Hearts In Rhythm by Angel Wheeler Page A

poufy with bangs. She was caught in a time warp and wore button down bright shirts covered in geometric designs. But her heart was big and she was willing to help anyone in need. Allie knew of times that she paid for people’s groceries who had fallen on hard times. There was even one elderly gentleman that Maureen would deliver groceries to, which wasn’t a service of Given’s. Maureen had also stepped in to help with Allie’s car trouble.
    Yesterday, Allie had Maureen pick her up for work since her car was still sitting across the street from Brandon’s house. She didn’t have the money to fix it and was going to have to depend on others for a while. Since her mom was off work today, she was able to borrow her car but that wasn’t going to last for long since her mom was going to need it as well. But Maureen said it wasn’t any trouble to swing by and get her.
    Allie felt the phone in her apron pocket buzz, notifying her of a text message. She pulled it out quickly reading it between customers. It was from her mom. The hospital was discharging Sammie today. A smile spread across Allie’s face. Things were looking up. The infection was gone and Samuel could recover at home until it was time to remove the casts. Then he’d be back to his old ornery self.
    The clock ticked slowly as the hours of the day passed. Samuel had gotten home around one o’clock Gail had informed her. The two hours until her shift ended felt like two days. At 3:00 she clocked out and walked to her mom’s car, anxious to get home and see Samuel.
    She approached the car and found a note under the windshield. It was a receipt from Kline’s Music House. Scribbled on the back were the words Come by my house when you get off . It was simply signed B.
    She wanted to see him badly. It had been two days since she’d seen him last and he was on her mind now more than ever. She still didn’t know what had transpired between him and Simone or if she was still in the picture.
    Simone probably hated her guts and blamed their problems on her, maybe she even called her a “home wrecker” to her friends. She didn’t really care. She secretly wanted their relationship to end so she could have him for herself.
    Many thoughts passed through her mind as to what he might want with her. But also she wanted to see Samuel and spend time with him. After sitting behind the wheel wondering, she decided she’d never find out unless she went. Samuel would understand.
    Brandon opened the door with wide smile. Allie’s heart did a triple beat.
    “Come in, have a seat,” he said pointing to the futon. The pillow and blanket that was there the other night still lay on it as if someone had been sleeping there regularly.
    He walked to the stereo system and put in a disc.
    Allie walked over and gently pushed the blanket out of the way. A scent arose from the blanket, a manly smell. She sat down on the edge of the futon with her hands clasped between her knees.
    The music began blasting from the speakers. Brandon turned it down, apologizing softly, and walked over to Allie. He picked up the blanket, tossed it to the end of the sofa and sat on the seat next to her. He leaned all the way back and crossed his legs.
    The music floated through the air, a simple melody on a keyboard, and then Brandon’s soulful voice began to sing.
    “I didn’t know you played the piano,” Allie said.
    “Shhhh, listen,” Brandon said, putting his finger to his lips. He closed his eyes, completely relaxed, losing himself in the music. Allie sat back farther on the sofa and closed her eyes too. She allowed the music to fill her, and in an instant she felt alone, forgetting that she was here in Brandon’s modest house, next to a blanket and a pillow that smelled like a man.
    The song was about a woman, lost and abandoned, searching for someone to rescue her. A woman with bad decisions in her past, struggling and yearning for forgiveness and a second chance. In the end she received love