Chapter Ten

Jack opened his door to Sally. His thoughts froze on “Wow.” He swallowed his spit. He’d thought the black dress Sally had worn the last time was hot. The green suit she had on tonight kicked his ass. Could be she’d worn the suit to keep things from heating up, but that wouldn’t fly. She couldn’t know the professor look turned him on. Yeah, he was one twisted bastard.

“Come on in. You have any problem finding the place?”

“No. I like driving around the lake, checking out the colors during autumn. I knew how to find your neighborhood, though I’d never passed through the gates.”

Jack handed her a glass of wine and offered hors d’ oeuvres.

“Great pâté,” she said. “Did Pete cater tonight?”

The corners of his mouth turned up. “I do cook, remember?” He leaned closer and snagged a canapé. Her heat and scent filled his senses. His head spun. “I hope you like the wine.”

“Right, yes, the wine is…lively. Fresh, fruity with undertones of herbs and, is that vanilla?” She tilted her head. “Nice finish.”

“Good.” Deep silence gathered between them. Having Sally in his home sped from good idea to an open pit of danger. A secret, one she may not believe as truth, lay down the hall.

She gulped her wine, setting the empty glass on the cocktail table and folding her hands together. He half expected her to cross her legs at her ankles and balance a book on her head.

“Your house is lovely. This was your uncle’s home? I’m sorry I never got to meet him. How long have you lived here?”

Her voice was high and she raced through her speech. Nice to know they shared something, though nerves wasn’t his first pick for mutuality.

“I’ve been coming here since I was a kid, starting with short summer vacations. I inherited a few years ago, but until recently I only spent a few weeks a year here.”

“But this room has such a warm feel. Lived in and cared for. Comfortable, yet stylish.”

She liked his home. Score one in his campaign to win her over. “I did some remodeling, added on a room. Would you like a quick tour?”

Oh, shit. His mouth operated independently. Still, the door to the past had been opened weeks ago, and not by him. Time to show her another part of his life and hope for the best.

“That’d be nice, yes,” she said. “Thanks.”

They slipped out of the room and down a short hallway to the foyer. He led her through the house, gauging her reaction to the heart pine wood paneling, stone fireplace, vaulted ceiling and original Arts and Crafts furniture. The more she praised, the looser his muscles became.

He stopped at a closed door. His nerves kicked up to staccato. “This is my favorite room.” He threw open the door and stepped back.

Sally threw him a questioning glance. “Better not be your bedroom.” She stepped inside. He followed, seeing the familiar room with new eyes, hoping he hadn’t made a mistake sharing with her.

One wall made mostly of glass overlooked a view of the lake and surrounding trees. A French door to the side led onto a small deck that boasted two deck chairs. Guitars on stands were stationed around the room. His framed music awards covered almost two walls. Would she think his display arrogant?

Her complete stillness told him she’d noticed the baby grand situated in front of the windows.

She pointed then dropped her hand, but not before he’d noticed her shaking fingers. “Are those—?”

He cleared his throat, but his reply sounded husky. “Yeah.” The photographs she’d left behind when she’d run from him were arranged on his piano, still in the original cheap plastic frames she’d bought.

“How did you?” Her shoulders hunched.

“Our flaky neighbor saw the box at the curb. She saved the photos. She was sure I’d be looking for you and Carlos.” He put his hands on her shoulders, feeling her shaking abate. “I packed some of the stuff away for a while to keep our secret, but I never threw out anything important from our time together.”

She exhaled. “I don’t know what to say.”

“You don’t have to say anything.” Tears pooling in her eyes convinced him he hadn’t made a mistake in bringing her here. He’d been afraid she’d think he hauled out the photos to make points with her, but her reaction told him differently. Taking a chance when they met again, revealing he’d searched for her, had been his only indication to her until now. Photos did speak.

Her eyes glistened. “I never knew,” she whispered.

Their gazes tangled. A sense of yearning, of wanting more, swept him. So close, and now, more open to him than she’d been so far. He placed his palm on the side of her face brushing a tress of soft hair from her forehead.

“This is a dream. Has to be.” She licked her lips.

“No dream, babe. This is real. You. Me. Us.”

His gaze locked on her glistening mouth. “Together again. I’d add naturally, but that’s not true, is it? We’ve had to fight to get to this point. And damned if I know where we’re going.”

“I think we’re headed in well, maybe not the right direction, but at least we’ve shifted.”

“So I can kiss you now?”

She nodded. “That’d be nice.”

“Nice” hell. This chance had to count big. He bent closer, his lips skimming hers in first contact. He angled for more.

The house phone rang, shattering their intimacy. Shit. Talk about bad timing.

She edged from him, hugging her elbows like a waif in one of those late-night charity commercials. For the first time he could remember, she looked ravaged.

“Guess you’d better answer, huh.”

He checked caller ID. Mitch. “Damn it.” He snatched up the phone. “This had better be good.”

“I think it is,” Mitch said. “I’ve got the rehearsal space. Be there in three days. I’ll e-mail the information tomorrow.”

He tempered his tone and watched Sally move to the piano and pick up a picture frame “So why’d you call?”

“So you couldn’t say you didn’t know when to show. Three days, Jack. No excuses.”

“Fine. I hear you.”

Ending the call, he joined Sally. He slipped his arms around her waist, marveling at the curves that still sparked a physical reaction.

“I remember the day you took this,” she said. “We were picnicking at the arboretum. PB&J sandwiches and lemonade.”

“Frisbees. Was that the day the kite broke free?”

She smiled. “No, that was…in April. This was July. See the sparkler package in the basket?”

“Carlos loved those damn things, didn’t he? And those charcoal snakes your dad gave him.” He turned her in his arms, the material of her suit sliding under his hands.

“Yeah, he still buys bargain-sized packs of each every summer.” Her smile slipped. “I’m so sorry, Jack. You missed so much. I—”

He rested his fingers over her lips. “Stop. We both screwed up. Let’s kick our regrets in the ass.”

Removing his fingers from her lips, he finally claimed the taste he’d wanted but not admitted since his first glance outside her store. Sweet as the kiss was, he still wondered. Would they ever overcome their past? His thoughts slipped away as passion claimed his attention.

****

Jack entered the rehearsal space they’d booked in Atlanta. Most of the band lived on the East coast or in the Midwest. Besides a central location and major airport, the tour opened here. His buddies waited for him, along with Mitch.

Mitch rubbed his hands together. “Right, you’re all here. I’ve got some good news. You know the dates sold out in hours, right?”

Jack’s stomach churned. He hoped Mitch hadn’t added shows at the end of the tour. No way he’d miss Carlos and Abby’s wedding. Plus, he couldn’t come to terms with Sally—whatever those were—when he was on the road.

“I negotiated top money and added another show when I could. We had extra travel days built in, so the new dates worked. Extra money, no extra travel.”

Jack felt his anger slip rein. “Extra work, Mitch. You didn’t mention that.”

“I built in down time with the promoters.”

“You shoulda asked first.”

Mitch rubbed his hand over his wiry hair. “Have you checked your messages? I called. Everyone else is cool with the added dates. Besides, the second shows are already sell outs.”

Jack studied the floor. “Okay, then.” He looked each of his long-time friends in the eye in turn. “I’m telling you now, though, I won’t tour again.” He paused. “This is my last go round.”

Everyone froze. “I’ll make albums with you as long as Mitch gets us contracts and you want me. But no more tours.”

“Shit, I wish I’d known that.” Mitch scratched his head. “We coulda added more cities.”

Jack glared at their manager.

Mitch held up his hands, palms out. “Just kidding, Jack. We all heard you making noise about not touring, but we thought you’d get restless and want to go out again.”

He shook his head. “Nope. I’m done. I know what I want and it’s not what I’ve had. You all have families. My son is getting married at Thanksgiving. You know what I’m saying.”

Mitch said, “Shit, man, the media is gonna eat this up.”

He shook his head. “Not a word. I don’t want the info about this being my last tour leaked. After the tour is over, fine. But not before. Or during. And don’t even consider mentioning Carlos’s identity or wedding. Agreed?”

Jack heard variations of “We’ll keep it quiet.” A niggling fear hit his spine but he tamped it down.

“Look, I know we’d have gotten more money with a last tour billing, but I can’t spend what I’ve already got, can you?”

His friends grinned and shook their heads.

“Hell,” Tony said. “We’ll have more fun this way, putting something over on the press for a change.”

Jack picked up his guitar. “You said it. Let’s kick ass.”

****

Sally had thought she’d breathe easier with Jack in Atlanta. She’d hoped that planning a wedding with Abby would distract her. Help her forget. The opposite occurred.

The looming wedding dance with Jack took position front and center in her thoughts. How could having his arms and unique scent surrounding her again, even in public, be a smart idea?

Their recent shared kisses had about sent her into the stratosphere. She’d decided a kiss—or two—would immunize her to his presence. What had she been thinking? Talk about stupid moves. The way he’d responded had ignited a fire that still burned. Neither of them had mentioned the kisses, and she wouldn’t. She couldn’t, even if she’d like to know if her reaction to him had been more a blast to the past than anything. Especially after she’d seen their old family photos on his piano.

Dang Carlos and Abby. Why had she agreed to the dance? Not that she had. Abby had taken her inability to speak as a positive answer. Of course, the tradition was for the parents to exchange partners, so she could do the pretty then move on to Abby’s father.

Her one satisfaction came from knowing Abby’s parents had less a wish to dance together than she did with Jack. Abby said their acrimonious parting had made the top ten list of all-time worst divorces.

Her thoughts turned to the Stephens family. Abby had warned Sally, but the reality proved worse. Abby’s mother had attempted to disrupt the wedding plans during the announcement call Abby had made using a speakerphone. She hadn’t even asked to meet Carlos, instead mentioning her daughter’s poor choice of partner, apparently based solely on, what? His name? The woman was a professional menace.

Her heart pounded, her blood pressure spiked given the flush that covered her arms and prickled her neck. She’d promised Abby she’d help keep their plans on track, but her mother-in-law counterpart made academic power plays look like grade school playground bullying. So far Abby had found ways to either compromise or stand firm, but the stress showed in her face.

As if conjured, Abby entered Good Vibes. The metal bell above the door clanged wildly. Abby’s aura showed jagged streaks of angry red.

“Whoa, Abby. Let me make you some chamomile tea. Your aura hit the shop before you did.”

The young woman’s frown smoothed. She slumped, as if in relief. “Thanks, Sally. Oh, and good afternoon. I apologize for busting in, but I’ve been abused via phone.”

“Then you need a hug. Come here.”

“I’m feeling better, thanks.” Abby inhaled. “You and your store always calm me.” She placed her hand on Sally’s arm. “So does being with you. I get to believing that all things are possible with you and Carlos on my side.”

“I’m glad, but remember that your strength is your own. But, because today is sunny, I’ll take your compliment and raise you one. That blue top you’re wearing enhances your eye color and shows off your curves. I’m glad you deep-sixed the over-alls and work boots.”

Abby shook her head and eyed Sally’s loose tie-dyed cotton top, dangling jewelry and black leggings. “We’ve had this discussion before. Our idea of styling will never match. Not in this lifetime or any number of the others we’ve shared. Which I don’t remember but I take your word for our long history.” She leaned closer. “Fashion is a dictate. You’re the real deal.”

Sally’s throat held a lump. She swallowed several times. “Still want that tea?”

“Thanks, but don’t bother. I’m headed across the street. Want to join me?”

She put a “Back in ten minutes” sign on the door and they walked in to The Collective Unconscious Café. She enjoyed watching her son and his fiancée together, but never as much as when they spotted each other across a crowded room.

The two women settled at a table with coffee and fresh-baked scones. Good thing she’d passed on her good cook genes to Carlos. Abby had dropped weight and couldn’t afford the loss. She watched Abby gather her thoughts.

“You won’t believe what mother suggested now.”

“Try me.”

“She wants us to lock the dogs away during the ceremony. She thinks Henry and Bunny will bite someone.”

Sally’s jaw dropped. She studied her scone to hide her upset. “I thought—”

Abby nodded. “Yes. Henry is carrying my ring, and Bunny will handle Carlos’s.” She grinned. “You should see the two of them when we practice. They’re rocking the assignment.”

She hesitated. “So your mother has come to terms with a private wedding at the house?” Her forehead wrinkled. “Wasn’t she lobbying for a ceremony at The Blue Peak Inn with a reception to follow immediately?”

“That was yesterday. Or the day before. Now she says she understands we want a private ceremony, but she thinks having the dogs participate will create a disruptive atmosphere rather than the decorous one a wedding demands.”

Sally didn’t need air quotes to know who’d said what. She struggled to keep her dismay and anger from showing. “You know I’ll follow your wishes. I’m happy to be part of your special day.”

Abby sighed. “I’m beginning to think we should have held the wedding and told her after it was a done deal.”

“That option is still open,” Sally said. “The ceremony is yours.”

She grinned. “Don’t think that idea hasn’t crossed my mind.” She munched a bite of scone, her forehead wrinkled in thought. “I have to make this stand. Even though mother lives a thousand miles away, she’s still my parent. It’s time I came to terms with all that means, both past and present.”

Sally grasped Abby’s hand. “I’m so proud of you.”

“That makes two of us.” Carlos pulled out a chair and settled beside Abby, his arm across her shoulders. He kissed her cheek.

She swallowed hard. Had she and Jack exchanged the same loving looks and touches? She knew they had, but memories of arguments and betrayal presided, even after learning the truth about their past.

“How can I help?”

“Listening is good,” Carlos said.

Abby nodded. “I may need you to run interference once she arrives.”

“Arrives?” Sally caught her breath. “You don’t mean—when is she coming? Exactly?”

The couple’s glum looks answered her question before Carlos spoke. “Too soon.”

Abby placed her hand atop Sally’s. “Would you mind keeping her busy?”

“You mean out of your sight? Sure, I can take her to Asheville. Lots of cute shops will keep her busy. Or is she an outdoors girl? Plenty of places to hike around here.”

“Better take her to the nicest places in Asheville. You know, the boutiques and galleries. Add a linen tablecloth restaurant with an extensive wine list for lunch and you’ll have a friend for life.” Abby bit her lower lip. “That’s pushing it. She’ll be softened up, though.”

“Gosh, and here I’d thought we could sit in on Asheville’s Friday night drum circle downtown.” She lightly chucked Abby’s jaw. “Better close your mouth, sweetie. I know the right places to take your mother. She won’t know she’s been played.”

Abby gave a weak grin. “I knew I could count on you.”

Carlos leaned forward. “Simply because Abby wants help doesn’t give you permission to set her mom straight.” He rubbed the nape of his neck. “I know you, remember? All we need is help showing my future in-law around.”

“I won’t say anything she can’t handle.”

“That’s not what I—”

Abby placed her fingers over Carlos’s lips. “Shush. Whatever happens is meant.”

He kissed her fingers then shifted closer to her. “I knew I was in for trouble when you started reading the claptrap my mom pushed on you.”

She snorted. “It’s not claptrap, and you’re stuck in outmoded science.”

Sally laughed at their interplay, but also caught the look her son leveled at her. She wouldn’t promise not to set Margaret Stephens straight, but she’d watch her words. Sometimes, though, the truth revealed itself without human help. And Abby’s mother needed a good talking to. She wondered what had set Abby’s mother on her path, and whether she could be diverted.

“Exactly when does Margaret arrive?”

Her son’s lips twitched. “Halloween weekend.”

“Well, that’s…nice.” She complimented herself on refraining from saying “appropriate,” but Abby’s grin told her that her thoughts had been read. “So, I’ll give you the weekend, then take her to Asheville on Monday. We can head over to Cashiers and some of the other smaller towns, too, that week. Will that help?”

Abby sighed. “Yes, thanks. I wish I could have prevented her coming early, though. We’d hoped for one last quiet dinner with you and Jack before the tour. Plus, I hate that you’re closing the store to help us out. If I didn’t have a deadline, I’d man the register.”

“Hush, girlfriend, soon to be daughter. I’ll get Deirdre Collins to come in and cover the store. Not a problem.” She tapped her forefinger against her teeth. “And you may as well get the family meet and greet over before Jack leaves, so keep your dinner plans.”

Carlos stood. “Thanks, Mom. I’ve gotta get back to the kitchen.”

Abby leaned across the table. “I really, really appreciate you taking on mother. For sightseeing, I mean.”

Sally heard the underlying meaning. She placed her hand over Abby’s. “Don’t worry. I won’t say anything that shouldn’t be voiced. My main concern is getting you married to my son, and I won’t let anything, or anyone, stand in the way of that happening.”

“Thanks. Have I told you lately that you are my very favorite person in the world?”

She raised her eyebrows. “Don’t you mean favorite female person? My son is your favorite, right?” She frowned. “Because if he’s not, you’ve got some explaining to do, young woman.”

Abby grinned. “Don’t tell Carlos, but sometimes I think I love you more. You know, because you helped me find myself.” She lowered her voice. “But mostly because you gave birth to and raised the one man in the world for me. When we have kids, I hope you’ll teach our munchkins about the real meaning of life.”

Sally wiped away her stray tears. “For balance, you mean? Someone to show my grandkids that Elvis is King, not science as Carlos believes?”

She nodded. Her eyes lost their mirth. “I’m hoping you can work out a truce with Jack. Having him around has made such a difference to Carlos.” She bit her lip. “You’ll always be his anchor, but Jack is an extra he never expected. I hope I didn’t hurt your feelings saying this.”

“No, you didn’t. Carlos is happier since you, and Jack, entered his life. What kind of nasty ass would I be if I couldn’t share him with others?”

Abby nodded and sipped her coffee. “So, how’s it going with that? Sharing Carlos with Jack, I mean?”

Her nonchalant tone didn’t fool Sally. “You can answer that, you’ve seen us together.”

“You mean those have been the only times you’ve seen Jack? Huh. I heard—”

Sally thought quickly to avoid lying. “He’s been rehearsing for the tour almost since their trip out West ended.” She concentrated on her coffee.

“So you mean if you had a chance you’d meet Jack even without our invitation?”

She refrained from blurting out the truth. “No, that’s not what I said and stop trying to push us together. We live in two very different worlds. What we had, if anything, is so far in the past, I need a microscope to find traces of what we were.” She sipped her coffee to relax her tight throat. “I know we had the ‘I’d like a man’ discussion, but I wasn’t referring to Jack then. The truth is—”

“Better not finish that statement, Sally. I’d hate to listen to another lie.”

Her jaw dropped. “What?”

“I’m really glad you taught me to read auras, that’s all. I know you’re hiding something.”

“I’ve created a monster.”

“You’ve said so before. Once more I’ll take your sentiment as a compliment.”

They finished their coffee, and their conversation skirted personal topics, a relief to Sally. She wondered what Abby had sensed in her statement about not needing Jack to be happy. She’d lived without a serious relationship for so long, she didn’t know how including someone else in her life would work. A man wasn’t required for happiness, but she also knew the failure of her young marriage had marked her, and not positively. Jack’s reappearance had stirred the pot, that murky vessel she’d rather had been left undisturbed.

“So you’ll come?”

Abby’s question came from the blue. “Sorry, I didn’t catch that last.”

“To dinner. The night my mother arrives.”

“Absolutely. Meanwhile, I’ll send up some prayers that her trip is delayed. Oops. I shouldn’t have said that.”

“Sure you should. You always suspect my secret desires.”

And now her soon-to-be-daughter-in-law could read Sally in return. She’d have to watch her thoughts. Every single minute. The universe listened way too closely for her comfort. Nope. It wasn’t the listening but the delivering of wishes that came too fast and unexpectedly that tied her in knots.

She’d never been good with macramé.