Love’s Serenade

by Sheryl Lister

  Liz grinned. “Where’s he taking you?”

  She hesitated. “Um…he’s cooking for me at his place.”

  “Really?” Liz sat up straight in her chair. “Can he cook?”

  “I have no idea.” The only thing he’d ever cooked for her was the bluegill fish he’d caught when they had gone on their picnic. Leigh had supplied the potato salad, biscuits and iced tea. “I don’t even know what he’s preparing. I figure he has to know something. He’s been on his own since he was eighteen.” She kept the rest of his story to herself. It still made her sad that he’d never had a permanent place to call home.

  Liz lifted an eyebrow. “Exactly how old is Miles?”

  “Twenty-eight. Only four years older than me.”

  “Better than Percy’s fifteen,” she said with a chuckle.

  Leigh rolled her eyes. “Ugh. I’d take Miles over Percy even if he was twenty years older.”

  “I would, too. By the way, have you heard from your parents?”

  She sighed. “No. I gave them my address and the telephone number to the restaurant. They don’t have a telephone—or at least they didn’t before I left—but a few of their church friends do. So does Mr. Butler’s store.” Most of the people back home who couldn’t afford telephones had gone to the church or general store and were charged a few cents for each call. “I’d truly hoped they’d write. I guess they’re still pretty upset.” That she might never reconcile with her parents weighed heavily on Leigh’s mind.

  Liz patted Leigh’s shoulder. “Maybe their letter is on the way. You know the post can be slow sometimes.” She waved a hand. “Enough of that. What are you wearing to dinner?”

  Leigh could always depend on her friend to make her smile. “I don’t know.”

  She stood. “Well, let’s go see what’s in your closet.”

  After a good twenty minutes of going back and forth on her few dresses, Leigh couldn’t decide. Every one she owned was laid out on the bed.

  “I think you should wear this one.” Liz held up a blue short-sleeved, V-neck dress with a drop waist.

  “Okay.” She hung up the other dresses.

  “I’m going to leave so you can get ready. I have my own dinner date,” Liz added with a sly smile.

  “Well now. I’ll make sure not to disturb you later.” They both giggled like schoolgirls, shared a hug and Liz departed.

  Afterward, Leigh pinned her hair up to keep it from getting wet and settled into a warm tub of water. She wanted to linger, but she and Liz had visited longer than expected and she still had to do her hair. She washed and dressed, then used her hair irons to curl her thick hair. She added some color on her lips, fastened the strand of pearls her parents had given her when she got her teaching certificate around her neck and sprayed a bit of her favorite perfume—a sweet floral scent with notes of vanilla. She heard the knock as she fastened her shoes. Taking a calming breath, she picked up her handbag and wrap and went to open the door.

  “You look beautiful,” Miles said before she could utter a greeting.

  “And you look very handsome.” The nice brown suit and white shirt looked new.

  “Shall we?” He extended his arm.

  Leigh locked the door and hooked her arm in his. Smiling, they made their way down the steps and to his car.

  He helped her in, shut the door and went around to the driver’s side. “I don’t live that far away, but I didn’t want you to have to walk.”

  “That’s sweet, Miles. But I wouldn’t have minded.” She’d wondered how far away he lived and what type of place he had. He parked in front of a building only three blocks from The Magnolia. She turned her surprised gaze his way. “You’re really close.”

  “I usually walk during the day, but I don’t like to take chances being out on the streets like that at night too much.”

  She couldn’t blame him with all the dangers. One of Liz’s waiters had been robbed at knifepoint on his way home one night. He’d told Leigh, although he was upset about the money, it could be replaced. His life could not. Miles led her up to his apartment. He had a sofa and two chairs in the front room and a table with four chairs in the kitchen. There were no photos or other decorations that made a place a home, but it clean. “You don’t have much here.”

  Miles laughed softly. “You said the same thing three years ago. I know what you’re thinking and that’s not the reason. I keep telling you I’m staying put. When I was growing up, we could only take what fit in one suitcase and I guess I never got out of the habit.”

  “I wasn’t thinking that,” she mumbled, trying to hide her smile.

  “Uh huh.”

  “Whatever you cooked smells good,” Leigh said to change the subject. She placed her wrap and handbag on a chair and followed him to the kitchen.

  “It’s nothing fancy.”

  She reached up to kiss his cheek. “I’m sure whatever you have will be just fine. And you set a lovely table.”

  An embarrassed expression crossed his face. “Thanks.” Miles seated her then brought everything to the table. “Is lemonade okay?”

  “Yes.”

  He poured some in her glass and his before taking the seat across from her. Taking her hand, he recited a short blessing. He gestured for her to fix her plate first.

  Leigh placed the chicken, green beans with potatoes and cornbread on her plate, waited for him to fill his own before starting in on the meal. She ate silently for the first few minutes, more than a little impressed. The cornbread was light, the chicken seasoned to perfection and the green beans flavorful.

  “Are you going to say something?” Miles asked, uncertainty in his voice.

  “You’ve outdone yourself, Miles. This chicken tastes as good as mine. Where did you learn to cook like this?”

  Relief washed over his face. “My grandmother.”

  “She taught you well.” She went back to her food. “Do you have any pictures of your family?”

  He looked up from his plate. “Just one of my folks on their wedding day.” He dug it out of his pocket and handed it to her.

  “Your mother was very beautiful and your father, handsome.” Leigh could sense the love flowing from the couple in their smiles. “You look a lot like your father.”

  “That’s what Mama says every time I visit her. That picture, my father’s wedding ring and pocket watch are all I have of them.”

  She had wondered about the ring on his finger, but never got up the nerve to ask because she had been afraid of the answer. Though the wearing of a ring to show one’s married status was popular for women, that didn’t hold true for men. “At least you have something.” She handed the picture back and they resumed eating. Seeing the photo brought the dilemma with her own parents to mind, but she pushed it aside. Miles had gone through a lot of trouble to make their dinner special and Leigh didn’t want to ruin it.

  As if sensing her thoughts, Miles asked, “Have your parents written back?”

  Leigh shook her head.

  He grasped her hand. “I’m sorry, Leigh.”

  She waved him off. “Don’t worry about it. I’d rather talk about this outstanding meal. You wouldn’t by chance want to make this a Sunday tradition?” She smiled sweetly. She’d eaten every bite on her plate.

  Miles laughed so hard he had to leave the table to catch his breath. He came back, placed a kiss on her lips and said, “I’ll cook for you every day of the week, and do any other thing you want, baby.” He trailed kisses down her neck.

  Her fork slipped unnoticed from her hand and hit the plate. Leigh closed her eyes and gave herself up to the wonderful sensations that his kisses always created. His hands mapped a path over her breasts and her breath hitched. He reclaimed her mouth, sliding his tongue provocatively around hers and causing her to lose all sense of time and place.

  “Are you finished eating?”

  “Yes,” she whispered. He carried her over to the sofa and sat with her in his lap. The magnificent kisses began again and her dr
ess was rucked up to her thighs. She slid her hand over his chest and along his jaw while he continued to tease her with tongue.

  Miles eased back. “Woman, you make me lose myself. I promised myself I’d be on my best behavior.”

  “You’re being very good.” Leigh pulled his head back down for another spine-tingling kiss.

  He groaned. “You’re killing me, sweetheart. I want to do this courting thing right. I had planned to take you for ice cream before the sweet shop closed.” He took out his pocket watch. “We have about thirty minutes if you want to go.”

  The only thing Leigh wanted was for him to take her to his bedroom and finish what he’d started. A scandalous thought, no doubt, but her body didn’t care. However, she appreciated his efforts and knew it would be best for them to slow down. “I’d love some ice cream.”

  Miles righted her clothes and sat her on the sofa next to him. He closed his eyes and leaned his head back. “Give me a minute. You’ve got my body in an uproar.”

  “So is mine.” She smoothed down her hair.

  He rolled his head in her direction and eyed her.

  “What? That’s not something a woman is supposed to say?”

  He just shook his head and chuckled. Rising to his feet, he helped her up. “Let’s go. It’s still light enough to walk if you want.”

  “I’d like that.” They strolled to the shop hand-in-hand, enjoyed their dessert and walked back.

  “I should probably take you home. If I don’t, I’ll break my promise.”

  “And we can’t have that. You’re a very special man, Miles.”

  “Would you like to take a plate home?”

  “You’d better believe it,” Leigh said with a laugh. “I never turn down fried chicken.” They went back up for the food. He overrode her protest to help clean up and led her back to the car.

  “Today was all for you. I want you to know how much I care for you. How much you mean to me.”

  The sweetness of his words poured over her and at that moment she fell completely in love with him. Again.

  *

  Miles and Leigh sat at a table sipping lemonade after the show on Tuesday night. “I have a surprise for you.”

  “You’re going to cook for me again?” Leigh asked, her eyes brightening. “I enjoyed having my leftovers yesterday.”

  He smiled. “No. Something better.”

  “What is it?”

  “I spoke to a man at Columbia Records about the song.”

  She jerked upright. Her heart started pounding. “And?”

  “He said he wants to come hear us sing first before committing to anything.” Miles had nearly burst at the seams with the news and couldn’t wait to share it with Leigh.

  She brought her hands to her mouth. “This might really happen,” she whispered.

  “I’m counting on it.” He knew the moment Mr. Adams heard Leigh sing, the man would want to sign her exclusively. He opened his mouth to say something, but turned at the commotion near the front. “Looks like somebody doesn’t want to leave.”

  “I’m sure Jacob and Oliver will handle it.”

  Miles had no doubt the two big bouncers could take care of the situation. Leigh gasped and he whipped his head around her way. She looked as if she’d seen a dead man.

  “What is he doing here?” she whispered

  He divided his gaze between Leigh and the man who broke away from Jacob’s hold and rushed toward where he and Leigh were sitting.

  “Well, well. If it isn’t my runaway fiancée.”

  Fiancée? Miles’s heart almost stopped. “Leigh?”

  “I am not his fiancée,” Leigh gritted out. “What are you doing here, Percy?”

  “Your father sent me to bring you home.”

  “He what? You’ve come a long way for nothing because I will not be leaving.” She turned to Miles. “I am not his fiancée no matter what he says.”

  Miles couldn’t speak if his life depended on it. He shook his head to try to make sense of what was going on. Liz stood a short distance away with utter shock covering her face.

  “So you’re going to disobey your father? He sent a letter for me to give you.” Percy smiled smugly and Leigh snatched the letter.

  Leigh read silently and tossed it on the table. “It doesn’t matter.”

  Miles picked it up and read: Mary, do you know how worried your mother and I have been for the past three years? You should be ashamed of yourself. I want you to renounce that devil music and come home to marry Percy. He’s been sick over missing you. We’ll expect you within the week. Your Father. He placed the note on the table. Anger surged through him with such force he had to clench his fists at his side to keep from flattening the pompous little jerk. Miles towered over the walrus looking man by a good five or six inches and he wanted to pound him into meal. He had to get out of here before he did something that would get him in trouble. He’d always had a temper and worked hard to keep it in check. But tonight, he was a second away from losing it. Without a word, he stalked toward the front, snatched the door open and slammed it behind him. Miles had wanted to explain to Leigh that he wasn’t angry with her, but didn’t trust himself to speak. He prayed she would listen to him once he cooled down.

  *

  Leigh watched Miles’s departure and wanted to go after him. Things were finally going well with them and now her past had come calling.

  “Guess you weren’t as convincing to your little friend as you thought with the way he hightailed it out of here.”

  She turned her blazing gaze on Percy. “I’m not worried about him. I know he believes me.” She pointed a finger in his face. “Listen to me, Percival. I can give you a letter carry back to my father if you like, but I will not be going. My life is here. Now get out!”

  Jacob and Oliver took that as their cue and dragged Percy to the front and tossed him out the door.

  Leigh dropped down wearily at the table and cradled her hands in her head. “Lord, why me?” Contrary to what she told Percy, she was worried about what Miles believed, especially since he’d read the note. The look on Miles’s face had gone from shock and disbelief to anger in the blink of an eye. He’d most likely put the timeline when she left home together and because she had never mentioned Percy when she and Miles dated previously, in all probability, he didn’t know what to believe. She felt a hand on her shoulder and lifted her head. “I guess you were right about that letter being on its way.”

  Liz lowered herself into the chair next to Leigh. “I don’t know what to say.”

  “There’s not much to say, except what I’ve already said.” The night had started with so much promise—the man she loved had given her flowers before the show and had shared that the record deal might be a real possibility. Now it could all go away. The tears she had been trying to hold back flowed down her cheeks and she swiped at them. Liz handed her a handkerchief. “Thanks.”

  “Did Miles say anything before he left?”

  Leigh shook her head. “I could see the hurt and anger in his eyes. I’m sorry, you’re supposed to be closing.” She started to stand.

  “Sit.” She turned to the two bouncers. “You can go home now. We’ll be fine.”

  “You sure, Miss Liz?” Oliver asked. “What if he comes back?”

  “All the lights are off except the small one here and I’ll lock the door behind you.”

  “I don’t know.”

  “We’ll be going upstairs in a moment, I promise.”

  The two men stood there as if trying to decide whether to leave. Finally they agreed. “But we’ll be back a little early tomorrow, just in case that idiot shows up.”

  “Thanks.” Liz followed them to the door, locked it as promised and came back to the table. “Do you think Percy will come back?”

  “I hope not. I don’t need this right now.” She’d told Percy everything he needed to know and had no intention of altering her stance. She was more concerned about Miles and what this meant for their relationship.r />
  Chapter 9

  Wednesday, Leigh put the dilemma with Percy and Miles aside and went to the dress shop. Although she didn’t know where they stood personally, she knew Miles would let nothing come between their dreams of recording. He had mentioned the man from Columbia Records wanting to hear them first, but she had no idea when he might be coming. She wanted to look her very best and knew the perfect dress. She’d seen it a few weeks ago, but had to wait until she had enough to afford the twenty-four-dollar price tag.

  “Well, hello, Leigh. Enjoyed that new song.”

  “Hello, Mrs. Boyd. I’m glad you enjoyed it,” Leigh said to the shop owner. She nodded politely to the other two women standing nearby. They turned up their noses and went in the opposite direction. Obviously, they didn’t approve of her occupation. She made her way to the section where she’d seen the dress previously and found it just where she remembered. The black and silver sequined dress had a low-cut neckline and thin straps that were designed to hang slightly off the shoulder. She carried it over to where Mrs. Boyd stood folding slips. “Mrs. Boyd, may I try this on?”

  Mrs. Boyd placed the slip on the pile. “Of course.” She led Leigh to the dressing room and helped her. “You’re such a tiny thing. We’ll need to alter this just a bit. Let me get my tapes and pins.” She was gone and back in a flash.

  Leigh stood still while the woman tugged and pinned and endured more than a few sticks. She wished she could just go into a store, pick out a ready-made dress and leave without all the fuss. Because of her petite stature, every time she shopped, this was the result.

  “I can have it ready for you on Friday.”

  “That’s fine.” She carefully removed the dress and Mrs. Boyd exited. Leigh put on her clothes and went back out front. Her black T-strap shoes were worn and needed to be replaced. She tried on a few pairs and settled on one adorned with silver sequins on the straps. Next, she selected two pairs of stockings and carried everything to the counter. While waiting her turn in line, she spotted a necklace with black and silver beads that would complement the dress. Deciding that she deserved to splurge a bit, she added it to her purchases.