Chapter 9
“What!” Brook squealed.
After the sea of people freed her, she watched Mason tilt his hat toward her. The week, which flew by, brought her so much joy. Mason”s special attention and lovemaking made her more confident about her decision to relocate. She still hadn”t discussed it with anyone, not even her best girlfriends. Brook hoped that Mason would be okay with her plans. So many things could go wrong. Still, she had a keen sense of their budding relationship, and like she did the first night they met, Brook wanted to take this chance. She”d forgotten her plans to go to New York by the end of the summer. She conceded that every plan worked with changes once in a while. Right now, the only thing that mattered stood across the way on top of that stage.
As she watched Mason and his family, she felt good about them. Brook swayed to the honkytonk number and found herself pulled to the center of the makeshift dance floor. Without hesitation, she joined one of the cousins in a swing. Freedom flowed through her veins, and she was having a ball. Mason came down from the stage by the third song, pulling her into a slow dance.
”Are you enjoying yourself, my love?”
“I’m having a blast, babe. Thank you.” She stood on tiptoes and kissed his chin.
Mason dipped his head and captured her mouth in a soulful kiss that didn”t linger long. ”I”m happy you”re having a good time,” he said.
“When did you plan this whole band dedication thing, Mr. LeBlanc?”
“You liked it, right?”
”I did. It made me feel special. And I like your family even though there are a thousand of them.” She giggled.
“The important thing is that they all know who you are.”
By the last song, everyone was summoned to the dance floor. By the time relatives started leaving, Brook was exhausted. Aside from making love all night, they”d gotten up early and had cooked in the sun and heat all day. Her spirit plummeted when she entered the house because she learned that Mason would not share her room.
“Sorry, love. The folks are strict. No unmarried folk in the same bed.”
“How do you expect me to sleep in a strange place by myself.”
“You’ll be fine, darlin’. It’s just for a couple of nights.”
“No loving?”
“Not tonight.”
His answer seemed to leave a door open, and at this point, Brook decided that she would take it. They lingered at the entrance of the room where she would bunk. She could tell that Mason was also exhausted and tried to erase the tired lines in his face.
“I know you’re exhausted, baby. I’ll be okay. See you first thing in the morning, right?”
“First thing. Call me if you need me. I’m downstairs, okay.”
“Okay. Good night. I love you.”
”Sweet dreams, darlin”.” He kissed her one last time.
Brook stepped into the dimly lit room and closed the doors. She rested her back on it briefly before moving into the attached bathroom. Once Brook washed away the sweat, her body almost felt like a new person. With her phone in hand, she crawled into the center of the bed and dialed Mason’s phone number.
“Miss me already?”
”Missing you terribly. Just wanted to say good night.”
“Good night. I’ll see you in the morning. I love you.”
“I love you.”
Brook drifted off and only stirred when peeks of light filtered through the cracks in the blinds. She turned over and looked at her phone. After rolling off the bed, Brook quickly freshened up and dressed in a pastel sundress with open-toe sandals. When she released the door, Brook thought that the house seemed awfully quiet compared to the commotion yesterday and last night. Then, remembered Mason telling her that the LeBlanc family fished for a living. She descended the stairs and met Ethel LeBlanc. Startled, she fumbled her greeting.
“Good morning, Ms. Ethel.”
”Good morning, dear. Hopefully, you slept well.”
“Yes, ma’am. I think I passed out the moment my head hit the pillow.”
They both chuckled. ”It was a long day. Are you hungry? There”s breakfast in the kitchen.”
”Is Mason up?” Brook didn”t want to sound like she couldn”t do anything without Mason. Still, she”d rather eat with him.
“He might be out front helping his dad. There is coffee and juice in there as well. Just let me know when you’re ready.” She hugged Brook and went through a narrow hallway.
“Thank you,” Brook replied to the woman’s retreating back.
As quickly as possible, Brook headed to the front and pushed open the screen door. The sun hung high and bright. She covered her eyes and squinted to make out the figures in the yard. Stepping off the porch, Mason turned in her direction and moved towards the house. He looked down, his face partially blocked because of the sun.
“Good morning, darlin’. Did you sleep well?”
Brook’s arms instantly went up and around his neck. Mason didn’t leave her hanging. He kissed and returned the embrace before she answered.
“Yes, how about you? Did you get some rest?”
”I”m fine,” Mason turned and pointed at the men behind them. I was just helping my dad get the trailer hooked up to his truck, and I”ll join you at the house in a few minutes. We”re almost done.”
Brook wanted to go in with him. They”d already spent the night apart. Not to make a fuss, she stepped back and returned to the house. As the screen door closed, Ethel came back up the hallway. ”Did you find him?”
”Yes, ma”am. Aww, Ms. Ethel, can I help you with anything?” Brook was still determining when Mason would be done; she wanted to stay busy.
“Come,” Ethel waved her hand. “How about you join me for a nice hot cup of coffee.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Brook willingly followed her into the kitchen.
She watched Ethel take two jumbo cups from the cupboard, sit them on the counter, and pour a decent amount of black liquid into each one. ”You take cream and sugar?” she turned before opening the refrigerator.
“Yes, ma’am.”
The melodic way Ethel added cream and sugar to her coffee made Brook look closer at the woman. She wore a plain shift and sandals, small gold posts, and her hair was pulled into a knot. Her skin was utterly tanned, which was expected since Ethel accompanied the family on the fishboats. Although she was sunbeat, her skin glowed against the vibrant-colored dress. What struck Brook the most was the woman”s natural beauty. Her eyes matched Mason, and her voice was soft-spoken. Ethel”s personality seemed utterly the opposite of her mother”s. Now that she had poured her attention on Brook, it made this time an intimate experience and not overbearing.
Brook followed suit, adding cream and sugar before she took a sip and instantly recognized the chicory. The first time she tasted it happened at Mason’s house. “Hmm, that’s delicious.”
”I”m Glad you like it. Tell me a little about yourself. With all the commotion yesterday, we”ve not had a chance to talk.”
Brook told her about the family, what they did, and how she met Mason. She didn”t know why, but like Mason, Brook felt comfortable talking to her. They talked for almost ten minutes before Mason waltzed into the kitchen.
”And, exactly what are you two lovely ladies talking about.” He kissed his mother”s cheek first, then leaned in and kissed her lips.
”Well, I was about to tell Brook that you”ve never brought a girl home to meet us before, so she must be someone exceptional.”
Mason didn’t hesitate. “Indeed she is.” He eyed Brook with that knowing expression he always wore when he wanted to be naughty.
”Interesting.” A male voice boomed as it entered the room. His father moved in next to his wife and kissed her hair. ”We”re out for a good part of the day, but when we come back, maybe you”ll share supper and tell us a little about yourself, Brook. Mason here is always evasive when we ask questions.”
“I’m not evasive, Pop. I just try to keep my business, my business.”
”Well, today, your business will come to light.” Leo slapped Mason on the shoulder. ”Now, we must go. We don”t want to be out too long today since we”ve got company. Let”s go girly.” He helped Ethel from the stool.
”Thanks for the coffee and the chat.” Brook held up her empty cup towards Ethel.
”Maybe Mason will take you around. It”ll be a nice day for it. We”ll see you when we get back, okay.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
After they left the house, Brook asked Mason. “Have you had breakfast? Your mom says there is food in the warmer.”
Mason peeked out the window before he answered. “I want my dessert first.” He pulled her by the arms before picking her up and heading down the short hall.
“Where are you taking me?” She yelped.
”Trust me, you”ll like it.”
And like it, she did. Mason”s bed, still unmade and full of his cologne, Brook landed in the center of the scattered covers and allowed him to have his way. Before long, they both gasp for air. ”Where there”s a will, there”s a way, Mr. LeBlanc.”
“You have to take opportunities when they come, darlin’. Let’s go and get you that breakfast. I have places to show you.”
Mason helped her up, and they dressed quickly but enjoyed a long, soulful kiss afterward. Brook enjoyed the scrumptious quiche, fresh fruit, and a fresh cup of coffee. They first left the house in the truck but ended up walking along the path of tall grass that smelled like pepper. Wildflowers lined the hill and ravine. Mason held her hand, stopping and pointing to things as he explained what they were and their role on the island. They returned to the cove they”d visited the day before. The warm breeze softly kissed her, cooling the sun”s heat.
”So, have you ever brought anyone else to this spot?” Brook asked.
“Other than my grandmother, no.” He turned to face her. “Why do you ask.”
”Well, I”m just wondering. Your mom said you”ve never brought a girl home, but perhaps you”ve brought them here.”
Mason drew her into his lap. “Like I said, this is my special place. I generally come here alone. There hasn’t been anyone special for a long time, Brook. I didn’t think I had room for a woman, a relationship. You’ve changed all of that.”
Brook fidgeted with the flower she”d picked, rolling it between two fingers. At that moment, her heartbeat quickened at his response. If she hadn”t had proof before that Mason was serious about her, rest assured, his comment today helped vanish any doubt that they possibly had a future together. With that knowledge, she found the courage to tell Mason her plans.
“I have something to tell you.” She hesitated.
“I’m listening, love.”
“I’ve decided to relocate.” She stalled.
Mason frowned. ”Relocate where Brook?”
Brook”s mouth went dry. It”d been a while since he”d called her by name and not darlin” or love. She silently prayed that her news would not alter his previous comment. Brook sighed before proceeding. ”New Orleans.” She glanced away toward the edge of the beach and waited for a response.
He fell quiet for a long moment, and when he didn”t say anything, Brook looked back into his gaze. The stunned expression gave her mixed feelings. Brook couldn”t read the expression, especially since she wanted her news to promote overwhelming joy. She bit her bottom lip to keep from asking him if he had heard what she”d said. He looked at her a moment longer.
”What did you say?” he asked, almost in a whisper.
”I said I”m relocating to New Orleans.”
Mason leaped up from the rock with her locked into a snug embrace. ”Are you kidding me?” He squealed, holding her even tighter. ”Hot damn! He started spinning her around, and all Brook could do was hold on. When he finally stopped, she felt woozy.
“You’re making me dizzy, crazy man. Put me down.”
Instead of releasing Brook, Mason captured her mouth for a deep, long kiss. ”I love you! I love you!” He repeated between kisses.
Brook felt relieved by his reaction. The wind kicked up for a moment as if in agreement. They held each other until he released her. ”Tell me what happened?” Mason helped her back to sit on the rock.
”I wasn”t sure you would be okay with it or that you felt strong enough for me to make such a move. But I love this city, and more importantly, I love you. So, I started looking for transfers. I only got the news yesterday evening. So...”
“You’re moving... when?”
“I still haven’t ironed out the details.”
A weight lifted from her shoulders, and things were falling into place. Even if things didn”t work out with her and Mason, New Orleans consumed her the first time she visited. She fell in love with it and the people. The girls could come and visit any time they wanted to. The new job seemed exciting and a new start. She and Mason would have time to blossom their new love. Her only hesitation at this point was telling her family. Brook knew with certainty that they would have a problem with her decision.
She leaned on Mason”s shoulder. ”I still have a lot of planning to do. And I haven”t told my family yet.”
Mason moved an arm around her. “Don’t worry, I’m here. I got you. I’ll even be with you to tell your parents. I won’t let you do this alone, okay.”
“Promise?”
”I promise. Your news makes me so very happy. I, too, contemplated a move that would bring us closer together. I know you”ll love it here, darlin”. I”ll make sure of it.”
”I appreciate you, I do.” She blew out a long breath.
Mason”s smile alone made everything okay. His protective arms offered comfort. His reassurance helped Brook settle into the thought of her pending change. Originally, she”d planned to wait until returning home to break the news to her family before telling him. They would have grilled her about Mason, what he intended for her, and where she would live. Now, with Mason on board, they would devise a strategy together.
“Darlin’, it’s getting late. Let’s head back to the house.”
When they reached the house, his parents were in the kitchen making supper. ”Good evening, Pop, Momma,” Mason greeted them.
“Good evening, Mr. and Mrs. LeBlanc.” Brook waved.
“Did you guys have a good time?”
“We did, and we’ll tell you about it over supper,” Mason offered.
Brook quickly glanced at him with a frown. He understood her expression but totally ignored it. She pulled her hand away and moved further into the kitchen. ”Is there anything I can help with?”
”No, dear, we are nearly done. You guys go freshen up, and everything will be ready by the time you return.”
Brook headed up the stairs but stopped when Mason called to her. ”Darlin”, don”t worry.” She nodded and went to the room, showered, and changed clothes.
Dinner, like the feast the night before, tasted absolutely delicious. Mason was right; that little extra seasoning made their food mouthwateringly delectable. If not careful, Brook would gain twenty pounds eating as she had all week.
“Everything was fabulous, Ms. Ethel.”
”And we”re going to clean up. Thanks, Mom.” Mason offered.
”What about me? I helped,” his father complained.
“Thank you, Pops!”
They cleaned up and met his folks on the porch. Brook eased on the giant swing, and Mason joined her. They all talked for a while. She learned a lot about his parents and told them more about her parents and brother. They told stories about his childhood, much like her parents had done when Mason visited New Glarus. By the time they got to her bedroom for the evening, Brook”s feelings were all over the place. She wanted to spend the night with Mason but also respected his parent”s rules. She wanted him close.
“I miss you already.”
”But I standing right here with you, darlin”.”
“I know. I’m not looking forward to tomorrow.”
”We”ll spend a little alone time tomorrow when we return to the city.”
Mason left her in the open bedroom door with a long, passionate kiss. The ride back to New Orleans went by quickly. And as he”d promised, they spent the rest of the day in bed. After he dropped her off at the airport, he would head to work. Their goodbye at the terminal was as bad as the first time she left New Orleans. Mason had to remind Brook again that their goodbye was still so long for now. The lecture did little to comfort her. Brook sulked the entire flight. When she reached home, Brook called Mason as promised.
“I’ve made it home, babe.”
”I”m happy, darlin”. Get some rest, and I”ll call you at the end of my shift.”
Brook agreed to wait until morning, but when she couldn”t sleep, she dialed Mason”s cell after tossing and turning for a half hour. To her surprise, he picked up the first ring.
“Hey love, what’s wrong?”
“Can’t sleep.”
“Give me a quick minute.”
She heard Mason instruct someone and then tell them he would be out for a few minutes.
“I love you,” he announced.
“I love you,” she responded, feeling the vibes that travel through the phone. The gesture offered comfort and reassurance.
“Talk to me, darlin’.”
“I can’t wait to tell my parents. I think I’m going to do it tomorrow.” She sat on the edge of the bed and waited for a response.
”Love, I don”t think there”s a good or bad time to tell them. If you want to do it on your own, that”s fine. If you want, we can do a Zoom call.”
”No, I”m good with it. The sooner I do this, the sooner I can return home.”
“Did you just say home?”
“I did.”
”Well, call me when you”re done.”
Brook drafted a resignation letter and submitted it to her boss the following morning. She waited for her father as she and Annabelle sat at the kitchen counter.
”Dear daughter, will you please tell me what this is about, Brook?” she insisted.
“Not until Dad comes, Mom.”
When he finally arrived, he sat beside Annabelle after kissing her cheek. ”Hey, sweetheart. So, have you decided to move to New Orleans?”
Brook”s mouth flew open, and her eyes grew as wide as a saucer. She didn”t have time to respond before her mother interrupted.
“Wait... what? Who’s moving where.”
“Dad...”
”Mason and I talked before he left. He told me he”d hope for the possibility. If you didn”t move there, he would be willing to move here. And I just guessed that the two of you had come to a decision during your recent visit.”
Her mother”s barrage of questions didn”t seem to end at first, so her father had to step in. ”Annabelle, I”m surprised that Brook came back after graduation. I expected her to venture out. Let her make this move.”
Brook stood and hugged her father”s neck. She tried the same gesture with her mother, who protested at first but eventually gave in.
”At least now your visit to New Orleans will have a purpose.”
In the weeks that passed, Brook sent ahead some personal belongings but was happy to leave everything else in the house. Most of it belonged to her grandmother. She closed the door, headed to her parents, and shared goodbyes with family. She wouldn”t let any of them bring her to the airport for fear that she would break down. When the car arrived, she slumped into the seat and allowed the tears to stream down her face.
The moment she stepped through the security doors and took the escalators down to baggage claim, Mason stood waiting at the bottom. Tears of joy filled her when she saw his outstretched arms. No, this wasn”t the plan, but all plans are subject to change given the right circumstances.
She walked into his waiting arms. ”Welcome home, darlin””.
* * *
I hope you enjoyed Brook and Mason’s story. Want to read more by Ann?
https://bit.ly/Ann-Clay