Chapter 13 ~ Witchy Woman

Raven hair and ruby lips
Sparks fly from her finger tips
Echoed voices in the night
She's a restless spirit on an endless flight

Witchy Woman ~ The Eagles

University Quad - 1:47PM
"I hope you don't bring all your dates here."

Wyatt took a long pull on his coffee as he watched Gemma uncomfortably settle into her chair. He remained thoughtful as students hurried past them heading to and from classes. "This isn't exactly a date. Besides, mid-terms are going on right now; this seemed like a good place to meet on short notice."



Gemma leaned in, her coffee untouched, and smiled curiously. "Why are you bothering to finish? Do you really think you need a degree to be a rock star? Wyatt you have the world at your fingertips and you are spending four years obtaining something you will never use. With your pedigree doors would open without you so much as lifting a fist to knock."

"There is more to it than performing and tours. The business side is just as important." Wyatt smiled wryly at Gemma before continuing, "I wouldn't want some shifty agent absconding with my hard earned money now would I? At some point I'll want to do it like my dad. Have a studio or a label and give young bands an opportunity."
"But Wyatt you'll get that from Cooper one day. You don't think he would take you into the business as a partner?"

"He has a partner, Slim, and besides I have brothers and sisters that are just as entitled to it as I am. Maybe I'll want to make my own way."

Gemma sat back, smug, studying him as if considering what to say. She finally took a sip of her coffee, grimaced and then shifted her eyes back to Wyatt. "If it is your own label you want, I know people who can help with that. You aren't even signed with Hitman which surprises me. Why would your father fail to insure he has you in the fold I wonder?"

"I'm not worried about it.""You should be. Why should you only have a fifth or even a smaller piece of the pie when you can have a much larger cut someplace else? By the time Cooper and Slim slice the business up among their offspring, and who is to say they will do that, your creative and business control will be severely hindered. You know I represent Brew, it's no secret that Jimmy Breaux is uneducated and yes he has some issues to overcome but his talent is going take him far under my wing."

"So I should let you run my business instead of my father...and I would do that why?"

Gemma grinned broadly. "For a much larger slice of pie Wyatt!"
Laughing, Wyatt stood and offered his hand to Gemma. "I need to get to class."

She held onto his hand longer than he was comfortable with. "Maybe I overstepped a bit, you don't really know me after all. Come to my house for dinner and hear what I have to say? I'm sure your mother would want you to weigh all your options Wyatt. If you don't change your mind you will at least have something to think about. Just call me and we can set something up."

"Sure I can do that. Look I really do need to get going. I'll call you." Wyatt hugged her quickly and took off across the quad.


Millwood - North Lake Drive - 7:28PM
Millwood was a quiet suburb with large oak trees, colorful birches, and fragrant evergreens. Junipers graced the walkways leading to traditional homes that boasted well manicured lush lawns. Nothing much in the way of excitement ever happened in this upper middle class neighborhood their only real claim to fame was the Stanfield family who had lived there since the birth of their son Cooper. The home where the senior Stanfields lived was modest but well kept.

Wyatt stopped by one afternoon to visit his grandparents as he often did whenever he managed some time away from school. Now he was driving slowly through the narrow roads at dusk until he came to the small stucco house where Gemma Wilson lived.
Wyatt had been curious about her since Gemma's visit to the university so he gladly accepted her dinner invitation when she extended it. There were many things he wanted to know about her, about his mother, and about the distance between the cousins. If Julia ever mentioned her, Wyatt could not remember. Time as well as teenage distractions could have caused him to simply forget.
Approaching the front door Wyatt knocked and waited for her to let him in. "You made it! I was worried my directions may not have been too precise." Gemma embraced Wyatt, held him at arm's length and gave him the once-over with her gaze. "I hope you're hungry," she offered as Wyatt stepped into her entry. "I don't cook often so my repertoire is limited but what I can manage to prepare is pretty good."
The evening was warm with a clear evening sky so Gemma served Wyatt at a small table at the rear of the house. A bottle of Merlot, Gemma's favorite, sat open and breathing. Pouring them each a healthy glass they chattered on about Wyatt's school, music, his childhood, and his hopes for the future. "What I really would like to know is why my mother never mentioned you to me. You said you weren't close, why is that?"
Gemma rose and beckoned Wyatt to follow her into the house. Settling on the sofa she sat back as Wyatt settled at the other end. Thick, black lashes fanned against pale skin as she lowered her lids demurely and raised the wine glass to drink. Moistening her lips she leveled her eyes on Wyatt and answered. "My dad and Julia's father did not get along very well. They always competed in everything and had egos the size of Texas. I was a child when my father took us to La Jolla but I remember spending some time with Julia before we moved.
"We were polar opposites. Your mom was always a perfect little lady who was expected to take piano lessons and be proper. I was..." Gemma chuckled softly; it made her look younger, softer but a mischievous sparkle lit up her eyes. "I was incorrigible, definitely not a proper little girl. My mother died shortly after we relocated to California so my father raised me by himself. Having his influence, bringing me into his business endeavors as I got older shaped my future, made me ambitious."
Gemma waved her hand in the air as if she was brushing away at old memories before sliding her shapely legs along the couch and letting them rest on Wyatt's lap and changed topics. "I saw your father the other day at Hitman. He looked surprised to see me and not particularly pleased; I think I may have dredged up a few old memories."

Wyatt wondered what affect Gemma had on his father, what memories her likeness to his mother stirred good or bad. It was hard to gauge considering he walked away from Julia and his marriage. If Cooper had any residual feelings for his mother, would they resurface? In any case, Gemma was nothing like his mother beyond her looks. "Why would you go to see him?"
Her eyes narrowed slightly as if considering whether or not she wanted to answer. "I want him to sign Jimmy Breaux - Brew, have you heard of them? Unfortunately he was not convinced." Gemma wiggled her feet and sighed. "I went out on a very long limb and assured Jimmy of a deal. I'm probably going to lose him and I was counting on that contract to solidify my place in the industry. It isn't easy for a woman in this business - your sister could attest to that I'm sure."

At that moment the furthest thing from his mind was the desire to think about his sister. Wyatt dragged his eyes along the length of her body. Gemma was a very attractive woman. Having her legs resting seductively on his lap was distracting. Wyatt shifted slightly on the couch. "What are you going to do if you lose the deal?"
Sliding her legs under her, Gemma sat up and moved toward Wyatt like a cat toward a chew toy. "I guess I'll have to find another shining star."

Wyatt swallowed hard, amazed at the heat of desire that seemed to rise out of nowhere. He had to be insane. Was it wrong to find a distant cousin attractive particularly when she looked like your dead mother? Wyatt laughed uncomfortably. "Did you have someone in mind?"

"As a matter of fact, I do."

----------------

NEXT CHAPTER: Passages 23