by Rula Sinara
“You’d hate her if she made you choose,” Sophie said before he could answer. “Not at first, maybe, but eventually.”
“Maybe she won’t ask me to choose.”
“Sam...”
The doubt in her voice swirled in his head and settled deep in his heart.
“Classic catch-22 scenario, if ever there was one,” he said. “Choose the road, and miss her enough to mess up my performance. Stay in Nashville and end up resenting her.”
“What if she sold the diner, and you brought her out here? She’d have so much family around, there wouldn’t be time to miss you while you’re on the road. We’d make sure of it!”
Now, there was something he hadn’t considered.
“Or...you could always learn to miss her less, through phone calls, texts, FaceTime chats.”
“Which philosopher said, ‘that’s a poor imitation, at best?’”
“You’re asking me? I barely squeaked a C out of my English lit class.” Sophie laughed but got serious to add, “You’re pretty sure, then, that she’ll make you choose...her or the record deal.”
“When it comes to Finn Leary, the only thing I am sure of is that I’m crazy about her.”
“Sounds to me like you just solved your own problem.”
“I did?”
“I know talking isn’t exactly a strong suit among the Marshall men, but talking to her is the only way you’re going to find out for sure.”
“Gee. I knew that much when I called you. Fat lotta help you’ve been.”
“You’re welcome.”
He heard the smile in her voice. “I didn’t say thank you. Yet.”
“Oh, but you will.”
“Oh, I will, will I?”
“Think about it—Finn might be scared to death of making a lifelong commitment to a musician, but if she loves you, really loves you, she’ll move heaven and earth to make things work.”
Sam nodded as understanding dawned. “Because she moves heaven and earth to take care of Ciara. And her dad. And every employee at The Right Note. Even her mother, who isn’t exactly easy to love.”
“And that’s the stuff you need to concentrate on while you’re pitching your idea.”
“My idea?”
“What would you call it?”
Sam wasn’t sure, exactly. He smiled as that idea began to take shape in his mind. If he laid down those cards in the right order, it might just be the right thing...for everyone.
Either that, or he’d have to go to Aggie, hat in hand, and admit she was right.
Because if he asked Finn to put her trust in him while he was on the road, and she said no, it would mean she didn’t love him.
And that would break his heart.
CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE
“I WISH YOU’D come with me.”
“Much as I’d like to meet your family and see the Double M, I just can’t. Dr. Peterson says it’s too soon for Ciara to fly, for one thing. Air pressure, you know?”
And, Sam guessed, Finn was no doubt concerned about what might happen if she left Connor and the diner unattended for a long weekend.
“I understand. Believe me, if I could get out of this shindig...”
“Don’t even think about it. Your cousin is counting on you. And I’m sure the whole Marshall family is looking forward to seeing you. How long has it been?”
When she smiled up at him that way, it was all Sam could do to concentrate. “Couple months, give or take.”
“Well, speaking as someone who doesn’t have much family, I’ll think you’re certifiable if you don’t go. Because if they’re half as sweet and caring as you...”
Fingers to her lips, she made an oops face, as if she regretted saying even that much. Seemed to Sam they were both certifiable, since neither of them could ratchet up the courage to say what was on their minds.
“Call me when you get there, so I’ll know you made it safely.”
“I’ll call every day.”
They’d shared some pretty hot kisses—a few initiated by Finn—so her shy smile puzzled him.
“But I’ll wait until you’ve closed up shop, and the kids are tucked in for the night. So you won’t have to watch every word. You know?”
She laughed. “Wonder how Connor and Ciara would feel about being called kids.”
“They’d agree...if they’re honest.”
And if he was honest, he’d tell her every detail of Bernie’s offer, and that he loved her so much he was giving serious thought to walking away from the deal.
“You know,” she said softly, “I think I’m going to miss you.”
“You know, I might just miss you a little bit, too.”
He wanted to hug her, wanted to kiss the stuffing out of her. So his hesitation didn’t make a lick of sense. He’d said the words to other women. Shouldn’t it be easier to say it now that he was older and wiser...and meant it?
“Heard from Misty?” Coward, he chided himself, hiding behind her absent mother.
“No, not a peep. But that’s Misty for you. Here today, gone tomorrow. I’ll hear from her when she needs something, or she’ll turn up when she gets into trouble. And as usual, I’ll help any way I can.” She frowned, then added, “Bet you think I’m crazy, or stupid—or both!—bailing her out all the time.”
“No, I think you’re Finn Leary.” Sam cupped her chin in his palm. “And Finn Leary doesn’t know any other way to be.”
She stood on tiptoe and kissed his cheek. Too bad she hadn’t aimed a bit left, Sam thought, to kiss his lips instead.
Tapping his temple with her fingertip, she said, “You’re sweet. A tad tetched, but with a heart as big as your head.”
“Thanks. I think.” He ran a hand through his hair. “Well, my flight leaves in a couple of hours, so I’d better hit the road.”
“I’ll say a little prayer that you’ll have a safe flight.”
Sophie said stuff like that all the time, and so did his mom. But Finn was the first non–family member who’d prayed for his safety, and he had no idea how to respond to that.
Just as he grasped the doorknob, she said, “Have a good time, and send pictures if you can. You know how Ciara loves weddings!”
Yeah, he sure did. Half a dozen times, he’d caught himself grinning dopily, picturing the way she’d blushed and fidgeted when Ciara described her dream about the yellow dress and white daisies.
“I don’t want to say goodbye. Is that silly, or what?”
No woman had ever gotten teary eyed when he left her, not even family members.
“It’s just four days.”
She lifted one shoulder daintily, and a lone tear tracked down her cheek.
Sam put the bag down and took her in his arms, and this time, he kissed her like he meant business. If he missed his plane, well, he’d just have to catch another.
He took a half step back and pressed forefinger to her lips. “These are mine,” he whispered. “Just thought you oughta know.”
Lashes fluttering, her mouth formed a tiny O, and she hid it behind one hardworking hand and nodded.
Be a man. Be a man and say it, for cryin’ out loud!
Rowdy burst through the door and muscled a big box into the storeroom. “Hey, you two. What’s up?”
“I’m leaving for Denver,” Sam said. “Doing the best man thing at my cousin’s wedding.”
“Oh, yeah? Enjoy,” the big guy said. “Didn’t realize they’d finally set a date.”
“Yeah...”
“Guess that means you’ll stay out there for a couple of weeks? Do the whole ‘Thanksgiving with family’ thing instead of going back and forth?”
“Nah. I’ll be back,” he said, looking at Finn. Sam met Rowdy’s eyes again. “Do m
e a favor?”
“If I can...”
“Watch over this one for me, will ya?”
Not exactly the proclamation of love she deserved, Sam thought, hurrying to the parking lot, but it was a start.
While Sam sat at the gate waiting to board the plane, his cell phone buzzed.
“Sam. It’s Bernie. Got a minute?”
“I’m at the airport, and they’re about to start boarding the plane...”
“Then, I’ll cut to the chase. Have you had enough thinking-about-it time yet?”
“You didn’t get my messages? I’ll be out of town. In Denver. I’m best man at my cousin’s wedding.”
“When do you get back?”
“Monday afternoon.”
“Then, let’s meet for coffee on Tuesday morning. My office. Ten o’clock. Oh. And here’s a little something to mull over while you’re way out West—you’re not the only cowboy in the rodeo, y’know?”
Yeah, he knew. Funny, but that didn’t sting nearly as much as he’d expected it to.
Maybe because, unlike so many other desperate-to-sign performers, Sam had a fulfilling job to fall back on. A place to perform—and get paid for it—any time he pleased. And that parting moment at The Right Note, when Finn’s big eyes had flashed “I love you” so loudly he could almost hear it.
Why, with all that in mind, it hardly stung at all.
* * *
“OH, WOW, ISN’T that the most beautiful gown ever?”
The sisters huddled on the couch, scrolling through the wedding pictures Sam had texted Finn. The dress wasn’t Finn’s style, but Eden certainly made a lovely bride in the drop-waist ball gown.
“Sam says it’s the same dress her mother wore,” she told Ciara.
“The veil, too?”
“He didn’t say. But you know how guys are.”
Connor, standing behind them in the foyer, harrumphed. “Yeah, we don’t pay attention to ruffles and lace. And all that pomp and circumstance for a three-hour party seems like a big, fat waste of money to me.”
“But, Dad,” Ciara said, “a girl only gets married once.”
“Unless her name is Misty.”
She exhaled a long, soft sigh and leaned her head on Finn’s shoulder. “Do you think a girl like me could ever get married?”
Finn glanced at Connor, and he mouthed, You take this one...
“What do you mean...a girl like you?”
“You know, with all my brain issues. I’m not very smart. And I’m kinda clumsy. And then there’s this thing.” She traced the ropelike scar that followed her hairline. “Not exactly the sexiest package a guy could buy.”
She punctuated the statement with a quiet giggle, but Finn heard no humor in it.
“Not a word of what you just said is true. You are smart. And pretty. Sweet as pumpkin pie. And who tripped over her own feet and nearly did a header in the diner this morning?”
“You did.”
“And who cuts corners too sharp,” Connor put in, “all the time, and rams his shoulders into door frames?”
“You do.”
“See there? You’re no clumsier than most people.”
“Either that,” Finn countered, “or clumsy runs in the Leary family.”
They all had a good laugh, and then Connor sat on the other side of Ciara. “Any man worth his salt will see what a gem you are, and he’ll snap you up in a heartbeat.”
“Yeah, well, I don’t hear any snapping going on.”
“Why this sudden interest in finding a husband?” Finn asked.
“Because one of these days, Sam is going to work up the courage to ask you to marry him.”
A loud, strange giggle popped from her mouth. “Marry him! We’ve never even been out on an official date!”
“Only because you can’t go anywhere without dragging your dumb, klutzy sister along...”
Connor slid an arm across her shoulders. “First of all, Finn is right—you’re not dumb, and you’re not klutzy. And second, I’m sure the reason she takes you everywhere is because she enjoys your company.”
Finn nodded. “That’s one hundred percent true.”
“So, then, when you and Sam get married, will you move into a real house?”
“Probably not. I like living here above the diner.” Finn counted on her fingers. “No rush-hour traffic getting to and from work, no worrying about finding a parking space, no lunches to pack...”
“Finn, stop! You just don’t get it! I want a place of my own, and a boyfriend who’ll want to become my husband. I want to be a mom someday, too—not like Misty, but a good mom, who loves her kids and takes care of them, even when it isn’t easy, the way you’ve always taken care of me.” She looked at Connor, then back at Finn. “And I want to know if you guys think I’ll ever have any of that...or if I’m going to become a grumpy, lonely old lady like Aggie.”
Connor drew her into a fatherly hug. “Aw, sweetie, I wish you could see yourself the way I see you. Because if you could, you’d know what a treasure you are.” He kissed her temple. “You’re just a kid. Don’t be in such a hurry to grow up.”
“I’m not a kid, Dad. I’ll be twenty-three in a few weeks. Twenty-three and I’ve never even been on a date with a guy!”
“When you get my age—”
“See? You don’t get it.” She leaped up and ran to her room. “You just don’t get it!”
The door banged shut, and Connor winced. “Think I should go in there?”
“No, let’s give her a few minutes alone.”
“I’ve never seen her get mad before, have you?”
“No, at least not to that degree.” She patted his hand. “Maybe it’s a good thing.”
“That she’s stomping around, slamming doors, fussing and fuming? How’s that a good thing?”
“This fascination with weddings and gowns and veils... That’s totally new. So maybe her tantrum is a sign that she’s catching up with her life in other ways, too. Getting angry once in a while is perfectly normal.”
“She wouldn’t have to catch up if I hadn’t gotten plastered that night.” He held up a hand. “Sorry, didn’t mean to go all Misty on you.” He grinned a bit at his little joke. “Seriously, this isn’t about me. Or your mother. It’s about Ciara.” He sighed. “Maybe you’re right, and all she needs is time and patience.”
“And a dad who loves her so much that he’ll never leave her again?”
“That, too.” He scooted closer and drew Finn into a hug. “You deserve that, too, you know.”
“Yeah, because if Ciara is right about Sam, I’m going to want you to walk me down the aisle.”
“You won’t make me wear a top hat and tails, will you?”
“No way.”
“Or a cummerbund and one of those ruffled shirts?”
“Absolutely not.”
“I can wear my boots?”
“I’d be disappointed if you didn’t.”
He leaned his head on hers. “It’s a shame Misty isn’t here. These are the kinds of things a girl should talk about with her mom, not her crusty old dad.”
“Oh, don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re not crusty.”
“I’m not all that old, either, but I digress. I haven’t been there for you girls in a long, long time. But I’m here now. Here to stay, for good.” He chuckled. “Don’t worry, not here, because in a couple weeks, I’ll have enough in the bank to get a place of my own. There’s a place for rent in walking distance from here, did you see?”
“No, I didn’t.”
“Top floor of the coffee shop. It isn’t real big, but it’s clean and furnished.”
“You’re just fifty-five. Don’t be in such a hurry to get out on your own.”
“You’re hilarious.” He held up one finger. “Say, something just occurred to me... Torry’s leaving for California in a few days to audition for some movie role. He’ll be gone a couple weeks, and the club won’t have a comic to fill in between sets...”
“It appears that clumsy and funny runs in the Leary family.”
Her cell phone buzzed.
“Another message from Sam? How many does that make today?”
“I’m not sure.” Finn intended to read the text later, in private. “Ten or twelve. But some of them were pictures of the wedding, don’t forget, so they don’t count, since they were more for Ciara than me.”
“Three. Three were pictures.”
Finn smiled and held the phone to her chest, remembering Sam’s running commentary on Nate and Eden’s wedding vows. The silly joke his uncle had shared. The art of dancing with a tiny niece balanced on the toes of his cowboy boots. How his sister, Sophie, had nearly given her cousin a concussion, jumping up to catch the bride’s bouquet...and how he’d caught the garter. Uh-oh, he’d typed. You know what that means...
Connor snapped his fingers. “Earth to Finn...”
“Sorry. Guess my mind wandered a bit.”
“A bit? More like it wandered all the way out to Denver.”
“I should probably check on Ciara.”
“Yeah, but first tell your old dad the truth. Do you love him?”
She nodded and felt a little like the fuzzy brown dachshund statue that rode in the back window of Pete’s Oldsmobile. What was it about Sam that made her feel like a goofy, mush-brained girl?
“Well, do you?” Connor pressed.
“Yeah, I do.”
“Then, you need to tell him.”
Finn only shrugged.
“So you’re not going to tell him.”
Another shrug.
“What are you afraid of?”
“Nothing. Everything.” She turned to face him. “What if I’ve been misreading his cues, and every sweet gesture was nothing but the by-product of his thoughtful personality? And what if I make a commitment, and he leaves me to tour the country?”
“You want to know what I think?”
Finn waited for him to continue.