“Born in a tutu, Doc…let’s do this!” she joked, wiping the tears from her face, ready to take the stage with an entirely new outlook.
“If you’re worried about the ankle, we can cut the lift, but I promise, I will never let you go…”
Was he still talking about the lift, or was there more to his statement? He was certainly leaving her with an entirely new outlook, and emotions that she needed to reconsider tonight. It was like she finally arrived in St. Helena for the first time tonight. Her outlook no longer bleak, and full of woe.
“That lift is magic, Doc, it’s our secret weapon…it’s our big wow. Let’s go win this!” she smacked his ass before grabbing his hand and dragging him to the center of the dance floor, ready to make her mark in St. Helena.
He tossed his head back in laughter, and spun her around once they made it to the center of the dance floor before pulling her close. He pulled her in tight and said, “You’re the big wow, twinkle toes.”
He kissed her hard, in front of the whole town as the music began, before breaking out into their steamy Rumba. They appeared to be executing it perfectly, based on the cheers and high pitched whistles surrounding them. Old Nora sat at her table, nose in the air, pretending not to watch, though Clay and Heather didn’t notice.
The music cued them, as their big moment approached, their eyes locked, and smiles so bold it hurt. Clay’s timing perfect, he lifted her mid-step, spinning as they went, maneuvering across the dance floor. Both eloquent and sexy, they did what they did best and that was work in perfect sync, like they had been doing this forever.
Ending on the final note of the song, holding their pose with Heather wrapped partially around his waist, Clay slowly and ever so gently slid her down his body to her feet, mindful of her weak ankle and kissed her again, a perfect ending to a perfect dance, that drove the crowd wild. “I hope that made it on Facebook.”
She giggled, “Which part?”
“All of it.”
Chapter 10
Pictures of the new reigning champions of the St. Helena Fall Fling were flooding Facebook, and yes, Nora was tagged in every single one. Heather was beside herself with excitement over their win, but it was more likely over the realization that she may have found the person she was meant to be with than the large gaudy gold toned Championship Dance Cup.
Standing among their group of friends and family, the chatter around her drowned out, and the people faded as she pinned her stare on Clay Walker. He stood several feet away, taking a call from the babysitter, smiling at her while he spoke to the teen charged with Tommy’s care. He looked different to her, in that moment, she even felt different…there were a hundred fluttering butterflies dancing in her belly.
His smile didn’t fade when he made his way back to her, if anything, it grew. “You okay?”
“Ye…ye..yes,” she stuttered, “why? Everything okay with Tommy?”
He chuckled at her response, “Just the way you’re looking at me…are you staring at me, or through me…or…”
“I’m just, watching you.” her eyes scanned over him, from head to toe, taking in every inch of her handsome man, before meeting his eyes again.
His eyebrows raised, his voice dropped to low sultry tone. “Like what you see, twinkle toes?”
A long steamy pause stood between them, neither had eyes for anything but each other until the sound of awkward throat clearing, and giggles reminded them they weren’t alone.
Giving her head a quick shake, to clear her thoughts, Heather asked, “So, everything okay at home? With Tommy?”
“Oh, uh…no.” he said with a cringe. “Tommy seems to have some sort of stomach bug and I’ve been called home to clean it up. Apparently, the teen can’t…poor kid was gagging just telling me about it.”
A sense of urgency sparked in her at the idea that Tommy wasn’t feeling well. She grabbed her purse, and said, “Oh geez, let’s go.”
“Are you sure? I would completely understand if you want to stay.”
“Nope, I’m with you. My car is at your house anyway, and the sitter needs to be driven home…you can’t do that with a sick boy.” Her matter of fact declaration, and how natural the choice seemed with genuine concern for Tommy surprised not only her, but Clay as well.
He tilted his head as he sized her up, giving her an endearing look of something she couldn’t quite put her finger on before he smiled and said, “Let’s go.”
***
“Becky, I’ll take you home, hon. Doc’s going to…clean up, and tend to Tommy. Car’s unlocked; I’ll be there in a minute.” Without hesitation, the teen bolted out the door, without collecting her wage with her t-shirt still covering her nose.
Clay handed Heather a few bills, folded in half. “Well, she’s ready to go. Would you mind giving her this?”
“Got it. Want me to come back, help you out? I’ve cleaned up my fair share of…this over at the dance studio.”
Leaning in, he kissed her forehead. “As much as I would love that, and finish up where we left off on that dance floor, I would hate for you to catch whatever he has. There’s a twenty four hour flu going around and I have a sneaking suspicion it’s Tom’s turn with it.”
“Oh no, his birthday party is tomorrow!” she cried, disappointment in her words.
“Oh geez, yep. I think I’m going to have to cancel. I am supposed to pick up the cake in the morning too…may not need that now.”
“Well, it’s too late to call everyone and cancel tonight. I’ll pick up the cake in the morning, bring it by, and check on you guys. Maybe it’s not a bug and just a long day of rich food and fun catching up with him.” Her arms crossed her chest while trying to find a hopeful resolution that didn’t include cancelling Tommy’s birthday party the next evening.
“Sounds like a plan, twinkle toes.”
***
Feelings. That’s what she was having…deep, warm, fuzzy feelings that she never thought she would, or could, have. Heather woke the next morning before the sun, chirps of nature, and half the town. She hadn’t slept well, spending half the night going over the whirlwind of emotions she had experienced the past several weeks – the previous night more specifically.
Something had changed, a shift in the wind, planets aligning, the universe cooperating…she didn’t know. It was complicated as much as it was simple. Clay was easy, caring, devoted…and that’s what made it complicated. She didn’t know what to do with that. She loved how it felt in the moment, but feared how it could feel, should it all fall apart. Her plan to move back to St. Helena, avoid men until she was an old maid with a dozen or more cats and no one would want her had failed her.
Ready for her day, it was finally a decent hour, and the Sweet and Savory would finally be open. She had a cake to pick up and her guys to check on. The size of the town had bothered her when she originally returned, but having everything in town within a five to ten minute radius was making small town USA a lot more appealing.
***
Cake in hand, among a few other things she picked up from the Sweet and Savory like soup, crusty bread, and a few different pasta salads, she made an awkward attempt at knocking on the door, avoiding the doorbell in the event Tommy was still sleeping. To her surprise, the jingling sound from the door unlocking led to a three year old on the other end when finally opened.
“Tommy, where’s your dad…” she didn’t have to finish, dad was found standing behind him, pale, dishelved, and with the look of death on him. “Oh no. You got it too?”
“It appears so, hit early this morning. Seems it doesn’t last in the three year olds nearly as long though.” he said, nodding his head toward Tommy.
“I can see that. Feeling better, buddy?”
Tommy nodded his head, “I just feel a little yucky tired but my tummy isn’t mad at me anymore.”
“Good to know,” she said, looking between an exhausted Clay, who was looking greener by the minute, and a happy little boy who had his eyes on the cake and box
of cupcakes she was holding. “How about I keep this guy company, and you go back to bed?”
“Heather, I can’t ask you to do that. The house needs to be burned to the ground and de-germed before we have company.”
“You aren’t asking, I’m offering. Move over and let me in, my arms are getting tired.” She pushed her way past the door, and a reluctant Clay heading straight for the kitchen.
Big strong arms wrapped around her waist from behind, a gentle kiss landing on her neck, “How did I get so lucky?”
“I don’t know, but don’t forget it. Now get to bed before you breathe on all the food.” she turned in his arms to face him, wrapping her arms around his neck, “Party?”
“Ugh, I need to cancel. He is doing better but not great and there’s no way I’m up to that many three to six year olds, full of cake.”
“Got it. Get to bed Doc, I’ll take care of it. I’ll be in to check on you in a while.”
He didn’t need to be told twice, he was gone in a flash with his hand over his mouth, headed straight to the bathroom. Heather went back to unloading the food, into the refrigerator, and then went about calling all of the parents to cancel Tommy’s birthday party. The look on Tommy’s face broke her heart in two.
The next several hours were spent snuggling on the couch, with soft cozy blankets, watching every single one of Tommy’s favorite movies and shows. She tried coloring, playdoh, and games, but Tommy was content snuggling, so snuggles he received.
Each time she had checked on Clay, he had been asleep. She hadn’t heard him rustling around, rushing to the bathroom for a few hours and had to assume that was a good sign. It must have been passing.
It was getting late, the sun had been retired for the day a good couple hours, when she heard a rumble in Tommy’s tummy. “Hungry, buddy?”
He nodded his head, placing his hand on his tummy. “Can we have cake? Pretty, pretty please?”
Laughing at his innocent plea for the good stuff, she briefly contemplated just how bad of an idea it was, before giving in. “You know what? How about we start with a tiny bit of soup? Then we can try a tiny bit of cake.”
“Okay!” Before she could get to her feet, Tommy was long gone, pulling containers from the refrigerator.
While Heather went to warm the soup, Tommy was working on something else behind her. Over her shoulder, she said to him, “I’m not sure cake this soon after a yucky tummy is the best idea, but…”
Crashing sounds behind her interrupted the thought quickly grabbing her attention. Cake and cupcakes were all over the floor, a teary eyed Tommy standing in the middle of it all. “I broke the cake.”
“Oh, Tomster,” her heart broke at the sadness he wore, first his party was cancelled, now his cake ruined. “We can get you another cake tomorrow.”
With his arms and legs crossed, he sat on the floor to continue his pout. Heather joined him, sitting just across the kitchen floor, the cake and cupcake mess between them. Unsure what possessed her to do so, she grabbed a handful of cake from the top of the pile and took a bite.
Tommy watched her in awe, grabbing his own handful and giggled. A couple of bites each, Heather took the next handful and launched it at the little boy. Eye’s wide, he smiled brightly and returned the favor with a handful of cake. The exchange carried on, along with their deep belly laughs, until a scolding throaty sound interrupted them, drawing their attention to the entry of the kitchen where Clay stood, leaning against the doorway, arms crossed with an amused expression.
At a loss for words, all Heather could do was look at Tommy and begin to laugh. The mess was fairly isolated to a two to three foot radius around them, but they were each covered in cake and bright colored frosting. Tommy’s adorable little belly laugh kicked back in and Clay joined them.
“Bud,” Clay said, “lets get you in the bath! I better carry you or this is going to get everywhere.”
The tot got to his feet, but before leaving the kitchen for his much needed bath, he ran to Heather, launching himself into her arms. “This was a good cake, Miss Heather. It tasted good dis way. I’m gonna take a bath. Can we still snuggle when I’m done?”
Hugging him back, her heart felt full, leaving her speechless, her eyes filling when he cheered at her nod. She had no idea why or how he was having such an effect on her, but he did…he had a little piece of her heart. She hadn’t just fallen for the dad; she was falling for the kid too.
***
Heather warmed the soup, and had it waiting when her guys made their way back to the living room where she was resting on the couch after a long day. “There you are. You guys hungry?”
“Actually,” he said, “I am. Hey, aren’t you eating?”
That’s all it took to boost her to her feet, jetting to the bathroom. The flu had her.
Clay insisted she stay with them, where he could keep an eye on her, and Tommy did the same. With cool rags on her head, pillow fluffing, and plenty of kisses, they took care of her until they all crashed for the night, Tommy camping on the floor at the foot of the bed, and Clay holding her close.
Chapter 11
Cool brisk fall days were threatening to turn to winter, but as long as the sun was out, and rain was kept at bay, playdates at the park were still on. That’s where Heather and Tommy were headed, to spend time with Sara and Cooper. Heather had become a more permanent fixture around Clay’s house, spending more time with Tommy during the day, and her nights with Clay.
Something had changed. Who knew a food fight with cake and a stomach flu had such power, but it did. It had been a turning point for them. Her dreams were still up in the air, where to go next with her passion for dance was a mystery yet, but her heart felt at home, in St. Helena, with Clay. She was content, happy, and no longer at war with all things happy and heartfelt.
Heather zipped up Tommy’s jacket for the second time in a handful of minutes, and said, “You know the deal, dude. Jacket stays on, zipped, and cozy or we’re out of here. Right?”
“Yes, Miss. Heather.” Batting his long lashes, and giving her a glimpse of his big smiling dimple, he charmed her yet again before running off with Cooper. “Race you to the slide!”
“Wow, sis. You’re like, really…good at this,” Sara offered in surprise.
Heather turned and gave her sister a questioning look, “What do you mean? Good at what?”
“This,” she said, waving her hand between Heather and Tommy in the distance, “with Tommy. He even listens.”
“Oh, he listens because I give him cake.”
“Cake?”
“Well, cake, sometimes gelato when that cranky old guy with the truck comes around. He really has good gelato, you know. Both Tommy and I have a sweet tooth, so he makes for a good little partner in crime,” Heather admitted.
“I’m not sure it has much to do with the junk food, Heather. That little boy adores you.”
“Ehh, I kind of like him too,” she laughed, playing down the emotion Tommy generated in her. It was one thing to recognize it on her own and let her heart open to the idea, but it still sounded odd, out loud.
“C’mon, you adore him just as much. I can see it. You are not the same angsty, worlds out to get you, girl you were just a few months ago when I picked you up at the airport. You don’t even get pissed at Mr. Moretti’s ice cream truck music anymore. This looks good on you, really good.”
Heather’s eyes were on Tommy, as she listened to her sister’s words, and felt them to the core of her heart. A sweet loving smile came over her as she said in a near whisper, “It feels good too.”
Bolting to her feet, Heather took off at a run after Tommy took a fall rushing from the slide to the swings, leading him to tears. In a panic, she crouched down beside him, inspecting his wounds thoroughly, questioning where it hurt the worst and where it hurt the least. Brushing off the dirt and debris, all she could find were a few superficial scrapes, nothing too dramatic. What was dramatic, however, was Tommy wrapping himself around her neck in a
tight hug.
He finally pulled away, standing in front of her and he asked, “Are you going to be my mom? You are a very good mom and I want you to be mine.”
Cooper and Sara were kneeling next to the two, witnessing the conversation in play when Sara gasped at Tommy’s sweet sentiment.
“Yeah, Aunt Heather, you’re like a mom, just not a mom yet, but you should be a mom cause you’re kinda like my mom and it’s really good,” Cooper offered in support.
She didn’t know what to say, Heather was stunned speechless, slightly frightened, and overcome with joy all at the same time. How did she answer this? A mom? She hadn’t thought that far ahead, ever. Life had always been about dance, and chasing dreams. Marriage was one thing every girl thought about that at least once in her life, but becoming a mom?
“Uh, well, uh…I’m your friend, Tomster. Your very good friend, buddy!” She didn’t know if that was the right or wrong thing to say, but it was all she had.
He hugged her again, and whispered in her ear, “You’re my very bestest friend. I love you, Miss. Heather.”
She melted, there was no other way to describe it. Tommy won her over in so many ways and made her think beyond the box she had put herself in. Four year olds just didn’t get enough credit as the wise little, thought provoking, souls that they were.
“Hear that,” Sara interrupted, “I think we need a gelato and I hear him headed this way!”
The boys cheered, and raced to the edge of the park to wait for the ice cream truck headed their way, injuries and warm fuzzy moments already forgotten.
“That was something…” Sara said, “What a little sweetheart. You okay? You know, with all that?”
“I know, he sure is. I guess I’m okay with it. I don’t know, I hadn’t really thought about any of this and it doesn’t exactly freak me out like it might have even a few months ago.”
“Well, that’s something,” Sara chuckled. “I like this on you…every bit of it. If I had to guess, Doc Walker shares his son’s opinion of you.”
St. Helena Vineyard Series_Fall Fling Page 7