by Brower, Dawn
Resigned, Meghy prepared for her outing. She dressed in a pair of skinny blue jeans, a long red sweater, and brown ankle boots. Then she pulled on her tan winter coat, white hat along with the matching scarf and mittens. Winter time in Suttons Bay was no time to forget the necessary attire. Snow was bound to come down in buckets when she didn’t pay attention. She braced herself and then left her home, praying she wouldn’t regret her decision.
MACK PUSHED HIS HANDS into the pockets of his leather coat. Damn, he’d forgotten how cold it could get in winter. Living on the West Coast had spoiled him. He hadn’t even thought to buy gloves or a scarf. Luckily, his aunt and an extra hat so his ears didn’t freeze as he walked through the bitter wind. The place he was heading to came into view. Which Brew was the local gathering place according to his aunt. They had the best coffee and several different blends to choose from. The owner was one of his close friends, and Mack had loaned him the money to start his business over a few years ago. The first location was in Los Angeles, but Carl had gotten the idea to open one in their hometown too. So far it seemed to be a success. Carl traveled periodically back to Los Angeles to check on the shop there, but decided to move back to Suttons Bay a few months ago. Mack missed being able to visit with him regularly. The one good thing about this forced vacation was being able to see Carl.
He pushed the door open and headed to the counter. His friend was working one of the espresso machines with skill. One of the baristas came over to him and smiled. “Can I help you?”
The girl didn’t recognize him. For that Mack was grateful. He didn’t want anyone to make a fuss out of him being there. Most of the locals would know him and not make too big of a deal out of his presence. Some though, would see it as an opportunity to exploit his fame for their gain. He would rather avoid those types if he could. “I’ll take a regular cup of coffee black—the blend doesn’t matter.”
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Carl said. “That’s the whole point of this shop.”
Mack grinned. “I haven’t had a cup of coffee in your place I didn’t like. I trust your coffee making skillz.”He emphasized the end of the final word to make it stand out.
Carl rolled his eyes. “Fine. I’ll make you a cup and give you the personal treatment. What do you think you are? My friend or something?”
“Maybe,” Mack replied jovially. “The only one I have.”
“Grab a seat and I’ll join you in a few.”
Mack nodded at Carl and found an empty table in the corner. He didn’t feel much like socializing and if he found one closer to the door or in the middle of the room he might have to. He still hadn’t gathered the courage to go visit Meghy. Carl joined him with a steaming mug in each hand. He placed one in front of Carl and then took the empty seat. “What are you doing in Suttons Bay? I thought you vowed never to return here.”
He had said something to that effect once. “It was time.”
“Just like that you decided that. Something changed. Want to tell me what?”
Mack shook his head. “It’s just as I said. I needed to exorcise some demons. It’s been affecting my work and its time I stopped ignoring my mistakes.”
“Have you seen her?”
The million dollar question... “No,” he said. There was no denying who Carl was talking about.
“Are you going to?”
“That’s the point isn’t it?” He’d come home to own up to his past mistakes and hopefully manage to get his head on straight. “Admittedly I’m not looking forward to it, but I owe it to her to do the one thing I failed to do years ago.”
“She keeps to herself and doesn’t come to town much. You might have to go to her if you want to see her.”
“If that’s what it takes...” He swallowed the lump growing in his throat. Why did this have to be so damn hard? “I’ll go to her place. I’d rather it be in public though so we can both bolt if necessary.”
The song played over the coffee shop’s speakers changed from a happy melody to a slow love song. One that Mack had written from a distant memory about Meghy. She didn’t know that—no one did. But it stabbed him in the heart and bled emotions into him he’d kept bottled up. The bell above the shop’s door jingled. Mack turned to see who entered and he lost the ability to breathe. It was her... Her cinnamon hair was buried beneath a snow white cap, but couldn’t be contained. Curls had escaped and floated down her back and over her face. He was transfixed unable to look away. With the song playing over head and her standing before him he couldn’t think let alone breathe.
“Mack” Carl tapped his arm. “Here’s your chance.”
Meghy turned and met his gaze. Her honey colored eyes were as beautiful as he remembered and held a hit of surprise as recognition dawned on her. He could almost see the moment when she decided to turn and run. As she spun on her heels to exit the way she’d came he bounced to his feet and went after her. He’d come to see her and it might hurt, but they both had some bad memories to work through. It was time for him to man up and face her, and the things he’d done to her. He’d been a horrible friend in the end. Mach owed her for more than she realized. If not for her he’d be nothing...
He slid open the door and out into the cold. She had already gained a good distance, but he knew where she was heading. There was only one place she would go, and he took a leisurely pace to follow her. She needed time to acclimate to his presence. By the time he caught up she might even be calm enough to have a semi-normal conversation with him. He hoped he was doing the right thing...
In the meadow we can build a snowman
Then pretend that he is Parson Brown
He'll say, "Are you married?"
We'll say, "No man"
But you can do the job, when you're in town
CHAPTER THREE
Meghy rushed away from the shop as fast as her legs could carry her. He’d been in there... She’d wished not that long ago she could contact him, then when faced with actually talking to him she’d panicked and fled. What a coward she’d turned into. There was a time when Mack would have been the first person she’d run to. How could she have let things go as far as they had?
She stopped in front of a meadow she’d played in often as a child. In the distance there was a local park, and behind it the bay leading into one the lake. Of course she’d come here. This was one of their favorite spots together. When she thought about Mack she’d often pictured this place. He had been such a huge part of her life for as long as she could remember.
“Meg,” Mack shouted in the distance. “Wait!”
She closed her eyes and returned to a happier time, one almost similar to the one she was in. He’d shouted for her—their mingled laugher echoing on the wind.
Meghy ducked to avoid the snowball flying toward her. She hadn’t reacted quite fast enough. It hit her neck and water dripped down her neck and trickled underneath her coat toward the middle of her back. She shivered from the icy cold and didn’t see the follow-up snowball flying toward her. It hit her in the face taking her by surprise. She wiped her face and turned to glare at him. “You’re going to pay for that.”
She knelt down and made a quick snowball and launched it in record speed. She’d missed of course—he’d had fair warning what she’d been planning. She inched forward as she’d thrown the snowball. Once he was ducking she ran forward and tackled him to the ground. He hit the cold surface with a thud. She was lying on top of him—something she hadn’t quite planned on. He wrapped his arms around her waist and rolled them to their side.
“I caught you,” he whispered. His hot breath brushed across her cheek. Her heart beat rapidly inside of her chest. She hadn’t counted on this—on him being so close. “What are you going to do now?”
She wanted to kiss him, but didn’t dare. He was supposed to be her best friend. Sure they’d hugged, had even held hands once upon a time. When things were more innocent between them and no one thought the wiser... Meghy loved him with her whole heart and she had no idea wh
at to do with those feelings. He didn’t see her that way.
“Let me go,” she said wiggling in his arms.
“What fun would that be,” he teased. His cheeks were bright red from the cold, and his lips were a temptation she was battling against. “I rather like you where you are.”
What did that mean? Her breathing became ragged. She told herself it was because of her struggles to free herself, but that was a lie. It was the close proximity to Mack. He made her a bumbling mess at times, and this was one of them. They’d been friends since they were five. Not a lot had changed in the past twelve years. This was their last year of high school and in a few months they’d be leaving Suttons Bay for good. He planned on heading to Los Angeles to strike his luck in the music scene, and she wanted to go to New York and attend school. They would be on opposite sides of the country. She dreaded the moment when they’d be separated.
He did something she’d never have expected in a million years. He moved closer and pressed his lips to hers. Sparks ignited inside of her and spread like rapid fire. Her whole body heated from the inside out and his kiss made her wish for things that she’d never thought possible. He lifted his head and met her gaze. His eyes were like blue fire and lit a new one deep inside of her.
“Meghy.” His voice was hoarse and he swallowed hard. “Say something.”
She shook her head and he groaned. Words failed her and she’d always been good with them. What could she say... He’d left her utterly speechless.
He rolled away from her and started to form a snowball. Did he really intend to throw that at her? After what they had just shared? “What are you doing?”
“Building a snowman,” he stated matter-of-factly.
“Why?” she asked, puzzled at his reasoning.
“Haven’t you ever listened to the song?”
Had he hit his head when she’d knocked him to the ground? What song? “I’m afraid you’ve lost me.” She wanted to talk to him about the kiss not a silly song. Music was his thing, not hers.
“Parson Brown,” he replied. ““We can pretend to get married, then much later do it for real when he’s in town.” He winked. “I’ve smudged your honor and I must make it right.”
He had hit his head. There was no other explanation. She got to her feet and joined him. “If you insist on building this I suppose I’ll help you.”
He smiled and kissed her cheek. That at least was a normal thing for him to do—her Mack. He transformed into the boy she’d fallen in love with and expected to see. He was no longer talking nonsense about snowmen and marriage. They built the snowman and then went to town for hot chocolate. Not once had they discussed the kiss...
“Meghy...”
She snapped back to reality and turned to face him. “Hello, Mack,” she replied awkwardly. “I didn’t know you were in town.”
He shoved his hands into his pocket and looked away. “It wasn’t planned.”
She nodded absentmindedly. Once again words failed her. Her heart beat heavily in her chest and she had no idea what to say to him. How was she supposed to converse with anyone when she couldn’t even talk to the one person who knew her better than anyone else.
“I’m sure Rose is glad you’re here.” She sounded so stupid... “How long are you staying?”
“I don’t know,” he replied. “That depends on you.” He turned and met her gaze again. “And if you can forgive me.”
Her mouth fell open at that statement. “There’s nothing to forgive.” It had taken her a moment to get over the shock to respond. “You did nothing wrong.”
“I left you alone when I promised to stay.”
She shook her head. “Mack,” she said earnestly. “You were hurting too. I don’t blame you anymore. I did at first, but it’s not your fault. My mother was in an accident and that had nothing to do with you.”
“But...”
“No,” she interrupted. “There is not buts. You didn’t make me stay out late and have her come looking for me. I did that all on my own—I hated the idea of leaving you. The only time I’ve ever felt alive was when you were near me. I needed to be with you...”
She couldn’t say any more than that. Anything else and she’d be confessing how much she loved him and how horrible the past decade had been without him in her life.
MACK DIDN’T KNOW WHAT to say. He’d come to apologize and he had, but somehow that didn’t seem like enough. He glanced around the field and to the bay in the distance. This was their place. They’d spent a lot of time there through the years, and the last winter they were together as friends they’d even shared a kiss. He had avoided talking about it then not wanting to spook her. Meghy could be skittish and he didn’t want to scare her away. Now he realized he had handled it badly. He should have kissed her again and often, and instead he never did again. He would love to have the right to kiss her whenever the mood struck. The gap between them was too wide. They would never be able to recreate that magic again.
“Do you want to build a snowman?” Meghy asked taking him by surprise. Did she remember that day too?
“Why?” he asked. “I think Parson Brown retired.”
She smiled. It was so familiar it made his heart ache. “That’s too bad. We never did complete our previous ceremony. You promised we’d do it right later.”
He had... “I wish I could now.” Mack pulled his hands out of his pockets. “But I didn’t plan well.” He wiggled his bare fingers for her. “No gloves.”
She tilted her head and studied them. “I guess we can do it another time. We’ve waited this long. What’s one more day?”
What game was she playing? This didn’t seem—right. “Meghy?”
She moved closer to him closing the distance between them. She stood mere inches from him and he itched to pull her into his arms. He held back though not sure what she wanted from him. “Why did you cancel your tour?” she asked.
He held her gaze transfixed by her. He’d always loved her and that hadn’t changed over the years. There were other women, but none of them had been her. No one could ever take her place in his heart. “I haven’t been able to finish recording my album. I’ve lost the desire for music.” He didn’t mention the nightmares or the accident. They were symptoms to the problem—he didn’t have her.
“Is that why you came home?”
“Essentially,” he said. “My manager thinks I need to reconnect with what made music special to me.”
“And what is that?” she asked. “Suttons Bay? Family?”
They were part of it, but not the root. What made everything work for him was her—only her. “I’ve missed you,” he said. He didn’t tell her the rest. He was playing it safe like he usually did.
“Same,” she said. “I’m glad you’re home—even if it’s for a short time.”
Would she object if he kissed her? No, that probably wasn’t a good idea. They had just started talking again and were nowhere near being more than that. “Want to go back to Which Brew with me and grab a cup of coffee? I’d like to catch up with everything you’ve done with your life since I saw you last.” He just didn’t want to stop talking to her. He needed to listen to her voice, and stare into her honey colored eyes as long as she’d allow.
“I’d like that,” she said.
“Then follow me, Miss M,” he said and held out his arm to her. “I’d never lead you astray.”
She laughed and it was music to his ears. “Mr. M,” she replied. “That’s a lie if I ever heard one.”
It was almost normal... Almost but not quite—maybe after a little more time he’d have his Meghy back. He was starting to become grateful for his enforced vacation. Otherwise he’d never have returned and had a chance to win Meghy’s heart again. For that alone he’d send his manager a bonus.
Later on, we'll conspire
As we dream by the fire
To face unafraid, the plans that we've made
Walking in a winter wonderland
CHAPTER FOUR
/> Meghy hugged herself. Happiness had been so elusive for so long... Once the ice had been broken between her and Mack everything seemed to go much smoother between them. She just had to let go of some of her insecurities and open herself up to the possibility of having him back in her life—even briefly. He was bound to leave Suttons Bay at some point. She wanted him to find joy in music again and make more beautiful songs. He had such a wonderful voice and talent. If she could help him in any way she planned on it. He had already been in town a week and not a day had gone by that she hadn’t spent some time with him. The annual Christmas party was that night and he was picking her up to attend with him. How lucky was she? She had Mack’s full attention again.
Her doorbell chimed bringing her out of her daydreams. Mack was there temporarily. She’d enjoy his company while she could, but at some point he would leave her. This time though, she planned on keeping in touch with him. She would not repeat the mistakes of the past. She went to the door and opened it. He stood there rubbing his hands together. “Still haven’t found any gloves?”
“Haven’t had a reason to,” he replied a huge grin filling his face. “I don’t plan on being outside long enough to need any.”
She shook her head. “Let me grab my coat and we can be on the way.”
Almost everything in town was in walking distance. Meghy didn’t bother buying a car. She had no reason to leave Suttons Bay and what she couldn’t have delivered was a couple blocks from home. She slid on her coat and met him at door. He pulled her hand in his and brought it up to his mouth kissing her palm. “Thank you,” he said.
“For what?” she asked. She hadn’t done anything to deserve his thanks.
“For being you,” he replied. “I should have come home a long time ago.”
“Yes,” she agreed. “Why didn’t you?”