Sam gritted his teeth as Elizabeth's vindictive plot unfolded.
"She assured me you two were finished after the Boston fiasco, so we started taking turns flying to be together on weekends."
"What happened to her fear of flying?"
Rybolt lit up like a cheap nightglow watch. "She's overcome it since we fell in love."
If she ever was afraid. Sam swallowed the bitter taste in his mouth and scraped back his chair. He felt like offering the poor dope his condolences.
The dean spread his pale hands, "I can hardly believe it, but we're getting married in six weeks and honeymooning in Paris before school starts. Elizabeth is taking a sabbatical to redecorate the house where I lived with my late wife. She doesn't want any 'ghosts of the past,' as she calls them.
Sam thought a trip to Paris and fancy home were what she fell in love with but hoped he was wrong. He'd been stupid himself, not seeing how scheming Elizabeth could be. He hadn't known her at all. Not like he knew Lily. There was nothing superficial about her.
"I hope you aren't still in love with Elizabeth," Rybolt said.
"I never was." Sam ignored the dean's raised eyebrows. It didn't matter whether he believed him or not. "Elizabeth said you'd postponed the appointment until August."
His eyebrows took a dive, knitting together across his nose. "I don't remember mentioning August, but maybe I did." He shrugged. "Better to get the position filled sooner rather than later.
"Fortunately, Elizabeth doesn't want children," Rybolt went on. "I'm about to become a grandfather and wouldn't care to start over again."
"I have to go." Sam half-rose out of his chair; he'd heard more than enough. He'd been duped too but never loved her. This poor fool did. He held out his hand. "I wish you the best."
Rybolt rose. "I don't suppose this is easy for you, but I'm a man of my word, and you and I can both be happy. I'm announcing your appointment at one o'clock this afternoon, if you'll still accept."
Sam had his hand on the knob when Rybolt spoke again. "I need an answer from you before I speak with the board. You're the right man; I've known that from the beginning. Stohler's my only other option." Rybolt sighed heavily.
"You wouldn't do that to the school, would you, Champion?"
"Offer Elizabeth the job, Rybolt, and see what happens then." Sam walked out, wondering if the dean would be fool enough to pit his future against the school's.
* * *
Lily stood in front of the full-length mirror in her bedroom. "What do you think, Brandy? I'd say I look pretty good for an old broad, wouldn't you?"
Swiveling, she checked her appearance from all angles. She'd bought a knockout dress in a wonderful shade of blue. Bright but not too bright. Formfitting but not tight. Short…she hoped not too short; it stopped several inches above her knees. Her legs were long and her best feature, so why not show them off?
She'd written a speech she was proud of, and she was prepared to give it if Sam didn't get back in time. She hadn't heard from him but hadn't given up all hope.
"We got along before we met him, Brandy, and we can do it again if we have to."
The dog whined and laid her head between her paws. "Come here, girl," Lily said, perching on the edge of her bed. "You have to get over this." Brandy came to sit in front of her and Lily scratched behind her ears. "You have to shape up."
The dog cocked her head and one ear. "What did I say?" Lily wondered aloud. "Shape up," she repeated, and Brandy raised a paw to tap her hand.
"Ohmigosh. Did you think I said, 'shake'?"
Brandy raised her paw again and Lily shook hands with her. Lily clapped. Brandy wagged her tail and Lily hugged her. "Sam must have taught you."
At the mention of Sam's name, Brandy slunk off to lie down again.
Lily had tried telling herself life, as she'd hoped it would be, was over, but Sam teaching Brandy a trick gave her a faint ray of hope. He cared about both of them, but did he care enough to come to his senses?
By now, he was either the new accounting chair at Cranston College, or he wasn't, in which case… What? She didn't know what he'd do if he failed to get the position but had no reason to think he wouldn't--unless Elizabeth somehow sabotaged him. She must have lied about the postponement, but why, unless she was trying to make him look bad to the college brass?
Lily smiled at the woman in the mirror. Twenty years ago, she would have thought 'well-preserved' was the most a thirty eight-year-old woman could hope for. "But you know what, Brandy? I think I look downright sexy."
She looked around to find the dog asleep. "I certainly hope I get a better reaction from my former classmates."
Slipping into a pair of stilettos that showed her legs off even more, Lily chuckled. In school, she'd have worried about being taller than the guys, but she was beyond that, and these shoes were to die for. Simple slides in a marvelous silk print of mauve, blue, and fuchsia, she'd fallen in love with them at first sight.
She picked up a hand mirror and checked her hair in the back. She'd gone to the Pink Poodle where Delilah wound her waves into corkscrew curls, then piled them on her head. When Lily said it looked and felt as if it could tumble loose any second, Delilah told her not to worry. "Trés chic," she said, pronouncing it "tress chick," adding her standard disclaimer, "This is the Pink Poodle, not the French poodle."
Had she told Sam his haircut was "tress chick"? Lily wistfully fingered the interlocked hearts on the necklace he gave her. She hadn't taken it off since he fastened it around her neck. It means whatever you want it to mean.
What did Sam want it to mean? What did it mean to him? Had he decided yet? Raising the hearts to her lips, she kissed them and made the most important wish of her life.
Adding a pair of zircon earrings that looked more like diamonds than diamonds to her ensemble, Lily switched off the bedroom light and walked slowly down the stairs. She'd wanted to look special for Sam, but it was time to leave and he wasn't here.
She folded her speech into her purse. The key to the city was waiting at the reunion site, for him, if he came.
There was a knock at the door and she ran to answer it.
It wasn't him.
"I wonder if you could help me, ma'am. I was supposed to deliver this corsage to the house next door. There's no one there and I thought you might know when they'd be home. I came from Richdale and hate to take it back. It was ordered a week ago for… " The florist delivery boy looked at the corsage box in his hand. "Lily Madison."
She didn't open it until she'd shut the door. Even then, she trembled so hard, she could barely untie the yellow ribbon that bound the silver box. Laying back lavender tissue paper, she took two white gardenias from the box. They were tied with shiny ribbon and a pair of tiny hearts. She held them close to her face and inhaled their sweet fragrance. He'd chosen perfectly. A card fell and she retrieved it with shaking hands. "For the most beautiful girl in our senior class. From the guy, who's the luckiest to be her date. Love, Sam."
* * *
Sam cursed under his breath as he drove past the Grow Browning sign. He was late arriving in town, just as he'd been the first time. His flight out of Phoenix was delayed. He'd arrived in Indiana too late to pick up his tux in Richdale and the clothes in his closet in Browning didn't include a dark suit. A tropical sport jacket and pair of dress pants would have to do for the reunion, if he made it in time to go.
He'd called the florist shop before his flight and asked them to deliver the gardenias. The delivery fee was more than the cost of the flowers, but he wanted Lily to know he planned to be there.
Sam couldn't see any lights burning inside his house, but it was twilight and hard to tell. Lily's car wasn't in her driveway, so she must have gone on without him. But of course, she would. It was almost time for the dinner and she was chairperson. She was also keynote speaker in his absence, and he didn't see how he could make it in time to give his talk, but he was trying.
He turned on the foyer light and it seemed unusually
dim. The house was quiet. It had been ever since Lily left. He'd gotten used to Brandy running to meet him. But tonight it was eerily quiet. A wave of panic washed over Sam.
The flowers were missing from the hall table. There was a bouquet there when he left. The colorful entry rug was gone and so was the peace lily. He strode into the living room, heart pounding. Where were all the candles, lamps, and mirrored trays? The vase of peacock feathers and plethora of bright pillows were missing. The drapes were pulled against the fading outside light. She'd come and taken it all away.
The throw pillows nudged him in the ribs wherever he sat, and the rag rugs were gaudy, but he wanted them back. He wanted it all back.
Something that felt like a sob caught in his throat. Lily's taken away all the light and brightness she brought into my life.
* * *
Lily received a tremendous round of applause when she finished her speech, and everyone donated to the Browning Community Building fund. Some were small amounts, and some were large.
She barely touched dinner, due to the butterflies in her stomach and the heaviness in her heart, but Lily headed for the champagne punch bowl anyway. She'd set a dream in motion for Browning. Her goal was in sight.
Carla had enacted the plan for Lily she'd had for Sam, so in addition to the Browning Broadcast reporter, the Richdale newspaper and cable station both covered her talk. Most Browning residents subscribed to all three, so with that coverage and a little politicking, she would soon have enough to start the building. And with matching grant money, most of it would be paid for.
Lily should have the Community Building open for preschool and social functions by the first of the year, maybe sooner. She deserved to celebrate but couldn't forget--the luckiest guy in the senior class hadn't shown up for their date.
If he considered himself so lucky, why wasn't he here?
"Want to dance?" Carla asked, snickering.
Lily smiled, remembering girls danced together in high school. "These old folks might laugh us off the floor."
"What would they say if Rob and Nick danced together?"
"Are you kidding me?" Lily gaped at Carla.
"I'm not positive they're a couple, but I'd stake my sales commission on it. Neither is married. Nick was, but only for a short time. The two of them plan to live together upstairs. And remember, Robbins didn't graduate with us. He came tonight, with Nick."
Lily started laughing and couldn't stop. Her emotions were short-circuited tonight. Several people turned to look, and she managed to pull a straight face as she led Carla aside. "I had an affair with Nick the summer after high school and he sent me a 'Dear Lily' letter from college in the fall. I hoped I'd look so radiant tonight, he'd be sorry." She started laughing again.
"I don't want to break in on an amusing conversation but—"
"Jack." Carla gasped. "I didn't know you were coming."
"I forgot to tell you," Lily said, smiling.
Carla shot her an I can't believe you're real look, then turned her gaze to Jack. He grinned lazily, one side of his mouth curving upward more than the other. Lily watched in amazement. Jet looks just like him.
"It's been a long time, Carla. Would you like to dance?" Jack asked.
She nodded wordlessly, appearing mesmerized. Lily watched them meld together on the dance floor. Carla was a bubbly flirt. Tonight, she was a different woman. She still loves him. Does he know he has a son?
"You seem deep in thought."
Lily started, even though she remembered his voice. She didn't need to look up to know it was Nick, but she did and was surprised by her racing pulse. She didn't love him, but he was her first love. "Hello, Nick."
"You mean, 'Hello, neighbor.' If all goes as planned, I'll live next door to you soon. Dance?"
Nick was the only man besides Jack who'd shown up without a partner, unless you counted Robbins, and Lily loved dancing. More importantly, she needed to get away from the punch bowl. She was feeling a teensy bit lightheaded. She moved into his arms and he held her close. Even though she hadn't had anyone to compare him to, remembering that summer, Lily thought Carla might be mistaken about Nick.
"I'd like to donate more to the Grow Browning Fund but all my cash is going into the new business now. Maybe later."
"That's fine, Nick, whatever and whenever. It's…nice…you're starting a new business here." But terrible it's going to be in Sam's house.
"I've always wanted to tell you I'm sorry about the way our relationship ended."
"You found someone else. You did the only thing you could do."
"The marriage didn't last. I thought…" He let his voice trail off. "I didn't bring anyone tonight. I heard you've never married."
"It has nothing to do with you. Don't think it does." She pulled away to look him in the eye. He wasn't as tall as Sam, or nearly as good looking.
She caught a glimpse of Jack and Carla as they floated by. Carla looked ravishing in red. Jack wore a dark suit. They made quite a picture.
"I've never forgotten you, Lily." Nick pulled her close again. "You and I had good times."
He didn't act gay, and she didn't care one way or the other, but she did wish the music would end. She looked toward the door for the thousandth time. Why don't you give up, Lily? Sam isn't coming. At this very moment, he's probably dancing with Elizabeth at a party in his honor, as new department chair. "Yes, Nick, we did."
Chapter Fifteen
Lily's room was already empty of everything that was hers, but the sweet smell that was Lily lingered on, and Sam sat on the bed where she'd slept, elbows on knees, and held his head. The house was the same as when he first arrived--dark and drab. He'd been reluctant to let her brighten his life, but she had, and now, he couldn't imagine going back to the way it was. Going back to his life without her sunset-red hair and summer grass-green eyes. Mornings without Lily leaning against the counter in his kitchen, slanting her sloe-eyed smile at him, would be unbearable.
He ran down the steps to the kitchen. The walls were still yellow and the border was there. What was he thinking, that she was going to paint the walls black? It wouldn't have mattered. Without her, his life would be dark as night.
The centerpiece was gone and the elephant teapot was back in the cabinet. The blue glass canning jars were there too. She'd left her cobalt vase, his gift the night he arrived. She'd taken the prism from the window. His gasp turned into a strangled sob. This was no longer home. Not just because the prism was gone, but because of Lily.
He'd always thought the prism his mother put up at each new house made it home, but now he knew it was the love with which it was hung. It was Lily that made his house home.
Sam opened the back door and saw…one chair. She'd taken hers, but she'd left the wind chimes she'd given him in his Welcome Basket.
Had she taken off her heart necklace?
Had she given up on him?
She couldn't. He loved her. He needed and wanted her in his life.
Sam frantically checked his watch. He'd lost all sense of time since he entered the house. She'd wanted him to give the talk and he'd hoped to. He knew it by heart because it came from his heart, but he was too late. Could she…would she…ever forgive him?
If he hurried, maybe he could get there before it was over. He'd have to go the way he was, but it didn't matter. She liked bright colors and his polo shirt was lemon yellow. She'd promised him a dance, in writing, on his invitation. He was going to be unforgivably late, but if she loved him the way he loved her, the last dance would be his, if no other.
* * *
Lily tried to shut out Nick's voice, a voice that wasn't Sam's. It was eleven o'clock and it seemed the night and dance were going on forever, like a movie in slow motion. She shouldn't have danced with him a second time but she felt like a wallflower without a chance since there was no stag line.
Carla was dancing with Jack, her head on his shoulder, and Lily hoped things were going well for them. Jack dropped a kiss on her hair and L
ily gave her thumbs up. Carla's dreamy smile widened and her eyes popped. "Look." She mouthed the word and nodded her head toward the door.
Sam burst into the room, wearing a yellow shirt and navy slacks. She wouldn't have cared if he was wearing tan and brown. He could have shown up naked or in sackcloth, and she'd be glad he was there. She laughed and Nick muttered. "What's funny?"
Sam caught sight of her and crossed the dance floor, dodging couples, headed straight for them. His fists were clenched at his side and he wore a determined look on his handsome face. He was jealous, and she loved it.
Lily tried to look dreamy the way Carla had, but it was hard to hold back her joy.
"You're dancing with my date," Sam said, tapping Nick on the shoulder a little harder than Lily deemed necessary.
Nick had to look up and she bit back a giggle. She'd remembered him as tall.
"I believe Lily came alone."
They both looked at her for verification and she shrugged. She was enjoying this.
"She may have," Sam said, "but she's my date and she's going home with me."
Nick, the wimp, spread his hands and moved away. "The music's over anyway. Thanks for the dance, Lily. I'll see you soon."
Sam, her rescuing knight, took a giant step after him.
Lily took two quick steps to lay a hand on his arm. "No."
"What's he mean he'll see you, and why are you defending him?"
"I'm not defending him, but I don't want a scene. Nick's going to be my neighbor. He and a friend are buying your house."
"Over my dead body, that…worm…will live next to you."
Lily laughed so hard, she gasped her answer. "Works right into Nick's plans to open a funeral home there."
"Nick? He's the guy you used to date? Funeral home? In my house?"
She bobbed her head up and down. "Yes, yes, yes, and yes."
Sam looked as if he didn't know whether to pass out or take off after Nick. "No way. Let me leave town for a couple of days and my world falls apart." He turned to her with luminous eyes. "You took the light out of my life."
Love in a Small Town Page 17