Desire and a Bottle of Merlot: (Like Sisters Series Book 5) Chick Lit: A Romantic Comedy (5 page)

“Just wait until we tell J. J. He’s going to be over the moon. We have to let everyone in on the good news.”

“I think we need to have a guess-the-baby’s-gender party for that news. It’s too big to just blurt out randomly or waste in just a regular conversation.”

“Okay, honey. We can do it any way you want to. We’ll have a party—no problem. Do you want to go have a celebratory glass of juice and a sweet roll at Amelia’s?”

“That sounds wonderful!”

“How are you feeling?” Karen noticed Mario stir as she drove the long, dull distance on the interstate. They were getting close to Kansas City, and it appeared that he’d slept soundly for several hours, courtesy of Percocet. She was thankful he was waking up, since she needed company desperately. The gray cement freeway, which went on forever with very little to see, made her tired. An occasional billboard along the roadside was her only company, giving her a few seconds to look away from the humdrum and read the advertisement before it was in her rearview mirror.
There’s no way I’m going to cause another accident—no way in hell.
For the most part, her eyes were glued to the road.

He stretched, then he groaned in pain, and a grimace spread across his face. “Damn it. I keep forgetting my ribs actually hurt until I move around.” Mario used his left fist to rub the sleep out of his eyes. “Where are we? I’m starting to get hungry.”

“Yeah, me too. We’ll be crossing into Missouri in about thirty minutes. Want to stop for lunch along the freeway?”

“That sounds great. As long as I don’t take any pain pills, other than aspirin, I can drive for a while after lunch. You look like you can use a break.”

“I’ll be honest—I’m looking forward to getting home and back to our normal routine, whatever that is.”

Mario pressed the button on the side of his seat, lifting the back to an upright position. “I should stay at your house for a while until my ribs are better. The Summit will be fine, and we can go up there together and check on things whenever we want. I had all intentions of helping out with the wedding garden, but now I might be supervising instead.”

“We’ll figure it out, and I’d love it if you’d stay in Tarrytown with me. We’d all love it but especially me.” Karen smiled at Mario and threw him an air kiss. “I love you, Mario. You know how sorry I am about all the mishaps we’ve encountered since we left Tarrytown for Telluride.”

“I know, but I wouldn’t have it any other way. We need funny stories to tell our kids someday, don’t we?” The sparkles dancing in Mario’s eyes told Karen that he truly loved her, too. He took her hand in his and kissed it.

“Be careful,” she joked, “I need both hands on the wheel.”

Karen slowed down at the freeway exit ramp. “There’s a Petro truck stop here. Good enough?”

“It’s perfect, hon, let’s eat. We can go over the map, too, and decide where to stop for the night. You might have to help me get out of this beast.”

She walked around the SUV and waited as Mario opened the door and pulled himself to a standing position. “Yeah, good thing there’s running boards and a handle for you to grab hold of. Give me your arm, and I’ll help you,” she said, laughing under her breath.

“What’s so funny?” he asked, forcing a smile mixed with a groan as he climbed out.

“I just remembered when we started this trip how you’d come around the Explorer and help me get out. I guess we’ve come full circle, huh?”

“We sure have. Who would have thought?”

They sat in a booth in the crowded truck-stop diner, each drinking a welcome cup of coffee as they looked over the map on Mario’s phone.

“I think we should call it a night in Columbus,” Mario said. “It’s the same route we took on the way to Telluride. We’ll have a full day of driving tomorrow and be home late tomorrow night.”

“That sounds good to me. Are you sure you’re up for being in a vehicle that many hours at a time?”

“We can stop at a wayside now and then. We’ll still be home by tomorrow night. It’s all good.”

Karen took a few minutes to call Vic and update her while they waited for their food to arrive. She told her when they would be home and that Mario would be staying in Tarrytown for a while.

“That sounds like a great idea,” Vic said. “I can’t wait until you bums get back. We’ve all missed you, plus Sasha is beside herself to get started on the wedding garden. I think she’s already ordered a pallet of recycled bricks. Anyway, see you guys in a couple of days. Call me when you get in. I don’t care what time it is.”

Making it to Columbus that night was a godsend. Mario and Karen were exhausted. There had to be something good about road trips—maybe if they were leisurely with nowhere to be at any given time. They checked into the motel after a last-minute decision to hit the drive-thru at a fast-food chain. They were both too tired to go out to eat. Even the constant hum of cars and long-haul eighteen-wheelers passing in the night wouldn’t keep them awake for long.

Karen turned on the shower after dinner. The water was blissfully hot, and the pulsing jets were strong.

“Mario, let’s take a shower. I’ll wash you.”

“That sounds too tempting to pass up.” His eyes brightened at the possibilities.

“Yeah, don’t get any crazy ideas. You’ve got a lot of downtime ahead of you, hot stuff. Anyway, I’ll happily wash your back and hair. You know, come to think of it, I’ve never washed a guy’s hair in my life, let alone hair that almost reaches your ass. How do you untangle it?”

“With a ton of conditioner and the wide-tooth comb I have in my travel bag.”

“And I thought women were high maintenance.” She smirked.

Karen helped Mario pull the tee shirt over his head. Neither of them had realized just how injured his ribs really were. Karen flinched when she noticed the blue-and-purple bruise that covered Mario’s entire right side.

“Karen, I can’t even bend over to take my shoes off.”

“It’s okay. I’ve got this, babe. It’s my turn to pay it forward… whatever that means.” She unlaced his hikers and pulled them off, followed by his socks. Mario stood while she unzipped his jeans, pulling them down to the floor. She leaned in and kissed his warm lips, being careful not to put her arms around his waist. “C’mon—get in the shower. I’ll grab your conditioner.”

Karen lathered a washcloth with soap and gently washed Mario’s body, being careful around his midsection. She caressed his neck and shoulders, his arms and legs. She stopped short of his man parts, knowing they couldn’t finish anything they started. Better to avoid that type of foreplay for the moment even though they both wanted it, tired or not. She unbraided his thick black hair, pouring a good amount of shampoo into it. He sat on the tiled bench in the shower, relaxing, as Karen did magic with her fingertips. Lather from the shampoo ran down his body as she massaged his scalp and temples. He moaned in ecstasy. She began again with the conditioner.

“That really feels good, honey. Thank you.”

“You’re welcome. C’mon—stand up now so I can rinse all this conditioner out of your hair.” Karen quickly gave herself a once-over with the soap, then they stepped out. She helped Mario slip into a thick white terrycloth robe, and she put one on, too. They sat on the edge of the bed, talking, as Karen combed out Mario’s waist-length hair and braided it again.

Within an hour, they were both sound asleep.

Driving from Columbus to Tarrytown normally would have taken ten hours, but with the stops for stretching, gas, and meals, twelve hours had gone by. Mario finally pulled into Karen’s driveway at ten p.m. He had taken the last four-hour shift while Karen slept. A deep sigh and the beeping sound of the door opening woke her.

“What happened? Where are we?” Karen sat up straight and turned her stiff neck to look out the window. Her mouth was dry and pasty, evidence of sleeping with it open. “You’re kidding me—we’re home? Thank God!”

“No kidding, right? I don’t think I’ve ever been this happy to see Tarrytown before.”

Karen stretched and yawned loudly, getting her bearings, before stepping out of the Explorer. “Let’s get you inside. I’ll come back out for the suitcases.” She unloaded the SUV then sat down for a minute to unwind with Mario. “I’ve got a few beers and some Merlot here. What do you want, hon?”

“I’ll take a beer, thanks. I’m going to give Vic a call to tell her we’re home.”

“Yeah, she wanted a call no matter what time it was.” Karen busied herself in the kitchen while Mario dialed his sister. She carried a glass of Merlot and a bottle of Guinness into the living room and carefully cuddled up next to Mario.

“Vic wants everyone to come over for dinner on Saturday,” he said as he hung up. “She’s going to be drilling us left and right about the Amish encounter.”

“Yeah… that’s pretty funny.” Karen smirked. “It sounds like a made-for-TV sci-fi movie or the latest bestselling novel.”

“I’m sure it could be,” Mario said and took a gulp of his Guinness.

The Redmond brothers sat at the large walnut conference table in their realty office Friday morning with Dan Mason. Jake made the introductions since Josh and Dan hadn’t officially met. Dan had given Jake a verbal offer for Josh’s house Wednesday morning after viewing it Tuesday afternoon. The oversized garage Dan could use for his business had sealed the deal. Josh had wanted to speak to Dan personally before he submitted a written offer, to explain how he would need to postpone the closing until after his wedding. If they were all in agreement, a written offer could go forward that day.

Coffee brewed as the three exchanged small talk. Dan explained how he knew the area pretty well, being raised in Croton-on-Hudson. He’d moved away eight years ago but recently returned, this time to stay. He had family in the area, his parents and two sisters, and wanted to lay down roots near his hometown.

“Jake says there’s no wife or kids in the picture.”

“Nope. Close… but those things don’t always work out. I’ve been staying with my folks, where I grew up, since last fall, but it’s time to buy a house of my own and give them a break. Anyway, I’ve already fixed up everything I could find wrong at their place. I’m itching to get busy and contract more work around this area.”

“Really, what do you do?” Josh asked, becoming interested. He poured three cups of coffee and handed them out.

“I owned a construction and carpentry business when I lived in Albany. It wasn’t a large operation, just myself and three other guys, but it was honest work and paid the bills. I sold it to the guys that worked for me when I moved back to Croton-on-Hudson.”

“Do you have anything lined up yet?”

“Oh, sure. I’ve been working since I moved back, but I want to start up my own shop again. I figured I’d have more reach here in Tarrytown. I could advertise as far south as White Plains or up to Peekskill. Tarrytown seemed like middle ground. That’s one reason your house appealed to me, Josh. You have that huge garage and the workshop in the basement, too. It’s perfect for me.”

“It sure is. I’ve always enjoyed living there, but I’m getting married soon, and my fiancé just happens to live in a mansion.” Josh laughed.

“No kidding?”

“No kidding, and we have a lot that needs to be done in a short amount of time, depending on your availability. What do you say?”

“I say, what are you doing after we sign the papers? You could give me an idea of what you’re talking about.”

“Great,” Josh said. “So, closing on June 22 will work for you?”

“Sure, it isn’t a problem.”

“Okay, let’s sign the papers, then you can follow me to the Victorian.”

Josh led the way, winding through town, heading toward Sunrise Avenue. Dan followed close behind. Making a quick call to give Sasha a heads-up, Josh told her he’d found someone who might be able to build the pergola and help set up the wedding garden. “We’re on our way right now, so if you’re naked and sitting around waiting for me to make love to you, it will have to wait.”

“Don’t you wish, smart-ass? I’m fully dressed, but I’ll start the coffee and get out the plans and pictures for him to look at. I’m so excited. Thank you, honey. Okay, I see you pulling in. I’ve got to start the coffee.”

Josh laughed when Sasha hung up abruptly as she usually did. He got out of his car and waited to see Dan’s expression when he pulled in behind him and opened his truck door.

“What the hell? This place is enormous and gorgeous. It should be in
Homes and Gardens
.”

“Oh, give it time. I’m sure that’s coming.” Josh laughed. He led the way up the brick pavers, giving Dan a brief description of the way the Victorian had looked when Sasha bought it. “C’mon in, I’ll introduce you to Sasha and Kismet.”

Sasha greeted them at the door. Josh made the introductions, and over a pot of coffee at the dining-room table, Sasha explained their vision and showed Dan the arbors she’d ordered and the pergola she wanted built.

“I can really visualize the theme you two are looking for.” Dan sipped the Columbian Roast. “And with this house, it will really be a beautiful place to host weddings. Why don’t you show me the wedding-garden area so I know what I’ll be working with?”

“Of course, I wouldn’t want you wandering around willy-nilly.” Sasha sat on the bench in the foyer, slipping on her green-and-orange duck boots. “The ground is getting soft. It’s kind of muddy on the lot.”

“No problem. I can work around that. Let’s take a look at the exact place you want the pergola to stand.” Dan carried a legal pad and pencil, taking notes as they walked around the vacant lot. Everything Josh and Sasha suggested, he jotted down. He took several pictures of the lot from different angles with his cell phone as they talked. “Okay, do you mind if I take along the photograph of the pergola you want built? It will give me a better idea of the material I need so I can give you an accurate quote.”

“Not at all, let’s go back inside.” Sasha led the way, taking off her muddy boots and placing them in the boot tray when she reached the foyer. Josh and Dan followed her lead.

Once more, at the dining room table, they went over their list of needs in order of urgency.