Chapter Twenty-Five

 

I think I may be falling in love with my husband.

He was making it difficult for me not to. I mean, the fact he was willing to play for my team was kind of momentous, but it was nothing compared to what lay ahead. It had me seeing my husband in a way I never had before.

It all started with that ridiculous mayor’s ball. I was even less inclined to go considering the major bragging Landon had been doing. The idiot had even called me under the guise of checking on the order that his secretary had already confirmed.

“Jessie, I wanted to make sure everything is in place for my big night.”

“Don’t you mean the town’s?”

“Of course,” he replied slimily.

“Well, don’t you worry, everything will be picture-perfect.”

“Everything you do is perfect, well, except maybe managing your team.”

“If you mean we don’t cheat, then I’ll take that as a compliment.”

“Now, Jessie, I can’t believe you would accuse me of cheating. I have a reputation to protect, you know.”

“Oh, don’t worry, your reputation is intact. Have a nice day.” I hung up without another word or a reply from him.

If my own reputation weren’t on the line, I would have purposely messed up the order, or perhaps canceled it all together, but I reminded myself it was for the town, not him, no matter what he and his psycho wife thought.

The large order had me working more than I had the past several weeks. Maddie spent half the time with me and the other half with my parents. My dad was turning out to be a great tutor and he loved passing on his knowledge, so it was a win-win situation. I still read to Maddie because I had to know if Cassie and Eric ended up together. We were close to finishing book two in the series and they had just broken up—again. I couldn’t believe I was hooked on some YA novel.

Wednesday, two days before the ball, Blake came home happy. He kissed me on my neck as I prepared fettuccine Alfredo with grilled shrimp for dinner. “I was able to reserve us a prime camping spot in the canyon for the holiday weekend,” he said into my ear, causing me to shiver.

I turned and faced him. “That sounds like fun, but I can’t go.”

“Why?”

“Blake, the mayor’s ball is this weekend, and I’m helping with the Fourth of July festivities Saturday afternoon at the community center. Remember?”

His face dropped to the bottom floor. “I’ve been promising Madeline we would go.”

I rested my hand on his cheek. “Why don’t you go Friday and I’ll meet you up there in the evening on Saturday.”

“Why don’t you skip the weasel’s ball and come with us?” He pulled me closer to him.

“I would love to, but Jessie Belle’s is providing the desserts and my dad is really looking forward to taking me. And I promised Abby I would help her on Saturday.”

He groaned.

I smiled.

He kissed me once and stalked off to take a shower.

Believe me, I would have much rather gone camping with them, but I had obligations and I didn’t want to disappoint my dad. When I picked Maddie up earlier from his house he had said, “Get your dancing shoes ready. I can’t wait to take a spin with my Belle.” It was really cute. Besides, my mom was going to be gone that weekend and my dad was like a lost puppy without her. He was looking forward to my company.

Friday was crazy at Jessie Belle’s. We had done what we could in the days before, but some things—like chocolate covered strawberries—didn’t have a long shelf life, and the mini triple-chocolate mousse pies were best when eaten within twenty-four hours. Despite who the mayor was, I wanted everything to taste perfect.

I was at Jessie Belle’s by six on Friday morning. Summer school was over and Abby agreed to have Maddie over for the day. Blake wasn’t thrilled with that option, but I promised him that Abby would protect her virtue. I didn’t mention she had laughed when I told her of Blake’s worry. She knew Connor better than anyone, and while she noticed that he seemed to have a small crush on Maddie, she knew he was still too awkward around girls to do anything about it.

I warned Blake to be nice when he dropped Maddie off.

He was all for letting her stay home alone as an alternative, but I was uneasy with that option. Not because I didn’t trust her, but from talking to her I got the feeling she spent way too much time alone growing up. I would almost say that Sabrina had been neglectful, and I didn’t want Maddie to think she was anything but important to us. Even though I knew she was too old for a babysitter, I wasn’t ready to let her loose yet. Besides, I knew Abby would make her feel like she was just having a friend over.

Even with a full kitchen staff we had to work tirelessly. Not only was it the start of a holiday weekend, which made the café busier than normal, but some idiot planned the mayor’s ball for the same weekend. In years past, it was always done at the end of the summer. My only saving grace was that I’d had the foresight to make the dozens of sugar cookies for the community center festivities the week before. They froze beautifully and would be ready to go on Saturday. Naturally, they assigned me to man the cookie decorating station for the event.

By the time the last strawberry was dipped and the last mini chocolate cookie crust shell was filled at noon, I was exhausted. We barely had enough time for everything to set and be delivered by three.

I let Aaron take care of the delivery. I had a date with my stepdaughter at Cheyenne’s salon. We were getting our toes and nails done again, and Cheyenne was going to do my hair and makeup for the ball.

And I needed to make sure Maddie was packed for camping. She had never been and was excited to go with her dad. Blake, on the other hand, as of that morning was still trying to convince me to change my plans. I suggested that he stay and go to the ball with me and then we could head up on Saturday together. I even offered to take Monday off so we could still go the same amount of time. He was still not interested in the ball and Monday he already had appointments set up for two estimates.

It’s funny how circumstances can change unexpectedly. And lately, unexpected was a term I would use in regards to Blake.

Maddie and I rushed home from spending way too much time at Cheyenne’s salon. We were having so much fun we lost track of time. I decided I was going to have to watch Cheyenne around Maddie. They both had a mischievous streak and Cheyenne was filling Maddie’s head with ideas, and most of them centered on the opposite sex.

“My dad and Jessie said I can’t date until high school,” Maddie informed Cheyenne as Cheyenne worked on my hair.

“Getting strict in your old age?” Cheyenne teased.

“Hmm. Funny how we’re the same age.”

“I’m young at heart,” Cheyenne replied.

I rolled my eyes at her.

“Well, Maddie, I can’t help you with the dating restrictions, but when you do start dating, come to me for advice. Your stepmom here thinks romance has to do with doing the dishes and laundry.”

Maddie giggled loudly.

“I’m telling you, flowers wilt and die. A man that cleans up after both himself and you is priceless.”

“That is the lamest thing I’ve ever heard,” Cheyenne said through her laughter.

“Doesn’t my dad ever bring you flowers?” Maddie asked.

I looked at her through the mirror and thought about a few months ago when he brought me flowers as his way to announce her. It wasn’t a happy occasion for me. In fact, it was devastating. My feelings about the situation had changed so much in that short period of time. My mother had been right. Maddie was a blessing in disguise. I smiled at her warmly. “Oh, he does about every thirteen years or so.”

She scrunched her face. “That’s not the way it’s supposed to be.”

“Oh, really? And how is it supposed to be?”

“You should at least get flowers on your birthday or anniversary.”

“I think your dad missed that memo.”

“I’ll talk to him,” she offered.

“That’s not a good idea. Your dad’s not a fan of being told how things should be done.”

She grinned like she knew. She was a smart girl.

“Well,” Cheyenne said as she spun me around in her chair, “he’s going to be sorry he’s missing out on tonight. You are a knockout, my friend.”

She handed me a handheld mirror so I could see both the front and back of my hair, as well as the makeup. She had given my hair beachy waves, but added lots of volume. The red lip stain really offset my creamy complexion. Even though it was way more glamorous than I usually looked, for the first time in forever I felt like the old me, the me I missed. My eyes started to well up with tears.

“You don’t like it?” Cheyenne asked painfully.

I lowered the mirror and smiled at her worried face. “I love it. Thank you.”

“Now you’re going to make me cry.” She smacked me gently. “Go home and get ready.”

I jumped up and hugged Cheyenne tightly.

“I missed you,” she whispered in my ear.

I totally got what she was saying. I had missed me, too.

The first thing Maddie and I did when we got home was to pack a bag for her. I made sure she had outfits for any kind of weather. You never knew about camping in Colorado, even in the summertime. One minute it could be warm and sunny, and the next you could have snow flurries. Blake and I had been camping once in July when it had snowed on us.

I briefly thought back to that trip, which happened when we were first married. I was freezing and ready to go home, but Blake promised he would keep me warm if I stayed. We zipped our sleeping bags together and he made an exception to sleeping wrapped up together. I say sleeping, but if memory served me correctly, and I knew it did because I was feeling warm just thinking about it, we didn’t sleep much that night.

Maybe we should go camping just the two of us? I thought. Maybe that would help. I think Blake had given up on sex. He hadn’t really tried to make a move in quite a while. And I was still too insecure to make the first move. Oh well, I didn’t have time to think about my nun life.

As soon as I took care of Maddie, I dashed to my bedroom and unzipped my party dress from its garment bag. It was going to look perfect with my red nails and lips to match. My black, strappy high heels would also show off the perfectly polished red toes. I slipped into my dress and zipped it up as far as I could in the back, then slipped on my shoes before I sought help with the remainder of the zipper. I needed to hustle, my dad was going to arrive any minute. I buckled the last shoe and scurried out my door only to run into Blake, who looked like he had just got home.

I steadied myself against him, while trying not to touch him. I didn’t want to get dirty, and he was pretty dusty. “Sorry,” I said as I practically bowled him over.

He held onto my arms and righted me. “Jessica,” he said as if surprised. He then took the opportunity to look me over from head to toe.

“Do I look okay?” I asked nervously.

“You—”

The doorbell rang as he started to answer.

“Maddie, will you get that?” I yelled out and then turned around quickly. “Will you please zip me up?” I asked Blake.

I felt him carefully finish the job. I turned around and he was staring at me thoughtfully. I bit my lip nervously. I wanted to ask him what he thought, but by that time my dad and Maddie had joined us. I turned to my dad, who closed the distance between us in one fell swoop.

“Belle, you are as gorgeous as I’ve ever seen you, honey,” he said as he kissed my cheek.

“Thanks, Dad.”

He smiled widely and held out a clear plastic box, opening it to reveal the prettiest white rose corsage with red ribbons dangling from it. He removed the lovely flowers from the container and securely placed them on my wrist.

“Dad, this is so sweet of you. I can’t remember the last time I wore a corsage. Thank you.”

“Anything for my girl,” he responded.

I smiled at him and then turned to my husband and Maddie. I hugged Maddie first. “Okay, sweetie have so much fun camping, but save some fun for me.”

“I will," she said as she squeezed me back. “You look so pretty,” she added in.

“Thanks,” I said as I kissed her head. I hoped it wouldn’t leave a red stain on her hair.

I turned toward my husband, who was just staring at me. I placed my hands against his chest and leaned in to kiss his lips, but not too close. It was a quick peck on the lips.

He reached up and held my hands against his chest. He didn’t seem to want to let me go.

“Be safe, I’ll see you tomorrow night.”

“Jess—”

“Yes?” I smiled.

“We better go, honey, we’re going to be late,” my dad interrupted.

I reluctantly pushed away from my husband. “Okay. Let me grab my purse.”

“I can’t wait to show off the prettiest woman in Merryton.” My dad directed that comment toward Blake, who still stood there not saying anything.

Blake glared at my dad, who was very handsome in his tailored black suit with a matching red tie. We were dressed like we were going to the prom. I looked between the two most important men in my life as they stared at one another. It was like they were having a silent argument, but I couldn’t tell who was winning. I could have sworn that my dad’s blue eyes were daring Blake’s. Daring him to do what, I didn’t know.

“Bye, you two.” I waved at my family.

“Bye, Jessie. See you tomorrow,” Maddie said brightly.

My dad extended his arm and I took it, but I felt this pull toward Blake. Why wasn’t he saying anything? His eyes looked torn and I wanted to know what his dilemma was. I kept looking back at him as I walked forward with my dad. At one point he stepped forward, but he stopped, and my dad and I moved forward and out the door.

My dad led us to his silver BMW parked in our drive. Like the gentleman he was, he opened the passenger side door and helped me in. It was something I wasn’t used to anymore, but enjoyed the service. My dad was all smiles. His happiness reminded me to just savor the evening, even though I was suddenly wishing Blake were taking me. The way he had looked at me in the house was puzzling.

“Cat got your tongue?” my dad asked as we neared The Pavilion where the ball was being held.

“Sorry, Dad. I was just thinking.”

“About Blake?”

“How did you know?”

“I’m old, but I still know a thing or two.”

I smiled. “You’ll never be old to me.”

He reached over and patted my hand. “This is why you are my favorite child.”

I rolled my eyes at him.

“Do you want me to take you home?”

“No ...”

“Are you sure?”

I thought for a moment. “I hope you don’t take this the wrong way, but I kind of wish my husband was escorting me tonight.”

“I hope you won’t take this the wrong way, but I wish he was, too.”

“You do?”

“Not because I don’t want to be with you, but I want him to be the man that you deserve.”

“Blake is a good man.”

“I know that.”

“Do you really

“I’ve been watching him lately, and I’ve been impressed with the way he helps people in this town, especially the Richter family. And he’s a good father.”

“Yes, he is.”

“If only he would step it up in the husband department.”

“You know, I’m not a perfect wife.”

“I’ll never believe that.” He winked over at me.

I held onto my dad’s arm as we entered The Pavilion’s ballroom. I had to say I was impressed with the decorations. It was classier than I imagined it would be. They went with a red, white, and blue theme—go figure. The round tables were dressed with white tablecloths and the chairs were also draped in white, but with red sashes tied around them. The flower centerpieces were interesting and reminded me of sparklers in blue, red, and white. Interspersed in the flowers were lighted sticks. It totally worked. The ceiling was also draped in coordinating colors with thousands of twinkle lights.

Since I was with my dad I had to sit at the “distinguished” table with Landon’s parents, who were actually good people. Too bad they raised a louse. Fiona and Guy Riley were extremely proud of their son. Guy had been the mayor when we were in high school, so this was momentous in more ways than one for their family. And unfortunately, it meant I had to pretend to be happy for them all.

I really wanted to sit at the table with my friends, especially when Veronica walked in and she was wearing the most hideous dress. It was a mermaid style, sequined from shoulder to ankle in bright green. I could barely control my reaction as she waddled over to our table with Landon, who was walking in like he was Don Juan. Veronica was thin, but it looked like she had to be poured into her dress and was overflowing out of the mold. And the ruffled chiffon sleeves were just the icing on the cake of the monstrosity.

I dared a peek at Abby and Cheyenne and they were in hysterics staring at the guests of honor. I felt my phone buzzing and knew better than to look at it. I could only guess at the commentary I was getting in our group text. I would save those fun texts for later when I was sure I would need a good laugh.

When Landon and Veronica made their way to our table, the men all stood and shook Landon’s hand. And they each lied and told Veronica how stunning she looked. Well, maybe that wasn’t a lie. She was stunning, but it was in the “I was stunned she would wear such a dress” sort of a way. And it did stop traffic. I had to give my dad credit, though. I could tell he was less than impressed and all he said was, “Green is a bold choice. Definitely stands out.”

She took it as a compliment, just like my dad intended.

He sat down and winked at me. I loved him.

Landon, on the other hand, I had no love for. He made his way to me and shook my hand and held onto it much longer than he should have. “Jessie Belle, you look amazing this evening. And where is your husband?”

This time my dad shocked me and stepped in. “He’s out being a good dad.”

I smirked up at Landon.

“That’s right,” Fiona Riley said, “How are you enjoying being a mom, Jessie Belle?”

I wasn’t sure what to make of that question right away. I stared at the kindly Mrs. Riley in her salmon-colored polyester dress. Mom, I thought. Was I a mom? “Well, it’s been interesting, but I love having Maddie here. She’s added new life to our family.”

“We are happy you finally have your family, even if it came through an indiscretion,” Veronica threw in.

All heads turned her way.

My dad held onto my hand as if to calm me and came to my rescue again. “What a thing to say to my daughter. You may want to look up the meaning of indiscretion.”

She placed her hand across her chest as if offended. “I know what it means.”

“Oh, good, then perhaps in the future you’ll refrain from making remarks that lack good judgement or truth. Or in other words, you will use discretion.” My dad put her in her place. He was my hero.

You could hear a pin drop at the table.

Landon cleared his throat loudly and took Veronica by the elbow. “We better be off to greet our other guests.” His words were kind, but he looked ready to lash out at his wife.

We all turned from them. I wasn’t sure how the rest of the table would respond, but they all looked at me kindly.

“We’re sorry about that,” Guy said.

I gave him a half sort of smile. Landon’s parents were definitely embarrassed by their daughter-in-law’s lack of tact.

It was not a fun start to the evening. I was grateful when dinner was served and then dessert. I have to say it was fabulous. I had the triple-chocolate mousse pie, which was my favorite. Everyone at our table was very complimentary. It was the turning point of the evening.

It was maybe evil of me, but I was happy later when a glitch added further embarrassment to the mayor and highlighted his incompetency. The program for the evening stated that the awards ceremony was to take place after dinner, but the awards had been left at City Hall. While those were being sent for, they opened up the floor for dancing. Not only was I happy to get away from the “distinguished” table, but I got to dance with my dad. The geriatric talk was getting me down and making me wish I would never age. Knee and hip replacements had been the main topics of conversation at our table, and my dad could go into graphic detail about them both.

My dad was a skilled dancer and he used the arm lead technique when dancing. He held my right hand with his left hand and his right hand was placed securely on my back at my shoulder blade. He was easy to follow and made seamless transitions, a real Fred Astaire, as my mom would say. We swayed perfectly to Sinatra’s “Fly Me to the Moon.” My dad even knew the words and sang along.

I don’t think I could have smiled wider. But I was mistaken. Just as the song was going to end my dad stopped abruptly.

“Dad?”

He didn’t acknowledge me. His gaze was fixed behind me and his aged but handsome face broke out in a sly grin. My dad spun me out and there I found myself in the arms I had been wishing for all evening.

“Blake?”

Blake looked from my dad down to me with that intense gaze of his that seared my soul. “Jess.”

My dad placed his hands on both of our shoulders. “I think I’m going to head home and call it a night.”

“Are you sure?”

He winked at me and then looked to my husband. “I trust you’ll get her home safely.”

“Absolutely,” Blake responded. Then he quietly said, “Thank you.”

“Take good care of my girl.”

Blake looked down at me. “I’ll do my best.”

My dad kissed the side of my head and left.

“The Way You Look Tonight,” also by Sinatra, began to play, but we just stood there staring at each other. I was still in shock. “Blake, what are you doing here? Where’s Maddie?”

He reached up and ran the back of his hand across my cheek softly and I shivered like it was the first time we had ever touched. “Maddie’s at home.”

My eyes must have registered worry.

“She’ll be fine by herself for the evening.”

“You still didn’t tell me why you’re here. What about your trip?”

“Tonight, I realized something after all these years. I’m an idiot.”

I couldn’t help but smile.

He matched my smile with his own. “You took my breath away. You’re so beautiful.”

I reached up and held his hand that touched my cheek. He moved our entwined hands and placed them across his heart, then drew me closer to him. “I also realized,” he said quietly, “it’s the little things that matter to you. The way your eyes lit up at the corsage, or your dad opening your door.”

“Were you watching out the window?”

“I was. I didn’t want to let you out of my sight.” He sighed. “I should have told you I would take you when you first asked. I’m sorry.”

I ran my free hand up through hair that was still damp, like he had hurried to get ready. I hadn’t really looked at him in the amazement of him being there. He was in a white button down shirt with the top two buttons undone, and a pair of charcoal gray slacks. I had forgotten he owned any dress clothes at all, but they fit perfectly and showed off his physique. He took my breath away, and his gray eyes were warm and perfectly framed by his dark lashes. That whole resurfacing thing my therapist talked about was definitely happening. I felt twenty-two again.

“I knew you wouldn’t want to come and I didn’t expect you to.”

“That’s one of our problems. You should expect more from me. You deserve more from me.”

“I’m just happy you’re here.” I moved my arms and hands and placed them around his neck.

He placed his arms around my waist and drew me to him. I don’t think we had ever danced together and I’m pretty sure he didn’t know how to, but it didn’t matter. We probably looked like junior high kids in our stance, but I couldn’t have cared less. All that mattered to me was that he was there. We barely swayed as my head leaned on his shoulder.

“Mrs. Summers, you are beautiful,” he whispered.

“Mr. Summers, you clean up well.”

He chuckled low in my ear.

I hated for the song to end, but it gave us the chance to once again put our affection on display.

Blake cupped my face in his hands and leaned on down for what Cheyenne would call a church kiss, which meant no parting lips, but I still caught a taste of his minty fresh breath. And I’m pretty sure my leg popped.

When his lips released mine, I looked around to find most dancers looking at us. I smiled and bit my lip. “How about a drink?” I asked my husband.

He took my hand and led me to the bar to order himself ice water and me some fruity non-alcoholic concoction. My dad the doctor made me swear off alcohol for life after I came home drunk once in high school. I was shown horrific pictures of alcohol-related accidents and what livers looked like after years of alcohol abuse. It was enough for me to never touch the stuff again. And alcohol had too many calories for Blake’s liking.

We joined my friends—and I hoped he would consider them his friends—at the “fun” table. And to my ever-loving amazement, Blake held out my chair for me. It was like a small miracle. I sat down and smiled up at my husband.

“Do you two need a room?” Cheyenne asked right off the bat. “For a moment there I thought we were watching Dirty Dancing and Blake was going to lift you over his head.”

Everyone but Blake laughed. I doubt Blake had ever seen Dirty Dancing.

“Thanks for raising the bar,” Shane said to Blake. “Now our partners expect us to dance with them and kiss them like we mean it in front of everybody.”

Abby smacked Shane. “Are you saying you don’t mean it when you kiss me?”

“Of course I mean it, baby.”

Kent looked at Cheyenne, who was giving him a cold and calculating look. “You know I always mean it.”

Cheyenne’s look said otherwise.

“How about we change the subject,” I suggested.

Blake sat back and draped his arm around me comfortably in front of my friends. “Good idea,” he said.

Shane laughed.

“How about Veronica’s dress,” Cheyenne said too loudly.

“Let’s save that for later,” I responded quietly.

“All right,” Cheyenne said, disappointed. “I suppose since we snapped several pictures of it, we’ll be good to go for later.”

“What Cheyenne means by we is she,” Abby chimed in.

It didn’t matter anyway because the awards had been delivered by a harried Lucy, the mayor’s secretary.

“Looks like you’re going to get your award after all,” Cheyenne said.

I shrugged my shoulders. I didn’t really care one way or the other about it. But someone else did.

Blake leaned in close and whispered, “You’re getting an award?”

I turned to my husband, who almost looked hurt. “Uh, yeah, Jessie Belle’s won Best Business of the Year.”

He shook his head slightly. “Why didn’t you tell me?”

“Honestly, I didn’t think it would matter to you.”

His eyes definitely said ouch. He stood up abruptly and held out his hand to me while turning to everyone else at the table. “Excuse us,” he said.

Everyone nodded curiously.

I took his hand and he helped me up and then led us to a quiet, empty corner outside the ballroom. He backed me up against the wall and I couldn’t tell if he was angry or not, but his impassioned look had me feeling warm. He leaned in and his forehead met mine.

“Jessica, how do you not get that you matter to me? Have I been that terrible of a husband to you?”

“No. It’s just that we’ve lived these separate lives for so long.”

“Jess, I’m proud of you and the last thing I want is to be separated from you.”

“You’re proud of me?” I almost giggled.

“Not like in a parental sort of way, but yes, I’m proud of you and proud to be your husband. I don’t know many women who would have taken Madeline in and loved her the way you have, all while running your own business and trying to save the world.”

“I’m not trying to save the world.”

“You right a lot of people’s worlds, so same thing.”

“Do I right your world?”

“Every day,” he said before he pressed me against the wall and kissed me like there was no tomorrow. It was definitely not a church kiss. And I’m pretty sure my lips and hair didn’t survive as his hands wove their way through my hair and he drank me in as fast as he could. We only broke apart when we thought we heard steps in our direction. It was a false alarm.

He smiled down at me. “You didn’t tense up.”

“I know.” I grinned slyly. “I love you, Blake.”

“I’ve been waiting to hear those words.”

“Are you ready to move back into our room?”

“More than ready, but can it wait until tomorrow?”

“Tomorrow?”

“What I have planned for tonight doesn’t involve clothing.”

I think I may have blushed. “Are you ready to go home?”

“What about your award?”

“What award?”

Blake practically growled before he took me up in his arms and kissed me deeply.

We could hear my name being called as we walked briskly past the ballroom on the way to the exit. “This year’s award goes to Jessie Belle’s Café. Jessie Belle, come on up here.”

We grinned slyly at each other. Oh, there was going to be talk. My little ladies at the café were going to be so thrilled. And even better, this time the rumors were going to be true.