by Nicole James
“I said, I think that’s a great idea.”
“You…you do?”
“Yes, as a matter of fact, I’ll help you pack.” Dorothy stood up and walked into CJ’s closet. She started sorting through all the dresses, searching for the perfect one. She finally found what she was looking for, carried it out and laid it across the bed. “This should do nicely.”
CJ looked down at the dress and then back at her mother, a smile forming on her face. And then she was across the room and in her mother’s arms. “I love you, Mom.”
“I love you, too, baby. Now, go get him.”
Chapter Twenty-Seven
It was the afternoon of December 29th. The wedding was set for New Year’s Eve. It would be a candlelight ceremony at a small church that the Garrett family had been attending for years. Afterward, everyone was invited back to the farm for a reception.
Steve was out in the shed, hanging little white lights everywhere. They had all worked hard to clean out and convert the large shed into a suitable place for music and dancing. Steve had moved all of the cars he’d been rebuilding to Justin’s Garage. The two had decided to finally start that business they’d planned back in high school. They would be partners, with Justin doing the majority of the mechanical and body work, and Steve scouting out vehicles to rebuild and handling the sales. It wouldn’t be an equal split, with Justin owning the garage and doing more of the work, but that was fine with Steve, as he still had a farm to run.
Currently, he was up on a ladder wrapping strands of lights around the beams. When he heard a car pull up, he stopped and looked over his shoulder. He could see out the open double doors, but the vehicle was out of sight. A moment later he heard the back door open and footsteps running down the porch steps.
“Summer, you’re here,” he heard Jessie shout. And then a car door slam shut.
He slowly descended the ladder, his heart in his throat. He took a couple of steps toward the door and there he stood.
Summer pulled back from Jessie’s embrace and looked past her, toward where Steve stood motionless in the entrance to the shed.
Jessie followed her gaze over her shoulder to her dad. “Come on,” she said, taking Summer by the hand and leading her toward the shed.
Steve watched her approach and tried to remember to breathe again. And then she was there, standing in front of him.
“Hello, Steve.”
He cleared his throat. “Hey, Summer.”
They stared at each other a moment. Jessie’s gaze flicked from one to the other and she smiled.
“I…ah, didn’t know you were coming,” Steve said.
“Well, I had to rearrange some things.”
Steve nodded.
Jessie grabbed Summer by the arm. “Come on, I want to show you my dress.” Jessie turned back to her father. “Can you bring her things in, Dad?”
“Yeah, sure.” Steve watched as Jessie dragged Summer into the house. When the door closed, he let out the breath he hadn’t known he was holding.
She had come back.
Summer sat on Jessie’s bed, admiring the beautiful gown that Jessie was modeling. “Oh, honey. It’s gorgeous.”
Jessie smiled, bursting with excitement. “I can’t believe that tomorrow I’m going to be Mrs. Cary McBride.”
Summer smiled, got up and hugged her. “I’m so happy for you.”
They broke apart.
“So, Dad sure was surprised to see you.”
“You didn’t tell him I called you?”
Jessie smiled. “And miss the look on his face? Not for a million.”
Summer smiled and shook her head. “I hope he’s okay with me staying here. I wish you’d told him.”
“Are you serious? You really think he wouldn’t want you here?”
“I just don’t think your father likes surprises.”
Jessie looked at her and her smile faded. “He’s missed you.”
Summer looked down. “I’ve missed him, too.”
A grin broke out on Jessie’s face. “Good. Now, let’s go get you some dinner.”
Cary walked over as Steve was getting Summer’s bags out of her car. He leaned back on the car and folded his arms. “How’re you doing, old man?”
Steve dropped the bag, looked back at the house, and shook his head.
Cary grinned and took out a pack of cigarettes, passing them to Steve. He took one and bent his head to light it. Cary noticed Steve’s hand shake. “You okay?”
Steve blew out a stream of smoke. “You know about this, too?”
Cary shoved the cigarette pack back into his shirt pocket. “Jessie said something to me last night, when she got the call.”
“Call?” Steve looked over at him.
Cary met his eyes. “Yeah. Summer called her late last night to tell her she would be able to make it after all.”
Steve took another hit off the cigarette.
“What’s the matter? You wanted to see her, didn’t you?”
Steve looked back at him. “It’s just going to be hell saying goodbye again.”
“Then don’t.”
Steve looked away.
Cary shook his head. “She’s back. You blow this again, you’re stupider than I am.” And then he picked up one of the suitcases and walked into the house.
Steve stared after him a long moment and then tossed the cigarette down, grinding it under his boot. He picked up the second suitcase and followed him.
That night at dinner, Jessie was chattering on about all the wedding details with Summer.
“Baby, give it a rest. Let her eat her food,” Cary said, reaching over and rubbing the back of Jessie’s neck.
Jessie sputtered to a stop. “Oh, I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to go on and on like that.”
“It’s okay. I love hearing all about it,” Summer insisted.
“The rehearsal is at 4pm tomorrow and then Cary’s parents are taking the wedding party out to the Roadhouse for the rehearsal dinner. You have to come, too, Summer.”
“Oh, that’s not necessary. That should be just for the wedding party,” Summer protested.
‘But we want you there. Tell her, Daddy,” Jessie said, turning to her father.
“Of course.”
Summer looked over at Steve. He looked back at her. Their eyes held a moment.
“Why, of course you’re coming,” Pop insisted, breaking the spell. He pushed his chair back from the table. “I think I’ll go have a smoke before I turn in.” He pulled a pipe out of his pocket and headed for the front door. He patted Summer on the shoulder as he passed her chair. “Glad to have you back, Summer.”
She smiled up at him.
Cary stood up. “Come on, baby. I’ll help you with the dishes.” He and Jessie began gathering up the plates. Summer started to get up to help, but he waived her back down. “You sit. You’re company tonight. We’ve got this.”
They both went into the kitchen. Summer turned back to Steve. He leaned on both elbows and studied the tablecloth. “So, how have you been?”
She ran her finger around the rim of her coffee cup. “Fine.”
“I bet your class was glad to have you back,” he commented, not looking up.
“I, um…actually, I’m taking some time off.”
Steve looked up, concerned. “Why? You’re feeling okay, aren’t you?”
She met his eyes. “Yes, of course.”
“Then why aren’t you back with your class?”
She looked away. “Well, when I didn’t show up…they had replaced me and well, it just didn’t work out this year. Maybe next year.”
“What do you mean, maybe?”
“Mark and I had discussed…that is…”
At the mention of Mark, Steve stiffened. “Go on.”
“I may take some time, that’s all.”
“I thought you loved teaching.”
She looked at him. “I do.”
Steve stared back at her, waiting for her to continue. When she didn’t, h
e nodded his head. “If that’s what you want.”
Summer looked down and toyed with her coffee cup.
Steve studied her a moment and then asked softly, “It isn’t, is it, Summer?”
Something about the way he said her name got to her. Her eyes glazed with tears. “If you’ll excuse me, I really am tired from the long drive. I think I’ll go lay down.”
Steve watched silently as she scooted her chair back and hurried up the stairs. He hadn’t missed the tears either…or the fact that she didn’t have the ring on her finger anymore. What had happened in Savannah, he wondered.
*****
The rehearsal dinner was held in a private room at The Roadhouse. There were fourteen of them, including the bridal party and Cary’s parents, who had driven in and were staying at a motel in town.
After the toasts were made and the meal had been served, some of the younger people had gone off to the other room to dance to the band. Summer excused herself to go to the ladies room. When she was walking back through the main room on her way back to the private room, she saw Steve standing at the bar.
She walked over to him. He turned and looked over his shoulder at her, straightening up.
“Buy a girl a drink?” she asked.
“Sure,” he said, motioning the bartender over. “What would you like?”
“White wine.”
He pulled out a barstool for her, and she sat down. Her skirt slid up a few inches as she crossed her legs. Steve’s gaze followed the line of her leg from the hem of her black pencil skirt down to her high-heeled black pump.
The bartender returned with her wine and she took a sip. She watched as Steve took a sip of his drink, an amber liquor in a short cut-glass tumbler. “What are you drinking?” she asked, nodding to the glass in his hand.
“Whiskey.”
She nodded.
“Don’t worry. I’m only having one.”
“Your daughter’s getting married tomorrow. You’re allowed.” She smiled and took another sip of her wine.
He smiled back and turned, leaning his elbows on the bar. “Yeah, how ‘bout that? I still can’t believe it.”
“You are okay with it, aren’t you?” she questioned hesitantly.
“Okay with it? No. But I’ve come to terms with it.” He turned and looked at Summer. “She loves him. I can’t stand in her way.”
Summer put her hand on his shoulder. “Steve, he loves her very much.”
He looked at her and nodded. “I know…it’s just, she’s still my little girl, you know?”
“She’ll always be your little girl. Take it from this Daddy’s girl” She dipped her head and grinned at him.
He nodded. “Your parents, they were happy to see you, huh?”
“Yes, very.”
Steve nodded. Then he gulped down the rest of his drink and turned to look at her. They stared at each other a moment and then Steve took the wine glass out of her hand. She watched him set it on the bar and looked at him questioningly.
He didn’t say anything, just took her hand and pulled her along behind him. He led her to the dance floor, turned and pulled her into his arms. The band was playing a slow song and there were about a dozen couples dancing. They looked into each other’s eyes as they danced around the floor.
And then, as natural as if they’d never been apart Summer melted against him and laid her head on his shoulder. Steve bent his head on top of hers and closed his eyes. He pulled her closer. He breathed in the scent of her and knew this was where she belonged. The world felt right again. His life felt right again. Suddenly, he knew how much he really needed her in his life and how empty his life had become without her in it.
The song ended much too soon. They pulled apart. He looked down into her eyes. “Want to get some air?”
“Sure.” He led her outside to the front porch. She walked over to the railing and looked up at the moon. “Look at all those stars.”
Steve noticed she rubbed her arms through the soft silk of the blouse she wore. “You’re cold.”
She turned to see him pulling off his suit coat. He wrapped it around her shoulders and pulled the lapels together. He didn’t let go and she looked up into his eyes. And then he was bending his head to kiss her. It was a soft kiss at first, tentative, exploring. Her hands slid to his waist. He pulled her closer and wrapped his arms around her, deepening the kiss.
The door opened and a couple walked out. Summer pulled back. Steve watched as the couple walked down the stairs and into the parking lot, and then he looked down at Summer. He took her face in his hands and tilted her head back. “I’m glad you came.”
Summer smiled and was about to say something when Pop, Jessie, Cary and the rest of the group came out the door. Summer and Steve quickly stepped apart. Whatever she’d been about to say, Steve didn’t get to hear it.
They all headed down the stairs and to the vehicles. Steve took Summer by the hand and they followed everyone else. He looked down at her and she smiled up at him.
When they arrived back at the house, Jessie pulled Summer along to help her with last minute details. Steve watched her walk up the back stairs and knew he wouldn’t get a chance to talk to her that night.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
The next morning, Cary found Steve in the shed, setting up tables that they’d rented. Steve turned and looked up when he walked in. “Today’s the big day.”
“Yup,” Cary replied.
“You’re not getting cold feet, are you?” Steve asked, turning to push the table against the wall.
“Not a chance.”
“Damn.”
Cary rolled his eyes with a smile. “I’m going into town now to pick up Jessie’s wedding ring. Take a ride with me.”
Steve looked at him. “Okay. Sure.” He followed Cary outside and they climbed into Cary’s pickup. They pulled out onto the highway and headed towards town.
Cary turned to look at Steve. “So, how’d it go last night?”
Steve turned to him. “How’d what go?”
Cary smiled and looked back to the road. “I saw you dancing with her.”
Steve looked away. “It was just a dance.”
“Come on,” Cary replied, not buying it. “You two looked pretty cozy out on that porch.”
Steve didn’t respond.
Cary looked over at him, not letting it go. “It sure looked like we were interrupting something when we all walked out.” When Steve still remained stubbornly mute, Cary shook his head. “Don’t let your pride stand in the way.”
“In the way of what?”
“Do you love her?” Cary asked, pointblank and watched Steve look away. “So, you’re going to let her leave again?”
“She is leaving. It’s not up to me.”
“Maybe because you’ve never asked her to stay, ever think of that?” The blank look on Steve’s face had Cary blowing out a breath. “Christ, this isn’t just dawning on you, is it?”
Steve shook his head and looked out his window.
“What are you afraid of?”
Steve continued to stare out the window and Cary thought he wasn’t going to answer. And then he admitted softly, “That she’ll say no.”
“Well, hell. If you don’t ask her, she’s leaving for sure. What have you got to lose?” Steve sat quietly the rest of the drive, and Cary knew to back off and let him be.
They pulled into town and parked. Cary turned the ignition off and turned to look at Steve. “I just want you to know, I love Jessie very much.”
Steve moved his arm from where it rested in the open window and ran his hand over his jaw. He blew out a breath, looked over at him and nodded. “She’s…my little girl, you know?”
“I know,” Cary replied and turned to look out the window. After a moment, he turned back to Steve. “I’m going to make her happy or die trying.”
Steve nodded, his hand moving to the door handle. “Come on. We don’t want to be late getting back.”
They got out
and walked into the jewelry store.
“Mr. McBride. It’s the big day today, huh?” the jeweler greeted them, looking up from waiting on another customer.
“Yup.” Cary’s grin said it all.
“Let me get your order. I’ll be right back.” He went into the back room.
Steve leaned against one of the jewelry counters.
Cary nodded down at the case. “Maybe it’s time you did a little shopping, too.”
Steve twisted, looking down into the case. It held a display of engagement rings. He eyes locked with Cary’s a moment and then slid back to the rings.
When they returned from town, Cary headed inside. Steve stood next to the truck a moment, his gaze straying to the small plot of land about fifty yards from the house. It contained the graves of his father, mother, grandmother and now his wife. The graves were surrounded by a black wrought-iron fence and shaded by a large pecan tree. Steve walked over, opened the gate and stepped inside. Pulling his hat from his head, his gaze slid over each stone marker, finally stopping on the newest one.
His eyes moved from the marker to the horizon and he whispered, “Our baby’s getting married today, sweetheart.” He swallowed back the emotion that threatened to engulf him, wondering how he was going to stand at the altar and give his little girl away, and then sit in that pew without Rita by his side. “I wish you could be here for it.”
The wind blew the branches of the tree above his head shaking free a few remaining leaves that fell, cascading down on him. Steve looked up and a smile pulled at his mouth. “Okay, sweetheart. I get the message. You will be.” He took a deep breath and blew it out slowly. His eyes moved to Cary’s house. “He loves her, honey. I know he does.” Smiling, he tried to laugh, fighting back the tears. “At least she won’t be going very far, huh?”
Slapping his hat against his thigh, he let out a sigh. “I’ve got to let you go, sweetheart.” He blinked the tears out of his eyes and whispered, “I hope you understand.” After another moment, he put his hat back on his head and turned, opening the gate. He stepped out, shut it with a clank and stopped in his tracks as his head came up. Summer was standing about twenty feet away, her hands in the front pockets of her faded blue jeans. The wind blew a strand of hair across her face and she reached up to tuck it behind her ear.