Sweet Caroline

by Becky Lower

  Chapter Two

  Caroline had faced humiliation and disappointment in her life—and great loss. But nothing from her past prepared her for this day. Her skin sparked as she sensed Grant’s gaze roaming over her during the ceremony. She smiled at the camera through gritted teeth while standing beside him for the formal pictures. Then she made certain he was in another limo before she selected one headed to the reception at the Lobster Cove Country Club where almost every major event in town ended up.

  So far, she’d kept her emotions at bay through the proceedings, even though his gaze seared her and his touch sent sparks through her body. Now, she only had to sit beside him during their meal, dance once together, and this long day would be over. Thank goodness. She didn’t care for the sensations he caused in her body. She hated him! Didn’t she? Surely, the emotions he created were the result of her utter disgust at having to be by his side all day? The limo sped through town, and Caroline listened to the chatter of the other passengers. She glanced out the window and spied Maggie’s Diner. Her breathing hitched as memories of the last time she stayed at Lobster Cove surfaced. Maggie’s had been the go-to place for the crowd Abbey and Penny hung out with, which included Grant.

  Or maybe her reaction today had been because the boy she’d been in puppy love with had matured into one delectable specimen of a man? She observed him, careful to study him only when his focus was elsewhere. His skin tone reminded her of a mocha latte, his startling blue eyes smoldered as they stared at her, his height matched hers, even bested her by several inches. The day started off full of stress, as her scheduled flight got delayed, then she selected the slowest taxi driver ever, and barely arrived at the church on time. She’d only begun to calm from the travel chaos when she’d glanced out the window and spied Grant for the first time. Her heart rate hadn’t settled into a normal rhythm since. The limo pulled up to the curb and stopped with a hard tap on the brakes, making her body lurch.

  Then Grant opened the car door, extending a hand to help her emerge from the car, making her body shudder even more.

  He strode alongside her and led her to the proper table. “These are our seats, at least if the name cards can be trusted.” He dragged her chair out from the table, the legs scraping across the wood floor.

  She plopped into it. Her knees were rubbery as she breathed in his combination of citrus aftershave and male. That’s the only way she could describe his scent. Grant smelled like a man. No frou-frou scents, only pure unadulterated manliness. Her heart rate sped again, and she picked up the name card and played with it to keep her hands from touching him. His arm rested on the back of her seat, and it seared her like a branding iron. She wished he’d back off and squirmed in her chair so she’d be out of range. She preferred not to have any direct contact.

  “So, how’s life in Cleveland these days?”

  A perfectly normal question from a perfectly normal man. Except this man was Grant, not someone normal. She took a deep breath and didn’t make eye contact. In order to get through the rest of the day, she would have to talk to him sometime. She needed to corral her emotions and calm down. “We Clevelanders are a tough bunch so life is just peachy, except I probably won’t have a job when I get back.” Even though she hadn’t dared to glance his way, she could feel his gaze shift.

  “Penny told me about Michael’s death last year in Afghanistan. I’m sorry for your loss. Maybe you need a new start. Maybe you need to be in Lobster Cove.”

  Her eyes filled with hot tears. After a solid year of mourning, she had declared herself finished with crying jags, but something in Grant’s voice brought her tears to the surface. She struggled to blink them away before she glanced at the man beside her. “Thank you, Grant. With the exception of Abbey and Aunt Sylvia, everyone is reluctant to talk about Michael, as if I’ll fall apart when his name comes up.”

  “You’ve been through an ordeal these past few years. First, having your folks retire to Florida, and then your fiancé dies on the battlefield. And now, a precarious job situation. You’ve got both Penny and Abbey and their folks here in the Cove. Don’t ever feel you’re all alone.” He picked up her hand from the table and brushed his lips over her knuckles before he released his hold.

  She’d inhaled sharply when he took hold of her hand. Then she lost her breath completely when he kissed her fingers.

  She’d thought she could get her heart rate under control during the meal. In her present state, she couldn’t hold down any food, since their next obligation after eating would be to dance. She’d have Grant’s arms around her as they whirled around the floor. Caroline placed a hand to her forehead. No man had touched her since Michael left for war. Grant surprised her by touching her again, running a hand over her hair encased in the pretty snood. “I’d love for you to get rid of your headdress. You always had the most beautiful hair. Can you toss your locks over your shoulder now?”

  She gulped. He shouldn’t be so nice, attempting to put her at ease. He was supposed to hate her in return. Isn’t that what started them down this road years ago? “I’ve only had my hair trimmed for the past few years, so I can have a ponytail when I go for a run. I don’t know what possessed me to try a pixie cut three years ago. Michael convinced me a change of pace would be nice, and I took the radical plunge. Never again.” She shook her head.

  Caroline glanced at Grant’s left hand, at his naked ring finger. How could such a gorgeous hunk still be a bachelor? The question got to the tip of her tongue, but to ask would make her appear interested, so she leaned back in her chair and smiled politely. “How about you, Grant? What are you up to these days?” Evidently, he had been kept up to speed on her relationships. She deserved to have the same information on him.

  Unfortunately, Caroline suspected Penny and Abbey were the ones to fill him in about her, and she’d specifically told them over the years not to talk to her about Grant. Now she wished they’d told her something. The sisters were at the center of the table, not at the end where she and Grant sat, so squeezing intel from them wouldn’t happen anytime soon. She’d have to ask inane questions for the rest of the day. Still, a string of idle questions beat sitting beside him in awkward silence.

  He sighed.

  More for effect than anything, she decided, especially when he put his hand to his chest. His rather impressive chest. She bit back a sigh of her own as her gaze followed his hand. Had he done so intentionally to draw attention to his physique? Probably. He did appear to be quite proud of his body. “I’m still all alone. I prefer blondes, and not that many light-haired women live in the Cove.”

  Her breathing hitched, and she glanced away. “My guess is you’ve found a few over the years.”

  “No one lately.”

  Their luncheon plates arrived.

  The succulent lobster and steak pairing made Caroline’s mouth water. First, though, they had to endure a round of toasts from the wedding party. The time for meaningless conversation had ended. Thank goodness.

  ****

  The day did not roll out as he planned. Ever since he learned Caroline would be a bridesmaid, he’d pieced together the things to say and the years-too-late-apology. Yet, here they were, with the only obligation—the last of the reasons for them to appear as a couple—being the dance of the wedding party, and he still hadn’t managed to get them talking about the huge elephant gallivanting between them. As soon as the ceremony ended, she’d probably be gone, on a plane headed back toward Cleveland, and his chance would be lost. He’d made small talk and mentioned her fiancé, hoping she’d tell him what had attracted her enough to plan a life together. However, every time he’d broached a topic, she’d shut him down. Well, now he had one last opportunity as the band started playing the song selected by Penny and Del for their first dance as a married couple.

  Penny danced with her father first, then Del cut in, and the entire bridal party joined them next on the dance floor.

  Grant placed his hand on Caroline’s waist as he led her to the sma
ll dance floor, and her muscles tensed beneath his fingers. He nearly cried out in frustration. They faced each other, and he tugged her toward him. Her facial muscles tensed, too. “Relax, Caro. I won’t bite.”

  “I’m not so sure,” she answered.

  He caught the whisper of a laugh in her voice. Maybe all was not lost.

  They fit together as if they’d been dancing with each other for years. In fact, the last time they danced had been that fateful night which had changed everything. They had been friends then. Why couldn’t they be buddies again? He’d prefer much more than buddies and had envisioned them together ever since he found out he’d be paired with her during the wedding. Right now, more than buddies might be too much. He’d settle for being a friend again. He closed his eyes and inhaled the flowery scent of her hair as he rested his head against hers.

  Placing her hands around his neck, she swayed with him.

  She had relaxed somewhat, although she still acted like a tortured animal, afraid of his touch. Any touch. Without a doubt, any sign that he’d prefer more dances such as this would send her running for the plane even faster than anticipated. So, he’d take things slow. “I’m years late in saying this, but I apologize for my actions during our Spin the Bottle night.”

  “You don’t need to apologize, Grant. You’re right. Your apology is years too late.” Caroline shrugged and stiffened again.

  He needed another tactic. “Will you be staying in the Cove for a few days, or do you have to hustle back to Cleveland?” He kept his voice low and well-modulated, hoping to soothe her jagged nerves. His fingers on her waistline massaged her gently.

  Her body finally relaxed totally under his hands. She drew her head back and laughed for the first time all day. “Since my boss threatened to fire me if I made the trip to the Cove instead of working this weekend, I’m in no hurry to return. I’m scheduled to leave tomorrow night, but extending my stay by a few days to give him time to calm down before I show up again has been an enticing idea.”

  “If you’re here next weekend, the high school basketball team is playing at home on Friday. The team’s made it to the first round of the playoffs, and we’re counting on the support from the town.” Grant dipped her into a backbend, to keep her off balance. He hoped to keep her from finding an excuse to avoid his suggestion.

  “Attending a high school basketball game is not my idea of fun, Grant. I haven’t attended a game since I graduated. Why would I be interested?”

  Her voice took on a gravelly edge, and she grimaced. Probably at some unpleasant memory. A memory she’d never share with him, and he didn’t need. They already had one such memory to contend with.

  “Because you can see me in action. I coach the team when I’m not teaching history.” He tried, and failed miserably, to hide his amusement at her obvious confusion.

  “I had no idea.” She couldn’t control her chuckle. “Who would have thought? Grant Jackson, respectable high school teacher. And coach.”

  “So, Penny and Abbey never talked about me? I’m surprised, since they’ve kept me informed on what’s happening in your life.” He twirled her around as the last strains of the song played out.

  Caroline brushed back some stray tendrils that had escaped from her snood. She glanced up, her gaze steady. “Every time your name got mentioned, I’d shut them down. We had plenty of other, more delightful topics to discuss. Now that our obligations for this wedding are finished, my only wish is to head to Abbey’s and get some sleep. This has been a long and hectic day.” She pivoted and stalked off the dance floor.

  Grant’s hands fisted by his sides. Maybe even a friendship was too much to ask for.

  Chapter Three

  The following morning, Caroline, Abbey, and Abbey’s two children, Charlie and Tommy, were seated at the table in the kitchen devouring French toast and bacon. Caroline’s taste buds perked up as she slathered famous Maine blueberry syrup onto her breakfast and dug in, savoring the sweetness. As soon as they finished their meal, the boys challenged each other to see who could get out of their slippers and into their shoes and coats first so they could run outside to play in the backyard, which held Caroline’s interest as well. A set of swings she could get behind. A trampoline, an above-ground pool, a basketball hoop, and a volleyball net were strewn around the yard as well.

  The boys’ chatter as they jostled with one another while putting on their shoes and lacing up made Caroline smile. She hadn’t been around children in ages. Charlie Jr., the eldest, resembled his father, with sandy brown hair and eyes to match. Tommy, a full head shorter than Charlie, held his own as younger brothers had a tendency to do. His blue eyes sparkled with mischief as he tried to best his brother, and a perpetual cowlick rose from the center of his dark hair.

  “Your backyard is better equipped than most playgrounds.” Caroline shifted her gaze back to her cousin.

  Abbey grinned. “The best way to keep kids out of trouble is to keep them near and keep them busy.” Her eyes narrowed as she studied Caroline.

  Uncomfortable under the scrutiny, Caroline shielded herself by returning her gaze to the yard and not making eye contact. They hadn’t yet shared anything about the wedding, and Caroline didn’t want to begin the conversation. Frantic to find a topic other than the one Abbey had in mind, Caroline ping-ponged her gaze around the room. “Where’s your husband this morning?” She fought to control the quaver in her voice.

  “Where he is every Sunday morning, so he won’t have to go to church.” Abbey chuckled. “He’s volunteering at the soup kitchen.”

  Caroline finally shifted her gaze to Abbey and grinned. “I have to applaud Charlie. Such a devious plan.” She laughed. “I’d rather work at a soup kitchen than spend my Sunday morning cooped up in a church, too.”

  “Feel free to join him then. I’ll give you directions. Or you can come with me and the boys to church if you want.” Abbey gave Caroline a sideways glance.

  Caroline nearly cried at the normalcy of Abbey’s suggestion. She hadn’t had normal in her life since Michael left for war. “I think I’ll go for a run this morning. Jogging is my spiritual place. Need to work out some kinks before I head home this evening.”

  “Did you have fun yesterday?”

  Abbey’s question was almost absurd, at least in Caroline’s mind. Shifting the conversation to Charlie only had worked temporarily. “Are you kidding?” She shrugged, her voice as cold and sharp as broken glass. “I enjoyed seeing Penny so happy, and visiting with Aunt Sylvia, but did you really have to pair me with the one man in Lobster Cove who I detest?”

  Abbey shook her head and nodded toward her children. “Guys, if you’ve got your shoes on, why don’t you run out and throw a basketball around for a few minutes?” She followed them with her gaze before she returned her attention to Caroline. “They love Grant, so I won’t allow you ever to speak ill of him around my kids. You and Grant stuck together like a flea on a dog all day! I thought you’d forgiven him once you took notice of his fine backside.”

  Caroline stood and cleared the dirty dishes from the table. “I need more than a good body to make me forget and forgive. For Penny’s sake, I did my duty and stayed with him, but I couldn’t wait to end the charade.” She tried to grab Abbey’s dirty plate.

  Abbey stilled her hand and glanced up at Caroline. “I’m grateful you didn’t make a scene on Penny’s big day, but you need to give Grant a chance. Lots of things have changed since we were teenagers, Caro. You’ve carried that particular little grudge long enough.”

  Caroline sat in the seat next to Abbey, tears welling in her eyes. “You never could figure out why I despise him. The ‘little’ incident you recall affected me for years, and I underwent lots of therapy to regain my self-esteem. Until Michael entered my life, I suffered through one really bad relationship after another, because in my mind I could never hope for more. Grant’s refusal to kiss me when we were fifteen tainted the way I viewed myself for many years afterward.”

  Abbey pu
t an arm around Caroline and let her cry. She shushed her and stroked up and down Caroline’s back with her hand.

  Finally, Caroline raised her head and brushed away the last of her tears.

  Abbey handed over a tissue. “Did you ever consider Grant’s side of the story? You two had gotten along fine until then, so I thought you’d figured out the why of things by now.”

  Caroline sat back in her chair. She’d never given any thought to how Grant might have been feeling that night so long ago. He’d been so popular and so good-looking, she got flustered whenever she got around him. His magnetic personality drew her, like a moth to the proverbial flame, but she never told him of her attraction and her overwhelming case of puppy lust. She had been content to just be with him and basked in the glow of whatever attention he threw her way during her summer visit. When they played Spin the Bottle and Grant’s spin landed on her, her heart pounded out of her chest. She finally could kiss him! But he’d refused, and her heart had been broken. She’d stumbled out of the room and out of his life. She never spent another summer with her cousins, not wanting to find out the answer to his actions. She couldn’t change the fact she had white skin and he seemed more comfortable with the African-American girls who were present.

  Again, she rose from the table and picked up the last dirty plate. Abbey had given her lots to ponder. The way she still drummed her fingers on the table signaled Abbey hadn’t yet put the topic to bed. Caroline opened the tap and ran water in the sink hopefully to drown out any further conversation.

  Abbey joined her at the sink and shut off the water. “Nice try, Caro, but avoiding this conversation won’t work. We still have things to discuss.” Abbey tugged on her hand and led her back to the table.

  “You’ve already given me a ton to consider. What’s left to discuss, Abbey?” Caroline fidgeted, hopping from one foot to the other.

  “Well, for one, your job. How your boss wouldn’t give you the days off to attend the rehearsal dinner, and you had to rush to the church for the ceremony.” Abbey steepled her fingers together while she waited for Caroline’s response.