Wildflower Wedding (2 page)

“Sorry,” Reese said, and although he removed his hands he didn't appear sorry at all. Instead, his gaze slid to her mouth and for a heart-stopping moment she thought he was going to kiss her. No, she had to be wrong just like before. . . .

Feeling silly, Gabby abruptly released her hands from around his neck. But her traitorous knees felt wobbly and to her horror she did a little backpedal.

“Whoa there.” Reese reached out and to her utter surprise scooped her up and after a few long-legged strides deposited her on the counter next to the forgotten pizza box.

“Just what do you think you're doing?” Gabby asked.

“I'm not quite sure. . . .”

Awkward silence followed until the aroma of pepperoni made her stomach rumble.

“How . . . how much do I owe you?”

Reese arched an eyebrow. “For saving you from . . . peril?”

“The pizza,” she sputtered.

“It's on the house along with the cannoli . . . and the rescue.”

“I didn't order cannoli.”

“We're testing desserts. I made it.”

“Really?”

“I'm full of surprises,” Reese responded dryly. “Be sure to give me some feedback,” he added with a crooked smile.

Gabby blinked at him. “Okay, but I don't want you to pay for the pizza, Reese.”

His smile faded. “Don't worry about it.”

His sudden clipped tone and shuttered expression confused Gabby. She didn't want the cost of her dinner to come out of his pocket. What was so wrong with that? “At least let me give you a tip for the delivery. I mean, I know your uncle owns River Row Pizza, but still . . .”

“Forget about it,” Reese insisted. “And listen, I—” he began, but was interrupted by the ding of the bell over the door.

“Drew!” Gabby exclaimed with a warm smile. She scooted forward but then looked at the distance between the floor and her feet, wondering if she could jump without stumbling. Probably not and the status of her legs remained iffy. As if reading her mind, Reese stepped forward and put his hands around her waist, lifting her down as if she weighed next to nothing. When Drew frowned Gabby took a step back, putting much needed distance between her and Reese. “What brings you here?” She tugged at her shirt and smoothed her hair.

“I thought I'd come over and wine and dine you with the hope of enticing you to join the Cricket Creek Beautification Committee. We could use your expertise.”

Gabby gestured toward the pizza box. “Oh, I've already ordered dinner.”

Drew flicked a glance at the box and shrugged his suit-clad shoulders. “I can do better than pizza. Shove that in the fridge and I'll take you out for real food.”

Feeling heat creep into her cheeks at Drew's rather rude comment, she looked over at Reese.

A muscle jumped in his jaw. “I need to go,” Reese said. “See you around, Gabby. We should get together and catch up.”

“Oh . . . uh, sure.”

“You two know each other?” Drew asked.

“Yes, we were childhood . . .
friends
. I'm sorry. I should have introduced you. Drew, this is Reese Parker, I mean Marino. His uncle owns River Row Pizza and Pasta. Reese, Drew Gibbons.”

“Mayor of Cricket Creek,” Drew announced as he extended his hand.

“Pizza delivery guy,” Reese responded with a twist of his lips.

“And maker of cannoli,” Gabby added, and lifted the white bag.

“Yeah, can't forget that,” Reese said airily, and gave them a little salute. “See you around. Uh, nice to meet you, Mr. Mayor,” he said, and then walked out the door.

“So, how about that dinner?”

“Oh!” Gabby hadn't realized she was staring after Reese until Drew spoke up. She'd unintentionally hurt Reese's feelings and she felt the sudden urge to run after him and make whatever she did right. “Drew, I'm sorry but I'm really very busy.” She gestured toward her jeans. “And not really dressed for going out.”

Drew nodded slowly and then rubbed his clean-shaven chin. Everything about him was neatly groomed and tidy. He wore the dark blue suit well and his shoes were polished to a spit shine. Not one hair on his sandy blond head was out of place. “Well, I could go get a bottle of wine if you don't mind sharing the pizza?” He gave Gabby a pleading smile and took a step closer. The handsome young mayor reigned as Cricket Creek's most eligible bachelor, and even though he was a few years older than her, Gabby had been hoping for him to ask her out. Now that the moment had finally arrived, she was trying to think up a reason to turn him down.

Stupid girl!
She smiled back at Drew. “No need. I have a bottle of Chianti upstairs. We can eat at the bistro table in front of the shop if you don't mind?”

“No, I enjoy dining alfresco,” he replied.

“Wonderful. I'll run upstairs and get plates and glasses.”

“Sounds good but I hope you'll agree to dinner out with me later in the week?”

Gabby smiled. “I'd like that very much. I'll be back in a minute.” But as she walked up the steps leading to her loft apartment, she wondered why she wasn't walking on air. She'd been hoping to catch Drew's eye for quite some time. He was everything she wanted in a man and then some. Of course she knew the reason: sexy-as-sin Reese Marino. But the advice of her mother echoed in her head:
“Gabby, honey, don't fall for a sweet-talkin' man like I did. They'll love ya and then leave ya pickin' up the pieces of your broken heart. Find Mr. Strong and Steady. Choose wisely so I know you'll be cherished without me here. Promise me, will you, Gabby?”

Gabby had made a promise and she intended to keep it. At twenty-nine years old, Drew Gibbons was not only mayor of Cricket Creek but a CPA with his own small but successful accounting firm. Reese, on the other hand, delivered pizza for his uncle. Who knew how long he intended to stay in Cricket Creek, anyway? Enough said.

But then her traitorous brain had to slide back to the memory of being in his arms. And she remembered the compassion in his eyes and the sympathy he expressed about her mother's death. “Stop!” Gabby growled, and then pulled the step stool over to reach the wineglasses on the top shelf. Just like back in high school, Reese needed to remain off-limits. It was just that simple.

Wasn't it?

Besides, maybe a kiss from Drew would cause a heart-pounding, knee-popping reaction, right? Surely it would. Hopefully she'd find out.

Sweet Fantasy

R
EESE STORMED INTO RIVER ROW PIZZA AND PUSHED
through the double doors leading into the kitchen. He made a beeline for the Sub-Zero fridge and snagged a bottle of Budweiser. After a quick twist he tossed the cap into the trash with much more force than necessary and then took a long pull on the beer.

His uncle looked up from where he was stirring a big pot of fragrant sauce. “Whoa there, hoss. Who shoved a burr up your butt? Surely not that cute little flower shop owner you've been daydreamin' about ever since she called in her order.”

“I haven't been daydreaming about Gabby.” Reese took another swallow of beer. “I don't
daydream,
damn it.” His language didn't faze his uncle, who was part father figure but more like an older brother. In fact, with their dark Italian looks and similar build they were often mistaken for siblings. It wasn't until after Uncle Tony's divorce that threads of silver started showing up in his hair.

“Fantasize?”

Reese shot his uncle a glare.

“Hey, man, I was just messin' with ya.” Uncle Tony pulled the checkered dish towel from his shoulder and wiped his hands before coming around to lean his hips against a long stainless steel table. Angling his head toward the fridge, he said, “Grab me a beer and let's talk about what's eatin' you.”

Reese handed his uncle a bottle. “I'm sorry I was being such a dick.”

“Ah, don't worry 'bout it.” He gave him a wave of his hand and then tipped back his bottle. “Now, talk ta me,” Uncle Tony urged in his typical Brooklyn no-nonsense get-to-the-point way.

Reese lifted one shoulder. “I dunno. I've always had a thing for Gabby and she's always blown me off, at least when we were teenagers. I mean, I get it. Well, I used to get it. I was trouble and she liked to stay out of it. Never got caught drinkin' or smokin', got good grades, you know, the whole nine yards.”

“Reese, you turned that corner a long time ago.” Uncle Tony swung his arm in an arc. “Does she know you're part owner? Graduated from college with honors?”

“She thinks I'm a pizza delivery dude. Not that there's anything wrong with that.”

Tony's eyebrows shot up. “And you didn't set her straight?”

Reese finished the beer and tossed the bottle in the trash. It landed with a
thunk
. “I tried but this douche bag came walking into the flower shop. He's the damn mayor or some such shit and Gabby was falling all over herself trying to impress him.”

“Drew Gibbons?”

Reese grabbed another beer from the fridge. “Yeah, him. He wants her on some committee or something. Wanted to take her to some fancy-ass dinner. Thumbed his nose at the pizza.”

Tony snorted.

“What? You know him?”

“I know of him.”

“Go on.”

“Well, apparently there's been a lot of new development in Cricket Creek over the years.”

“Damn, tell me about it.”

“I've seen even more since I've been here getting the pizza parlor ready for business. Anyway, so . . . back to Drew. I had to go to council meetings to get approval for different stuff, and of course as mayor Drew presided over the boring-ass meetings. Restaurant Row where we're at is the second phase of this shopping mall. The first was Wedding Row where Gabby's Flower Power, the jewelry store, the bridal and tux shop, the bakery, and all of that stuff is located. The recent addition of River Row Pizza and Pasta is just the beginning of phase two.” He held up two fingers to demonstrate. “Several other restaurants are slated to open in the next year or so, including a microbrewery and Sully's South, a smaller version of his original honky-tonk bar that will showcase singer-songwriters.”

Reese shook his head. “I never would have guessed that this little town would grow so much in the time I was gone. Damn, that baseball stadium sure got things going. Pretty cool that Noah Falcon came back here.”

“You got that right. According to your mom, Noah Falcon pretty much saved this town from going under. And now they have that new recording studio down by the river.”

“So, go on about Drew the douche.”

“Let's just say he likes to take credit where credit
isn't
due. He puts it out there that as mayor he's responsible for a lot of the recent development. Not true. A guy named Mitch Monroe put this mall together. Whisper's Edge, an old retirement community down along the river, is growing like wildfire, but that's because it was bought by Tristan McMillan, a lawyer from Cincinnati.”

“Isn't that the guy who bought the trailer park too? Mom was telling me some of this over dinner last night.”

“He did. He and his mother are turning it into an affordable subdivision with starter homes. Her real estate office is on the corner. Maggie's a nice lady. She found me the two-family I'm renting down by the river. And get a load of this. Maggie is married to rocker Rick Ruleman. He's the one who built a recording studio not far from where I'm living.”

“Seriously?” Reese shook his head. “This little town woke its sleepy ass up big-time.” He grinned. “Maybe coming back here isn't going to be as boring as I thought.”

“But none of the progress is due to Drew. I'm just sayin'. The dude isn't nearly as important as he thinks he is. So, what are you gonna do about it?”

“About what?”

“Him coming on to Gabby.”

“Not my business.”

“Reese, let Gabby know you're legit.”

“Uncle Tony, I'm not what she's lookin' for.”

“You just got here a couple days ago. You don't know that.”

Reese rolled his head to his shoulders, trying to get rid of the tension. “I represent where she came from, not where she's going. Besides, would ya take a look at me? Tats. A motorcycle. Long-ass hair. I'm the opposite of Drew the dipshit.”

“That's a good thing.”

“Look, Gabby Goodwin will always think of me as the troublemaker from the trailer park.”

“Then change her mind.”

Reese shrugged.

“Hey, don't be givin' me that shrug. You used to do that shit when you first came to live with me, remember? Actin' like you don't give a rat's ass when you really do.”

“You gonna bust my chops all day?”

“And all night if that's what it takes.” He reached over and gave Reese's shoulder a shove. “You still got a thing for this girl?”

“Yeah. I mean, I guess.”

“Then go after her. There isn't anybody better than you.”

“I'll second that,” said Reese's mother as she pushed through the double doors and breezed into the kitchen. “Wow, something sure smells amazing. Tony, what is it?”

“I've been tinkering with the sauce. Tessa, go over and give it a taste.”

Tessa dipped a spoon into big pot. “Mmmm.” She nodded and licked her lips. “That's some good marinara.” She looked at Reese. “I hoped you saved me a cannoli.”

“Of course, Mom. I used the old family recipe from Sicily that Uncle Tony found.”

“Excellent. By the way, have you seen Gabby yet?”

“Why does everybody care about me seeing Gabby Goodwin?” Reese flicked Uncle Tony a glance. “I delivered a pizza to her.”

“She's still cute as a button, isn't she?”

More like sexy as hell.
“Yeah.”

“You gonna ask her out?”

“Mom! Jeez . . .”

“It was just a question.”

“I think she's dating that mayor dude,” Reese replied. He waved a hand through the air as if he didn't care.

“No, she's not.”

“Mom, how do you know this?”

She tucked a lock of dark curly hair behind her ear. “This is a small town. Trust me, they're not dating.”

“Well, he's eating dinner with her right now.” Reese couldn't keep from scowling. “So I think that's about to change.”

“Beat him to the punch,” his mother suggested. “You always were sweet on Gabby.”

Reese shook his head. “The two of you need to butt out of my love life.”

“Not gonna happen,” his mother and uncle responded together.

Reese had to laugh. “Well, at least give me a chance to unpack my suitcases.” He loved them both—even if they couldn't keep their noses out of his business.

“Tony, you should go on home and let Digger out,” Tessa suggested. “You've got circles under your eyes. Get some rest. Reese and I can handle any deliveries that come our way. We'll close up the kitchen and store the sauce.”

“Thanks, Tessa. I think I'll take you up on that. I could use a jog and Digger really needs some exercise. I feel rotten that he's been cooped up day after day. Irish setters need to run.”

“Then get outta here,” Reese insisted. “Mom and I got it covered. Seriously.”

“All right already. Feels like you wanna get rid of me. I might develop a complex or somethin'.”

“Yeah, right.” Reese shook his head.

“Hey, Tessa, the menus arrived. Proofread them and let me know what you think.”

“Will do.”

“And—”

“Tony! For heaven's sake. Go!” She shooed him with her hands.

Reese laughed when his uncle continued to shout instructions to them as he walked out the door. A minute later a text message came for them to think of a tag line for ads. “He never stops,” Reese said with a shake of his head.

“I sure hope this restaurant is a success,” his mother said while she stirred the sauce and then turned the flame down. “I knew it was a bit of a gamble telling him to come here, but I also knew he needed to get out of Brooklyn and away from what Gloria did to him.”

Reese started slicing some mushrooms. “Mom, closing the Brooklyn pizza shop really tore Uncle Tony up. Losing the family business because you have to hand half of it over to a woman who cheated on you? Yeah, he needed a fresh start.”

She smiled. “Well, despite the circumstances I'm glad to have both of you in Cricket Creek. I sure did miss you, Reese. Sending you to Brooklyn to live with Tony was the hardest thing I've ever had to do. I hope you know that.”

Reese paused in his slicing. “You might have mentioned it a time or . . . twenty. Mom, I was hell on wheels and heading down the wrong path fast. I didn't like it at the time, but trust me, you did the right thing.”

“It's hard not to act out when your father up and leaves you. Rebellion was your way of dealing. Depression was mine. I'm so sorry I was in that dark place, Reese. After he left I should have been there for you.”

“Have you filed for divorce?” Reese hated to ask, but his mother needed to find closure and move on with her life.

“No.” She concentrated on the sauce as if it had the answers to the universe.

“You can get one based on abandonment. All you have to do is post a notice in the paper and make a reasonable effort to find him, Mom.” Reese had done the research. “Come on, we don't even go by Parker anymore. Take that last step.”

“That's just it. I'm not so certain I want to find him.” She stirred the sauce slowly and then tapped the big spoon against the edge.

“If you ask me, he should have to explain why he left,” Reese muttered, but when his mother swallowed hard he decided it was time to drop the subject.

“You're right. Maybe someday I'll muster up the courage to file the petition. For right now I just want to enjoy having you back home.” She swiped at a tear and then patted her chest. “Ah, but it made my heart hurt every single day you were gone.”

“I shouldn't have put you through all the crap I did back in high school. You needed me to man up instead of adding to your problems. I hope I can make it up to you.”

She smiled. “You can.”

“How?”

“Grandbabies!” She raised her hands skyward.

“What?” Reese tossed his head back and laughed. “I'm only twenty-six and I need a little thing called a girlfriend to get that whole ball rolling.”

“I'm sure you'll find one.” She angled her head in the direction of Flower Power.

Reese tossed the mushrooms into a plastic container and sealed the lid. “Like I told Uncle Tony, Gabby will always think of me as trouble, and if you remember she avoided trouble at all costs.”

“You're an accomplished young man with a lot to offer. You're not that kid anymore.”

“I think in her eyes, I am. And you have to admit that I stick out among all the country boys in Cricket Creek.”

“It's pretty simple really. Show her the man you've become.”

“I've got nothing to prove,” Reese answered firmly. “Those days are done.”

“Believe me, I understand.” She waved her hand in the air. “Forget about it,” she said, and then laughed. “Ohmigosh, I'm starting to sound like Tony and I haven't lived in Brooklyn in years.”

Reese grinned back at her. “A Brooklyn accent laced with a Southern drawl. Gotta love it. But hey, let's drop the subject for now too. I just moved back. I've got plenty of time for a love life after we get this restaurant up and running.”

“Deal,” she said, but there was a slight twinkle in her eye that told a different story.

They talked shop and shared coffee and a cannoli that his mother raved about, but in the back of his mind Reese couldn't forget about Gabby. Plus, it really ticked him off that she assumed he was just a pizza delivery guy barely worthy of an introduction. He was looking forward to seeing her reaction when she found out otherwise.

Reese sighed. The tattoos, the shaggy long hair, the stubble on his face along with his sleek black motorcycle weren't props but an honest representation of finally being comfortable in his own skin. Tony taught him to be proud of his background and where he came from all the way back to his Italian roots. Being a river rat had been tough, no doubt, but he'd survived and was stronger for it. Reese no longer cared what people thought of him, so why did Gabby's dismissal of him hurt so damned much?