Love Me Tender (Seven Brides, Seven Brothers)

by Calhoune, Belle

  “Nick! What are you doing here? I thought you'd be at the restaurant.”

  He looked around him, an expression of amazement on his face. “When Mac told me he'd be here today, my curiosity got the better of me. I wanted to stop in and see if there's anything I can do to help.” He held up his hands. “Put me to work.”

  Layla tapped her finger against her chin. “Would you mind working with the furniture delivery men while I talk to some potential clients? I have the paperwork here, and I might get a few of the Moms peeking inside to sign their kids up.” She looked towards the front of the studio, where a group of passersby were looking through the front window and pointing inside. Nick followed her gaze.

  “Whatever you need,” he said with a smile. “Go get 'em.”

  As she walked towards the women hanging out by the front door, she was filled with a quiet confidence and a feeling of being at peace. It was an entirely new feeling for her. Excitement was thrumming inside her at the prospect of opening the doors of Just Dance Studio. Five people had already signed up their children. And once things got rolling, she was certain there would be more.

  At this moment in her life as she was stepping out on the ledge, there was nothing in this world she wanted more than to inspire and nurture young girls.

  She let out a sigh. Life was good.

  “Hi ladies.” she said as she approached them. “I'm Layla Delgado. This is my dance studio. We're opening in two weeks.” She passed out the sign-up sheets, along with the type of classes she'd be teaching and pricing information. “I'd love to teach your kids.”

  A pretty, dark haired woman asked, “What about classes for Moms?”

  Adult classes. She hadn't even thought about that. The very thought of it made her want to jump for joy. Branching out to teaching adults would increase not only her profits but her visibility in the community.

  “We'll be starting those soon as well,” Layla said in a decisive voice. And she would! She'd made the decision on the spot. For the next ten minutes she talked about her professional experience as a ballerina, where she'd honed and studied her craft, as well as the various methods of dance she planned to teach. She waved to the women as they walked off in the direction of Sweet Treats Bakery. She practically did a jig as she walked back into the studio. Nick was standing nearby, watching her with a pleased expression on his face.

  “More potential customers and a whole new revenue stream,” Layla announced.

  Nick started clapping. “If you grin any wider, your face is going to split wide open,” he said. “I'm happy,” she announced. “Happier than I've ever been.” She did a little twirl, feeling as light as air.

  Nick reached down and grabbed her by the waist. He swung her up and spun her around.

  Live in the moment. Rejoice! A strong voice buzzed in her air. She placed her arms around Nick's neck and held on for dear life.

  “I thought you were here to help,” Mac shouted from across the room, a stern expression on his face.

  Nick made a funny face and rolled his eyes in Mac's direction. Layla began giggling and covered her mouth with her hand. “You better go get to work. I don't want Mac to be mad at me. He's slightly intimidating.”

  “He's a teddy bear,” Nick whispered. “You just have to peel back his layers.”

  “I'll take your word for it,” Layla said, casting a furtive glance at Mac. He was fast and furiously working on a partition he was putting up in the changing room. His talent and dedication to his craft was undeniable. And she was extremely grateful that he'd fit her into his booked schedule.

  He could smile more though, she realized. She hadn't seen him smile once.

  The sound of Nick's carefree laughter filled her ears. “One of these days he's going to come across a woman who's going to bring him to his knees. The bigger they are, the harder they fall.” He reached out and grazed his knuckles across her cheek. “Take it from me, I know. Ever since you came back to Breeze Point, I can't go a single minute without thinking about you and counting the minutes until I can see you again.”

  “I know the feeling. Sometimes it feels as if I'm eighteen years old all over again,” Layla said. She bit her lip. She still couldn't wrap her head around her past with Nick, their present relationship and what lay in store for them in the future.

  “Hey, what's that look for? You've got this little frown between your eyes.” He reached out and smoothed the little area with his finger.

  “I just...I don't want us to be together because of nostalgia.”

  Hurt flashed in Nick's eyes. “Nostalgia? Is that what you think this is?”

  “My feelings for you are very real, Nick. I just want to make sure we're not so wrapped up in the past that we're—”

  “That we're what?” Nick's tone had an edge to it.

  “That we're drawn to each other because of it.” There. Even though it might not be what Nick wanted to hear, she'd made a vow to herself that she would be open and honest in her relationships.

  “For me, the past is nothing more than our starting point. How we met, what we felt for one another, who we are. Right now....in this moment, we're building a bridge for the future. Or at least I thought that's what we were doing.” He ran his hands through his hair. “I can only speak for myself. That's what I've been doing. So, if you think what you feel for me is nothing more than residual feelings leftover from the summer when we were practically still kids, then let me know before I tumble right off the cliff.”

  Nick turned and walked towards his brother, his posture ramrod straight.

  Regret washed over her in unrelenting waves. He was upset. He'd bristled with anger when he spoke to her. She hadn't meant to diminish their relationship in any way. In order for her to move forward, to totally give in to her overwhelming feelings for this once in a lifetime man, she had to figure out if it was rooted in the past. And she'd really put her foot in her mouth by broaching the subject. Nick's words had shown her that he was firmly invested in the here and now.

  And now he was questioning her feelings based on reckless words that had just tumbled out of her mouth. The truth was, she was head over heels in love with Nick Donahue. Perhaps she'd never truly stopped loving this man. What she felt for him today was so much stronger than her feelings ten years ago. In the past she'd looked at life through rose colored glasses, never fully seeing the challenges or the obstacles that might lie in their path. Because of it, their relationship had come apart at the seams. Being in love with Nick in the here and now had everything to do with trust and faith and abiding respect. She trusted him with her life and all the secrets she'd held so close to the vest all these years. Nick's optimism made her feel more hopeful and alive every day. She had faith that God would watch over the two of them as they forged a future together. She no longer felt unworthy of happiness.

  Why hadn't she told Nick all those things? And how in the world was she going to repair the damage she'd just done when Nick didn't even seem to want to look in her direction?

  *

  As he pounded the nail into the wall, Nick reminded himself to breathe. He couldn't remember a time when he'd been filled with such anger. It didn't sit right with him. He didn't like feeling this way, particularly towards Layla. For most of his life, he'd worked on being calm, cool and collected. As a child he'd struggled with anger issues, mostly due to residual trauma from his abandonment. It was a source of pride for him that he'd conquered it in his early teen years.

  Know this, my beloved brothers: let every person be quick to hear, slow to speak, slow to anger; for the anger of man does not produce the righteousness of God.

  It was his favorite Scripture from the Book of James. He'd even had it framed and placed in his bedroom as a child. That framed Scripture had traveled with him to Stanford and now hung proudly on his office wall at the Cove. It had always served as a reminder of who he wanted to be in the world as a man of God.

  Breathe. Deep, slow breaths, he reminded himself.

  �
��Do you need a minute?” Mac asked. His eyes were full of questions.

  “No, I'm fine,” he said, returning his attention to the wall and partition. He raised the hammer, letting out a cry of pain as it connected with his thumb instead of the nail.

  Next thing he knew Layla was beside him, her beautiful hazel eyes radiating concern. “What happened? Are you okay, Nick?”

  “I'm fine,” he spit out, annoyed at himself for such a rookie mistake.

  “Let me go get some ice,” Layla suggested.

  Mac shook his head. “He's okay. Nick's made of tough stuff. He doesn't need ice.”

  Layla gaped at Mac. Her lip stuck out a bit, the way it did when she was ticked off, but she kept silent.

  “Nick. Go somewhere and cool off. You're not doing any good here with whatever's raging inside you,” Mac suggested.

  Nick nodded, knowing Mac was right. He peeled off his work gloves and strode towards the entrance. Although it would have been the polite thing to say goodbye to Layla, he didn't trust himself to speak at the moment. He was still feeling wounded over her earlier comment.

  I don't want us to be together because of nostalgia.

  The words continued to rumble around in his brain.

  Once he was outside he quickly made his way across the street to where his car was parked.

  “Nick! Wait! Where are you going?”

  He tossed a glance over his shoulder. Layla was two steps behind him, calling his name.

  He felt a tug on his arm. She slightly pushed him so that his back was pressed against his car and he was leaning on it. He held up his hand. “I'm taking a break, Layla. Trust me. You don't want to talk to me right now.”

  “So that's it? I express one thought you don't like...and you bail?” Layla's lips quivered. Her eyes moistened with emotion.

  “What you said...it messes me up to think you don't feel what I'm feeling. 'Cause I keep thinking if you felt one iota of what I'm feeling for you, those words would never have come out of your mouth.”

  Layla clenched her fists at her side. She let out a little scream. “You, Nick Donahue, are one of the most....blind people on the face of the Earth.”

  Nick scoffed. “Me? Blind? I can't wait to hear this one,” he said as he folded his arms across his chest.

  “I expressed to you a fear. Not a reality. I thought that I could tell you something that was hanging heavy on my heart. I never once said I thought it was true....because for me, it's not. I was worried about how you feel. And now with this....temper tantrum you're throwing...perhaps I have my answer. I love you, Nick Donahue. I'm not falling in love with you. I'm over the edge, besotted, crazy in love with you. And if you could just get over yourself for a second, maybe you would see it with your own eyes.”

  Before he could utter a word, she'd turned on her heel and crossed back to the other side of the street.

  She loved him! Layla was in love with him. Crazy in love with him, according to her. He felt the makings of a tremendous smile breaking out on his face. He quickly ran across the street, catching up to Layla just as she was about to head back inside her dance studio. With a light touch he whirled her around, gently placing his arm around her waist and gathering her up against his chest. Gorgeous, hazel colored eyes widened. Her mouth parted.

  He reached down and gently traced the slope of her jaw. “You love me?” he asked.

  Layla's head bobbed up and down. “Madly. Deeply. With all my heart,” she whispered.

  “Forgive me for being a fool,” he said. “Because of you my heart is lying outside of my chest these days.”

  “Is that so?” Layla asked.

  “Yes, it is. Like you, I've fallen completely, irrevocably over the edge. I love you, Layla. Not for the past we shared, but for everything we have right here, right now. And for everything I'm hoping for us in the future.”

  “Nick,” Layla said just as he swept her up in a powerful kiss that spoke of every ounce of love he felt for her. It was a timeless love, one that would only grow stronger and stronger with every day.

  As they kissed each other on Main Street in full view of a multitude of passersby and a host of shopkeepers who were peering out of their windows, Nick felt himself completely surrendering to the almighty power of love. And it felt infinitely better than he ever could have imagined.

  *

  Was Nick pranking her? If so, she was going to pay him back big time.

  “What do you mean, we've been summoned?” she asked him.

  “My mother heard about our kissing....incident on Main Street. Seems there was a bunch of busybodies who couldn't wait to tell her that her youngest son was spotted kissing the new dance teacher in the center of town.”

  Layla felt her face getting warm. She let out a gasp and covered her mouth with her hands. Maggie Donahue was a wonderful woman. Beloved. An inspiration in the community. The thought of Maggie having her ear filled with gossip about her and Nick making out on Main Street had her wishing they'd exercised more caution. They gotten caught up in the moment after professing their deep love for one another. And, in the process, they'd set tongues wagging.

  “And she wants to see us? About the kiss?” Layla felt as if all the color had drained from her face.

  Nick's lips were twitching. “She read me the riot act for not bringing you over to the house to see her. She said...and I quote, 'If you don't bring Layla over to the house tonight, I'm going to go find her myself'. I hate to tell you, but she means it. She will show up on your front door.”

  “Because of the kiss?”

  “My mother isn't opposed to kissing. Trust me, she sees it all the time with Blue, Remy and Ryder. Not to mention she and Dad sometimes act like newlyweds themselves.” He let out a chuckle. “She thinks I'm being rude by not reintroducing you to the family.” Nick's expression was sheepish.

  Oh no! Maggie Donahue was the last person she wanted to insult. So far she'd been too shy to pop in to Sweet Treats. Perhaps she should have ventured over there just to appease Maggie's curiosity.

  “Does she think I'm being rude?” Her voice came out like a high pitched squeak.

  Nick reached out and squeezed her hand. “Of course not, baby. Don't worry about this. We'll go over, have a little pasta with the family, chat a little and then be on our way. Easy as pie.”

  Now she could breathe again. She let out a deeply held breath. “Phew. You had me going there for a minute. The word summoned sounded troubling.”

  “My parents have great memories of you, Layla.”

  “And I of them,” she said, remembering the wonderful vibe that had always flowed so effortlessly in the Donahue household. She remembered being a guest at family dinners, nights of mini golf and midnight swims on Breezy Beach.

  “As you know, we're a tight-knit family. They want to meet you all over again and no doubt see for themselves what's brewing between us. It's just Mom being motherly. And a tad nosy.”

  Layla laughed, now feeling tickled by the idea of a romantic kiss leading to town gossip and a summons from Maggie Donahue. “I guess this should serve as a lesson to us. No more spontaneous kisses in full view of an audience chomping at the bit to gossip about it.”

  Nick put his arms around her waist and pull her toward him. “I reserve the right to kiss you wherever and whenever I want to kiss you. Main Street. At my restaurant. At Breezy Beach. On Pluto.” He shrugged. “Let them talk. When I'm with you, all I want to do is walk in love. I want to shout it to the world, to chant it like a prayer. That can't be wrong, can it?”

  All her fears about being summoned by Maggie Donahue dissipated under the weight of Nick's tender words, spoken with such eloquence and conviction.

  She raised her hand up and tenderly stroked the side of his face. “No, Nick. From where I'm standing, that can never be wrong.”

  “Meeting the Donahue family is like Christmas and Fourth of July, all wrapped up in one.”

  Tess Dailey

  Chapter Eleven

  Din
ner with the parents. Nick had thrown out the idea of grilling outside at his parents' house, which had her leaning toward a more casual but trendy outfit. By the time Nick stopped by to pick her up, she'd changed outfits at least five times. In the end she'd decided on a pair of denim capris, a flat soled, silver sandal and an indigo colored, flowing shirt. She'd curled her hair with a curling iron so that it fell in waves around her face. Lip gloss, a touch of bronzer and a hint of mascara sealed the deal.

  Nick stopped by to pick her up at five o'clock. He let out a low whistle as soon as he laid eyes on her. His enthusiasm over her appearance gave her an extra boost of confidence. Even though she knew Maggie and Alec, it felt a little awkward to be seeing them again after all this time. Would they like her? Would they object to Nick being in a relationship with a divorcee?

  “What's in the bowl?” Nick asked, his eyes alight with interest.

  She looked down at the ceramic bowl in her hands. “Potato salad. I didn't want to go empty-handed.”

  Nick kissed her lightly on the tip of her nose. “That type of thoughtfulness will get you very far with my parents.”

  “Let's hope,” she murmured, wishing away the tremors in her belly. Maggie and Alec were fantastic, kind people. Her nervousness wasn't based on them. Loving Nick as she did, it was only natural that she'd want the two most important people in his life to think well of her. Perhaps they'd even grow to love her.

  As soon as they pulled up to the Donahue house, Layla felt a host of old memories rise to the surface. This home had always been overflowing with love and laughter. As she walked beside Nick towards the family home, she noticed that there were about three cars parked in the driveway and three more parked on the street.

  “Why are all these cars here?”

  Nick turned to her, a guilty expression on his face. “It's a family barbecue, Layla.”

  She felt her jaw drop. Was she being ambushed? “The whole family, as in all of your brothers and their wives and fiancees?”