Sweet Caroline

by Becky Lower

  “I’m staying in the Cove, which means you’ll be part of my life. You’re friends with Abbey and Penny, so I fully expect to run into you frequently even outside of school. The thought of me sitting idly by while you entertain other women doesn’t rest well.” She bobbed her head. “I’m grateful you didn’t strong-arm me and force me into a relationship I couldn’t yet handle and that you were patient while I sorted out things. Still, I need you as part of my Lobster Cove life.” She played with a tendril of her blonde hair before she looked him in the eye. “That is, if a future with me is something you still have in mind.”

  He could finally breathe. “I hoped you’d come to that conclusion sooner or later.” He rolled his shoulders to remove the last bit of tension. “So, what would you like to do now?”

  She grinned, her teeth sparkling.

  He hadn’t seen that grin in weeks, and his own grin matched hers.

  “I’d love for us to take a run in the park. Then we could go back to my place for a make-out session.”

  Grant tamped down his excitement, even though his heart sang and sparks careened off in his body. She had let him back in. He’d take their relationship as fast or as slow as she needed. At least, the door had now opened.

  ****

  Caroline’s jogging runs usually started with her feeling tired and out of sorts. After a few miles, though, her energy level would skyrocket, and she ended most of her workouts feeling spent but focused. Today’s run in Acadia Park came out of the box entirely differently. Being surrounded by so much natural splendor would normally have been enough to lighten her mood, but her running partner had done wonders for her attitude, even before they set foot on the jogging path. She breathed in the balsam-tinged air as she ran. Her disposition rose to a height she hadn’t reached in over a year. Grant hadn’t dumped her in disgust as she’d feared. He’d let her set their pace as long as their pace climbed steadily upward—both in their physical run today and, longer term, in their relationship.

  Right now, she outpaced him on the jogging path. She ran ahead, certain Grant enjoyed the view. She could feel his gaze boring into her heart. The heart she’d locked away for so long. She stopped abruptly and spun.

  He barreled into her.

  They both sprawled to the ground with their air whooshing out.

  “Way to knock me off my feet, Grant.” She laughed as she plowed her hand through his dark curls.

  “I hope I have.” He lowered his head and their lips met.

  Caroline let herself get lost in the sensations, in the emotions Grant forced her to admit she harbored. She returned his kiss, tasting his lips and sinking into the feelings he had awakened. A long time had passed since she’d experienced the heightened intensity of a man’s caress. Even before, when she let Grant touch her, she’d kept a part of herself tucked away, content to be an observer. Now she entered into a different part of their relationship. She hoped to continue this closeness, but they were in a public area. “Let me up.” She lifted her head off the ground. “Anyone can see us.”

  He didn’t budge. “We’ll simply tell them our endorphins have kicked in big time.” He kissed her again before he rolled to the side and helped her to her feet. “Spoil sport.”

  Immediately, she missed his touch and sidled next to his body.

  He looped an arm around her shoulders. Side by side, they finished their course, cooling down and slowing their pace as they made their way back to the car. He slid in behind the steering wheel and glanced over. “Where to, ma’am?”

  His teeth flashed a brilliant white against his mocha skin. Caroline stared, unable to break from his mesmerizing presence. “Are you in the mood for a sappy romantic movie?”

  “What’d you have in mind?” He started the engine.

  “I planned to queue up Sleepless in Seattle this afternoon.” She clasped her hands together while she waited for him to laugh at her suggestion.

  “Sounds like a plan I can get behind. I’ve always had a thing for Meg Ryan.” His grin flashed again.

  Caroline swallowed hard, suddenly jealous of the movie star.

  He brushed her hair, wrapped his hand around the back of her neck, and drew her in for another kiss. “I’ll drop you off at your apartment before I head out to my house, so we can both shower and change. I’ll meet you back at your place in an hour or so for the movie. Okay by you?”

  She burrowed into the passenger seat, images of Grant in the shower setting off all kinds of reactions in her body. “Yeah, an hour should be plenty of time.” She could barely control her voice.

  On the short drive to her apartment, he took hold of her hand.

  She missed his warmth the minute she hopped out of the car although she waved goodbye with a smile as wide as the Grand Canyon, secure in the knowledge he’d be back soon. Then they’d play tonsil-tag until her lips swelled. At least, that’s the way she envisioned the evening would play out.

  Chapter Nineteen

  For a long moment, Grant stared at the champagne chilling in his refrigerator. Should he take a chance and haul the bottle to Caroline’s apartment? Or would the mere thought of having a celebration cause Caroline to spook, to become a wild mare again? Best leave the bubbly behind and hope for big things the next time.

  With a sigh, he closed the door and put his back against the refrigerator. This afternoon had been a good one, and he had been pleased when Caroline extended the offer of an even better evening. He could wait a bit longer to open the champagne as long as the celebration at the end included a life with Caroline. He scrubbed his face with his hands and tossed his jacket over his shoulders. Caroline and Meg Ryan waited.

  When he steered his car into the parking lot behind the shop, he spied Caroline standing on the landing outside her apartment door. She’d taken her beautiful blonde hair down from a ponytail so her locks fell in soft waves around her face. The breeze teased her hair as she stood waiting, and Grant’s heart swelled. His woman waiting for him to come home, as so many women in Lobster Cove had done over the years. Fortunately, his career didn’t involve jumping on a ship every day and putting his life on the line, although a career as a high school teacher could be almost as treacherous. For a second, he stood beside his car staring. He’d carry this moment in his mind forever to replace his previous memory of a teenage Caroline crying as she ran from the room. Today signified a new beginning.

  Eager to get close, he took the stairs two at a time. “Hi,” he mumbled before he swooped in, wove his hands into her gorgeous hair, and kissed her soundly.

  Her laughter bubbled out of her as Grant lowered his head and left a trail of kisses down the column of her neck.

  “Maybe we need to take this inside, Grant.” Tiny gasps of delight interspersed her words.

  “Okay, but I’m not letting go.” His laughter joined hers as together they jostled themselves sideways, crab-like, through the doorway. They fell together on the couch, and Grant lost himself in her lips and her hair. Caroline fit neatly beside him with her head resting on his shoulder. He kissed the top of her head while his arm coiled around her, tugging her closer.

  “Your hair’s always been my weak spot.” He buried his nose in the silky blondeness, breathing in the flowery scent of her shampoo. He ran his fingers through the strands, holding them out straight. “The color’s not exactly yellow although you have some golden strands. Not exactly platinum although a hint of that is blended in, too.”

  “You could get a job as a colorist at my hairdresser’s.” She dug an elbow into his midsection.

  “You didn’t let me finish. I was about to wrap up my examination by saying your hair is absolutely perfect.” He lowered his head and captured her lips. “Just like the rest of you.”

  When the film started, she relaxed into him. “I love the little boy, Jonah, in the movie, don’t you?” She stretched for another kiss.

  He wove his fingers between hers. “I love all kids once they start to talk. Before then, they’re too small and fragile
for me to be comfortable with.” He raised their conjoined hands and kissed each of her fingers. “But from what I hear most men feel that way, at least until they have their own children.”

  “How many children will you need in order to test your theory?”

  He could feel her intake of breath, which she held while waiting for his answer. “At least two. A boy and a girl would be ideal, but if I’m lucky enough to have two girls, I’d love being surrounded by my little female tribe.” Relieved when she let out her breath, he waited for her to say something.

  “Two kids would be ideal, but I’m not so sure about two girls. You’d be okay with them painting your toenails and having an imaginary tea?” She chuckled.

  He joined in, envisioning himself wrapped in a pink boa, raising a tiny teacup to his mouth. “Yeah, I’d love everything. But two boys would be okay, too. I get along really well with Charlie, Jr. and Tommy. In either case, boy or girl, I’d have to teach them how to shoot a basketball. How to execute a perfect fade-away jump shot.” He raised his hand, mimicking the shot he’d just described. Then he grew quiet as he pondered the future. Little versions of Caroline with blonde curls, learning how to dribble a basketball, made him sigh with contentment. After the movie credits rolled, he lowered his chin to rest on top of Caroline’s head.

  Reluctant to relinquish their cozy spot on the couch, Grant picked up the remote and flipped the TV from the movie to the local news. When the late-night comedy shows took over, Grant sighed and shrugged his way out of their cozy embrace. “I need to get on home.” He worked his feet back into his sneakers.

  “I had fun today.” Caroline leaned against him for another kiss.

  He wrapped his arms around her, hesitant to let go, but certain in the knowledge departure would be the only outcome. He would have no invitation to spend the night. At least, not tonight. More nights like this, though, and she might let him stay. He’d let her set their pace.

  They rose, and he put his arm around her waist as they approached the door. “Good night, Sweet Caroline.”

  “I much prefer good night to goodbye.” She purred as she raised her lips to meet his.

  He kissed her again, their tongues dueling with each other for a few minutes. Finally, he broke from the kiss to catch his breath and immediately longed to go back for more, especially when she ran the tip of her tongue over her now-plump lips. But he backed away because if he swooped in for more, he’d never stop. And she couldn’t yet handle all of what he could give her.

  Take what you can get, Grant. He latched onto a tendril of her hair, tugged gently, kissed her once more, and opened the door.

  ****

  Caroline needed several minutes after Grant left before her legs responded and she could step away from the apartment door. She put her fingers to her bruised lips and grinned so wide her face hurt. He tempted her in so many ways, and as she spent more time with him, she found more things to admire. He’d grown into a very handsome man, but she wasn’t all that interested in his surface beauty. What lay beneath was what really counted.

  With only a bit of help from his folks, he’d worked his way through college. Since he’d been the eldest of the three boys, he then helped Harrison and Lincoln find their footing in school and find careers. All three of them were named after presidents twice over, since they had the last name of Jackson. Grant had been almost as much a father to his brothers as had his dad, keeping them out of trouble while they navigated their way through school. At least, that’s what Penny and Del had told her while they spent that afternoon in the man-cave with Caroline hoping for a glimpse of Grant on the big screen. The man would never brag about his part in his brothers’ upbringing.

  She busied herself clearing the coffee table of the assorted snacks partially consumed during the movie and relived the day. She couldn’t recall the last time she’d been so aware of her body and the sensations Grant caused with just his touch. With just his glance. With just his kiss. After Michael’s death, she’d built a fortress around her heart and hadn’t allowed anyone inside. Grant wouldn’t take no for an answer nor would he give her an easy out. Once she let him explain about his life and the perils he’d encountered when they were teens, her line of protection started to crack and now was in danger of coming down completely.

  “You’ve got the hots for him, admit it,” she mumbled as she shook her head.

  If she let herself go, she could fall for him, hard and fast. By letting herself go, she’d be saying goodbye forever to Michael, the life they had planned, and to the children she’d dreamed of. Holding onto that illusion had gotten her through the worst period of her life, but now Grant tempted her to put those memories behind her. Could she be strong enough?

  She sank into the couch and stared at the fireplace, where the wood crackled merrily as the flames licked at the logs. The sweet smell of the apple wood relaxed her wired body. She threw a wool afghan over herself and stretched out, focusing on the fire. As she held her gaze steady, her eyes grew tired—a trick she’d learned while in grief counseling after Michael’s death when she’d been unable to sleep. Her eyelids drooped, but she could still hear the fire as the logs burned and the fire dwindled.

  “Michael?” she whispered his name in the empty apartment. “Are you still with me?” Several times after his death, she’d sensed his presence when she coaxed him in such a manner. A brush of her hair or a hand on her shoulder. The slightest touch to comfort her with the knowledge he still remained by her side. Tonight, though, nothing.

  She opened her eyes and stared at the ashes in the fireplace. Ashes were all she had left of her life with Michael, too. She let a few final tears fall, saying goodbye to what might have been before saying hello to her future.

  Excited about tomorrow, she rose from the couch and crawled into bed, thinking of all the other tomorrows to come. Why wait? Why not call Grant right now and have him heat the bed just as the logs had done in the living room? She’d finally admitted she needed him in her life, so why postpone things another day? She glanced at the nightstand, searching for her cell phone.

  “Oh darn. My cell’s in my purse.” The thought of leaving the warmth of the covers and trekking through a cold apartment on her way to the purse by the door made her tug the covers over her body even tighter and roll onto her side. She needed to sleep on her decision anyway. Tomorrow would be soon enough.

  ****

  The muffled sound of a phone ringing finally stirred Caroline from her sleep. She put a hand to her head and glanced at the clock by her bed. Four a.m. The only times she’d gotten a phone call so late it was laden with bad news. Had something happened to one of her parents? She groped for her phone on the nightstand before she recalled she’d left her cell in her purse. She dashed through the chilly apartment, certain she’d never get to her phone in time and whoever had called would have to leave a message. At least, she hoped they’d leave a message.

  Her fingers shook, and she fumbled through two tries before she could depress the button to hear the recorded message. Her heartbeat ratcheted while she listened to the strange voice.

  “This is the Lobster Cove Hospital. We’re calling on behalf of Mr. Jackson. He’s just awakened from surgery, and he asked us to contact you. Please call back at this number…”

  The hospital? Surgery? Her legs shook, and she fought for breath. He’d been fine when he left her last night. What could have happened? Instead of calling the hospital, she’d run over and see for herself. She needed to get to Grant.

  Pulse racing, she ran into her bedroom, throwing on whatever clothing she could find and gathering her hair into a ponytail. Driving would be faster, but her hands shook so hard, she kept dropping her keys. She vaulted out the door before ten minutes had passed and jogged to the hospital. The two-block jaunt helped her calm her panic a bit although her heart rate still soared and her mind jumbled. She focused on the important facts. Grant was awake and alive, and he asked to see her. Right now, she didn’t need any further in
formation.

  She rushed into the hospital’s dim nighttime lighting. A strong disinfectant smell assaulted her nose. She stopped at the front desk to get his room number. Her stomach lurched as she hurried up two flights of stairs and found him asleep in the big hospital bed. His mocha skin contrasted with the immaculate white sheets. He appeared to be still in one piece and taking regular breaths, so she took a deep breath of her own. Caroline backed out of the room and made her way to the nursing station. “May I get an update on Grant Jackson?”

  “Your name, please?” The middle-aged nurse threw her a cursory once-over glance.

  “I’m Caroline Stuart. Someone from here called me on Mr. Jackson’s behalf.” She straightened her stance and stared at the woman, almost taunting her to deny information.

  “Are you a relative of Mr. Jackson’s?” The nurse pulled the file from a rack on the desk.

  Caroline gripped the edge of the counter, trying to keep her voice strong while keeping a rein on her panic. “No. We are dating. But he asked that I be contacted, and I need to understand what happened.”

  The nurse checked the call log to verify Caroline’s claim and then flipped open the chart with a flourish. “This is highly irregular since you’re not family. Although he did ask for you so I’ll explain his condition.”

  “Thank you.” Caroline took a deep, calming breath for the first time since the phone call. She brushed back the loose tendrils that had escaped her hastily made ponytail.

  The nurse recited what had happened in an unemotional manner. A car accident, not his fault. Broken arm, a broken rib, collapsed lung, possible concussion. Nothing life-threatening. She’d seen much worse.

  As she listened, Caroline chewed her bottom lip. Once the nurse finished her recitation, Caroline’s stomach unclenched a bit, and she thanked the weary woman before she dashed back to Grant’s side. If only she’d made an effort to get out of bed and placed the call inviting him back last night, maybe the accident could have been avoided.