But what was even more interesting was the fact Phoebe’s mom was on the floor with her.
“Do you know the Greek dance, Ms. Weston?” his father asked.
“Anna, please,” she responded, pretty flush coloring her cheeks. Her fancy navy dress hinted at a movie star worthy figure girls half her age would envy.
“Anna Weston?” His father’s gaze narrowed. “I saw an off Broadway production of West Side Story where an Anna Weston played a flawless Marie back in the early ‘80s. Was that you?”
Her pretty face brightened while warmth glowed in her gaze. “Yes, thank you. That was a year before I got pregnant with Phoebe. I can’t believe you remembered that.”
“Trust me, you were memorable.”
Ethan glanced at his siblings, all of them wearing the same shocked expression at the flirtatious exchange.
“Thank you.” Her blush deepened. “And to answer your original question, yes, I know a dance or two.”
Taking Phoebe’s smirk into account, along with the elbow to the arm her mother gave her, Ethan had the feeling his father was in for a challenge. Then Brandi lifted the violin and the first strands of the dance filled the pavilion.
Halfway through the song, Ethan somehow ended up dancing with Tyler, Jill, Mason, and Lea, in the slow section, while Ben, Keiffer, Phoebe, and her mom kept up with his dad. By the time Brandi played the last note, the crowd dubbed Anna and his dad the winners.
He suspected Phoebe and Ben had gone easy on them.
Out of breath, a lot hot, and more than ready for a drink, he was leaving the dance floor when Tyler grabbed his hand and tugged him to Phoebe, where he placed his hand on hers, then the bugger smiled and walked away.
She glanced up at him, lips curving into a grin.
“Sorry,” he said, smile tugging his own lips. “My son has all the subtly of a rock.”
“I make it my practice to never hurt the feelings of a rock, so…” She let her voice trail off while she squeezed his hand.
He wanted to, God yeah, he wanted to dance with her and hold her, but the last time had led to more, and he couldn’t do the more part. “Phoebe, I don’t think—”
“Shh…” she said, pulling him close. “Don’t think. Dance.” Her hand slid up over his chest to entwine behind his neck, sending shivers down his spine, before she melted against him.
Ah hell. He was strong, but not that strong. He couldn’t push her away, not when every single cell in his body just jumped to life. Blood rushed through his veins, his heart beats increased.
One dance. One incredible slow dance. That was what he was allowing himself. So he made the most of it. He held her close, molding her body to his, inhaling her spicy perfume, enjoying the brush of her soft curves as the beat of the music, the beat of their bodies, took over.
When the song ended, he forced himself to release her and step back, and realized the crowd was quiet. Glancing around, he noted shock and smiles on several faces. He glanced at Brandi, she nodded to him with tears in her eyes. That was bad. So he looked at Lea. More tears. Real bad. He avoided women all together. But when his gaze met Kade’s and he saw knowing and understanding there, he decided now was a great time to get some air.
“Excuse me,” he said to Phoebe, then walked off the dance floor, through the crowd, and into the night.
Ten minutes of communing with the crickets and listening to water lapping at the shore had righted his world enough for him to head back to the celebration. It was his brother’s wedding, and he was not going to let his damn libido ruin it. If Keiffer could battle his depression to be there for Ben and Lea, then he sure as shit could make the effort to put aside his inner battles, too.
“Ah, see, told you he’d be back,” Mason told Ben as he walked over to meet him when he stepped under the pavilion. “You needed air, even though we’re already outside, didn’t you?”
He laughed. “Yeah.”
“Been there, done that.” His brother nodded. “I found my turmoil ended when I stopped fighting my attraction to Jill.”
“Same went for me with Lea,” Ben said, handing him a beer. “I stopped fighting the knowledge that she makes me happy, because she does, and I’m the luckiest son-of-a-bitch because the smart, gorgeous, kindhearted woman just married me.”
“True, poor girl,” he said, receiving a thank you punch in the arm. “You hit like a girl.” He received another for good measure.
Mason snickered. “But the biggie was when I stopped fighting the knowledge I make her happy. I’m guessing you’re just about at that crossroads.”
No. Not even close.
He couldn’t see where he was solely responsible for her happiness. Maybe pain, because he’d fall into bed with her, then push her away. She certainly deserved more than that, even if she never asked for more.
“Well, since you’re about to have a lot more free time on your hands this month with Tyler heading to Texas tomorrow, you may want to take advantage of that free time to explore those roads,” Ben suggested before his wife appeared and tugged him out onto the floor for a slow dance.
“Excuse me, bro,” Mason said. “Slow song is calling. Any opportunity I can get to hold Jill in my arms in public without getting arrested, I’m taking. You may want to grab Phoebe. When the two of you dance, man, I swear anyone in the general vicinity can get lucky.”
And with that, his brother strode straight to his fiancée and swept her close. Ethan stood watching his siblings and their women, Gwen and Tanner, even Keiffer and Evie all dancing, then a shock of surprise trickled through him to note one of the slow moving couples was his dad and Phoebe’s mother.
He wasn’t going to contemplate the complications that coupling could create. Nor was he going to try to say that out loud. Then he heard a distant crackling, followed by a loud boom before the sky lit up in a colorful display over the lake.
Fireworks.
He’d forgotten about them. Idiot. His mind was shot. He’d been the one to hire the company to put on the twenty minute show.
The music stopped, and everyone spilled out onto the grass to get a better view of the sky.
“Dad,” Tyler called…tugging Phoebe with him.
Chapter Twelve
Damn.
He had a hard enough time resisting the urge to be with the woman without his son trying to play matchmaker.
“Pick me up.”
Sighing inwardly, he hauled his son into the air, tickling him in the ribs as punishment before setting him on his shoulders. “How’s that?”
“Perfect.”
For nineteen minutes, he stood with Tyler on his shoulders and Phoebe brushing into his side as they watched the display. She jumped with the percussions, and oo’d and ah’d, her gaze alight with a wonder that stole his breath.
So, he took Kade’s advice and allowed himself to be happy for a few stolen minutes. He had his son on his shoulders, which was probably the last year he’d be able to enjoy that part of their relationship. Bugger was growing like a weed. And he allowed himself to enjoy the feel of Phoebe’s soft curves brushing against him with each boom.
At one point, he couldn’t help it, leaned close and asked, “First time seeing them over a lake?”
“First time seeing fireworks in person ever. I never realized they were so big.”
And he never realized how much he enjoyed watching her. The wonder rounding her eyes while her mouth fell open hit him in the solar plexus.
“Amazing…” she breathed.
He couldn’t agree more, and his gaze never once strayed from her beautiful face. Tyler was leaving tomorrow. She’d be gone in a month. This was how he wanted to remember their time together. No pressures. No expectations. Just a selfless, shared joy.
The next morning, Ethan carried his son’s suitcase into the kitchen, telling himself the break was going to do him good. Without practices and games to run to, or s’mores to make at night, he’d have a lot of extra time to…sleep. That was what he planned to
do with the time. The break would do Tyler good, too. The boy was getting way too dependent on having Phoebe around this weekend.
Thank goodness it was Sunday and the wedding duties were over. That meant no gorgeous actress nearby to tempt his resolve. Ben and Lea had headed into the city to catch a flight out of JFK International to honeymoon in Paris and explore history, as the lovebirds had put it.
And in less than thirty minutes, his sister and Kade would be leaving with his son.
This was good for him.
For both of them.
“Stop fussing over Tyler’s things and come eat,” Brandi said with a grin. “If he forgets something we’ll take care of it. I promise.”
“Yeah, Dad. Come on, have some of Aunt Jill’s chocolate chip pancakes before Uncle Mason eats them all.” Tyler cackled, receiving a knuckle ball to his head from his uncle.
Pushing his sadness aside, Ethan took the chair across from a quiet Keiffer, glad to have two breakfasts in a row with his youngest brother in attendance. No doubt Tyler and Brandi were the reason for the second appearance, and again, he was grateful for his brother’s efforts.
“Here you go, Ethan.” Jill smiled, placing a plate with a short stack in front of him.
He wasn’t hungry, but he dug in anyway, listening to the friendly banter, noting how it had changed over the past year. Some good, some bad changes, like the absence of Keiffer’s enthusiasm. His lust for life. It had died with his friend back in March. It pained him to look up and see a ghost of his brother sitting across from him. Gaze dull and lifeless, face gaunt, shoulders slouched. Hell, even his chin was neglected and hair was getting unruly now that his brother left the National Guard.
“So, Keiffer,” Brandi said, dropping an arm around the quiet man as she sat in the chair next to him. “How’d you like to come with us to Texas?”
“What? Now?” Gaze not quite as vacant blinked at their sister.
She nodded. “Yes, now. A change of scenery might do you good.”
“Yeah, that would be cool,” Tyler grinned. “Come one, Uncle Keiffer. I’ll share my bunk.”
For a moment, Ethan thought his brother was going to say yes, he even laughed at his son’s offer.
“You won’t have to share. We have plenty of room,” Kade stated.
But then, it appeared as if Keiffer suddenly realized something, and it doused that spark of interest. “No, thanks anyway, you two.”
“The offer’s always open.” Kade held Keiffer’s gaze. “If you change your mind down the road, drop in.”
His brother nodded.
“Are you sure you don’t want to come now, Uncle Keiffer? Cody’s going to teach me to rope. You can learn, too.”
“Thanks, buddy, but no. You just go and have a great time.”
“Okay,” his son responded, head bobbing enthusiastically. “I’ll teach you what I learned when I get back.”
Keiffer half-nodded, sending those red flags waving in Ethan’s head. Since he wanted to keep the sendoff breakfast mood happy, he didn’t prod, just shoved more pancakes into his mouth.
Twenty-eight minutes later, Ethan stood on the tarmac talking with Brandi and Kade while his son, Mason, and Jill met the arriving Gwen and Tanner in the parking lot.
Ethan wrapped his arms around his sister and squeezed tight. “You gave it a good try, sis. He almost said yes. I felt it.” She hiccupped with a nod. He pulled back and brushed away a tear.
“I knew you told me he was bad, but I just didn’t expect…” Brandi’s voice trailed off and she shook her head and closed her eyes. “God, Ethan. I barely recognized him.”
Kade slipped an arm around her and pulled her into him. “He needs time.”
“I know, but why can’t he take that time with us?”
“Only he can answer that, sweetheart,” her husband said, kissing her head.
“Yeah, I guess.”
“Everyone’s here, Dad. Now we can go!” Tyler raced over, face alight with excitement.
He smiled and lifted his son in the air. “Okay, remember what I told you.”
“Listen to Aunt Brandi and Uncle Kade. Don’t wander off. Never play with snakes. Watch the skies.”
“And?” he prompted, ignoring the corral of smiles as the others listened in. He didn’t take his son’s safety lightly. Ever.
“And don’t pet a cow with horns.”
That got a loud chuckle from the two cowboys and a giggle from their women. And after hugging his son a few seconds longer than necessary, he shook the cowboys’ hands, kissed the women’s cheeks, then stepped back and put on his brave face as he watched the jet carrying his son disappear into the sky…he had the feeling the hole in his gut was going to get bigger…
For a whole week, Phoebe ignored her gut, ignored the invisible pull to visit the resort. To visit Ethan. She knew he was lonely. His son was his life, so he probably had no idea what to do with his free time.
Me, her body eagerly volunteered.
But she wasn’t the answer. She was more likely the problem.
She had time after her shows and before her shows, and a few days off in between. Lots of free time…too much for her liking.
It would’ve been great if her mother could’ve stayed longer than one night, but Niles was out of town on business and her mom needed to hold down the fort. Judging by the perpetual grin and rosy glow on the woman’s face when she’d met her for brunch at the resort the day after the wedding, Phoebe would hazard a guess her mother wouldn’t have minded an extra night or two in town. Specifically with Ethan’s dad. Phoebe recognized the utterly satisfied, every-bone-in-her-body relaxed thing her mom had going on. Hell, she’d seen it in the mirror after each of Ethan’s visits.
But, that was in the past. Her mom was back in the city. She was alone. And bored.
What harm would there be to drop in at the resort for lunch? None. Didn’t mean she was going to knock on his door. No. Just a casual, innocent meet, just to show herself he was fine.
Day after day, she went through the same inner battle. And still she remained strong. Kept her distance. Stayed home. Ate at the diner, or the pizza shop. Volunteered at the theater to host tours for local youth groups of children interested in musical theater, enjoying that role, perhaps just as much as her leading one.
But today, she was meeting Jill for an early lunch, because she had a late afternoon matinee, and when her friend suggested the resort, Phoebe readily agreed.
Bad Phoebe.
She parked her car and rushed inside, eager to spend a few extra minutes in the hall that led to the restaurant, because it also connected to the hall that led to the Wynes’ private residence. But, she’d wasted her time, and laughed at herself. Pathetic.
He doesn’t want you, her inner voice sneered. You’re not enough. You don’t mean enough for him to put aside his fears and give you a chance.
She knew that was harsh, he had good reasons for feeling like that, but it hurt just the same.
She was an idiot.
“Ms. Weston? Ohmygod it is you! Can we have your autograph?” A cute middle-schooler wearing a T-shirt advertising the play blushed as she headed close with her grinning friend.
She smiled. “Sure. Did you see the show?” She signed the back of their shirts with a marker they’d produced.
“Six time, and we’re going again this afternoon.”
“Yeah, we want to be like you when we grow up.”
Their enthusiasm lit a dark corner of her heart. She happily posed for photos with them, and remembered being that young and hopeful.
“Make sure you come see me after the show, and I’ll give you a tour backstage.”
Their ear-splitting squeals echoed off the walls startling a few patrons heading outside. Phoebe was still smiling when her friend appeared.
“Hey, Phoebe, sorry I’m late.” Jill rushed down the hall toward her.
She smiled. “No worries. I think I was a little early.”
A lot early.
They entered Timbers and followed the hostess to a table, pleased to have a booth in the corner so she could see the whole restaurant. After giving the server her order, and an autograph, Phoebe scanned the patrons but none of them were tall, dark, and broad shouldered with eyes the color of coffee that melted her—
“Earth to, Phebes.” Jill snapped her fingers in front of her face.
She blinked. “Sorry, what did you say?”
“I asked if your mother was going to come back for a visit soon.” Jill grinned. “She seemed to hit it off well with Mason’s dad.”
She nodded, but kept her mother’s secret to herself. “I had the feeling they might.” Which was true. The minute she’d first met the major with Tyler, she knew, something about the strong, silent man made her think her mom would like him. And according to that morning-after glow, she hadn’t been wrong. “I’m not sure when she’ll be back. She hasn’t said anything. At least, not yet.”
Jill grinned and sipped her soda. “Lea and Ben got back from their honeymoon last night. Have you seen them yet?”
“No, but she did text me an hour ago saying she didn’t plan to let Ben out of bed until morning, since that’s when she has to go back to the city.”
“Lucky stiff.” Her friend sighed. “I didn’t want to let Mason out of bed either this morning, but we had to go to work.”
“I didn’t want to let myself out of bed this morning, so I didn’t. I slept in.”
A rolled up paper straw wrapper hit her on the nose.
“Braggart,” Jill teased.
“Me? You’re the one with a hot guy in your bed, not me.”
“Why don’t you invite Ethan over?”
Her heart rocked in her chest. Time to halt the conversation. It was taking a turn she wasn’t prepared to visit.
“He just sits around after work watching Doctor Who on TV.”
Now her heart clutched. Hard.
Dammit. I don’t want to know that.
Thankfully, the server arrived with their food, and she steered the conversation toward Jill’s latest chocolate contract and the fact her bars were now available nationwide. It was an amazing accomplishment, and they toasted with their soda and water. Too often life threw curveballs, so it was nice when life delivered something truly wonderful like her friend’s success.
Wyne and Song Page 15