“Who?”
“Melody.”
“Harmony.”
“Whatever. You’re still horny for her? I don’t believe it.”
“Get out,” he said again. “I’m not talking about her. Not with you, of all people.”
She closed the short distance between them and smiled, the expression hideous at such close range. “Why not? She seemed to have no problem talking to me about you.”
He scoffed. “Right. You barely spared her two words at dinner that night.”
“True.” She moved away from him at last and ran her fingers over the desk. “But I went to her camp.”
“You did what? When?” He shook his head. “Never mind that. Why?”
“I wanted to see how the little tree-hugger lived. I saw her little tent or whatever. The lake, the trees. It was pretty enough. I liked the outside shower.” Her mouth turned down at the corners. “Did you screw her there?”
He fisted his hands at his sides to keep from wrapping them around her neck. “What did you say to Harmony, Tiffany?”
“I told her what Bill said, Rick. That he told you to seduce her to get her on Chapman’s side.”
“Son-of-a… Are you out of your mind?”
“It’s true.”
“Goddamn it!” He stalked over to her and grabbed her arms. “Bill never told me any such thing. If he had—”
“If he had you would have done it,” she snapped. “He says ‘jump’ and you ask ‘how high?’”
He pushed her away from him. “Shut up. I can’t believe you told her that. You lying bitch.”
She ran her hands over the sleeves of her blouse, adjusting the shoulders so the neckline fell to a deep V once more. “Call me what you want. I’m honest enough to admit what I am.”
“A money-grubbing slut?”
“At least I know what I want and I go after it.” She walked to the door. “You’re too busy kissing up to Daddy to go after what you want.”
“And that’s you, I suppose? Not in a million years.”
She ran her eyes over him and curled her lip. “You don’t have the balls to go after what you want, Rick. Maybe you’re not like your father after all.”
In a flash he felt his chest open up and his head clear as her words made their unintentional mark. “You’re goddamned right. I’m not like him. Now I’m tired of saying it, ‘Mom.’ Get the hell out.”
She smirked again and left, passing his secretary as she stepped into the doorway. “Get out of my way.”
The girl frowned in confusion and looked at Rick. “Mrs. Chapman had me go down to the copy room but they didn’t have anything for you. Did you need something?”
So she’d gotten the girl out of the way so she could what? Seduce him? The conniving little…
“No, thanks,” he said. She turned to leave and he called out to her. “Wait. Tell my father I need to see him. Right away.”
She nodded and hurried out of his office, closing the door behind her. Rick sat back down and went over what Tiffany had said. Oh, not the innuendo and out-and-out propositions. What she divulged about going to see Harmony. It made sense now. Ever since Bill and Tiffany’s visit she’d been different. He thought about Christmas Eve. Most of the night she’d been cool and reserved. But if she believed anything that Tiffany said, and Rick was sure it was more than the bitch admitted today, it was little wonder she hadn’t wanted to come with him. Or to ask him to stay. She thought he’d used her? For his friggin’ career? No. Even in the beginning, when he took her to dinner to get her on his side, he’d wanted her. For her, nothing more. What man would want anything more?
“Not me.”
“‘Not you?’” Bill walked in and shut the door. “What are you muttering about?”
Rick faced his father, the man whose good opinion he’d sought for so long. For too damn long. He stood up. “This job, Dad. It’s not me.”
“What the hell are you talking about? I groomed you. Taught you everything you know. You’re made for this job.”
“I don’t want it.”
Bill stared at him, his mouth open. Then he scowled. “I thought you had your priorities straight, Chapman. I thought you’d proven yourself to me. I thought you wanted the damn job.”
“I did. Before.” Man, it felt great to say the words. He took a second or two to say them in his head again. “But I don’t want it now.”
His father blinked a few times. “But… It’s what you’ve always wanted. What I wanted for you.”
“Since when? I’ve wanted your approval all this time, and now—”
“You have it.” His father stepped closer. “You have it all, Rick.”
Confusion and something else showed on his father’s face. Desperation? He doubted it. He put on his jacket and smoothed down his tie.
“Tell me what you want, Rick. More money? Why the hell not? The Aspen project is due to bring in a ton of it.”
Rick walked over to the rack in the corner and grabbed his coat. He shrugged it on. “I hope the money keeps you warm, Dad.” He grabbed his laptop and briefcase and shoved them under his arm. “Me? I’m through. Through living up to a promise I never should have made. Through kissing up to a man who couldn’t give a crap about me until I added enough to the bottom line.”
“You can’t quit, Rick.” His father’s voice stopped him. It almost sounded… warm. Real. Like the man cared. “I need you here.”
Rick shook his head. “I don’t need this. It’s too little, too late. I don’t need you or your approval anymore.” He walked past his father and into the hall. “Let Jake take over the position. If you can convince him, that is. Good luck with that.”
He didn’t clearly hear what his father said after that, the mutterings, the curses. He was through with all of it and every word he’d said was true. He didn’t need Bill Chapman or his money. He didn’t need this job or the prestige it brought.
The elevator ride to the lobby was long and gave him time to recall every beautiful word he’d said. God, it felt great. He felt great. No more headache, no more chest constriction. He was almost high with relief.
Stepping outside onto the crowded sidewalk, he sucked in a breath. The air was cold but it felt wonderful as it bit into his lungs. No, he didn’t need Chapman Financial. He only needed one thing.
Harmony.
Chapter 21
The airport was crowded with families eager to leave the chill of New England for the fun and sun in Florida. Rick was leaving the chill, all right. For good.
His cell beeped and he checked the screen. Jake. Thank God.
He answered with a smile. “Yeah, Jake.”
There was a moment of silence before Jake chuckled in his ear. “Bro, you even sound better.”
He smiled into the phone. “Bill told you?”
“Yep.” Jake whistled. “And was he pissed! He just doesn’t get it.”
“He never did.” He checked his watch. “I can’t talk long. My flight’s boarding in ten minutes.”
“I just wanted to wish you a safe trip. When will you be back?”
“To Boston? Not anytime soon. Come down to Cypress.”
He could almost see him shaking his head. “Gotta get to Aspen.”
“God, no.” Rick sat up. “You’re working for Chapman?”
“A little.” Jake laughed again. “Let’s say the place is gonna have a climbing wall the likes of which they’d never seen before.”
“Now, that I can believe.” He was quiet then, just existing in the same space for the moment. “Keep in touch, okay?”
“Yeah, bro. You too.”
He slipped the cell back into his pocket. Let Bill just try to mold Jake into his corporate image. No friggin’ way.
The plane ride seemed to take forever. Waiting in the car rental line was no picnic, either. The place was packed with families eager to start their holiday, shuffling bags and kids as they inched toward the counter.
He had to come to his senses now, in t
he middle of school vacation season? At least he wasn’t getting a minivan. That line was around the block.
He refrained from tapping his foot as he stood behind a large woman with a toddler perched on her hip. Another child, a girl about four years old, held tightly to the woman’s other hand.
“We need a car seat,” the woman called to the guy in front of her.
The guy, the husband and head of the brood, nodded and waved a map over his shoulder. “Yeah, Marie. I know.”
“Are we going to see Mickey today?” the little girl asked the woman. She wore her favorite mouse on her shirt and clutched one in her arms. When neither parent answered right away, she turned to Rick. “Are we?”
He stared down at her, at her hopeful face and big blue eyes. “I don’t know, sweetheart. But I bet you’ll see him soon.”
She nodded, her black curls bouncing. “He lives down here, you know,” she said. “Dreams come true here, too.”
He laughed lightly. “They do?”
“Yep. ‘When you wish upon a star.’” She nodded sagely. “The song says so.”
“Come on, Haley,” the woman said. She grabbed the girl’s hand and gently dragged her toward another waiting area. “Daddy’s getting our luggage into the car and then we’re off!”
The little girl waved at Rick. “Bye! I’m going to see Mickey. I hope your dreams come true!”
He watched her family, the dad harried and the mom put-upon but both showing the same spark of excitement that their daughter did. Wishing upon a star… He’d never done that. He thought about the gorgeous starry sky above Cypress Corners and knew what wish he’d make if he got the chance.
Dreams came true here, huh? He hoped so.
***
Harmony settled cross-legged on her dock, looking out over the cool water. It was the middle of February and the sun warmed her through her sweater. A soft breeze teased her hair as she closed her eyes and leaned her head back. The nausea of the morning long passed, she opened her eyes and breathed in deeply. She stared at the pines and bare branches of the oaks and maples surrounding her lake. This was a beautiful place. Now that she’d seen for herself that development here wouldn’t necessarily be ugly or intrusive, she looked forward to bringing her child to the recreation area that would be set here.
There would be a playground. A launch for canoes and paddleboats. Another snack bar or maybe a hotdog stand. She could deal with that. The people, too. Dr. Robbins. Sweet, scandalous Lettie.
She hadn’t formed any other lasting friendships yet, but she liked joining the others from the Institute at The Clubhouse for dinner now and then. Even Tammy at the Welcome Center was nice once Harmony got to know her better. She hadn’t always felt at ease on property, away from her camp. Now she felt like Cypress Corners itself was her home. It was a nice feeling.
But something was missing. Someone was missing. Rick. She glanced down at her belly, at the swelling just beginning to show. He deserved to know. Oh, not all of it. She wouldn’t tell him she loved him. But he deserved a chance to try to be a father to their baby. Their baby deserved the shot Rick never got.
She’d call him. She’d head toward the village and use the pretty little silver cell phone Dr. Robbins had given her. It was only good for telling the time out here at her camp, but she knew right where it picked up a signal, where it gave a friendly little chirp she’d ignored up until now.
Determined, she stood and brushed her hands over the front of her jeans and walked down the dock. She heard the crunch of tires on gravel and looked toward her cabin.
A little red car—a Jeep, she could make out from here—parked in front of her cabin but she couldn’t see the driver from this angle. Curious, she stepped around a fat cypress trunk and looked again. There was no one in the Jeep so she walked up to her cabin and pulled open the door. And froze.
Rick sat on the bed, his hands folded between his knees. Her heart tripped and she nearly did on the thick rag rug. She had to be hallucinating. She’d just been thinking about him!
“Rick?”
He glanced up at her. Wearing jeans and that fisherman sweater again, he looked incredible. His hair was mussed and his clothes rumpled but the small smile on his lips made her insides quiver.
“Hey, Harmony.”
She let the door softly bang shut behind her. “I was just going to call you.”
When he looked skeptical she held up her little phone, dangling it by its wrist cord.
“You get a signal out here?” he asked.
“No. I was going to—” She shook her head. “What are you doing here?”
He shrugged one of those broad shoulders and stood. “Where else would I be?”
No. She wouldn’t dare believe it. She slipped the phone into her pocket. “Where? How about Boston?”
He laughed, a deep sound she realized she’d missed as much as his kisses.
“Boston isn’t home for me anymore, sweetheart,” he said. “Home is here.”
She took a step back and leaned against the wood-framed wall. “W-what?”
He laughed again and suddenly he was holding her and she could smell him. She could feel his heart beating against her cheek like that last time. Oh, she’d missed him.
“Home is here, Harmony,” he said again. He kissed her hair, her cheek. “Home is you.”
She met his mouth with hers and felt it, the passion and connection, and she couldn’t stop her arms from wrapping around his neck as he held her tightly against him.
He pulled back and held her close. “I’m sorry I left. God, I shouldn’t have left.”
“I didn’t…” She could barely get the words out. “I didn’t give you a reason to stay.”
He nodded and led her over to the bed. She needed to sit, that was for sure. Her dizziness was back and she doubted the baby was causing it.
“What about Boston, Rick?” she had to know. “What about Chapman?”
Rick shook his head. “‘What about Bill’ is what you mean, right?”
“All right.” She licked her lips and tucked her hands under the thighs. “Yes. What about your father?”
“I told him to keep his job. It wasn’t for me. Not anymore.”
His eyes were crystal clear and bright. Of course, Ariel would want to check his aura. She could see the sincerity etched on his face, though. Oh, how she wanted to believe him.
“But it meant so much to you,” she said. “For so long.”
“I know. But I don’t need it anymore.” He took her hands and held them. “I don’t need corporate success or Bill’s approval. I only need you.”
She let his words sink in for a moment.
“Wow. That’s a big change.” She smiled at him. “Like the rec café.”
His brows shot up. “You saw it?”
“Finally.” Her cheeks heated with embarrassment. “It’s beautiful, Rick. The colors. The style.” She took a breath. “Thank you.”
“For what?”
She tilted her head to one side. “You took care of my parents like I never could. I’ve never seen them so happy.”
He nodded. “I’ve been checking in.”
“Really? My mother didn’t tell me.”
He smiled. “They’re a trip but the place is in good hands.”
“I can see you’ve changed.” She ran her fingers through the mussed hair at his temples. “But it’s more than that. I can feel it. You’re more relaxed, and…”
“And what?”
“You came back.”
“Ah, sweetheart.” He held her again. “My heart never left.”
She pulled back this time. “Your heart?”
“I love you, Harmony.”
That did it. She turned and pinned him to her bed, right on top of her old quilt. His sweater was gone, his jeans thrown somewhere on the floor, and she had her way with him. His hands, his mouth, were everything she remembered. There was more. There was a tenderness she’d only felt for a few fleeting moments when they were t
ogether before. Now he held her, cherished her, and she was crazy to have him inside her.
“Rick, please.”
He kissed her neck, her throat. Freeing her breasts from her bra was a two-second job and his mouth was on her. The sensation nearly made her climaxed.
He stilled and lifted his head. “Am I hurting you?”
She managed to open her eyes to find him staring up at her. “No.” She swallowed and touched his face. “No.”
When he left her for a moment—she could hear him rustling through his jeans’ pocket—she stopped breathing. But then he was there, deep inside of her and she let go. Pleasure took her and she could hear his shout of release as if from far away.
Then he held her again, his arms wrapped around her and the soft quilt drifting over her. She breathed in. The scent of Rick and of their passion. Their love. Heaven.
“I love you, Harmony.”
She caught her breath at last and looked into his eyes. His beautiful silver-gray eyes. “I love you.”
He shifted and she cuddled closer to him. He deserved to hear it all. He’d given her his heart today, right?
“You’re not the only one who’s changed,” she said.
“Hmm?” He kissed her hair and stroked her back. “Who else, then?”
“Me.” She propped herself up on one arm and faced him. “I’ve changed. I’m ready to trust again. In you.”
He grinned. “In us.”
She had to tell him. Now. She took in a deep breath. “I’m pregnant.”
He blinked. “You’re pregnant? That’s… Oh, God.”
Please be happy. Please be happy.
“Surprised?” she asked.
“Yeah.” He grinned again. “But it’s a good one.” He got up and knelt before her on the bed, tugging her to a sitting position. “Marry me, Harmony.”
She must have heard him wrong. “What?”
“Marry me. Not just because of the baby. I love you and want to start our life right here in Cypress Corners.”
“Do you… ?” She swallowed. “Do you mean it?”
“God, yes. I promise you this. Our child will never feel like I did.”
Tears pricked her eyes. “Oh, Rick.”
“Our child will always know he or she has my love and my full attention.”
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