by Lynne Norris
“That dog has the best seat in the house.”
Emma jerked her head up in surprise.
“Hello, Emma,” Tony said walking right up to where she was sitting on the bench and took a seat beside her. “I’m Tony, Grace’s younger brother.”
Wariness crept into her eyes as he blatantly violated her personal space. “Hi, Tony. I remember you.” Max grumbled his discontent and nudged Emma’s hand with his snout.
“Well, that’s a good start considering it’s been a long time since I last saw you. Mind if I join you?”
“No,” she said, thinking since you’ve already sat down next to me. “This is nice what your mother does for the people who work here.”
“She’s been doing it for years. People are always willing to show up for a free meal.”
Emma wasn’t sure, but she thought she caught the edge of resentment in Tony’s voice.
Tony reached out brushing Emma’s arm as he did and gave Max a shove back. “Go away ya mangy beast.”
“He’s not bothering me.” Emma said, holding her hand out to Max and inviting him to come closer.
“What have you been up to?” Tony asked.
“Taking some time off of work to fix up my dad’s house out by the lake,” Emma said.
“Are you planning on selling it? I have a friend in real estate who’ll take care good care of you.”
“I’m not interested in selling it. I’m living there for the time being.” She registered the expression on his face that told her he was looking for more information, but remained silent reluctant to tell him more. “Your mother said you live in Boston now.”
“Been there for a few years,” Tony said offhandedly.
“What do you do there?”
“I’m a defense attorney.”
“Do you like it?”
He waggled his hand. “It pays the bills.”
He turned and straddled the bench so one of his knees was touching her thigh.
Emma glanced down at his leg and then stared back up at him. “You could move back a bit.”
Tony smiled back at her and continued without moving away. “Maybe you and I could get together. We never knew each other well back in school. See what happens.”
For good reason, Emma was completely put off by his intrusive behavior. “That’s quite an offer, Tony. But I don’t think it would be a good idea for us to...uh see what happens.” She was certain she was blushing and was furious at herself for doing so. She dealt with much worse than this kind of behavior in the brokerage she had worked at.
Not to be deterred, Tony said, “Listen, I have to move my car. After I come back, if you’re interested, I’ll show you around the farm. My father makes wonderful wine. I’m sure he won’t mind if I open a bottle for you.”
“Thanks, but I already had some earlier,” Emma said watching Grace carry a tray of antipasto down the steps. She saw something flicker in Grace’s eyes when they swept past her and Tony. She wasn’t sure what it was, a wounded look perhaps, and she found herself desperately wanting to see it replaced with the carefree smile she’d seen earlier when they’d been alone.
“Ah well, maybe later.” Tony said with a wink and walked over to his Porsche. “Want to take a ride?”
“No, I’m good here,” Emma said, wishing he would leave her alone. The sound of the Porsche’s engine roaring as Tony drove down the hill interrupted the peaceful afternoon.
Emma guessed the men and women arriving now were the volunteers who helped out on the farm. She watched Grace and Michael mingle among the crowd coming together to celebrate the fruits of their labor. The trestle tables were laid with white picnic plates, cutlery and plastic cups.
Above her, lights woven into the netting winked on creating a cozy, intimate atmosphere beneath the canopy. Lucy and Peter appeared on the front steps with Tyler and Jonah in tow. Lucy traded her work clothes for a jean skirt and simple herringbone topiary green button down blouse. Peter stood beside her dressed in jeans and a sandstone twill shirt. He leaned on his cane and limped noticeably now as he descended the stairs next to his wife.
Everyone was talking. Emma could make out snippets of conversation going on around her. People were chatting about families, kids and about this year’s harvest. She felt a swell of loneliness and doubt creep in as she wondered why she came as she stood on the outskirts.
“Tony trying to work his charms on you?” Grace carried two glasses of wine and held one out for Emma to take.
“Thanks,” Emma said gratefully. “Is he always so forward?”
“Tony’s used to getting what he wants. You need to be blunt with him if you’re not interested.”
“Oh, I’m definitely not interested.”
“Good. Sit over here with me.” Grace took Emma gently by the arm and guided her to the end of the table where her parents were sitting with Michael and the two boys. Tony arrived a few minutes later and sat across from Emma.
Platters heavy with sausage and steaks marinated in rosemary and garlic were passed along the tables. Laughter filled the air and toasts were made. Everyone ate until they had their fill and gradually the talk at the tables subsided briefly only to be replaced with music.
The area between the barn and the trestle tables filled with couples as they paired off. Emma could feel Tony’s eyes on her and she pointedly ignored him while she sat next to Grace, praying he would find someone else to interest him. To her relief one of the women who had been sitting a couple of seats down from her stood and invited Tony out to the impromptu dance floor.
Emma laughed at the string of protests that erupted from Michael when his mother left the dance floor and dragged him from his seat at the table. After a couple of turns, she took mercy and let him go. He didn’t make it two steps away before a pretty blonde intercepted him.
“Don’t laugh,” Grace leaned closer and said, “you’ll be next if you don’t get out there with someone soon. Tony’s had his eye on you all night.”
“I’m not interested in Tony. I don’t...besides...I haven’t danced in ages,” Emma stammered.
“You? I don’t believe it,” Grace said with a mischievous glint
in her eyes. “Really. I’m not very good,” Emma protested her heart pounding furiously in her chest. “I find that hard to believe.” Grace stood and held out her hand.
“I suppose there’s no getting out of this gracefully. Is there?”
“Don’t worry, I’ll lead.”
Emma dipped her head as she felt the heat from her skin and knew she must be blushing. “Good because I don’t know how to do what they’re doing.” She grasped Grace’s outstretched hand and stood, managing to look directly into her eyes. Emma felt a rush of excitement along her spine.
As soon as they reached the dance floor the music slowed. Emma felt her heart beat unevenly. Grace slipped an arm around Emma’s waist drawing her closer.
“Is this alright?” Grace asked.
It was hard to breathe and Emma felt heat everywhere their bodies touched. “Y...yes,” Emma said hearing her voice falter.
“My mother insisted that Michael take dancing lessons before his wedding. That meant I was lucky enough to take the lessons with him.”
“I bet you loved that,” Emma said.
“After we got over the initial discomfort it was quite a lot of fun.”
“No wonder you both dance so well,” Emma said watching over Grace’s shoulder as Michael twirled the blonde he’d been dancing with around with ease.
“The woman Michael’s dancing with is Delaney.”
“Do you like her?” Emma asked and rushed on when she realized what it sounded like. “I mean do you like her for Michael?”
Grace didn’t seem to mind and simply replied, “She’s been a good friend to him since he came back home.”
“Cheryl is the woman who asked Tony to dance. You can thank her later. They’ve been on again off again for a couple of years.”
“Oh God was she here earli
er?” Emma asked remembering Tony’s bold advance on her.
“No, she got here just a little while ago so you’re safe,” Grace said with a soft chuckle.
All Emma could think about was the warm touch of Grace’s arm around her waist and the tender touch of their hands clasped together. She was dizzy and she could hardly breathe as she moved with Grace, barely aware of anyone around them.
“You’re a quick learner,” Grace said close to her ear.
“Or maybe you’re simply a good teacher,” Emma replied feeling a shiver run up her spine when Grace moved her hand on her back. A smile lit up Grace’s eyes and Emma knew she wanted to see more of that.
“You doing okay?” Grace asked.
Emma nodded feeling like her brain was close to shorting out. Grace pulled her closer as she turned them around. It only partly registered that Tony tried to cut in, but Grace spun them deftly away from him.
“Perfect,” Emma said, grateful that she still had the skill to form a coherent thought since her body seemed to be on fire.
“Do you remember the bonfires that they used to have down at the beach by the lake houses?”
Emma tilted her head to look at Grace. “What made you think of that? I hadn’t thought about the bonfire in years.”
“It was always in mid August before the seniors left to go to college,” Grace mused.
“That brings back memories.” The bonfire was a rite of passage for each graduating class in town.
“Mmm. I remember ours.”
“Really?” Emma’s mind flashed back to the raucous party. Like a scrapbook of pictures, the night came back in snippets. The crackling sound of wood burning from the fire, loud music blaring out of the back of a pickup truck, dancing in the sand. Emma remembered dancing with a group of seniors when one of the hot dance hits of the summer came on. She felt a thrill of emotion and accepted the hand that reached down to haul her up into the back of pickup truck.
“I remember the plywood dance floor in the back of that truck.” Emma stopped as a puzzle piece clicked into place and she stared at Grace in shocked silence. “That was your truck and you pulled me up there.”
A slow two-step smile crossed Grace’s features. “Correction it was my father’s truck. I’d been watching you dance. It took me most of the night to work up the courage to get you up there with me.” Grace’s fingers continued to graze the small of her back and it was all Emma could do not to pass out. “When that song came on—I just followed my impulse.”
“I think we turned a few heads,” Emma said tightening her hold around Grace’s waist wondering if she was imagining the blush on Grace’s features beneath the twinkling lights.
“Oh I’m pretty sure we did,” Grace said.
As the music ended, Grace led Emma back to the table. Shoulders touching and their hands still loosely clasped together, Emma wished the night wasn’t coming to a close. She heard her name and when she turned Michael was taking a picture with his phone.
“You don’t need to help clean up,” Michael said as Emma helped collect trash from the tables.
“I want to. I had a great time. It’s the least I can do,” Emma said, knowing it was her attempt to forestall saying goodbye. Now that Grace reminded her about that night all those years ago she felt a different connection between them.
For days after the bonfire, Emma recalled playing those moments of the two of them dancing over in her mind. She never believed that it was anything more than the two of them celebrating the crossroads of their life that night.
“Here let me get that.” Grace lifted the stack of paper plates from her hands and dumped them into a nearby garbage bag. When the tables were cleared and there was nothing left to do, Grace retrieved Emma’s bag from inside the house.
“Thanks, Mrs. Moretti, um, Lucy. Everything was wonderful,” Emma said.
Lucy gave her hug. “I’m glad you could come. You’re welcome back any time.”
Emma turned and found Grace standing a few feet away, her eyes focused off somewhere else in the distance with a sorrowful look haunting them. When their eyes met the sadness lifted. Emma had seen that happen a few times now. When they rode horses together the other day and when they danced earlier tonight.
As she stood under the twinkling white lights hanging from the canopy Emma realized she wanted to see that smile again. She had an idea of how to make it happen, but she wasn’t sure she could summon the courage tonight.
“I’ll walk you down to your car,” Grace offered.
“Thanks,” Emma said trying to get a handle on the wild sense of anticipation running through her.
Grace held a flashlight in her hand and a cone of white light illuminated their path. They were silent as they strolled and Emma wasn’t sure what to say. She hadn’t expected Grace to ask her to dance, nor had she expected to feel the intense rush of emotions. She couldn’t remember the last time she felt so off balance around another woman.
“It was a better night than I thought it was going to be.”
“Yeah it did turn out to be a good night,” Grace said stopping when Emma got to her car. “I’m glad you came.”
I wish you’d make me. Emma’s cheeks heated at the unbidden thought. “I am too.”
The moon was playing hide and seek from behind the clouds and only a sliver was visible now. The sound of crickets chirping filled the air around them. Emma opened her door and tossed her bag onto the passenger seat.
As she turned back around, Emma glanced up at the night sky with the stars punching bright holes through inky blackness. “It’s beautiful out here.”
“I love this time of year.” Headlights passed and horns honked as people left the party. Grace waved at a couple of passing cars.
“I haven’t been around a crowd of people having a party like this in years.”
“Don’t tell me you didn’t have parties on Wall Street.”
“Oh, there were parties, but none like this. They were all stuffed shirts trying to rub elbows with the bigger fish in the pond. I managed to miss most of them unless my boss told me they were mandatory.” Emma watched the muscles of Grace’s jaw flex as their eyes met.
“Stick around. My mother throws a summer solstice party that gets talked about all year long.”
“That’s a long ways off.”
“You can always come back to visit,” Grace said.
“I might just do that.” The implication of not being here jarred Emma to her core. She didn’t want to think that far into the future. Hell, on a bad day she could barely handle the present.
“I can take the whole group of them in small doses. It’s fun for a while but then the crowd wears on me after a few hours,” Grace said.
“I’m not one for crowds either.”
“But you lived in the city,” Grace said incredulously.
“I had plenty of places I could go to be alone when I wanted to.”
“Maybe you could show me one day.”
Emma shifted and looked straight into Grace’s eyes. “If you mean it, that might make for an interesting date.”
“Why wouldn’t I mean it?”
“Now that’s a question. Maybe you’ll start by telling me where you go off to when you get that sad look in your eyes,” Emma said surprised at her own boldness.
“Let’s not spoil this with anymore sad stories tonight.”
“We won’t then.”
They stood in silence, their bodies almost touching at the edge of the driveway. Far away the occasional voice lifted and carried on the air.
“Thanks for the dance.” And for the first time since she could remember Emma felt shy.
“Pleasure’s mine,” Grace said, and Emma hoped she meant it.
Emma only meant to brush Grace’s cheek with a goodbye kiss. Grace’s hand stilled her, their eyes meeting, a ghost of a smile evident in Grace’s eyes. For a brief moment Emma saw the vulnerability and the beauty that lay in the depths of Grace’s eyes. It was a perfect blend of sexy
and adorable. Emma’s heart fluttered and her lips trembled in anticipation of what was happening.
Grace guided Emma’s mouth to hers. Soft warm lips brushed against Emma’s. Sweet, achingly gentle. Emma leaned into Grace, settled a hand on her waist, and felt the indentation where taut muscles lay beneath soft skin. Emma deepened the kiss probing thoroughly with her tongue. She heard a moan and the clatter of the flashlight as it fell from Grace’s hand and hit the ground. Grace pulled her close.
She licked her way between Emma’s lips to find her tongue. The two swirled and tangled exploring so deep Emma felt her thoughts evaporate. Emma wanted to feel the strong, curvy body beneath her hands. Their bodies fit together perfectly and desire swirled in Emma’s belly spreading out between her legs. Emma got lost in the taste and scent of Grace, her body greedily demanding more.
Then the sounds of fireworks exploding had Emma jerking away. Crackling lights followed by several high-pitched screeches and booms sent her heart racing.
“That’s Tony. He sets them off every year,” Grace said tilting her head back to look in the direction of the cracks and whistles.
Emma laughed and kept her arms wrapped loosely around Grace’s waist. “He has impeccable timing.”
“Who?”
Still feeling little electric shocks running through her body, Emma ran a finger over Grace’s lower lip. “Never mind who. Come back here so I can kiss you again.”
Grace obliged and Emma wrapped her arms around Grace. Warm lips, strong and demanding this time pried her lips open. They kissed so hard Emma felt like she was spinning. After several heavenly moments of basking in a warm sensual haze they parted.
“Don’t go anywhere.”
“Don’t worry. I think my legs forgot how to walk.” Grace leaned against Emma’s car.
Her head still buzzing, Emma reached into her car and retrieved her cell phone. She handed it to Grace and said, “Put your number in my phone.” After she did Emma pressed the button to dial Grace’s number, smiling. “Now you have mine. Call me.”