Always You (A Magnolia Falls Novel)

by Ruth Roberts

  “You came,” she said. She bit her lower lip, a habit he knew meant she was nervous. That was a good sign.

  “Did you doubt I would?” He raised a questioning brow.

  “No, I just—” she stopped and blew out a breath. “I’m glad you’re here. And it looks like these girls are trying to sucker you into taking them to a movie.”

  “Who wouldn’t want to see Shrek Three?” He asked.

  “Can you come with us?” Jessica pleaded.

  “Please, Auntie Diana,” Cassidy said.

  “I wouldn’t miss it. I love Shrek and Fiona,” she said as she ruffled the girls’ hair. “Why don’t you two go find Liz and tell her that her grilled shrimp is ready?”

  The girls ran off. Zack and Diana were left looking at each other. Neither spoke.

  “I think I’ll move to a safer area before I get singed by the fireworks,” Jen said.

  They turned to look at her. Both had forgotten she was there. “There aren’t any fireworks, Jen,” Diana said, confused.

  “Sure there are, hon. You just haven’t seen them yet.” She patted Diana’s arm and walked away.

  ***

  Diana felt her face get hot as understanding dawned. “She didn’t mean us, did she?”

  “Afraid so.” Zack’s lips twitched with barely contained amusement. “If you wanted to ask me out you didn’t have to set the girls up to do it,” he teased.

  “I seem to remember you asking me to dinner,” Diana said. Did the man eat testosterone for breakfast? He looked delicious. His khaki shorts made his tan legs look lean and muscular, and with a red, button-down shirt and brown leather sandals, he looked like he was ready for a walk on the beach.

  “So how did I end up at your house with you making me dinner?” He winked at her.

  “Touché,” Diana said.

  “However, you do have the set up part right. But it wasn’t me. It was Jillian who got the girls to set us up on a date.”

  “Oh.” She suddenly felt deflated. “You don’t have to go. I can take them. I’m sure you have better things to do with your Saturday night.”

  “Better than taking the three prettiest girls in town to a movie? Not a chance. Cassidy and I will pick you both up at six.”

  “You do realize it will be me going, not Liz?”

  “Of course,” he said, confusion marring his brow.

  “You said prettiest, I thought you meant Liz,” Diana said. He stopped walking and looked over at her. She found it hard to hold his gaze. She hated feeling vulnerable, being compared to Liz had always made her feel that way. Slowly he cupped her cheek. “I was talking about you. It’s always been you, never Liz. Got it?”

  Had she ever seen that intense look in his eyes? She nodded. Message received all the way down to her toes. Jen had been right. There were fireworks, and she’d just gotten singed. He dropped his hand quickly as if he’d been burned, too.

  A loud scream of joy interrupted them. They looked up to see Jillian running toward them. Zack barely had time to brace himself before she flung herself into his arms. “I was selected. I never thought they’d pick me, but I just got the call and I’m going to New York to be on the show.” Another screech and her arms were around Diana. They were jumping up and down together. She had no idea what Jillian was blabbering about, but it was obvious they were celebrating something.

  “Does someone want to let me in here?” Zack asked. Diana had no idea so she lifted her shoulders and held her hands up.

  “I was selected to be on ‘Battle of the Cupcakes.’ It’s being filmed in New York. I’m going to be on TV.”

  “That is amazing. Congratulations.” Diana hugged her again.

  “No one deserves it more than you, little sister.” Zack wrapped his arms around both of them with Jillian sandwiched in the middle. His face ended up very close to Diana’s, and their eyes locked.

  “Eww.” Jillian pushed them apart. “That felt slightly incestuous. You two seriously need to get a room.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous.” Zack ran his fingers through his hair.

  Diana ignored her. “So tell us more. When do you leave? When will you be on TV?”

  “I leave Sunday, and I’ll be in New York for a month. This is an amazing opportunity. The grand prize is one hundred thousand dollars. If I win, I’ll be able to open my cupcake shop right away, and think of all the publicity I’ll get on the show.”

  “I’m proud of you. I have no doubt you are going to kick some cupcake butt,” Zack said.

  “I’m glad you feel that way because I need you to watch Cassidy while I’m gone.”

  Zack put up his hands and shook his head. “Whoa. Watching her for a couple hours and taking her to a movie is one thing. Being responsible for her for a month is another. I wouldn’t know how to take care of her. Besides, I’m too busy with the crazy hours I put in at the clinic.”

  “If you don’t watch her I’ll have to turn them down,” she pouted.

  “Why can’t you take her with you? I know you don’t want to be separated from her for a whole month. I’ll even pay for a nanny,” Zack said.

  “School is starting Monday. She can’t miss the first few weeks of school. Besides, Diana will help you, won’t you?” She looked at Diana.

  “Anything for you,” she said and meant it.

  “See. Between you dear brother and my best friend, I’ll know my baby is in good hands. Now I have to go home and start packing. Bring Cassidy home later, will you?” she asked Zack.

  He nodded. With another quick hug for each of them she was off.

  “Gee, thanks a lot for backing me up there,” he said to Diana.

  “Hey, I just promised to back you up for a whole month, although how I’m going to keep that promise I don’t know. I’m reopening my father’s firm next week so my hours may be as crazy as yours.”

  “Hmm. Looks like you will need me as much as I need you.”

  He squeezed her arm and walked away. Nothing had changed. She still felt jittery when she was around him. Thank goodness she had grown out of her clumsiness. When they were kids, his parents would make him follow her and Jillian everywhere, to look out for them. She’d had such a huge crush on him and became clumsy when he was around. He’d had a front row seat for all her embarrassing moments.

  Zack had always been there to save her. She had been the clumsiest kid alive. The time she tipped over her kayak and fell into the lake, he’d jumped in and fished her out. At school, she was running on the track, tripped over her own feet, and landed on her face. In front of the entire football team. They would have all laughed at her if he hadn’t silenced them with a look. He was the quarterback, so his stern looks carried weight. It was Zack who had picked her up and carried her to the nurse’s office.

  She had been in love with Zack for most of her life, and she had the sneaky suspicion she still was. Life in Magnolia Falls was about to get interesting.

  ***

  Later, she finished putting Jessica to bed and went into her own room for a few ’moments' rest before heading back downstairs where their guests still lingered. Whew. She plopped down on her bed. Staring up at the ceiling, she remembered Zack’s words.

  It’s always been you. Never Liz.

  What did he mean by that? She had very quickly figured out she’d been wrong to leave on Prom night without letting him explain. She had been devastated when she saw him in Liz’s arms, her lips locked on him. Yet, all she could think was one more person had abandoned her and chosen Liz. So she’d run away. She wouldn’t take his calls, and she forbade Jillian to talk about him.

  It wasn’t until a couple of years later she let Jillian tell his side of the story. She had already figured it out, but was too ashamed for not trusting him. By then it was too late for her to repair the damage.

  Her cell phone rang, bringing her out of her reverie. “Hello,” she answered.

  “May I speak with Diana Mathison?”

  “Speaking.”

  “This
is Logan Collier. I just landed in Hartford, and before I check into a hotel I wanted to confirm you have decided against using my services.”

  Diana sat up. “What would give you that idea?” She knew before he confirmed her suspicions.

  “Your sister left me a message saying my services were no longer needed.”

  “Your services are very much needed. Will you please keep our appointment tomorrow? Unfortunately, my sister is still in denial about her problem.”

  “Most are at this stage, which is why I called you instead of her. I will be there tomorrow as planned.”

  “Thank you,” she said before they disconnected the call. What was Liz thinking? Of course, she still needed the eating disorder coach. While she was doing slightly better, Diana was still concerned Liz didn’t eat nearly enough. Looks like another serious talk with her sister was needed.

  ***

  She waited until the last guest had left to speak to Liz. They were in the front parlor. Liz had just picked up her volume of Shakespeare and sat down to start reading. Diana shook her head. She didn’t get why Liz always played the dumb blonde, yet she’d read all of Shakespeare’s works multiple times over. She quoted from Shakespeare regularly. Liz was a lot smarter than the impression she gave the world. Diana sat across from her in a blue armchair resting her feet on the matching ottoman between them. “O, Romeo, Romeo! Wherefore art thou Romeo? That’s about the only one I know,” Diana said.

  Liz marked her place in her book and set it down. “Speaking of Romeo, you and Zack looked pretty close tonight.”

  “It was a trick of the sunlight. That ship has sailed.”

  “It looked securely anchored to me. He’s never gotten over you.”

  “Of course he did. He was married.”

  “Listen, there is something I’ve needed to say to you for ten years—”

  Diana cut her off with a wave of her hand. “It’s in the past. Water under the bridge. Let’s leave it there.”

  “No, I have to explain. It was all me. I threw myself at him. I kissed him. He did not kiss me back. He pushed me away. I was jealous of you and wanted what you had, the love, and affection of everyone in this town. What I did was wrong. I hurt you, and I am so sorry. You don’t know how many times over the last ten years I have wished I could go back to that night and do things differently.”

  “Let it go. I did things that night I’m not so proud of either, we were kids. But since we are apologizing, I’m sorry I ruined your scrapbooks. I know they meant a lot to you. It was childish of me.”

  Liz waved that off. “I deserved it and more. Besides, like you said, we were little more than children. Eighteen is on the cusp of adulthood, not quite there, yet thinking we know it all. I was such a brat back then.”

  “Back then?” Diana lifted a brow. “I hate to tell you this, but bratty Liz reared her head again today.”

  “What are you talking about?” She asked, warily.

  “You called Logan Collier to cancel.”

  “Ah, that.” Liz sat back and crossed her arms. “I don’t need him. I’m doing fine. I’ve already gained five pounds.”

  “That’s great. I’m happy to see you eating more, but you still need him.”

  Liz’s eyes flared. “I do not need some ridiculous life coach psychoanalyzing me every minute of the day.”

  “He is not a life coach. He’s an eating disorder coach.” Diana tried to keep calm.

  “Same difference.”

  “No, it isn’t. He is a certified therapist and dietician. Your doctor in New York highly recommended him. But you already know this. You read all the research.”

  “Do you really want some strange man staying in the house? What if he hurts Jessica? He could be a pedophile, or an axe murderer who will kill us all in our sleep.”

  Diana looked at her incredulously. “I’ve done an intensive background check on him. You know this, too. Looks like ten years didn’t do you much good in the growing up department because you are acting childish.” Diana stood to leave, when she reached the door she stopped and turned. Liz was still sitting on the loveseat, arms crossed, with a mutinous expression on her face. “He will be here at ten tomorrow morning. I expect you to be here.” She left the room closing the doors behind her. A loud thump sounded as something hit the door from the other side. She smiled. Looks like Liz had many uses for that book of Shakespeare sonnets.

  CHAPTER SEVEN

  Zack watched his sister in amazement as she packed for a month and lectured him at the same time. She walked around the room gathering different items, matching them up to make sure they looked good enough for TV. He didn’t understand why she bothered. They would be covered up by her chef’s coat. When he mentioned that, she just glared at him and continued on her rant. He really didn’t want to hear what she was saying, but every time he tried to leave she would pull him back in.

  “This is your second chance, so don’t blow it this time. I could never understand why you didn’t date her in high school. Diana was always perfect for you, but being the bull-headed male, you couldn’t see it.”

  “I saw it. She was your best friend. I didn’t want a relationship between Diana and me to come between you two,” he said.

  “Oh no, you don’t. You will not use me as an excuse.” She threw the article of clothing she had in her hand at his head. Zack was so glad it was a t-shirt and not an undergarment. She had been known to throw plenty of those at him when they were kids. “You were too scared she would turn you down. Then, when you finally got the nerve up to ask her to prom, you blew it. You should have known better than to get within twenty feet of Liz back then.”

  Zack rolled his eyes. “That was not my fault. Besides, it was years ago. Ancient history. If Diana was really interested back then, she would have given me a chance to explain.”

  “Don’t be a dolt. You know she adored you, but you also know how Liz made her feel. Still does, actually.”

  “Liz has changed. She doesn’t treat Diana the way she did when they were kids.” Zack couldn’t believe he was defending Liz. But in her defense, she had made an effort the last few years to endear herself to the town.

  “Liz is a perfect sweetheart, now. But she doesn’t have to do anything except stand to make Diana feel inferior.”

  “Why would Diana feel inferior? Liz might be a supermodel, but she’s never held a candle to Diana.”

  “Maybe you should tell Diana that. You are the only person who can make her believe it.” Jillian sat down next to Zack and blew out a breath. “I am going to miss Cassidy so much. Please take good care of my baby while I’m gone.”

  Zack wrapped his arm around her and pulled her close to his side. “I will protect her with my life. Nothing will happen to her on my watch.”

  “Thanks, little brother. I’ve never spent a whole month away from her.” She wiped a stray tear that escaped her eye.

  “I know. But the time will fly, and you will be back home with her before you know it. With the money to open your very own cupcake shop.”

  “I know you’re right. Doesn’t make it any easier.” She stood and continued folding clothes and adding it to her suitcase. “Since you and Diana will be playing mommy and daddy to Cassidy and Jessica it’s a perfect time for you to bond.”

  Zack stood up and walked to the window. “I can’t get involved with her.”

  “Why not?”

  Zack smiled. He could almost see his sister stomping her foot.

  “Because of Hannah. I could never give her the love she deserved, and if I get involved with Diana, I know I will love her far more than I did Hannah. It’s not fair.”

  “That’s ridiculous. You made Hannah feel loved. She adored you and felt cherished by you. I know she would want you to move on and find love again. She would want you to be happy.”

  He shook his head. “You’re right. Hannah was the sweetest person I’ve ever met. She would want me to find happiness, which makes it so much worse. I tried to love her, but
I just couldn’t, not the way she deserved. My heart has always belonged to Diana. I never should have married Hannah. She deserved someone with a whole heart to give to her.”

  “Zack. You are wrong. Hannah told me you made her deliriously happy. She said she never thought she would find a man like you, and she couldn’t wait to spend the rest of her life with you. She got her wish, even though her life was cut short. She spent that little bit of time happy and secure in the knowledge you loved her, and you would have been an amazing father to the child she carried.”

  Zack sucked in a breath. Every time he thought about losing Hannah and their unborn baby he felt his lungs constrict. He had lost his family in one night, at the hands of a drunk driver who would never understand the pain he caused because he died as well on the same night. Some would say it was justice. Zack would have preferred to see him rot in prison for the rest of his very long life.

  Jillian’s hand on his back pulled him out of his painful memories. “You deserve to be happy, too, Zack. So does Diana. Without one another, neither of you will ever be happy. Don’t deprive her or yourself of that happiness.”

  ***

  Later that night, Zack lay in bed thinking about his sister’s words. She was right, Diana was the only woman who could make him happy. He had known since he was a teenager. Now knowing he had managed to make Hannah feel loved helped a little, but the guilt still lingered. She would want him to find someone else and be happy. That was her nature. She wanted everyone to find happiness. Maybe, eventually, he could vanquish the guilt completely and finally step into the life he was meant to live, with Diana.

  ***

  The following morning Liz was gone by the time Diana got up, and she didn’t bother putting in an appearance the rest of the day. In a town this small it wouldn’t have been difficult to locate her, but Logan suggested she be left alone. She had to go home at some point.

  She spent Saturday morning getting him settled in since he would be staying in the house for the duration of the treatment. He went over the types of treatment plans he used on his clients and explained after he got to know Liz a little better, he would decide which plan would be best for her.