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The Tessarae Inn |
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Consequences in Blue Notes
CHAPTER 19 Todd felt like his mind was on overload. He knew everyone in the diner was watching he and Blair. He didn’t mind the scrutiny. What did he care what these people thought of him? What concerned him was the strong sense that they were not just curious. These people with no exceptions seemed to be ready to go after his throat if there was even a hint that Blair was in trouble. They were all on high alert to protect Blair—villagers with torches and pitchforks. How had she worked this magic in a few weeks? He didn’t like it. He and Blair were the consummate outsiders; yet, here she was all but surrounded by what could pass for love or at least genuine affection on a good day from a bunch of strangers. When Blair brought his plate over he tried to get her to sit down but she claimed she didn’t have time until her shift was over. He ate the food quickly. When he finally looked up from his plate, Emily was staring at him. He strummed his fingers on the tabletop. “So, what’s on your mind?” “I was wondering if you love her.” Todd leaned back. “I know that this little Norman Rockwell burg of a town is trying to channel Twin Peaks and evolve into an a post-modern take on an alienated society, but you need to stop making statements like that to people you don’t know.” “I think you love her very much.” “Well, I guess if YOU think that, it must be right.” “Meeting you explains a lot about Eagle’s Hope.” “What the hell is Eagle’s Hope and does this conversation have a purpose?” “He’s a horse—a powerful stallion who is still almost as wild as he is beautiful. My late husband was the only one who could ride him until Caitlin. You should see her ride that horse.” Horses? Riding? He didn’t like this one bit. How long had it been since Blair rode a horse back in Llanview? She sold Araby while he was in Ireland, but now here she was riding horses in this place. “Where the hell has she been riding this horse? And we are talking about a horse, right? You’re not trying to send me some signal or something, are you?” “What kind of signal?” “Like maybe Eagle’s Hope is your nickname.” Emily whistled. “Damn, your reputation does not do you justice.” “Look, you’re the one talking about your late husband being the only one who could ride the horse. And besides, she isn’t really into horses. I gave her a horse once and she sold it while I was out of the country for a few weeks.” “Araby?” “She told you about him?” “Only that she had a horse once that she loved very much that was a gift from the man she loved even more.” Todd shifted his gaze from Emily and looked out onto Main Street. “She also told me that she sold Araby when that man died because whenever she saw him the memories of what she lost hurt too much.” “Where does she go riding?” “She comes out to my ranch on Sundays.” “Your husband’s dead, right, but you got any sons or young buck cowhands out on that ranch?” “I have one son. You’ve already met him.” Todd flashed back to the scene the night before and anger sprang into his consciousness. “The walking twang with an attitude problem? Did he go after my wife?” “He was interested but she told him that she was still in love with the man who broke her heart.” “That would be me.” “I figured as much.” Todd became aware of a man standing next to the table. He stiffened slightly. He didn’t like people sneaking up on him. “Excuse, me,” said the man, “I’m Green Philmont. I wanted to meet you.” “Hey, Greenie,” said Emily and patted the seat next to her as she moved over. Todd nodded as Greenie slid into the booth next to Emily. “I am sorry to intrude but I wanted to take this chance to meet you.” “Who are you?” “I’m Caitlin’s accompanist.” “Her what?” Did he actually hear this weirdo correctly? “When she sings at the club, the Davis Dukes Band and I accompany her. I play the piano.” “Greenie is much too modest,” said Emily. “He’s as close to a musical phenomenon as we have in Creedyville.” “What does this have to do with Blair…or Caitlin as you people insist on calling her?” Greenie and Emily looked at each other as they realized they knew Blair’s real name for the first time. Greenie looked back at Todd quickly. “When your wife sings, it is like an angel has fallen to earth to give us an opportunity to experience grace.” “My wife is no angel, fallen or otherwise,” said Todd loudly. Several people looked in their direction but Todd didn’t care. What the hell was going on here? Blair was riding horses and now singing with some fruitcake named Greenie. He didn’t like it. Didn’t like it at all. Greenie seemed to conclude that he had nothing to gain by talking to him. He slid out of the booth as quickly as he entered. “Your wife is a treasure and I just wanted you to know that.” When he looked over at Emily, he noticed that she was smiling at him. “Make friends easily, don’t you.” “What the hell was he talking about?” “Caitlin…Blair, sings at C.C. Ryder on Saturday nights. She has quite a following.” “Ryder? Your bar?” “My son runs it now.” Just as he was about to say something, Blair slid into the booth next to Emily. She looked at him and then tilted her head just slightly to the right, “Are you okay?” “We need to get out of here, Blair.” “Dottie’s coming in to handle the lunch crowd, so I’ll be ready to go in about fifteen minutes.” “I’ll call the driver and…” “No. Wait. I’ve got Sheri’s car outside. We can drive back to the house together. I want to talk.” “We can talk in the limo.” Emily touched Blair’s shoulder. “I need to get going and you two need some privacy.” “There’s plenty of damn privacy in the limo.” Blair ignored him and slid out of the booth to let Emily out then hugged her. When they separated, Emily stood for a few seconds and studied him. “One hundred and fifty years ago you would have been one bad ass outlaw. I like that. You remind me of someone I knew once. But you need to remember to cherish and protect what’s yours.” Todd started to make a crack but something in Emily’s eyes stopped him. He hated being lectured by people but somehow what she said sounded like a simple statement of fact. He came to the surprising realization that he liked her. He had failed more times than he cared to remember to cherish and protect Blair. That was the simple truth. “So are you saying that if I come into town next time with a posse on my tail, you’ll hide me out?” “Damn straight. I don’t let my friends down.” Emily gave a short wave and strolled away. Todd watched her leave in silence. Blair gathered up the plates and the other debris from the breakfast. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.” He shrugged then checked her hand to see if the rings were still in place. They were. When a pretty young woman with long, dark brown hair slid in across from him in the booth, he wasn’t even surprised. The denizens of Blair’s life in Creedyville were all determined to confront him in one way or another. “I’m Sheri.” “I know. I knew before I walked in this place. You sure like to display pictures of yourself around your house.” “It was my parents’ house.” “So your parents were photographers?” "They just loved me. It’s a very nice thing to be loved.” He studied her for a minute because he knew she meant something more by that statement. Sheri leaned back and crossed her arms over her chest. “Well, at least you didn’t insult me by saying that you don’t know what it’s like to be loved.” “I hear your boyfriend would have loved to give it to my wife.” Sheri’s eyes flickered rapidly but she kept her composure. He knew he hit a nerve. “Maybe he was interested but you know what? If he had to be with someone else I would want it to be Caitlin. I think she’s wonderful and I love both of them enough to want them to be happy.” Todd snorted. “Can you say you love her enough to let her go if it meant she could be happy with someone else instead of miserable with you?” “Not in this lifetime. And just for the record, in case this in some query from your crazy boyfriend. I will never let her go. Did that once and it was the biggest mistake of my life. So, just in case he is retarded, you take this message to your boyfriend in just this way: I. Will. Never. Let. Her. Go. NEVER.”
Chapter 20 Consequences In Blue Notes FAN FICTION |