Bedding Mr. Birdsong

by Deborah Camp

  “You have stuff to sort out and you can’t do it from here. Why do you think Matthew is ready to end it with you? Doesn’t sound like it to me.”

  Zaney shrugged. “Men leave.”

  “Oh, honey, stop it.” Vivian squeezed Zaney’s hand. “Not all men leave. Gramps hasn’t left Grand, has he? Steve isn’t going anywhere without me, I can assure you.”

  Emotion tightened her throat. “Most men don’t stick, though. They have short attention spans when it comes to relationships.”

  “Let’s not focus on this ‘most men’ theory of yours. Concentrate on Matthew.” She patted her hand and her eyes softened with warmth. “You’ve never been in love before, Zaney. You’ve been close, maybe. But I’ve never seen you like this about a man before. Coming from someone who has known you your whole, entire life, I can say with certainty that you’re in love with Matthew Birdsong.”

  The simple truth of that felt like a beam of light arrowing through her core, spearing her heart. Zaney drew in a deep breath as a smile stretched across her lips. “Yeah. I’m stupid for him, Mom.”

  “Then go home and tell him. I’ve always encouraged you to be fearless when it comes to opening your heart to love. You love this man and you don’t want him to leave, so tell him that. You can’t keep him until you claim him, honey.”

  Booze. That’s what he needed.

  Matthew ducked into the Darien liquor store and headed straight for the rows of wine. He checked out a few Chablis labels before moving on to bottles of Merlot. A Pahlmeyer from Napa Valley caught his eye and he perused the information provided, noting that it was 2015, a good year for that winery. This with some cheese and crackers might mellow his restless mood.

  “Finding what you want there, Dr. Miller?” the clerk asked.

  Miller? The name blasted through Matthew like a stick of dynamite. He glanced around to locate a man only four or five feet from him. A man dressed in a charcoal pinstriped suit, and a blue dress shirt open at the collar. A blue and white necktie was crammed in his coat pocket with one end of it peeking out. His hair was pale red, lightened by age probably, and he had freckles. Many freckles. He looked over his shoulder at the clerk and smiled.

  “I believe so, Dan. Thanks. We’re having a few friends over next weekend. What do you think about this Stag’s Leap Merlot?”

  “It’s pretty good, but that ’83 Long Shadows is better for the money.”

  “Really? Okay. Maybe I’ll get both bottles.” He slipped the wines into his shopping cart, which was already loaded with cartons of beer and bottles of Grey Goose and Roca Patron.

  Matthew couldn’t stop staring and he knew that he couldn’t leave without saying something to Dr. Miller. He drew in a deep breath, cautioning himself to keep cool and noncombative although he did have a keen desire to plow his fist into the man’s face.

  “Are you Fletcher Miller?” he asked as casually as he could muster.

  Miller glanced at him and arched one brow. “Yes. Have we met?”

  “No. I know your daughter.”

  He smiled, fondly. “You’re acquainted with Amanda, are you?”

  “No. Your eldest daughter. Zaney.” He relished the way Miller’s smile stiffened and the lights blinked out of his blue eyes. “Remember her?”

  Miller returned his attention to the rows of wine bottles again. “How is she?”

  “She’s beautiful and kind. Funny and smart. Ambitious and talented. She’s everything wonderful rolled up into a gorgeous girl. I’m privileged to know her.” As he listed Zaney’s many attributes, Miller’s eyes widened and his skin paled, making the freckles stand out more. He was a handsome man with a distinguished air about him, but Matt could tell that he’d rattled him. That gave him no end of satisfaction, but he wanted more. “I’m in love with her and I can’t understand how you chose to toss her aside like garbage. You even stopped making child support payments. You didn’t care if she had enough to eat or a nice place to live or if she was doing well in school. You didn’t inquire if she needed to go to the dentist or if she could use a new winter coat. You never sent her presents on her birthday or Christmas. Not even a card. How does a father do that to his child? Please, tell me, Doctor Miller.”

  Miller’s smile was a blast of Arctic air. “I see you have an agenda, but you’ll have to excuse me.” He aimed his cart at Matthew and waited for him to step aside, clearing the way for him.

  “Nothing, huh? You’ve got nothing. No conscience.” Matthew shook his head and took a step back, motioning for Miller to move past him. “Shame on you.”

  As he walked by, Miller shook his head and cast Matthew a sad glance. “The world is not black and white, sir. There are many shades to everything.”

  “Not when it comes to a parent’s duty to his or her child,” Matthew said to Miller’s back as he parked his cart by the checkout island. “You are a deserter of the worst kind. Not because of your cowardness, but because of your indifference.”

  The clerk rang up the items in the cart, all the while glancing nervously between Miller and Matthew. Miller handed him a credit card with a tight smile.

  Matthew gripped the wine bottle and stared holes into Miller’s face. Bastard. He bit back the word that crowded on his tongue with other vile epithets. Miller never met his eyes again. With a straight back and regal carriage, he took his box of booze and strode out of the liquor store. The clerk shifted his attention to Matt.

  Placing the bottle of wine on the counter, Matt pulled out his wallet and stuck his credit card into the machine.

  “Haven’t seen you in a while,” the clerk said.

  “I’ve been in the city most of the winter. You’ll see more of me this spring and summer.”

  “Good.” The clerk tried to paste on a happy smile, but it didn’t stick for more than a few seconds. “Sign here, please, and have a good evening.”

  “Yeah.” Matt signed the receipt and pocketed his card and wallet. He grinned, feeling lighter and better. It was almost like he’d had a duel in honor of Zaney and he’d won. He hoped that he’d completely ruined Fletcher Miller’s evening, but he doubted it. The man obviously didn’t give a shit about his sins. At least, he’d embarrassed him in front of the salesclerk and that would get around town. He knew Dan the salesclerk was one of Darien’s most prolific gossipers. Before morning, the news of the dustup would have spread along main street and beyond.

  Matthew bumped knuckles with Dan. “See you around.” He had a spring in his step as he sauntered along the sidewalk in the direction of his house by the shore.

  Chapter 19

  Canapés and Confessions

  The doorbell chimed and Zaney grabbed a black Derby hat off a peg in her closet and settled it on her head at a rakish tilt. “Coming!” she called, knowing her caller was Matthew. She’d arrived home that afternoon, having received a text from Lonnie yesterday informing her of an engagement party for her and Seth Sunday evening at a trendy restaurant/bar. Matthew had texted her right after that, suggesting that they attend it together.

  Pausing in front of the mirror in her bedroom, Zaney quickly assessed her choice of feminine-tailored tuxedo slacks, black vest, and deep rose silk shirt with soft draping in the front. Her black boots had high, thin, silver heels. She nodded in approval, then trotted into the living room and flung open the door as a batch of butterflies burst into her stomach.

  Gorgeous.

  Her knees almost gave way as she took in the man standing before her in a dark blue suit perfectly tailored to hug his wide shoulders and muscled upper arms. His foulard tie matched the silk square peeking up from the pocket of his light blue shirt. All that blue couldn’t rival the incredible color of his eyes, though. God, she wanted to drown in his ocean eyes, which had widened at the sight of her.

  “Love the hat,” he said, giving her a wink. “It’s good to see you, Zaney. I’ve missed you.”

  She had to swallow and suck in a breath before she could form words. “Thanks. I’ve missed you, too
.” She picked up a small, velvet clutch from the table near her and then crossed over the threshold, closing the door behind her. “I leave the city for a few days and Lonnie and Seth plan a party to get me to come back.” Her grin let him know she was kidding.

  “It’s certainly a desperate move, but under the circumstances . . .” He shrugged. “Who can blame them?”

  As their banter returned with little effort, Zaney’s nerves settled. “Are we cabbing it?”

  “No. I’m driving.” He held the street door open for her. “I’m not drinking tonight other than a glass of champagne.”

  She nodded at his car, conveniently parked only steps away. “You got lucky.”

  He moved quickly to open the car door for her. “I agree. I’m a lucky, lucky man.”

  She glanced at him, shared a smile, and settled into the leather seat. It felt good to be back in their groove again. Well, almost. There were still some things that needed to be addressed and she hoped they could do that on the ride to the restaurant. She fastened her seatbelt as he joined her. He eased the car into the light traffic and unbuttoned his suit coat, getting more comfortable for the drive.

  “I haven’t been to this place before. Have you?”

  “No, but I’ve heard of it. St. Sebastian’s Bar and Bistro. It’s just down the block from the church, right?”

  “Right.” His teeth flashed in the dim interior of the car. “I’m sure the church just loves that.” He braked for a red light and his eyes found hers. “Did you enjoy your visit with your mother?”

  “Yes.”

  “It snowed there, right?”

  “It snows there all the time,” she said with a roll of her eyes. “That’s Buffalo. Actually, it was good to see her and Steve. They’re great sounding boards.”

  “I don’t suppose my name came up.”

  She shrugged and screwed up her face. “Only a few dozen times.”

  He winced. “They don’t hate me now, do they?”

  “No, not at all.” She folded her hands over her small purse, gripping it as she launched into the speech she’d been writing in her head for the past couple of days. “Look, we both said some stupid things. Then Frito Pie went to doggy heaven. It was like I’d lost my two best friends all at once.” She bit her lower lip, feeling it begin to tremble as her heart caved in a little. From the corner of her eye, she saw his chest lift with a swift intake of breath. “Talking to Mom helped me sort it all out. I was wrong to fly off the handle like that about Carin.”

  “No, you weren’t. I was an imbecile to listen to her and repeat that crap to you. I wasn’t thinking straight either. Obviously. And you lost one best friend. Not two.”

  “Let’s not beat each other up over it.”

  “I owe you an apology. You’ve never given me any reason to think you’re not an honest, kind person. I’m sorry for accusing you of playing games. I swear to God I don’t deserve you.”

  Her gaze whipped to his. “Matthew, please, don’t. I accept your apology. Now, what have you been doing since I’ve been away? Working like a fiend?”

  “I followed your lead and got out of town. I went to Darien for a couple of days.”

  “To clear your head? Did it work?”

  “It did. I had a talk with Carin yesterday and told her that the whole visiting Toodles thing had gone on long enough. I was always the one who took care of the cat. And if she wanted to take Toodles after we split, she could have leased an apartment that allowed pets.”

  “How’d she take that? Was she upset?”

  “Upset? No. Pissed? Yes.” A corner of his mouth quirked up. “I took your advice and told her to get her own cat.”

  Zaney hunched her shoulders in chagrin. “Ouch.”

  “You’re right. She was using Toodles to keep her nose in my business. I should have figured it out for myself.” He braked at a red light and gripped the steering wheel with both hands as if he were readying himself for something.

  Zaney studied him. He looked guilty! “What?” she asked. “What’s that look?”

  “I did something that you might not appreciate.”

  “To Carin?” She leaned away from him, anticipating a weak confession. “What have you done?”

  “No. Nothing about Carin. I . . . uh . . . saw your father while I was in Darien.”

  A deep chill sliced through her. “You went to his house?”

  “No, no. Nothing like that,” he said, trying to placate her. “I saw him in town. At the liquor store.”

  “Oh.” She took a deep breath in relief. “I suppose that’s bound to happen. Darien isn’t a huge metropolis. Now that you know who he is, you’ll probably see him around.” She paused as a thought struck her. “How’d you know it was him? Did you Google him and find his photo or something?”

  “The clerk said his name. Dr. Miller.”

  “Oh.” She nodded and shifted in the seat to look out the side window, relieved that the meeting had been fleeting.

  “I spoke to him.”

  She slammed her eyes shut and gritted her teeth. “You didn’t.”

  “I did.”

  Leaning her forehead against the cool glass, she rocked her head in a silent rebuke. “Matthew,” she moaned.

  “I couldn’t not confront him, Zaney.”

  “Yes, you could. It’s not your family drama. It’s mine.”

  “I know, but he looked so smug. He was buying booze for a family party and it made my blood boil. Nothing horrible happened. I just introduced myself and told him that I knew his daughter. Naturally, he thought I meant the daughter he claimed and I had to correct him.”

  “Naturally.” She sat straight and balled her hands into fists. Part of her wanted to throttle him and part of her wanted to hug him for being her champion. “Really, Matthew. You shouldn’t have talked to him. I don’t want him to believe that I ever give him a moment’s thought.”

  “He’s a first-class ass. I don’t regret talking to him. Someone needed to shame him and I’m proud it was me.”

  She should be angry, but she couldn’t muster it. Glancing at Matthew, she felt herself smile at his gallantry. He braked the car and she realized that they were pulling to the curb. A valet wearing a yellow vest moved toward her door. They’d arrived at the bistro. The passenger door swung open and the valet offered his hand. She took it, eager to escape the confines of the car and see Lonnie again.

  “Good evening, ma’am. Welcome to St. Sebastian’s.”

  Matthew tossed him the car keys, but his attention was fully on Zaney. “You’re mad?” He rested a hand on her elbow.

  “I should be.”

  A squeal made them both jump and look toward the bistro. Lonnie burst from the door, all smiles, and enveloped Zaney in a hug.

  “You’re here!” Lonnie said, laughing. “I could not enjoy this night if you weren’t here, Zaney Miller. Look at my ring, bitch.” She flashed the diamonds under Zaney’s nose. “Can you believe this? I’m engaged and you and Matthew introduced me to Seth. It’s wild, isn’t it?” Letting go of Zaney, she attacked Matthew with a hug and a fist applied to his upper arm. “You look like a wet dream, Matt. As usual.”

  “Uh, thanks.”

  “Come inside, you two! Get a drink. Eat. Mingle. The night is just beginning.” Looping arms with them, Lonnie escorted them into the bar and toward the bistro area with its high-backed booths, tables and chairs. A chorus of greetings rose up as they entered. Seth parted the sea of guests, hand outstretched toward Matthew and a smile that was as bright as a spotlight.

  “Here he is! The best man. And he’s brought the maid of honor with him. Ain’t life grand?”

  Zaney allowed herself to be swept up into the gaiety, smiling and responding to comments even while she imagined the scene in that store with Matthew smarting off to her father. How had Fletcher Miller reacted? Had he been angry, dismissive, or bemused? She knew he hadn’t felt shame, although that seemed to be what Matthew had hoped would transpire. No, her father might h
ave been embarrassed to be confronted in public like that, but shame would not have entered into it. If he’d ever been ashamed, he could have corrected the situation because he knew where Zaney resided with her mother and he knew the amount of child support the court had ordered him to pay every month. He’d stopped visiting them and stopped sending money. All voluntarily and, obviously, without remorse or shame.

  Trying to focus on Lonnie and Seth’s ebullient happiness, she laughed at the quips, accepted hugs and doled them out, and shared in one toast after another. After a couple of hours of noshing on canapés and drinking a couple of glasses of champagne, she felt restless. There were still things she needed to say to Matthew. She traded glances with him from time to time. Then, suddenly, he was beside her. Slipping his arm around her waist, he bent near her ear and his breath warmed her cheek.

  “We need to talk privately. Let’s make our escape.”

  She nodded and found Lonnie to tell her they were leaving.

  “Why? What’s the rush?” Lonnie asked, presenting a pout.

  “I have a buzz already,” Zaney said. “And I have to work tomorrow.”

  “Okay.” Lonnie heaved a sigh and hugged her. “I hope you have wild sex tonight with Matt.”

  “Lonnie!” she tried to laugh, but the very thought of that made her feel even more sloshed.

  “What?” Lonnie’s blue eyes widened with mock surprise. “You know you want to. I mean, you’ve been Matt-less now for a week, right?”

  “You’re nuts.” She kissed Lonnie’s cheek. “Which is why you’re my bestie.” She waved and joined Matthew at the front of the bistro. They wove around bodies lined up at the bar and finally made it outside where Matt handed the valet a disk with a number on it.

  “This place is jumping. I wonder if it’s like this every night.”

  “I imagine Lonnie and Seth have something to do with it. Between them, they have like a hundred friends.”

  “You’re right.” He chuckled and stuffed his hands into his trouser pockets. “They make a great couple.”