Taking Charge

By

Bridgitte
Lesley

Version 1

Published
by

Bridgitte
Lesley on Smashwords

Taking
Charge

Copyright ©
2012 Bridgitte Lesley

This eBook is
licensed for your personal enjoyment only and may not be re-sold or
given away to other people. If you would like to share this book
with another person, please purchase an additional copy for each
recipient. If you are reading this book and did not purchase it, or
it was not purchased for your use only, then please purchase your
own copy. Your support and respect for the property of this author
is appreciated.

This book is a
work of fiction. Any resemblance to persons, living or dead, events
or locations is purely coincidental. The characters are a
production of the author’s imagination and are used
fictitiously.

Joy walked in to the little pub and took a
seat. She looked up.
“Hi.” She looked at the waiters name tag.
“Craig. Can you bring me an Irish please. But. I don’t want the
Irish bit. Just a plain coffee.” Craig looked at her.
“You mean a non-alcoholic Irish? One without the whisky.” Joy
smiled.
“Could you?” Craig nodded.
“I can.” She smiled as he walked off. Joy took out her pack of
cigarettes and put them on the table. She listened to the music as
she looked at her pack of cigarettes. She toyed with the
packet.

She looked up as the singer got ready to
sing another song. She listened as the band spoke to each
other.
“Jordan?” Jordan nodded.
“Can’t Keep It In.” They all nodded. He started playing the guitar
and looked at Joy. She looked at him as he sang. She listened to
every word that he sang. She looked at the pack of cigarettes and
smiled as Craig walked over and put her drink down. She took out a
note and handed it to him. Craig smiled as he gave her the change.
She smiled and whispered.
“Thanks.” He nodded and walked off. She took her drink into her
hand and looked at Jordan. Their eyes met and he smiled. She smiled
and felt as she started to blush. It was as if he was singing to
her. She slowly looked away and looked at her drink. She looked at
the packet of cigarettes and picked them up and looked at Jordan.
He nodded as she slipped them back in to her bag. She didn’t know
why. She needed a cigarette. Or so she thought. She sipped at her
drink and watched Jordan. He had a smile on his face and kept
focused on her.

The song ended. It was suddenly quiet. The
band all looked at Jordan. He suddenly struck up with his guitar.
Dean grinned and looked at Chase who sat playing the drums.
“Peace Train.” Chase grinned and looked at Dean. He shrugged his
shoulders and smiled.

Jordan closed his eyes and sang. He sang
every word as if it meant something. He opened his eyes and looked
at Joy. Their eyes met and he smiled. He sang ‘I’m on the edge of
darkness’ and looked at Joy. She smiled and looked at Jordan. She
listened to every word. Every word meant something
to him. They weren’t just
words. She hummed along quietly and listened to the words. She
smiled and looked at Jordan. He nodded as he sang. Joy couldn’t
take her eyes off of Jordan. He was gorgeous. He was all male and
had the most beautiful voice she had ever heard.

Joy toyed with her little glass of coffee
and drank most of it. She sat and looked at her glass and debated
whether she should or whether she shouldn’t. She smiled and nodded
to herself. She should. She waited until the band finished their
song. She got up and walked over to the band and stepped on to the
little stage and took Jordan’s microphone and they all
stared.
“The Archie’s. Sugar, sugar.” Jordan grinned and nodded and looked
at everyone. Joy smiled as she started singing. The band sang
along. Jordan smiled as someone organized another microphone for
her. Everyone started standing up and walking over to the dance
floor. Joy shook her head and looked at Jordan. He grinned and
shrugged. Everyone was singing. He chuckled as he heard ‘hey, hey,
hey!’ He smiled as he listened to Joy. Whoever she was, she had the
most amazing voice. The song came to an end and Joy
whispered.
“Buttercup?” They all nodded. Jordan smiled as he got up from his
chair and pushed it to one side. He stood with his guitar and
played and sang with Joy. He watched as she sang. She was singing
vibey oldies that everyone knew. He wondered where on earth she had
come from. He didn’t know of anyone new in town.

The song ended and he looked at his
band.
“Break?” They all shook their heads. They didn’t want to stop.
Jordan nodded and smiled. Joy smiled.
“See you later alligator?” Jordan nodded. They sang together. He
knew every word as well as she did. She stood and sang on the
stage. There was no stage fright. He knew she was comfortable on
the stage.

They sang for over an hour. Joy smiled and
looked at Jordan.
“Thanks.” She walked off the stage and downed her ice cold coffee
and walked straight out. Dean grinned.
“Sugar Pie Honey Bunch!” Jordan chuckled and they started playing.
He started singing and everyone was still dancing. Jordan smiled as
they came to the end of the song.
“I think we need a five minute break. Back in five ladies and
gents.”
“Oh one more Jordan! Sugar sugar! Play that one again.” He smiled
as they started playing the song again. He smiled as he danced on
the stage and played his guitar and sang. Words meant so much to
him. He listened to what he was singing. He smiled and wondered
what it meant to her. He shook his head and smiled. He grinned as
he listened to the backing. Dean was singing quite high notes.
Clyde sang deep notes. He couldn’t help but rock his body to the
beat of the song. He was enjoying the evening all because of one
woman who had peaked his interest and had really got him rather
curious. Everyone clapped as they wrapped up the song.

They all stepped off the stage and went
for a drink. Jordan picked up her glass and took a whiff. Craig
chuckled.
“Irish with a twist. No Irish.” Jordan grinned and nodded.
“Who is she?”
“Never seen her in my life.” Jordan nodded.
“No names. No nothing?” Craig shook his head.
“Nothing.” Jordan nodded. But he had spotted something. And if he
ever saw her again he would recognize her immediately.

Roger grinned as he stepped off of the
stage. He chuckled to himself. Jordan smiled as he looked at the
drink in his hands.
“Craig.” Craig smiled.
“Sir?”
“I would like one of these.” Craig chuckled.
“Coming up Sir.” The band all sat and had their drinks. Dean
grinned. Clyde shook his head.
“Golden oldies work Jordan.” Jordan nodded. Craig walked over with
his coffee.
“Now remember. When I say Irish. This is what I mean.” Craig
chuckled.
“Yes Sir.” Jordan took a sip and he sighed.
“Oh this is so nice. This is so nice!” They all chuckled. Roger sat
down and shook his head.
“But who is she?” Jordan shook his head.
“I have no idea at all.”

“
I am sure we can work out who she is. Who
is new in town?” They all shook their heads.
“There must be someone who knows.” Roger nodded.
“We could ask at the motel.” Jordan nodded. He looked around.
“Does anyone know who she is?” They all chuckled and shook their
heads.
“You offering her a job Jordan?” Jordan chuckled. Jordan drank his
coffee and they walked back to the stage. They did their last
little session. They sang all the old tunes that they could think
of. It became a sing along session. Jordan got up from his
chair.
“Night folks!” They all clapped. Clyde grinned as they put their
instruments on to the stands and walked back to the bar.

Jordan chatted to everyone. He knew every
single person in the pub. They all started leaving and made sure to
greet Jordan. The women all knew to steer clear. He was not
interested in female company, a relationship or a platonic
friendship. They didn’t know why and whether there was a reason.
But they respected his wishes. They greeted but gave him his space.
He was always well mannered and never rude. They laughed and joked
but they never got near to Jordan. Not even physically. Jordan did
not like any form of physical contact with anyone.

Dalton walked in just before the doors
closed.
“So where is she?” Jordan looked at him.
“Where is she?”
“Where is who?”
“The young lady who sang?” Jordan smiled.
“And how do you know there was a young lady who sang?”
“Big brother. The whole town knows that there was someone here.
That she pelted out all the golden oldies and had everyone on their
feet dancing.” Jordan chuckled as his folks and Anne walked in.
Dalton pulled Anne in to his arms. His parents sat down. Tanya
almost flew through the doors.
“Jordan? Where is she?” Jordan sighed. He held his hands up in the
air.
“Okay. Okay. We had a guest artist performing here this evening.
She sang a couple of tunes and vanished.” Tanya giggled.
“Vanished? But who is she?” Jordan sighed and shook his head.
“I haven’t a clue. She got up and joined us on the stage. Sang a
few songs. And then she was gone.” Tanya nodded.
“But is she a professional?” Jordan shook his head.
“I don’t know. Never seen her in my life.” Tanya nodded and
smiled.
“Is there anyone new in town?” Everyone shook their heads.
“And we would know.” Tanya smiled.
“What was she wearing?” Jordan smiled.
“A pair of jeans. A decent pair of boots. Really nice with a little
buckle on the side. And a man’s shirt with a tank top under it.”
Tanya shook her head.
“Biker boots?” Jordan nodded. Tanya smiled.
“She might be one of the bikers that are going to be passing
through tomorrow. I did see a bike parked at the motel. A really
nice Harley.” Jordan shook his head.
“She didn’t look like a biker.” Tanya shook her head.
“They don’t all dress like bikers all the time.” Jordan
nodded.

Dalton smiled.
“I heard the crowds were in.” Jordan nodded.
“They were. Kind of double to the norm. For the short while that
she sang. I think our turnover will be rather healthy this
evening.” Lloyd smiled and looked at Zeba. She whispered in his
ear.
“Look at his face.” Lloyd nodded.
“Kind of excited. Do you think she caused a stir?” Lloyd
whispered.
“With him. I don’t think so.” Zeba nodded.
“I think so. Why is he asking all these questions?” Lloyd
smiled.
“Hope so.” Zeba nodded.

Zeba smiled.
“So, son, are you doing a special breakfast tomorrow morning? For
the bikers.” Jordan nodded.
“I ordered in extra stock. We are running a special. You coming for
breakfast Mum?” Lloyd smiled.
“We might just.” Jordan chuckled.
“It will be nice Dad. We are doing a buffet breakfast for a
change.”
“Really?” Jordan nodded.
“I think it will be rather different for a change.” Zeba
nodded.
“Well then we might as well.” Dalton and Anne nodded. Tanya
grinned.

“
Well. I have news.” They all looked at
Tanya.
“The new school Principal starts on Monday. My time slot with her
is on Thursday. She is going to be in my class the entire day.”
They all looked at Tanya.
“She doesn’t give a time and I believe she could spend five minutes
in the class. Or she could spend the entire day with me. It all
depends.” They all shook their heads.
“And what do you know about her?” Tanya let out a deep
breath.
“Zero. Mister Walters has been standing in for the month. Even he
knows nothing. He doesn’t know who she is. He doesn’t know how old
she is. They know nothing.” Jordan nodded.
“But don’t they find out?” Tanya nodded.
“Normally we get to know. But her details are skimpy.” Zeba
nodded.
“How old is she?” Tanya shook her head.
“Mum we know nothing. We tried to find out. But no one knows her.”
Dalton chuckled.
“Probably some old duck.” Tanya nodded.
“Probably.”

It was early on Saturday morning. The
entire town stood out on the road to welcome the bikers in
for their rally. It was the
last leg of their tour before they headed out on the long haul to
their respective homes and towns. Jordan smiled as he heard the
steady hum. There were dozens of bikes. They all came to a
standstill in front of Jordan’s Pub. They climbed off their bikes
and walked inside. It was a mix of men and women. Lloyd and Zeba
walked through with Tanya. Tanya sighed and Zeba
chuckled.

The bikers all placed their
order
s. The buffet was a
hit. Lloyd smiled as he listened.
“No Joy. You do it your way. If you want to have quarterly
functions and have a fund raising event you go for it. Don’t let
anyone or anything stand in your way. You are going to be running
the show. Raise the funds. They won’t be able to complain.” Joy
nodded.
“I know. But I have to be weary. I don’t know the in’s and the
out’s yet.” A new couple walked in.
“Hey Professor! Hey Doctor Tate. Hey Doctor Hennessy!” Zeba looked
at Tanya who looked at her with huge eyes. They carried on
listening.
“Just telling the Prof. to take matters into her own hands.” Joy
chuckled.
“Stop using that like it is slang!” Doctor Tate grinned.
“For you it is fine. Have you heard them greeting me? What’s up
dooooooc! Like I am one of those cute cartoon characters!” They all
roared with laughter. Joy shook her head.
“And I don’t need everyone knowing I am a Professor. That is going
to make matters worse.” They all grinned.
“Okay so what do we call you?”
“Miss!” They roared with laughter. Joy rolled her eyes.