A Wedding on Bluebird Way Page 29

  When they’d finished eating, he escorted her to the couch, invited her to lie down, slipped off her sandals, and covered her with the knitted throw.

  Eyes closed, Harper lay listening to the sounds of Chance clearing the table and loading the dishwasher. She couldn’t remember the last time anyone—let alone a man—had helped her in the kitchen. Chance clearly knew the way to a woman’s heart. He’d already found his way to hers. The only question was, when was he going to break it?

  Was she strong enough to hold on to this giddy ride until it was over, or would she be better off ending it now?

  Still mulling the question, she began to drift.

  * * *

  “Wake up, sleepyhead.”

  Harper stirred and blinked. She was looking up into Chance’s laughing eyes.

  “Hello,” she murmured, still muzzy. “How long was I asleep?”

  He feathered a kiss on her mouth. “Half an hour, at least. It’s almost ten. You were sleeping so soundly, I didn’t have the heart to wake you.”

  “But for so much time . . . what have you been doing?”

  “Sitting in the rocker, watching you. You’re beautiful when you sleep.”

  He kissed her again. His lips, lingering on hers, ignited whorls of heat inside her. Sleep had left her feeling relaxed and highly sensual. His slightest touch on her skin was enough to set off shimmers of shameless desire.

  Her fingertip stroked a path down the side of his face and along his jaw. “How about that back rub you promised me?”

  He slid an arm under her back. “I don’t think we’ve got time for a back rub,” he said. “But we might have time for something better.”

  He stood, lifting her off the couch. She clung to him as he carried her down the hall toward her bedroom. “The girls—” she whispered.

  “I checked on them just before I woke you. They’re fast asleep. They’ll be fine.”

  By the time he stood her next to the bed, she was aching with need. He reached for the zipper at the back of her dress. Pulling his hand away, she lay back on the coverlet and raised her skirt. “Now!” she whispered.

  Understanding what she wanted, he chuckled, pushed down his jeans and briefs, and added protection before he stripped off her lace panties. Their lovemaking was swift, urgent, and explosive, with a climax that left them both shaken.

  They lay still for a long moment. Then he kissed her. “I’d better go,” he said. “Your girls might not be ready to wake up and find me in your bed.”

  “That’s probably a good idea.” She sat up as he rearranged his clothes. Maybe later on that will be all right, she wanted to say. But that might be assuming too much. “Later on” might never happen.

  “I’ll see you and the girls tomorrow around ten. Will that give you enough time to be ready?”

  “It should be fine.” She walked with him across the darkened living room to the door. He paused long enough to give her a lingering kiss. Then he was gone.

  As Harper stood at the front window, watching the tail lights of his car vanish into the night, a dark weight seemed to settle over her. It puzzled her at first. After all, the dinner had gone well, their lovemaking had been glorious, and he’d promised to spend the day with her and the twins tomorrow. So why was she feeling this premonition that things wouldn’t turn out as she’d hoped?

  It meant nothing, she told herself. It was just her usual way of protecting herself from disappointment. Expect the worst—that way you’ll either be prepared when it happens or pleasantly surprised when it doesn’t. That had always been her way of dealing with life’s twists and turns. But Chance had told her he would come tomorrow. Hadn’t he always kept his word?

  * * *

  The next morning, the black foreboding was still there, looming like a rain cloud over the sunny Texas morning. Harper had already resolved not to tell the girls about the planned outing. If they were expecting it, and it didn’t happen, they would be crushed.

  First she called the sitter, gave her the day off, and arranged for her to come that evening. Then she called Brad, gave him the news about the cancellations, and asked him to cover for her. He was upbeat, as always. “Don’t worry,” he said. “I’ve got a couple of leads I’m chasing down. Something will work out. Anyway, you deserve a break, Harper. You’ve been running yourself ragged. I’ve got things under control here, for as long as you need me.”

  Harper thanked her young assistant and ended the call. Brad was a jewel. She needed to follow through with the idea of making him a partner in the business. Otherwise, sooner or later, he could be lured away by the promise of more money elsewhere.

  By 9:45, she had the apartment tidied and the girls ready to go. Chance would be on the road by now. Soon she’d see his car pulling into the parking lot and hear his footsteps coming down the hall toward her door.

  She was about to dismiss her gloomy premonition when her phone rang. The caller was Chance.

  “Are you all right?” she asked.

  “Yes, but I’m going to have to call off our outing. I hope the girls won’t be too disappointed.”

  Her heart sank. “The girls don’t know yet. I was going to let you surprise them. What’s happened?”

  He sighed. “I was on my way to your place when I got a call from Savannah. She wants to meet me for lunch today at Bubba Red’s.”

  The dark cloud closed around Harper.

  “All right. Well, I guess that’s that.” Her voice was flat with disappointment. She should have known how this relationship would end. All Savannah had to do was pick up the phone, and he was rushing back to her. Harper tried to tell herself it didn’t hurt, but it did. It hurt a lot.

  “I know how this sounds, Harper, but believe me, it’s mostly business. Before the wedding, Savannah and I made some arrangements that will need to be canceled. There are papers that need to be signed, other things that have to be resolved. I’m on my way to my lawyer’s now to make sure everything’s in order. And of course Savannah and I need closure. We need to talk about what happened and hopefully part as friends. This might be my only chance to do that. I don’t know how long it will take, but I should at least be free to take you to dinner tonight.”

  “Don’t bother.” Harper knew she sounded like a jealous bitch, but she couldn’t help it. She’d given him her trust, and her children’s trust. And he’d let her down in the worst way—for Savannah.

  “Since you’ll be going to Hawaii tomorrow, I guess all I can say is good-bye, and have a nice trip. Maybe you won’t be going alone after all.”

  “Listen to me, it’s not like that. I have to do this, and—damn it—I love you, Harper!”

  “Good-bye, Chance.” She ended the call, sank onto a kitchen chair, and buried her face in her hands.

  * * *

  “Why are you crying, Mommy?”

  “Are you sad?”

  Harper felt a touch on her shoulder. Her daughters were standing next to her chair, looking up at her with worried faces. She gave them a tearful smile. “Just a little sad. But I’ll be all right.”

  What could she say when she’d just made the worst mistake of her life? Chance had asked for her understanding, and she’d refused to give it to him. He’d even told her he loved her. And she’d behaved like an insecure, jealous fool.

  “But why are you sad?” It was Jenny who asked.

  “I’m sad because I just said mean, stupid things to someone I care about,” Harper replied.

  “But you always tell us not to say mean things,” Jessy said.

  “I know. And I’m very, very sorry.”

  Not that it would make any difference. Chance had attractive women throwing themselves at him. Why should he waste time and effort on a woman who’d pushed him away?

  She’d been a fool. But that was no reason to punish her daughters.

  Harper forced herself to smile. “I’ll tell you what would make me feel better,” she said. “How would you like to go to the park today? We can play on the playg
round and ride the train, visit the petting zoo, and take a pony ride—anything you want.”

  “Can we have corn dogs for lunch?”

  “And ice cream?”

  “And cotton candy?”

  “You bet!” Harper turned off her phone and reached for her keys. “Bathroom first. Then we’ll be on our way!”

  * * *

  Chance walked out of Bubba Red’s feeling as if a heavy weight had been lifted off his shoulders.

  The meeting with Savannah couldn’t have gone better. The moment they’d walked into the restaurant and caught sight of each other, they’d both known that she’d done the right thing.

  Looking more relaxed and radiant than he’d ever seen her, she’d greeted him with a hug. Over ribs and cornbread, they’d said what needed to be said—that neither of them had really been in love. They’d only been doing what they felt was expected of them. She’d gladly signed the legal documents he’d brought, both of them joking about how this, at least, was easier than a divorce. Then they’d wished each other well and parted friends.

  But she’d left him with one piece of advice. He remembered it now, as he pulled out of the parking lot and headed for the freeway—and Harper’s place.

  “You need to hear this, Chance. All my life I’ve tried to do what was judged to be right and proper. I cared more about other people’s approval than I did about my own happiness. When I ran out on our wedding, I set myself free. Now it’s your turn. Ask yourself what you really want, and follow your heart. That’s what I did, and I’ve never been happier.”

  Would Harper be waiting for him? Would she understand what he’d needed to do? Chance had tried calling her, but she’d turned off her phone, and he hadn’t wanted to leave a message. He needed to talk with her, preferably face-to-face.

  Ask yourself what you really want, and follow your heart.

  What he really wanted was a crazy idea. But if Savannah could run away from her own wedding to follow her heart, he could follow her example.

  As he drove into a visitor’s spot at Harper’s condo, he saw her car pull into its space. By the time he’d crossed the parking lot, she was helping her twins out of their booster seats. The girls had balloons and were wearing face paint. She’d taken them somewhere fun, a good sign. He could only hope she’d be receptive to what he had to say.

  She turned and saw him. Her eyes widened. She didn’t speak. Was this a bad time? Never mind, it was now or never.

  Follow your heart . . .

  Only as he came close did he see the tears in her eyes. Those tears told him it would be all right to take her in his arms and say what he’d come to say.

  “Listen to me, Harper.” He held her gently, the girls crowding around them. “I love you, and I have a wonderful idea. You’re going to hear me out. Then you’re going to say yes, because I won’t take no for an answer.”

  * * *

  Maui, Hawaii, one week later

  The tide was coming in, each gentle wave lapping higher on the beach. The two little girls raced along the edge of the surf, laughing as the foam tickled their bare feet. Chance ran between them, holding their hands to keep them safe.

  Harper watched them from her place on a beach towel. At first she’d thought Chance was out of his mind when he’d invited her and her children along on his so-called bachelor honeymoon. But it had been a perfect idea. The girls were having the time of their lives, and he was showing her, in every way, what a great dad he would make.

  They’d made no decisions about the future—there would be plenty of time for that. But she and Chance were getting to know each other in every way, in and out of bed. For now, they were living moment by moment, day by day, and as long as they were together, that was enough.

  Epilogue

  One year later

  Above the rooftop of the Bluebird Inn, a bluebird glided gracefully over the lush gardens, singing her flight song of happiness. It was good to be home.

  Hailey saw the flash of bright wings and smiled. Except for the sweet addition of the nesting birds, standing in the garden of the Bluebird Inn gave her a feeling of déjà vu.

  Six months ago, almost to the day, she and Joshua had said their vows here. Now Joshua’s sister, Savannah, was marrying the man of her dreams. And Hailey, who’d never thought Joshua’s family would accept her, had received so many visits from his mother, that even Joshua finally rolled his eyes when Marion came trundling up the walkway bearing homemade cinnamon buns.

  As maid of honor, Hailey had not only organized Savannah’s bachelorette party—a first—she’d helped decorate the garden.

  Only an angel’s handful of puffy clouds dotted the sky today. The air smelled of fresh-cut, sun-warmed grass and lemony-sweet roses. Larkspur nodded in the soft breeze.

  The bluebird swooped down from the oak branches, watching them curiously with her head tilted to one side. A bumper crop of baby bluebirds now chirped from the birdhouses Tom and Felicity had built. Grams made frequent trips down to the peach orchard to talk to them.

  At present, Grams was having a lovely chat with herself and beaming from the front row. She had on a new organdy hat and tea gloves, but if Hailey had to guess, there was probably a jar of earthworms in Grams’s pocketbook. There was a good chance Grams would tiptoe down to the birdhouses at some point and shove those things inside, all pink and wriggly, and . . . Well, Hailey wasn’t the girliest girl in the world, but even she put her foot down at worms.

  The ceremony was about to begin, and she smiled at Harper, who was hurrying to join her new husband among the seated guests. As Joshua came strolling outside, the sight of him in his tux again made Hailey’s heart go all fluttery. No one looked more debonair in a tux than Joshua. He was done with his residency. But what really made her smile was knowing that Joshua and his sister had reconnected. They’d found each other all over again this last year. And, he believed, as Hailey did, that his sister was making the right choice with Hank.

  Life was funny like that. When you found the perfect person, you just knew.

  “You take my breath away,” Joshua said, giving her an exuberant kiss. “You make me wish we weren’t in public right now.”

  Hailey glanced around and then whispered, “I have motor oil under my fingernails that I can’t get out.”

  “That just makes you sexier,” he teased. “I love knowing my wife is the only woman here who can rebuild a car engine and look this good in a bridesmaid dress.”

  She smiled up at him, her heart brimming with love. Sometimes the right things did happen and the right people did find each other. Maybe the human heart stood empty from time to time, just like those bluebird houses had. But when happiness came home to fill it? There was nothing more beautiful.

  Joshua tucked her arm under his and gazed down at her with a happy smile. We’ve found love, Hailey thought. All four of us. And when you have love, you’ve found the secret to everything.

  She was so busy looking into her husband’s eyes, she didn’t notice the bluebird had again taken flight and sailed over her head to land on the cement birdbath behind her.

  * * *

  The bluebird splashed water on her feathers near the garden gate, where an older man linked arms with a young woman dressed in a white wedding dress.

  “Well, let’s try this again, shall we?” Savannah’s father gripped her hand, keeping it pinned to his arm.

  He needn’t have worried. Unlike the suffocating panic and dread she’d felt twelve months ago, today she could barely keep her feet from racing up the aisle after her brother and Hailey. To the man she loved.

  She looked through the garden gate to the end of the aisle. Hank stood tall, his shoulders filling out the suit jacket he wore like nobody’s business. His brother, Seth, stood next to him, tugging at his tie, looking uncomfortable in the semi-formal attire The yard of the Bluebird Inn was filled to capacity; people who hadn’t even been invited to the wedding were standing on the sidelines, waiting to see if Savannah Loving woul
d take off once more.

  Savannah didn’t care. She wanted the whole world to watch her speak her vows to Hank Evans.

  Everything about this wedding was going to be different from her first, not least that it was actually going to happen. She and Hank wouldn’t hear of her parents paying, not after Savannah had lost their money the first time around. This wedding was a simple affair. A celebration with their closest friends, and the rest of the town who wanted to come out for a peek. She’d picked her own bouquet of bluebonnets that morning, now bound with one of Hank’s zip-ties, and three students from the local high school were playing string instruments.

  She and her father stepped under the gate’s arch, and waited for the orchestral music to turn to the wedding march. Savannah curled her bare toes into the grass. She lifted the hem of her long boho white gown and wiggled her red-painted toes.

  Her father sighed. “Are you sure you don’t want to wear the shoes your mother brought? We’re not hippies, you know.”

  “I’m positive.” She rubbed his arm. Her father had come a long way in the last year in accepting his children’s surprising life choices, but the bare feet were still a step too far for him. Hank had been right that her family hadn’t been thrilled with her new choice of boyfriend. It was a double blow that Joshua had also fallen in love with someone “from the wrong side of the tracks.” Longtime prejudices weren’t easy to let go of. But Hank and Hailey had finally won the Loving family over. After all, her parents just wanted their son and daughter to be happy, and no one made her happier than Hank. And when he’d gotten down on one knee at Five Sixty and proposed, she’d been the happiest woman in all of Texas.

  The first strains of the wedding march sounded. Savannah leaned close to her dad. “Do you remember what you said to me a year ago while we were standing here? You said, ‘Stop being silly. That’s a good man standing up there. He’ll make you happy.’ Do you remember that?”

  Her dad nodded, a slight flush reddening his cheeks.

  She squeezed his arm. “Say it again. Without the silly part, please,” she said, her lips curving up. “Say it again, because this time it will be true.”