by Kay Correll
“Sure, how about a card game?”
“We could play go fish.”
Mac didn’t know how to play that exactly, but he’d figure it out. How hard could it be?
An hour and a half later, he and Trevor were still playing cards, and no sign of Beth. Connor came out of his room. “I’m starving.”
“Well, if I knew how to make pizza, we could get it started, but the only kind of pizza I’ve ever made is throwing a frozen one in the oven.”
“It doesn’t matter. Mom’s not going to get here in time for dinner. I’m just going to make a peanut butter sandwich.”
“Why don’t you wait for just a little bit more? I’m sure your mom will be here soon.”
“No, she won’t. She promised she would, but she breaks her promises now.” Connor stalked over to the kitchen cabinet and pulled out a jar of peanut butter, banging it down on the counter.
Mac was at a loss. He didn’t know anything about raising kids. Didn’t know if he should insist that Connor wait for Beth. He looked at his watch. It was getting late, and the boy probably was hungry.
“Here, I’ll make you a sandwich.” Mac stood.
“Will you make me one, too? I’m dying I’m so hungry.” Trevor bounced in his chair.
“You got it. Two sandwiches, coming up.” He just hoped Beth didn’t kill him when she showed up.
He sat with the boys while they ate their sandwiches and some slices of apple. That’s all he’d found that he knew how to make.
Just as they were finishing up, Beth rushed through the door. She stopped short when she saw the almost finished meals on the boys’ plates. She turned accusing eyes on him.
Okay, then. He’d made the wrong choice.
“I thought we were going to make homemade pizza tonight?” Beth looked at the boys.
Connor looked right back at her. “You weren’t here and we were starving.”
A guilty look passed over Beth’s face. She glanced at her watch. “It’s not that late.”
“We don’t have our homework done either,” Trevor said as he reached for another slice of apple.
“I’m going to do my homework alone. In my room.” Connor got up, grabbed his backpack, and disappeared down the hallway. His door closed with a resounding thud.
Beth turned to Mac. “It took longer than I thought. The event manager was gone when I got there, and I had to track him down for his signature. Sophie would never forgive me if I messed this up. It’s about the only thing I’ve helped her with this year for the Arts Weekend. I usually help her with a lot of the running of it. I wasn’t even on the Arts Committee this year.”
She sank into a chair at the table. “I’m sorry Trev.”
“It’s okay, Mom. I know you’re busy.”
“Why don’t you get your books out and I’ll help you with your homework?”
“I should go.” Mac stood.
“I’ll walk you out.” Beth stood, slipped off her coat, and dropped it on the chair.
He followed her to her front door. “I’m sorry, Beth. They were hungry and I wasn’t sure what to do.”
“No, it’s my fault. I was late. I’m sure they were starving.” She let out a sigh. “I promised them, and then I didn’t make it home in time. I’m letting everyone down.”
“Maybe you’ve taken on too much responsibility.”
“Mac, it’s all things I need to do.”
He took a deep breath, cocked his head to the side, and looked directly at her. “Is it?”
When she didn’t answer, he quietly slipped out the door.
Chapter 16
Sophie looked around the gallery, double checking that everything looked in order. Just one hour until the official opening of the show. Hunt and Keely had promised they’d be here before the start.
She looked up as Chase walked through the front door carrying a large bouquet of flowers. He walked up to her. “These are for you.”
“What for?”
“Good luck on the show. Good luck with the whole Art Weekend. Well, just because I know how hard you’ve worked.” He handed the flowers to her.
“Thank you. That is so sweet.” She buried her nose in the bouquet and took in a deep breath. “I’m going to put them in a vase and set them on the table with the refreshments.”
“Now, what can I do to help?” Chase slipped off his coat.
“You could work the refreshment table? Make sure there are always glasses of champagne. And if we run out of any appetizers, there are more trays to put out back in my office.”
“Sure thing, I’m your man.”
The words caught her off guard. He wasn’t exactly her man, but she certainly enjoyed being around him. He’d been a wonderful help to her these last days.
She was going to miss him when he left Sweet River Falls.
With a falling heart, she realized he would leave. And leave soon. Back to his real life in Nashville. She might never even see him again. She’d been so busy the last week that she hadn’t even thought about the future. The future that didn’t have Chase Green’s mesmerizing smile every day.
He walked over to the refreshment table, unaware of the turmoil of her thoughts. Eventually, she’d look back at this time with Chase and wonder if it had even been real. They’d gone out to dinner, he’d cooked for her, he’d sung for her and run a million little errands for her to get the Art Weekend all set up. They’d talked about anything and everything as they worked. She felt like she’d gotten to know the real Chase Green, not the country singer persona the world knew.
And she liked the real Chase Green. She liked him a lot.
Chase looked across the crowded gallery at Sophie chatting with Hunt and some customer, looking at a large print of a lone pine tree on a mountainside. It was one of his personal favorites of Hunt’s work.
Sophie looked over at him and smiled. He gave a little wave back at her, then turned to pour another half dozen glasses of champagne. She must be so proud. The show was a great success. Many of the art pieces had sold signs on them already. Hunt had a series of the river photos on display, and they were taking orders for signed and numbered prints of them to be shipped to the customers in time for Christmas.
Sophie had thought of everything. He was impressed by her hard work and efficiency, not to mention her friendly, easy-going manner with the constant stream of people coming into the gallery.
He’d really enjoyed his time here in Sweet River Falls. It had been a welcome break from the stress of life in Nashville. A way to escape the constant reminder of his failures. The solo album and his cancelled concerts.
He still hadn’t gotten over the shock of what he thought he’d seen at the concert in Albuquerque. He’d literally been dumbstruck. So much so that he’d walked off the stage. So unprofessional, and he regretted it, but he couldn’t change it now.
And now he doubted what he’d seen anyway. It didn’t make any sense.
He shook his head and turned to a customer at the table. “Here you go.” He handed her a glass of champagne. She looked vaguely familiar.
“I’m Gloria Edmunds. You met me at Antonio’s.”
“That’s right. Gloria, good to see you.”
“I thought I’d drop by and see what Sophie had done with the show here at her little gallery.”
Somehow Gloria’s words sounded like she was belittling Sophie. Or maybe he’d just become overly protective of her.
“Sophie’s done a fabulous job. The place has been packed all evening. She’s done a great job planning the whole weekend, actually.”
Gloria gave him a doubtful look. “I guess. It’s a nice little weekend, I suppose, but it’s not like Sweet River Falls is an art mecca or anything. I guess people will come to about any kind of festival though.”
He gritted his teeth and forced a smile. “I’m sure the weekend will be a great success for the town.”
“I heard you’re going to sing at the concert tomorrow.”
“I am.” He hope
d he was. You know, if he could get over his absolute fear of seeing a mirage again.
It had to have been a mirage. Not real.
“Well, I’ll be there. I couldn’t get very good seats. I’m pretty far in the back. Disappointing, but I’ll be there.”
He nodded.
She downed her glass of champagne and headed out the door without so much as a brief look at any of the artwork.
Sophie closed and locked the door as Hunt and Keely left the shop. She turned to Chase and grinned. “That went well.”
“I’ll say. The gallery was packed all evening.”
“We did such a great business. Best turnout I’ve ever had for a show. Almost all of Hunt’s work is sold already. He’s going to bring in a few more photos for tomorrow. His work is just so emotional. I think the customers felt a real connection to it.”
“I’m glad it all worked out so well for you.”
“Now, I hope the craft fair tomorrow goes well, too. I heard that every room in town is sold out, along with most of the rooms in Mountain Grove.”
He looked at her blankly.
“Oh, Mountain Grove is a town about twenty minutes away. Closest town to Sweet River Falls. Mac—you met him at Nora’s—he lives in Mountain Grove. Has a tavern there.”
“Well, you obviously did a great job advertising the weekend.”
“It sure helped that the weather cooperated, too. We’ve had snow on the Art Weekend before. One year it totally got cancelled because of the snow. No one could get to town.”
“Then you lucked out.” He smiled at her.
“I can’t thank you enough for your help with everything. And for offering to sing at the concert tomorrow.”
“I’m glad I could help.”
“I don’t know how I can repay you.”
“How about taking two of these glasses of champagne up to your loft and sitting by the window? I could use a bit of a sit down about now.”
She picked up the last two glasses of champagne sitting on the table. “Follow me.” She turned out the main gallery lights as they headed up the stairs.
Once upstairs, they settled into the chairs by the window. She kicked off her shoes. “Oh, that feels better.”
Chase leaned back in his chair and stretched out his long legs. “I guess I should rest while I can. I’m working the craft show in the morning, then I’ll be standing on stage tomorrow night.”
“Are you sure you don’t want me to find someone to take your shift at the craft show?”
“Nope, I’m more than willing to help.”
She wanted to ask him when he planned to leave town. Only, she didn’t really want to know the answer. Didn’t want to think about it.
But she was used to carefully planning out her life. She should ask him so she could plan for…
What was she planning for? Disappointment? Loneliness?
With a start, she realized she would miss him. She’d be lonely. He’d slipped into her life in an easy routine. She was used to seeing him every day and having dinner with him most nights. Her life would be so different when he was gone.
She leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes. Nope, she wasn’t going to ask him. She was just going to enjoy every last moment she had with him. Then he’d move on and she’d learn to adjust. She always learned to adjust to the curves that life threw her.
Chase looked over at Sophie leaning back in her chair, her eyes closed. She must be exhausted. She’d done so much to get ready for the gallery show as well as orchestrating most of the Art Weekend.
He was going to miss her when he left town. Miss working with her, miss her smile. Suddenly, he wasn’t so anxious to leave and get back to his life in Nashville. He wasn’t anxious to leave her loft either.
He wanted nothing more than to sit and look at her, talk to her.
No, that was wrong. He did want more.
He wanted to kiss her.
He swallowed. Getting romantically involved with Sophie made absolutely no sense. None. None at all. It was ridiculous.
Yet, there it was. His thought.
He wanted to kiss her.
He leaned toward her and she opened her eyes at the sound of his movement. She smiled at him.
That was all it took. He leaned closer and reached out to touch her face. Her skin was so soft.
Her eyes widened.
He leaned in even more, inches from her, then moved closer to kiss her. Gently. Questioningly.
Her lips kissed back eagerly, and a sigh escaped her.
He pulled back slightly and looked into her eyes. Her cheeks were flushed a lovely rosy pink, and her blue eyes shone with anticipation. He rose to his feet, reaching down to pull her up with him.
He took her in his arms, relishing the feeling of her against him, feeling her heart beat wildly. He tilted her chin up and kissed her again. Then his thoughts tangled, and he wasn’t sure how long they stood there kissing in front of her window overlooking the river rushing by below them. It was like they were caught up in its currents.
She finally pulled away and looked directly into his eyes. “I wasn’t… well, I wasn’t expecting that.”
He gave a low laugh. “I wasn’t either.” He wanted to explain how it didn’t make sense and that should be their last kiss. Last kiss ever. Instead, he brushed another quick kiss against her lips. “I should… go.”
She nodded without saying a word.
He grabbed his jacket and left, heading down the stairs, careful to lock the back door behind him. He stood beside the river, under the lamplight, and looked up to her window.
She stood softly illuminated in the low light of her apartment. She lifted a hand in a wave. He returned the wave and turned and headed down the river walk. After a few minutes, he realized he’d headed in the wrong direction and headed to the street to go find his car.
Chapter 17
The next morning Sophie kept expecting Chase to show up at the gallery, but he didn’t. She knew he was working at the craft fair, but she still thought that maybe…
What did she think? He would come by because he’d kissed her? The kisses probably hadn’t meant anything to him. How could they? He was leaving. Maybe leaving tomorrow. It was just a kiss. Well, more than one kiss.
She reached up and touched her lips.
Only it wasn’t just a kiss to her.
Or maybe it was.
Her thoughts whirled in circles. She should be concentrating on her work, not her relationship with Chase. Which wasn’t really even a relationship. They were friends, right? New, just met recently friends, at that.
She carefully straightened a print on the gallery wall though it was probably already straight.
At the sound of someone approaching, she turned around, grateful to see Hunt’s friendly face. “Hey, Hunt. The opening went great last night.”
“I’ll say. You did a great job with it.” Hunt smiled at her.
“You drew in a large crowd and they loved talking to you. Many of them recognized some of the places you photographed.”
“I had a good time talking to them, too. I really did. You have yourself quite a nice gallery here.”
“Thanks. It’s really my parents’ gallery. Or it was. I mean…” She shoved her hair away from her face. “It’s mine. I took it over from them. Anyway, thanks for the compliment.” Could she sound anymore lame?
“Keely and I are going to go see the craft fair. She’s hoping to do some holiday shopping. I just wanted to check and see if you needed anything from me before we head out.”
“No, I’m good.”
“We’ll stop by late afternoon and see how things are going, then we’re headed for the concert tonight. Keely is excited to hear Chase Green.”
“I am, too.” She was excited to hear Chase tonight. And excited to see him…
Hunt left and she went back to work. She turned around when she heard the door open again, hoping it was Chase. Instead, she was greeted by Beth’s wide smile. “Hey, Sophie
. I just wanted to pop in and see how things were going.”
“They’re great. Lots of sales. Hunt has really drawn a crowd.”
“I bet you’ve sold a lot of your silver work too.”
“I have. I was surprised.”
“Sophie, Sophie, Sophie, what am I going to do with you?” Beth hugged her. “Your work is wonderful. You need to believe in yourself.”
“I’m just always surprised when it sells so well.”
“Speaking of believing in yourself… and how wonderful you are… how are things going with Chase?”
She felt a wide grin spread across her face.
“Ah, ha. I knew it.” Beth grinned back triumphantly.
“Things are going well. I feel like I’m beginning to get to know the real Chase. Not the famous singer Chase, but him as a man.”
“And you like him, don’t you?”
“Sure, I like him.”
“I mean, like-like him.” Beth peered at her.
“We’re just… friends.” The heat of a blush crept over her cheeks.
“I see that blush. Spill it.”
“Well… he kissed me.”
“Told you he liked you.”
“I don’t know…”
“Seriously, Sophie, I love you dearly, but you’ve got to start believing in yourself.”
Chase stood backstage and paced back and forth. Stagehands hurried around finishing up their jobs. He had tuned his guitar. Tuned it three times. He pulled at the collar of his black shirt. Maybe it was too tight. Maybe he’d made the wrong choice wearing it. Even his most comfortable cowboy boots were nagging his feet.
He ignored them and stalked the length of the backstage area again, counting his steps, then glanced at his watch. Ten more minutes. An eternity and yet not enough time.
Surely he wouldn’t screw up this time. He couldn’t. Sophie was depending on him.
He would be fine.
Just fine.
He turned on his heels and stomped back the other direction. Where was Sophie? She’d acted like it was a really big deal to her that he was doing this concert, yet she wasn’t even here. She’d left him alone to deal with his anxiety.
