Chasing Anne

Tonight

  Andrew didn't understand why he was nervous as he walked down the hall beside Brianna. She teetered sideways sleepily and yawned for what seemed the hundredth time, but Andrew didn't think it was his place to steady her. Sure, he cared about her, but . . . he just didn't feel like it was right. They'd been working nonstop on the ballroom all day, preparing for the dinner that was to take place the following evening. All the decorations were in place, the food was being taken care of by Tracy, and the rest of those who took care of the household had all pitched in to lend a helping hand. It had been a grueling process; nothing that Andrew would have ever thought a party's preparation would be. Hanging chandeliers, setting up tables, sweeping, mopping, and dusting . . . the work had never seemed to end. He'd lost track of time because of being so caught up in all of the chores and 11:00 had buffeted out of the old grandfather clock before he knew it. That was when he'd insisted that Brianna cease from the preparations. There was very little left to do, but Andrew was completely exhausted, and he knew Brianna was as well. She didn't want to quit working knowing how close she was to the finish, but Andrew had insisted. So now, here the two of them were, walking slowly toward Brianna's room in the dim light of the lighted hallways. Again, Brianna swayed, but this time she had to catch herself on the wall to remain upright. For a moment, she seemed to regain her senses and tried again to walk forward, but Andrew could see the exhaustion wearing on her tired legs and knew she was moments from collapsing. He moved closer to her, wrapping and arm around her waist to help her stand. She gasped and closed her eyes, weariness taxing on her little energy. As Andrew suspected, she collapsed only seconds later and slumped to the floor, Andrew dropping down to his knees with her to catch her from the fall. He was nearly as tired as she was, but we was not going to let his lassitude keep him from helping his friend.
For a moment, he let her rest and lean against him. But as she reposed, Andrew could feel her breathing slow and he watched her eyelids droop. For a second, he thought about keeping her awake and forcing her to stumble back to her room, but then dismissed the idea and instead let her fall asleep in his arms. She did so quickly, her body slowly easing into his embrace. As soon as she was asleep, Andrew let out a deep sigh and then slipped his arms under her, bracing and lifting her in his arms. She made no sound or movement as he did, making him smile and shake his head. She would have worked until she passed out on the floor of the ballroom no doubt, he thought as he turned and began making his way to her bedroom. It wasn't much farther than they'd already come—only a few dozen yards. Her door was nestled back in the corner of the hallway, nearly hidden in the dim light of the hall. He reached it and then knelt down on a knee so that he could free one of his hands as he rested Brie on his thigh. As soon as his hand was released, his hand grabbed the door handle and thrust it open. The door gave way with no hesitation, not even squeaking in protest. Andrew immediately swathed his arms back around her, carrying her into the room. He located a light switch to his left and bent down, turning it on with his nose. A warm light fixture shaped like a dome illuminated to his left over a dark oak table. The soft light danced over the walls and brought into view a large canopy bed, but Andrew was too tired to recognize its beauty. All he cared was that it was Brianna's bed. He carried her over to it and then gently rested her down on the left side of the massive mattress. She made no sound as he did, proving to him that she had been as tired as he'd thought she was. He sighed and shook his head, moving to the other side of the bed and picking up a blanket that lay neatly folded on the footboard of the bed. Unfolding it, he laid it over Brianna's sleeping form and tucked it around her. He then moved to her feet and as gently as he could, he untied her sneakers and slipped them off, setting them to the side at the foot of her bed.
He glanced back at her after he had done so and then sighed, shaking his head. Turning to the doorway, he forced his weary legs into a walk and hobbled to the door, nearly collapsing as he reached it. He grabbed the door handle once more, but this time it was to keep himself on his feet. He closed his eyes, feeling the exhaustion rising in his body. Soon he wouldn't be able to walk and that meant he would collapse. He groaned, forcing his eyes open and turning the door handle. Maybe there was a chair in the hall outside that he could sleep in. He hoped there was, but as he stumbled out into the dimly lit passage, he knew that there was not going to be a chair for him to sleep in. Not in a long shot. The hall was completely bare other than the pictures and paintings hung on the walls. He groaned. There was no way in the wide world that he was going to make it back down the stairs to his bedroom. It just wasn't physically possible for him right now! He sighed and leaned back against the door to Brianna's room. What could he do now?
"Dr. Andrew McCourtney," an odd male voice said above him. "Can I help you?"
Andrew was too tired to be frightened by the odd voice. He simply slumped to the floor and drew his knees up to his chest. "Yeah, you can help me," he muttered.
"How might I be of assistance?" the voice asked.
"First, tell me who you are," Andrew questioned, trying to hang on to the last of his weary sense.
"I am Aleron, how might I be of assistance?"
And then Andrew understood. "Oh, you're Ryan's invention."
"Yes, how might I be of assistance, Doctor?"
"Open one of the locked doors in this hall, Aleron."
A pause. "Dr. Mcourtney, all of the doors on this end of the hall are already unlocked. Which would you like me to open?"
Andrew tried to make his eyes focus on the numbers on the doors across from him, but they just slurred together in fuzzy ominous images. He moaned. "Whichever's closest," he whispered, grimacing as he forced himself to his feet.
"Door 324 has been opened for you. Is there anything else you would like me to do?"
"No, that's okay, Aleron. Thanks."
"Anytime," Aleron finished. But then the voice disappeared.
Andrew struggled towards what he thought was the open door and to his relief was able to make it to what he thought was a bed inside. He collapsed upon it, sighing heavily and then closed his eyes. He was asleep moments later.


Brianna awoke with a groan and opened her eyes. She stretched her legs, wiggling her toes, and then her arms, forcing her dormant muscles to come to her attention. They did so sorely, aching miserably from the labor of the day before. Brianna sighed and forced herself to her feet, ignoring her hurting body. Strolling over to her kitchenette, she hit the power button on the coffee machine and then waited, yawning a few times as the machine worked to create the coffee. When the light on the machine switched to green, signaling that the beverage was done, Brianna stuck a pale blue mug under the nozzle of the machine and pressed the edge of the mug into the button underneath. Dark, rich coffee spilled down into her cup, releasing the delicious smell of a perfectly brewed coffee drink. Brianna smiled as a waft of the delectable drink reached her nose. It smelled wonderful. She pulled the hot beverage away from the machine and over to the small fridge beside her, pulling out a carton of creamer and pouring a tablespoon into her dark coffee. It simmered into the drink, lightening the color slightly. She then put a teaspoon of sugar into the mixture and stirred it a moment before taking a sip of the drink. It tasted amazing. She smiled and sighed deeply.
Tonight was the night. She, Andrew, and Ryan's staff had put a lot of work into this night. She could only hope that it had been enough. All that was left now was finding Anne a dress. Cindy had protested against the idea of having Anne dress up, but then Jackson had pointed out how a dress would fit in with the idea of a banquet dinner. It wasn't exactly a place to wear jeans and a t-shirt. So, finding Anne a dress had become very important. Ryan was sure he'd be able to find something in Andrea's old belongings, but Brianna didn't think he would be able to look through her mother's clothes. She didn't want to force him to anyway. They were bound to find something elsewhere.
Brianna took another sip of her coffee and then walked over to the window seat overlooking the Mississippi River. The day was well on by now, the sun high in the sky. Brianna smiled and closed her eyes, letting its warmth caress her face. She had always loved Mississippi. Minnesota was known for its winters, but Mississippi was known for its warmth. And she loved it.
The door creaked behind her as someone peeked inside the doorway. She turned, reopening her eyes and smiled wide while blushing bright red as Andrew came in with Tracy behind him, a breakfast tray in the cook's arms.
"Good morning, Brie!" she exclaimed, hustling over to the window seat and setting the tray down beside Brianna. "Did you sleep well?"
"I did," Brianna replied with a smile. "Tell me, what time is it?"
"Nearly ten o'clock. You were up past eleven last night so it doesn't surprise me that you slept in so long."
"I was working past eleven?"
Tracy nodded. "You wouldn't have stopped hadn't it been for Mr. McCourtney. He's the one that got you to bed. And thank goodness he did!"
Brianna glanced at Andrew who looked tired, but not nearly as disheveled as she did. "I don't remember that. I must have been really tired."
Andrew gave a slight nod, but then settled for a stool seat next to the counter of her kitchenette.
"Well, I won't keep you. Enjoy your breakfast, all right?"
Brianna nodded. "I will. But, Tracy?"
"Yes?" Tracy asked, turning to her.
"Where's the nearest dress shop?"
"There's one only a few miles from here called Bayside Boutique. They have a plenty diverse selection. Are you picking out a dress for tonight?"
"For Anne, yes. Not for me."
Tracy raised a brow. "Oh, is that so?"
Brianna nodded. "How is Anne?"
Tracy shrugged. "Mitchel's positive she'll be back on her feet today. I hope she is because it's not going to be easy to push back the dance a day further."
"Anne will be fine," Andrew said softly, not turning to them. "It's Mark I'm worried about. He's been . . . well edgy lately."
"Well, he's certainly relieved to be back with Anne," Tracy continued. "He won't leave her side!"
"If I were him, I wouldn't want to leave her either," Andrew muttered. "He's afraid of losing her and I don't blame him for being scared. He's been through a lot."
"I hope they marry soon," Brianna said wistfully. "I don't know how long it will be before Raymond finds Mark or Anne and I don't want them to lose one or the other before they marry. I don't want them ripped a part. Not again."
"I don't want any of us to be ripped apart," Andrew muttered. "I don't want to lose anyone else."
Brianna knew instantly that Andrew was talking about Blaze. She knew that Andrew had told her brother about the loss, but it seemed that Andrew was taking the harsher of the blows in losing the retriever. Of course, she hadn't seen Mark in a few days, but with how Andrew reacted every time the subject came up, she knew he was wounded, and she knew he was wounded badly. Tracy noticed the awkward silence and took it as her cue to leave. She smiled at Brianna, regaining her friend's attention and bowed slightly.
"If you'll excuse me, I need to begin dinner preparations for tonight," she said softly.
Brianna nodded and smiled back. "Thanks, Tracy. We owe you for it."
Tracy just shrugged and began to move toward the door. "Well, if I can help in any other way, let me know. I'd like to do what I can to aid in this surprise banquet."
Brianna smiled and nodded again, but then Tracy was gone and silence fell over the room like a giant curtain of gloom.
"Did you sleep well?" Andrew finally asked, breaking the mournful silence.
"Yes, I did. Thanks for taking me to bed."
Andrew shrugged. "It was the least that I could do. You've put a lot into tonight," he said, standing and turning to her. "It surprises me that you won't be attending the dance yourself."
Brianna instantly blushed and looked at the floor. "For one, I can't really dance, and if you need another reason, I have no one to dance with even if I did know how. Jackson has Cindy, Mark has Anne . . . There's just no sense in me going."
Andrew raised an eyebrow. "I don't understand your logic at all, Brianna," he admitted, walking over to the window seat. "You could spend time with your father or Mitch."
Brianna shook her head. "You're not seeing my point. I don't belong at a dance. It's as simple as that."
"And why is it that you don't belong at a dance? I still don't understand!"
Brianna sighed in frustration and pulled her knees up to her chest, hiding her face. "I just don't!"
Andrew sat down on the window seat and scrunched his eyebrows downward, clearly confused. He scratched his hair, deep in thought, but then just shook his head, still completely confused.
Brianna sighed and raised her head to look out the window once more, her eyes glossed with tears. "Andrew, it's hard to explain," she whispered, brushing her hair back behind her ear.
"Well, I'm not leaving until I understand what's upset you this badly, so please, begin."
Brianna wanted to laugh, but she was too caught up in her tears to really have the ability to. "You're ridiculous, Andrew," she muttered, smiling slightly.
"I'm ridiculous?" Andrew replied, now completely in the dark.
Brianna sighed and bowed her head, looking down at her knees. "Look, I don't want to go to the dance because the last time I danced with someone it was a huge mistake."
Andrew's eyes narrowed with curiosity. "How so?"
Brianna groaned. "Let's just say I let myself get emotionally attached to someone too quickly and . . ." she trailed off. "It was a huge mistake."
Andrew fumbled with his words a moment and then asked softly. "Is that what your brother meant when he said that you've had trust-?"
Brianna nodded before he even finished and looked at the floor. "I trusted him more than I should have, Andrew. He wasn't worthy of that trust. So I paid for it."
"And why does that make you afraid of dances?"
"Because I was humiliated at one because of the person I trusted and so I've never wanted to attend one since."
Andrew paused, turning his gaze to the floor. "That's a shame. I was looking forward to spending the evening with you."
Brianna's brain tumbled off balance as Andrew said it. It threw her completely off guard. She turned to him and just stared at him. "You what?"
"I was looking forward to spending the evening with you, that's all. I don't want to push you into something that scares you though, so don't feel pressured to go."
Brianna laughed. "Why on earth would you want to spend an evening with me?"
Andrew was taken aback. His eyebrows shot upwards in disbelief. "Why wouldn't I? You are nothing short of an incredible woman!"
Brianna rolled her eyes. "Sure I am," she muttered, looking at the ground. "Andrew, don't make a fool of yourself."
"Why don't you think you're incredible?"
Brianna shifted uncomfortably. "Because I'm nothing extraordinary in the least!"
Andrew's eyes narrowed. "But why do you say what? Who told you that you weren't?"
Again, Brianna looked uncomfortable. "Andrew, I don't-."
"No, tell me. Who told you that you weren't extraordinary?"
Brianna kept her eyes on the sunset. "Andrew, what do you want out of this?" she whispered, tears forming in her eyes. "What are you trying to do?"
Andrew moved closer to her, touching her hand. "Brianna, all I'm trying to tell you that I think that you're amazing. I don't know why you think you're not, but let me tell you right now that you are precious. There are so many things about you that set you apart. So many things that show how unique you are. Any man would be privileged to know you."
Brianna wiped back a flood of tears with the back of her hand. "Andrew, let me repeat myself. What do you want?"
Andrew sighed and looked out at the Mississippi River that flowed just outside their window. "Brianna, I want you to trust me. That's all that I ask. I want to be your friend."
Brianna bit back another sob and looked down at the cushions that she sat upon. "Andrew, you're ridiculous," she whispered. "I've never met someone like you before."
Andrew smiled and shrugged. "And I have never met someone like you. So I guess we're both being ridiculous."
Brianna laughed, nearly coughing over her tears. "All right, just this once, you win."
Andrew's eyebrows furrowed. "I what?"
"I'll go to the dance," she whispered, her voice soft with diffidence. "But if I get laughed at, it's your fault, got it?"
Andrew smiled. "I take any and all blame for anything that may happen to you," he said.
Brianna sighed and shook her head. "Maybe I am being ridiculous."
"Whatever it is, keep being it, Brie," Andrew said softly, standing to his feet. "I'll take care of the rest of the preparations. You go with Anne to Bayside Boutique."
"What about Mark?"
"Jackson can take care of him. I'm sure he'd be thrilled to."
"Then I probably should get going," Brianna said softly, standing and stretching. She winced almost immediately afterward, her hands going to her side. "I wish I wasn't this sore," she muttered.
Andrew wanted to try to help her, but he knew it was out of his place to do so. Still, yesterday's work on top of her already bruised side was more than enough to worry him. He sighed and crossed his arms over his chest. "Perhaps you should rest beforehand. You're worrying me with how sore you are."
Brianna shook her head. "It's okay. I'll be all right."
"Call me if you need anything."
"I will," Brie replied, nodding. "Though I doubt I'm going to need help with dress shopping."
Andrew laughed. "Probably not. But one more thing, Brie."
"Yeah?"
Andrew swallowed hard, suddenly nervous. "You're prettier with your hair down, you know."
Brianna blushed. "Mark says that. I never really believed him."
"Well, believe me then," Andrew said softly, his voice wavering with uneasiness. "I guess I'll see you tonight?"
Brianna nodded. "Yeah, I guess so."
Andrew smiled. "I'll look forward to it."