Sweeter Than Wine (20 page)

Nothing like rubbing it in.

"Really, it sounds like you had fun there.
You know, I am sorry I was so rough on you before you left. You
caught me at a bad time though, and I wasn't really in a mood for
it. You didn't deserve that. It's just well, since I'd known you,
you hadn't gotten out much or traveled or anything. But when you
came back with all the pictures I never dreamed I'd give you the
incentive to go out and try a real vacation." He chuckled.

Lacey turned to look at him, "I saw it as a
challenge, not an incentive. I was actually angry and wanted to
prove something to you and myself. I found out a person can change
Howard. You can blossom when you least expect it. I'd been taking
care of my mother so long; I forgot all the things I missed. Of
course I don't regret caring for Mom. And I know she's at peace
too."

"I thought that might be the case. I didn't
mean to throw down the gauntlet. I'm sorry. I was much too rough on
you. I know about your mother. In addition, when I said those
things, I let that completely slip from memory. That had to be a
full time job, and you were working for us then too."

"To tell the truth I think this vacation was
exactly what I needed. I'm so glad I went. I enjoyed it. Now if I
can get this place looking like I want before I go back to work,
I'll be happy."

He adjusted his tie, then took it off and
threw it on top of the sofa too. Lacey saw the action and tensed.
It seemed she wasn't the only one that had changed. Howard had
never invited himself to her apartment, nor paid her much
attention, now he was all over the place.

"Anything else I can do for you?" he asked as
his eyes traveled up and down her with lazy appreciation.

"Um…no, but thanks…you want some lemonade?"
she asked.

"Sounds great," he smiled at her.

She poured them both a glass and sat at the
kitchen table with him.

"So what really brings you over, Howard?" she
finally asked, wishing he'd go home so she could finish her task.
.

"You, I mean, look we aren't at work now.
We've worked together for years. But you seem so different since
you've been back. Everyone has remarked about it. I'm curious as to
what exactly happened on that vacation of yours."

Lacey met his glance now, "And I'm curious as
to why you are curious. Howard, I had been taking care of my mother
for some time when I began at the school. I took care of her until
she died. I admit I didn't have much of a life before that, but all
of that is going to change now. I’m better, and yes, I guess a
little different. You were right, before I couldn't have shown the
girls much fun. But now…well maybe."

"Oh don't get me wrong, I like the change in
you," he smiled, putting his hand over hers.

She moved it. "You're my boss Howard, not my
boyfriend."

"But I thought…."

"Yes, exactly what did you think?" she asked
turning to stare at him.

"Before you left well…I thought you were
pretty interested in me. At least that was the signals I kept
getting from you."

"That might have been the case, at one time,
but things do change, Howard. You are a tremendously handsome man,
but I'm no longer interested." She stated and stared him in the
eyes.

"Does this have anything to do with the man
in the pictures?" he asked going back to look at the picture once
more. Piled high on the counter.

Lacey moved to pick up the picture before he
got hold of them. "That's none of your business. I like you Howard,
always have. But I'm just not interested in you like that."

"Guys like that, beach bums, surfers, they
hold no future for you Lacey." He cautioned. "You can't possibly
take a summer romance seriously."

"Really?"

"Well, I have an excellent job, and quite a
future I'm told. Which makes me quite a catch?" He stared at her.
"And I know in the past you've been interested in me."

She rolled her eyes, seeing how dull Howard
really was. "Howard I might as well admit, I did have a crush on
you. For years in fact. Ever since I came to work for the school,
but that's over. I've moved on. One has to learn these things the
hard way, and I did."

"But it's this guy now?" He laughed.

"Maybe…" she admitted.

"Forget him, he's a loser. I can offer you so
much more," he moved closer.

"Not interested." She repeated and moved away
from him.

"I see, well, your mistake," he picked up his
jacket and tie. "If you change your mind the door is open…for a
while."

Lacey cast him a glance over her shoulder,
"Thanks…Howard. I'll keep that in mind."

"You do that," as he was about to leave he
looked at her again. "Anyone can have a vacation Lacey. And yours
was probably overdue, but you're too intelligent to make something
of a summer fling."

"Am I?" she quipped. "Thanks for stopping by
Howard. See you in school."

She slammed the door behind him as he left.
The nerve of the man, coming to her house telling her who she
should like and shouldn't like. How could she ever have been so
blind?

***

Sam couldn't believe the address Lacey left
at the hotel had a for sale sign on it. She'd obviously moved, but
where. There was no forwarding. He'd flown to Texas to find her,
and now this. What was he going to do now? He couldn't find
her.

Maybe he could contact the real estate agent.
He dialed the number from the sign and immediately asked the
receptionist if the owner left an address. Although the
receptionist sympathized with his problem, she couldn't give out
that information on the phone.

Sam slammed the phone down.

"Dammit Lacey where are you?" he cried aloud.
"I can't have lost you."

Sam took a room at the Hyatt Hotel and now
slowly drove back in the rental car, determined to find Lacey one
way or another.

After a good dinner, he made up his mind, he
had an idea, and if it worked, he'd be talking to Lacey
tomorrow.

The next morning he dressed in jeans and a
white shirt, shaved and called the real estate company.

"Yes, I'm interested in the property, but I'd
like to ask your price."

The agent looked it up and quoted a price to
him.

"Oh no, that's much too high. I wonder if I
might speak to the owner, I have considerable cash to pay down, and
thought maybe I might talk them down a bit." Sam smiled into the
phone.

The agent was silent a moment then agreed.
"I'll contact her and get back with you within the hour,
hopefully."

"Thanks, you have my number."

Satisfied that he would soon see Lacey again
he sat on the small couch and waited for the call. It wasn't long
in coming.

"She's says she'll meet with you at eleven
this morning, on the site." The agent told him

"Wonderful, thanks."

Sam got ready, and went to the gift shop at
the hotel, he found a beautiful bunch of daisy's for sale and
bought them. Then he hurried to get a taxi to take him to the
house.

He was early, anxious to see Lacey.

He walked around the house and went into the
backyard where a gazebo stood right in the middle of the yard. He
walked up to it, and found a swing inside. About to sit down he
heard a voice.

"So, you're interested in this property,
sir?" Lacey's voice sounded almost bored.

Sam took his time turning around and as he
faced her he heard her intake of breath, "Sam?"

He stared at her for a full minute before
saying a thing, and then he grinned, "Sure took a lot of work to
find you, lady."

"S-Sam what are you doing here?" she gasped
coming closer.

Sam soaked in the site of her, realizing how
very much he had missed her.

"I think I forgot to say a few things." His
eyes never left hers now.

"You came all the way down here to talk, you
could have phoned easier." She almost laughed.

She was standing there in an ice blue
sundress, her hair streaming over her shoulders in curls. He got
the same reaction he always did when he was with her, he wanted
her, but this time he tempered those feelings. This time he wanted
to do and say all the right things. It was important.

"If I said them over the phone, I wouldn't be
able to see your face, and I want to see you when I tell you how
much I missed you."

Her glance fell to the ground and she pinked.
"I-I missed you too."

Her admission seemed strained.

"Good….but that's not why I came all this
way." He swallowed hard.

"Don't tell me you want to buy my mom's
house?" she nearly laughed again.

"No…sorry, I guess I got you here by false
pretenses. The house is lovely but no, that's not why I'm here
either." His eyes assessed her carefully.

"But, your job?" she looked up at him
now.

"I guess they like me, they gave me a few
more days." He took a step closer.

"Would you like to sit down?" she motioned
for the swing.

He nodded, then handed her the flowers, "For
you."

She took the daisies and smiled down at them.
"I love daisies."

"I figured you might."

"Why? How could you know?"

He shrugged, "I don't know when I walked into
the gift shop I had no idea what I'd get you, then I saw those and
thought of you instantly."

She smiled. As they sat in the swing it
brought them even closer, but still he didn't touch her, not even
her hand.

"Lacey, I've found the answers to my
identity. My grandparents were part of the whole thing." Why had he
told her this? He didn't come here to talk about family, unless it
was his very own. He came here for her. Would she go back with him?
Did she love him as much as he realized he loved her?

"And are you going to do anything about
it?"

"No, nothing. It's finished. It's a closed
book now. I'm satisfied."

Lacey's smile was contrite but she was
smiling. "I'm so glad you made that decision and on your own,
too."

"I didn't come here to talk about my family
ties. I came here because since you left there's been a huge void
in my life that nothing and no one can fill…but you!"

Her head came up and she looked him in the
eyes now. She opened her mouth but nothing came out.

"Lacey I know we haven't known each other
long. I know we haven't had enough time together, but I also know
that I don't want to waste any more time without you either. I'm
crazy in love with you Lacey. Put me out of this misery…marry
me!"

Lacey's eyes became huge, and tears filled
her eyes, "Sam!"

Suddenly he pulled her to him and kissed her
with wild abandon.

This kiss was breathtakingly long, and
suddenly sunshine flooded him and he felt a wave of happiness
inside him that made him want to jump up and pick her up and hold
her high in the sky.

When they pulled apart to grab a breath he
smiled into her face, "Is that a yes!"

"Oh Sam, are you sure?" she asked
breathlessly.

Sam pulled away from her and pulled something
from his pocket, "I bought this in Houston, as I've spent a little
time trying to find you. However, I was determined to find you.
This too is something I thought you'd like too."

He stretched the little black box out to
her.

With trembling fingers she took it, glanced
at him and a slow burning smile lit her lips.

When she opened it, she gasp again, "Oh Sam,
my very favorite, white gold, a solitaire and sapphires surrounding
it. It's lovely. Just absolutely lovely. Oh yes, Sam…I'll marry
you."

"Man…I was scared you might turn me down for
good ole Howard." Sam laughed as he took the ring out of the box
and slid it on her finger.

"There's only one man in this whole world
with kisses sweeter than wine!" she cried as the ring sparkled on
her finger.

He stood up, pulled her out of the gazebo,
and lifted her high in the air. "You complete it all, Lacey. I've
found my paradise…with you! I was happy to find my sister, happy to
become part of her life, but nothing…I repeat nothing makes me as
happy as being with you."

"Oh Sam, I can't believe you are here, and
this is happening to us. It's like some fairy tale." She laughed,
but as he let her down, he slid her against him and her lips found
his in a kiss that sealed their promises.

"Kasie insists we get married up there, do
you mind?" Sam asked as he pulled away from her reluctantly.

"Don't tell me, she wants to plan the whole
thing," Lacey laughed.

"She's crazy about you. She, Chayton, and the
whole family are. They are the ones that convinced me that it's
possible to fall in love so quickly and completely."

Lacey cuddled against him, kissing his ear,
"When I came home, it was so barren, so lonely. I couldn't stand
it. That's why I put my mother's house up for sale. I just couldn't
stand it any more. I was so afraid I'd never see you again. However
did you find me?"

"It wasn't easy. I went back to the hotel and
checked a forwarding address not an easy feat with all the privacy
rules of a hotel, but I managed and then when I got here and saw
the house up for sale I thought I'd never find you. Then I got the
idea to call the real estate company. It was the only way I could
see you again."

"We have a lot of things to decide on, and I
am willing to do anything you want. I want you to know that. I
don't care as long as we are together." He assured her.

"You'd live in Texas?" she shrieked.

"If that's what you want." He admitted. "I'll
live where you live." He kissed her hand.

"I want to live in that beautiful home of
yours, and be your wife, and have your babies." She cried.

"Are you…pregnant?" he asked hopefully.

"Oh I don't know it's too soon to know. Would
it bother you if I was?" She laughed.