That Thing You Do (Whispering Bay Romance Book 1) (Volume 1)

by Maria Geraci

  Tom opened the door to Can Buy Me Love and stepped back into the nineteen-sixties. Dionne Warwick’s Walk On By played in the background on the record player Lauren had bought at a garage sale last month. Initially, the record player had seemed defective—until Tom had suggested a simple cleaning, turning the old machine almost as good as new. Along with the record player, she’d bought about a dozen or so vinyl albums featuring everything from The Beatles to Herb Alpert and the Tijuana Brass. Stuff his grandparents had listened to.

  Funny, how Lauren was into all this retro stuff. Even as teenagers she’d been a little quirky. She loved old movies. Old music. Old things in general. Always going to estate sales and poking around Good Will shops. Tom had thought it was a hobby she’d outgrow, but she’d turned it into a kind of obsession, going so far as to dress like she lived in another decade.

  He spotted her behind a rack of mini-skirts. She wore a short dress with lots of bright flowers. On another woman it might have looked dumb, but not on Lauren. Looking at her now, humming along to the music as she transferred skirts from one rack to another, it was hard to imagine her as the scared eighteen-year-old girl who’d come to him that night twelve years ago in tears. She’d managed to turn her love for vintage clothing into a business. One he hoped like hell worked out for her. She deserved success. But then, she deserved a lot of things. Especially the things he hadn’t been able to give her.

  She glanced up and spotted him. “Tommy!” She came over and stood on tiptoe to give him a hug, then stepped back to inspect him. It was obvious she didn’t like what she saw. She planted her fists on her hips, making her look almost formidable despite the fact that he stood a full foot taller. “How much sleep have you had this week?” she demanded.

  He rubbed his palm against the scratchy five-o’clock shadow covering his chin. “Do I look that bad?”

  “You look tense.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “When was the last time you got laid?”

  “Why? Are you offering?”

  Lauren snorted. “In your dreams.” Then her expression softened. “I’m worried about you. Henry says you’ve been working night and day on this new rec center project. You know, you don’t have to prove anything to anyone.”

  “I got kids poking around at all hours of the night messing with that old building. It’s a real insurance nightmare. But come tomorrow morning that building comes down. Then things will get back to normal.”

  “You mean, the building’s still intact? I thought it was supposed to be demolished today.” Only she didn’t really sound surprised.

  “It’s complicated.”

  “Complicated, huh?” She resumed loading skirts onto the rack. “Guess who I ran into this afternoon? Allie Grant. Did you know she was back in town?”

  He felt like one of those lab rats who’d been tricked into going into a maze they couldn’t get out of. “She’s the reason I’m here. I need a favor.”

  “Oh?”

  Yep. He was right. Lauren Handy Donalan sounded intrigued. He knew from experience that there was no use fighting it so he gave her the low down on the events of the past twenty-four hours.

  “A ghost? Well, that’s certainly interesting. And you’re helping Allie with the investigation?”

  Helping wouldn’t be the way Allie would put it. In her eyes she’d probably say he was more like hindering. “Don’t tell me you believe in ghosts.”

  “Of course I do. Just because I’ve never seen one doesn’t mean they don’t exist.”

  Tom squelched a moan.

  “She looks great, doesn’t she?”

  “Who?”

  She rolled her eyes. “Who do you think? Allie Grant.”

  “I guess.” Allie looked better than great. But despite the good relationship he and Lauren had managed to maintain since the divorce, he didn’t think it very gentlemanly to discuss another woman with his ex.

  “She’s still into you, you know.”

  “I highly doubt that.”

  “No, really. It’s pretty obvious.”

  He stilled. “The two of you talked about me?”

  “Of course not. But a woman can always tell when another woman is interested in something she’s had.” Lauren wiggled her eyebrows suggestively.

  “This conversation isn’t natural.”

  “But then we aren’t the typical divorced couple, are we?”

  “I like to think we’re friends.”

  “Oh, we’re more than that, Tommy. I’m crazy in like with you.”

  “You’re just not in love with me,” he said, repeating the worn out cliché she’d used when she’d asked him for a divorce.

  “Just like you’re not in love with me. Besides, crazy in like is better than love. It lasts longer.”

  Before he could respond, she waved a hand through the air. “I know how uncomfortable all this makes you. Talking about feelings and emotions and all that stuff. Let’s get back to something more interesting. Let’s talk about sex.”

  “How about we talk about money, instead?”

  She gave him a look that said she knew exactly what he was doing. He might be uncomfortable discussing his emotions, but she was equally as uncomfortable when it came to more practical matters. Like how she planned to pay the rent each month.

  “You still haven’t cashed any of my checks,” he said.

  “Your child support goes directly into my bank account. I don’t know what other checks you’re talking about.”

  He glanced once more around the shop. This time noting the lack of customers. “How are you paying for the overhead on this place? Because I know for a fact you’re not taking any money from your parents.”

  A flash of anger shot through her baby blues. But only for a second. Her daddy didn’t call her his Sweet Tea for nothing. Lauren Handy Donalan couldn’t stay mad for longer than you could slice a hot knife through butter. Even when you stuck your nose where she didn’t think it belonged.

  She straightened back her shoulders and gave him a debutante smile her momma would be proud of. “I’m doing just fine, Tommy. I’m all grown up now. I can take care of myself.”

  “Just because you didn’t ask for alimony doesn’t mean you don’t need it or deserve it. Girl, we were married for eleven years. You don’t think I worry about you?”

  She stood up on tiptoe once more and kissed him on the cheek. “Please stop sending those checks, Tommy. I don’t need them. And I don’t want them. But I’ll make you deal. If you ever need any money, just ask. I’ll be happy to bail you out.”

  Tom knew when he’d been outplayed. Might as well get on with why he’d stopped by in the first place. “So I know it’s short notice, but do you think you can take Henry for the night?”

  “So you can spend the night at the senior center? With Allie Grant? Why didn’t you say so in the first place? Of course—” Her face clouded over and took on a serious look. “I almost forgot, Momma and I are taking Daddy to Pensacola this evening. He has an appointment with a neurologist at eight a.m., so we’re driving over to spend the night.”

  “How’s your daddy doing?”

  “Not great. But I’m hoping this new doctor might have a few tricks up his sleeve.”

  As an only child, it had been hard for Lauren living away from her parents, especially when her daddy had begun to show early signs of dementia. After their divorce, Lauren had taken Henry and left Atlanta to move back to Whispering Bay to help her mother. Tom had admired her for that. But he’d missed Henry too much, so he’d quit his job and followed them back home. They might be divorced, but they were still a family. She was the mother of his child and he’d always be here for her. No matter what.

  Tom wished he had something encouraging to say, but he didn’t. So instead, he tried to give her a reassuring nod. “Good luck tomorrow. And no worries about Henry. I’ll try my mom. I’m sure she’d love to have him for the night.”

  *~*~*

  Betsy Donalan was taking an apple pie out of the oven when To
m walked through the kitchen door. She carefully placed it on a cooling rack and stepped back to admire her culinary genius. No one made pie better than his mother. He was tempted to reach out and tear a piece of crust off the edge but that would only earn him a rap on the knuckles.

  “Put your fangs back in your mouth. This is for the church meet and greet tonight.” She stretched up to give him a kiss. “You look terrible.”

  “Et tu, Mother?” She frowned, so he clarified. “Lauren just told me the same thing.”

  She paused as if digesting that information, then opened the top door of the double oven to produce a second pie. “This one is for you,” she said with a smile in her eyes.

  This time he did reach out to tear off a piece of crust. It scalded the roof of his mouth but he didn’t care.

  “Oh, for crying out loud, Tom, let it cool off.” But there was no real conviction in her voice. “To what do I owe this unexpected visit?”

  “Can you keep Henry tonight?”

  “You know I’d love to, but your daddy and I are going to be at the church till late. If you don’t think Henry wouldn’t mind tagging along?”

  Henry was eleven, which meant yes, he’d definitely mind, but Tom didn’t want to hurt his momma’s feelings. “Don’t worry about it. I can make another arrangement.”

  “What’s Lauren up to?”

  “She and her mom are taking Dan to Pensacola for a doctor’s appointment.”

  “Tell Lauren I’m keeping him in my prayers.”

  “I’m sure she’ll appreciate that.”

  Tom reached out to swipe another edge of pie crust when she said, “This doesn’t have anything to do with that ghost, does it?”

  “What ghost?” This time he managed to get some of the apple filling along with the crust. Score.

  “You know what ghost. The whole town is talking about it! I was at the Piggly Wiggly this morning when I heard it from Doc Morrison’s receptionist. You know, Janie Fairfax, the cute brunette? Not married. I think she heard it from Betty Jean Collins who works at the Gazette. You should ask her out sometime. Plus, you know, she’s a member of your daddy’s parish.”

  He couldn’t help himself. “You don’t think Betty Jean’s too old for me?”

  “Ha ha, Mister Smarty Pants. You know very well I meant Janie Fairfax. But frankly, at this point I wouldn’t care who you asked out, as long as you asked out someone. Anyone.”

  Ridiculously, Tom realized he actually preferred talking about the ghost.

  “Ma, you know better than anyone else there’s no such thing as ghosts.”

  “I certainly do not know that.”

  “Yeah, well, there’s no ghost.”

  “So you haven’t seen anything strange in the building?” she asked.

  “Nope.”

  She turned her back to him so that he couldn’t see her face and began emptying the dishwasher. “I heard Allison Grant was back in town. But of course, you know that since you saw her last night.”

  Hell. Did anyone get any actual shopping done at the Piggly Wiggly? This definitely called for more pie. He picked up a knife and tried his best to stealthily slice himself a wedge.

  “What a sweet girl! And so pretty. Her grandmother was such a lovely lady. Barbara Alvarez. Catholic, but she always donated one of her delicious flans to the parish festival bake sale booth. You remember her, don’t you? Well, of course you do. I mean, you did date her granddaughter.”

  She turned around and caught him with the knife in his hand. “Tom! You need to let that cool off.” She shook her head at him like he was three. “Here, if you insist on eating a slice this instant and burning the roof of your mouth, at least let me cut it for you.” She sliced him a generous piece of pie, eyeing him the whole time like he was some leery wolf she was ready to spring a trap on.

  “Spit it out,” he said.

  She smiled sweetly. “I was just thinking. It’s been over a year since the divorce and you haven’t dated anyone.” The smile vanished. “You haven’t dated anyone, have you?”

  “I’m sure you’ll be the first to know when I do.”

  “Humph. Well, anyway, it just seems like perfect timing. You and that sweet Allison together again. I always felt so terrible about the ways things ended between you two. Not that it could have been helped under the circumstances, but now that the two of you are single again—she is still single, isn’t she?”

  Tom almost choked on his pie. “Ma, I appreciate the thought but I’m happy with my life exactly the way it is.”

  “Happy? How can you be happy being alone?”

  “I’m not alone. I have Henry. And my job. And you and Pops.”

  “Your job? Well, I hope that keeps you nice and warm on a cold winter’s night.”

  “We live in Florida.”

  “You know what I mean.”

  First Lauren, now his mother. The women in his life needed to get their own lives. For the first time he wondered if Lauren’s prodding him to date meant that she herself was dating. He hoped so. Just as long as she dated a good guy. Not that Tom had any worries on that account. Despite her quirkiness, Lauren had always been sensible.

  “So why can’t you keep Henry tonight?” she asked.

  “Gotta work,” he said, swallowing down the rest of the pie she’d sliced him. If Betsy Donalan knew he planned to spend the night in the senior center with Allie Grant she’d be calling the Whispering Bay Gazette to announce their engagement.

  He thought back to their text conversation. He hadn’t meant to flirt with her. It had just come naturally, but flirting, or anything else that might come equally as naturally with Allie was a bad idea.

  He kissed his mother and said a quick goodbye before she could get another word in.

  I’m happy enough. Those had been his exact words to Allie last night. He thought it over a second. Was he happy? Hell, he wasn’t unhappy.

  Why did women always overthink everything?

  Okay, so maybe Allie was just a tiny bit afraid of Tom Donalan.

  No, not Tom Donalan exactly. It was the whole set up that had her squirmy. And then of course, there was the problem of what to wear. She was not dressing up for tonight’s sleep-in at the senior center. Allie chanted this to herself while she got ready. It was like a mantra of sorts to remind her that tonight was strictly business.

  Still, that little fantasy she’d been holding onto for the past twelve years, the one where she saw Tom again for the first time? In that fantasy she was a goddess to be reckoned with. Her long dark hair was straight and shiny, her brown eyes were made up to look smoky and sexy, and her perfect curves were accentuated by a designer gold lame gown.

  In other words, she was Sophia Vergara.

  Eat your heart out, Fat and Bald Tom Donalan.

  Of course, in reality Tom wasn’t fat, nor was he bald, and she certainly didn’t look anything like Sophia Vergara. Allie’s long brown hair was straight and maybe just a tad bit shiny (shampoo had a tendency to do that), but her eye makeup was minimal, and as for the perfect curves? Not even close. She was more Olive Oyl than sexy Latina star.

  Her legs were her best body part, but she couldn’t justify wearing a short skirt tonight. Plus, she’d only packed a couple days’ worth of clothes, so she had to work with what she had. Jeans, white T-shirt, a red sweater and her cowboy boots. Which were the only cool thing about her ensemble. The boots were turquoise leather with a Fleur de Lis cream embroidery and a conservative two inch heel making her almost six feet tall. Allie had never felt comfortable in girly heels, but if the temperature ever went below sixty (chilly for native Floridians) she’d be in these boots. Lauren had been right about the rain. It poured for a couple of hours straight, instantly bringing cooler weather.

  She sprayed some cologne along the inside of her wrist and did a quick inspection in the mirror. It was exactly the look she was going for. Casual, slightly hip, and semi-attractive journalist who hadn’t put much thought into what she looked like (ha!).
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  Both Mimi and Claire remarked on her appearance over dinner.

  “You look great,” Mimi said.

  “No, she doesn’t. She looks hot. Can I borrow your boots?” Claire asked.

  Allie helped herself to some of Mimi’s homemade lasagna. “My sixteen-year-old niece thinks I look hot. Should I be flattered or am I being played for a pair of boots?” she mused aloud.

  Cameron snickered.

  “Both,” Mimi said.

  Claire flushed. “I mean it. You look awesome, Aunt Allie.”

  “You’re great for my ego, kid. Maybe I should move back to town.”

  “Well, you already know how I feel about that,” Mimi said.

  The rest of dinner went by quickly with the majority of the conversation devoted to talk of Allie’s upcoming ghost adventure.

  “I think it’s really cool what you’re doing,” Cameron said, as he loaded the last of the dirty plates into the dishwasher. “Can I see your phone?”

  “Cameron,” Mimi said, “We’ve been through this before. You’re not getting a cell phone.”

  “All the kids at school have a phone. And Claire has one.”

  “You’re not all the kids at school. And Claire is sixteen and driving. She needs a basic phone for security reasons. When you learn to drive, then you’ll get a phone, too.”

  Cameron looked at Allie with those big brown eyes that looked exactly like Zeke’s. He’s going to be a heartbreaker. She didn’t envy Mimi one bit.

  She pulled out her phone and checked it for incoming messages. Nothing. She’d hoped by now she would have heard something from Phoebe Van Cleave and The Sunshine Ghost Society, but either Phoebe wasn’t as interested as she’d first sounded, or there was nothing to report. It looked like Allie was going to be on her own tonight. She handed Cameron her phone. “It can’t hurt him to look at it,” she said to Mimi.

  Cameron studied the phone for a few seconds. “Can I play a game on here?”

  “Sure. Just don’t mess with my settings.”

  Mimi gave Cameron the stinky eye. “Did you finish your homework?”