And the hair on the back of his neck stood up.
Raney stopped midaisle, turned and started for the back of the church. Chase caught up with her in just a few steps. Four feet later, Bray clamped a hand on his brother’s neck and gently grabbed Raney’s arm. “This is your practice,” he said. “I’ve got this.”
Both Raney and Chase hesitated, and then Chase gave a quick nod. “Be careful,” he said.
When Bray got to the top of the basement stairs, the yelling was still going on. He went fast but quietly down the thirteen steps. Rounded the corner, saw the back of a man and realized that he’d grabbed the person in front of him and was starting to shake them.
“Hey,” Bray yelled. And that caused just enough delay that he was able to get across the room, land a hand on the man’s shoulder and whip him around.
The man hadn’t touched him, but he’d felt as if he’d taken one in the stomach.
He hadn’t seen Summer Wright for fifteen years, and there she was. As beautiful as ever with her red hair. Her face was pale, and the fingers she had pressed up to her lips were shaking.
“What the hell?” The man was snarling and pushing at Bray.
Two quick moves and Bray had the man on his knees with his left arm wrenched high behind his back. “Shut up,” Bray said calmly.
“Are you okay?” he asked Summer.
She nodded.
So maybe he wouldn’t break this man’s neck. “What’s going on here?” Bray asked.
The man tried to twist away. “I’m having a damn conversation with my wife,” he said.
“Ex-wife,” Summer said. She swallowed hard and looked at Bray. “You can let him go,” she said softly.
So this sorry excuse for a man was Gary Blake. “I don’t think so.”
She licked her lips. “He’ll just make trouble for you if you don’t.”
Many years ago, Blake had been an officer on the local police force. Based on the uniform, he still was. He leaned close to Blake’s ear. “I’m going to let you up,” Bray whispered. “But if you make one move in her direction, I’m going to take you down, and I’m going to make it hurt.”
When Gary Blake was back on his feet, he whirled toward Bray. “Who the hell are you?” he demanded.
“Bray Hollister.”
He could tell the minute the name registered. Blake stood perfectly still, as if debating what to do next. Finally, he turned back toward Summer. “We’re not done,” he said. Then he walked out of the room.
Bray heard his feet on the stairs, heard the front door, heard a vehicle start. He heard all that while he watched the woman he’d once loved lower herself into a chair, as if her knees were about to give out.
“I figured you’d be home for the wedding,” she said.
He didn’t answer because he heard more noise on the stairs. Then Chase, Raney, Cal and Nalana were in the basement. Reverend Brown and the piano player were behind them.
“Everything under control?” Chase asked, looking at Bray.
Bray shrugged. Hell, no. He wasn’t in control. This woman had broken his heart. She’d chosen someone else. And he’d let that simmer in his gut for years until he’d finally believed he was over her.
And the past five minutes had proved that he’d been lying to himself for years. “Great. Just great.”
Raney crossed the room and wrapped an arm around Summer. “Don’t worry about these,” Raney said. “We’ll finish them up.”
He’d been so focused on Summer that he’d missed the twenty or so square glass vases that were on the kitchen counter behind her.
Summer shook her head. “Absolutely not,” she said, her voice sounding shaky. She cleared her throat. “I’ve only got a few to wash, and then I’ll load them in my van,” she added, more confidently.
Raney looked as if she might want to argue, but instead, she gave a quick nod. She looked up at Bray. “I understand you already know Summer.”
There wasn’t a sound in the room.
“She and her sister, Trish, are handling the flowers and the food for the reception that we’re having at the Wright Here, Wright Now Café,” Chase finally jumped in. “The church is letting us borrow the vases.”
Nobody seemed inclined to want to discuss Gary Blake and what had just happened. Was it because of the potential of Reverend Brown and the other woman hearing the conversation?
Reverend Brown, astute as ever, turned to leave. “Julie and I’ll be upstairs. Nice to see you again, Summer.”
No one spoke until the door at the top of the stairs opened and closed again.
Then Nalana stepped forward, walking toward the sink where the remaining vases were submerged in soapy water.
Summer held up a hand. “No. Please. I’m almost finished, and I’m sure you all have lots of catching up to do.”
The message was clear. You have to catch up with Bray since he hasn’t been around for forever.
Summer focused on Raney and Chase. “I won’t let him ruin any part of your wedding. I promise.”
Raney shook her head. “You are not responsible for his poor behavior.”
Summer sighed. “I’m just terribly sorry this happened. It’s...embarrassing.”
“It’s not you who should be embarrassed,” Chase said. “I think I might have to go drop-kick Blake into the next county.”
“Oh, please. I’ve got a bigger foot and a stronger kick. Let me,” Cal said.
That got a small smile from Summer. Bray was happy to see that and happier still to see the easy camaraderie between Chase and Cal. It hadn’t always been that way, and he wasn’t sure why. But he liked this.
“I’ll help Summer finish up here,” Bray said.
His brothers exchanged a quick glance. “Well, okay, then,” Chase said. He and Cal, each with an arm slung around his woman, went back upstairs, leaving him alone with Summer, who was back on her feet.
“This isn’t necessary,” she said.
He deliberately rolled up his shirtsleeves, then walked over to the sink and plunged his hands into the lukewarm water. “I’ll wash. You dry.”
She pressed her lips together. Finally, she let out a loud sigh and grabbed the dull white dish towel.
They didn’t talk for the five minutes it took to finish washing the vases. Nor for the seven minutes it took to pack all twenty in two
