Whispers from the Past Excerpt

Blackbeard’s Bar & Grill 
March 12 
7:15 p.m.

Friends.

Brianna never had many, preferring to keep to herself. But in the last two years, much had changed. And the chance to spend the evening with a few friends came at exactly the right time. After all, she’d been on edge all day. It felt like she was waiting for something … or someone.

Could it be him? Was he the reason for her feelings of anticipation?

She was meeting Amy, Brandy, and Samantha at Blackbeard’s Bar & Grill for an evening of girl talk and karaoke. It was one of those versatile places—a mix of a bar, grill, and a dance floor where locals came to unwind.

The moment she walked inside, the loud music and the aroma of fried food and beer wrapped around her. Polished wood, brass accents, and the cozy lighting reminded her of home. She was excited for the evening—until she noticed Amy waving her over and Sam wiping her eyes.

So much for a casual night out with the girls.

The moment she sat down, Amy and Brandy started talking at once. It didn’t take her long to get involved. Sam’s fiancé had broken up with her via text and wanted his ring back. It took the evening from casual to a ‘therapy’ session and ‘man-bashing.’

That was before Sam had too much to drink and put herself in an embarrassing situation. Friends rescued her, but when Amy returned to the table, she was alone.

“Is she okay?” Bri asked softly.

Amy shrugged. “Sam’s tough. She will be.”

“What are you not saying, Ames?” Brandy followed up. 

“She kicked me out.” Amy frowned. “I’m not used to that.”

“Because of Shawn?”

“Honestly? I don’t know. Since she moved back home, things have been different between us.”

While Brianna didn’t know, nor pretend to understand the dynamics between Amy and Sam, another layer had been added to their friendship. Even though, the women had been friends since kindergarten, Amy was now dating Sam’s brother. She’d been doing so for years, but for most of that time, sister and brother hadn’t lived in the same state. It had to be awkward.

When Amy turned her attention to her brother and his new girlfriend, Brandy leaned in.

“Want to come with me to check on Sam?”

They signaled their intent and hurried to the ladies’ room. Sam was sitting on the sofa, looking lost.

“I’m sorry,” Sam sighed as soon as she saw them. “I feel like such a fool.”

“Oh, Sam.” Brandy knelt in front of her. “This isn’t your fault. If that’s the type of man he is, he didn’t deserve you.”

Sam took a deep breath. “Thanks for trying. I just want to go home.”

“I can …,” Brandy began.

“Shawn’s picking me up,” Sam replied. “Having an older brother can be a pain. But he’s been really helpful since everything …”

Bri grinned. “I’m glad you have someone in your corner.” She hesitated. “Besides us, anyway.”

Sam smiled. “Can I ask a favor?”

“Anything.”

“Would you get my bag? I think I’m going to slip out the back.”

“I can do that. I’ll just be a minute.”

Brianna started down the hall. When she passed Blackbeard’s entryway, the door opened, and three men stepped inside, temporarily blocking her path. The tallest one stopped, his gaze locking with hers.

His stare was intense. So intense, she took a step backward—any thought of moving forgotten.

“I didn’t hurt you, did I?” he asked in a voice that was low, gravelly, and unexpectedly gentle for a man of his size. 

“No, I’m fine.”

He smiled, but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. Shadows lingered there. Ones that were haunting and had her wanting to ask him if he was okay.

A shout from across the room broke the spell, and his attention shifted.

“Hey, Coach!”

“Boys,” he greeted, his voice carrying the same edge. ”Been here long?”

He moved into the room like he owned it—slapping hands with some, gentle ribbing with others. To them, he was the jovial ‘coach,’ and even if it was temporary, they wanted to bask in his attention.

Like them, something about him stirred her. Not because of what he showed to the world, but because of what he didn’t. That man caused a spark … she just didn’t know why.

 But falling in love wasn’t why she was here. She knew that. Still, after spending so much time with Amy, Brandy, and Sam, she’d picked up their habit of checking men out … at least a little. And that man was a very nice specimen.

His hair was on the longer side, wild like he’d combed his fingers through it more than once. He was broad-chested, and his eyes made her feel like he could look into her soul. Before he completely disappeared, she took another peek, and added—his buns were firm enough to bounce a coin on.

That thought brought forth a little giggle. When she glanced up, Amy was watching her, one blonde brow lifted.

“Who did you meet?“

“I didn’t meet anyone. Why?”

“Then who were you checking out?”

Brianna shrugged. “No one special. I just came to get Sam’s bag. Her brother is coming to get her.”

“Does she want us to go with her?”

“I think she wants to hide for a little while.”

“And sleep?”

“That’s my guess. I’ll be right back.”

Amy smiled. “Fine. Just be prepared to tell me who put that look on your face.”

Brianna grinned, one that felt just a little sneaky. “We’ll see,” she quipped once she’d collected the bag.

Brandy, Sam and her brother, Shawn, were waiting right outside the ladies’ room door.

“I’m sorry it took so long. I, uh, got held up.”

Brandy lifted a brow, but with a subtle head shake, she didn’t push the issue right then.

“Thanks for taking care of Sam,” Shawn said ushering his sister toward the door.

“Let us know if you need anything,” Bri called.

As soon as they were alone, Brandy’s questions started.

“Which man put that smile on your face?”

Bri giggled, then immediately covered her mouth. That was not her. She didn’t giggle.

“When I was on my way back, a few guys came in and everyone had to greet them.”

“Did you check out all of them or just one?”

“Just one.” Then she clamped her teeth together, determined not to say more.

“Stick with me, my friend,” Brandy murmured. “The night is young.”

                                                                                      ***

Blackbeard’s Bar & Grill 
March 12 
9:30 p.m.

Hugh had been content to sit back and let the conversation go on around him. But then Gabe got a work call and ran out the door, and Eric’s attention kept drifting toward another table. The one Hugh had purposely put his back to.

Initially, he told himself it was because he’d been the last one to sit, and that’s just how it happened. But as the night wore on, it became a struggle to stay true to that reason. Once Gabe left, though, he’d adjusted enough so he could see her from the corner of his eye.

He didn’t know who she was and planned to keep it that way. One look into her green eyes was all it took for him to know she was trouble. And that was something he didn’t have time to deal with.

“I know it’s not your sister who’s caught your attention, Eric,” Hugh teased. “Which one are you watching? The brunette or the woman with the beautiful red hair?”

Eric grinned. “Well, I did want to ask Amy about Sam. I heard she was pretty messed up before we got here.”

So, not the redhead.

“Sam?”

“Samantha Jackson,” Eric explained. “She’s been Amy’s best friend since elementary school.”

“Jackson? That’s the guy Amy’s dating, right?”

“Oh, yes.”

“There’s a story there, isn’t there?”

Eric chuckled. “When Amy started dating Shawn, my brothers and I had a talk with him.”

“You can’t stop now.”

“If I remember correctly, Justin reminded Shawn he knew how to dismantle a body. Lee threatened to sic the IRS on him.”

“And you?”

“I told him I’d ticket him every time I saw him.”

“How many times have you followed through on that promise?”

“None. Shawn’s not such a bad guy. It’s just …”

“You’re not going to toss the ‘no one’s good enough for my baby sister’ at me, are you?”

“No, but after watching Amanda and Lee, and Shay and Justin fawn all over each other, I’m not sure Amy and Shawn are forever.”

Hugh snickered. “You’re quite in tune with your feminine side, aren’t you?”

“Don’t knock it. The women eat it up.”

“So I ask again. Is it your sister you’re keeping an eye on, or someone else?”

“Can’t it be both?”

Hugh made the mistake of glancing toward the table once more. His gaze collided with the redhead’s, and an ache raced around inside that she might be the one who’d captured Eric’s eye. He forced his attention back to his table, only to find his cousin watching him closely.

“You see something interesting over there?” Eric tossed back. “I know it’s not my sister. Could it be the redhead, by chance?”

Hugh grinned. “Go chat ‘em up. I’m dry.”

He left Eric_ sitting at the table and pushed his way through the crowd to a spot at the end of the bar.

“Obsidian stout,” Hugh requested when he caught the bartender’s eye.

“Tap?”

“Please.”

Hugh watched Kyle while he poured the drink. The other man was a couple of years older, but they’d been on the same football team in high school. After that, they’d gone in different directions. He’d gone to college and into the NFL. Kyle’s path veered hard—steroids had been his downfall.

“Think the team’s going to be any good this year?” Kyle asked, when he set the glass in front of him.

Hugh shrugged. “I hope so.”

“Aren’t you supposed to say, hell, yeah?” Kyle laughed. “And then hype up excitement to boost ticket sales?”

Before Hugh responded, he took a drink, and a flash of red in the mirror caught his attention. He hesitated, the drink he’d taken yet to be swallowed.

“Hugh?”

Kyle’s teasing voice broke through the temporary fog.

“You okay?”

“Just savoring it.”

“Uh huh.”

Before Kyle could say more, Hugh tossed out, “How’s Lauren?”

At the mention of his wife, Kyle’s smile grew. “Did I tell you we’re pregnant?”

A sliver of something slid through Hugh, but what was it? Loneliness? Regret? Or was it jealousy of a type of relationship he’d never known? Whatever the reason, it wasn’t something he wished to focus on right then … maybe never.

“Really. Congratulations man. I never thought I’d see the day.”

“What about you? Any prospects?”

Hugh’s gaze jumped to the mirror. But the slight softening inside had him forcing a chuckle.

“Why settle for one, when you have a buffet to choose from?”

“Don’t knock it until you’ve tried it.”

Similar to words he’d heard from his cousin Justin. Since he’d met Shay, he’d fallen hard and fast.

“I’ll keep that in mind.”

“You never know,” Kyle tossed out before turning away to help another.

Hugh leaned a little heavier against the bar and took another drink. His gaze unerringly drifted to the mirror. From there, he could watch her.

Eric had taken his advice and settled at one end of the table. From the looks of it, he was telling one of his stories. Hugh’s gaze drifted from one woman to the other, stopping on the redhead. She was watching him—her look unwavering.

His breath hitched, the spell only releasing him when Kyle’s father, Doug, settled next to him. His ever-present glass of Scotch in his hand.

Doug’s appearance took him aback. Where Kyle looked healthier than he had in years, his father was pale, almost too pale. He fought the questions bubbling beneath the surface and tapped his glass.

“I want to thank you again for serving Obsidian.”

“It was a smart business decision.” Doug’s voice was soft, breathless. “As was putting my son in charge.”

Hugh grinned. “And Kyle’s wife is pregnant.”

“She is,” Doug murmured. “As is Adrianna. She’s pregnant with her third.”

That uncomfortable feeling returned. Adrianna had been his high school girlfriend. And while he didn’t pine for her, hearing about her family was unsettling.

“She’s living in Portland now, right?”

Doug hummed and took a drink of his Scotch. “What about you, Hugh? Ready to settle down?”

“Is that your way of saying I need to grow up?”

Doug chuckled. “Now, son. I didn’t say that, did I?”

                                                                                               ***

She’d tried not to stare. But he’d always been there—in her peripheral vision—every movement he made catching her attention.

“Want more?” Brandy pushed the basket of fries toward her.

Bri nibbled on the fry she didn’t really want and tuned back into the conversation at her table. It wasn’t all for naught.

She learned the man at the bar was Hugh Simpson, Amy’s cousin. Her brother Eric was regaling them with comical stories from his job—he was a deputy with the Swan Harbor Sheriff Department. And the man who’d run out, Gabe Ricci, Lee, another brother’s partner.

While she found Eric’s tales entertaining, her attention refused to stay on what was in front of her. Instead, it drifted to the man standing at the bar.

Hugh was broad, easily twice her size. But comfortable in his skin. That alone told her, his shadows weren’t caused by something people could see. Whatever it was, he held it close.

“You don’t mind, do you?” Brandy leaned over to whisper.

Bri blinked away her thoughts and met Brandy’s laughing dark eyes.

Damn.

“Why would I mind?” Bri feigned indifference. “Have fun.”

It wasn’t until Brandy and Eric pushed back their chairs and stepped onto the dance floor, she figured out what was going on. Once she did, though, she had to wonder. Had she misread the twinkling eyes? Were they about her friend’s behavior and not her own?

Bri glanced at Amy, not surprised to see her watching the dancers as well.

“Are you worried about something?

Amy turned back around and leaned her elbows on the table. She wore an expression Bri struggled to read. It had her once again glancing toward the dance floor.

The couple danced well together, like they’d danced many times before. But it was the look on Brandy’s face that had her catching her breath.

“She’s in love with him, isn’t she?”

Amy winced. “I thought she’d gotten over that.”

“You knew?”

“Brandy has had a thing for Eric since we were in high school.”

“Did they ever date?”

“No. That doesn’t mean they weren’t in the same space many times.”

Before Brianna could follow up, Amy’s brother Lee and his wife, Amanda, stopped by their table. It had her making a mental note to check up on Brandy and gave her time to study Hugh some more.

Part of her knew she needed to push aside her curiosity. That he could be no more than a temporary distraction. Except the more she tried to do so, the more her interest grew.

Brianna knew she shouldn’t, but she couldn’t seem to stop. She drained her glass and pointed toward the bar.

“I’m going to get another. Do you want anything?”

“I’m good. While you’re gone, I’m going to ask a friend of Eric’s to dance. You okay with that?”

Brianna grinned. “Have fun.”

Her heart gave a mini flip that Amy wouldn’t be alone. It also gave her permission to take her time … if it was warranted.

She tossed her purse strap over her shoulder and glanced in the mirror once more. When she did, Hugh was watching her, his stare just as intense as earlier.

As soon as she started toward the bar, his eyes flared, and a ruddy hue dotted his cheeks just above his beard. Brianna ducked her head, but refused to back down and return to the table. Instead, she angled down a few feet from where Hugh had planted himself.

“Can I help you?” the bartender asked.

“Blue Moon with an orange slice, please.”

The bartender smirked, causing a little frown to form between her brows. While she waited, her gaze drifted to the mirror, not surprised to find Hugh watching her, wearing a teasing smile.

A part of her wanted to stomp her foot and ask what she’d missed. The other side wanted to take her drink and slink back to the table.

“Enjoy.” The bartender set the drink in front of her and exchanged grins with Hugh. “Let me know if you need anything else.”

Brianna took a drink. She typically wasn’t a fan of beer, but the Blue Moon was slightly sweet, even more so with the orange slice. It had also proved to be a good conversation starter before. Would Hugh take her bait?

She took a sip, and her gaze shifted up. This time, though, Hugh was looking away. Taking that as a message of its own, Brianna started back toward her table.

“That’s such a girly drink,” she heard before she’d gotten far.

Her heart raced, and she tightened her hold on the glass, worried she’d drop it. Slowly, she turned to face him.

His hazel eyes glowed golden in the bar’s warm light, picking up their color from his shirt.

Unconsciously, Brianna pulled back her shoulders and straightened to her full height—5’4”—but she’d bet he was at least a foot taller.

“Well, I am a girl.”

Hugh’s gaze never wavered from her face, something that completely shocked her. It reminded her of simpler times.

His smile started with his lips, just a small one, and his eyes crinkled.

“I’m not arguing with that.”

“Good.”

He tipped his glass toward her in a courtly way. “If you’re going to drink beer. You should try a Deschutes Obsidian Stout.”

“Deschutes?” Brianna frowned. “French for waterfall?”

Hugh’s grin grew. “Hell, if I know. I just know they make a damn fine beer.”

“He’s only drinking that stuff because the company gave him a lot of money to pose with his shirt off,” the bartender smirked. “Otherwise, don’t believe anything he says.”

“You don’t have to tell everything you know, Kyle,” Hugh muttered.

Bri’s mouth dropped open, and she side-eyed him. He was watching her, but his expression had changed. This time, it held laughter and anticipation, or was that expectation? Temporarily anyway, his shadows were hidden.

“Should I be impressed?”

If anything, her answer relaxed him even more. The expectation was gone, leaving behind a teasing smile. One she didn’t plan on paying attention to.

“Not at all.” He held out his hand. “Hugh Simpson.”

She understood what she needed to do, but it was almost a struggle to follow through. Somehow, she knew if she touched him, things would change. Slowly, she slipped her hand into his, not surprised when his swallowed it.

“Brianna Cooper.”

“He’s the one you’ve been waiting for.”

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