“Pride,” Branna said. “She never wants anyone to see any weakness, never wants to be beholden to anyone.”
“Yeah, we’ve all gone a few rounds with her about that,” Jake added.
“How so?” Ethan asked.
“You’re asking a lot of questions about her, Tex. I wonder why that is?”
“What can I say? She intrigues me.” Ethan shrugged.
“I found out that she couldn’t pay her electric bill and get Zach to his interview with the Navy, so I booked his flight from Brook and went over there and handed her the ticket.”
Ethan whistled.
“Yeah, it wasn’t pretty, but my jaw was only swollen for a week, then we were friends again, but only after we’d worked out a repayment plan.”
Ethan watched an elderly couple dance in perfect harmony around the floor as he thought about what Jake had said. He was sure now that Annabelle’s selling the car had been a direct result of the conversation he’d overheard. He just wasn’t sure who it had been with and why, but for now he would keep those thoughts to himself.
“Who knew Mr. Heath had the moves?” Jake was watching them too. “And Mrs. Heath is no slug, either.”
“Hey, all.”
Ethan felt his body tense as Buster Griffin and Annabelle Smith appeared beside their table. He hadn’t seen her walk in and was pleased they’d stopped discussing her. He could only imagine how she’d react if she’d heard them.
“You seen the Heaths?” Jake motioned towards the floor again.
Her long legs were encased in black leggings and Ethan could tell she was wearing heels because she looked taller. Her hair was a mass of curls all over the place. Her top was hot pink, which had to be a favorite color of hers because he’d seen her in it a time or two. It left her shoulders and lower arms bare and was fitted everywhere else, and settled just above her hipbones. Dragging his eyes from her breasts before she caught him staring and blackened both his eyes, he made himself look at the floor again.
He could still taste her on his lips, had done so all day, and the hell of it was that he wanted to taste her again, all of her. Of course, chances were if he tried, he’d walk away a eunuch.
“Sure I know they can dance. Doesn’t everyone?” Annabelle looked at Buster as she spoke; he nodded in turn.
“What?” Jake looked at his friends as Buster sat, leaving Annabelle only one choice, the seat next to him.
“You don’t know about Walt and Lizzie?” Branna looked surprised. “Is there actually something in Howling that I know and you don’t?”
“What about them?” Jake said. “And some of us are not on the Walt and Lizzie first-name basis, since we’re not in the book club. They’re still Mr. and Mrs. to me and Buster.”
Branna laughed. “This is a moment that should be documented.”
“Mrs. Heath danced with the Rockettes and Mr. Heath for the New York City Ballet Company,” Annabelle said, taking pity on Jake. “They met through that.”
“You’re shitting me.”
Ethan laughed at the look of shock on his friend’s face.
“It’s true. They have a studio in their house that they dance in, and it’s full of trophies and awards.”
Jake looked stunned. “How come I don’t know that?”
“If it helps, I’m pretty stunned myself,” Buster said.
Buster Griffin gave his friend a smile of sorts. He owned the local café and for all that his business revolved around service, he wasn’t what you’d call friendly or talkative. Solidly built, with short hair, he had soft green eyes with long, curling lashes and was a man of few words but a big heart that he tried to keep hidden.
“At least I’m not the only one, then,” Jake added.
“Have to say it doesn’t cut me up as much as you though, bud.” Buster said.
“I’m not cut up, just shocked that I didn’t know. I wonder if Mom and Dad know?” Jake looked at Branna.
