Chapter Seventeen

 

The next day Deacon dropped Brook off by the lakeshore, she had wanted to visit some of the shops there since that night at the club. He headed off to the garage to work on her car. It was almost noon when the shop’s phone rang. Joey jumped up to grab it. “Deacon’s Auto Shop. Joey speaking.”

Joey frowned as he started to listen to the person on the other line. “Uh huh. Yeah, we have the car. She’s in bad shape though.” He kept quiet as the person on the other line spoke at length. “Uh huh. Yeah, I know a Brook Tilson. Uh huh. Okay let me get a pen here.” He took down a phone number on a notepad. “Okay, I’ll give it to her. Sure. No problem. Bye.”

Joey walked over the Deacon, who was enthralled in what he was doing and hadn’t notice the weird phone call.

“Hey, uh, Deac?”

“Yeah, Joe.”

“Someone just called about Brook’s car. They said they’ve been looking for her.”

Deacon’s concentration broke. He looked over at Joey. He paused, not knowing how to react. “Who was it?”

“I don’t know, some guy named Perry Steiner. He said it was urgent. She needs to call him right away.”

“They didn’t say anything else?”

“Nope. I took down the number. Here.” He gave Deacon the note.

Deacon kept working on the car. He wanted to finish what he was doing before he stopped for a break. An hour later, he decided to call that person back. He wasn’t sure if they were calling about the car or about Brook, he needed to find out. He washed his hands, walked over to his office and dialled the number.

“Perry here.”

“Hello. Uh. I’m calling from Deacon’s Auto Shop. You called here earlier and spoke with Joey.”

“Yes. And who am I speaking with?”

“I’m Deacon Ashby, I own the shop.”

“Mr. Ashby, thank you for getting back to me.”

“Is there a problem with the car?”

“No no no. Nothing like that. I need to speak with Brook. I assume she is there.”

“Well, she’s not in the shop if that’s what you mean. What’s this all about?”

“I’m afraid that’s private. Do you know where she is staying. I’ve been desperately trying to locate her.”

Not knowing if this guy was trouble or a friend, he thought he would let Brook know about him before he gave away her whereabouts.

“I’m afraid that’s not for me to say. I don’t know who you are. So, if you don’t mind. I’ll just give her the message.”

“Fine. Fine. I’m a friend of the family and this is very urgent. Please get her to call me as soon as possible.”

“Will do.”

“Thank you, Mr. Ashby. Good day.”

“Good day to you too.” Deacon mirroring his mannerism thinking it sounded fancy. Was Brook in trouble or in danger? He paused for a minute and called for Joey. “Hey Joe!”

“Yeah Deac.”

“Sounds like this is real important. Would you mind getting this to Brook?”

“Sure, thing Deacon!”

“Except she’s not at the motel. She’s out shopping at Lakeshore.”

“Not a problem Deac. I’ll find her.”

“Okay. Thanks bud. Take the Enclave.” Deacon used the Enclave for small runs. Joey was used to it.

“You got it!”

 

***

 

“Hey Deacon. How you doing?”

“Hey, Sam. I’m good.” He lied, he was worried about Brook.

“You eating?”

“I’ll have a bowl of chili, please, Sam.”

“Coming right up.”

Sam disappeared around the counter. Deacon picked up a piece of paper from the table top, it looked like the last customers check. Chicken fried steak. He smiled at the memory that seemed so long ago although it had less than a week that he had known her.

He twisted the check up, then untwisted it. He glanced at his watch and at his cell phone lying on his table. His gut was churning.

“There you go, honey. I’ll be back with your coffee, OK?”

Deacon nodded.

“So, where’s Brook today?”

“She over at Lakeshore.”

“Oh. Doing some shopping. So, what’s with the long face?”

“I just got this call from someone lookin’ for her. Joey’s out finding her now.”

“Sounds serious.”

“Yeah it does.” Deacon put is head down and grabbed his hair.

“So, tell me then!”

“That’s just it. I don’t know. The guy wouldn’t tell me. He just said it was urgent that she call him.”

“So, let’s wait until she gets back and find out. Don’t go getting your panties in a bunch over nothing. You’re never one to worry over nothing.” She said turning around to get the coffee.

“You’re right.” He held out his cup for her to pour.

“See. Speak of the devil.”

Joey came in the diner looking for Deacon.

“Joe!” Deacon’s anxious voice rattled Joey.

“Oh, hey Deacon.” He sat down next to him. Sam poured him a cup.

“So, did you find her. What are you doing sitting here for?”

“Yeah, I found her. Gave her the note.”

“Then what?” Deacon asked impatiently.

“Then she called from the boutique’s phone. And she hung up.”

“And then.” Sam was on the edge of her seat.

“Then she asked me to drive her to the motel.”

“Well, did she say anything?” Deacon was frustrated at the lack of detail coming from Joey, a guy who loved to talk.

“Nope. She was quiet the whole way. I mean, I had to do all the talking. And she seemed pretty sad too. Her face when completely white when she was on the phone.”

“I’m gonna go over there.” Deacon pushed on the counter to lift himself up.

“No no, she did say to tell you she will come back to the shop to see you. She told me to pick her up in an hour.”

Deacon, froze, not being able to do anything. Just sitting and waiting was not something he liked to do.

“I’m goin’ over there.”

“Now, Deacon. You don’t know what happened. Don’t go making things worse. Just sit tight and respect her wishes. An hour is just enough time for you to eat your lunch and drink your coffee.” Sam reminded him of the situation and calmed him down enough to be able to enjoy his lunch.

He sat until Joey went and came back with Brook.

 

***

 

“Hi Sam.” Brook looked at Sam. She was shaking.

“I’ll give you two some privacy. Come on Joey.” Sam waved Joey to come along with her.

Deacon stood up. He didn’t say anything. The look on Brook’s face had him trembling inside, thinking the worse, not knowing what exactly that might be.

“My father had a heart attack.” She started to cry as the words came rushing out of her mouth.

Deacon immediately wrapped his arms around her as she leaned her forehead onto his chest. She immediately lifted her head back up. “He’s in the hospital.” She looked at him with puppy eyes almost whimpering. “I have to go.”

Deacon’s heart sank. He knew this moment would come but didn’t think it would take him by surprise. He hugged her hard with both arms around her shoulders and didn’t want to let go. She lifted her hands and came up under his arms reaching up to his back, her head to the side, pressed up against his wide chest. No, his mind cried out. They held onto the hug and took a moment to themselves even though they were not alone. She let go and looked him in the eyes.

“I have to go right away. I’m sorry.”

“Deacon whispered. Don’t be sorry.” He kissed her on the forehead.

Sam and Joey came over. “Can we come back now? You alright hon?”

“No, actually, the call I got was from my father’s associate. He’s a close friend of the family. My father had a heart attack and was in the hospital. I have to go right away.”

“Oh my God. Honey. I’m so sorry.”

“Me too Sam. That’s terrible.” Joey added.

“Well, let me take you. The airport is in Huntsville. It will take us an hour if I drive fast.” Deacon thought finally, he could do something.

“No need. They are sending a car to pick me up. There’s a jet waiting for me in Briton County.”

None of them knew what to say to that. They just stood there looking shocked until Sam broke the silence.

“Oh, hon. Well, come and sit down. No use standing around if someone is coming to get cha.”

Brook sat at the counter and Joey and Deacon both took a seat.

“I don’t suppose you want some coffee?”

“Just water, please Sam.”

“Sure thing hon.”

About fifteen minutes past by and Sam walked over the quiet group to bring them some pie.

“You might as well enjoy my pie while you are here.” She laid a plate in front of each of them.

Brook laughed. “Did you know that raspberry pie was my favourite?”

“No. I didn’t know that!” Sam had a surprised smile on her face, which you never saw from her. Most of the time, Sam was one step ahead of everyone but this little fact about Brook, she did not expect.

“Well, then all the more reason to eat up!”

Brook picked up her fork.

Deacon started. “You know what I don’t get, is how did they find you in the first place.”

“Yeah.” Joey chimed in. “I mean, it’s not like you have your phone with you.”

“They tracked the car.” Brook replied.

Deacon nodded. “I forgot about that.”

Joey added “So they tracked the car down and called us? How long had they been looking for you?”

“A day. I left my phone back at the apartment with a note saying I went on a little trip. Then they noticed the car was missing.” Brook chose her words carefully, she didn’t want to say my dad’s jet, she said a jet. Although any jet was a clear sign of money. “The tracker went out when the car broke down on Main Street, so Perry just called the nearest auto shop.”

A car pulled up in front of the diner. A casually dressed chauffeur stepped out and entered the diner. They didn’t have fancy limos or chauffeurs over in Briton but they manage to send someone out to get her, regardless.

“Excuse me, I’m looking for Brook Tilson.”

“That’s me.” Brook got up from her seat.

They all stood up and paused. Sam walked around the counter to give her a hug. “Goodbye sweetheart. It was real nice meeting you.”

“Goodbye Sam. It was a pleasure meeting you. Thank you for everything.”

Everyone paused again. Brook and Deacon didn’t quite know how to say goodbye to each other.

“Miss?” The chauffeur called out. “Do you have any bags?”

Brook turned to the driver. “Yes, they are in Joey’s car out front.”

“Yeah, I can help you with that.” Joey stepped up to go towards the door.

“Joe, I got it.” Deacon said. He wanted to walk Brook out.

Brook turned towards Joey. “Well, goodbye Joey.” She bends down to give him a hug.

“Bye Brook.” He hugged her back.

Deacon walked her out to the curb. He opened the trunk to his Escalade and went to get the bags but Brook held his hand and he turned his body back towards her. She was used to chauffeurs and knew he would take care of the bags. Deacon didn’t realize that until after the fact.

They didn’t kiss. They just hugged and he kissed her on the top of her head. “I’m gonna miss you.” Deacon whispered from the top of her head.

She gripped him even tighter. “Me too!” she said softly.

As she got into the car, she turned and said “Take care of yourself.”

Deacon put one hand on the top of the car and the other on the top of the car door and leaned in. Not knowing what to say to her. He just stared at her. Their eyes locked in a moment of sadness. He reached down and brushed her cheek with his hand. Then he laid his hand down on her knee and squeezed it, stood up erect and hesitantly shut the door, knowing she had little time to waste. She put her hand up as the car drove off. And then she was gone. Deacon stood watching the car disappear down the road, put his head down and walked over to his shop.