At the end of dinner, he didn’t suggest dessert for either one of them. He had a little something up his sleeve that would make Fancy smile. And satisfy her sweet tooth.
“Are you in the mood for something sweet and savory?” Case asked, as he held the door open of Le Bijoux for her.
“Hmm. Are you talking about coffee?” She looked up at him as they stood outside on the sidewalk.
“No, but that’s a good guess.” Case wiggled his eyebrows. “Savannah’s Candy Kitchen.”
Fancy stopped in her tracks. Her mouth hung open. “Seriously? I haven’t been there in forever. It’s way too tempting for my waistline.”
With a model’s figure, Fancy didn’t need to worry about her figure. But he wasn’t about to say it out loud. He hadn’t met a single woman who didn’t count calories in so way or the other.
He nudged her. “Come on. Live a little. Indulge your sweet tooth.”
Fancy shrugged. “I’m weak. I’m not going to put up much of a fight against my favorite candy shop.”
They both laughed as Case grabbed her by the hand and they began walking down the cobblestoned street. Before they even saw the candy store, heavenly aromas began to waft in the air. Case breathed in deeply, savoring the scent of chocolate and nuts and a dozen other delicacies that stirred his senses.
Savannah’s Candy Kitchen. The decorative sign came into view, along with bright red doors and a colorful awning. Fancy practically skipped inside, her movements showing her enthusiasm.
Once they stepped inside, an employee held out a tray to them. “Care for a sample? These are just out of the oven. Chocolate pecan pralines.”
“My favorites. Thank you.”Fancy reached out and took one from the plate. He watched as she bit into the praline and closed her eyes as she let out a moan of appreciation. “This is so yummy, Case. It literally melted in my mouth.”
Her movements were mesmerizing as she devoured the candy with gusto. He knew he was staring, but he couldn’t take his eyes off her. In some ways, it felt as if he was seeing her through new eyes. There was nothing like time and distance to make a person appreciate what they’d once had. What he’d been foolish enough to cast off.
They moved around the shop, checking out all the merchandise and tasting every sample offered to them. Case began placing items in a little basket so he could purchase them.
“Sea salt caramels,” Case said as he reached for one of the samples of his favorite chocolates. He turned toward Fancy. “You’ve got to taste this.” He selected one of the sea salt caramels and placed it in her mouth.
“Oh. Mmm,” Fancy said after a few seconds. “It’s brilliant. The mix of salt and sweet is incredible. It made my tongue do a little dance.”
Case wanted to kiss her right then and there. He resisted the impulse. He’d never been into public displays of affection, but he’d almost thrown caution to the wind and done it.
“You’ve got a little bit of caramel on your lip,” he said, trying hard not to laugh as she began to swipe unsuccessfully at her mouth. He reached out and wiped it away, allowing his finger to linger for a moment longer than necessary on her lips. She looked up at him, her expressive eyes appearing as if she was waiting for something. A kiss, perhaps? Maybe she was feeling the same emotions that were racing through him. All he wanted at this moment was to be close to her, to take her in his arms and place kisses all over her mouth…cheeks…earlobes…neck.
“Thank you,” she said, clearing her throat. “I think I’ve had my fair share. After that amazing meal we had, I don’t want to get a bellyache.”
Case winked at her. “I think I’d better buy something, so they don’t think we’re just here for the samples.”
By the time they left, Case had bought several assortments of the confections. As they stepped outside the shop, Case immediately spotted the horse and carriage he had hired to drive them around the city.
“Our chariot awaits,” Case said, gesturing toward the white horse and carriage.
“That’s for us?” Fancy asked, shaking her head and sputtering with laughter.
“Yes. I remember it was something you always wanted to do,” Case said. “It seemed like a great way to unwind after dinner.”
“It’s perfect,” Fancy said, her voice oozing enthusiasm.
Case took her hand and led her toward the carriage, not letting go until she’d stepped up into the carriage. He followed behind her, sitting down next to her so that their sides were slightly touching.
The driver turned around and tipped his hat at them. “Good evening. I’m Antoine. I’m happy to be showing you around my favorite city in the world.”
“Evening,” Case said, feeling in great spirits. This night had unfolded perfectly. He hoped this would be the icing on the cake.
“Is this your first time in Savannah?” Antoine asked.
The sound of Fancy’s tinkling laughter filled the air. “No, sir. We were both raised here. Both of us are Savannah born and bred.”
“You don’t say.” Antoine’s pleasant features lit up with surprise. “I thought the two of you might be on your honeymoon.” He turned back to face the horse and picked up the reins. “Well, allow me to showcase the city we all know and love. Sit back and enjoy the ride.”
As Antoine led them down River Street, Case placed his arm around Fancy’s shoulder and drew her closer against his side. Although he knew this city like the back of his hand, it felt as if he was seeing it from a different vantage point. As they passed the waterfront, the Savannah River Queen came into view, large and majestic. He drew the blanket over them, mindful of the crisp night air. He felt Fancy’s hand gripping his own. He couldn’t put into words how much he’d missed simple gestures such as this one. For the next hour they were driven around Savannah by Antoine, who occasionally turned back toward them in order to comment on a statue or a particular landmark.
“Thank you for this wonderful evening,” Fancy said, turning toward him, her beautiful face lit up with happiness. It felt great knowing he’d managed to make her smile tonight.
“Thank you for stepping out on a limb of faith and saying yes. You could have easily turned me down flat,” he said, thanking his lucky stars that she hadn’t said no.
“Not a chance. You know I’ve always had a hard time saying no to you, Case Duvall,” Fancy whispered, her pink lips tempting him to distraction.
“Fancy,” Case said in a low voice. She turned her face up toward him, sending him an unmistakable signal that she wanted to be kissed. With a groan, Case surrendered. He dipped his head down and captured her sweet lips in the most romantic of kisses. He trailed his fingers down the side of her face as he murmured her name. Her lips moved against his with an equal measure of urgency. It was as if this kiss was the most important thing in the world for both of them. The kiss was soaring and uplifting. It held the promise of something wonderful in store for them.
Although he had vowed to take things slowly with Fancy, he now knew that it might not be possible. He was head over heels in love with this woman, and he didn’t want to waste any more time being apart from her. God willing, he wouldn’t have to.
Dear Lord, he prayed. Give me another shot at a happily-ever-after with this one-in-a-million woman. I promise you, I’ll never take our love for granted again.
**
As Fancy drove home after her evening with Case, she reminisced about the wonderful moments they’d shared. The amazing meal at Le Bijoux. Sweet treats at Savannah’s Candy Kitchen. And the glorious horse and carriage ride through the city. And a magical, wondrous kiss. She knew she’d be thinking about that kiss for quite some time.
Fancy let herself in to the house, walking softly so she didn’t wake up her parents. They went to bed each evening at ten o’clock sharp. Only a soft light emanated from the kitchen. As she walked past the darkened living room, she practically jumped out of her skin when her mother appeared in the entryway.
“Where have you been?” she asked, her b
rows drawn together in a frown. “I’ve been waiting up for you.” Her mother flipped the switch on the lamp, bathing them in light.
“You didn’t have to wait up. I was out with a friend,” she answered. “I told you that I had dinner plans.”
Her mother frowned. “A male friend?”
Fancy let out a huff of frustration. “Mama. Why are you grilling me? When I lived in New York City I wasn’t exactly answering to you. I’m a big girl.”
“I just don’t want you to make any more mistakes,” she said in a sharp tone. “You’ve certainly had your fair share.”
Fancy let out a sigh. She’d been on cloud nine after her date with Case. Now, with a few simple words, her mother was ruining everything.
Dear Lord, she prayed. Give me strength. I love Mama and respect her, but I can’t abide her sniping about me. I’ve had enough criticism to last a lifetime.
“Is that how you think of me? As someone who is bound to make mistakes?” Fancy asked.
“I didn’t say that, but if you hadn’t gotten mixed up with that Marc Cabron character, you’d be married right now to the man of your dreams.” Her mother folded her arms across her chest and shook her head in a mournful manner.
All of a sudden, Fancy had endured enough of her mother’s criticism. It felt as if something snapped inside her. After a lifetime of listening to it without complaining, something broke inside her.
“Mama. That’s enough!” she cried out.“I’m tired of you rubbing my nose in my mistakes. And of constantly reminding me that I lost Case. Don’t you think I’m reminded of that every single day? Have you ever for one single moment imagined how badly I suffered because of it? Do you even care?”
Her mother let out a choked sound. Her eyes bulged and she raised a hand to her throat. “Do I care? Is that a serious question?”
“Very serious,” Fancy said, glaring at her mother. “Because at twenty-eight years old I shouldn’t wonder about how you feel about me. I should know by now that you love me. But I don’t. All I know for certain is that you’re constantly disappointed in me.”
June’s features crumpled. “Of course I love you. How could you doubt that?”
“Because you never tell me, Mama. And you’re always criticizing me. It’s always been about my looking perfect and not doing anything to mess up my chances of becoming Mrs. Case Duvall. I’m human. I made a huge mistake that cost me everything. And I needed you to just be my mother instead of telling me how wrong I was.” Fancy began sobbing quietly as all the pain from the past came crashing over her. So many times she’d wanted her mother to wrap her arms around her and cover her with love. Instead, she’d always been subjected to a lecture about her failings. It seared her insides.
Fancy felt her mother’s hand patting her on the shoulder. “You’re my world, Fancy. My everything. I never meant to make you feel this way.”
Fancy looked into her mother’s blue eyes, which were almost identical to her own. They were now awash in tears. She couldn’t remember a single time in her life when she’d seen Mama cry. It was shocking and moving. Fancy heard the shuffling of footsteps. Her father was standing a few feet away from them, listening quietly to every word.
“You know how my own Mama was with me, Fancy. She was abusive and cruel. There was no doubt in my mind that she never loved me. Never told me she did a single time.” Her mother’s small frame shuddered. “I never knew how to put it into words, Fancy. It didn’t come naturally to me. The only way I knew how to raise you was to make sure you had tough skin. I’m sorry if it made you feel unloved. Because the truth is, there’s no one I love more than you.”
“Oh, Mama,” Fancy cried out, tears streaming down her face. “I would rather have heard you tell me that you loved me instead of hearing I was beautiful.”
“Well, they’re both true,” June said. “The only thing my own mother liked about me were my looks. I repeated the cycle without even knowing it. I grew up knowing that my looks were my value.”
“And you passed it on to me,” Fancy said with a sigh.
June nodded somberly. “I wanted Case to be your husband because he’s a fine young man. I knew he could give you the life you deserve. No parent ever wants to see their child stumble and struggle.”
Fancy watched as her father walked toward them and reached for her mother’s hand. “Your mother has loved you, Fancy, the only way she knew how. It hasn’t been perfect, but it’s been real. And with every tear you’ve ever shed, she’s cried right along with you. You just didn’t see her tears.”
“Oh, Mama.” Fancy reached out and wrapped her arms around her mother. They clung tightly to each other for a few moments. Both of them were sniffling and crying.
“I’m sorry, Fancy,” her mother repeated over and over again. “God blessed us when He brought you to us.” They pulled apart from each other, but continued to hold each other’s hands.
“He sure did,” her father chimed in, placing a kiss on June’s cheek. “We were only given one child, but you were everything to us.” He winked at her. “You still are.”
Fancy’s heart felt so full at this moment. It was clear from her mother’s heartfelt words that she deeply loved and adored Fancy. It was amazing how much had been lost in translation over the years. Fancy had always interpreted her mother’s harsh words and criticism as a lack of love for her. In reality, June Tolliver hadn’t been taught how to express love. Without meaning to, she had passed certain things on to Fancy, such as the emphasis on outward beauty rather than accomplishments. Thankfully, Fancy now knew that her mother’s love for her was wider than an ocean.
“I have a confession to make,” Fancy said, swinging her gaze between her parents. She was feeling so euphoric, she thought she might burst.
Her parents gazed at her with a look of expectation on their faces.
“I went out with Case tonight,” she announced, bracing herself for the explosion. “On a date.”
“Oh, Hallelujah. God is good,” June cried out, doing a little jig right before their eyes. Fancy couldn’t help but laugh at her mother’s glee.
Fancy shook her finger at her mother. “Don’t get all excited. I’m confiding in you that we’re seeing each other again, but it’s a far cry from being back together or walking down the aisle. Don’t get any ideas.”
“But it’s such wonderful news. The two of you belong together,” June crowed, clapping her hands together in triumph.
“Mama, you have to keep calm. And please do not share this with any of your friends. It would be embarrassing if word got around and people started gossiping about it.”
June raised her fingers to her lips and twisted them in a locking motion. “Not a whisper.”
“She means it, June,” her father warned. “We’ll just sit back and watch God do his handiwork.”
June burrowed against her husband’s chest. “Amen to that.”
Fancy hadn’t thought this special night could get any sweeter. She was learning so much about love. It was complex and deeply layered. At times it defied all logic. It was unpredictable. Love wasn’t something you could define in a single sentence. It had peaks and valleys. It could work miracles. It brought both pain and joy. And it was the one thing in this world she could never get enough of. Love. Her heart felt full to the point of almost overflowing.
She didn’t know if this happiness would last, but for this moment in time, all was right in her world.
“Even when things get complicated, the good inside a person can’t be stamped out. It radiates like the sun.” Morgan Lucas
Chapter Eight
Fancy lifted her face up to the sun as she walked over the cobblestoned streets. Thankfully, she’d remembered to wear her ballet flats this morning. She loved strolling around the farmer’s market for fresh fruit and vegetables. It had expanded so much over the past few years so that one could find just about anything here—granola, pies, fresh corn, jams & jellies, jewelry pieces, home-made soaps and candles. Coming here was a
treat for all of her senses. And she loved supporting the vendors, some of whom had traveled quite a distance to be able to set up here in the heavily-congested downtown area. Due to the high volume of foot traffic, vendors did great business in the area.
She stopped to smell a fragment batch of potpourri. Fancy inhaled deeply, enjoying the rich scent of lavender and honeysuckle. She took out her wallet and purchased a few sachets. They would be perfect for when she moved in to her new place.
Suddenly, every nerve-ending in her body stood at attention. She completely froze. Marc Cabron was standing not five feet away from her. It felt as if someone had whacked her in the gut with a blunt object. She was trying hard to breathe.
Their gazes met. Fancy stood in place, watching as Marc slowly made his way over to her.
He tipped his head in her direction. “Hello, Fancy.”
She pressed her hand against her abdomen to settle her nerves. “Hi, Marc. I almost pretended I didn’t see you.”
“I know,” Marc said, quirking his mouth. “You looked as if you might take off running in the other direction. Not that I can blame you.” His expression was shuttered. He looked so serious, as if the weight of the world rested on his broad shoulders.
It was a shame, Fancy thought. Marc had always been known for his jovial demeanor. He’d always been such an expressive person. And now he stood here looking as if he’d rather be having a root canal than speaking to her.
It was understandable. She felt the same way. The past stood between them like a live grenade. It was terribly sad, considering they had once been the best of friends. And above all else, Marc was a good person.
“How are you, Marc?” she asked, trying to make her voice sound normal. She had heard about his father’s cancer diagnosis a few months ago.
He held up his basket. “I’m good. Doing some errands for my Mom.”
The Last Kiss (Secrets of Savannah Book 3) Page 12
