Sweet May

by Reina M. Williams

  He caught Mandy’s gaze, raising his brows to wordlessly ask if that was okay. She nodded, so they moved to the grouping. This was kind of a big deal—Flint didn’t ever introduce women to his family. Maybe it was best that Mandy didn’t know that, since she wanted to slow things down.

  His twin, Ethan, stepped over to let him and Mandy into the group. Adam gave him a quick raised brow while his new wife and old love, Minnie, hugged Mandy. Clearly, they’d met. Cousins Maya, Ana, and Nora, who owned Las Tres Hermanas bakery, waved, also obviously already familiar with Mandy. Knowing her now, he assumed she’d been as many places as she could in the short time she’d been in Loving, and probably Mrs. G had introduced her around as well. His brothers Dean, Brandon, and Cutler stood with the cousins, who were also their wives—well, Maya, not yet.

  “Everyone, this is Mandy Thurmburg. Mandy, these are my brothers Adam, Brandon, Cutler, Dean, Ethan...where’s Grant?”

  “Here.” Grant and his girlfriend, Jena, joined the group. Jena and Autumn, who stood with Ethan, smiled at them, though from Autumn, it was more of a smirk.

  She’d have an earful for him later, since he’d made such a vocal front of being anti-relationship. Autumn’s favorite pastime seemed to be giving him a hard time.

  “Grant’s the youngest.” He glanced at Mandy, who had finished greeting everyone with a smile.

  “You really are seven brothers, alphabetical names and all.” Mandy’s cheeks reddened.

  Adam laughed. “That’s us.” He shot Flint an approving look. Huh.

  “They can be a lot, but they’re loveable.” Minnie tweaked Adam’s tie and leaned into her husband.

  “No red hair, though,” Maya said, ruffling Dean’s dark hair.

  Mandy laughed. “Oh, good, a fellow classic movie fan. I can’t believe I said that out loud, though.”

  “It’s a lot, meeting these guys,” Ana said from her spot in front of Brandon, who embraced his friendly wife.

  His brothers had all found happiness. He’d been left out. Maybe not, with Mandy here. Maybe being different wasn’t all he’d cracked it up to be. Maybe he was just one of seven Manning brothers, and proud of it.

  “But they grow on you,” Nora quipped. Cutler grasped her hand and kissed it.

  “Hey, can we send you an invite to our wedding?” Maya asked after she and Dean had whispered to each other.

  “You don’t need to,” Flint said. He edged closer to Mandy, who stiffened her back. “She’ll be with me.”

  “I’d love an invitation, if you can.” Mandy’s smile wasn’t as bright as it had been.

  Yeah, he shouldn’t have said that, but it had just come out. He wanted them all to know how he felt, that she was important to him.

  Mandy put up a hand. “Nice to meet you all. Jena, Grant, see you tomorrow.”

  “Looking forward to it,” Jena replied. Grant tilted his head at Flint, which Flint read as a you-better-check-with-your-date look. Grant was a master at saying a lot with one gesture. As the youngest, words hadn’t always been effective with several outgoing and sometimes teasing older brothers, one of whom had been Flint.

  His family all returned her polite words then Mandy moved toward the bar. He followed. So sometimes he still spoke out of turn. He hung his head. And his brothers had schooled him that you had to apologize and make amends.

  Mandy ordered a rum punch, so he did the same. She scanned the room, waving to a few more people, like Nathan Shepherd and his wife, Maura; Lorna from the café; and Tim Raines and his wife, Denise. Seemed like half the town was here.

  “Can we talk in private?” he asked.

  They both had their drinks and he followed her again as she edged around the room.

  “Please?” He touched her arm.

  She glanced at him and his gut contracted at the slight downturn of her plump lips. “All right, but only for a few minutes. I’d like to find Mrs. G and congratulate the bride and groom before dinner.”

  “Of course.” He put out his arm, directing her to one of the double doors that led to the porch. They eased outside. No one else was on this end of the area. He shut the door behind him and faced Mandy, who sipped her drink.

  “I’m sorry, I shouldn’t have spoken for you.”

  “I appreciate your apology.” She took another sip from her glass.

  That rider who’d been dogging him caught up to him and pulled him to the ground. He stood stunned for a moment, hit with the fear. That she’d leave, or he’d messed up and would retreat in defeat. She took a step toward the door.

  He grabbed her arm. With a frown, she turned back to him. He released her arm.

  “I, uh...” Maybe this had been the real reason he didn’t do relationships. Too much hurt, too much at stake, too much humiliation. Better to keep everyone at arm’s length. He breathed in and out, a technique he’d seen—and teased them for—Ethan and Grant practicing. He added in their calm words, their quiet confidence, in his mind.

  Mandy’s expression evened, as did his breathing and the fear that had thrown him. Flint Manning could get thrown and get back up.

  “I’d like to talk more,” he said, “but like you said, this isn’t the best time. Can we shelve this til later? May I still be your date in there?” He tried to force a charming grin, but he couldn’t. And Mandy didn’t need that kind of show gesture. She was a woman who wanted the real thing.

  “I like your honesty, Flint. Yes, we can talk more later, and yes, I’d still like you to be my wedding date.” She slid her arm in his. “Let’s go find Mrs. G and the happy couple.”

  “As you wish,” he whispered and led her around to the back garden. He hoped there was a happy coupledom in his future, but only if it featured Mandy.

  Chapter Six

  Mandy liked having Flint supporting her as they walked across the lawn, through the beds of flowers and herbs, to a large event tent. Mrs. G waved to them from her position by the bride, her niece, Dolly Gallagher, now Dolly Levi. Her new husband, Luke, stood by her, handsome in a fortysomething strong silent type way. Dolly, completely gorgeous as usual, wore a cream dress that hugged her curves yet flared out on the bottom and dipped at the top. It was similar to a dress Mandy had on her wedding vision board.

  But the wedding wasn’t as important as the marriage, and the relationship that needed to be built before that. And if she never married, that was okay too. She shoved those thoughts away and smiled at Mrs. G and at the book-and-building-themed table centerpieces, which married Dolly’s bookshop and Luke’s construction business. Soft music played and Mandy turned to the sound; a DJ was almost hidden behind another small tent in front of a dance floor. She and Flint signed the guest book, found their table, set down their drinks, and got in the reception line.

  “Glad the weather is holding,” Mandy said, wondering a bit at Flint’s silence. “Mrs. G was concerned.”

  “Yeah, Dean and Maya are opting for an indoor wedding. Montana weather can be unpredictable.”

  He kind of was proving to be that way too, and she wasn’t a big fan. She liked spontaneity, but unpredictable was a different actor. But she’d wait and see how their talk later went.

  “You and your brothers close?”

  “Yeah, in our own ways.” He pushed the toe of his shoe into the ground then stopped. “They’ve all left the ranch.” He sounded sad in a way.

  “How do you feel about that?”

  He shrugged. “How is it for you, being alone?”

  She wasn’t trying to formulate opinions about him, but if he couldn’t talk about his emotions, that was a problem. “I’m not, exactly, what with staying with Mrs. G. And I’m making friends here, and keep in touch with people from college.”

  “But you’re not seeing anyone?”

  Was he just interested in her because his brothers were all coupled up? She had a friend who’d gone through that and she didn’t want to be someone’s consolation, however handsome, caring, and intriguing he was.

  Flint’s mouth
pressed together and he pushed a hand over his hair as they moved forward. “I can’t seem to turn on the charm with you, and my words keep coming out wrong.” His lips and his head quirked to the side.

  “You’re more charming than you think, like this.” She touched his chest, a quick movement she hadn’t thought through. “No, I’m not seeing anyone. You?”

  He shook his head, his smile full-out. “You like a man when he’s flustered and flummoxed with nerves?”

  “On you, yes.” She winked. Those warning flags that’d been waving folded in his honesty and good humor. She’d stay open to what he had to say later, and watch his actions now.

  He rubbed his neck. “So, what are you looking for, in a relationship? Or, are you looking?”

  “No,” she said. His brows edged together in a worried line. “But if something comes along, I’m open to that.” She glanced around, not needing any listening ears. That was hard to avoid in a small town. She leaned closer to him. “I don’t do casual. I guess that’s the most important point. I want a man who values me, us, himself, and we have fun and support each other. That’s the short answer.”

  He stood taller and his brow smoothed. They reached their turn in line. Mrs. G hugged them both. “You two are quite a couple.”

  Mrs. G wasn’t one for subtlety. Flint’s tan cheeks shaded with red and he peeked at her before congratulating Dolly and Luke.

  “How are you holding up?” Mandy asked Mrs. G, who’d probably been going all day.

  “Perky as a girl. How’s your day been?” The older woman eyed Flint.

  “Fun. Unexpected.”

  “I like the sound of that.” Mrs. G squeezed her hand briefly before greeting the next person in line.

  Mandy took her turn congratulating Dolly and Luke, and greeting his dad and sister, who were in from California. Then Mandy stepped away to rejoin Flint, who waited for her off to the side. That well of certainty that had centered her earlier deepened. She liked this man, and she liked having him with her. She wanted to go with him to other weddings, get to know him and his family, be a part of his life. She grasped his hand.

  He brought her fingers to his lips and brushed a caress against her skin that caused a tingle of epic proportions to course through her arm into her belly.

  “You’re beautiful.” He gazed at her, his brown eyes tender, adoring. “You’re kind and friendly and I’m falling for you. And I know, we’ll talk later.”

  She nodded. Part of her wanted to kiss him. But not in front of everyone, and not until they’d talked through what had happened earlier.

  He kept her hand in his and nodded toward the tables. “I’m hungry. How about you?”

  She smiled. She liked his honesty, and how he asked her about what she wanted, at least sometimes. “Same.”

  They strolled to the tent, sat, and sipped their drinks. “Tell me more about your favorite movies,” he said.

  “We could be here all night.”

  “I’m all yours.” He grinned.

  She sat back and got ready for a night of exploration, dancing, and maybe kissing Flint Manning.

  SEVERAL HOURS LATER, Mandy collapsed into her seat at the now-empty table. Her feet and cheeks ached from all the dancing and laughing she’d done, and she loved every moment. Flint matched her on the dance floor, and she and Mrs. G had also done a number together to much applause, dinner and cake had been delicious, she’d met so many people and chatted, had arranged three coffee dates with new friends, and had caught the bouquet.

  She fingered its delicate petals. It was a smaller bouquet of the same roses as in Dolly’s, and she’d treasure it. Flint gave her another adoring look and held out his hand.

  “How about one more dance?” The evening sky twinkled with stars, while the fairy lights around the tent added a closer glow.

  “There’s no music.” She glanced around. Cleanup had started. “We should go.”

  “I slipped the staff some big tips to put up with us for a few more minutes. Okay? Just one.” He handed her the bouquet and held out his hand.

  She took his offer and they walked to the dance floor. A few other couples lingered in the main part of the garden, out of the way of the staff who were clearing away the evidence of the party. The bride and groom were off on their honeymoon, and Mandy felt as if she were starting one of her own. That sweet, tender period when all things were possible and adoration and discovery made for a happy, heady time.

  Flint took her in his arms and she leaned into his solid chest, loving the way she fit in his embrace and their breathing synced. He sang in a low, rich tone, one of her favorite love songs, “Some Enchanted Evening” from South Pacific. She let out a contented sigh. This was living: dancing with this man on this starlit evening; being serenaded with an earnest, tremulous baritone; the beginning of what could be a romance of a lifetime. Or just the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

  He stopped and she looked up at him. “Bless your beautiful hide,” she breathed out the line from Seven Brides for Seven Brothers.

  “You’re just as good as lost.” He knew the song; he’d matched her movie knowledge quote for quote.

  She pushed off his chest playfully and he kept hold of her hand. They wandered toward the house, lit against the darkening night. Trees whispered softly in the light breeze and the distant clink of glassware created an odd harmony.

  “I booked a room with Mike.”

  Mandy stopped and tried to pull her hand away, sputtering incoherently.

  “Not that kind of room. One of the small meeting rooms on the first floor, where we can talk in private.”

  “Well, why didn’t you say?” They continued up the stairs and into the inn.

  “I can’t be the only one getting flustered and teased around here.”

  She batted his arm lightly then leaned into his shoulder as they entered a handsome room, complete with a cushy dark green sofa and a fireplace, lit with a low, crackling fire. A tea service sat on a coffee table in front of the sofa, where Flint led her. They sat close together, taking in the warmth and coziness and intimacy of the moment.

  “I have some things to figure out,” Flint began.

  She grasped his hand tightly and turned so she could see his face. “Don’t we all.”

  His lips quirked. “Yeah. I just...this is new. Sure, I’ve had girlfriends and dated a lot.”

  She huffed then rubbed his hand. “I’m listening.”

  “When I met you, I knew. And I don’t want to mess up. That’s new. But there’s this...push-pull inside, afraid of getting close and needing you to stay. That’s me, though, not you. I’d like it if we could keep exploring whatever this is while I figure it out.”

  This was what she’d been hoping for: more honesty, the possibility of closeness. “I’m glad you told me. Is that why you jumped to ‘she’ll be with me’ about Dean and Maya’s wedding?”

  “Yeah. Again, sorry about that. I’m working on it, and I’ll do my best not to be so possessive and pushy, or to push you away.” He met her gaze. His sincere words and serious expression softened her even more.

  “I’m working on me too. When you lose your parents, that’s a big deal, and it can come up in new ways in new relationships.”

  “You’re a wise woman, Mandy.”

  She touched his knee in a playful push. “Years of therapy.”

  “That’s where I’ll be headed. Adam made us go—Ethan, Grant, and me—after Dad died, and Ethan and I were gettin’ wild. Ethan and Grant kept going back. I didn’t. I think it might help now.”

  She nodded and edged closer, keeping her hand in his and her other on his knee.

  He placed his hand on hers. “I want a partner, and I think it could be you.”

  “Howdy, partner.” They both grinned. “How about we seal it with a kiss?”

  “Thought you’d never ask.” He cupped her cheek, his thumb tracing the contour of her jaw. His touch seared her, heating her to her bones. Tilting her head gently, his lips
met hers, first barely a whisper before speaking volumes. The pressure of his kiss made her dizzy, until she didn’t know who was kissing whom. It didn’t matter—they were together, both of them ready for this sweet moment, tender and fiery all at once.

  Embracing each other, they leaned back into the couch, sometimes kissing, sometimes laughing, sometimes touching. Once her lips were sore and sated, she leaned into him.

  “Can I get you anything?” he asked. “Mike left tea. Mrs. G told me orange spice is your favorite.”

  “That lady is something special.” She sat up, fiddling with her hair to smooth it.

  Flint poured them each a cup of the steamy brew and added a bit of sugar and a splash of milk, as she liked it. They drank and shared the sugar cookies from the tray.

  “This has been a wonderful day. Thank you.” She kissed Flint’s cheek.

  “Thank you for being with me. Will you go to Dean and Maya’s wedding with me?”

  “Yes. Am I still invited to dinner tomorrow?”

  “Definitely. If you want, we can include Mrs. G, or...?”

  “That’d be fun. Maybe we can get her to tell us how she knew.”

  “Trade secrets, I expect.” Flint’s grin was sly. He replaced his cup on the tray.

  “What do you mean?” She set her cup by his.

  “She and Mrs. Davis are matchmakers. I figured she might try it on me eventually, but you caught me by surprise.”

  Mandy laughed as Flint pulled her back into his arms. “May I kiss you again?”

  “You’d better.”

  “Happy to oblige.”

  The fire popped and her heart zinged. Cue the music swelling and fade to black, one big ending that was only the start for Mandy and Flint.

  Epilogue

  Two Weeks Later—Dean and Maya’s Wedding

  “I love this place,” Mandy said as they danced at his brother’s wedding in the ballroom at Manning Lodge. “It’s like home.” She nestled her head on his shoulder.