by Terri DuLong
And did I want to risk possible heartache again?
I walked into the garden to find Chloe reclined on a lounge working on a gorgeous Aran sweater.
“That’s beautiful,” I said, sitting beside her and leaning over for a better look. “For you?”
“Thanks. No, it’s for Mathis. He’s working in Paris now, you know.”
My nephew was working in Paris? “No, I didn’t know. Actually, I don’t know him or Eli very well at all.”
Chloe nodded and continued knitting. “I know that—and it’s my fault for not staying in touch with you and Aunt Maude. But yes—Mathis is working for a company that transferred him to France. He speaks fluent French—must be in our genes—and he loves it there. Although I don’t hear from him much.”
Amazing. My sister actually admitted that it was her fault for the lack of relationship I had with her sons, but I also noticed she had stopped short of saying I’m sorry. “And Eli?” I asked. “Where is he?”
“Living and working in Manhattan. He’s with an accounting firm and seems to enjoy his work, but I don’t hear from him very often either.”
I wasn’t sure what to say, so I remained silent.
“Years ago I thought I was doing it all the right way. The perfect wife for Parker—learning how to properly entertain for his clients, joining so many organizations and committees that would make him proud, being the perfect mother to Mathis and Eli. But I can see now that I didn’t do any of it right.”
The emptiness my sister felt came through in her words. I remembered what that deep void could feel like. “Nobody’s perfect,” I told her. “You were a good wife and a good mother.” I refrained from saying it’s the sister relationship you never got right. “People change. Kids grow up and become their own person. Life changes and ... we have to change with it. For what it’s worth, I think you’re doing well. Because it’s not easy starting over.”
Chloe laid her knitting in her lap and looked at me. “You’d know that, wouldn’t you? Coming here, alone, ten years ago. I’m not sure I could have done that all by myself.”
Was my sister paying me a compliment? “Can I ask you something, Chloe?”
“Yeah.”
“Why didn’t you stay in touch with me and Aunt Maude? Why was it always Parker’s side of the family for holidays and get-togethers? Why did you never allow me to get to know you or my nephews? Why were Parker and his family always more important to you than we were?” All the questions of my growing-up years tumbled out of me.
Chloe bent her head and remained silent for a few moments. “I don’t know. I honestly don’t know,” she said, reaching over to give my hand a squeeze before standing up to walk into the house.
I looked around the group seated at Yarning Together and smiled. All the women I loved, sitting companionably, talking and knitting. It seemed odd to see my sister in this group, but there she was chatting away with Eudora Foster about some knitting patterns. Our conversation from the afternoon seemed to have been a slight opening for us as sisters. I knew we still had a long way to go, but everything begins with one small step.
“Okay, ladies,” Monica said, clapping her hands together. “I have an announcement to make.”
“Oh, that’s right.” Twila Faye leaned forward in her chair. “You had that ultrasound yesterday, didn’t you? So what is it? Boy or girl?”
“Yes,” Monica said, as we sat there waiting for her answer.
When she remained silent, Sydney looked at her daughter. “Well, don’t keep us waiting. Am I getting a granddaughter or a grandson?”
“Yes,” Monica replied again.
What the heck? And then it hit me. “Oh. My. God. You’re having both, aren’t you?” I exclaimed.
Monica burst out laughing. “Gracie, you’re so perceptive, but not perceptive enough.”
“You’re having twins?” Eudora said with excitement.
“Twins! Girls, boys, or both?” Polly asked.
Monica continued laughing.
“Oh. My. God,” I said again, as I finally caught on. “She’s having triplets. You’re having triplets, aren’t you, Monica?”
Pure joy covered my friend’s face as she got her laughter under control. “Jackpot, Grace. Yes—I’m having triplets! Two boys and one girl.”
Sydney jumped up to hug her daughter as the room filled with laughter and exclamations.
I shook my head in disbelief. “Wow,” I said. “Wow. When you do it, you do it well.”
“I’m still as shocked as you are,” Monica said. “I thought poor Adam was going to pass out when the doctor told us, but I swear his feet haven’t touched the ground since he found out.”
“Are you feeling okay?” Sydney asked, the mother and nurse coming forward.
“Wonderful. A little large,” she said, and we all laughed.
“I thought you were kind of big for only four months along,” I told her.
“You ain’t seen nothing yet.”
“What exciting news,” Dora said. “How does Clarissa feel about this?”
Monica laughed. “Over the moon. We swore her to secrecy until I could tell all of you tonight, but tomorrow she gets to spread the news at school. She’s so excited about all of it, and that just makes it even more wonderful.”
“This certainly calls for a celebration,” Chloe said, getting up. “I’ll start passing out the lemon squares that Dora brought.”
“I’ll help ...” Monica started to say.
I jumped up to give her a hug. “You’ll do no such thing,” I told her. “Between Adam, Clarissa, and all of us, you’re going to really learn the meaning of the word pampered over the next five months.”
After we finished the lemon squares and coffee, I saw Aunt Maude and Chloe coming from the back room, each carrying a large wicker basket overflowing with yarn and needles. They set them down in front of me.
“This is for you,” my aunt said. “All of us felt so bad about you losing all of your yarn and supplies in the fire. So we all chipped in and bought you some replacements.”
I looked down at the baskets of luscious colors and fibers and then around the room at the smiling faces. Moisture filled my eyes as I reached to fondle a soft skein of dusty rose cashmere. “I ... don’t know what to say. You guys did this for me? You’re the best. The absolute best!”
Drifting off to sleep that night, I marveled at all the surprises the day had brought. My sister and I seemed to be turning a corner. My friend was pregnant with triplets. Friends and family had been very generous and kind to me. All of which were very good things. But what kept playing over and over in my head was the kiss I’d shared with Lucas, leaving a warm feeling in my heart as sleep overtook me.
13
I wandered into the bookshop and wondered if a bus had stopped out front. The shop was filled with customers. I could see Lucas at the counter ringing up sales as a few more patrons waited. Glancing into the coffee café, I saw most of the tables were filled and a few people were waiting in line with nobody behind the counter to fill their orders.
“Hey, Lucas,” I said, walking up to the counter.
His head shot up from the cash register and a smile crossed his face. “Grace, good morning. As you can see, I’ve got an overflow of customers at the moment.”
“Right. And some are waiting in there for their coffee,” I said, tilting my head in the direction of the café. “How about if I go in and take care of them?”
Was that relief I saw cross his face? “Oh, that would be great. Thank you.”
Walking behind the counter, I smiled at the line of patrons. “Thanks so much for waiting. Now what can I get for you?”
I proceeded to whip up cappuccinos, double lattes, espressos, and anything else the customers required. I had just finished filling the final order when Lucas walked in.
“You’re a lifesaver,” he said, joining me behind the counter. “I don’t know what I was thinking—that I’d be able to handle both the bookshop and th
e coffee café at the same time.”
“Well, it’s a Friday. The weekends are the busiest times on the island. You might want to think about hiring somebody part-time for the coffee café.”
“I think that might be a very good idea.” He paused for a moment. “I don’t suppose I could interest you in taking the job temporarily until I can find a replacement?”
He was offering me a chance to spend more time with him? “Well, I have the website up and running for the knitting retreats. I have the phone set to take messages on any bookings when I’m not there.” I smiled at the expectant expression on his face. “Yes, I think I could do this for you until you find somebody.”
“Really? Oh, Grace, I don’t know how to thank you.”
He pulled me into an embrace as I thought, This is a very good start on thanking me.
“I know how,” he said, releasing me and stepping back. “Dinner. Dinner tonight at my place. I’ll cook for us.”
Just the two of us? With no Aunt Maude? This definitely qualified as a bona fide date. “Oh, Lucas, you don’t have to do that,” I said, hating myself for being so noble.
“No, I want to. Come over at eight. I look forward to it.”
Dinner alone with a handsome Frenchman? This girl didn’t need to be asked twice.
“So you spent the day working there with him?” Suellen asked later that afternoon on the phone.
I took a sip of sweet tea and stretched my legs along the sofa as Annie curled up next to me. “Yup. We were pretty busy, too, so he really did need my help.”
“How convenient.” I heard a giggle come across the line.
I joined her giggle. “You think? Well, the best is ... he’s cooking dinner for me tonight at his place as a thank-you.”
“Oh, yeah, girl. You’re movin’ right along.”
“I guess you’ll be happy to know I’ve bumped up from acquaintance. ”
Suellen laughed. “Very happy to hear that. Hey, one of us may as well have some romance in her life, because it sure isn’t me. Seriously, I’m really happy for you, Gracie. Hell, it’s time you get involved with somebody.”
I chewed on my lower lip. “Hmm, maybe.”
“What’s with this maybe? I know you’re attracted to him, and from the sound of it, he’s just as attracted to you.”
I reclined on the pillow behind my head. “Yeah, true on both counts, I think. But that’s just it ... do I want to get involved in a serious relationship again? It’s a risk.”
“You can’t compare every man to Beau Hamilton. You went through a tough time—not only when you were seeing him, but after you left. But Gracie, you have to be open and willing to take another chance. Lucas seems like a really nice guy. And what? Do you want to end up like me—probably passing my days drooling away in a nursing home flirting with the young male doctors?”
I let out a burst of laughter. “Suellen, you’re not going to end up that way. And besides, look who’s talking. I don’t see you making any attempt to meet Mr. Right.”
“Yeah, well, this conversation isn’t about me. Now, look, put on your sexiest dress, splash on some of that seductive French perfume you own, and go have a night to remember. Oh, and take notes if you have to, but I want all the details the next time we talk.”
I hung up the phone still smiling. Suellen had a way of doing that. Setting me straight. Making me think. Giving me courage.
Later, I stood on Lucas’s front porch and rang the bell. I heard Duncan barking, and a moment later Lucas opened the door.
His slow, appreciative glance made me happy that I’d listened to Suellen. I’d chosen a simple, sleeveless black dress and was grateful that my foot was completely healed, enabling me to wear a pair of sexy, black strappy heels. My choice of scent, Magie Noire, lingered in the autumn air.
“Bonsoir, Grace. Come in. Duncan, be a good boy and go lie down.”
“Bonsoir. No, he’s fine,” I said, leaning over to pat his head.
“A glass of wine before dinner?” he asked, leading the way into the living room.
“That would be great,” I said, situating myself on the sofa and then wondering if perhaps I should have chosen the chair.
He disappeared into the kitchen as I took a deep breath. Duncan sat looking at me expectantly, a red ball in his mouth. “I know I shouldn’t be nervous,” I told the dog, as I took the ball he offered and tossed it across the floor. “But I am.”
“Here we go,” Lucas said, returning with a glass of red wine in each hand. Passing one to me, he sat beside me. “Now, Duncan, no more playing.” The dog obediently went to his bed in the corner, gave a snort, turned in a circle, and lay down.
Lucas touched the rim of my wineglass. “Thank you so much for all of the help you’ve given me. I truly don’t know what I would have done without you today.”
I smiled. “I enjoyed it. And you made a very good decision about opening that coffee café. I think you’ll do very well.”
“Again, that’s all thanks to your valuable input and assistance.”
“We can work out a temporary schedule for the weekends until you can find somebody.”
“That would be great. Tell me how the knitting retreats are coming along. When do you think you’ll be starting those?”
“I actually had a message waiting for me when I got home today, and I’ve booked our first customers. Two sisters from the state of Washington, and she had the nicest story. It seems they’re both cancer survivors and they choose a spot to go together every year. To celebrate life. And this coming year, they’d like to come to Cedar Key for the knitting retreat.”
“That’s a wonderful story. Very inspiring.”
“I know. We’re going to have our first retreat the last weekend in January. That will give us time to take bookings and finish getting things organized.”
“I hope you know that I wish you and your aunt a lot of success. I think dinner is about ready,” he said, standing up. “If you’ll excuse me for a minute.”
“Can I help?” I asked, also standing up.
“No, no. Just take a seat at the table.”
I walked over to the dining table, covered with a beautiful white lace cloth. Two place settings were already arranged. I sat down and took a sip of wine. Being here, in Lucas’s home, sitting at his table, about to share a dinner he had prepared, had a warm and evocative feel. And I liked it.
“Some cognac?” Lucas asked, as he headed to the mahogany bar in the dining room.
“That would be nice. What a wonderful dinner that was. I think my aunt was right that you missed your calling as a French chef.” The pork had been cooked to perfection, the roasted potatoes and vegetables were superb, and I’m sure I packed on twenty pounds with his delicious chocolate mousse.
Lucas laughed as he passed me a brandy snifter filled with amber liquid. “But then it wouldn’t be enjoyable. It would be a job.”
“Very true,” I said. I took a sip of the wonderful French brandy.
He took a sip, placed it on the coffee table, and edged closer to me. Taking my hand, he said, “I think what we have here, with us, has become more than just friendship.”
I knew he was right. We had enjoyed great conversation all through dinner and I loved being in his company, but I also knew that all evening there had been an undercurrent of sexual tension between us.
I nodded and bent my head to avoid looking into his eyes.
“I like you. I like you a lot, Grace. I like spending time with you.”
My head shot up and I saw his intense dark eyes. “I like you too,” I whispered.
He leaned forward and I felt his lips connecting with mine. His tongue slid inside my mouth as his kiss became deeper and more passionate. He stopped only long enough to remove the glass from my hand, and I felt my body heating up as Lucas coaxed me into a reclining position. His lips found mine, and as his hand skimmed over my breast I knew I was sliding toward that point of no return. A moan of desire filled the room, and I wasn�
��t sure if it was me, Lucas, or both of us, but I gently pulled back, my heavy breathing matching his.
Lucas held my face in his hands, and the look I saw in his eyes was pure desire. “I want you,” he said, his voice husky with passion.
I gently touched my lips to his, willing my body to calm down.
“I think you want me too,” he said, now stroking a fingertip over my lips.
I remained silent, a million thoughts swirling through my head.
Lucas shifted his position, and I felt his erection against my thigh.
“But we can wait,” he said, sitting up and pulling my head to his shoulder. “We can wait until you are absolutely certain.”
The kindness of his words brought tears to my eyes and catapulted me back to another time, another place.
I sat up straight so that I could face him. Maybe it was time—maybe it was time to allow my fears to come to the surface. I held his hand in mine. “Lucas, I need to tell you something,” I heard myself say. “There are some things that you don’t know about me.” I attempted to swallow the lump in my throat. “The man that I had mentioned to you—Beau Hamilton—he was my lover for almost five years.” I paused for a second. “And he was married.”
“I see,” was all that Lucas said, the expression on his face not changing as he waited for me to go on.
“The day that I met him I didn’t know he was married. I didn’t know this for about three months, and when he told me, it didn’t matter. It didn’t matter to me in the least—because it was too late. I had already fallen in love with him.” I let out a deep sigh. “And during the first few years, it still didn’t matter to me because we loved each other—and he did love me. I was certain of that. But it didn’t matter because at the time I wanted to keep the single, independent lifestyle that I had. Oh, I never saw anybody else. Only Beau. But I traveled a lot with my aunt to Paris for the family business, and I had no desire to answer to anybody but myself. And with Beau’s marital situation, it worked well for both of us.”