If I Loved You (Harper Falls Book 1) (29 page)

“Hey,” Jack pulled back. He met her grin
with one of his own. “Okay, if you must know you’re the first.” And
the last, he added to himself.

“Good answer.”

Then she kissed him. It wasn’t a kiss that
had anything to do with sex or the promise of it. It was just slow
and warm and friendly. When she pulled back, she looked him
straight in the eye.

“There will be no sex while we’re in your
parent’s home. Now get off me so I can unpack.”

Jack rolled to the side. “You know they
expect us to have sex.”

“Don’t get creepy, even if it is
unintentional.” Rose gave an exclamation of pleasure when she
opened the closet door and found a full walk-in. And an attached
bath. “Your dad is amazing. This is amazing high-end work.”

“When he was in college he worked as a
carpenter’s apprentice. Rose,” he rolled over so that she didn’t
appear to be upside down. "We're sharing a room, a room my parents
willingly put us in—together.

“I know it doesn’t make any sense. Even
though your parents assume we’ve been having sex they don’t
know
it.” She turned. “Unless
you…?”

“Now who's being creepy? I don’t discuss my
love life with my parents. But it just doesn't make sense to deny
ourselves."

Rose couldn’t explain why she felt the way
she did. Maybe it was because she’d just spent the better part of
an hour with his mother. Maybe it was because she’d never gone with
a man to meet his family and stayed in his childhood bedroom. All
she knew was that it felt weird to think of having sex with
him—here.

“And promise me you won’t try anything in
the middle of the night. You and I both know I won’t be able to
turn you down.” She kept going, ignoring his smirk. “I’ll expect
you to be a gentleman. Oh, and don’t come to bed naked.”

“Do you think my sisters go without when
they visit?”

“That’s different, they’re—.”

Rose didn’t finish; she didn’t have to. Jack
knew what she was going to say.
That’s
different, they’re married
. She couldn't even say the
word. But he wasn’t going to let it hang over them for the rest of
the weekend like some crap bomb waiting to explode.

“What do you say we finish unpacking, and
then I’ll introduce you the rest of the crowd. Don’t worry about
remembering everyone’s name. We all answer to
hey you.
”

“What will you give me if I
do
remember all the names and faces?”

“Well…” Jack looked toward the bed.

“Something non-sexual.” Rose shook her head.
“Swerve that mind to another track, Jackie. How about if I can do
it you detail my car when we get home, and if I can’t I’ll do the
same for your SUV.”

“You’re on.” Jack knew it wasn’t a bet she
would make if she weren't sure she would win, but he was fine with
losing this one. Besides, it would tickle his family to death if
she were able to call them all by name after one introduction.

Dinner was a lively affair, which was to be
expected when the twenty-seven occupants ranged in age from six
months to sixty. There was no designated children’s table or
different meal times. Young and old ate together at a huge galley
style table made, of course, by Ned. While she was helping to put
out the silverware, Rose had marveled at the craftsmanship involved
in taking one long piece of wood and making a piece of art. Art
that they used and appreciated every day of the year.

“Technically today is our anniversary, but
Saturday is a better fit for a big celebration.”

“Mom wanted to be a June bride,” Nan, the
oldest Winston child, informed Rose.

Shaking her head, Lorna laughed. “Mom wanted
to get hitched before her water broke. You, my lovely Nan, were
about ready to make your debut when Dad and I said I do.”

Everyone joined in the laughter, especially
Nan. “Well, I like my version. Telling people that my parents
suddenly became traditional and decided to make me legitimate isn’t
nearly as romantic as the June bride story.”

“They say when you marry in June, you’re a
bride all your life,” Rose said without thinking. When she realized
the table had quieted and she had become the center of attention,
she cursed the song book that constantly ran through her head.

“Sorry, I know that’s a bit corny.”

“I thought that it was lovely,” Margie, the
oldest granddaughter sighed. “Is it a poem?”

“Maybe.” Rose had never thought about where
it had originally come from. “But I was quoting a song from
Seven Brides For Seven Brothers
.”
She caught Jack’s amused look. Remembering where she was, she
caught herself just before she stuck her tongue out at him.

“I loved that movie,” Nan exclaimed and the
proceeded to fill everyone in on the plot. Rose thoroughly enjoyed
the heated arguments over what happened when in the story. When
someone insisted on getting their phone so they could look up who
played the youngest brother, Ned put his foot down. There were no
electronics at the dinner table.

“Fine,” Anna, the middle child of the group
huffed. “But it’s going to drive me crazy until I know.”

“You can stand to wait until were done
eating.” Ned was easy going about most things, but this was a no
negotiations rule.

Rose waited a few minutes until the
conversation had moved on to a dozen or so other topics. Then,
thinking no one was looking, she leaned down and carefully
whispered in nine-year-old Stella’s ear. She then sat back and
continued eating the excellent fried chicken that was on her
plate.

“Russ Tamblyn,” Stella cried out. Rose
silently applauded the little girl’s perfect pronunciation.

“That’s it,” Anna cried out.
“
That’s
who played the youngest
brother. You clever doll. How did you know that?”

Stella blushed at all the attention but, as
instructed, refused to give up her source. When the little girl
peeked up at her with adoring eyes, Rose took her hand under the
table and gave it a squeeze. It was easy to get lost in a big group
like this, no matter how loving. She’d noticed that Stella was
quieter than her cousins, a little shyer. Rose remembered so well
what it was like to be nine and unsure of yourself. Giving Stella
the name of an actor wasn’t much as gestures went, but for a little
while the girl had been the center of attention. A boost to her
self-confidence, no matter how small, was a good thing.

After they cleared the table, the food put
away and the kitchen put back in its usual order, everyone but the
youngest children gathered in the living room. The huge stone
fireplace, lit and roaring, lent a cozy layer of warmth. Lorna and
Ned had taken their seats, center stage, so that their children
could give them their anniversary presents tonight when it was just
family.

“Thank you for what you did for Stella.”

Rose looked up from the family photo album
she’d been studying, surprised to see Janet, Stella’s mother.

“You saw that?”

“No, Stella told me.” Both women looked over
at the girl who was snuggled in her father’s lap, half asleep. “She
was worried because you told her not to tell anyone, but when I
asked her how she knew she just couldn’t keep it to herself. She
has a serious case of hero worship. So I wanted to thank you from
both Stella
and
me.” Janet gave her
a hug then went to join her husband and daughter.

“So Stella told her mother.” Jack sat down
next to her. He put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her
close.

“Does everybody know?” She’d thought she’d
gotten away undetected.

“I’m the only one who saw you whispering to
Stella. But I imagine by tomorrow word will have spread. Between
that and winning our bet, you’re going to be a legend around here.”
Jack laughed at Rose’s disgruntled frown. “Secrets are nonexistent
in the Winston clan. And when it involves a good deed? Forget about
it.”

Rose soon forgot to be annoyed when the
anniversary couple started opening their gifts. They were mostly
small things, sentimental and given with love. The last was one all
seven children had gone in on together. When Lorna opened the
plain, white envelope and read the contents, she burst into
tears.

“A trip to Greece?” Ned said, shaking his
head. He then grinned as Lorna’s tears turned into an excited
whoop. They spent the next ten minutes hugging and kissing
children, grandchildren and sons-in-law. Rose sat back and enjoyed
every minute.

When things had finally calmed down, and
they were all settled comfortably in chairs or bundled together on
one of the multiple sofas, Rose decided it was time for her to give
Lorna and Ned her gift. She slipped away from Jack, telling him
that she wanted a better look at the old piano he’d pointed out to
her earlier that afternoon. The upright grand had been in the
Winston family for generations. It had come to Ned and Lorna as a
wedding present from his mother. Lorna played a little, as did a
few of the girls. But it was mostly a cherished piece of furniture
that didn’t get very much practical use.

Jack had mentioned the piano to Rose just in
passing. It was when he told her about his parent’s upcoming
anniversary that she was inspired to write something for the
couple. It had come easily, the irony of that not being lost on
her. She could compose a song for two people she had never met but
when it was more personal, like the love theme for Wishes, Rose
couldn’t even string together two words.

But that was something to worry about on
Monday. This weekend was about Jack's parents. She had planned on
recording the song in her studio and sending the CD and sheet music
with Jack. But now that she was here, she thought it might be nicer
if she played it live.

She ran her hand over the well-polished
wood. Rose felt a twinge of envy, which wasn't surprising. She
tended to covet beautiful instruments like this one. The only thing
that kept her from over indulging and buying everyone that caught
her eye was the size of her house. She just didn’t have the
room.

“Lovely, isn’t it?”

Lorna had joined her, giving the piano a
slightly wistful look. “I always hoped one of my children would
catch the music bug. Nan and Paula play a bit, but that’s it.”

“Jack told me you play.”

“Jack is being kind,” Lorna laughed. “I can
peck out a passable melody, but I wouldn’t say I play.”

“Do you mind if I—?” Rose glanced at the
keyboard.

“Would you?” Lorna beamed, then looked a
little sheepish. “I’ve been trying to work up the nerve to ask you.
But I didn’t want you to think you had to sing for your
supper.”

“I would never think that.” She ran her
fingers up and down the keys, thrilled to find the piano was kept
perfectly tuned. “I’ll tell you a little secret. It was love at
first sight. This is my equivalent of diamond jewelry. Of course,
it’s much harder to wear a piano around your neck.”

She drifted into the melody of
A Love Song For Lorna and Edward
.
Now that she’d met Jack’s parents, Rose was certain she’d gotten
the mood and feel of the song right. Slightly dreamy, a strong
touch of romance with a jazzy undertone. The lyrics were simple.
She’d taken the bits that Jack had told her and woven a slightly
sweet, slightly funny story. Their story.

Rose could see the surprise and then delight
in Lorna’s eyes when she realized what the song was about. The
woman’s eyes filled and she reached back, her hand grasping the air
until her husband joined her. Ned stood with his wife of forty
years and listened to their story—and both of them wept.

When the final note faded, the room burst
into applause and excited chatter, everyone crowding around the
piano. Rose was thrilled by the enthusiastic response. She might
not be a born performer, but she had enough ego that she was able
to enjoy the warm approval of the Winston clan. Jack joined her on
the piano bench, pulling her close. Leaning in, his voice thick
with emotion, he whispered, “The hell with being a legend, after
tonight, you’re a full-fledged, fucking goddess."

ROSE COULDN'T IMAGINE where all the people
had come from.

Saturday had dawned bright and seasonably
warm, in other words, a perfect day for an outdoor party. Last
minute preparations kept everyone busy, including Rose. She helped
where ever they needed her, including taking the restless children
and pets to play in the nearby empty field. Edgar and his brother
Digger acted like they’d never been apart, running and exploring
every gopher hole they could find. An hour later they were all
ready for some lunch and a nap. Rose opted out of the nap. After a
night of sleeping in Jack’s arms, she felt completely refreshed,
her energy boundless. Jack had kept his word. He didn’t try to
seduce her; there was no
accidental
slipping of hands. They had gone to bed, turned off the lights and
fallen asleep. When she woke the next morning, her head was resting
on Jack’s shoulder, his arms holding her close. She felt warm and
safe. It had been lovely. And now, hours later she was still riding
that wave of happy.

Guests were due to start arriving at two
o’clock but as with any party, there were early arrivals. A lot of
them. By four, Rose wondered if the rest of the county was deserted
because everyone seemed to be in the Winston’s backyard.

Trays of sandwiches and bowls of every
imaginable kind of salad packed three large tables, a fourth
reserved for plates, napkins and utensils. In the center was a huge
four-tiered cake decorated with yellow and white swirls of
frosting. Trays of cookies and homemade candy were sitting just to
the side, giving people something sweet to snack on before the they
cut the cake.