by LuAnn McLane
Susan nodded. They were so close at the crowded bar that her arm pressed against his.
Danny ordered a glass of Merlot.
“I didn’t realize you liked wine.”
“There’s a lot you don’t know about me … yet.” Danny lifted his glass toward hers.
Susan picked up her glass and tapped it to his.
“To getting to know you better.”
“Cheers.” Susan took a sip of the cold Riesling and felt a heady rush that had nothing to do with the alcohol. She gave Danny a smile that she knew was less shy. She realized now how silly it had been to avoid him for so long.
“You look absolutely gorgeous, by the way.”
“Thank you, Danny.” Instead of dipping her head in the bashful way she would have done in the past, she looked into his eyes. “It’s been fun ditching the sweaters.”
“Well, like I said, I think you look adorable in them. Just be careful not to get stuck to a tree.”
Susan laughed. “Oh boy, that was some situation,” she said. “Thank you for saving me … and for not taking pictures.”
“I’ll come to your rescue any time of the day or night.” He took a sip from his glass and then tilted his head at her, staring.
“What? Do I have a wine mustache?”
“I don’t think so.” He ran his finger above her upper lip. “It is a bit damp.”
“That’s why I stick to white wine.”
Danny laughed. Leaning close to her ear he said, “I have a confession to make.”
Susan raised her eyebrows. “Really?” Her heart thumped in anticipation.
“I wanted to see you … but I also knew guys would be all over you and …” He shrugged and gave her a rather sheepish look. “I couldn’t get that off my mind. I have no right but like I already confessed, I’m feeling a little possessive.” The low timbre of his voice made a hot shiver travel down her spine.
“Well then, I’ll confess that I’m glad you’re here. I would have asked you to come but I didn’t want to appear too eager. I don’t know the rules of dating.”
“How about we make our own rules?”
“I like that suggestion,” she said, feeling a rush of excitement. “And what are they?”
“We can make them up as we go, starting with you can call me or invite me to anything. And I want you to appear eager. It’s good for my ego.”
Susan laughed. “Easy enough.”
“Your turn.”
“Hmm …” She took a sip of wine and then looked at him. “Do you have a Christmas tree?”
“Ah, no.” He winced.
“I’d like to put one up with you. I’ll provide the ornaments and we’ll string popcorn.”
“That’s not a rule.”
“A request, then.”
“Okay, when?”
“How about this weekend? Betsy’s daughter is going to help out at the shop so I have more free time to enjoy the holidays.”
“I bartend at the brewery on Saturday night, so how about Saturday afternoon if you can get away? I know you have the Christmas Walk on Sunday evening, right?”
“Yes. I hope you’ll stop by. We’ll have cookies and mulled cider.”
“I’ll be there for sure.”
“Saturday afternoon should work fine,” she said, trying to keep the breathlessness out of her voice. “I’ll have to let you know for sure, though.”
“We can chop a tree down together.”
“That sounds fun!” She pictured them in the snow-covered woods walking hand in hand, laughing while searching for the perfect tree. Picture postcard romantic …
“Do you think Betsy is going to show up?” Danny asked.
Susan rolled her eyes. “She’s always late but I thought John would already be here by now.”
“Maybe they’re together.”
“I should check my phone. I might have missed a message.” She reached in her purse and nodded. “I did miss a message. Oh wow, she said Aubrey surprised her by just arriving so she’s going to spend the evening with her if I don’t mind flying solo.”
“Well, you’re not solo, if that’s okay.”
“Perfectly,” Susan said and texted Betsy back. “She said that she told John too.” Susan glanced at Danny. “Hmm, but she wants to know if he’s here anyway.” She lifted one shoulder playfully.
“Interesting. What do you think?”
“That she’s such a cool lady. I really enjoy working with her and we’ve become friends. I think she and John would make a really cute couple.”
“I don’t see what’s holding them back.”
Susan didn’t want to divulge too much information. “Betsy’s been hurt in the past, so it’s hard for her to give someone her complete trust.”
“Makes sense.” Danny nodded and then took a sip of his wine. “My friend Avery Dean went through a painful breakup and it took him a long time to get over it.”
“I remember Avery. He dated Ashley Montgomery.” Ashley was a queen bee and never gave Susan the time of day. Susan had always thought that Avery was way too nice for Ashley. “I was floored when I heard they ended their engagement. But he and his wife Sophia came into the shop not too long ago. They’re just adorable and Avery seems very happy.”
“He is, not that I get to see him very much. Everybody is too busy to get together. Sometimes I miss the old days,” he said and signaled the server for another round.
“My good old days were pretty low-key,” Susan said. “I’m having more fun now than when I was a teenager.”
“Maybe I just need to grow up,” he said with a grin, but Susan noticed something a little bit sad about his admission. “Mattie and Mason both have a family and a career. I guess I need to get on the stick.” The grin remained but he seemed serious.
“Given the chance, what would you like to do?”
“Good question,” he said. Susan had the feeling that he knew but was reluctant to divulge it to her. Instead he offered her the small bowl of pub mix.
“Thanks.” She dipped her fingers into the bowl, searching for the sesame sticks.
“Would you like something to eat?”
“Just something to nibble on would be nice. I was going to have the antipasto platter with Betsy. Not too heavy since we indulged in the fried foods last night.”
“Sounds really good to me,” Danny said and placed the order.
“Are you sure?”
Danny smiled. “I guess you think I only eat wings, burgers, and pizza?”
“No, but the selections on the antipasto platter are pretty intense in flavor. They go so well with wine.”
“Well, I helped Mason with the menu at Broomstick Brewery. There are certain foods that pair well with different ales, just like with wine. Craft beer drinkers have a very discerning palate.”
“I never thought of that.”
“Yes, the menu at the brewery has suggestions of what ale to drink with some of the food. I’ll have to take you there soon. Hey, or if you’d like to come by Saturday night after our tree adventure, I’ll try to knock off early and we can hang out.”
“Oh … maybe.” Susan wished that she had a group of girlfriends she could call to go out with her. Then she could swing by the brewery, get all giggly, and flirt with Danny.
“Hey, it’s cool if you have plans.”
“I don’t … Wow, that sounds lame to admit I’m free on a Saturday night.” She accepted a small plate and linen-wrapped silverware from the server.
“There’s nothing lame about honesty. What do you usually do on a Saturday night?”
“Work on something crafty or do inventory in the shop after hours. Later I’ll read, maybe watch a movie or a ballgame. Sometimes I visit my parents out on the farm and stay for the weekend, doing some canning or gardening in the summer. During the day I putter around at estate or garage sales for items to repurpose. Are you sleeping yet?”
Danny shifted so the server could place the platter on the bar in front of them. “Sounds to me like y
ou’ve got a lot of interests. And none of it sounds the least bit boring or lame.”
“And I think you’re being very kind but that’s okay.” Susan put a few olives, salami, cheese, and crackers on her plate.
“You think so? Let’s see … Well, I love woodworking, so I’m crafty. Check. I also like to read and often get books from Mattie’s bookstore. I like mysteries, crime, and sometimes horror when I’m in the mood. Check again. I’m a big movie buff and of course I love sports. So double check. I’m an outdoors kinda guy, so gardening or hiking or just about anything on your farm would be up my alley too. Check. I don’t go to many estate sales but I think it would be a lot of fun.” He gave her a smug smile and then popped a cherry tomato in his mouth. She watched him, wondering how chewing could be so sexy.
“So, I’m not as boring as I think I am?”
Danny put some crusty bread in the dipping oil and handed it to her. “I don’t think you’re boring at all.”
Susan took a bite of the delicious bread and felt a bit of the oil run down her chin. She laughed and dabbed at the oil with her napkin. “I told you that you can’t take me anywhere.”
“And you know how I felt about that. Hot air balloon here we come. And I’m going to get you out on the water come springtime.”
“I’m a pretty strong swimmer. We have a nice-sized pond on the farm. But I haven’t been around boats much.”
“I’ll teach you everything you need to know. And I always insist on life jackets.” He grinned. “Then I’ll tug you around on a tube pulled by my cabin cruiser.”
“Slowly, of course.”
“Of course,” he responded in a tone that said he was lying.
“Sounds like fun,” she said, although her heart pounded at the thought. When was the last time she’d done something so carefree and exciting? Um, that would be … never.
“I promise you that it will be, so put tubing on your miles-long bucket list.”
“Will do.” What would it feel like to be flying across the water on a sun-filled day? Susan reached for a slice of rolled-up salami, thinking that if they were still together in the spring, by then Danny Mayfield would officially be her boyfriend. Holy cow …
“What are you thinking?”
Susan played with the cocktail napkin. “That life is kinda crazy. Random. Do you agree?”
15
The Yellow Brick Road
“No.” Danny shook his head firmly. “Not at all.” He swiveled in his stool and leaned one elbow onto the edge of the bar. “I think that everything happens for a reason. Sometimes we’re just too preoccupied to know what the reason is and totally miss it. Or it takes looking back to see what the future should bring.” He took a sip of his Merlot and waited for Susan to respond but she frowned as she thought his statement over. He didn’t usually have such serious conversations with anyone other than family, and that was usually about their issues and not his own, but he felt at ease with Susan.
“Give me an example,” she said.
“Okay.” Danny nodded toward the window. “Hey, our table just opened up. You get our drinks and I’ll bring our tray after I settle up with the bartender.”
Susan draped their coats over her arm and picked up the wineglasses. “I’ll meet you there.”
After paying the bar tab Danny joined Susan in the more secluded spot. “I love that sweet smile of yours. Hope it’s just for me.”
“It is.” She made a sweeping gesture with her palms up. “It’s for calling this table ours.”
“It just sort of came out of my mouth. I hope you don’t think I’m being too forward. I show up here … chase guys away.” He shook his head. “I know I need to slow my roll but my brain won’t listen.” He speared a cube of cheddar cheese with a red-tailed toothpick. “I need to fill my mouth with food and keep quiet.” He laughed to let her know he was joking.
“Oh no you don’t. I want to hear some examples of why you think things happen for a reason, and aren’t just random.”
Danny swallowed the cheese and then put more food on his plate. “Mattie and Garret Ruleman are a prime example. Mattie is the middle sister so Mason and I were totally protective of her but we also gave her a rough time … always teasing her, making her into a tomboy. She had this thing for my friend Colby and asked Garret Ruleman to help make her more feminine. Since his mom is a famous fashion model, she thought he could help her with clothes and pointers on makeup.”
“And instead of her ending up with Colby, they fell in love.” Susan smiled. “Now that’s seriously romantic.”
Danny leaned forward. “Crazy? Yes. Random?” Danny shrugged. “I personally think it was meant to be.”
Susan lifted one shoulder and then slowly swiped a celery stick through artichoke dip.
“When Garret left for London,” he continued, “my little sister, who had never been out of the country, flew all by herself across the pond to England so she could be with him.”
“Ah, so she made it happen, then.”
“No doubt.” Danny tapped his chest. “But it was because she listened to her heart and went after what mattered most to her. Like I said, I think some things are meant to be but only if you listen closely. Am I changing your opinion yet?”
“Yes, but go on because I just love listening to you, especially when you get so passionate.”
“You bring it out in me. I’m usually way more laid-back but you’re so easy to talk to.”
“Tell me some more meant-to-be stories in your family,” she said.
“There seems to be a lot of that sort of thing in Cricket Creek, and not just with the Mayfields.”
“I guess we’re just a romantic town.”
Danny grinned. “Let’s see. Well, Mason met Grace Gordon when she got lost trying to find the Walking on Sunshine Bistro. She got caught in a thunderstorm and then ran for cover into the building that’s now Broomstick Brewery. Random?”
“They’re married and have a baby now.”
“I rest my case.” Leaning back, Danny raised his palms upward.
“Well …” Susan licked dip from her bottom lip. “If things are simply meant to be, then why don’t they always work out?”
“Mistakes along the way.” He gave her a wry smile. “And to teach us to appreciate when the right things come along.”
“Are you talking from experience?” Susan asked softly.
The compassion in her eyes told him what a sweet, caring person she was and he reached over and took her hand. “No, I’m still trying to find some direction in my own life.”
“I think we all are. Life is a journey, right? There’s bound to be bumps along the way.”
“I don’t mind mistakes. We all make them and learn from them.” He chuckled. “My mother always said that I learned the hard way. I just don’t want to experience regret.” He wasn’t quite sure why he was going down this path but for some reason being around Susan made him want to open up and talk about his life. She was the kind of girl he could see himself being with for the long haul, but how could he think about a serious relationship when he didn’t have his shit together? And yet it felt so right being with her, telling her these things.
“Perhaps you should follow the yellow brick road?”
Danny held her gaze for a moment. “Yeah, only to discover what I wanted was already right here in front of me?”
“Precisely. Just watch out for the flying monkeys!” Susan shuddered. “They always scared me. And what was in that poppy field anyway?”
Danny laughed. He loved that having a serious conversation didn’t squash the fun of the evening. “Yeah, they creep me out. Mattie used to cover her eyes and Mason would chase after her saying he was a flying monkey.”
“That’s so mean!” Susan said, but she giggled. “It had to be fun having siblings.”
“Most of the time,” he said and rubbed his thumb over her knuckles. Danny felt a sensual tug with every move she made. Something as simple as licking her bottom lip had hi
m wanting to have her in his arms. He didn’t know how much longer he could make it without kissing her again. “But yeah, I’m lucky that we’re so close.”
Susan sighed. “My parents wanted more children but it just didn’t happen even though they tried. I think it’s why they were so overprotective of me.”
Danny felt a pang of sympathy.
“So, if you hear me talking to myself it’s because I didn’t have anyone else to talk to while I was a kid. Unless you count my faithful dog, Sammy, who is now in doggy heaven. It’s a habit I can’t seem to break.”
“Don’t.” Danny chuckled. “I think it’s cute. Of course, I think everything about you is cute.” Even when she stuttered, but he noticed that she hadn’t done that for the past two evenings with him. He hoped it was because she was feeling relaxed around him too.
The music started and so they stopped talking, focusing on listening while sipping wine and nibbling on the tray of food. But every time her knee bumped his or his hand brushed against hers, Danny felt the need to kiss her even more. After a couple of songs, he said, “Would you like anything else or would you like me to drive you home? I’m guessing you walked?”
Susan nodded. “I wasn’t sure how much wine I’d have, so I wanted to be safe.”
“I’ve only had two glasses and all of that food so I’m fine. It’s pretty cold out there to walk back, even for a few blocks.” Even though he’d be more than happy to hug her close and keep her warm.
“Yes, I found out how cold it was on the way here, especially in a dress, so you’ve come to my rescue once again, Danny Mayfield.”
“Well, as a reward I hope you’ll invite me inside for a little while since it’s fairly early?”
“I was planning on it,” she admitted with a shy smile. “I’m enjoying the evening too much to let it end.”
“I agree.” Danny scooted from the booth and helped Susan into her coat. When she lifted her hair from beneath her collar he caught a whiff of her floral fragrance and nearly groaned. He really needed to get out of the public eye so he could give her the long, hot kiss he’d been dreaming about all night long—no, make that all day long.
Danny was glad that the ride to her loft was short because being this close to her in the cab of his truck was driving him nuts.