by Jen Gilroy
“You won’t be disappointed.” Three days later, Seth held his cell phone against his ear with one hand and gripped Dolly’s leash with the other. “Annie’s got a great voice, but it’s her songwriting that will really blow you away.”
He’d almost forgotten how much he missed the buzz of talking to a producer like Rick, who knew his stuff. This call was speculative, so there was no sense in telling Annie yet and getting her hopes up about something that might never happen. But he wanted to do something good for her that would make her eyes sparkle like they had when she’d made the recording.
“If you don’t believe me, talk to Pete or his studio musicians.” Seth moved onto the bridge so Dolly could follow a scent. “All I’m asking is you take a few minutes to listen to Annie’s song and tell me what you think.”
“You always knew how to wear me down, Taggart.” There was a flicker of amusement in Rick’s tone as his voice boomed in Seth’s ear. “Because it’s you, I’ll listen, but no promises, you hear me?”
“I hear you.” Seth sagged against the rail of the bridge. “And thanks.” He’d done it. He still had the old magic. And that magic was in the songs he’d written over the past few weeks, too. He’d get back in the game when he was ready, but, for now, he was comfortable where he was.
“You bet you should thank me.” Rick laughed. “My time is money.”
Even as his chest got heavy, Seth made himself laugh back. Over the past few months, he’d learned that time was worth so much more than could be measured in dollars and cents. Its real value was in how, and with who, you spent it.
He ended the call and rubbed a hand through his hair. He wanted to get his songwriting career back on track, and maybe setting something up to help Annie could not only be the break she needed but also the one he needed to restore his credibility. So why was he obsessing over the big questions in life? He scanned the overcast sky and drew in a breath. If he’d been back in Georgia, he’d have said the clouds were settling to stay awhile and rain was coming. But along with everything else, the weather was so different here—not like Georgia or LA, either.
“Seth?” Annie’s voice rose above the rush of river water beneath the bridge.
He turned as she clattered up behind him. “I thought you were at work this afternoon.”
“I was, but Holly is covering for me.” Her lips tilted into the gentle smile that never failed to make Seth smile, too. “I went to the post office for the mail. Hannah talked to her guidance counselor about colleges before school ended. The counselor contacted colleges and asked them to send Hannah information.” She waved a big brown envelope at him. “This must be some of it. After talking to you, and then the counselor, I think Hannah might have turned a corner with the whole college idea.”
“That’s great.” Seth slid his hand into Annie’s as Dolly nosed the ground at his side.
“It is. I’m so proud of her. And now Duncan’s doing better, life’s good. I’m happy.” She veered off the sidewalk onto a gravel path and tugged Seth’s hand. “Do you have a few minutes?”
“For you? Always.” He was happy, too. He’d almost forgotten what happiness felt like. Or maybe it was contentment. Whatever it was, and along with that still-so-surprising love, it had soaked into him like a soft summer rain and healed the scars of a too-long winter.
He followed her along a grassy path behind Malone Street until she stopped by the falls. Water tumbled over the jagged rocks and soaked the moss and ferns growing out of each little crevice. Above his head, a string of bells someone had hung from a low branch of the wishing tree tinkled in the breeze. “What’s up?”
“I’ve been thinking more about my music.” She moved closer and laid her head on his shoulder. “Recording the song was great, and the interview on your show was better than I expected, but it was enough, you know? And since I donated some of the money from selling those CDs to the flood relief fund, I feel better about it all.”
“I . . .” He swallowed as the trust in her expression pierced his heart.
“I might even do a show at a fair, but if so, it will be on my terms.” Her eyes shone. “I’m making the decisions about any music career that will be right for me. I’m taking small, steady steps and it feels good to do that and not be scared. You’ve helped me, but you’ve never taken over. I appreciate that.”
Except, he’d called Rick about her song and he hadn’t told her. Seth’s stomach heaved. “Annie, I need to talk to you.” If he didn’t, this might not end well.
“Later.” She gave him a teasing grin and put a finger to his lips. “The rain has started, and you’re not wearing a jacket. Haven’t you learned about Adirondack weather by now?”
“I guess not.” His mouth had a sour taste.
“Maybe you need a shower to warm up so you don’t catch cold.” Her teasing tone had a sensual undercurrent, and the humid summer air became charged with unmistakable meaning. “Because of the weather, we’re not busy this afternoon, so I don’t have to get back to the bakery right away.” She lowered her voice and touched his arm. “And your apartment’s really close.” As the wind pushed the rain in a horizontal sheet, she slipped the envelope under her rain jacket and then tugged on his hand.
He broke into a run beside her, and Dolly loped between them. He’d wanted to help Annie, but would she see it that way? Or, once she knew the truth, would she think it was only about him trying to resurrect his career and regain respect from people who’d doubted him?
Chapter 20
Annie studied the cake she’d set on the trestle table in the party room at the Black Duck. She’d designed and decorated it in the shape of a guitar and written happy birthday in black icing across the bottom.
“You’re worrying too much. Seth will love it.” At her side, Tara squeezed her elbow.
“Maybe a surprise party isn’t such a good idea.”
Seth had never mentioned his birthday, but Annie remembered it from the day he arrived in town and she’d asked to see identification.
“Dylan is all for it, isn’t he?” Tara’s tone reassured her. “Besides, since Seth has that birthday slot on his show, it’s only right folks have a chance to celebrate his birthday, too, and this is the closest Saturday to it.”
“What if he doesn’t like surprises?” Whether a surprise, or planned months in advance, her family loved parties, but Seth hadn’t grown up in a family like hers.
“He likes you, doesn’t he? He’ll be thrilled you went to all this effort for him. The way he looks at you, and how you look at him, the two of you are head over boot heels for each other.” Tara’s eyes twinkled.
“Is it that obvious?” Annie smoothed her top, the one she’d worn to the recording session that Seth liked. Although she hadn’t come right out and told her sisters she’d slept with him, and even if there hadn’t been rumors swirling around town, they’d have guessed for sure. It was that sister bond. Nothing stayed secret for long.
“It’s sweet.” Tara set a stack of birthday napkins beside the cake. “Rowan and I are happy for you.”
“Even Rowan?”
“Sure. Even though she’s still mad about what happened with her ex, it doesn’t mean she can’t be glad for you. She wouldn’t have gone to pick up Dylan from the bus stop otherwise, now would she?” Tara’s smile was warm. “Everything is perfect and everyone, including Dylan, is waiting to yell surprise when Brendan brings Seth in.”
“You’re right.” Annie tried to smile back. She wasn’t used to being in a relationship, even though she and Seth hadn’t talked about what was between them in those terms. Her life had changed so much in the past few months, she was still catching up. It was natural bits of the old, insecure Annie were still there, along with the new, more confident one.
“Seth will love it when you sing happy birthday to him, too.” Tara swung h
er arm with Annie’s as they walked toward the party room door. “That man is crazy about you.”
Or is he only crazy about my music? Annie pushed that thought away. She and Seth made music together, but that wasn’t all they did. They went to the gym together, and he was teaching her to play tennis at the outdoor courts near the school. They’d bought tickets to a community theater show at the end of August, and he’d even picked up Hannah from that kayaking course last week when Annie was late coming back from a doctor’s appointment with her mom and Duncan. But even though he was a real part of her life, she still wasn’t sure if she was a real part of his. He’d never even told her what had happened with his business, and she’d never felt comfortable asking him.
She moved toward Rowan and Dylan, who stood in the middle of a crowd of people near the door. As she stopped beside them, it swung inward and everyone yelled “Surprise!” like they’d planned.
“What the—” Seth darted a glance at Brendan, and his eyebrows drew together.
“It’s a surprise party for your birthday.” Brendan nodded toward Annie. “Every morning you celebrate somebody’s birthday on the show and play the number one song on the day they were born, so Annie . . . we all thought . . .” Brendan faltered.
“Oh.” Seth scanned the crowd before his gaze settled on Annie. “I’ve never . . . a surprise party. It’s great . . . I . . . wow.” Even though his smile was still strained, his eyes shone. “Dylan?” Seth’s gaze swung to his son. “What are you doing here?”
“I’m part of the surprise. Annie set it up. She messaged me and asked if I wanted to come. I got a great deal on bus fare.” Dylan’s face went red. “I was owed a few days off work anyway, and I wanted to be here . . . with you.”
“That’s . . . thanks, son.” Seth’s voice was gruff.
Dylan’s dark eyes gleamed, and the glance that passed between him and Seth told Annie everything she needed to know. They wouldn’t hug each other, at least not in public. But although they might still need to talk some stuff out, the worst of the breach between them was well on the way to being healed.
She clapped her hands. “Let’s get this party started. We’ve got enough food to feed half the town, and Tara’s organized games for the kids.” She took a deep breath and focused on Seth, who still stood in front of her with a dazed expression. “Happy birthday. All of us.” She gestured with a sweep of her hand. “We’re glad you’re a part of Irish Falls, and we wanted to make sure you knew that.”
“Thanks, everyone.” Seth’s expression relaxed, and he grinned at Dylan. “How long were you on that bus? You must be starving.”
“Rowan brought snacks when she picked me up, but I can always eat.” He grinned back.
“Go on. We have lots of time to catch up.” Seth touched his son’s shoulder, and Dylan nudged him back before joining the line of people snaking toward the buffet.
Annie stayed back. “Seth, this party was my idea. I didn’t mean to upset you or—”
“No, it’s me.” His smile was wistful. “My birthday has never been a big deal, at least not after my mom passed. I’d almost forgotten about it, so when I walked in here . . . I . . . nobody has ever done anything like this for me before.” His breath caught. “And to have Dylan here . . .” His mouth worked. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” Annie’s heart swelled with both relief and love. “People here care about you, and we wanted to show you that.” And someday soon, she’d also be able to tell him she loved him. All she needed was the right moment.
His blue-gray eyes softened. “I care about you too, and I—”
“Stop monopolizing the man, Annie.” Her mom elbowed her way between them. “All the food will be gone, and you’ll still be standing here jawing away.” She eyed Seth. “I made my maple-glazed ribs and those always go fast. You have to try a bit of everything, though. It’s the first rule of a Quinn party.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Seth laughed and gave Annie a knowing look.
Annie laughed, too. Subtlety had never been one of her mom’s strong points. And as her mom took Seth’s arm and marched him to the head of the line for the buffet, he glanced over his shoulder at her. His smile had that special warmth for her alone, but there was something else in it as well—uncertainty, maybe, but also a heaviness.
Despite the warm July day, she shivered. Nana Gerry would have said a goose walked over her grave, but that was ridiculous. Those old sayings meant nothing. Seth was fine with the party. Things were great between the two of them, as well as between him and Dylan, and she was less worried about Hannah than she’d been for months. There was no reason for that little prickle of unease.
Two hours later most of the food was gone, she’d sung “Happy Birthday,” accompanied by Hannah on the Black Duck’s out-of-tune upright piano, and Seth had cut his cake and now only crumbs remained.
Annie bent to pick up a stray paper napkin from under the cake table as “My Hometown Heart” rang out through the speaker system once again. Although she’d heard that song too many times to count today, it still filled her with pride. Each note was a tangible reminder of how far she’d come in conquering her fears.
“Great party, Annie.” Dylan beamed as she met him beside the punch bowl. “Your family made me really welcome.”
“Thanks. We’re all happy you could make it.” She liked Dylan for himself, but she liked him even more because he was a part of Seth. She found another napkin to wipe up some spilled punch.
“Here, let me.” Dylan took it from her. “I work in a restaurant, so I’m used to this.” His smiled slipped. “Dad always made me clean up at home and help cook, too. He said he had to make sure I knew how to live on my own someday. My mom wasn’t around much, so it was all up to him.”
“That must have been hard.” For Seth, as well as Dylan. At least she’d had her family to help out with Hannah when she needed them.
“My mom’s pretty and all, but she’s not like a mom. Not like you.” Dylan mopped up the last of the spill without looking at her.
“I’m sure your mom loves you, and she must be very proud of you.” Despite what Seth had said about Amanda not wanting to be a mom, Dylan was a fine young man. How could any mother not love and be proud of him? “Your dad’s real proud of you, too.”
Dylan crumpled up the napkin. “Dad and I had some stuff going on and I said some stuff I shouldn’t have. It got weird there for a while.”
“I think it’s all right now.” Annie lowered her voice. “Your dad talks about you all the time, even about things you did when you were little.”
Dylan made a face. “No way.”
“He wants to be part of your life.” And Seth had made a big effort to make things better with his son.
A flush spread across Dylan’s cheeks, and he shoved his hands into the front pockets of his khaki shorts. “Since Dad met you, he’s been different.”
She’d sure been different since she’d met him. “Your dad has become a good friend to me.” She shifted from one foot to the other. “Are you okay with that?”
“Why wouldn’t I be?” Dylan’s smile was awkward. “I don’t want Dad to be on his own forever. Besides, you’re good for him.”
Annie smiled back as heat suffused her body. “Your dad raised you right.”
“Maybe you could tell him that?” Dylan’s smile broadened. “I don’t think he’s got the message his job is pretty much done.”
“Although kids might like to think so, a parent’s job is never done. Even when Hannah’s forty, I bet I’ll still be telling her to eat her vegetables and wear a hat when it’s cold outside.” She raised her eyebrows. “And she’ll still be telling me to back off like she does now.”
“She’s lucky.” Dylan’s expression sobered. “Even though Dad gets on my case, I always know he cares.”
&nbs
p; “He sure does.”
“But sometimes, it would be kind of good to have a mom to talk about stuff with, too.” Dylan studied his sneakers.
“If you want . . . I . . . can . . . you can talk to me . . . as a friend.” Annie cleared her throat. “I’d never tell you what to do, but I could listen if you needed it.”
“I’d like that. And when I said you were like a mom, I didn’t mean you were like old or anything. And you’re real pretty, too.” The tips of his ears went red. “My dad likes you a lot. I can tell.”
“What are you two looking all serious about over here in the corner?” Seth laid a hand on the small of Annie’s back.
“Nothing much.” Dylan shrugged, and Annie was struck by how much he looked like Seth, as well as pictures she’d seen of a young Jake.
“Dylan is helping me clean up.” She gave him a half-smile. “He told me he works in a restaurant, and I was about to ask him about college. I don’t know anything about animation, except what I see in movies.”
Dylan shot her a grateful glance. “It’s so cool. I have my computer with me. I could show you a few of my projects. Dad, too. If you’re interested, I mean.”
“Of course we are. That sounds great.” Seth’s voice was warm, and his hand curved around Annie’s waist to pull her into the curve of his body. “Maybe we could take a trip to New York City to see you before school starts again—bring Hannah, too.”
Almost like they were a family. Annie sucked in a breath.
Dylan looked between them and smiled. “I’d like that. You could eat at the restaurant where I work, my treat. I have a friend with a sister Hannah’s age. She could probably take her shopping.”
“Shopping?” Hannah appeared at Annie’s side. “Where?”
“Seth thought we could go to the city to see Dylan sometime. How would you feel about that?” Annie’s smile wavered. A trip anywhere would be a big deal for them, but that kind of trip was off-the-charts big. It smacked of commitment, a future, and linking all their lives together in new and perhaps scary ways.