Magnolia Bride

by Tara Randel

  And so her thoughts had cycled, over and over, with no answer in sight. Even though she’d talked to Sam, they were still in limbo. She’d played up the phone call in front of Dane, not wanting him to know things were falling apart. By the end of her walk, she’d decided to make an effort to fix things with Sam, mostly as an excuse to get Dane off her mind.

  The sudden banging on the wall knocked her out of her musings.

  “They’re making even more of a racket than we are,” her father remarked.

  “That’s the new clothing store. At least it’s just hammering today. Last week, the fire alarm went off a couple of times. I heard one of the workers say something about electrical issues.”

  “Some of these buildings are getting old,” he said. “I imagine a new tenant would have to bring the wiring up to code.”

  The whine of a power saw cut into the conversation, followed by the clunk of wood falling on concrete.

  Nealy cringed. “I hope they finish up soon.”

  “Since we’re almost finished,” Lanie announced, “I’ll put on a pot of coffee. David ordered lunch from Pointe Cafe. It should be here soon. We can sit down for a family meal. Won’t that be fun?”

  Nealy sent her sister an “oh, please” look.

  The group worked as a team to clean up the empty buckets, wash off the brushes and put the tables and chairs back in place. Nealy still had some decorating to do once the walls dried. She’d visited a couple of the antiques shops in town to find colorful prints to hang on the walls. The menu board listing the new specialty coffee drinks would arrive in a few days. All in all, the transformation had been painless. The end result better than she had envisioned.

  The door opened as a delivery guy carried in three large bags of food. Her father and David argued over who would pay the bill; Dad won, as usual. Her mother and Lanie set out the meal. Much to her chagrin, Lanie invited Dane and his helpers to join them.

  “We ordered plenty,” Lanie told him, giving Nealy a smug smile. Oh, they were so going to have words later.

  As everyone got started, Dane came up beside Nealy. She went stiff, held her breath until she realized her reaction was stupid. Maybe if she didn’t acknowledge Dane he’d leave her alone.

  “Hey,” he said.

  Okay, no luck on the ignoring part.

  “I’m sorry about yesterday. It was a boneheaded thing to say.”

  She glanced at him and noticed he looked as if he hadn’t slept well.

  Join the club. “Can’t argue with you.”

  “Chalk it up to a hit on my male ego when you started air-kissing Sammy.”

  He was jealous? How had she missed that part? “Sam. And there’s no need to get all weird. The more I spend time with you the more I realize I dodged a bullet.”

  A shadow flickered in the depths of his eyes. “Yeah. Okay. I deserved that.”

  “Just eat your lunch.”

  She took her plate to join her family. Her mother seemed to be casting an evil eye at Dane, but otherwise her parents were cordial. She didn’t have to worry about them warning her away from Dane. He’d done a good job all by himself.

  “Your father and I were commenting on what a change you’ve made in this place,” Anita told her.

  “Good or bad?”

  Marshall sent her a sheepish grin. “I guess we have been critical.”

  “I told your father all about the tea party. And of course, we witnessed the engagement parties for ourselves. Such focus on detail.”

  “Fine work, Nealy.”

  Wow. Actual compliments from her parents. “Thanks.”

  “The company you work for is most fortunate to have you,” her father added.

  Stunned, it took a moment to answer. “I agree.”

  Everyone laughed, Nealy’s response going a long way in relieving the tension always present when talking about her life. Her parents began to ask her about other events she’d planned. She related story after story, enjoying the positive attention for once.

  “Has anyone heard from Juliet?” Anita asked once the conversation waned.

  Nealy could tell from her tone she was hurt her youngest daughter hadn’t called. For once, Nealy felt kind of bad for her mom. “I got a text this morning. She’ll be in town next week.”

  “Where has she been?”

  “She didn’t say, Mom. And before you ask, I didn’t hound her for information. She’ll have plenty of time to explain when she gets home.”

  Anita sighed. “Fine. And your grandmother?”

  “She told me not to bother her while she was on the cruise. I haven’t. We’ll see her Wednesday.”

  Anita looked around the freshly painted room. “I must say, with just a little work, Cuppa Joe is a new place. I guess I can understand why Mother held on to the business.”

  Wow. Her mother showing interest in Grandmother’s shop and being nice to her. Nealy was confused and evidently it showed on her face. Lanie laughed.

  “I know, right,” her sister responded.

  Davey glanced at his mom, then his aunt, shaking his head. “Weird.”

  “Women,” David said under his breath.

  “We can hear you,” Lanie told him.

  David scowled at her.

  Nealy stood. “Lunch is over.”

  The Grainger family good-time show had officially come to an end.

  As they cleaned up, Lanie pulled Nealy aside. “Okay, so I have a plan.”

  “For what?”

  “To gain David’s attention.”

  “Do I want to hear this?”

  “Hey, you told me to try something new.” Her expression grew wary. “I need to run this by someone.”

  Nealy was secretly glad her sister felt comfortable enough to confide in her. It meant a lot to Nealy that her approval was needed. “Shoot.”

  “David and I always loved to visit the old fort at Fort Desoto Park when we were in law school. We used to go there when we were studying or needed a break from the pressure of classes. We always talked about camping there, but never made the time.”

  “So your grand plan is to take David camping?”

  “I’m hoping once we get to the park he’ll remember those days when we were crazy about each other.” She looked worried. “Well?”

  “I was thinking more of a fancy B and B getaway, but hey, if that’ll shake David out of his comfort zone, it’s perfect.”

  Lanie hugged her. “Thanks, sis. I never would have gone out on a limb with David if you hadn’t been here for me.”

  “I don’t have to be here in Cypress Pointe to do that. I’m always available for you even if I’m in L.A.”

  “It’s just not the same.”

  Nealy swallowed hard. “I’m always going to be your sister, no matter where I am.”

  “Well, get this L.A. fever out of your system and come home. Something tells me Juliet would appreciate it if her favorite sister lived here.”

  “I don’t know about favorite.” Nealy had been trying not to think about Juliet’s prodigal return for just that reason. “She’ll have you to step in.”

  Lanie straightened her shoulders. “I guess I will.”

  “So, when will you let David in on your trip?”

  “After we leave here.”

  With lunch finished, Dane’s helpers went outside to continue working. She tidied up the last of the mess when Dane joined her again.

  “How much longer will your project take to finish?” she asked around the awkwardness.

  “The time-consuming part is the shingles. We should get it done by tonight. The finishing will be completed this week.”

  “Sounds good. I have the new equipment coming tomorrow. Grandmother gets back Wednesday.”

  �
�You’re still going to oversee the wedding rehearsal Thursday night, right?”

  “Unless you hire a new event coordinator before then.”

  “Even if I do, I’d still like your help.”

  She thought about the hours he’d spent working here on his day off. As much as she didn’t want to be near Dane, how could she decline? “I’ll be there.”

  He still lingered, making her jumpy.

  “Was there something else?”

  “No. Just wondering how we would have turned out if we’d stayed married.”

  “It doesn’t matter now. We’ve talked about this.”

  “I know, but since you’ve been back, I can’t help but think about us.”

  “We wouldn’t be the people we are today.”

  He raked his fingers through his hair, leaving tufts standing on end. Unusual for the always put-together man. Adorable, too. “I know you feel this...mutual pull of attraction. I’m trying to figure it out, but bottom line? You still intrigue me.”

  “I didn’t ask for your attention, Dane.”

  “Are you denying you feel anything for me?”

  No. She couldn’t ignore her escalating feelings for Dane. And here she’d been so sure she would never have anything to do with the man, yet she was more attracted to him than ever.

  She scrambled past him to straighten up at the counter. “What we feel doesn’t matter. You have a life in Cypress Pointe, mine is in L.A. Even if you could get over your commitment problems, I don’t know if I could trust you.”

  He shifted from one foot to the other. “The truth hurts, even if it is deserved.”

  “Look, I get you don’t want to end up like your folks. But honestly, Dane, you’re a grown man responsible for your own feelings. You aren’t your father. Stop hiding behind excuses.”

  “Maybe my excuses came from wishing I had a do-over with you. Maybe no other woman has ever affected me like you.”

  “If you felt that way, Dane, you would have found me before I came back.” Her insides twisted. “Distance wouldn’t have mattered.”

  “Can you say you would have talked to me?”

  “I don’t know. I’ll never know because it didn’t happen.” She shook her head. “We took separate paths. Let’s leave it alone.”

  He moved into her space, his body warm and his intense focus on her exciting and scary at the same time. She met his gaze head-on; the longing in his eyes clear. This man would always have a piece of her heart. If they were crazy enough to consider taking a chance again, she needed to trust him first. Getting hurt again was not an option.

  He reached up, thumbing off a streak of paint on her cheek. “What matters is I hurt you.”

  She took a step back, along with a bracing breath. “Water under the bridge, Dane. I’m glad we caught up after all these years. Seeing you again helped put the past in perspective, namely, knowing you and I will never be in a relationship.”

  “I need to get back to work,” he said in a subdued tone.

  She nodded, her throat tight, making it impossible to speak.

  * * *

  IN THE ALLEY behind the coffee shop, Lanie yawned as she placed a clean brush in a pail for storage.

  “You look beat,” David said. “Ready to head home?”

  Glancing up at him, she smiled. “I am tired.”

  “You were up late last night. I waited for you to come to bed but fell asleep.”

  “I was working on a project.”

  “For work?”

  “No. For us.”

  At his surprised look, Lanie laughed. “Don’t be so shocked. I’m nothing if not tenacious when I get an idea.”

  “Should I be scared?“

  “No. Excited.”

  His expression went from wary to interested. “This project of yours, is it—”

  “I’m not saying a thing until we’re alone.”

  Leaving him hanging, she went into Cuppa Joe and told the family goodbye, then led him outside. “Let’s go to the park.”

  He frowned. “I don’t know. Last time we were there it didn’t end well.”

  “Today will be different. I promise.”

  Containing her excitement almost did Lanie in. David took her hand, a gesture missing in their relationship of late, and she calmed down. Once at the park, they took a seat on a bench.

  “You’re making me nervous,” he said.

  Okay. Here goes. “Remember when we were in college and we would go to Fort Desoto Park to relax?”

  “Sure. We’d walk the trails and get lost in nature for a few hours.”

  “Right.” She scooted closer. “What’s the one thing we always said we’d do there but never made the time?”

  His brow crinkled. “Fishing?”

  She chuckled. “Like you’d go fishing.”

  “Rent a kayak?”

  “You’re getting closer.”

  The total look of concentration on his face proved he was thinking, not trying to appease her. Finally, the lightbulb switched on and he brought his attention back to her. “Camping?”

  “Bingo.”

  “Camping?”

  “I have it all figured out—”

  “I don’t—”

  She held up her hand. “Just hear me out.”

  He nodded.

  “Just one weekend away. No phones, no computers, no briefs to read. We’ll camp, fish, if you want, and relax. But most of all, we’ll be together.”

  When David didn’t respond right away, Lanie held her breath. What if he refused? Where would they go from here?

  “You know,” David said in a halting voice, “I had an idea of what our perfect life would be. Getting married, having kids, working to retirement. Exactly what we have right now.”

  Lanie bit her lip. David’s expression was a mixture of mystery and sadness. For the first time ever, she had no idea what her husband would say. Was comfortable, dependable David happy with their life? Or wanting out because they’d grown apart?

  Her heart pounded.

  “Turns out I was shortsighted. These last couple months have been excruciating. Despite what you think, I noticed we weren’t doing great, but didn’t know what to do.” He squeezed her hand. “Until my wife decided to speak up. Then I realized my vision of our future was flawed, since we’re both unhappy.”

  Lanie blinked back the moisture welling in her eyes.

  “This isn’t what I signed up for.”

  Her heart dropped.

  “Not ten-hour days and missing our son growing up. I expected camping trips and hanging out with the one person in the world who makes me happy. You.”

  He leaned over and brushed his lips over hers.

  “I don’t want to end up like Nealy and Dane, always wondering ‘what if.’”

  “Then let’s change our future.”

  He kissed her again. “I want us back, but stronger than before.” He grinned at her, so much like the carefree David she’d married. “So yeah, let’s go away for a weekend. Just the two of us.”

  Lanie brushed her fingertips over David’s cheeks. “True love always wins. Sometimes we just need a little help getting back there.”

  * * *

  MONDAY FLEW BY. The new coffee brewing system arrived. Nealy and Davey spent the morning playing with the machine and figuring out all the functions. Dorinda’s friend Terri arrived bright and early, pleased with the new appearance of the shop. Within an hour, she’d mastered the coffeemaker. Ed showed up as well, sporting his usual scowl.

  “Place is too bright, don’t you think?”

  “I think it’s just right.”

  He scowled deeper. “I still want my coffee made the old-fashioned way.”

  Nealy la
ughed and poured him a cup. “Just the way you like it,” she said, handing him his usual order.

  “I suppose more folks will start coming in here now. Making all kinds of noise and looking at their computers.”

  “I hope so, otherwise I did all this work for nothing.”

  Ed peered around the room. “Not my taste, but Dorinda will like it.”

  Hmm. A deferred compliment coming from Mr. Fussbudget. “We’ll find out when she gets home Wednesday.”

  “Is she coming back to work right away?”

  A loaded question, for sure. Since Nealy hadn’t heard otherwise, she answered, “That’s the plan.”

  Ed nodded, satisfied his world would get back to semi-normal once the owner returned.

  Nealy waited on a few more customers before taking a break. She noticed Terri standing to the side of the counter, her frail hands clasped over her chest. “Give me your honest opinion,” Nealy said as she stood by the older woman.

  “You did a wonderful job, dear.”

  “But?”

  Terri glanced at Nealy with a surprised expression.

  “I hear a ‘but’ in your answer,” Nealy continued.

  “It’s not so much a ‘but’ as, well...”

  “Be honest.”

  “You’ve outdone yourself, putting so much time and energy getting this place spiffy and modernized. I don’t want you to be disappointed.”

  This couldn’t be good. Nealy already had an inkling of what Terri meant, but wanted to hear it from the woman. “Why would I be disappointed?”

  “You know Dorinda is torn about selling. She would love to keep Cuppa Joe in the family.”

  “We’ve had a conversation or two about Grandmother putting the shop up for sale. I hope she changes her mind once she sees what we’ve accomplished.”

  Terri patted Nealy’s arm. “I have no doubt your grandmother will be appreciative. I’m just not sure all this will change her decision.”

  In the back of her mind, she’d worried that despite everything she had done to update Cuppa Joe, her grandmother would still want to sell. Nealy knew her grandmother was being realistic. By her own admission, she couldn’t run the place forever. At the same time, Nealy couldn’t leave her job in L.A. Not with the possibility of Ashlee James’s events coming up. With no one in the family willing to step in, what else could Grandmother do, but put the shop up for sale and enjoy retirement?