Pursuing Sarah (Sarah Series Book 2)

by Julieann Dove

  “Are you?”

  I looked at her. That white hair represented too much knowledge. Too much truth. She was better than any life coach I’d ever spoken to, and she didn’t have formal schooling, just the school of hard knocks. And sometimes that’s worth more than formal education.

  “I’m fine with it. I’m great with my life. It’s so complete. Me and Rose, and…” I paused, looking around at the table. Everyone talking, everyone smiling. Marta engaged in conversation with Nancy, Carol holding hands with diner boy, Robena’s hand resting on Jacob’s leg while he lit up, talking puppy breeds. And all that waited at home for me was a house. An empty one until Rose came home to fill it. And soon, thirteen years from now, she’d be leaving and embarking on her own life. To maybe stumble onto the fact I’ve lied to her about her dad. Or worse, she wouldn’t have the courage to leave because she feels sorry I’m alone. But I had thirteen years to find someone, right? By then I’m sure there’d be a new batch of people moving into Calvert. One of them had to be decent, single, and attracted to liars and single mothers. I sighed. Who knew an eighty-year-old broad could put you in your place at her own surprise birthday party?

  “I’m truly fine.” I patted her wrinkled hand and smiled.

  After all the hugs, waves, and empty promises of seeing them soon, I walked toward the side street off King. As I figured, there was no parking when I arrived with moments to spare for the birthday party. I’d found a compact spot on Deacon, two blocks down from the restaurant. I smirked at a few couples I’d passed on the way to my car. Sappy little people, holding hands, walking with purpose to a place where they’d eat together, talk about their day together, plan the next day together. For crying out loud, Carol even left the party holding hands with diner boy. Maybe I needed to go find a crowded diner. Squeeze into the booth next to some stranger, assure them I wasn’t…

  I stopped walking. Stopped the play-by-play in my mind about futuristic plans to find a mate. Sam was leaning on the driver’s side of my rental car. His hands were in his pockets. He was wearing light-gray pants and a button-down white shirt; the sleeves were folded up a quarter higher than his wrists. He’d shaven; I could see the shine on his cheeks. The closer I got, I could smell the taunting aftershave I imagined him slapping his face with after he was finished. The one I’d smell while kissing him goodnight after we were married. How nice that memory was.

  “Hey.”

  “Uh, hey. What in the world are you doing here?” I looked around as if someone else was going to appear. Elves…Santa…the Tooth Fairy. Really? Sam?

  “Believe me, it took a few times around the block and up King to find your car. Luckily I knew what it looked like from our stalker moment earlier.”

  I chuckled. “Yeah, that was certainly a moment.”

  “So, I was wondering. How would you like to go for a drink?”

  I could hear that eighty-year-old lady in my head, telling me that one doesn’t forgive so easily when they find out they have a child and aren’t told about it. Then I heard Liz in my other ear, telling me you only have one life. Have a little fun. And what could the harm be in one drink?

  Not the drink I thought it’d be. Sam told me to follow him in my car. When we’d gotten past the city limits, I had that sinking feeling I needed to veer off and cash in my plane ticket and go home. Where I belonged. But still I drove. To another plane. His private one.

  “Sam,” I called out as I got closer to where he stood, handing a guy a paper and set of keys. He reached out for the ones I was holding.

  “Sam, you said a drink.”

  “Yeah, I know the best winery. You’re going to love it. I found it a year ago when they hired my company to consult on expanding their brand.”

  “Uh…” He handed my keys to the gentleman and reached out to escort me up the set of stairs to the plane. “Yeah, but I thought we were going around the corner, not lifting off into the air.”

  “Come on, Sarah. Have a little adventure once in a while. You said you were in no rush to get home.”

  “Yeah, but…”

  “Sit down, enjoy the ride. We’ll be there in a couple of hours.”

  “A couple of hours?”

  “That’ll give us a chance to catch up.”

  I sat back in the leather chair, buckled my seat belt, and took a deep breath. What have I gotten into now? And was Robena ever going to tell me she told me so by the morning.

  I’d successfully squirmed, grabbed hold of the back of my neck until I felt whiplashed from the action, and bit a groove into my bottom lip. Avoiding the past five years of life was like walking a tightrope without feet.

  “I can’t believe you’re a counselor. I would’ve guessed chef of your own restaurant. Something like Sarah’s Bistro. I can smell it now, coming from the kitchen…that macaroni and cheese Sophie would’ve given up her stuffed rabbit for.”

  I laughed. “Nope. I cook for friends only. I forgot how much you guys loved that dish. It was the buttery crackers on top you all liked. Or maybe the dash of nutmeg sprinkled on top.”

  “Good friends?”

  “Yeah. I have a few I’d consider calling if my house was burning down and I couldn’t get a hold of the fire department. They wouldn’t hesitate to bring over a garden hose, watering can, or whatever they had that’d do the job.”

  “That’s good. I worried about you.”

  “Worried? About me? Was that before or after Gennifer left?” I said it without thinking.

  He sat, stoic, for a second. “I know you don’t think I cared about you, Sarah, but you’re wrong. I called for months. You didn’t answer. And after your dad died, I just gave you space. I didn’t want to rub salt into any wounds.”

  “And that’s when Gennifer moved in?”

  He cracked his neck, obviously uncomfortable with going back to that time. “Yes. I thought for Sophie’s sake, it was a good idea to have some sort of semblance of a family. And she told me she was homeless after ending it with Bill. I couldn’t have Sophie’s mother living on the streets.”

  We could agree on Sophie getting a mom. Just not the wolf prancing around in sheep’s clothing part of the story.

  He swirled the ice in his glass and continued. “Gennifer didn’t want to tell the girls right away that she was Sophie’s mom. She thought it’d give them problems in the future. You know, like why she denied her, how the other girls would feel not being my biological child and now living there with us…maybe they’d feel slighted.” He shook his head and stared at the table with my drink pooling water. “It was foolish on my part. But in the end, it worked out for Gennifer. Bill took her back.”

  “Did you suggest the breakup?”

  “Yeah. It was evident she didn’t treat Sophie as an equal, and she and I were butting heads all the time. She was so self-absorbed.”

  “I could’ve told you that.”

  He looked up at me. There was a sadness in his eyes. A loneliness. Years of lonely. I recognized them compared to the ones that looked at me every morning in my mirror.

  I stretched. It was totally fake. I did the long sigh, too. “Sam, I shouldn’t have got on this plane. What are we doing?”

  “We’re two old friends going for a ride to drink some amazing wine.”

  “A ride? By the time we get there, it’s going to be closed.”

  “They have late hours. And I called ahead. The owners are friends. They know we’re coming.”

  “Then we go back, right? I don’t have any of my belongings with me. We have to go back tonight.”

  The sooner the better. I didn’t figure on still feeling a flutter when I was so close to him.

  “Of course. If you want.”

  If I want? What was he implying? In no one’s sight was there even a glimpse of that ship that’d sailed. Nowhere.

  It was certainly dark by the time we made it down the steps of the plane. Sam arranged to have a car waiting for us. We drove the half hour to the winery that we’d already flown hours to
get to. And the entire time I’m asking myself at what point did I think this was ever a good idea. A few times, I caught myself looking at his mouth while he was talking. Remembering what those lips tasted like, remembering what it felt to have him hold me. And then I’d take a deep breath and think about Rose. And how these two worlds could never collide. I needed to just get through this.

  “Penny for your thoughts.”

  I looked at the building we had just pulled up to. The parking lot seemed full.

  “You were serious when you said they kept late hours.”

  “That’s not exactly what I thought was on your mind.”

  I glanced in his direction, not wanting to get caught in his stare. “I’m not really thinking anything.”

  “Okay.” He pulled for the door handle and got out.

  I waited for him to come to my side. Sam was a gentleman through and through. Something I missed, along with the ease of our touch. Now when I grazed him, I felt on guard.

  “After you.” He held out his arm.

  “This must be some great wine.”

  “It’s the company that’s most important, not the wine.”

  “And yet we flew all the way here to take a taste.”

  We were met by the proprietors, Tom and Kate. They were a cute couple…he was taller than all of us, and he sported a sexy mustache. Kate was demure and quiet, but seemed genuinely happy to see us. Her hand was chilly and soft when it shook mine. Tom ushered us to a large room with a center bar. High tables were spaced equally around it. Tiny candles lit the centers and sputtered shadows on the surface. Kate’s smile was contagious as she set down two napkins and poured from a dark bottle. I listened to Tom talk to Sam; they were going over production of some things Sam suggested last time he was here.

  “It’s by far the best advice you had, Sam. Our revenue tripled. Just look, they’re down there now. I’ve got the DJ, the caterer, and the planner all on staff. I’ve never been busier.”

  Kate rolled her eyes at me and tucked her raven hair behind her ear. “Always business. I apologize.”

  “No, it’s okay.”

  “Forgive him. He’s just excited about our new wedding service.”

  I looked out the window where he pointed to Sam. A large white tent was sprawled in the open pasture down the hill. Lights flickered in the distance and silhouettes of couples danced under the full moon. It was gorgeous. A postcard, even. I could’ve stared out the window all night watching the movements.

  “How long have you owned the winery?”

  She looked over at Tom. “How long have we been here now, honey? Six years?”

  “Yeah, we’re on seven come Christmas.”

  “Oh, I wasn’t expecting such a short time. It’s amazing. Not that I’ve been to many wineries, but this is so nice.” I looked over at the large bar in the middle of the room—the rustic wood carvings on the edging and stool legs.

  “Well, it’s our first. We moved here from Portland. Tom was an attorney, and I worked in public service. And one day, we just looked around and wanted to get out of there. Do something different.”

  Tom stared out the window at the wedding festivities. I’m not sure he was even hearing Kate. He seemed transfixed by what was going on on the other side of the window pane.

  “Well, the wine is wonderful.” I took a sip from the glass they gave me.

  “That was the easy part. The previous owners had everything up and ready. A few of their long-standing employees stayed on to make the transition even better. They take care of most of the technical wine stuff. The house, on the other hand, had to be gutted. You know,” she touched my hand tenderly, “in order to make it our own. And then, of course, I wanted to expand our services, and that’s where we found Sam and his consulting firm. He gave us the wedding platform. We’re completely booked this summer. It’s a well-run machine. Isn’t it, honey?”

  Tom turned around. “I’m sorry, what?”

  “Nothing.” Kate’s smile disappeared and she excused herself. “I’ve got to check on something. I’ll be right back.”

  Sam turned to me and met my gaze. He had a way of talking to me with his eyes. Precisely why I evaded his stare.

  “Let’s go and see what your mastermind has done, shall we, Sam? Please bring your glass of wine, Sarah.”

  I got up with my wine and followed the two men down to the white tent. I slipped off my shoes and carried them halfway. The grass was cool on my feet. There was a freshness to the air, and the sound of the music was magical against the starry sky. I could’ve laid in the grass and gotten lost in my thoughts staring at that sky. As we got closer, I could make out people’s faces. Everyone was smiling, laughing, or dancing. Little people ran around the tables, a few teenagers snuck their fingers in the cake icing and licked, with eyes rolling in the backs of their heads. The DJ wore headphones and did the Overbite with some groove in his hips. I saw the bride smiling at the groom—a look of bliss I’d felt once before in my life.

  “Excuse me, my pilot is calling me.”

  “Of course,” Tom said.

  “Did you ever take the plunge, Sarah?” He nodded toward the tent.

  “Awhile ago, but we’re not together anymore. And you?” Evidently he didn’t know the situation with Sam, and I didn’t see a ring on his finger, but wondered where Kate fit in. As I’m sure she might feel the need to wonder, too, seeing her body language toward him.

  He shuffled his feet and cleared his throat. “Once, a long time ago.”

  “Ah, you too? I suppose you might share in the theory with me that the second time better be the charm? Because I know I’m never doing it again if number two is a bust.”

  He shrugged. “I’m not so sure there will be a second time. That ship has sailed.”

  “Even I’m not that cynical. And you’ve got the perfect place to do it. This is majestic.”

  “I’m not cynical, just realistic. The time for me to marry again has passed. That’s for young, foolish lovers. The ones who care very little to take chances.”

  “Not cynical, huh? And age is just a number. It could happen again for you. Kate seems very settled here.”

  He stroked his moustache. “I think the time has passed for me to be young and foolish, Sarah.”

  Sam joined us. “That was Phil. He said when they were going over the plane, there was a problem with the back propeller. They’re working on it, but the main mechanic won’t be back until the morning.”

  “What does this mean?” My hand dropped to my side.

  “Well, I think if we don’t want to take a chance with getting forty thousand feet high and losing the ability to stay that way, we might want to consider staying over.”

  “Sam, you told me we’d go right back. I don’t have any of my things with me.”

  “My house is under construction, or I’d invite you to stay. Kate has every room like a war zone, painting the walls or knocking them down. She got the itch when we redid the winery.”

  “That’s okay. I don’t expect you to put us up. This is unscheduled. Do you know of any hotels nearby?”

  “There’s one down off the interstate, but I’m sure with this wedding it’s booked. Not much goes on here, so there isn’t any need in having more than one major chain.” He rubbed his chin. “Say, I’ve got a room upstairs at the winery. It’s got an oversized couch. I sleep there sometimes when I work over and it’s late. It’s actually more comfortable than my bed. You’re welcome to it. It’s not much.”

  I looked at Sam. One couch? In Maine? I just had to say yes to that drink, didn’t I? I’d only spoken to Rose this morning. My phone was on its last twenty-five percent of life, and I needed to tell her goodnight. How would that happen in a room with one couch and Sam? In Maine!

  “How about inns? Do you have any of them around here?” I was pulling at straws.

  “There’s one off Route 56, but she’s squirrely after nine. No one gets in without a key. We had a mishap six months ago with a deranged m
an off the interstate. He went into the other inn we had and shot the keeper. It was on all the networks. I wanted to prosecute, but I’m not board certified here, and Kate tries to keep me away from all things legal.”

  “That’s terrible.” I grabbed my mouth.

  “Hence why we only have one inn and she’s a little crazy about security. I can’t blame her, I guess.”

  “So Kate doesn’t like the law profession?” I took the last sip in my glass and dug my toes in the lush grass.

  “She likes it. She just tries to keep me relaxed. I had a heart attack before we moved here. I told her it wasn’t the job. Heart problems run in my family.”

  “Scary stuff.”

  “Yeah, well, I’m fine now. All this space is the opposite of tension.”

  “If you’re serious about the room, I’d appreciate it. It seems like the only thing available tonight, and Sarah can use it.”

  “What about you?” I asked.

  “I’ll find somewhere to stretch out. You’ve got some leather chairs in the lobby, right, Tom?” He tapped him on the arm.

  “Yeah, but I can’t promise you’ll wake up with a moving neck.”

  “It’s all good.”

  “Well, I’ll go and tell Kate you’re staying.”

  “Thanks, Tom.”

  Tom trailed back up to the building, and I turned around to watch the party under the tent. The bride and groom were beginning their lives, and had so much to look forward to. I wished I could go back to that day. I couldn’t even remember half of what I was thinking at that moment. Knowing what I know now, I wonder what I’d have done differently. It didn’t matter. My fate with Sam was sealed. Why was I here now?

  “Oh my gosh. Sarah, this is the song that was playing at the retirement party we went to. Remember?” He held out his arm. “Dance with me.”

  “Sam, I don’t think—”

  He took my hand and pulled me close. I closed my eyes and absorbed what it felt to be close to him again. How secure his arms made me feel. How his breath sounded in my ears. My body swayed as a breeze blew my hair. Dinah Washington was singing and it was as if we’d stepped back in time.