Inconsolable (25 page)

“Okay, that sounds like a great plan. I’m all for free stuff.” He smiles as he places the eggs and waffles in front of me. I dig in like I haven’t eaten in months. He may not know it,
but he really can cook and I love it.

“This is so good,
Blake. Thank you for breakfast.”  I smile as we both eat our breakfast.  I grab the glass of orange juice he put beside me and gulp it down.  The man has seen far worse than me eating like a pig.  After breakfast, we decide to go to the mall and just look around.  At least that is what we thought.  Blake and I end up spending way more than I could ever imagine at Bed, Bath, and Beyond and Victoria Secret.  Once he tried to pull me into Spencer’s to look at sex toys.  That was it for me.  I walked away from that store like it was burning in Hell. 

“Anna, babe, I was just teasing.”  He says laughing as we make our way back to the food court to grab lunch.

“I don’t think you were, mister.  I think you have everything I need in the bedroom right between your legs.” I retort and he busts out laughing.  

We eat our Greek and Lebanese food. Then make our way to the house. Blake has a new job he’s starting tomorrow and I have clients to tend to.  Another day in the life of us.  We have a lazy Sunday, watching movies and snuggling on the couch as we get ready for the next week ahead.  We are watching
Gravity
with George Clooney and Sandra Bullock when I start to fall asleep.  The next thing I know I am lying in the bed with the alarm clock beeping in my ears.  I hit the button, roll over and cuddle back into Blake’s side.  I don’t want to get up. 

“Come on baby, we have to be at work in thirty minutes,” Blake yawns out. 

I jump up, running to the bathroom while Blake is laughing in our bed. I walk back out of the bathroom ten minutes later in a black lace top with white pants and black heels. Blake looks stunning in a pair of black slacks with a red button down shirt on top of it with a black vest as well. I walk over to him and wrap my fingers in his red hair, looking into
those baby blue eyes of his as I lean in and kiss him.  I giggle as he dips me back, locking our lips yet again. 

“Well, I could wake up like that every morning.” I reply as he stands me up straight. He smiles and kisses me again.

“Good because you have no choice,
but to do just that,” he says as he thumps my nose with his finger.  I let out a growl which gets me a laugh from Blake.  “Let’s go show this day whose boss, buttercup.”  He smiles as we make our way out of the apartment and to our respective cars.  I stop by Penny’s on my way to the salon. 

“Morning, Anna,” Penny says as she slides me my coffee.

“You always know when I’m coming,
don’t you?” I reply and she just smiles.

“Not always.
Blake called the minute you left the house.”

“That little devil.  I’m gonna get him for that,” I smile against my threat.  Penny smiles and we talk for a few more minutes before I make my way down to the salon.  I wonder if there will be any betting today. 

“Forty Dollars!” I hear Barb scream from the back of the door and I can’t help but laugh.

“What are you two betting on this time?”  I ask Diane as I help her fold some towels to start the day off. 

“Oh, just that Ms. Henry would cancel this morning. Barb said no and I said yes. Well we just saw her car and she hit that damn sign, again. Which means you owe me fifty,
Barb!” Diane says with a laugh.  I wonder if they even keep up with how much they owe the other.  The two of them are looney.  I smile and make my way into my room, I heard they were going to be hiring a new girl to help with the clients Brooklynn left, but I am not sure who it is. 

The door chimes and in walks a lady with brown hair full of curls down her back.  I smile when she walks into the room.  Barb and Diane yell for me to come out here to meet the girl.  I look around and walk out, seeing the girls’ attire for the first time.  She has holes in her jeans and is wearing a tank top. “Anna, meet Harlie, she’s taking over Brooklynn’s spot,” Diane says and I try to fake the smile on my face.

“Nice to meet you, Harlie.”  I reply as I shake her hand.  There is something really familiar about those brown eyes smiling back at me.  I just pray that this girl doesn’t come with as much drama and baggage as Brooklynn.

“You too.  I’ve heard a lot of good things about you, Anna,” she smiles as she takes her hand back from me. 

The day is spent teaching Harlie where everything is and going through Brooklynn’s client list.  I help Harlie call all the people and get new appointments with them.  By the time I look up I realize the day has gone.  It’s time for me to head back to my little life, with my amazing man.  I know that this road was not the easiest road to travel, but they say nothing in life is ever easy.  I must say, if I could do it all over again, I wouldn’t change one fork in my road.  My life is what it is and I know that I am not inconsolable.  

Walking into Death Valley with a crowd of 56,000 people is not something I would have imagined I would have done after coming home from Iraq.  Every little bang or boom would send me back to my time to Afghanistan.  Seeing all these people in concert is a big accomplishment for me.  Three years ago, I would have never imagined being here.  Before that I would have loved something like this.  If it weren’t for Anna, I wouldn’t be able to be here.  Really though, Maci got us the tickets. 

I watch Anna and Maci talking animatedly and I catch myself looking around for threats.  I watch every person as they drink their beers, they laugh and cut up with their friends.  I know not even a year ago I wouldn’t have been able to do something like this.  I grab my ticket and look at the row and the seat number.  I grab Anna’s hand and lead her to the front of the field to the chairs lined up.  Bayou Country Bash comes to LSU stadium and always has an amazing crowd of singers for the weekend.  What better weekend than Memorial Weekend?  I’m pretty sure Jameson and Sam where supposed to come to this too, but Sam’s eight months pregnant and Jameson is acting like she’s a piece of glass about to break at any moment. 

“Maci, I can’t believe we get to see Brant Marks! He’s like the hottest guy in Country Music history!” Anna squeals and I just roll my eyes. She blushes and looks over at me. “I did say in Country Music. You…” she grabs my hand and smiles. “…are definitely the hottest man alive.”

“Anna, its fine.  You can look.  I will just have my way when Harmony comes on out here.”

“Ass.” Anna pouts and I smile. I sit down in my front row seat and I drink a sip of my beer. It’s a great feeling knowing that I can just sit here and drink a beer.  For once it isn’t used to medicate me or help me forget what happened three years ago.  It’s just me sitting here wanting to have a drink.

A guy comes out on the stage and introduces the first act. Tonight we have the amazing Jess Sparks. She is a beautiful blonde woman with legs that go on for miles, and in those short shorts and cowboy boots she’s pulling those legs off. She has this raspy sound in her voice, kind of like Emma Stone,
but damn it’s hot. 

She sings and interacts with the crowd as she entertains us for her forty minute set. Anna and Maci are both singing along with her hits and I can’t help but smile. Watching Anna be able to cut loose and have a good time is something I have wanted for a long time now.  Two years ago she lost her best friend and she saw something that will never be unseen either.  She’s a lot tougher than I could ever imagine.  I envy her and I can’t wait for her to be mine, forever. 

After Jess’s set,
I go down to the concession stand to get us all a new beer. The girls love the damn Lime-A-Rita drinks by Bud Light. I hear some screaming and realize that Harmony is coming up next. I grab our drinks and make my way back to the stage and to our seats. I don’t see the guy,
but I feel him as he topples into me. At first my heart starts to race and my mind starts to go back to that day in Afghanistan, but then I catch a glimpse of Anna. She’s smiling until she sees the look on my face as the music starts. I shake my head and clear it of the thoughts trying to pull me under and I hand her the beer.

“You okay?”

“Yep, I’m good Pippi.” I give her a small smile and she rubs my arm while handing Maci her beer. 

“You best be glad I love you.” She smiles,
then screams as Harmony walks out on the stage.  “She’s so beautiful.  I love her hair!”

“I know, right, I wish I had those curls.” Maci yells over the music. 

I just stand and watch Anna and Maci.  I really came here to see Brant Marks, but I won’t admit that.  He’s actually got a few good hits.  There’s one that is almost a rocker kind of style, but it talks about being an outcast of sorts, then he has one about country songs making a girl dance like that.  He’s pretty awesome, but to see Anna smile that’s all that matters. 

An hour later and we are sitting there getting ready for Brant to come out.  Maci sits down and Anna plops down not so gracefully beside her.  Yep, no more beers for my girl.

“Come on Maci, he isn’t that bad.” Anna slurs through the sentence and I have to stifle a laugh.

“Yes he is. He is a player and an arrogant man. Have you ever wondered why we don’t really ever see him underneath that cowboy hat? He’s always wearing that hat pulled down low or a ball cap and sunglasses. Like he has something to hide.” She looks away like she’s not interested. “You remember Brandon? The guy I met online?”

“Mmm hmm,” Anna says and looks over at Maci. “He was cute. Wait, you still talk to him?”

“Yeah and he was trying to defend him like maybe he wasn’t anything like the tabloids made him out to be.  It got me thinking.  Maybe I am too judgmental.”

“Hey, Maci… I don’t mean to interrupt but I need to ask Anna something.” I reach into my pocket and smile as Anna’s features change to reflect shock as I kneel in front of her. I hear the screams of the crowd. Brant begins to sing a song. It’s a song about being a better person with the woman you have by your side. I couldn’t have planned this any
more perfect. 

“Anna, will you marry me please?” 

“YES!” Anna lets out a scream and we kiss. I toss
a glimpse towards
Maci and she is smiling at us, but she is staring at the stage. Yeah, doesn’t like him my ass. That girl is as much of
a fan as any of us.  I smile and look at Anna as she stares down at the ring on her finger.  I have realized that for once in my life I may have found the one person to make me feel like I am not inconsolable. 

Where do I start?  There were so many amazing people that helped me make this book come together. First, I suppose I will thank my amazing readers, because you are who I write these books for.  So thank you for taking the time to love and read my stories like I do. 

Kim Merow Lewis of A Novel Love, thank you for listening to the craziness that is me on a daily basis, as well as becoming such an amazing friend to me. You have truly become one of my close friends, and I will forever treasure that.

Tracey-Lee, thank you so much for my amazing teasers and videos that you are constantly doing, and for loving my characters as much as I do. I adore you big time!

Corinne Brinkley of Rachel’s Ravishing Reads, thank you for loving my boys as much as I do!  You constantly tell me what you think of them, and you help me make it better! I love you! 

Laramie Briscoe and Becky McGraw, thank you for letting me use your country music stars in my epilogue!!  I have come to love all of your stories involving these characters, and I hope I did well enough in borrowing them.  Also, Becky thank you for the amazing cover you did for me.

Julie Mishler, again, you gave me the words I couldn’t give myself.  Thank you for writing the poem that Anna claims as her own at Mary-Beth’s funeral.  Your talent never ceases to amaze me, just like our friendship. 

Jennifer Watkins of Crazy Cajun Book Addicts, have I told you how much I love you?  You constantly tell me when my stories are crap and should change them to make them better, or that they are perfect just the way they are.  You are one of my closest friends and you know I think you are gem.

E.L.R.  Jones – my editor, thank you for putting up with my craziness!  You know I appreciate it all so much, my sister from another mister!