If I Loved You (Harper Falls Book 1)

by Mary J. Williams

  Rose waited a few minutes until the conversation had moved on to a dozen or so other topics. Then, thinking no one was looking, she leaned down and carefully whispered in nine-year-old Stella’s ear. She then sat back and continued eating the excellent fried chicken that was on her plate.

  “Russ Tamblyn,” Stella cried out. Rose silently applauded the little girl’s perfect pronunciation.

  “That’s it,” Anna cried out. “That’s who played the youngest brother. You clever doll. How did you know that?”

  Stella blushed at all the attention but, as instructed, refused to give up her source. When the little girl peeked up at her with adoring eyes, Rose took her hand under the table and gave it a squeeze. It was easy to get lost in a big group like this, no matter how loving. She’d noticed that Stella was quieter than her cousins, a little shyer. Rose remembered so well what it was like to be nine and unsure of yourself. Giving Stella the name of an actor wasn’t much as gestures went, but for a little while the girl had been the center of attention. A boost to her self-confidence, no matter how small, was a good thing.

  After they cleared the table, the food put away and the kitchen put back in its usual order, everyone but the youngest children gathered in the living room. The huge stone fireplace, lit and roaring, lent a cozy layer of warmth. Lorna and Ned had taken their seats, center stage, so that their children could give them their anniversary presents tonight when it was just family.

  “Thank you for what you did for Stella.”

  Rose looked up from the family photo album she’d been studying, surprised to see Janet, Stella’s mother.

  “You saw that?”

  “No, Stella told me.” Both women looked over at the girl who was snuggled in her father’s lap, half asleep. “She was worried because you told her not to tell anyone, but when I asked her how she knew she just couldn’t keep it to herself. She has a serious case of hero worship. So I wanted to thank you from both Stella and me.” Janet gave her a hug then went to join her husband and daughter.

  “So Stella told her mother.” Jack sat down next to her. He put his arm around her shoulders and pulled her close.

  “Does everybody know?” She’d thought she’d gotten away undetected.

  “I’m the only one who saw you whispering to Stella. But I imagine by tomorrow word will have spread. Between that and winning our bet, you’re going to be a legend around here.” Jack laughed at Rose’s disgruntled frown. “Secrets are nonexistent in the Winston clan. And when it involves a good deed? Forget about it.”

  Rose soon forgot to be annoyed when the anniversary couple started opening their gifts. They were mostly small things, sentimental and given with love. The last was one all seven children had gone in on together. When Lorna opened the plain, white envelope and read the contents, she burst into tears.

  “A trip to Greece?” Ned said, shaking his head. He then grinned as Lorna’s tears turned into an excited whoop. They spent the next ten minutes hugging and kissing children, grandchildren and sons-in-law. Rose sat back and enjoyed every minute.

  When things had finally calmed down, and they were all settled comfortably in chairs or bundled together on one of the multiple sofas, Rose decided it was time for her to give Lorna and Ned her gift. She slipped away from Jack, telling him that she wanted a better look at the old piano he’d pointed out to her earlier that afternoon. The upright grand had been in the Winston family for generations. It had come to Ned and Lorna as a wedding present from his mother. Lorna played a little, as did a few of the girls. But it was mostly a cherished piece of furniture that didn’t get very much practical use.

  Jack had mentioned the piano to Rose just in passing. It was when he told her about his parent’s upcoming anniversary that she was inspired to write something for the couple. It had come easily, the irony of that not being lost on her. She could compose a song for two people she had never met but when it was more personal, like the love theme for Wishes, Rose couldn’t even string together two words.

  But that was something to worry about on Monday. This weekend was about Jack's parents. She had planned on recording the song in her studio and sending the CD and sheet music with Jack. But now that she was here, she thought it might be nicer if she played it live.

  She ran her hand over the well-polished wood. Rose felt a twinge of envy, which wasn't surprising. She tended to covet beautiful instruments like this one. The only thing that kept her from over indulging and buying everyone that caught her eye was the size of her house. She just didn’t have the room.

  “Lovely, isn’t it?”

  Lorna had joined her, giving the piano a slightly wistful look. “I always hoped one of my children would catch the music bug. Nan and Paula play a bit, but that’s it.”

  “Jack told me you play.”

  “Jack is being kind,” Lorna laughed. “I can peck out a passable melody, but I wouldn’t say I play.”

  “Do you mind if I—?” Rose glanced at the keyboard.

  “Would you?” Lorna beamed, then looked a little sheepish. “I’ve been trying to work up the nerve to ask you. But I didn’t want you to think you had to sing for your supper.”

  “I would never think that.” She ran her fingers up and down the keys, thrilled to find the piano was kept perfectly tuned. “I’ll tell you a little secret. It was love at first sight. This is my equivalent of diamond jewelry. Of course, it’s much harder to wear a piano around your neck.”

  She drifted into the melody of A Love Song For Lorna and Edward. Now that she’d met Jack’s parents, Rose was certain she’d gotten the mood and feel of the song right. Slightly dreamy, a strong touch of romance with a jazzy undertone. The lyrics were simple. She’d taken the bits that Jack had told her and woven a slightly sweet, slightly funny story. Their story.

  Rose could see the surprise and then delight in Lorna’s eyes when she realized what the song was about. The woman’s eyes filled and she reached back, her hand grasping the air until her husband joined her. Ned stood with his wife of forty years and listened to their story—and both of them wept.

  When the final note faded, the room burst into applause and excited chatter, everyone crowding around the piano. Rose was thrilled by the enthusiastic response. She might not be a born performer, but she had enough ego that she was able to enjoy the warm approval of the Winston clan. Jack joined her on the piano bench, pulling her close. Leaning in, his voice thick with emotion, he whispered, “The hell with being a legend, after tonight, you’re a full-fledged, fucking goddess."

  CHAPTER NINETEEN

  ROSE COULDN'T IMAGINE where all the people had come from.

  Saturday had dawned bright and seasonably warm, in other words, a perfect day for an outdoor party. Last minute preparations kept everyone busy, including Rose. She helped where ever they needed her, including taking the restless children and pets to play in the nearby empty field. Edgar and his brother Digger acted like they’d never been apart, running and exploring every gopher hole they could find. An hour later they were all ready for some lunch and a nap. Rose opted out of the nap. After a night of sleeping in Jack’s arms, she felt completely refreshed, her energy boundless. Jack had kept his word. He didn’t try to seduce her; there was no accidental slipping of hands. They had gone to bed, turned off the lights and fallen asleep. When she woke the next morning, her head was resting on Jack’s shoulder, his arms holding her close. She felt warm and safe. It had been lovely. And now, hours later she was still riding that wave of happy.

  Guests were due to start arriving at two o’clock but as with any party, there were early arrivals. A lot of them. By four, Rose wondered if the rest of the county was deserted because everyone seemed to be in the Winston’s backyard.

  Trays of sandwiches and bowls of every imaginable kind of salad packed three large tables, a fourth reserved for plates, napkins and utensils. In the center was a huge four-tiered cake decorated with yellow and white swirls of frosting. Trays of cookies and homemade candy were sitti
ng just to the side, giving people something sweet to snack on before the they cut the cake.

  As good as Rose was at remembering names, even she lost track after an endless round of introductions. She liked being anonymous but somehow, in this crowd, she was a celebrity. No one was rude or pushy. They just wanted to meet the famous songwriter. And take a few pictures. Rose was more than willing to oblige. But she was grateful when Jack pulled her away so that she could get something to eat. She was ready for his rescue.

  “I thought you could use a break.” He handed her a plate already filled with food. She didn’t bother to look at what he had gotten her. She’d seen the selection and it had all looked mouthwateringly good. They found two empty chairs and sat down to relax for the first time all day.

  “Your family certainly knows how to throw a party.” Rose took a bite of the best potato salad she’d ever eaten. “How long do these things usually last?”

  “Most of the people will have cleared out by three or four.” Jack offered her a bite of his beef stew.

  “In the morning?" Rose asked after swallowing the tender piece of meat.

  Jack chuckled. “This isn’t any everyday occasion, so people like to make it last as long as possible. The children get tucked up in the house, sleepover style, and the grown-ups party until the wee hours.”

  In this case, the wee hours turned out to be four thirty. That was when the last guest was driving away, and everyone agreed to leave the clean-up for much later in the day. Rose could barely keep her eyes open long enough to brush her teeth and get undressed. She was asleep before Jack had finished in the bathroom and didn’t wake when he joined her. When she stirred a few hours later, she was tucked in his arms. Smiling, she drifted back to sleep and didn’t move again until late morning.

  It was just before eleven and after a refreshing shower Rose hastily dressed in jeans and a cherry colored t-shirt. She glanced out the bedroom window and saw several people gathering up debris and shoving it into oversized garbage bags. One of them was Jack. Hoping she wasn’t the last one up, Rose quickly donned a pair of sneakers and made her way downstairs.

  Nan was in the kitchen wiping the counter. Something smelled amazing and Rose realized that she was hungry. After all the food she'd consumed the night before, she hadn't thought she would need to eat for at least week.

  “Don’t look so panicked,” Nan smiled. “Half the gang is still in bed. Nothing keeps Dad down much past dawn, but Mom is taking it easy this morning and having a lie in.”

  “Are those cinnamon rolls?” Rose almost floated over on the scent like a cartoon character.

  “Help yourself. Mom made them up yesterday. She took them out of the fridge before she went to bed and then I stuck them in the oven about an hour ago. Your timing is perfect. Once the smell reaches the guys there won’t be anything left but a few crumbs.” Nan poured them both a cup of coffee and joined Rose at the table. They relaxed, enjoying the rolls and a companionable silence.

  “Where are the girls?” Rose asked after finishing off her second roll. She went to get more coffee, gesturing with the pot towards Nan’s cup.

  “I’m good,” she said. “All of the kids, except the two babies, are outside somewhere. They're playing with the dogs and helping with the cleanup. Thank goodness the guys are so patient. I figure between nine little girls and three dogs, it should only take an hour longer than it would have without them.”

  “There you are.” Jack came up behind Rose and kissed her neck. “Feel like going for a walk? I thought you might like to look around the farm.”

  “Jack, why don’t you take Dad’s truck? It looks like rain, the two of you might get soaked if you walk.”

  “We’ll be fine, Nan.” Jack smiled reassuringly. “But you might want to grab a jacket, Rose. It’s a little chillier today.”

  “I’ll be right back.”

  Jack grabbed a cinnamon roll and had it halfway to his mouth when he felt his sister's gaze.

  “What, am I not allowed to have one?”

  “I always wondered when you finally fell, what she would be like.”

  “And?” Jack didn’t ask his sister what she was talking about. Every member of his family had to know how he felt about Rose. This was the first time he’d brought a woman home. And to do it on his parent’s fortieth wedding anniversary? Jack would never do that unless his feelings were serious.

  “And, I could never get a clear picture in my mind.” Nan leaned her hip against the counter. It was unbelievable that her baby brother was a grown man and in love. She reached over and hugged him close. “What can I say, Jackie. She’s smart, beautiful and has her own money, so you know she’s not after anything but your body. She’s perfect for you.”

  “I think so, too. Now I just have to convince, Rose.”

  “I take back the perfect part.” Nan shifted into protective older sister mode. “How could she not want you?”

  “Quiet, here she comes.” Jack gave his sister a warning look.

  “Ready when you are,” Rose said, her eyes bright with anticipation.

  “Great, let’s go.” Jack leaned over to give his sister a hug and whispered, “Not a word to anyone, Nan.” Then he grabbed Rose’s hand and headed out the door.

  Jack wanted to show Rose all the places he’d run and played and dreamed as a little boy. He was proud of his boyhood home, the place his parents had built from hard work and love. When Jack had made his first real money, he'd wanted nothing more than to share it with his parents. He wanted to pay off what they owed on the land, to make things easier for them. But they wouldn't take a penny from him. At first he'd been hurt by their refusal, but he quickly realized it wasn't about him. Over the years, they had reduced their debt to almost nothing, something they were extremely proud of. They loved Jack for wanting to take care of them, and they were proud that he was in a position to do so. But when the day came and they made the last payment to the bank, they wanted to know that they had done it by themselves. Jack respected them even more, and he never offered again.

  They took their time, strolling through his mother’s raspberry patch, pausing to admire the two new foals that frolicked in the pasture. Everything was green and lush as if showing off for his girl. Jack took Rose by the hand and led her across a rocky patch of ground. They had come to his favorite place. It was secluded, hidden by a bank of oak trees and overlooking a long, shallow stream that, when he was a boy, he imagined that it ran on forever. He would sit under his tree and daydream of getting on a boat and sailing to far way lands. It didn’t matter that the stream at its deepest point was only two feet deep or that a mile down the road the water went into an underground well. This place was magic, the possibilities are endless.

  “Oh, Jack,” Rose breathed. “What a beautiful spot. It was yours, wasn’t it? I can see you here, all floppy hair and long, skinny legs.” Seeing Jack’s questioning look, Rose grinned. “I’ve been looking at photo albums.”

  “I guess that’s a pretty accurate description.” He sat down under the old oak and patted the ground next to him, an invitation to Rose. He put his arm around her and settle them back against the sturdy, smooth-barked tree.

  “I dreamed of so many fantastical things and my adventures were huge and far-reaching.” He smiled when he felt Rose’s chuckle. “I think I was about thirteen the last time I played here. I mean really played. I was just on the cusp of chasing girls instead of dragons and evil sorcerers.”

  “Did you stop coming?”

  “No.” But his dreams started to become more solid, less fanciful. “My thoughts became more grown up. Was I going to make the football team? How could I find a way to sneak a girl here without my mom finding out?”

  Now that Rose could easily imagine. “Your dad wouldn’t have cared?”

  “Sure he would have. But my mother has definite ideas about respecting women. From a very early age, she drilled it into my head that a woman was not just a plaything for my amusement. I should never do any
thing to my dates that I wouldn’t want some guy doing to one of my sisters.”

  If Rose hadn’t been crazy about Jack’s mother before, this would have done it. “So how’d that work out for you?”

  “I didn’t lose my virginity until my first week of college.” Jack gave her slow smile. “And then I was off and running.”

  “So you never got a girl under this tree?”

  “Nope. I was deprived of one of my biggest boyhood fantasies.” He turned, slowly lowering them both to the ground. “Want to help me remedy that?”

  “Well,” Rose moaned when Jack lightly bit the spot right under her ear. “We aren’t in your parent’s house.”

  Jack unsnapped her jeans and lowered the zipper. “No one will ever know, I promise.”

  “Was that the line you planned on using back in high school?” He didn’t need a line, not with those magic hands. He knew just where to touch, how to make her forget everything but how he was teasing between her legs, drawing the slick moisture from her body and using it to ease his way in. Two fingers and then three. Her hips shifted to meet him. She reached for more and sensing her needs, he gave it to her. Jack’s thumb grazed her engorged tissue teasingly. “Jack,” she protested his light touch. His deep laughed sent shivers through her. Then he stroked her again, harder, with purpose. Sparks flew before her eyes as she spiraled towards the peak of her desire, hovered for one agonizing instant, then careened over in a glorious explosion. For a moment she couldn’t breathe. For a moment she didn’t care. Jack had taken her to a place that was becoming wonderfully familiar but always new.

  Jack watched as Rose’s breathing settled. Bringing her pleasure was becoming his addiction. He kissed her lightly. Her eyes slowly opened, slightly unfocused. She smiled and pulled him down for a longer kiss.

  “Why is it I always want to thank you after you do that?”

  “Modesty prevents me from stating all the endless reasons.” Jack smoothed her hair back then reached his hand under her shirt, his hand enveloping her lace covered breast. He pulled the cup of her bra down and teased the already hard nipple. “But I am willing to let you show your appreciation in a less verbal manner.”