by Barbara Lohr
“Yep. Can we ask Carolyn and Phoebe to ride with us?”
“No problem,” Will said, pointing to the road. “This way, ladies.”
The four of them jumped into the red Mustang. Will stood with his hand on the door, eyeing Phoebe and Carolyn in the back. “Top up or down? I don’t want you to ruin those pretty hairdos.”
“Are you crazy, Will Applegate?” Phoebe howled. “In this hot hunk of motor vehicle? Let it rip. I want the whole world to see us, messed up hair and all.”
Giggling, Carolyn settled back while Diana tied on a scarf.
“I’ll be the envy of every man in town,” Will said, pulling out onto the road. The ride got interesting when Phoebe broke into a raucous version of “Here Comes the Bride.” Diana felt her cheeks color, glad that the bride and groom were in another car. When they reach Cole's house, they parked along the road. Darkness had fallen and crickets sang in the damp grass. Her heels sank in the sandy road as they walked to the house.
The A-frame was filling up fast, and she made a beeline for the restroom. Her headscarf hadn’t helped a bit. It took her a while to detangle her hair and fix her makeup. Phoebe and Carolyn soon drifted off to circulate. Will guided Diana through the densely packed crowd his hand at her waist. The summer heat held and she fanned herself with one hand.
Just then a waiter swung past with a tray full of champagne flutes. Will handed one to Diana and took another for himself.
“So how did you like the wedding on the beach?” Will asked.
“It was beautiful. Perfect for them, right?”
Will had maneuvered her into a corner of the huge deck. “What's your perfect wedding?”
She choked. “I haven’t thought about it.”
And if Will swallowed that, she had a piece of Florida swamp land he might be interested in. He threw her a look of disbelief. “I thought all women started planning their wedding at the age of, oh, ten?”
He had that right. She bolted back a gulp too fast and sputtered.
“You okay?” Will rubbed her back until the spell subsided.
When the buffet table opened, they joined the line, filling their plates and making small talk with the other guests. Sometimes people would ask questions about their loved one at the care center. The interruption never bothered Will. His patience astounded her.
“Penny for your thoughts,” Will ask later as they danced on Cole's deck. She could feel his heart beating, and her own struck the same rhythm.
She wasn’t about to tell him she was wishing this could last forever. “Nothing.”
“Ah, huh.” His eyes roved over her face. “Hey, beautiful,” he whispered. “You look troubled. Want to talk about it?”
She shook her head. “Just tired after a long week, I guess.”
“How are things coming with the Sunday dances?” He hesitated. “What I mean is, do you plan on sticking things out?”
“Of course.” She tossed her head higher.
Will tugged her close. “I never doubted it. That's you. Feisty and beautiful.”
Oh, if he only knew. He was humming something in her ear that sounded like “I Only Have Eyes for You.” She was grateful for the slow songs that kept him close. When he dropped his hands to her waist, she looped her arms around his neck while they swayed. It would be so easy to get comfortable with Will. He was such a good man, maybe too good for her, considering. Even though he rarely saw his sister, he came from a loving family where people supported each other. Could there be a future with him? Or would he politely backpedal? The thought sent a blade of fear slicing through her. Maybe it was time to find out.
Her head began to spin and she rested it on his chin. “Hey, you okay?” Will pushed back. She swallowed and nodded her head, nestled deep into the crook of his neck so he couldn’t see her face. She willed herself to breath. His hand left her waist to soothe her back.
“What are you doing?”
“Nothing.” The hand stopped.
“I’m sorry.” She was feeling way too prickly tonight, and it wasn’t fair to take it out on him. Her life held so many secrets, crammed in her past like a sealed closet. Maybe it was time to open that door.
The music changed gears to something faster. She could feel the boards of the deck pulse under her feet. Will rocked out until she could barely breathe and her side ached.
When he asked if she was ready to leave, she nodded. Lordy, she'd gotten so relaxed she felt like a wet noodle. Together they said goodnight to Kate and Cole, wishing them the best. The newlyweds were headed to Mackinac Island for their honeymoon. Carolyn and Phoebe both gave them a nod. Mercedes was nowhere to be found. Had she seen Mercedes huddled in the corner with Finn Wheeler?
Will had the top down on the convertible, and the breeze rustled through her hair as they drove to her house. “Everything's so quiet tonight,” she said.
“People might be packing up and getting ready to go home. Back to school. Back to work.”
“Ugh. There goes my business. Off to the big city where fashion reigns.”
“Do you miss Chicago sometimes?”
“Yes. But when I signed my lease, I committed for five years. Foolish, I know.”
“You can break a lease if you want.” Reaching over, Will squeezed her hand.
“I don’t really want to go back, Will. Not to Chicago anyway.”
“I hope you don't leave.”
She liked hearing that. But uncertainty danced across her nerve endings. “Time will tell. Right now, I don't have any plans to leave Gull Harbor.”
“Good.” He squeezed her hand again and their fingers entwined.
When they pulled up to her house, the street was dark and quiet. Trees formed a rustling canopy overhead. Should she ask him in? Sliding his back against the car door, he peered at her in the darkness.
“Come here, beautiful.”
She tucked her body into his, winding her arms around his neck. His kisses tasted like barbecue sauce, and his body felt all man.
“You smell like the beach,” she giggled.
He sniffed her hair. “And you don’t.”
“That’s hair spray.”
“I don’t care.” And his kiss proved that.
Good thing Mrs. O’Donnell across the street went to bed early. Diana wanted him so bad that her entire body ached. Some tender, precious parts were calling. “Will?”
He answered with a hard, deep kiss that made her forget the sleepy side street. Diana wanted to invite him in but she wouldn’t. Not tonight.
“We should stop,” he said at one point.
“Go ahead. Try.” She teased his lips with her tongue until he sighed and surrendered.
Finally, they broke apart and strolled hand-in-hand to the door where a light gleamed. The katydids seemed to be the only witnesses to their goodnight kiss.
“Talk to you soon,” he whispered, backing toward his car.
“Soon.” Diana watched him drive away. Then she closed the front door and leaned her head against it. Later, she couldn’t even remember how she’d gotten into her sleep shirt. The look on his face, the feel of his body sent her into hot, troubled dreams where she tumbled restlessly all night.
Chapter 12
Will didn’t want to rush her. Sure, she drove him crazy but he was a patient guy. His father had taught him to hunt. They would sit in that blind out in the woods until his feet and hands were numb from the cold. Still, they waited. He was more than willing to wait for Diana. What Will really hated were the times when she shut down. Kept him out. What was that about?
September turned cold. The summer people went home. Diana kept coming to the dances, dazzling everyone with her charm. Jan couldn’t say enough good things about her. Will chuckled when he heard that Harold dogged Diana’s steps when she was in the facility. “He can’t get close enough to her,” Jan said.
Will knew just how that felt. He began spending more time at the office on Sundays, making up things to do until he could drift down to the
dance and whisk her away in his arms. How pathetic was that? The sound of her voice, the scent of her perfume––he wanted it all and more. Diana stoked his heat. Small gestures, shy looks. This was crazy and he sure wasn’t used to it.
So why was she holding back?
“Want to go to Tabor Hill Winery next weekend?” he asked, walking her to the yellow VW when she’d finished on Sunday. “They have a jazz fest that’s part wine tasting. Should be fun.” Leaning against her car, he framed her beautiful face with his hands.
“Sounds wonderful.” She smiled up at him and then looked away, nipping her lower lip. There it was again.
“I want to kiss you. You know that, right?”
She laughed. “So why don’t you?”
He checked back where Harold sat grinning. “Because we have an audience.”
“Maybe Harold’s our chaperone.” She rested her hands lightly on his hips under his jacket. “You’re so tense.”
“And you’re such a tease.”
He could have kicked himself when she dropped her hands. “I don’t mean to be. Oh, Will. It’s just that...” When Diana shook her head, her long hair shimmered like the golden maple leaves dropping from the trees.
“Got you in a compromising position, have I?” He backed off.
Her attitude came back. An eyebrow went up, arched and elegant. “Don’t think you won’t pay. Only one scoop of ice cream on your cone next time. I could go for some ice cream right now.”
“Oh, I want to give you more than that.”
Her lips opened and closed, as if she’d given her words a second thought.
This parking lot conversation was going nowhere. He wanted to see her before next weekend. “Look, how about going to Brewster’s tonight? We can stop for ice cream later.”
“Right, sure.” She gave him a confused look but then smiled. “Great idea. Pick me up in two hours?”
“You bet.” A look over his left shoulder confirmed that Harold’s eyes were glued to them like yesterday’s oatmeal. A frustrated recklessness overcame him. Angling his body so Harold saw only his back, Will gave her a kiss that ended with her pushing away.
“Will?” She blinked up at him. “Tonight let’s talk, okay?”
“Sure.” But her words had felt heavy and ominous. Standing in the parking lot, Will watched her drive away. A chill wind chased the yellow leaves over the parking lot, a dry scraping sound. Jamming his hands in his pockets, he walked to his car.
~.~
Getting dressed that evening wasn’t easy. Her hands shook as Diana tried to fasten her necklace with the silver starfish. She couldn’t put this off any longer. It wasn’t fair to Will. Besides, she wanted to know. Could she put her past behind them...or would she then face a future without him? One way or the other, she had to know.
The steamy urgency today decided it for her. Did she want Will? In the worst way ever, and she knew he felt that way too. But she’d pushed him away. Any other man would have moved on by this time. But he wasn’t a guy who’d count dates or press the point. Almost too good to be true, in the light of her dating experience.
The fall wind rattled the windowpanes. She pushed her airy, sleeveless tops to the back of the closet. Instead, she decided on a violet-blue turtleneck with black jeans. After Labor Day, she just couldn’t wear white. Even as a little girl, she remembered her grandmother tucking her white shoes away after the holiday weekend.
Will always commented on her eyes, and she spent extra time on them that night. Three different shades of brown with a light brush of violet on top. While she wielded her brushes, she rehearsed her speech. But her hands shook and she smudged her eyeliner. Grabbing her cold cream, the kind her grandmother used, she started over. What if she said her piece, and he was totally turned off? Disgusted. Tears brimmed and she didn’t have time to do her eyes again. Tipping her head back, she carefully blotted below and above the lashes. She wouldn’t blame him. She was running out of time.
Fastening her necklace just wasn’t in the cards tonight. Her hands shook so bad that she had to give up. Two spritzes of perfume and the doorbell rang. When she opened the door, Will grabbed her and brushed his lips across hers. Then he kissed her deeply and she melted.
“I needed that,” he whispered, easing back.
“Me too.” She cupped his face, breathing in his heat.
With a groan, they sank into a kiss that reached into deep, damp places. Finally, she pushed away, lips throbbing. “Guess that would shock the hair right off Harold’s head.”
“Harold’s bald.”
“What? No way.” Grabbing her purse, she stepped out the door and Will pulled it shut.
“That’s the truth. But I think his reliance on that hat runs deeper than a hairline.” Will took her hand and they walked toward the Mustang. She only saw his white sedan when he went to work.
They talked about nothing and everything all the way to Brewster’s. “Let’s get a table in the corner,” she said as they stepped up to the reception desk. Five minutes later, they were at a small table that was private and perfect. She waited until after they ordered a pizza and their drinks arrived. The pear vodka had never tasted so good or been needed so much. Now was the time. She could lose it all right here and pressed a hand to her heart.
“Hey, you okay?” Will leaned toward her, his eyes almost navy blue.
“Sure. Just icy vodka, that’s all.”
“To us.” Will raised his glass. He looked so happy.
“T-to us,” she managed to say. If there would be an “us,” she’d know soon. Heart galloping, she set the glass down.
“Honesty’s so important in a relationship...” she began and then stumbled.
Will frowned. “I am being honest, Diana.”
So much for all her rehearsal. “I meant I have to be honest with you.”
“Oh.” Suddenly wary, Will sat back.
“My past relationship...” Might as well dive right into it. “He was married.”
Will’s jaw tightened. She felt him pulling away and a rock lodged in her throat. “I-I didn’t know, Will...”
Giving his head a quick shake, Will focused. She waited, taking in every nuance while emotions played over his dear, handsome face. But no judgment darkened his eyes, just curiosity. “So, he told you he was single?”
She rushed on. “He came into my shop. Said he was looking for something for his sister.” They exchanged a glance. After all, hadn’t Will done the same thing? “We talked. I showed him some things. He said he was in Chicago for a meeting but he lived here, in Gull Harbor. And his sister had a birthday coming up.”
Will’s face had paled. “Does he still live here?”
“I don’t think so. As it turned out, this was his second home. The place was sure big enough to be their main house.” All those rooms with ceiling to floor windows. She’d been more than impressed. Later, that all seemed so shallow.
“What an ass.” Reaching over, he squeezed her hand. “I mean the guy, Diana. Not you.”
“I know.” Disgust curdled in her stomach. “I was so stupid. A small town girl, not that being naive excuses me. At the very least, I should have googled him.”
“Did you love him?” The guarded Will was back.
She chose her words carefully. “I loved who I thought he was. We dated for a year. I should have questioned those lunches. Some weekends he would pick me up at my shop on Saturday evening and bring me here. Now I realize those were times when his wife wasn’t in Gull Harbor. During the summer, he took me away on long weekends. His wife was probably here with their children. His job was very demanding, so it was easy to lie.”
“The guy had kids?” The disgusted tone was back.
“Yes, but I thought he was divorced at the time. He came on so strong, bringing me roses and you know, expensive gifts.” How embarrassing to admit it.
“A real lady killer. I’ll never bring you roses again.”
“You won’t?” Could this get any worse?
“Don’t take it that way. I just meant there must be other flowers. I sure don’t want to be lumped in with this guy. What a terrible experience.”
She began shredding her cocktail napkin into thin strips. The whole story had to come out now. “I trusted him. We talked about the future. The recession came. My shop in Chicago wasn’t doing well and my lease was up. I had some of my grandfather’s inheritance left, so I came up to Gull Harbor during the week and rented the space I’m in now. What a goof I was. He had a birthday. I thought my news would be a big surprise.”
“Bet he was thrilled.”
She cringed, remembering the terrible scene. “Furious was more like it. He went ballistic. Told me I was naive and stupid, that of course he was married. He thought I knew that.” The confession brought back bad memories.
Taking her hands, Will gently pried open her fingers and wiped away the torn up mess. “Don’t be so hard on yourself. Sounds like he had you snowed. He lied.”
“He was right though, Will. Sometimes I think I just fell off the turnip truck.” How it hurt to admit it.
“Not naive. Honest. Trusting.” The words soothed her like a healing balm. “There’s a huge difference.”
Then his expression shifted. “Why didn’t you tell me this sooner?”
“I was so afraid...”
“Look, the guy took advantage of you. He’s a predator. You have a sweet, innocent side and he could see that.” His nostrils flared.
“You make me sound like a child.” Did she even want to hear this from Will? “Maybe I am that kind of woman. Easily taken. Maybe my mother has rubbed off on me.”
That’s what killed her.
His thumb stroked softly over her knuckles. “You are not your mother. But you are a small town girl. Like me, you grew up far from the city, where it’s easier to take on a new identity or be anonymous. You weren’t city-wise.”
She threw him a rueful smile. “Those corn fields could get pretty crazy, Will.”