Sunshine and Whiskey: A Garden Falls, TN Romance

by Allie Kay

  Looking up at Helen then, I whispered, "I love her, you know. I tried to walk away because it was what was best for her. I've been miserable."

  "She's been miserable too. For the record, I'm on your side, if that's what Talia wants."

  I snorted but didn't reply. I sat in silence, waiting for Helen to finish her coffee. Mine, I tossed away untouched before making my way back upstairs to see Talia. I hadn't been this nervous about talking to a girl in years.

  36

  Talia

  Lying in a hospital bed, I was forced to listen as Caleb droned on and on about how sorry he was for every mistake he made during our relationship. When he'd heard that I'd been hurt, he just had to come apologize. He'd brought a huge bouquet of the ugliest flowers I'd ever seen. I hated carnations. If he'd listened at all when we'd dated, he'd know that.

  He said he'd been seeing a counselor and learning anger management skills. I'd told him ten minutes ago I was glad for him. Glad he'd made the changes he needed in his life, not that I would ever trust him again. He said he didn't expect me to, that ship had sailed, but now he wouldn't shut the hell up about it. My head was pounding. I wanted to know where Mom went. Someone knocked and Dad had gone out with my mom right behind him. Dad came back in looking pissed, but Mom had yet to return.

  "Isn't that right, Talia?" I was brought out of my thoughts at the sound of my name.

  "I'm sorry, Dad, what was that? I'm afraid I drifted off a little." I flashed him a weak smile, hoping he'd take the hint and clear the room.

  "I was telling Caleb we should have him over for dinner one night soon. Now that he has his anger issues under control, and all." Apparently, my dad would never be on my side again. I could see the hopeful glint in his eyes. Damn, after everything he still preferred Caleb. But the hell if I’d let him push me back with that asshat.

  "Uh… if that's what you want, Dad. But Caleb and I will not be dating again," I stated firmly and gave him my best I mean business look. I looked over at the door when it swung open, and Mom walked in with Sean right behind her. By the little uptick of Sean's lips, they heard my declaration.

  He came. Oh God, he came. I had never been so happy to see anyone in my life.

  "Are you hard of hearing, boy? Sam told you to stay away from his daughter. What do you think you're doing here?" Caleb's dad said before Dad could even open his mouth.

  Raising an eyebrow at the other man, Sean walked over to my bed and sat down on the edge beside me. His big weight shifted the mattress and I tilted toward him. I wiggled to sit up a little better. Damn, I looked a mess—I just knew it. Why hadn't I cleaned up a little more?

  "How're you feeling, sunshine?" He cupped my face with a gentle hand.

  I leaned in to his touch, heart pounding. I wasn't in danger now. Was he here to rekindle our relationship? My heart would break anew if he rejected me again.

  "She's not your sunshine or your sweetheart," Dad growled from behind Sean. "Or any other lovey dovey pet name you wanna call her. The two of you broke up, remember?"

  Turning his body to face my dad, Sean returned in the same tone, "Talia brought light back into my life when I didn’t even realize how dark it was. She will always be my sunshine. Whether you like it or not, it's a fact. You can't change it.”

  When his gaze returned to me, Sean smiled down, his eyes questioning.

  "I'm better than earlier. My head still hurts a good bit. When I get up, I'm dizzy. They said that's a side effect of hitting my head."

  "Your dad told the paramedics that you were sick and dizzy before you hit your head though. You tell them that? Is everything okay with you?" I could hear the concern in his voice. My heart fluttered knowing he still cared. It would make it easier when I told him.

  "I'd really like it if you would step away from my daughter. Again, you two broke up. You'd think a concept that simple would be able to sink in. Even to someone like you," Dad snapped again as he laid a heavy hand on Sean's shoulder, squeezing tightly.

  "Do you want me to leave, sunshine?" Sean asked quietly, seeming to ignore the pressure my dad applied to his collarbone.

  "No, I actually have something I need to talk to you about." Looking around the room, I asked if they would mind leaving so that I could have a little privacy to talk with Sean. Dad was not at all happy about it. In fact, my mother had to practically drag him out of the room while she gave me a soft smile. I smiled back at her, knowing my mom already guessed my secret. Dad glared daggers at Sean the entire way, muttering under his breath. When I looked back at Sean, the little smile on his lips gave me more hope than I'd had since we'd broken up.

  37

  Sean

  When the door closed behind her father, I bent down and brushed my lips across Talia's. She wrapped her arms around my neck and held me tight. I groaned when her tongue brushed against my lips in attempts to deepen the kiss. Though I ached to continue, I forced myself to pull back and end the kiss.

  "Sunshine, you're in no shape for us to get carried away right now. I don't want to hurt you. There will be plenty of time for kissing if you want to after you get out of here. I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

  I laid my forehead against hers. "I thought I was doing the right thing in letting you go after what your dad said that night. I know how close you are to him and I didn't want to mess that up. Then I see you sick and you get hurt. I can't take that anymore. I love you. I don't want to be without you anymore. Please give me another chance. I swear to you that I will not fuck it up this time."

  Talia's eyes filled with tears as I poured my heart out to her. Smiling up at me, she said in a broken voice, "I love you, Sean. I never stopped. I would like us to try again too. And don't worry about my dad. If he decides to step out of my life that is his choice."

  My lips were on hers then. Holding her as if she was made of spun glass, I rocked my lips against hers with soft, gentle motions. Ending the embrace after a moment, I slid onto the bed beside her and pulled her up to snuggle into my side, taking care not to pull at her IV.

  "So, be honest with me. How are you feeling?" My voice came out muffled where I had hidden my face in her hair.

  "Well, I've been better, that's for sure," she said with a chuckle. "I want to ask you something. Why did you tell the EMTs right in front of my dad you thought I was pregnant? He's been on about that all morning."

  "Uh, well, I thought it might explain why you were sick and dizzy. They needed to know, in case you were. I should've taken more care to keep it private, but hell, your dad already knew you'd spent the night with me at least once. And I was freaking scared. You looked so pale..."

  When she didn't say anything for a moment, I leaned my head over to look at her better. The look on her face said she was waiting for me to make a connection.

  "Is there something you need to tell me, sunshine?" I finally choked out. Damn, was she saying what I thought she was saying?

  "You were right."

  With a smile that started small, I reached a hand out to cup the gentle swell of her belly. By the time my hand actually reached her stomach, the smile crossed my entire face. "Really? I'm going to be a daddy. Are you serious?"

  At her nod, I kissed her again. Breaking off the kiss with a small cry, I buried my face against her throat. Hot tears soaked through the thin fabric of her hospital gown. My shoulders heaved as I tried not to sob. She was having my baby. I was going to have a family. And I'd almost messed this up royally.

  "Sean, are you upset?" she asked, sounding on the verge of tears.

  "Upset? Why would I be upset? I told you how much I wanted kids. I'd hoped we would be married and you chose to be pregnant when we started our family, but no, I'm not at all upset about it," I told her as I wiped the tears from my face. "Never—ever—think that I don't want this child, and you, in my life."

  She snuggled into my embrace once more. "You wanted us to get married?"

  With a laugh, I squeezed her up against me. "Why else would I let you help me pick out a h
ouse? Silly girl, I love you. When you referred to the library as ours, and that house as ours… do you know I went that next day after I put in the offer and bought you a ring?"

  "What? You bought me a ring?" Talia was flabbergasted; her mouth hung open in shock.

  I fumbled around in my pocket and pulled out the fire opal ring I had looped through my key ring. "Yeah, I was waiting for the right time to ask you. But then, well, everything went south. You said you weren't a huge diamond fan, so I didn't get you a diamond."

  After I finally got the ring off my keys, I slipped it on her finger.

  "I still can't believe that you bought our house." Talia nudged me. "It will be perfect for the baby to grow up in, won't it?" she asked as she stared down at the ring I'd put on her finger.

  "It's been so hard being there without you," I murmured against her lips as I swiped mine over hers again. "I guess since your dad didn't come at me with a weapon, he doesn't know for sure about the baby?"

  Laughing, Talia agreed that the pregnancy had not yet been officially confirmed to her father. "Maybe we should let him know we are back together for now, and then spring the baby news later?"

  "No, let's get it over with. Like ripping off a Band-Aid, it's best to be quick about it. Besides if we do it here, there's medical care if he strokes out. Or for me if he stabs me."

  I pulled her in for more snuggles and some soft kisses. "So, you are going to marry me, right? You deserve a fancy proposal with me on bended knee at the beach, or maybe Garden Falls, but I want to know that you'll be my wife, now. After all that's happened, I need to know now."

  I wasn’t sure how I’d survive if she said no. I'd wanted to marry her before but having lived without her the past several weeks and knowing she was carrying my child only made me want her more. How would I live without her?

  Talia ran her hand up my fresh-shaven jaw. "Of course I'll marry you. I love you, you big old goof. I don't care about a fancy proposal, only that it is happening and true."

  I tightened my arms around her, holding her firm to my chest before my lips covered hers once more. Slipping my tongue into her mouth, I groaned when the door clicked open and I had to stop. Talia didn't want to end the kiss though, and followed as I tried to retreat.

  "I guess you two are back together," Karly called from the doorway.

  Sam and Helen stood in the doorway in front of her; a vein in Sam's forehead throbbed ominously. I extracted myself from Talia's hold and stood to face the angry man. Fists clenching, the older man strode forward until he was chest to chest with me.

  "I told you to stay away. I will not have my daughter dating a man like you. If you continue to see her, I'm done with her."

  "I won't walk away from her again. That was the biggest mistake that I've ever made in my life. And there's no way I'm screwing this up again," I calmly told the twitching ball of rage that stood in front of me.

  "How much? What will it take to get you to leave town? A hundred k? Will that do it?"

  Ignoring the gasps of both Talia and her mother, I grabbed Sam by his shirt collar and brought him nearly to eye level. "I cannot be bought. There is not enough money in this world to get me to leave them. I love your daughter. And whenever she'll have me, I plan to marry her."

  I shook the older man to emphasize my point. "So you can get on board with that, or you can walk away. If you cut Talia out of your life, you aren't hurting me, just yourself and your daughter. So that threat won't work on me anymore. I'm not responsible for your choices, only my own. And I'll be damned if I walk away from the woman I love, and our child, for you or any other man."

  "Child," Sam whispered as I set him on his feet once more. "You aren't serious. Talia, you're pregnant?"

  "I am. They confirmed it last night. That's what I needed time to talk to Sean about. He deserved to be the first to know," Talia answered.

  Sam didn't say anything, he just scowled at me.

  "Why do you hate me so much? Did I wrong you in a past life? Or hell, in this one?"

  "You remind me of someone I used to know. Someone I hated. You're nothing more than a bartender. What kind of life could you ever provide for my daughter? A tiny apartment on the wrong side of town, a rundown old house…she deserves better."

  "So-o-o-o," I drawled, "You hate me, not on my own merits, but because of someone who offended you years ago. Yeah, that's fair." I pursed my lips in thought before continuing, "And yeah my apartment was small and not in the nicest area. I'll give you that one. But did you ever think maybe I had reasons for living there? Rent was cheap. It let me get the loan on my club paid off. Gave me a chance to get a little money put back toward buying a house. Which I just did. In fact, you were there recently. So, yeah, maybe it's not as nice as your place, and it's not on the lake, but it's getting to be nice. And you can't say that neighborhood is a bad area of town."

  "Wait, you own the club?" Sam asked in a disbelieving tone.

  "Yes, sir, for the last few years."

  "How the hell did that happen?"

  "The previous owner let me buy him out and held the loan. Let me go ahead and make the changes I wanted to the place."

  "You seem very passionate about the club," Helen interrupted. "It seems you enjoy it?"

  "I do actually. I loved being a bartender, even if it was in a crappy bar. When Bob said he wanted to retire, I talked him into letting me buy it. He was pretty iffy about it. He was selling a bar to an ex-con in his twenties after all." I laughed, soft and low. "I think most people would be a little cautious about it. About me."

  "Hmmpph. I still don't think you're good enough to marry my daughter," Sam grumbled and pushed at my chest.

  "You can get bent if you don't like it. I won't give her up again."

  "I can get bent? Excuse me! I didn't give you permission to date my daughter, and you sure as hell won't marry her." Sam shoved me again and again, trying to push me toward the door.

  Well, this was going about as expected.

  I looked down at the angry older man and said, "I love her. I gave her up once, and it was awful. She ended up hurt. It will not happen again. You can accept it, or not. I don't see any other options for you. She's your daughter. I know you don't want to cut her out of your life"—I looked back at Talia—"and I know she doesn't want that either."

  Helen rose, stepping between us with a hand on each of our chests. "You two are starting to look like a pair of dogs fighting over an old bone. Sam, he's her choice, accept it. You don't get to choose for her, any more than my father chose for me. He didn't think you were worthy of me either. He did, however, give you the chance to prove him wrong. Reluctantly, I might add. She's having his baby; your opinion doesn't matter now. He's part of her life, and that's that."

  She paused for a moment before turning to me, and poked me in the chest. "And you need to give him time to accept this. And don't say things like my husband can 'get bent'. Haven't you learned by now that will just get him riled up again?"

  I started chuckling. My deep laugh filled the room and when her mom's soft laughter joined in, Talia lost her composure and started laughing as well.

  "I apologize, but I do have to ask, how would you suggest I phrase things so as not to rile him up?" Before Helen could speak though, I had an idea. "Pardon me, kind sir, please will you allow me the privilege of marrying your lovely daughter? Even though you hate me, I would give my life to protect her," I dramatized, giving a slight bow as I addressed Talia's father once more.

  Helen smacked my shoulder for that one, which caused Sam to snort in amusement. Seeing the older man relax a little, I took the exaggerated politeness a step further and dropped to my knees, hands folded in a pleading manner. "Please, oh loving father, she is my heart's one desire. I could not bear to be parted from her again. Dull and meaningless are the descriptions of my life without her in it."

  Even Sam chuckled then. Talia had told me her father had a good sense of humor and seeing me on my knees pleading theatrically evidently was
too much to withstand. When Sam started to laugh, I knew the older man was coming around to the idea. It might not be a smooth road, we were sure to encounter a few bumps along the way, but I'd gotten her father to laugh, at least. Humbling myself a little was a small price to pay for Talia's happiness.

  38

  Sean

  Sunrise on the day of the wedding found me sitting in the gazebo in the backyard. The trickling of the newly installed water feature broke the silence of the early morning hour. Talia contended if she couldn't get married at Garden Falls, she wanted the sound of the water, at the very least. Sam's crew had worked overtime to get the yard perfect for her dream garden wedding. Finding enough fall-blooming flowers to please her had taken some work, but she'd had tears in her eyes yesterday during the rehearsal.

  Sam had insisted that Talia go home with him and Helen last night, tradition and all, and that left me in the big Victorian alone. It had been a long night. I'd grown accustomed to sleeping next to Talia and her absence hurt. I sighed when I thought of how I'd nearly lost her.

  "Not having second thoughts, are you?" Sam's voice called through the fog that blanketed the lush garden.

  I jumped up to face my future father-in-law. "Hell no. Just impatient. I couldn't sleep. What are you doing here so early?"

  "Couldn't sleep either. Had to make sure everything was right for my girl." Sam laid a heavy hand on my shoulder. "I wanted to talk to you before the ceremony too, so I'm glad you're up. I want to apologize for how I treated you. I'm not usually so unreasonable."

  With a deep shrug, my voice was low when I replied, "I'm used to it. People look at me and see bad news. I worry about how people will treat Talia and our baby because of prejudice against me. But I can't change it."