk tomorrow. This number is the best way to reach you?”

“Yes, and Branna, I never loved you more than I love you now. You’re the best big sister. Tomorrow, I will have to ask about the dancing, though. You really dance now?”

After hanging up the phone, Branna took in a slow deep breath and let it out. If anyone had told her a few months ago that she’d have Steven Sterling in her house in Lakeview, she’d have been moved to murder. But there he was.

She marched inside, prepared to do battle. Steven wouldn’t know what hit him. She’d let him say what he came to say, then make her position non-negotiable. She would skewer him with words clear enough that even a narcissist like him couldn’t misunderstand.

“Seems to me the fish jumped the hook,” James was saying to Steven as she entered the room. His tone dripped with sarcasm. Both men rose. Steven held out flowers to her.

“Thank you, but no. I’m allergic.” She sat in the other chair that flanked the couch.

“Since when?”

“Since about eight months ago. James, I’m looking forward to our date. I think Steven will be leaving shortly. May I offer either of you a drink? No? All right, then Steven, why are you here?”

Steven frowned and sat back down. His shoulders slumped. He straightened. His face brightened, and he cocked his head. “Do you like my present?”

“It’s protected in the garage.”

“Branna, if you and he need to talk, I’ll give you some privacy and come back in a while,” James offered.

“You won’t need to come back at all,” Steven said to James.

Steven’s smugness made her blood pressure rise. But the old rage that used to make her shake never materialized.

“So, I guess civility is out. Steven, I don’t care why you’re here.” She slapped her palms on her thighs, then stood and walked to the front door. After opening it, she turned back to the men seated in her living room. “Steven, thank you for the gift. I’ll send a proper thank-you card. Since you were kind enough to put the title in my name, I believe I’m free to do with it what I wish. Thank you for coming. But don’t come back. And if you don’t mind, please leave now, my date for the evening is waiting.” Had she just said those words? Stood up to him with a calmness she had only hoped for?

“You can’t fool me, Branna. I know you’re not dating anyone.”

“Really? And how do you know so much about me?” She’d murder Sadie if the woman had gossiped about her with Steven.

“The same way I find out information for my cases. I hired a PI.”

Forcing her fists to remain at her sides, she asked, “The black car that was following me?”

“He got sloppy, but he’s been checking you out almost since you moved here.”

“Not only is he sloppy, he’s ripping you off. You’re paying for bad information. He doesn’t know the first thing about my life.”

James moved to her side, draped an arm over her shoulder. “Steven, this has been odd, but now I think it’s time for you to leave. Like a gentleman.”

Steven dropped the flowers on the coffee table and stalked to the door. He leaned in close to her ear and whispered, “Branna, we’re not done. You were always smart. You will come to your senses. Your family wants me to be a son in their life as much as mine wants you for a daughter. Have your professorial fling. I’ll be waiting to pick up the pieces.”

“Not if I tell them about you and Camilla.”

“You wouldn’t dare.” He brushed her cheek with a kiss as though he might be marking old territory.

“The old Branna wouldn’t have whispered a word about it, but it’s not my shame. It’s not Camilla’s. It’s yours!”

“The gossip will kill your great grandmother.”

“Do. Not. Threaten. Me. Get out!”

She slammed the door after he crossed the threshold. That the glass in the small window in the door didn’t fall out was a miracle. It felt good to close the door on Mr. Sterling.

James stood in front of her and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. She smelled the musk of his cologne and wanted to melt into him. “He’s not going to ruin our night,” he said, then kissed her nose.

“In case you have any doubt, I’m telling you, I’m over him. My sister and I will work out our problem between us. He won’t rip my family apart.”

“Is she the reason you never told anyone why you broke off the engagement?” He ran his hands down her arms, taking hold of her hands.

“I will not let him humiliate my family. Not then. Not now. He was the dishonorable one, but people at home gossip. I found out my sister wasn’t the only other woman he’d slept with. It’s his disgrace to bare, and I will not hang my head at home.”

He leaned in close and whispered, “Are you hiding out in Lakeview?”

She started to pull back, but he held tight.

“No,” she said adamantly. “I’m living my life, my way, for the first time in my life.”

His hands moved and cupped her face. His lips were a breath away from hers. Her heart pounded so hard that the blood rushing in her ears made them ring. Quivers raced through her body. They made her shiver. They made her ache.

“Good,” he said, then tasted her mouth. “Now, about dancing.”

She kissed him back, pressing her body against his. “Dr. Newbern, I have a different kind of dancing in mind. All you need to do is follow my lead.”