Be Sweet (38 page)

“Oh, in all the excitement, I haven't had time to tell you about my trip to the Tuckers,” I say, folding a blouse and laying it in the suitcase.

We discuss my visit there and what they said to me about their house.

“Would you truly consider buying the Tuckers's home?” Janni stops packing the clothes in her suitcase and stares at me. A slow incredulous smile creeps onto her face.

“Oh, I don't know. It's a long shot. But it's kind of fun to think about.”

“And the fact that Russ Benson lives in town is certainly a draw,” Janni teases. “But what about your job back in Maine? And your house? You can't sell your house.”

“I've been thinking a lot about all that. Russ might be right. I've been working on commercial real estate when my heart is in designing and building homes. I've decided I don't want that promotion after all.”

“What promotion?”

“It doesn't matter. There's a lot to consider. I would never sell the cottage in Maine. I would keep it as a summer house or something. A vacation home for all of us.”

“Wow.” Janni flops onto the bed. “I would never have thought it possible.”

“I'm not saying I'm doing it. I'm just saying it's not completely out of the question. Still, it might be hard to give up my ocean view. Are you all packed?”

Janni makes a face. “Do you think I have enough clothes?”

“You'll be on vacation, you don't need many clothes. Sweats, jeans, one nice outfit for going out.”

“Hey, Janni, can I get you to come outside for a minute?” Daniel asks, walking into the room.

A puzzled expression covers Janni's face, and Daniel grabs her hand. “It won't take long.” With a discreet wink my way, he ushers Janni out of the room, and I follow. It seems I have more in common with Gail Campbell than I realized.

“Danny Ort, what are you doing?” Janni makes an attempt to protest, but she's giggling the whole way.

“Now put your hands over your eyes and close them tight.”

More giggling.

Mom, Dad, and I rush out to see what all the excitement is about, though I'm pretty sure I know.

“Okay, now you can open your eyes.”

Janni drops her hands and looks straight ahead at the Harley she'd been keeping in their barn. There's a pink bow on the seat. She turns to Daniel. “What's this about, Danny?”

“This is my gift to you. I bought it from Gertie's son. They just got home. Gertie mentioned he was going to sell the Harley, and I let him know I'd like to buy it from him—if you decide you want it.” Daniel hesitates, worry lining his face. “Do you want it?”

“It's perfect.” Janni throws her arms around her husband. He lifts her off the ground and swirls her around until I get dizzy watching them.

Once the hubbub over the new gift dies down, Janni turns to Daniel. “We're not taking this to Char's house, are we?” Her eyes are wide and she's so excited, I'm thinking she could whip up a Thanksgiving meal single-handedly in two hours flat.

He throws back his head and laughs. “I'm adventurous, but not stupid. It's too cold for that. Not to mention, we're out of practice and wouldn't be able to peel ourselves off of the bike after a trip cross-country.”

Janni looks disappointed.

“But I thought we could take a ride around town today. You okay with taking a little spin?”

“I'm okay with that.” They share a kiss while Mom, Dad, and I head back to the house. All the while I'm hoping they hurry up and get a license before Toby finds out.

“You're sure Peter was okay with this when you told him of your plans, Char?” Janni asks once we're all back in the house.

“He was fine with it. He's just hired a couple of new sales associates, so there are plenty of people around.”

“Well, I must say he's something to give you time off after you dumped him,” Mom says with her usual tact.

“Oh, no problem. He's already moved on. He's in another dating relationship.”

Janni gasps. “You okay with that?”

“I'm fine,” I assure her.

“Who wouldn't be fine with a man like Russ Benson waiting in the shadows?” Mom says candidly.

After coffee and dessert, Mom and Dad head back to their condo with a promise to come over in the morning to see Janni and Daniel off. Russ and I decide to visit the beach and his property, while Janni and Daniel take a spin on their new wheels.

With everyone leaving tomorrow, it will be a quiet day. For the next couple of weeks it will just be me and the farm animals. Well, and maybe Russ.

I sure hope I'm doing the right thing.

thirty-one

“Hey, where you going?” Russ calls after me
from the porch. Dressed in layered shirts with a smart cream-colored button-down on the outside, the rugged look of Levis covering his long legs, and brown casual lace-up oxfords completing the look, he causes my heart to flip with one glance.

“Taking a walk in the woods,” I call back to him. With a pure blue sky and bright sun shining overhead, the hint of warmth in the air, I couldn't stay cooped up in the house any longer.

“All right if I join you?”

I grin at him over my shoulder. “If you can catch me.”

His grin matches mine, and we both take off at full speed. Though I'm a ways ahead of him, he catches up to me in no time. Breathless and spent, we fall against the first maple we come to.

“Boy, I had no idea those pancakes would lodge right here,” Russ says, pointing to his midsection.

Wish pancakes looked that good on me.

I laugh. “Sure was sweet of Janni to make pancakes for everyone this morning. I think she's excited about her trip.”

“Yeah, I think you're right.” Russ turns a teasing glance my way. “You know, if you keep eating pancakes, you're going to need a good dentist.”

To say nothing of a good weight-loss program and a new wardrobe.
“You think?”

“I think.” The twinkle in his eyes melts me with one glance. Bending his arm against the tree bark, he comes toward me, licking his lips as he leans closer, until his lips touch mine. Something about the tenderness of the moment, the smell of the woods—my refuge from the harsh realities of life—having Russ near me this way, all have a profound effect on me.

Though our lips part, he keeps his head bent and his eyes fixed on me. “I'm so glad you're staying awhile.” His voice is husky and low as he plants soft kisses by my temple and nuzzles into my hair.

“Me too.”

He pulls me closer to him and kisses me again, long and hard, our hearts pounding against one another.

He finally pulls away as though he's forcing himself. “We have some-thing between us, you know. Something real.” His words are thick with emotion.

“I know.”

“What are we going to do about it?”

“I don't know.”

“Well, I think we should spend the next several weeks deciding, don't you?”

I look up into his smiling eyes. “Yeah.” I dare not tell him about my consideration of the Tucker home. He might pressure me, and I need to sort things out. My heart is pressuring me enough as it is.

We hear a commotion up at the house.

“Sounds like people are leaving,” Russ says. “Want to go back?”

“Yeah.”

His sturdy, warm hand engulfs my own as we trudge our way back to the house, where Mom and Dad are headed toward their car.

“You sure you don't need us to take anything to your condo for you?” Russ asks Dad.

“No, thanks. We've been taking things over little by little, so we're in good shape.”

“If you need anything at all, let me know,” I say, hugging Mom and Dad good-bye.

“Same to you, honey.” Mom's having a sappy moment. I'd blame it on the syrup, but she seems different lately—or maybe I'm the one who's changing. “We'll never forget our anniversary celebration, girls. Thank you so much for your trouble and the expense you went to for us.”

“It's the least we could do,” I say.

“Zip, watching you come to terms with your past has made me think about how I struggle with letting go of things. As I said at the party, you're paving the way for a new future, and I'm going to try to step out of the glory days and make some new memories while I still can.” Dad gives me a squeeze, causing tears to sting my eyes.

“I love you, Daddy.”

“I love you, baby girl.” He turns away, then swivels back around. “'Course, that doesn't mean I won't remember the good old days every now and then. It's what old people do, you know.” He grins.

“I know.” We wave and watch them drive off.

“Well, I guess it's our turn,” Janni says, her eyes sparkling with adventure. She leans in to give me a hug. “You behave yourself, and don't get engaged until I get back.”

Her words cause my breath to stick in my throat, and my heart gives a leap.

With one glance at the look on my face, Janni whispers, “Fairy tales can come true, you know. Just promise me you'll give it a chance.”

Happiness has been so elusive that I can't imagine life changing for me, but it's also hard to imagine that I've come this far—to the point where I'm open to another relationship—a real one—not just a comfortable one or one for status' sake. I breathe a prayer of thankfulness, then look to Janni with a nod and a smile.

“I can't thank you enough, sis. You have no idea how much I need this getaway.”

“Oh, I think I do.” I smile at her. “Help yourself to anything at my house—except the cookies—and just have a good time.”

She laughs. “Remember, if you need help with the animals, you can ask the neighbor boy. He doesn't mind getting up early and tending to them before school for a few extra bucks.”

Daniel gives Russ a hearty handshake and hugs me good-bye. “Thanks for everything, sis. We owe you.”

“You can pay me off in syrup.”

He throws out a gut laugh. I give him a deadpan stare, and he stops. “You're serious.”

“I'm serious.”

Palms up, he backs away slowly. “You'll get your maple syrup.”

“Smart man.”

Together, Janni and Daniel climb into their SUV.

“Be careful if you ride the cycle,” Janni calls out.

“You worried about me or the cycle?”

A wide grin splits on Janni's face. “Both.”

“No worries. I'm not into cycles. I don't wear leather well.” Russ comes over to my side and slips his arm around my waist.

“You kids behave yourselves,” Daniel says with a smile and a wink.

“Okay, big brother.” Russ laughs.

“Have a great time.” I wave at them.

Daniel starts the car engine. We watch them edge out of the drive-way and wave to the happy couple as they take off into the distant horizon.

“Looks like it's just you and me, kid,” Russ finally says when we're left in the silence.

“Guess so.”

“Unfortunately, Dad covered for me this morning, so I have to get back to work.”

I nod. “Hey, don't forget your syrup.” I point to his crate of bottled syrup on the porch.

“How about I come back and get it tonight when I take you out for dinner?”

I look up to him and smile. “Sounds good to me.”

“I have to admit that syrup was worth the work.”

“Uh-oh, looks like I'm going to have some competition on my future stash of syrup.” I laugh.

“Either that or we can combine our stash.” His eyes search my face, and words escape me. “Look Charley, I'm not trying to scare you, but I lost you once. I don't want to lose you again. I felt something drawing me back here, beyond the dental practice to help my dad. I didn't know what it was, but now I know. It was you.” He kisses my hair and holds me close.

Tears sting my eyes as I linger in the strength of his arms. I glance at the syrup, think of my time spent here over the past few weeks, the struggles, the fun, the revelation, and it hits me. Though I've had hard knocks in life, I've survived. Just like the trees. The storms may break us down for a season, but faith and family will get us through.

“I don't know what the future holds, Charley,” Russ whispers into my ear, causing a pleasurable shiver, “but I'd sure like to give it a chance to see where it takes us.”

He squeezes me once more, then pulls away to look at me. One glance in his eyes, and I realize for the first time in many years, I'm ready to risk my heart and give love a chance once more.

“Walk with me to my car?”

I nod. He puts his arm around my waist as we walk across the pebbles together, the spring sun warming us along the way.

“I could get into this, you know.”

I give Russ a puzzled look.

“You, me, around here.” His arm takes in the homestead.

“Me too.”

He stops and looks at me. “Really?”

“Really.”

His gaze holds mine, then he kisses me gently once more. Afterward, with our arms nestled at each other's waists, we start walking toward his car again. With one glance at the DKNY sneakers on my feet, I smile and snuggle deeper into the chest of the man I love. Dorothy can keep her slippers.

I've already found my way home.

acknowledgments

It took a lot of wonderful people, dozens of pancakes, and several gallons of maple syrup to get me through this book.

First and foremost I want to thank my incredible husband, Jim, for his constant support and encouragement. I couldn't do it without you, babe!

To my daughter, Amber, for believing in me when my spirit wanes and the chocolate supply is low, and who offers complete understanding when I have to go “out of state.” Well, most of the time.

To my son-in-law, Kyle, who's always trying to come up with new marketing strategies for me. Thank you!

To my son, Aaron, a high school English teacher who tolerates my dangling participles and even admits to being blood-related. I owe you.