Coming Home to Love (Lakeside Porch Series Book 2) (19 page)

“No brochures lying around his hospital room? No map of Ireland? No Irish music playing when you visit him?”

Manda shook her head, her forehead wrinkled in puzzlement.

“Sounds like he may not be so sure about it himself.”
Good thing we’re having this conversation
.

“He’s adamant about going to Ireland,” Manda said insistently. “We’re both wild about it.”

“And Joel’s adamant about having the new suite ready for him very, very fast, right? Yet he’s on top of every detail about that. So, if he hasn’t been on the phone daily with a travel agent, he may know in his heart it’s too soon to lock in a date.” When Manda didn’t burst into tears, Gwen said, “Maybe moving up the wedding date to May is a way to plan an alternative honeymoon, postpone the trip to Ireland, and save face for Joel.”

“You’re brilliant.” Manda’s eyes radiated hope and joy, like sun bursting through the clouds on a stormy day.

That’s why they pay me the big bucks
. Gwen smiled. AA sponsors did the work for free, but the rewards were beyond measure. She segued the conversation into suggestions for a low-stress, handicap-friendly honeymoon—free of security lines, long waits, and uncomfortable vehicles. But very, very big on romance.

Within minutes, Manda took ownership of the honeymoon plans. She claimed first-hand knowledge of some outstanding inns around the Finger Lakes. “We always have lunch at an inn on a lake when we do our thrift shop adventures,” Manda said. “Some of them are unbelievably romantic.”

“Like . . .?”

“Belhurst Castle on Seneca Lake, the Sherwood Inn on Skaneateles Lake, the Aurora Inn on Cayuga Lake. And there are more.”

“You’d better make some phone calls fast and see who’s got an elevator and a spectacular suite available, don’t you think?”

Manda nodded with a happy smile.

“So who’s your maid-of-honor? Sara?”

“No, my sister, Lyssa.”

Gwen, who prided herself on her professional mask, felt it slip. A shrill voice—her own—said, “Lyssa who you haven’t seen in six years? Who’s not in recovery and needs to be?”

“I can’t wait to have her come for a weekend so we can get her gown and—”

“You know, you might want to have a backup plan, sweetie.”

Manda waved aside the suggestion and focused on the exact shade of blue she wanted for the flowers and Lyssa’s gown. “Periwinkle. And we saw a gorgeous cake at a bakery in Ithaca one trip. It was decorated like a present with a creamy wide pink bow. Wouldn’t that be pretty with a periwinkle bow and the frosting the same shade of white as my gown?”

One big change at a time, Mother Hen Gwen
. “Gorgeous. And is your wedding cake chocolate or vanilla?”

“Are you kidding? Chocolate, of course.”

The cab dropped them at a café that brought a smile to Justin’s face.

“Good memories?” Gianessa asked him, silently hoping he hadn’t been here with That Sydney Woman.

He nodded and placed his hand on her back as they climbed the steps. “I came here with Joel to celebrate his graduation. I’d forgotten the name of the place.”

“Where did he study?”

“He had just finished his MBA at Wharton—Penn—and he wanted to spend the weekend with me in New York. I flew over from London. We saw plays, went to concerts, visited Ellis Island, all the tourist things. We had fun. And at this restaurant, our lobster was caught that day and prepared simply and deliciously.” He ushered her through the door, caught the
maître d’s
attention and pointed to a table in a quiet corner.

When their tea arrived they placed their orders for lobster salad. Gianessa reached across the table for his hand. “I am dying to hear what that was about—that outrageous interference of yours at Henri’s.”

He smiled. “Forgive me. I knew he had a buyer, and I had a horrible thought. What if the buyer was Les?”

Gianessa paled. “He is vindictive enough to do exactly that,” she said. There was hurt but no bitterness in her voice.

“It wasn’t Les. Henri couldn’t tell me who it was, of course, but it clearly was not Les.”

“I would have died.”

“I would not have let it happen.”

“Thank you.” She smiled brightly. “Let’s imagine it was a darling sixty-something gentleman looking for a special anniversary gift for the fifty-something woman he’d been married to for twenty-five years.”

Justin started to say, “That could almost be us twenty-five years from now.” He wondered where that thought came from. Surely neither of them was thinking about marrying? He pushed aside that rogue thought and, instead, smiled into her eyes. “You are a romantic at heart, aren’t you?”

“I never thought so until now. I’m not sure where that idea came from, but it’s a lovely story for the necklace, don’t you think?”

“I do. What are you planning to do with your fifty thousand?”

“Buy a car, certainly, and start an emergency fund.”

Justin sat back and folded his arms. “How level-headed and fiscally smart of you.”

Gianessa drew herself up to her full height and leaned toward him, leading with her breasts. “I know a little about money management. Manda has been teaching me.”

He swept his eyes over her curves and gave her a wink. “I have no doubt she’s giving sound advice. What kind of car do you fancy?”

“Something small that will handle well in snow and ice.”

He tested, “Planning to stay in the frozen north for a while?”

“Tompkins Falls is my new home,” she asserted.

That pleased him.

“Any recommendations?”

“For what?”

“A small car that handles well in snow and ice. Where did your thoughts take you?” she teased.

“Homes,” he confessed. “You have enough for a nice down payment, if you’re interested in a home for yourself.”

She dipped her head from side to side. “No. Too much work. I’ll rent.”

She thanked the waiter who put two entrée-size salads in front of them, each with a mound of fresh lobster on top. Gianessa teased the lobster with the tines of her fork, took a bite and moaned with pleasure. “There is nothing like fresh lobster. Do you know how hard it is to find it on the West Coast? And it never tastes like this.”

Justin’s eyes roamed over her mouth and her breasts.

She reached for her water glass and asked, “You never told me what kind of home you want, Justin.”

“I still don’t know. I did tell you the Cushman estate is still up for grabs?”

She shook her head and forked up another bite of the lobster. “Delicious. Fresh. Do you have to sell it before you can do anything else?”

Justin laughed. “No. Are you interested?”

She joined his laughter. “I probably can’t afford one bay of the garage.”

“You wouldn’t want the garage, or the house either. Nor does anyone else, apparently. It’s been on the luxury market for a few years now.”

“Where is the Cushman estate?”

“If you know where Overlook Park is,” he began and paused to see if she did.

“Next to Lakeside Terrace where you live, isn’t it?”

“Yes. The park was part of the Cushman grounds at one time. Lakeside Terrace is the north border of the park. The grounds of the Cushman estate are the south border. The mansion is past the bluffs, so its lawn slopes down to the water’s edge.”

“Must be a beautiful setting,” Gianessa commented.

“It is, actually. The mansion, on the other hand, is a pink elephant, and it’s time to tear it down.”

“Pink elephant?” Gianessa let out a laugh and, with it, a mesclun leaf.

“Hah! Give you a salad, and lettuce leaves fly out of your mouth.”

Gianessa dissolved into laughter and let her fork fall from her hand.

Justin watched her, glad the tension she’d been carrying all morning was gone. He loved seeing the high color on her cheeks, the sparkle in her amethyst eyes, the touch of salad dressing at the corner of her mouth.

He handed her a handkerchief. “There’s a little dressing on your lower lip.”

Instead of dabbing at it, she asked him, “Where?”

He liked this game. He stroked her lower lip with his finger. She followed his finger with her tongue. He lifted off the dab of dressing and offered it to her. She licked it off his finger.

“Do we still have the room?” she asked.

“Check out is at noon.” He consulted his watch. “Let’s stay another night.” He pulled out his phone.

“Let’s. Do you have more consultants to interview?”

Justin shook his head. “I saw all three while you and Manda did your window shopping. My work is done.” He paused for a moment to call the hotel and secure their suite. “You never said. Did you and Manda buy anything?”

“Nope. That’s one of the rules of window shopping. Look all you want, but don’t buy a thing. Did you hire a consultant?”

“I picked one that I’ll ask the board to approve. I think they’ll agree.”

“So today is just for us.” Gianessa retrieved her fork and speared another mouthful of salad. “What shall we do?”

“It’s barely noon. Would you care to see a play?”

“Yes, a matinee, something light, maybe a musical.”

“Followed by an early dinner and a cozy evening in our room, perhaps.”

“We have a fireplace, don’t we?”

“We do. It would be a shame to let it go to waste.”

“You know,” Gianessa said, as she stroked his palm with her thumb, “I was prepared not to like you. Look how that turned out.”

He blustered. “Not like me?” He winked.

“The first time I saw you, you were badgering Grace.” She leaned forward, leading with her breasts. “That ticked me off.”

“And you wore your hair in that French braid, which ticked me off.”

She gathered her long, toffee tresses behind her shoulders. “You never said you didn’t like my braid.”

“I wanted from that first moment to get my hands in your hair. I plotted six ways to Sunday to get rid of the braid.”

“My braid is perfect for work. It feels elegant and simple, and it makes me feel put together and focused.”

He caressed her cheek and jaw and neck with eager fingers. “But you’re elegant and complex, and I prefer you undone.”

Gianessa looked into his eyes. He saw happiness and wonder in hers.

If I demolish the Cushman mansion, we could make a life together on the shore of Chestnut Lake
. The thought warmed and excited him.

“Is everything all right, sir?” the waiter asked.

Justin did not respond, his eyes focused on Gianessa.

Gianessa smiled at the waiter. “The salads are delicious,” she told him. “We’re ready for more tea.” She lifted her full cup, drank a sip, and he went away.

Chapter 9

Tony set down the hammer and caught the look of relief on Gianessa’s face.

“Hey, I didn’t know you were here. I wouldn’t have barged in to work on these cabinets if I’d known. I thought you went with Joel to his doctor’s appointment.”

“I stayed because I wanted to talk to you. These will be great, Tony. Thanks a million.” Gianessa surveyed the doors Tony had just installed on the cabinets beside the pool. “I can put most of the paraphernalia out of sight.”

“I’ll paint them today, if you want.”

“Sure.”

“I’ve got the bucket and brushes in the truck. Will I be in Joel’s way if I do it today?”

Gianessa shook her head. “Joel will probably just sleep when he gets back. I doubt if Justin will hang around, so it’s the perfect time.”

There was something about the way she said Justin’s name.
Soft
.

“What did you want to talk to me about? Need more cabinets?”

“I want to buy a used car.”

Tony whistled in surprise.

“And I need to learn to drive in snow and ice.”

“I can help you get a car, no problem. But are you sure you want me as your driving instructor? I’m the one that landed Joel in a wheelchair, you know.”

“I asked three people, and they all said you’re the best winter driver they know. It would really help me out, Tony.”

“Well, sure, I guess. Do you have a license?”

“I got back my California license right before I came east.”

Tony didn’t need an explanation for that. Plenty of others in AA had lost their licenses for drunk driving.

“Driver’s license, that is,” she muttered to herself.

Tony didn’t want to ask what she meant, but he’d heard her say she was a physical therapist. He’d really like to introduce her to his new girlfriend, Sunny, who was just finishing her Doctor of Physical Therapy degree.

Gianessa didn’t offer any more information, so he shrugged and said, “Let’s do it. Tell me what you want in a car.”

They brainstormed for the next half hour, and Tony made a few phone calls. He located several gently used, front-wheel-drive cars for sale by people he trusted. “We can check them out this week if you want.”

“Wonderful. I’d really appreciate your opinion about them, Tony. I have no idea what to watch out for or what questions to ask.”

“I’m your man,” he agreed. “What day’s best?”

“Tomorrow.”

“Morning?”

“Sure, why not. I’ll buy us lunch.”

“Now you’re talking. These places will want cash.” He looked at her skeptically. “You come into some money?”

“I did,” Gianessa said with a big smile. “Justin helped me sell a piece of old jewelry in New York last weekend.”

“Must have been big for you to get a car out of it.”

Gianessa just nodded, her eyes soft.

Maybe she’d been married before and they sold her diamond. Must have been a big one. None of his business, he decided. She was still standing there with a dreamy look on her face.

They’ve done the deed.

A knock at the front door startled them both. “Need help with Joel,” Justin called, his voice stern.

“I’ve got you covered, Justin,” Tony yelled. He grabbed his jacket.

Gianessa opened the front door wide, and Tony barreled through the force field that had suddenly materialized between Gianessa and Justin.

Joel had maneuvered himself out of the front seat of Justin’s car into the wheelchair. His face was white, and he gripped the arms of the chair. Tony shouted encouragement, and Joel looked up in relief. He shook his head as if shaking off a nightmare.

Tony put his jacket around Joel’s shoulders, turned the chair around, and hustled it up the short ramp and across the threshold.

“Right to bed, pal?”

Joel managed a nod. “Please.”

Tony expected Gianessa to help him out, but she was locked in murmured communication with Justin.

“Gianessa?” Tony said as he crossed the living room. When she didn’t respond, he paused at the bedroom door, called her name sharply and waited for her to make eye contact.

“Can you help, so I don’t do damage out of stupidity?”

Gianessa came back to reality and followed Tony into the bedroom. Together, they got Joel onto the bed, removed his shoes, and covered him with the down comforter.

Gianessa stayed at Joel’s side, tucking the comforter close to his body, touching his forehead, murmuring reassurance.

Tony sensed her channeling something. Whatever it was seemed to be working. The color come back into Joel’s face.

“Tony, can you make some hot cocoa? There’s a sandwich in the fridge, too.”

“Coming up.”

Justin was already busy in the kitchen warming milk and mixing cocoa and sugar.
What, does he have elephant ears for Gianessa’s voice?

“Rough trip, Justin?”

“I’ll never do that again without a nurses’ aide along. Did you see his face?” Justin’s voice shook worse than his hands.

“Yeah, Joel seemed pretty pale to me, but he’s got a little color now. What happened to the nurses’ aide?”

“She canceled at the last minute.”

“I’m surprised Gianessa didn’t go along when that happened.”

“I insisted she talk to you as planned. But I was foolish to try it alone.”

Tony arranged the sandwich on a plate. He thought it was pretty grandiose of Justin and pretty irresponsible of Gianessa not to step in as medical backup.

Asking for advice about a car could have waited. Tony felt like a pawn in this fiasco, and Joel had been the one to suffer. Joel had suffered enough, and Tony was ticked off.

If everyone weren’t so shook up, he’d probably make some wiseass remark about their poor judgment and get himself fired for it. “Sweet Jesus,” he prayed silently, “don’t let me make it worse.”

“What did Joel’s doctor think?” he said instead.

Justin paused, took a breath, and calmed down a bit. “The doctor’s says Joel is doing really well. Everything’s healing. His eye is tracking correctly now. No evidence of cognitive problems. No need for further surgery.”

“So no real harm done today?” Tony said with more generosity than he felt.

Justin gave a hollow laugh. “Other than all of us being nervous wrecks, no. But his face was absolutely white coming in from the car.”

“Gianessa will see to him, and if there’s a problem, she’ll call the docs right away, right?”

“Thank god for her.” Justin had an adoring little smile on his face.

They have definitely done the deed
.

Tony rummaged in the cupboard for a mug. “Almost ready with that cocoa, sir?” Tony wondered if Joel was on to Justin and Gianessa. That could be an interesting conversation.

The next morning, Tony pumped Gianessa for an update on Joel’s condition.

“He’s excellent now. After you left he got something to eat and then slept for a few hours. Manda came home, and he perked up.”

They drove into the used car lot where Tony expected to find the first of the three cars. He drove down the second row as instructed, and
voila
.

“What are we seeing first?”

“Four-year-old subcompact. Low mileage, very good condition.” He stood on the step of his red truck before jumping down, spotted the manager of the lot and waved to him.

After a spin around the lot and around the block, Gianessa decided she didn’t like the way the car handled. Tony liked it fine, and he wondered if the color—boring beige—was the real problem. Gianessa crossed it off the list.

He and Gianessa piled back in his truck and made their way out of Tompkins Falls to a lot halfway to Canandaigua. “This baby is only three years old and has a little more mileage. I hear this style is really hot with the younger crowd. I’ve seen these on the highway, and all the drivers are smiling.”

“You don’t have to sell me Tony,” Gianessa said with laugh.

He blushed. “Just telling you what I know.”

“What kind of maintenance record do they have?”

“Very good. No recalls, good resale value, very reliable car.”

They took a spin in the little red car, around the lot and out onto the nearby country roads. Gianessa liked the way it handled and liked the pep it had climbing hills, but she fussed with the seat back every time they came to a stop sign.

“Can’t find a good position?”

Gianessa shook her head. They asked the dealer if there were more controls for the front seats, and his face fell. “That’s why the lady who owned it gave it up. Her sister got a backache every time they went somewhere. Sorry.”

“Who knew?” Gianessa shrugged.

“That’s why we do test drives.”

Gianessa thanked the dealer and stuffed her hands in her pockets of her down coat. Tony turned his truck toward Canandaigua and navigated through the city to a new housing development overlooking the lake. The snow was coming down hard when they arrived at their final address.

Tony stayed close to Gianessa on the gravel driveway, not happy about her footwear. Sandals had no traction on snow. “We should get you some boots on the way home. There’s a great family-owned shoe store on the main street in town.”

“Maybe.”

The first car in the turnaround was a black BMW sedan. “Oh, baby, see that? What a beauty,” Tony sang out.

Gianessa took one look and blanched.

“You all right?”

She shook her head. “I mean, yes. Yes, I’m fine.”

“Wait a minute. You’re not fine. We can come back after a warm up or lunch.”

Gianessa shook her head. “Bad memories, that’s all. I totaled a car just like that with my baby girl in the back seat. The car seat saved her life.”

“Geez. Is that why you lost your license in California? DWI?”

“Yeah, that’s why.”

“I’m sorry. That’s a hell of a memory to hit you out of the blue.”

Gianessa brushed away a tear and gave him a weak smile. “When I’m sober, I’m really a very good driver.”

“I’ve seen that, and here’s our third option.” He pointed to a seven-year-old hybrid with an inch of snow on it. He wiped the driver’s side clean with his arm and headed to the passenger side to finish the job. “Nice color. You like blue?”

“I like it. Let’s try it.”

“It’s going to be slippery going. You sure?”

Gianessa squared her slender shoulders. “No time like the present. I have to learn how to handle these conditions.”

Tony gave her a few quick pointers and was impressed with the way Gianessa backed the car around in the snow, eased forward on the slippery drive and drove with confidence and caution on the messy roadway.

“You’re a good teacher, Tony.”

“You’re a quick study.” He pointed to an empty parking lot just ahead on the left. “Let’s get in there. They haven’t plowed today. We’ve got two to three fresh inches with some good drifts. I want you to get a feel for how it corners in snow, how to recover from a skid, and what it feels like to maneuver on ice.”

“The owner can’t see us out here, can he?”

“Nope. And if we get stuck, I’ll get us out, so don’t worry.”

Gianessa face was fearless as she slipped and slid down the access ramp. “It’s like sliding down a sand dune.”

“Hah. Spoken like a California girl. We usually say it’s like being on skis.”

With Tony’s coaching, Gianessa did figure eights, learned to handle a skid, and maneuvered out of a snow bank without needing a push. At every success, her face lit up with a smile.

“A-plus, honey,” he declared at the end of the exercises. “You can drive in a Finger Lakes winter.”

“I am ready.” Her voice rang with exhilaration. “I can do this.”

“Just let me brush the snow out of the grill and the wheels before we head back.”

When Tony had eliminated the evidence of their adventure and examined the exterior for rust, dents, and dings, he climbed back into the warmth of the car. Gianessa sat studying the packet of service invoices and gas receipts the owner had provided.

“So, what do you think?” she asked Tony. “Should I buy it?”

“Hell, yes, if you like it.”

“I love it. I want it.”

“It’s older than the others, but it’s probably good for another hundred thousand miles.”

“It’s still getting good mileage, according to the records.”

Tony tucked the packet of receipts back in the console. “You okay with the dent in the back fender?”

“I didn’t see it. Show me when we get back.”

Back in the turnaround, Gianessa dismissed the dent with a wave of her hand.

“Let’s wrap this up. I’m ready for lunch.”

Gianessa wrote the owner a check.

Tony agreed to handle the registry and insurance paperwork for her, and they arranged to pick up the car that Friday.

“I can’t wait.” Gianessa grinned and shook the owner’s hand.

Over lunch, Tony asked her, “Got some hot plans for your new car over the weekend?”

“I’m working both days. It’ll be nice not to drag my roommate out of bed for a ride to work.”

He threw in the next question without warning to see how she’d handle it. “You think Joel’s doing all right?”

“He’s frustrated by how weak and exhausted he feels, but, yes, he’s doing really well. That determination will move him forward, as long as he doesn’t get down about how slow the progress is in the beginning.”

“When can I get him out to a meeting?”