Sweet Harmony (16 page)

Here There and Everywhere

P
ETE DID A THREE-SIXTY AND THEN LOOKED AT CLINT and Ava. “Well?”

“You are a handsome devil,” Ava assured him with a grin. “Maria is going to simply swoon.” She gave Clint a nudge with her elbow. “Right, Clint?”

“I don’t think Mom is the swooning type,” Clint said with a chuckle.

“There’s always a first time.” Ava made a face at Clint. “If she swoons I want to know. Text me, okay?”

“Do I make
you
swoon, Ava?” Clint wanted to know.

Ava gave Clint a dreamy look and then put the back of her hand up to her forehead. She tossed her hair over her shoulder. “I declare,” she cooed in a slow Southern drawl. “I’m . . . I’m . . .” She started fanning her face. “Glory be, I’m feeling a bit light-headed.”

“Ha ha, very funny,” Clint said glumly.

Ava grabbed him around the waist with both arms. “Come on now, you know you make my heart go pitter-patter as soon as you walk in the room.” Ava gave him a
squeeze. When she tilted her head up, Clint planted a light kiss on her nose.

“Enough of that ooey-gooey stuff,” Pete complained, but in truth he loved seeing Clint and Ava fawning all over each other. It had taken a team effort to get those two back together last Christmas, but having Ava back in Clint’s life had been the best gift ever. “Seriously, lovebirds, do I look okay?” Pete adjusted the cuffs of his starched white shirt, glanced down at his dark blue dress pants, and examined the shine on his best boots with a critical eye. He would have gone all out with a suit and tie, but Ava said that would be overkill at Wine and Diner’s patio. Pete was secretly glad because he wasn’t sure he could last very long wearing a tie, although he’d wear a clown suit and a big red nose if Maria wanted him to.

“You look perfectly groomed.” Clint gave him a quick, firm nod but then angled his head. “You’re sort of glowing.”

“I used a loofah in the shower,” Pete explained.

“A what?” Clint asked.

“You know . . . one of those . . . Oh hell—tell him, Ava.”

“A long, spongy, scrubby thing. I have one. You exfoliate with it.”

“Really, Dad? When did you go all girly on me?”

“It was in a
men’s
grooming package that I got for Christmas a while back.” Pete had to grin. “I guess someone gave me that for a reason.” Pete saw Clint’s lips twitch and he pointed a finger at him. “Don’t laugh.”

Clint’s eyes widened as he raised his hands. “I wouldn’t dare,” he promised, but then of course he tossed back his head and roared with laughter. “Sorry. . . . I’m just trying to picture you exfoliating.”

Pete shook his head and had to chuckle. “Look, I exfoliated, brushed, flossed, trimmed my nails, plucked my eyebrows, and put some product in my hair that the
stylist insisted I buy this morning when I got a trim. I’ve never put goop in my hair in my whole, entire life.”

“It looks good, Pete. You have really nice, thick hair,” Ava told him.

“Thank you, Ava.” He ran a hand down his face. “I tried on three different shirts and had to decide if these pants made my butt look big.” He turned around and pointed.

“They don’t,” Ava said with a giggle.

“Did you shave your legs?” Clint asked and was rewarded with another elbow from Ava.

“Clint Sully, would you give your daddy a break?”

“Now what fun would that be?”

Pete didn’t mind the teasing. Having his son back in his life after so many years apart was worth any little bit of ribbing. In fact, Pete got a kick out of it.

Pete lifted one pant leg. “Should I?”

“No!” Clint and Ava said in unison.

“I think you look perfect,” Ava said. “And the bit of stubble on your cheeks is just right.”

“I was getting tired of being called baby face.” Pete rubbed his chin. “I put on the aftershave you suggested I buy, Ava. Boy, that smell-good stuff costs the earth.”

“Oh, but the results are worth it,” Ava told him. “I think Maria might actually swoon in spite of what Clint says. Now, you’d better get going before you’re late. Never keep a lady waiting.”

“How come women are the only ones allowed to be late?”

“I’m not late.”

Clint gave her a pointed look. “Um, I seem to recall you almost missing riding in the sleigh with me in the Christmas parade because of your tardy arrival.”

“Only because of a last-minute customer at the toy store!”

“Do I need to give a dozen more examples?” Clint teased. “Even back in high school you had to run to your locker to get there before the bell.”

“We can be late because we’re worth it,” Ava replied. “Right, Pete?”

“I don’t mind,” Pete said with a soft smile, “waitin’ on a woman, just like the Brad Paisley song.”

“Oh, that song makes me cry every time I hear it,” Ava admitted with a sigh. “And the video with Andy Griffith waiting on that bench in heaven?” Her eyes misted over and she put a hand to her chest.

“Aw, Ava.” Clint reached for her hand and brought her palm to his mouth for a kiss.

Pete looked at his watch to check the time. Like everyone else, he didn’t need to wear a watch because of cell phones, but he wore it because Maria had given it to him on their tenth wedding anniversary. He inhaled a deep breath. “Would flowers be overkill? Too much?”

“Absolutely not,” Ava said, but Pete looked at Clint for guidance as well.

“Mom loves flowers.”

“I just don’t think your mother looks at this as being a date. She thinks it’s all about business.”

Clint shook his head. “Dad, I think you’re wrong.”

“You do?” Pete felt a giddy flash of hope. “Why?”

“I just do.”

Ava glanced at Clint and then grinned. “I wasn’t supposed to tell you this but I ran into Maria at Violet’s up on Main Street, and if Maria wears the dress she bought she definitely thinks this is a date.” Ava raised her hands in surrender. “But you didn’t hear it from me. Now skedaddle.” Ava shooed him with her fingertips.

“Are you staying here for a while?” Pete asked.

Clint nodded. “I want to sit on your front porch and enjoy the evening. I’m trying to talk Ava into us buying a house instead of living in the flat above the toy store.”

“But it’s such a short commute to work,” Ava reminded him.

“True, but I want a yard. Don’t you?” Clint asked.

Pete hoped Clint wanted a yard for children. He was looking forward to grandbabies.

“Of course. Let’s get Maggie to start looking for us,” Ava replied. “She can also start searching for someone to lease the flat. But I want to stay here in town so we can walk everywhere. Oh, Maple Street is lovely, don’t you think?”

“Or we might consider building on some land down by the river near your family’s farm,” Clint suggested.

“Oh, Clint, that idea has merit as well. I’d love to have a garden. But I really do love it in town.”

Pete smiled when he looked back at Clint and Ava sitting on the front porch deep in conversation. He and Maria used to do the same thing so many years before, often with her head resting on his shoulder. Pete dearly hoped that she might someday sit on that porch with him once again and live in the home where they had shared so many good memories. It was funny how the happy times were crowding out all the heartache.

Pete rolled down the windows of his pickup truck, thinking he’d like to buy a sweet little convertible to tool around in on evenings like these. He pictured Maria sitting next to him with the wind blowing in her hair and a big smile on her face. Yeah, he needed to put that plan into action. Pete realized that for a long-ass time he’d been running on cruise control, never really enjoying what life had to offer, but he suddenly wanted to make up for lost time and then some. Angie and his new bartending crew were doing a bang-up job, and it was high time he took a break from Sully’s.

He no longer indulged in simple pleasures like sitting on his front porch watching the world go by. Sully’s Tavern could get along without him always being there and he damned well knew it. He just needed to hire a few more people, maybe even someone to manage and free up time to relax. When was the last time he fired up his gas grill on his back patio and had friends over for the
evening? And vacation? Forget it. But his heart started beating faster when he thought of taking a cruise or heading to the beach. And he knew why: because he wanted Maria by his side. Maybe they’d even walk hand in hand down the streets of London or Paris. Pete had never been out of the country and it was about damned time he started expanding his horizons. “I’m not gettin’ any younger,” he mumbled, but then grinned. “But it sure as hell feels like it.”

Pete turned on the radio and sang along with George Strait as he drove up the hill to Wedding Row and parked in front of Flower Power. The gorgeous row of wedding-related shops had been there for only a few years, but with the gas streetlights and brick storefronts, they blended in with the old-fashioned look of downtown Cricket Creek. The spectacular view of the Ohio River added to the overall appeal. He hoped that he could open Sully’s South on Restaurant Row, the second phase of the development Maria wanted as a haven for songwriters, like the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, and Pete thought it was a great idea, especially if it meant working together.

Pete paused in front of the bridal shop and sucked in a breath at the sight of the wedding dress displayed in the big picture window. The simple yet elegant gown reminded Pete of the one Maria had worn on their wedding day and he found himself staring. They’d had a small church wedding with an understated reception in the church undercroft. The honeymoon had consisted of a long weekend in the Great Smoky Mountains, a popular destination for newlyweds. Next time around he wanted to go all out and take her somewhere exotic. “Whoa, down, boy,” Pete said with a chuckle and reminded himself to go slow. First things first, he thought. Like a date, for instance.

But when he walked away Pete looked over his shoulder and read the awning above the bridal shop. “From
this moment,” he said softly, and then started humming the Shania Twain song and stopped in his tracks.
From this moment,
Pete decided, he would let go of the past and all the mistakes, misunderstandings, and most of all . . . the pain. Pete chuckled as he thought of what Ava had said to him when they were shopping for clothes. “When the past comes calling, let it go to voice mail,” he repeated. Great advice.

Pete opened the door to Flower Power and chuckled when he saw cute little Gabby Goodwin working on a flower arrangement. Well, she was Gabby Marino now. She came from humble beginnings living in the local trailer park and lost her mother to cancer way too soon. Marcie Goodwin had worked as a server at Sully’s, and Pete had made damned sure there was always food on their table. Pete used to cringe when some sweet-talking man would come on to Marcie. She always seemed to fall for some jerk, but she was a wonderful mother and loved Gabby dearly. Pete hoped that Marcie was watching down and knew that Gabby had married Reese Marino, a good man who treated Gabby like gold.

Gabby wore earbuds and bobbed her blond head to the beat of whatever she was listening to, so she didn’t hear Pete enter the shop. Pete looked around and smiled. The flower-filled shop oozed charm, and after a slow start was doing well, but then again residents of Cricket Creek took care of their own.

Gabby looked up and squealed when she spotted him. “Pete!”

“Gabby!” Pete braced himself for Gabby to come flying across the shop and throw herself into his arms. He wasn’t disappointed. She had to dodge the rack of cards and nearly clipped a display of sunflowers, but she made it to him without incident.

“What brings you here?” Gabby tugged on the earbuds and had to crane her neck to look up at him. She
put a hand to her chest. “Oh . . . nobody . . . passed, did they?”

“No.” Pete had to chuckle. It was rather sad that the only time he ordered flowers was for a funeral. Well, that was going to change. Maria was going to have fresh flowers at least once a week. Maybe twice. “I’m here for a bouquet of something special.”

Gabby gasped. “You have a date? Oh my gosh, please tell me it’s with Maria.”

“It’s with Maria,” Pete said and was rewarded with another happy squeal.

“Nice, because otherwise I was going to have to punch you.”

Pete laughed. He doubted that Gabby had ever taken a swing at anyone in her life. “Good to know.”

“So what do you want? Roses?” Gabby asked while tapping her cheek. “No . . . too ordinary.” She nibbled on the inside of her lip and then brightened. “How about a spring mix?” She rushed over and showed Pete the bouquet.

“Perfect.”

“Lots of color and it will last a long time. Just have Maria clip off the ends and change the water daily.”

“Will do. I hope to keep her in fresh flowers, if she allows it.”

Gabby’s eyes welled up with tears. “I don’t know why you two split up, Pete, but you’re the best. The very best,” Gabby said and gave him a big hug. “If you want this to work out, it will. I know it.” She stood back and looked at him. “And don’t you just look totally handsome!” But she shook her head.

“What?”

“You’re more than handsome. You’re hot!”

Pete laughed. “For an old coot I clean up well, I guess.”

Pete gave Gabby a kiss on the cheek. “I love you,
short stuff. Give that man of yours a hello from me, okay?”

“I’m heading over to the pizza parlor as soon as I close up here. Reese made some Italian cream cake and he promised to save me a slice. You should bring Maria in sometime soon. Reese and Tony will treat you like royalty.”

“Excellent idea. Hopefully there will be a date number two.”

“I’m sure of it,” Gabby said. “But keep me posted, okay? I’m a busybody just like everybody else in Cricket Creek.”

“I will do that,” Pete promised, and was whistling when he walked over to his truck.

The pieces of their broken hearts had been swept away. Tonight was going to be filled with flowers, wine, laughter, and hopefully a kiss or two.

But most of all this was a new beginning.

All You Need Is Love

W
HEN MARIA HEARD THE KNOCK AT THE DOOR, HER HEART nearly flipped over in her chest. Biting her bottom lip, she gave her reflection a critical once-over. Pete loved her in deep red lipstick, but was the eyeliner too dramatic? Was the little black dress a bit much for the patio at Wine and Diner? Was it too tight? Too short? Did it show too much cleavage? She glanced down and swallowed hard. Were her strappy heels overly sexy? And did wearing the pearls Pete had given her on their tenth wedding anniversary say too much? Would he notice? Maria put her hand to her throat and felt a tug of emotion as she stroked the smooth pearls warmed by her skin. She hadn’t worn them since the divorce, but tonight it just somehow felt right.

When the doorbell chimed this time, Maria knew she was going to have to just go with it. Still, she tugged at the hem as she hurried to the door. Inhaling deeply, she turned the handle and tried for a casual smile.

“Hello, Maria.”

“Oh . . . my.” She stood there dumbfounded and
nearly toppled sideways in her spiked heels. That old Brooks and Dunn song started playing in her head: “Ain’t nothing ’bout you that don’t do something for me.” From his neatly trimmed salt-and-pepper hair to the sexy stubble on his cheeks to the spit-polished boots and the dress clothes in between, Maria loved it all. And he was holding a bountiful bouquet of beautiful flowers.

“May I come in?”

Maria blinked at him for another moment and then came to her senses. “Oh . . . Oh, of course.” When she stepped aside, Pete walked past her, leaving the clean, spicy smell of his cologne in his wake.

“These are for you,” Pete said, but instead of his usual booming voice he sounded a bit shy. “From Flower Power.”

“Oh, how is sweet little Gabby doing?”

“Well, she threatened to throttle me if these weren’t for you.”

“That’s my girl.” Maria laughed. “I just adore her.” She accepted the bouquet. “Thank you. They’re lovely! I’ll just go and find a vase,” she said. When he followed her into the kitchen, she hoped that her butt didn’t look big in the tight dress. She located a glass vase and hoped that Pete didn’t see the slight tremble in her fingers as she removed the tissue paper and snipped the ends with her kitchen shears.

“Gabby said to trim the ends and change the water, but it looks like you already know that,” Pete said, then cleared his throat. “Maria . . . you . . . you look amazing. And smell good too.”

“So do you. Who knew you had such good taste?”

“I have a confession.” Pete grinned. “I had some much needed help from Ava.”

“Ah, she’s such a wonderful girl.” Maria felt a schoolgirl blush steal into her cheeks at the thought of Pete trying to impress her. “Well, Ava did a good job.”

“Thank you. Gabby said I look hot. Do you think so?”

“Yes, Pete, you do.” Maria’s hands went to the pearls and she caught the look in his eyes.

“Tenth, right?”

Maria felt emotion clog her throat, so she merely nodded. When Pete held up his wrist she saw the gold watch and had to swipe at a sudden tear.

“Maria?” He took a step toward her. “I . . . Damn, did I do something—
say
something wrong?” His stricken expression had Maria giving him a watery chuckle.

“No.” She shook her head slowly. “Not at all. In fact, you’re doing everything right.”

“That’s a first,” he said with a chuckle. “Then . . .” Holding her gaze, Pete walked over to where she stood and pulled her into his arms. “May I . . . kiss you?”

“Since when did you become so formal?”

“I think it’s the clothes. I’ve been transformed.”

Maria laughed and then tilted her head up. “Yes, you may kiss me,” she said breathlessly. When his mouth covered hers Maria wrapped her arms around his neck. He might be all dressed up, but Pete was still her Pete no matter what he was wearing.

And, God, how she’d missed him . . .

When his tongue tangled with hers, Maria felt a tug of longing that had her pressing closer. With a groan Pete slanted his mouth and kissed her deeply. He always was a damned good kisser and she reveled in the feel of his lips, the taste of his mouth. When he slid his hand down her bare back, a hot shiver slid over her body and it had nothing to do with the hot flashes that plagued her.

It was all about Pete Sully.

When he finally pulled back, he inhaled a breath as if to catch his breath. “I’m going to be so proud to have you on my arm tonight.”

“Well, that’s too bad because I’m not going anywhere with you.”

The stricken look returned and Maria laughed low in her throat. “Unless you count going to bed,” she said
boldly, trying to keep a huge blush at bay. But then shyness evaporated like sunshine hitting fog. This was Pete. Her Pete. And when the stricken look slid into a smile she put her hands on his shoulders.

“Works for me,” Pete said.

“Mmm . . .” She ran her hands over his wide chest and arched an eyebrow. “I suddenly feel like ordering in. How about you?”

“Yes, but later.” He scooped her up in his arms and she gave him a throaty laugh. He added, “Much,
much
later.”

Maria linked her wrists around Pete’s neck and rested her head on his shoulder. He was such a big, strong teddy bear of a man and he carried her into the bedroom with ease. Because she’d left the bathroom light on, the room was bathed in soft light. When they reached the edge of her king-sized bed he let her slide down his body until her feet touched the floor. “I need your help.”

“Name it.”

“Help me out of this dress.”

“Gladly.”

With a pounding heart Maria turned her back to him so he could unzip her dress. The sound seemed loud in the stillness. In fact her senses felt heightened and when his fingers grazed over her skin she felt a ripple of excitement. When he reached for the pearls, Maria shook her head. “Leave them on,” she told him, and then let her dress slide off her shoulders and pool at the floor. When she felt the heat of his mouth on her back, Maria let her head fall to the side, giving him access to her neck. He brushed her hair away and kissed his way to her earlobe, sending tingles everywhere. Oh . . . and then he reached around and cupped her breasts with his big hands. His thumbs rubbed over the swell of her skin just above the satin of her push-up bra, sending a hot thrill all the way to her toes. “You’re making me go up in flames.”

“That’s the plan.”

“Mmm, I like the way you think.” Maria released a soft sigh while letting the pleasure of being held against him wash over her. She felt the cotton of his shirt brush her bare arms when he moved to unhook her bra. She let the satin slide to the floor and then leaned back so he could caress her breasts. Knowing what she liked, Pete placed lingering kisses on her neck. The stubble on his cheeks against her skin both tickled and felt mildly abrasive, making her breath catch. “And I love the way you feel,” she said, then gasped when he slid his hand lower and touched her through the silk of her panties. He hooked his thumbs in the lacy sides and pushed the material downward until it slid to her ankles. There was something vulnerable yet so very sexy about being naked while Pete remained fully clothed.

“I want to look at you,” Pete said in her ear.

Maria felt a sudden flash of insecurity about her body. She’d resisted nips and tucks, and it had been such a long time since Pete, or any man for that matter, had seen her naked. But she squared her shoulders and shook her negative thoughts off. The stretch marks on her tummy were from having Pete’s child.
They are stripes of honor and nothing to be ashamed of
, she told herself.

“Maria?” Pete asked gently. “Do you want this?”

“Yes, oh, yes.” She nodded and then turned around. “It’s just been a while,” she said honestly. “And I’m . . . older.”

“And stunningly beautiful. I’m a lucky man to have you in my arms.” He put a hand on her cheek. “I always was. We have a past. We have a son, but this really is our new beginning, Maria. I was going to wait, but I’ll just go ahead and say it once more. My love for you is stronger than ever and I want to have you back in my life. I want to grow old with you,” he said and then grinned. “Well,
older
. I don’t want you in this high-rise. I want you to come home. Sit on the front porch.”

“Pete—”

He put a gentle finger to her lips. “I know it’s too soon for you to move back. I just want you to know what I want, so there’s no mistake. I’m gonna lay it all on the line right here, right now. Maria, we might have gotten divorced, but I never stopped thinking of you as my wife. I’ve not . . . laid down with another woman. It never even crossed my mind. You’re all I ever wanted and I want you back for good.”

“We can’t start over, Pete, but we can start fresh. Just give me time.”

“I’ll give you anything you want, anything you need. Just ask,” Pete said.

Maria reached for him. “Right now all I want is you in my arms.”

“You don’t have to ask twice.”

“But first things first.” She reached for the buttons on his shirt. “For once in your life, Pete Sully, you’re way overdressed. I need to fix that little problem.”

Pete laughed and Maria loved the deep, rich sound. She felt the troubled past get nudged away by happiness. She knew she had to go slow and get her footing. True, they’d lost so many years, but that only made what they had left even more valuable, and she intended to let the past slip away and treasure each day forward.