Page 55 of Freedom to Love

Chapter Fifteen

Brynn could hear the music as she walked up the sidewalk past all the cars edged to the curb. Balloons sprouted from the front porch lights, and laughter spilled out into the brick entryway. She rang the doorbell and did last-minute adjustments of her hair and clothes. The outfit was new; one she’d bought when she’d taken Billy shopping. Her pants were linen, ivory in color, and they matched her linen button-up shirt which she wore open over a white silk tank. She looked very relaxed but well put together.

The door angled open, and Damien’s wife, Genie, beamed, hand to throat in a gesture of disbelief.

“Brynn, oh my Lord, get in here.” She embraced her, and Brynn stood in shock at the sudden show of affection. “We didn’t think you were coming.”

They pulled apart, and Brynn handed over the wine she’d stopped and bought. It wasn’t expensive, but it wasn’t eight-dollar wine either.

“Oh, you didn’t have to do this.” She took her hand and led her inside. “Damien’s in the back with the boys at the grill.”

Brynn scanned quickly but didn’t see Kat anywhere. Her heart sank, yet her stomach still did flips. Genie uncorked the wine to let it breathe, but Brynn approached the counter and slid her a nearby glass. “If you don’t mind, I think I’ll take some of that now.”

She smiled and studied her as she poured. “Kat’s not here yet.”

“Hmm?” Brynn sipped her wine, still staring out to the backyard.

“Kat, she got a call. They found the guys from the SUV.”

Brynn nearly dropped her glass. “Is she okay? I mean—”

“She’s fine. She wasn’t on duty when they found them.”

Brynn released a long-held breath. She closed her eyes and hugged herself with one arm. She downed the rest of her wine.

“Come,” Genie said. “Sit.” She refilled her wineglass and left the bottle on the coffee table. Then she relaxed and crossed her legs. She smiled softly, sincerely. “You know we’ve known Kat a very long time.”

Brynn lifted her brow. “Oh?”

“Almost ten years. And in all that time I’ve never seen her quite like she is now.”

Brynn knew she was supposed to ask what she meant, but she knew what she was getting at. Instead she drank her wine and watched as Damien’s friends drank and laughed, patting him on the shoulders as he sat in his wheelchair.

“Your home is very nice,” Brynn said, looking around. She loved the vaulted ceilings, the raw wood floors, the large stone fireplace.

Genie didn’t respond. Just stared at her. “How long have you been in love with Kat?”

Brynn nearly spit out her wine. “I’m sorry?”

“How long? I’m guessing it was pretty much right away on your part. You’re more emotional than our Kat, passionate. Probably a romantic?”

Brynn couldn’t speak. She set down her glass. It shook in her hand. “I, uh, maybe I should go?”

“Oh, I’m sorry. You aren’t out are you? No wonder why you look so scared.”

Brynn stood, heart racing. It had taken everything she had to sneak off up to May’s, change clothes, and take off in her car. She had said she was going to a party and May hadn’t asked much more. Uncle Mo had stared after her as she’d driven off. He hadn’t liked Kat being at the house, hadn’t liked their embrace. He’d questioned her, stared into her bones and melted them. He knew something was up; he could smell it. He had told her to tell Kat not to come back. If she did he would consider it trespassing.

Brynn had gone to her room and slammed things around, so tired of being under the eye of her family. They, of course, were blaming her for Bea’s incarceration. Said she should’ve done more. They no longer trusted her, and rumors about her growing friendship with Kat and Damien had apparently made its way to Williams Lane. Her family watched her from a distance, from right next door, sometimes from the kitchen table. Uncle Mo had made himself more than comfortable one morning before she awoke to find him sitting there smoking a cigarette. “Your lady cop friend drove by again.” He’d blown smoke out his nose and narrowed his eyes. “What does she want, Brynn?”

Brynn shook her head, pushing his face away from the center of her mind. He was dangerous, and she shouldn’t be here and definitely should not be having this conversation.

“Don’t leave.” Genie came to her side and gently clasped her hand. “I didn’t mean to scare you off.” She brushed her face with smooth knuckles. “You’re safe here. We know about Kat. We love her and we’re growing to love you too.”

“I can’t…I shouldn’t be here.” Her voice caved with nerves.

“Kat’s coming back. She called not long ago…wondering if you were here.”

Brynn looked at the door. If she left what would she do? Go home, watch another rerun with Billy? Answer more of Mo’s questions when he demanded answers? Go through tomorrow just like today, cleaning and working in the garden? Staring off into space dreaming of Kat and a life she could’ve had in a different universe?

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