Chemical Attraction (3 page)

“Many are BennTech executives from around the country. The others are from Allenton County to support the benefit. We’ve counted over two hundred people so far.”

“Whoa, who is that?” Madeline gestured to the dark-haired guy towering over a crowd of women by the punch bowl. She recognized his butt from the B & B earlier.

“That’s my brother, Joe,” Eva replied.

“I didn’t know you had a brother.”

“He’s not really, but we grew up together. He and Taylor are more my family than my real family.” She watched her reaction. “Try ignoring him.” Smiling, Madeline swayed past Joe, not looking his way. On cue, he turned his head to check her out.

With a hand full of programs, Amanda laughed. “How’d you know he’d do that?”

“I know my brother,” she replied, watching Joe stare at Madeline from across the room.

“Where’s that sexy husband of yours, Eva?” Dr. Vandeen asked, playing with her new pixie-style haircut. The premature gray matched her shapeless dress and flats.

“I haven’t seen you around lately,” she replied, ignoring her question.

“I have projects in the works at BennTech.”

“You’re splitting your time between patients and research?”

“Yeah, the research is more rewarding. Patients are a pain. They’re so needy.”

After Dr. Vandeen left, Amanda shook her head. “Do you think they’re needy because they’re in pain?”

As she and Amanda greeted more guests, Matt walked in wearing his tuxedo but carrying his bow tie. “Boy, you’re handsome in uniform but in a tux, wow,” Eva said.

“Well, these shoes hurt my feet and I can’t get my tie straight.”

Reaching up, she put his tie under his collar and made a bow. “I have a surprise for you. After your speech, your black tennis shoes are by my chair.”

Matt kissed her hand. “Bless you, my lady. I plan on sweeping you off your feet.”

“I don’t think so, Matt,” Amanda said. “Mayor Kilmer already asked Eva to dance with him.”

He laughed. “We’ll just see about that. I don’t care if he is the mayor and my boss. Where’s that bastard?” He mockingly stormed off as Eva grinned. Her husband rarely showed his humorous side in public.

From the band’s table, David watched Joe lean over to say hello to Madeline at their table. Eva shushed Joe while his dad walked to the stage. His dad waited for the crowd to quiet down.

David whispered to his father, “Focus on mom and say your speech as if only to her.”

He knew his dad hated public speaking. Cool and calm in any dangerous situation, his father sweated in the formal scene. His dad told him that in school he’d failed his public speaking class; he hyperventilated every single time.

Nodding, his dad took a deep breath and stepped onto the stage. “Ladies and gentleman, thank you for coming tonight. I have lived in Allenton all my life. As a police officer for the past ten years and your Chief of Police for the last two, I’ve seen our community come together after fires and floods. Seeing us regroup again makes me proud to serve my hometown.

“We all lost someone to last year’s flu epidemic. Having lost both parents myself, I am here to remember and celebrate their lives. The program honors all twenty-three community members who have died. To raise money for a waterfront memorial, a silent auction has been set up in the front corner. The committee would welcome any size donation. As we remember the ones we’ve lost, we must appreciate those with us now. They are the ones who make life worth living.” The crowd applauded as he took another deep breath, stepped down, then leaned toward David. “Thanks, Son.”

Joe moved next to Madeline so Matt could sit by his wife. Eva reached under the table and slid out his black tennis shoes.

“Nice speech, that should generate donations,” Joe said.

“The committee did want the women to open their pocketbooks and husbands’ wallets,” he replied, changing his shoes.

Madeline looked around the room. “I’ll open mine, but it makes me angry.”

“Angry?” Eva asked.

Watching the door, she continued. “I’m a scientist. It makes me angry that we can’t prevent deaths like these yet.”

“You can directly prevent this?” Joe asked, trying to get her attention.

“I work in research and that’s my goal. Excuse me.” She abruptly stood and walked toward a crowd by the display table.

“Boy, Joe, you really have a way with the ladies,” Matt said. “She couldn’t wait to get away from you.”

With an open mouth, Joe stared at Madeline. “What did I do?”

“You can’t charm everyone,” Eva replied, shrugging her shoulders.

“I’m hungry.” Joe left for the buffet table where three women instantly surrounded him.

Eva laughed. “That will be fun to watch,” she said to Matt.

“What just happened?”

“I told Madeline that if she wants a shot with Joe, ignore him. Look at him. He can’t stand it.”

Waiting in the long buffet line, Eva watched the people around her. Joe ate at their table. Madeline joined him but sat with an empty chair between them. Amanda worked by the auction table with many doctors wandering over. BennTech’s CEO talked to a group of men she didn’t recognize. Bill Bennett, Jr. had been appointed CEO after his father died seven years ago. His dad founded the hospital and BennTech as a young man. Dr. Ben Russell and Dr. Marsha Vandeen talked away from the main group of physicians. They had their heads together and it looked rather intimate. Eva had thought Ben Russell liked hitting on young, idolizing women, not an equal like Marsha who squeezed his hand and walked away.

As she and Matt picked up their plates at the start of the buffet table, David worked his way over. This was his first performance since starting the band.

“Honey, what’s wrong?”

Out of breath, he yanked on his t-shirt collar. “I don’t know what to do. Nelson can’t make it until later. Our first set starts in twenty minutes and we have no drummer.”

“Where is he?” Matt asked.

“He’s helping his dad bale hay. They’re finished, but he can’t get here until our second set.”

“Honey, your uncle played in a band in college. Ask him if he’ll fill in. He just moved to the seat next to Madeline.” She turned to her husband after David left. “Joe will jump at the chance to impress Madeline. Want to bet me?”

Matt piled chicken and dumplings on his plate and grinned. “My money’s on Joe. They’ll kiss before the night is over.”

“You’re on. Loser does the dishes after tomorrow’s barbeque?”

Matt nodded and added mashed potatoes to his plate.

Sitting next to Madeline, Joe asked, “How long have you been a scientist?”

“Five years at BennTech. I started after college. What do you do?”

David interrupted. “Uncle Joe, can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Sure, have a seat.”

“I need a huge favor. Our drummer can’t get here until the second set. Can you fill in for a few songs?”

“I don’t know, David. I haven’t played in a while.”

“Come on, Joe. I’m sure you remember some simple rhythms from way back when,” Madeline said. Biting his lip, David looked at him.

“I’ll do it if Madeline dances with me later.” He grinned as David pleaded with her.

“Fine, let’s see what you got.” She sighed as a relieved David thanked her.

Eva and Matt sat down with their full plates while Joe and David walked on stage. She smiled at her husband as he shook his head. “Joe’s filling in?” Eva asked Madeline.

“If I dance with him later. I’ll be back. I need to chat with a few people before the music starts.”

Sitting at the band’s table, Joe looked over the first set’s play list. He remembered the nervousness of his first gig. These guys looked green.

“Are you sure you can play?” Jimmy Ready asked again. He continually pressed his fingers on the edge of the table to practice his keyboard part.

“I’ve played on and off in a band for the last fifteen years. The question is, can you keep up with me?”

“Uncle Joe, you said you hadn’t played in a while.”

“David, you were my in with Madeline.”

“You would have played even if she said no?”

“Of course. I wouldn’t let my favorite nephew down. Now, she has to dance with me thanks to you.” He chuckled. “Okay, guys, let’s start with this song.” He pointed to the sheet. “It’ll get the crowd revved up.”

“I shouldn’t have eaten that peach pie,” Tyler Sutton said, rubbing his stomach. “There are a lot of people out there.”

Joe took off his jacket and absently placed it over the chair. “Hey, this is supposed to be fun. I saw a lot of hot ladies out there. Chicks love musicians. Let’s impress them by rocking their world. Ready?”

“Yeah!” they said in unison.

Back Roads took their place on stage as the mayor introduced them. David played bass. Tyler Sutton played lead guitar while Jimmy Ready played keyboard. They would sing backup to David’s lead. Sitting behind the drums, Joe took off his tie and loosened a few buttons on his shirt. Waiting for the mayor to finish, he twirled the drumsticks to flex his fingers and smiled at Madeline. The band started its set with the Safari’s “Wipeout.”

“I’m going to enjoy dirtying every dish in the house tomorrow,” Matt said over the music.

Eva laughed and looked around the room. Top executives, physicians, and farmers mimicked the drum’s beat with various utensils on the table. Matt even joined in, getting into the groove of the night. Madeline grinned and rolled her eyes. Eva watched Joe laugh with David and the band.

It had surprised Eva when Joe called last week about coming for a visit. He had a few weeks off and needed some down time. Of course, she agreed, telling him the guest room was his. He said he liked staying at Sylvia’s house. She hoped he could have some fun while here. He seemed to be off to a good start.

As the crowd applauded, Joe laughed. “See, this is fun, right? Those chicks are definitely into you guys.”

Wanting to keep an up-tempo, they continued with the Hollies’ “Long Cool Woman.” Looking over the crowd, he spotted Mrs. Folkert with her friends. She kept the beat with her foot and waved. Young women danced in the designated area in front of the band. With an arm around Eva, Matt tapped his other hand on the table. Even though he and Matt got along, Joe suspected that Matt might not be too happy by the end of his stay. As the band continued with their set, he watched Madeline continue her circuit around the room, chatting briefly with various groups.

After a few more songs, while Eva was filling two cups at the punch bowl, she heard a commotion in the kitchen. Two rednecks in jackets were shoving around a shorter guy. She recognized the bullied man as Matt’s former classmate. Simon Baker lived with his mom, picking up odd jobs around town. Tonight, he was helping with the clean up.

“What’s going on in here?” Eva demanded.

“None of your business,” the guy in a worn brown suit with a paisley dress shirt replied.

“Simon, are you okay?”

“I said it’s none of your business,” the man repeated, stepping toward her.

She stood her ground. “And I asked Simon if he’s okay.”

As the guy reached for her arm, Simon stammered. “Don’t touch her.” The men turned and Simon backed away.

“I want you both to leave this building now,” she said, folding her arms.

“I wouldn’t make my wife mad if I were you,” Matt said from the doorway. “Corey, you and your friend had better leave now or you’ll enjoy a nice stay in my jail.”

“No problem, Chief Connor,” Corey said as they headed for the kitchen exit.

“Simon, what’s going on?” Matt asked, standing next to her.

“Hi Matt, I liked your speech. It make me sad. I give my ten dollar.”

“Did those guys hurt you?”Eva asked, moving closer to check on him. “Thank you for standing up for me. That was very brave.”

“I like you and Matt. You are nice to me and my mama.”

“Simon, if those guys bother you again, you tell me and I’ll take care of it,” Matt said, escorting her out of the kitchen.

“Okay, Matt. Bye, Mrs. Matt, you look pretty tonight.”

“Thank you, Simon,” she replied over her shoulder.

“You need to be careful,” Matt said.

“All I had to do was raise my voice and there you were. I won’t be bullied by those ruffians,” she said, looking around for Madeline, who was chatting with coworkers at the dessert table. Nearby, Dr. Russell was staring at her backside, talking to Bill Bennett whose thin ear-to-ear comb-over had started to slip, giving his bald head a sweaty shine.

“Evie, are you causing trouble?” Joe asked, slipping on his tuxedo jacket. He stuffed his bow tie in his pocket and left the top two buttons on his shirt undone.

“Never, thanks for helping David out,” she replied.

“Those guys were so nervous. I think they’ll enjoy the next two sets.”

As they talked, a young woman approached Joe. While talking to him, she tugged on his finger with one hand and flipped her hair from her face with the other. Matt grabbed Eva’s hand to lead her back to their seats. “Is he teaching our son how to pick up women?” He gestured to the stage. Two teenage girls chatted with David as he sipped his bottle of water.