by Linda Joyce
His dismay lasted barely a second before he changed the topic of conversation. She had helped herself to more wine while he talked on—the subject remained everything Zoë.
He’d shared his collection of sort-of-dates with Zoë. He recounted her impish smiles and girlish giggles and other angelic qualities, most of which she had rarely witnessed in her friend. However, what hooked her attention was how his face lit up whenever he mentioned Zoë’s name. It didn’t take a Saturday sportscaster to give her the score. Karl had it bad for her best friend. Over the top. Intense infatuation. Maybe even falling in love.
“Who am I to interfere with the course of Cupid’s arrow? Karl and Zoë would make a cute couple,” she said to her reflection in the mirror as she washed her hands.
But Zoë hadn’t said a single word about any dates with Karl. Was it because of tonight? Because she’d asked out Karl before Karl had a chance to experience Zoë’s farm-girl charm? She couldn’t wait to call Zoë for a chat.
“Sorry to be so long,” she said returning to the table. Karl rose and tried to pull out her chair for her, but she stood behind the chair with no intention of sitting again. Through the window, the gas streetlights flickered on around the memorial commemorating the Lewis and Clark expedition stop along the Missouri River. Lia blinked and looked again. Her brother stood by the river, his hands shoved in his pockets, rocking back and forth on his heels. She’d never been happier to see him. She wanted to run to him and demand he take her home.
“Karl?”
“Oh. I’m sorry, I’m hogging the conversation. Tell me when you and Zoë met.”
“Could that wait? I think I see my brother, and I’m concerned about him. Craig said he had no plans to leave the farm. Lucas and he were going to hang out. I’ll be just a minute. I’m going to speak to him.”
“No.” Karl’s sharp tone surprised her.
“Excuse me?”
“Ah. I mean. I’ll join you.”
“I’ll only be a minute.”
When she reached for her purse, Karl locked his hand around her wrist. “It’s safe with me.” Uneasiness slid down her spine. She nodded. He let go. She grabbed her purse, and practically sprinted for the front door with Karl hollering after her, “Wait!”
Out the door and down the sidewalk, she crossed the street before calling out to her brother. “Craig!”
He turned, folded his arms over his chest, and huffed out a breath. “What are you doing here?” he demanded.
After a few quick steps, she slowed and walked. “I could ask you the same thing.”
“Did you ditch Karl?”
“How did you know?”
“We have to go find him. He’s got your birthday cake.”
Lia twisted her mouth to one side, cocked her head, and closed one eye. “What are you up to?”
“Nothing.”
“Liar. How did you know about the cake?”
“Helen phoned me.”
“Great! You find Karl. Get my cake. I’m going to the Rooftop for a drink. Maybe two. Then, you, big brother, can be the designated driver and take me home.”
His shrug and nod made her more suspicious. His robotic behavior worried her. Something was wrong, but he’d shut her out. “Where’s Lucas? I thought you’d be with him.”
“He’s…I don’t know where he is this minute.”
Lia paused. No music filtered down from the Riverview’s Rooftop lounge. “Is there a band tonight?” She pointed to the rooftop. “I don’t hear any music.”
“I’m sure something is happening there. Go on up. Meet you there in a few.”
“I’ll have one drink and then we’ll go, but promise to keep Karl away from me. He’s infatuated with Zoë, but he’s a bit odd for me.”
“Let’s go.” Craig wrapped his arm over her shoulder and walked her in the direction of the restaurant. “Since I’m a great brother, I’ll do your dirty work. I’ll be up in a minute to collect the birthday girl.”
As Lia climbed the inside stairs to the ballroom, a band struck up a fast-paced tune. The lights and decoration came into view before she reached the landing. Taking it all in, her breath caught in her throat. Balloons, ribbons, dangling stars, tables draped in white linens. This wasn’t the Rooftop’s usual Saturday-night band jam. This was a party, someone’s private event.
“Surprise!”
People popped up from behind tables like jack-in-the-boxes. The band played Happy Birthday. Everyone sang. Stunned, Lia froze in place. Friends and neighbors followed up with For She’s a Jolly Good Lady and concluded with How Old Are You Now?
Folks began calling out, “Happy Birthday,” and the band began to play again.
Lia turned when warmth caressed her shoulder. Lucas stood behind her with Craig next to him holding her cake. Karl grinned from ear to ear and scanned the room. When he apparently found his target, he held up his arms as though shooting a bow, pointed at Zoë, who played along and took the arrow to her heart. Next to her stood her brother Seth scowling. Lia waved to them and blew a kiss.
“Surprise, Lia! Happy birthday,” Zoë shouted. When she applauded, everyone else joined her. Megan whistled loudly.
“Thank you. I’m very touched,” Lia tried to shout above the roar.
“Happy Birthday, Amelia,” Lucas said, pulling her into a hug. She stiffened for a moment. Lucas’s display of affection would set ears burning and tongues wagging, but that didn’t stop warmth from rippling all the way to her toes. When he didn’t quickly release her, but hugged tighter, she hugged him back. There was no reason the folks of Harvest couldn’t know she was in love.
Lucas kissed her forehead. Lia blinked back tears. “Thank you,” she managed to say without her voice breaking.
“Speech!” everyone cried.
Lia groaned. “I’m speechless. Thank you! Thank you for coming out. Let’s party.”
Craig stepped forward with the cake and addressed the crowd. “Check out this cake Helen made.” Craig pointed to it. “Thank you, Helen, for all your help. The buffet is now open. Let the bartender know your brand of poison. Thank you for coming. Please enjoy. And, happy birthday, Amelia!”
The band began a slow ballad, and folks began to mingle. Lia gazed at the group, dumbfounded. Happy didn’t capture her pulsing emotions. A little guilt rubbed her conscience over her rudeness to Karl, but she figured he’d forgiven and forgotten her when he pulled Zoë to the dance floor.
“I’m claiming the first dance,” Craig said. “Let me put this cake down. I know Dad always did the first dance, but I’m here instead.”
Craig led her in a country two-step.
“It smells so good in here,” Lia said taking in the tropical scents. “I’m sure Zoë had a hand in this.”
“Yep. Listen, I’ve got really good news to share with you tomorrow before I leave. Tonight we celebrate you and your future.”
“What are you talking about?”
Craig flashed a boyish grin. “Relax. Have a great time tonight. Zoë, Lucas, and I worked hard to pull this off. Okay, Zoë did most of the work, but I paid for it. You were surprised, weren’t you?”
His eagerness made him appear more at ease than she’d seen him in the last year. Although an uneasy suspicion tickled the back of her neck, she wouldn’t purposely hurt Craig with a catty remark. “A complete surprise. Thanks. It means a lot.”
As the band ended the song, without missing a beat, they launched into Reba McIntyre’s song, You Lie. Karl cut in.
“I’m sorry for the deception, but Zoë and the guys recruited me.”
“Was that before or after I asked you out?” Lia asked, wondering why Zoë was so infatuated with Karl.
Karl didn’t respond right away. He swung her into a twirl. “After. Right after we set up our date.”
Seth approached. “I’m cutting in.”
Lia waved at Karl and smiled at Seth. “I’m glad you came. How’s the home visit going?”
“Let’s just say I’m glad I’m l
eaving tomorrow. I don’t miss harvesting. I wanted to wish the birthday girl good wishes.” Seth leaned in and kissed her cheek. “I hope the coming year delivers your heart’s desire.”
“Thank you. Don’t be mad when I say you’ve grown into quite the gentleman.”
Seth winked. “I try. Let me get you a drink. Zoë brought a bottle of champagne. How about a glass?”
“Wonderful,” Lia murmured. She and Seth moved off the dance floor. Standing back, she gazed at the people, all of whom were woven into the fabric of her life. Most of them had known her since she was a small child, or at least as far back has her memory allowed. She could never leave Harvest. Her past, present, and future could be found at only one address.
A hand on her shoulder startled her from her thoughts.
“Were you surprised?” Lucas whispered. He stood behind her. Heat emanating from him warmed her, sending a shiver of delight through her body. Her thudding heart beat double time to the beat of the band. Lucas tangled his fingers in hers, guiding her to the dance floor. The band hit the first licks of When a Man Loves a Woman. He pulled her close, and she relaxed, laying her head against his shoulder. They swayed together. People moved off the dance floor until only she and Lucas remained. A mirrored ball turned and cast prisms of white light around the room, making the hanging silver stars glow.
Contented, Lia sighed. She floated like one of the balloons.
Lucas squeezed her hand. “Happy Birthday, Amelia. I have a special surprise for you later.”
“Lucas, I have a special surprise for you later, too.”
Chapter 18
The band played a final song while Lucas stood with Amelia at the top of the stairs. Only a few more minutes and he’d have all of her attention. In the meantime, his face hurt from smiling. Standing still took all his concentration. He wanted to scoop her up and whisk her away. Instead, he remained glued to the spot beside the woman he loved while she thanked each departing guest for sharing her birthday.
“I’m so glad you came.”
“Thank you for the dance.”
“Yes, I’ll come into town, and we’ll have lunch next week.”
Whiffs of smoke trailed upward and curled, creating a slight haze in the room as Megan blew out all the candles. Craig opened a few of the tall windows to clear the air. Lucas stiffened when Zoë headed in his direction.
“You go on with Lucas.” Zoë shooed at her like she might shoo chickens. “Craig, Karl, Megan, and I will clean up. Craig said he’d drive Megan home. Helen will take the leftover cake and box it up. I’ll drop it by the farm tomorrow after Seth leaves.”
“You’re so great.” Lia hugged her friend. “Fabulous party!”
“I’m hoping you two are off to have a private party of your own,” Zoë said, kissing Lucas’s cheek.
Lucas rolled his eyes. Girl-talk made him squirm inside.
Zoë’s eyebrows lifted. Her smug smile stretched as wide as the Missouri River.
He gritted his teeth at her teasing. She understood full well his discomfort and held back a snort. Before the conversation delved any deeper into his private longings, he had to get Amelia away.
“Mr. Dwyer, will you give a woman a lift home?” Amelia asked, wrapping her arm around his. The gentleness of her touch soothed his tension. If he managed to hold on a few minutes more, his reward was the rest of the night with Amelia.
“Let’s go.” Lucas linked fingers with hers and led her downstairs. His mind drifted to the memory of when he and Amelia had last made love—in her bed. She surprised him the other day. A private party that showed him how much he meant to her. His hands now tingled with longing to caress her creamy, smooth skin. A few kisses wouldn’t be enough. He had to have more. If she agreed, he planned to share the night, the refreshing outdoors, and the stars, while camping in the back of his truck in the middle of one of her fields. He’d dropped off the cleaned pickup at Amelia’s farm before heading to the party earlier.
“Look!” Amelia pointed upward.
“An image burned in my memory,” Lucas told her. Amelia, radiant against a dark sky with stars shining like a halo around her. He had relied on memories of her to get through the worst days when he fought overseas. This one, he’d never forget.
Lucas tugged on her hand, leading her to the parking lot across from Rockets.
“Whatcha thinking?” Amelia asked.
“I drove Megan’s car. It’s over there.” Lucas pointed.
Once inside the car, away from possible prying eyes, Lucas reached over, captured Amelia’s face, and stroked the smoothness of her cheeks. “I’m bigger on showing than telling.” His lips met hers, soft and pliant. Kisses from her were his lifeline to love and contentment. He wasn’t a man with big ideas or fancy cravings. Solid. Simple. True. It was how he lived his life. Those three words were ones he wanted carved on his headstone. The way he wanted to be remembered.
Raining kisses on her cheeks, nose, and forehead, he savored the sweetness of her. When he let go, Amelia melted into the car’s seat. “Ahhh.”
Her purring over his kisses boosted his spirit and his anticipation. And with a few more, he might be able to wind her up the same way she did him, full of naked desire.
“Take me home, Lucas.” Her voice seduced him. She buckled her seatbelt and rested her head back. Her eyes remained closed. She licked her lips. Maybe it was a subconscious action, but he wanted to believe it was because she savored the taste of his lips.
Putting the car in drive, he sped from the parking lot, traveling familiar country roads. He slowed when he recognized a deer by its glowing red eyes by the side of the road.
Amelia reached across the console and rested her hand on his forearm. Excitement shot through him. He loved everything about this woman. The caress of her touch. The softness of her lips. The smoothness of her skin. He reveled in her passion for her art, for her farm, for her family and friends. She was strong. Determined. Optimism was truly her middle name.
“I have a private party to attend tonight,” Amelia whispered, her eyes still closed. She appeared completely relaxed in the seat beside him. “Only, I’m not the guest of honor…you are.” He felt her squeeze on his arm. She stroked her hand up and down.
He forced himself not to press the accelerator harder, but imagined metal bumping the floorboard. Lia wanted him!
It might be her birthday; however he would be the recipient of the best gift of all. Amelia. Her heart and her body. That made him the richest man in the county.
Turning right, starting up the hill, his gazed scanned the horizon. It appeared to slip beneath them. Before them, only an endless sky with stars shimmering like jewels.
“Amelia, look,” he said quietly, slowing to fully appreciate the view.
“Oh, Lucas, I’m going to emboss this moment in my memory. It’s totally perfect.”
“Look!” Lucas pointed. “A falling star.”
Amelia squinted her eyes tightly before opening them. “I hope my wish comes true.”
“I’m wishing your wish comes true.”
Amelia leaned over. Her kiss on his cheek filled him with surging anticipation. He hit the gas. Tires spun on the dirt road. The car shot forward. “I have a surprise for you. I intend to make this a very happy birthday, Amelia.”
They reached the house in a flash. “Go change. Something comfortable,” Lucas ordered. “We’re going exploring. You get to discover your birthday present from me.”
A glowing smile lit Amelia’s face. She dashed from the car to the house. When she opened the door, Jack shot out. He ran straight for Lucas.
“Come with me, boy,” Lucas said. He leaned down to pet Jack before opening the trunk. Pulling out rolled up jeans and a t-shirt, he said, “You can go with us tonight, but you have to stay in the cab of the truck.” The dog followed him into the house. Lucas helped himself to the downstairs bathroom where he changed his clothes. When he entered the hallway, Amelia waited for him wearing a smile that radiated tenderne
ss. He loved this woman fiercely. Her loveliness wrapped around his heart.
“I’m ready,” she whispered.
“Let’s grab an extra flashlight.” He headed toward the pantry where the Brittons always kept theirs.
“Come on.” Amelia tugged impatiently on his hand. Excitement danced in her eyes. “I see you’ve recruited Jack to join us.”
At a trot, they followed the path from the house toward the creek. Lucas loosened his grasp on Amelia’s hand, but she grasped his tighter. The cool breeze hinted of fall. Wind chimes harmonized, their music floating across the fields. Frogs croaked, deep and low, like the bass in a jazz combo. Rustling corn whispered a lullaby. Scents of freshness and rich, dark earth mixed with hints of honeysuckle. As they drew near the creek, a symphony of sounds stirred around them while Jack ran on ahead, disappearing beneath the cover of draping tree branches.
“I want to show you something,” Amelia said. She slowed as they neared the wall of branches blocking the path to the creek.
Lucas pushed foliage aside, and Amelia stepped through to the shelter of an umbrella of greenery. He followed her into a creekside cocoon where Jack chased fireflies.
“Look.” Amelia lowered her chin, and she peered up at him shyly. “Here.” She pointed to a post on the bark of the ancient tree. It was old when they were kids, surviving years of changing seasons, creek flooding, and ice storms.
He leaned in closer for a better look, then focused a beam from the flashlight on the spot. Carved into the bark of the tree, an old wound, scarred and healed over, were the initials AB + LD encased in a heart.
“Amelia Britton plus Lucas Dwyer,” he whispered.
“I was fourteen.”
“We were both kids.”
“But I knew. Lucas. I knew I loved you.”
Lucas reached for her, pulling her close. Her breath hitched. When she relaxed, he folded his arms securely around her, joy folding around his heart. Holding her close, he rested his chin on top of her head. “I’ve waited a long time to say these words to you. I wanted the timing to be right.”
“Shhh.”
“I love you, Amelia. Only you.” He lifted her chin and kissed her nose before claiming her soft lips. Her arms circled his neck, and she clung to him as her kisses turned deeper, more urgent.