Sweet Summer

by Reina M. Williams

  He and Minnie tucked into their food, but Mrs. G continued, “As to Nora and Cutler’s wedding, Adam, I thought you could coordinate with Minnie and her aunt about the food and including something from Manning Ranch. Ana and Brandon are working on the reception venue, and you’ll need to meet with them at some point as well. I’m handling the ceremony details. That’s why I need extra hands on the reception. Though Minnie and Irene are more than capable alone, I thought getting as many of Cutler’s brothers involved would make the event more memorable for the families.”

  He nodded, though he wondered if that were really all Mrs. G had in mind. Seemed to him she was pushing the whole him and Minnie thing a bit more than necessary. Knowing they’d been involved, and that Minnie had turned down his proposal, he thought Mrs. G wouldn’t throw them together so much. Unless she knew something he didn’t.

  Minnie wiped her mouth. “Excuse me,” she said and went toward the hall.

  He turned to watch her, then took a breath of relief that she hadn’t just up and left the café. But why would she? He shook his head. “What’s going on, Mrs. G?”

  The older woman finished her bite of food. She looked at him, her eyes sparkling with mischief. “Going on? Far as I know, young man, we’re talking over summer plans. And I’m marshalling your much-needed help for the holiday tomorrow.”

  “First, I’m not so young. Forty this year, you know.”

  “Young to me, if you must nitpick.”

  He couldn’t help the grin that broke out at the woman’s pushback. He couldn’t get by with much on Mrs. G. But neither would he let her meddle in his life, as he suspected she’d been doing in his brother’s lives, and who knew who else’s.

  “Second,” he continued, refusing to drop the topic, “your summer plans seem to include some matchmaking.”

  “You know me.”

  “Yes, and that’s why I’m asking. I don’t want Minnie hurt.”

  “Neither do I, Adam. So, we’re in agreement.”

  “But—”

  “In agreement about what?” Minnie said from behind him.

  He busied himself with his food. There’d be no answers now. He couldn’t grill Mrs. G in front of Minnie.

  “Well?” Minnie said, sitting down again. “Have you been making plans without me?”

  “Of course not,” Mrs. G said while Adam took another bite of his burger. His appetite wasn’t what it had been when he’d sat down.

  “Then what was that about?” Minnie persisted.

  He wished she’d been so persistent about their relationship. Shifting in his seat, he pushed back against the grief leftover from the loss of Minnie, of what he’d dreamed with her. He’d believed he was over it—that she’d broken their engagement—but it kept biting him again, like a mosquito you thought you’d swatted down in the dark of a humid night.

  “You,” he said. If he could kick himself in the rear just now, he would.

  Minnie’s eyes widened and she looked in turn at each of them.

  “Me? What about me?”

  For that, he had no answer.

  Chapter Three

  “I wouldn’t expect the two of you to be talking about anyone behind their back,” Minnie said. She hadn’t meant it to sound so serious, but in the silence following her question, the constriction of how she’d hurt Adam wound around her. She couldn’t bear hurting anyone, especially not someone she loved.

  Touching her throat, she tried to force out words to blot out those she’d just spoken, but didn’t succeed.

  “Adam and I were only saying we want you to be happy. I think he’s concerned I’m putting too much work on you, isn’t that right, Adam?” Mrs. G touched Minnie’s hand but glared at Adam, whose square jawline reddened.

  “Yes, pretty much, in so many words,” he said.

  “Thanks for your concern, but I like to work.” It kept her from feeling that empty place that signaled something was missing in her life. Because then she just missed Adam, but it had been too long since they’d been together, and she was too unsure of his feelings, and her own.

  “I know,” he said. “Hope you’ll let me help is all.”

  “Of course.” Though he’d been caring before, his apology and being open about wanting to help were new. The gestures touched a place in her she hadn’t felt in a long time, and opened a window there as well, letting in new possibilities.

  He rubbed his hand along his jaw. The color had moved into his cheeks. He was embarrassed, but why? The Minnie she’d been would’ve just moved on. But maybe it was time to actually talk about feelings and more. But not in front of Mrs. G.

  “Now,” Mrs. G said. “Your food’s gone cold, and I think you’ve got your directives for today—lots to do tomorrow. Minnie, why don’t you and Adam go get a treat at Las Tres Hermanas bakery?”

  Minnie laughed, releasing some of the tension in her throat. “We don’t need dessert, Mrs. G.”

  “Indulge me?” Mrs. G said. “Besides, you could pick up some of the pies they’re donating and bring them here. They don’t have enough space to store them all.”

  Adam shook his head, but his grin was in evidence. Minnie shrugged.

  “Since you are getting up there,” Minnie said, then laughed at Mrs. G’s mock glare.

  “Go on with you,” Mrs. G said, pulling a ten out of her pocket.

  “Put away your money, Mrs. G. I’ve got it,” Adam said. “You know what Grandma Bonham would say.”

  Adam’s grandma and Mrs. G had been good friends, and Grandma Bonham had been old-fashioned and wouldn’t approve of Adam accepting dinner and an extra treat.

  “I know.” Mrs. G patted his shoulder as she walked away. “You two enjoy your evening. Just bring the pies in and Lorna will take care of it.” Everyone pitched in for the parade.

  “Thanks,” Minnie said. She met Adam’s gaze. That he kept looking at her at odd times with those deep blue eyes of his made her almost jump up with the discomfort, and excitement, of what it could mean. “Guess we should go. The bakery closes in an hour.”

  “Got it. I’ll get you there.” He stood and strode around to pull out her chair as she rose, coming so close she could almost taste his minty, fresh straw scent. That made her think of his kisses. He used to chew a piece of straw while he worked, and the grassy earthiness mixed with his minty cleanliness had done something to her, something wonderful, something uniquely Adam Manning. Of course, it wasn’t just his kisses, but how safe she’d felt with him, how at home. She hadn’t felt that since, and she missed the feeling. She’d missed him.

  “Shall we?” he asked, breaking into her thoughts and touching her elbow gently, as if he’d guide her out, or wherever she wanted to go.

  She nodded and led them outside. The heat of the evening hit her and she dabbed at her forehead.

  “Remember that time my cousins came out to the ranch and we ran in the sprinklers with them?” Adam asked as they walked down Main Street to Willow.

  “Yes, and then we had a picnic by the pond. Is that old willow still there?” Back then, she’d thought she and Adam would be together forever. But she’d been too afraid, of getting it wrong, of talking about feelings, of asking for help.

  “Yes. And I planted red rosebushes.”

  She glanced at him. Red roses were her favorites, especially the rambling, old-fashioned varieties. Usually she spoke out, but this was different. She didn’t want to ask him what his words meant, and whether he was still in love with her. As she suspected she was with him. But she wasn’t sure, not yet, and that was the problem. She needed to be sure, because she didn’t want to hurt him, or herself, or his family, again.

  “Sounds pretty. Oh, look at that,” she said, pointing to the flag bunting already out on the river boardwalk. “One thing off tomorrow’s checklist.”

  He walked silently beside her, probably seeing right through her blatant change of subject. The trees and bushes surrounding the river were in full summer dress, complementing the town’s holida
y décor. Careys’ General Store had their usual display of the hanging flag, and the window was chock full of summer gardening gear, an old-fashioned ice cream maker, and boxes of sparklers. She smiled; the hodgepodge displays at Careys’ reflected the nature of the old store.

  Her smile was short-lived on seeing the serious expression on Adam’s face. Then again, he wasn’t a happy-go-lucky type. He still had the weight of many responsibilities on his shoulders. His very broad shoulders.

  Rein it in, Min. It wasn’t helping her any to think of how attractive he was. And it wouldn’t help him, either. He was here for his brothers, that was all. Not for her.

  Except here he was, a month and more early for the wedding. And here they were, together.

  As they walked past Careys’ General Store, someone called, “Minnie!”

  Minnie turned to see her former high school English teacher, Mrs. Davis, bustle over. Outstretching her arms, she drew Minnie into a tight hug.

  “And is that Adam Manning?” Mrs. Davis said, keeping Minnie close.

  “Yes, ma’am. How are you?” Adam asked, holding out his hand to shake Mrs. Davis’s.

  “Fine, fine. None of that, now. How about a hug for this retired old lady?”

  Now his smile popped out, and so did the dimple in his left cheek. He encased Mrs. Davis in his arms. The woman pulled Minnie into his embrace with her, the sly thing. Why?

  Minnie swallowed down the heat that bubbled up from her core at being so close to Adam. It didn’t seem to matter to her body that it was a group hug, with her former teacher no less. But it mattered to her emotions, which popped around like an errant firecracker.

  Minnie moved out of the hug, and then so did Adam and Mrs. Davis.

  “Good to see the two of you,” Mrs. Davis said, with too much warmth on the last words, as if they were a couple again.

  “You too,” Adam said. “How’s retirement treating you?”

  “Wonderful. I’ve got my second wind. Or maybe it’s the third.”

  Adam chuckled and Minnie stepped away. Being this close to him, hearing his laugh again... Boy, did she need to cool off.

  Adam touched Minnie’s shoulder, making her start.

  “You okay?” he asked.

  “Just static electricity.” She was lying. It was the jolt of his touch, like it had been. The excitement of Adam Manning.

  “What’re you two up to this evening?” Mrs. Davis asked.

  “Supposed to be working on parade business,” Minnie said.

  “You two did work well together.” Mrs. Davis patted Minnie’s arm. Mrs. Davis would tell it like she saw it, regardless of any resulting awkwardness.

  But why should it be awkward between her and Adam? They’d been family friends for longer than they’d been engaged.

  “I’ll see you two at the parade tomorrow, then. I’m off to Careys’ to meet Kenny. He’s buying me a sundae before he has to leave town.” Mrs. Davis waved. She was the only one in town who called Loving’s mayor and bigwig landowner and businessman, Ken Taft, “Kenny.”

  Minnie and Adam waved back. Adam turned to her. “How about we cool off by the river after we drop off the pies? Do you still like to do that?”

  She and Adam had sometimes had dates here in Loving. In summer, they’d get ice creams and sit by the river under the shade of the trees.

  “Yep, I still like that.” They continued on, turning the corner to go to the bakery. Her steps lightened, but she tried to ground herself. This wasn’t a date and they weren’t together, not like they had been. Still, she could enjoy this moment.

  “What’s it like for you, living in town?” Adam asked, his voice low and serious.

  She wanted to make him smile. But she didn’t want to force it, either. “It’s been good. But often I walk the old cart road, so I can get a taste of what feels more like home.” That road bordered one of the ranches that began just outside of town.

  “You miss ranch life?”

  “Heck yeah.” Her vehement answer surprised her. Minnie tried to be adaptable and happy with whatever life gave her. Dad used to call her his lemonade girl, since she was a lifelong maker of sweetness out of life’s sour turns. But losing Dad and selling the family ranch had been the hardest thing she’d ever gone through, and it still made her sad. So did her mom’s death. But Minnie had been so young.

  She didn’t want to focus on her sadness. “How’s your ranch? Still happy there?”

  “It’s good. We’ve got staff and more ranch hands now, so I’ve got more freedom. But, I still do my chores every day. Daisy’s grandchildren are thriving, and I make sure they’re well-fed and happy.”

  Adam had let her adopt one of the calves when they’d been engaged, and she’d named her Daisy. She was touched he remembered and made a point of telling her, but she noticed he hadn’t said he was happy. But they’d reached the bakery, which sat in the center of the block on Riverwalk, just up the street from Aunt Irene’s.

  They went in and got the pies. Adam bought them iced coffees and her favorite peanut butter cookies without her even saying a word. He carried the pie boxes while she took their snack in hand.

  “You like working with your aunt?” Adam asked. She should’ve known he’d turn the conversation back to her.

  “Yes. Though I’m thinking about focusing on the internet side. For now, I do whatever needs doing, and sometimes help at the shop. We live above it, Aunt Irene and I. I had to sell the ranch.” Her voice dipped on the last words. She was tired of fighting her sadness, pushing it away. Tired of pretending it wasn’t Adam she wanted to talk to about her problems, and to feel at home and safe in his arms.

  “Hard decision?” His tone was gentle.

  They made their way along the sidewalk. Minnie watched her feet, plodding along.

  “Zaubermaus,” Adam said, stopping and placing his hand on her bicep.

  Magic mouse. He used to call her that. Alexander and the Magical Mouse was one of her childhood favorites; it had belonged to her mom before her. Her mother, who’d died shortly after her sister’s stillbirth, similar to how Adam’s mother had died after giving birth to his sister, who’d passed as well.

  “I still have that book,” she whispered.

  He gently caressed along Minnie’s bare arm. His touch both soothed and tingled. He set down the pies and took the bag and drinks from her, placing them on the nearby bench.

  She shook her head then leaned into him. She needed him. Encircling her in his arms, he seemed to enclose her in safety, making her know she was strong, strong enough to face the sadness. She’d already gone through the losses. This was scar tissue aching.

  “So much else is lost,” she said, her voice muffled by his shirt.

  So many lost years with Adam. Maybe she could’ve had him, and still been there for her dad. But at the time, she’d believed she needed to be there for her dad, newly diagnosed, and not for Adam and their relationship. She’d believed she couldn’t be the wife and more that Adam needed. So she’d broken it off with Adam, and devoted herself to caring for Dad and the ranch. Too late to change it. It was past.

  “Can I do anything for you,” he asked, fingering her hair, holding her to him.

  She shook her head, but made no move to break their embrace. He held on. Her body fit with his, their breathing synched, and she knew that truly, this—their love and support for each other—hadn’t changed.

  Then she pushed away and frowned. It was too soon. They didn’t even know each other anymore. She needed to make sure they would work together or she risked hurting them both by being too impulsive.

  In that moment, her heart beating near his, holding her close, she’d felt sure, but she’d felt sure accepting Adam’s proposal ten years before, because she hadn’t bothered thinking anything through.

  She managed one of her I’m okay smiles. “Is your life the same as it was?” she asked. The need to know who he was, if he were a different man than he’d been, surged through her.

  “No
. Aside from what I’ve told you, it’s not the same because you’re not in it. I’ve missed you, Min.” He picked up the pies.

  She blinked and took up the bag and drinks. His “I missed you” were words she’d woken in the middle of lonely nights longing to hear. Nights she’d grasped her phone, ready to call Adam. But, invariably, Dad would start coughing and need her, or she’d decide she should get going on the day’s chores, or it’d be time to be up and getting ready for work, or taking an early-morning walk.

  “I missed you, too.” She wished he’d clasp her hand, but they both had their hands full again. And that had been part of the issue between them. Both their lives had been so full, so busy, there hadn’t been room to give each other the kind of time and commitment Minnie had felt their marriage deserved. She wondered now if she’d made the right choice. “Would you have waited for me, Adam?”

  “I’d wait forever for you.”

  A customer opened the door and Adam walked into Gallagher’s to drop off the pies. Minnie stood still, stunned and touched by Adam’s words. She’d misjudged things so much back then, thinking she knew best without even thinking. Could she trust herself to do what was best now?

  Chapter Four

  Adam exited Gallagher’s, rejoining Minnie. “Let me take those,” he said to her. She blinked and he took the coffees and bag. She had that deer-in-the-headlights look again. He let out a breath as they walked toward the river. At least it was all out in the open.

  Or was it?

  It wasn’t. That had been a problem between them: assumptions. Minnie liked to talk, and he didn’t. Somehow, they’d both made assumptions, Adam thinking Minnie knew what he meant with very few words, and Adam assuming he knew Minnie because she seemed so forthright. They’d both been wrong. Time to focus on the present, and not assuming Minnie knew he wanted a second chance with her just because he’d said he’d wait for her.

  He glanced at her. Her blonde hair caught the warm evening light, and her smooth, peachy skin seemed to glow both from that warmth and her own inner light.