Two Step Symphony - Second Movement

She continued to ponder these thoughts.

* * *

"Be with you in just a moment," the woman on the phone said without looking up.

Brick stood patiently by.

"Oh, my God! Brick Henry!" she finally said after hanging up. "Oh my, oh my! What are you doing in my office? Oh, this is so exciting! Can I have your autograph?"

Brick displayed the obligatory grin, then spoke quickly while she came up for air. "I want to sell my ranch."

"What? Are you serious?"

With a frown, Brick asked, "Why wouldn't I be?"

"Well, everyone always figured you'd come back home and marry Rachel." She said it as though there could be no doubt.

"I'm engaged to someone else."

"I know." Obvious disappointment in her voice. "Okay, well, it would normally not be an easy sell. We haven't had any inquiries about ranches for sale in quite a while. However, the fact that it's Brick Henry's ranch might draw some interest."

"Seriously?"

She shrugged. "By the way, don't know if you remember, I'm Betsy Holmes."

"Hi, Betsy. I remember. Don't remember you being a realtor."

"Town needed one. I needed a job."

With a nod, Brick said, "I'd like you to put it on the market anyway. I'm in no hurry. But I did want to sell."

"Well, if that's what you want to do."

"Why would you be disappointed in having a property to sell?" Brick had to ask.

"I wouldn't," Betsy said. "I'm not. I knew your parents. Your family ranch has been around for several generations. I'm also a big country music fan. I love your music. I read many of the fan magazines. They all say you're on your way to becoming one of the biggest country music stars, even the non-country ones. And I agree with them." To his bored expression, she added, "If--when--you do become a bigger star, it's going to do wonders for the town. People will come to see where Brick Henry grew up. They'll want to see your home."

Shaking his head, Brick said, "I don't want to be a big star. I didn't set out to be a big star."

"But your songs--"

"Were supposed to be for someone else, but my partner and the record label liked the way I did the demo."

"You're already on your way, Brick. Embrace it." Betsy looked past him out her front window. She smiled. "Nice to see you and Rachel together again."

Brick turned. Rachel had gotten out of the truck and was leaning against it. "She just drove me into town."

"Uh-huh."

Trying not to be rude, Brick asked, "So, do you want to handle the sale or not?"

"I will."

"Will you also really try?"

"Of course. I just need you to sign a contract authorizing me to sell for you." She reached into her drawer for some papers and started filling them in, then handed them to him.

Brick looked them over.

"It's a standard document. Standard language and fees."

"No problem." He reached for a pen and signed it. "There's your autograph."

"Thanks for the opportunity, Brick. I won't let you down."

* * *

Rachel could see the annoyance on Brick's face as he exited the realtor's office. "Something wrong?"

He gave her Betsy's analysis.

Rachel couldn't help but giggle.

"It's not funny."

"You still want to go to Bradford's or are you too aggravated?"

"We can still go," Brick said in a sigh-like voice. He started to get in the truck.

"We don't have to."

"I promised you lunch out."

"Let's walk," Rachel suggested. "It's just a couple of blocks and it's usually hard to find a place to park.

He turned to face her, looking into her eyes. "I'm sorry, Rachel. I just don't want to be a big star."

He looked like he needed a hug, so she gave him one.

That didn't escape Betsy's eyes, nor the three other friends she'd already called who worked nearby and were also peeping out of windows snapping pictures with their phones.

"I know," Rachel said, sympathetically. "But you know, there is one way to minimize that."

Enjoying her embrace, he didn't let go, but asked, "How?"

"Stay here. People will respect your privacy. They'll look out for you."

Now he pulled back. "Chris would never move here."

"Then maybe what you really need to decide is what you want most."

He looked puzzled by that statement but followed as she led him off down the street. There were people out and about, but it seemed more than usual to Rachel. A quick glance up to Brick, but he still seemed lost in thought. However, she noticed that many of the bystanders were stealing glances at them while comically pretending to be window shopping or doing something.

She wondered if or how long it would take Brick to notice.

Yet, as they entered Bradford's, he still seemed oblivious. That is, until the manager, the hostess and three servers approached him.

"Would you like a table, Mr. Henry?" The manger asked with a big smile.

Brick was stunned--and speechless.

"Yes," Rachel said. "A private one."

They were taken to a rear booth. Rachel had Brick sit on the seat facing the back of the restaurant because it kept him hidden from other patrons in the restaurant--of course, not including the ones who already saw him enter. Fortunately, he couldn't see them all frequently glancing in his direction.

The lucky server at whose table they were seated was there as soon as they sat. She had a big grin on her face. "What can I get you, Mr. Henry?" she asked, all but ignoring Rachel.

"Been craving one of your famous burgers," Brick said. "Everything on it. And a Dr. Pepper."

Dr. Pepper? Rachel mouthed turning up her nose.

Brick shrugged.

"What about you, Rachel?" the server asked.

"Same, but with sweet tea."

"You got it."

"So, now that you've made arrangements to sell, are you heading back to Florida?" Rachel hesitantly asked.

"No, I think I'm going to stay for a few more days," Brick answered. "I've been able to write some good songs since I've been here. Don't know what it is, but ideas just keep coming to me."

"And you want to sell."

After their delicious lunch, to the continued stares of onlookers, Rachel and Brick walked around a bit, and then returned to her truck to go to the supermarket to stock up.

"I feel like a freak," Brick said, "with everyone gawking at me."

"They're not gawking," Rachel corrected. "They're looking at one of their own who became a star. We've never had anyone from this town who became famous."

With a grimace, Brick remarked, "It had to be me."

* * *

Back at the ranch, they put up the groceries, and then Chris called. When Brick showed Rachel who the caller was, she said she was going to look after the horses.

"How's it going?" was Chris's greeting.

"Good. Got a realtor all lined up, but it doesn't sound like it's going to be an easy sell."

"Well, at least you got it started."

"What are you up to?"

"Trying on wedding dresses."

"Mmmm. Can't wait to see that."

"Not until our wedding day. Are you coming home now?"

"How much longer will you be in New York?"

"The rest of the week."

"I'm going to stay here," Brick told her. "I've been cranking out songs like crazy. Something about being here that's inspirational."

"Oh? Well, that's nice." But her tone didn't support her statement.

"Wish you were here. I'd love to take you horseback riding. Show you around the ranch."

"Mmmm. That sounds--I'm sorry, not the least bit appealing. You forget the last time I went horseback riding at Tex Tyler's ranch."

"Right. Didn't expect you to go for it."

"Got to go. Talk later. Love you."

"Love you, too." But after he hung up, he thought, wish you were here? No, he didn't. Why did he say that? If she were here, she'd be miserable and would probably make him miserable.

It occurred to him that he forgot to look in town if there was a place that sold piano tuning tools, but then, he couldn't imagine that there would have been. Well, there was always his guitar, which he located, got his tablet, and went out onto the front porch to work on his ideas for songs.

So, lost did Brick become in this task that Rachel nearly startled him when she told him dinner was ready.

"I didn't hear you come in. Why didn't you call me? I would have helped with dinner."

"You looked so involved in what you were doing I didn't want to disturb you." Rachel smiled. "By the way, I like that tune."

"I think you'd like the others I've written here."

"I wouldn't know. You won't play them for me."

"Maybe I will."

It was another basic country-type meal: pork chops, green beans, and mashed potatoes, but it was delicious. Sometimes all that fancy food Chris had them frequently eating was just that: fancy. Not particularly great. He complimented her and she appreciated it.

"I'm going to take the horses back out to the pasture tomorrow. Want to come? We could pack a lunch. You could bring your guitar."

Brick considered that for a few seconds. "Yeah. That sounds good."

He cleaned up the kitchen while she went upstairs to shower--again. He wondered if she showered twice every day, not that it mattered. He resisted an urge to go upstairs to see her when she finished, but he also realized how teenage boyish that was. Instead, he went back out onto the porch to continue composing.

Rachel appeared a while later in her short sleeping pants and a sleeveless V-neck top that clearly showed she wore nothing underneath. She said nothing, merely sitting and watching.

Of course, he couldn't help looking at her every few minutes, and he wondered if she was doing this to seduce him. Whether it was intentional or not, it was working. With his guitar covering his groin, he pretended to think while scratching an itch on his stomach to disguise adjusting the erection he had just grown.

Brick was losing his train of thought as he watched her smirk and lift her leg up onto her seat effectively spreading her legs. His mind's eye could see what was beneath her shorts, not to mention he could almost see for real the way they had risen. To reel himself in, he flipped over a page on his tablet and started playing the chords of the song he wrote yesterday.

"This one's from yesterday," he told her.

That did the trick as she lowered her leg and leaned forward to listen.

"That's nice," Rachel said softly when he finished. "Why didn't you start writing songs sooner?"

"I did write a few, but they weren't really that good. Bull recorded them, but just as fillers for some of his albums." He shrugged. "Never was really into it or had the inspiration until after I left his band."

"You've really got talent."

"Thanks."

"How much longer are you going to work?"

"I don't know. I'd like to try to finish this other song I've been working on."

"Well, I think I'm going to turn in."

Brick breathed his relief when she disappeared inside. He had been fretting her making a move on him that he would not have been able to turn down.

It was actually starting to get chilly out here, so he scooped up his tablet and pencil and went inside. Sitting on the sofa, he was about to pick out a few more notes, but realized the sound might carry upstairs and awaken Rachel. No need to give her a reason to join him.

Sitting back, it occurred to Brick that he was enjoying being home way more than he ever thought he would. He knew it was due to a combination of factors: the whatever it was here that was causing him to write so many songs was perhaps most important; the peace and quiet, simple lifestyle, small town living was another thing he hadn't realized he missed; and of course, he couldn't ignore the impact of seeing Rachel again, particularly since she had grown into a very beautiful woman, not to mention the incredible sex with her.

He thought about that last factor. He knew he should feel bad about cheating on Chris. He did, to be sure. But not as bad as he thought he should. What did that mean?

Was he not as much in love with Chris as he should be? Was Rachel a bigger part of his life that she should be? After years of sleeping with so many women, was he just not able to be faithful to one woman?

Brick shook his head. So many questions with difficult answers, and there's not even a song in there.

* * *

And if all that confusion wasn't enough, Brick awoke on the sofa in the morning, and who should be snuggled up next to him but Rachel. Well, at least she didn't awaken him for a repeat of the previous night. But the way she was laying against him he could see right down her shirt. Shaking his head, he very carefully extricated himself from her.

Climbing the stairs was an even more difficult exercise as he tried not to make the steps creak and awaken her. Making it to his bedroom, Brick undressed down to his underwear, found a clean pair, and went into the bathroom to shower. He actually closed the door so the sound of the water running also would not disturb her.

As relaxing as the warm water was beating down on him, it provided him with no answers to the questions that plagued him. If anything, waking up with Rachel beside him only added to his confusion because he felt so comfortable with her.

It was a bit of a surprise, but honestly, not a disappointment when she slid the shower curtain open slightly and climbed into the tub with him.

"Why waste water?" she asked rhetorically.

His cock reacted instantly to the vision of her gorgeous body. Nor did he stop her when she came to him, threw her arms around him, and kissed him passionately. She was tall enough to maneuver his now completely hard dick between her legs to rest against her pussy.

But having his cock nestled between her thighs was also a warning about what he was doing. Gently, he pushed her back.

And Rachel knew why. Getting in the shower with him was a long shot. She looked into his eyes. "Please let me have this time, Brick. You're selling your ranch and getting married. You'll never come back home. I'll never see you again. So, please, let me have this time with you. You're the only man I ever wanted, and I'll never have you." Hanging her head, she added, "I'm not trying to steal you away."

"I know you're not. But if you think it's not going to be difficult for me to leave, you're wrong. It took me coming back here to realize that this is home and how much of a part of me you are."

Rachel nodded in obvious disappointment. "We should get to the horses." She quickly got out.

Brick was pretty much finished also, so he turned the water off, and quickly dried off. Wrapping the towel around himself, he stepped into the doorway of his parents' room. "Would you believe me if I said I wish I wasn't so--"

"Don't worry about it." She was still drying off. "I took a chance but didn't really expect anything to come of it. Want some breakfast?"

* * *

After a quick bite, Rachel prepared food for lunch.

"You have any interest in sleeping under the stars?" she asked.

"You mean camping out like we used to do when we were teenagers?"

"Yep."

Brick thought about that for a moment. "Wow. I haven't camped out in years. You still have camping equipment?"

"I do."

With a grin, he said, "Yeah, let's do it."

Rachel pulled out some insulated bags, packed the lunch she had made, some food for dinner and breakfast, and ice, into them.

In her barn, they saddled two horses, and she rigged a third horse to carry his guitar, the two bags of food and drink, and some sleeping blankets. As with the day before, she took the lead and he brought up the rear. The ride cleared both their heads and moods.

She took him back to the covered pier on the creek where they had been the day before yesterday. Once the horses were freed to graze, they took their same seats on the pier. Brick pulled out his guitar and played a few chords. He wasn't composing anything, just picking.

"I'm sorry about the shower," Rachel offered.

"No need to be." Brick grinned. "You're a good kisser."

Her otherwise somber expression turned to a smile at the compliment.

"Did you mean what you said in there? That I'm the only man you ever wanted?"

"Of course, I did," she answered as if there could be no doubt.

"Why have you never found anyone else?"

"I told you. I haven't found anyone I'd want to spend the rest of my life with."

"And you think that would have happened with us if--"

Rachel shrugged. "I would have done everything I could to make it happen."

Brick's eyebrows shot up in wonder.

"You think your parents would still be together if they were still alive?"

"Yes," he answered wondering where she was going with this.

"Mine are. And they still love each other deeply. That's what I wanted."

He merely nodded his understanding.

"You feel that way about Chris?"

"I love her, if that's what you mean."

"How much?"

"How much?" Brick repeated as though he didn't understand the question. "I guess, a lot since I'm going to marry her."

"You guess? And you write love songs."

"Wasn't she the inspiration for your three hits?"

"Mostly."

"So, you didn't feel for her what you expressed in those songs?"

"Writing a song isn't just about what you feel," he told her. "It's as much about what you want to say, what you want the listener to feel."

"What was your inspiration for the songs you've written since you've been home?"

"A lot of things. Being back home. The memories. You."

"Me, huh?"

"What do you feel for me?" she had to ask.

"I love you, Rachel. Just not the way you want me to."

"Would you play me one of the songs I was your inspiration for?"

So, he did. But halfway through, he realized he was feeling something he hadn't felt with his three "hits." He had to stop, but simply said, "Needs more work."

* * *

"Chris, take a look at this," her best friend, Eva, who was helping her with wedding plans, said holding her phone out.

"Don't show me any more decorations for the wedding," Chris said without looking. "My head is about to explode as it is."

"Well, this might really make it explode. I was checking my news app. The entertainment section. This is all over the internet. Some of the big entertainment sites have picked this up from Brick's hometown newspaper."

Chris read the headline. Brick is back! But what really caught her eye were the photos of him and Rachel walking down the street arm in arm, getting into a booth with her at a restaurant, and the most disturbing, the two of them hugging. "I'm sure that's his next-door neighbor who has been looking after his home for him," Chris said, trying not to panic.

"Looks like more than a neighbor to me," Eva said. "You know, you're going to make him come here, meet your family and see your family home. You should probably show some interest in his family home and see it before he sells it."

"You're suggesting I get on a plane to Texas?"

"The next plane."

* * *

After lunch, they walked along the creek. "Oh, it's so peaceful and quiet out here. I spent so much time trying to forget this place but being back here--with you--I'm realizing I might have been doing that because I really missed it. It really is home."

"And yet, you're going to leave again. It's one of the reasons I stay," Rachel said. "Shame you couldn't get Chris to live here. Be a wonderful place to raise children."

Brick stopped short. "I don't even know if she wants kids."

"You don't?" Rachel questioned with surprise. "Do you?"

"Well, yeah."

"Seems like that's something you'd want to know before getting married. What else don't you know about her?"

"What do I need to know?"

"All kinds of things. Simple things. Do you know what kind of flowers she likes? What's her favorite color? Uh--"