Moonlight and Roses

by Jean Joachim

  Moonlight and Roses

  by Jean C. Joachim

  Published by Moonlight Books

  This is a work of fiction. Names, places, characters, and events are fictitious in every regard. Any similarities to actual events and persons, living or dead, is purely coincidental. Any trademarks, service marks, product names, or named features are assumed to be the property of their respective owners, and are used only for reference. There is no implied endorsement if any of these terms are used. Except for review purposes, the reproduction of this book in whole or part, electronically or mechanically, constitutes a copyright violation.

  Copyright © 2011 Jean C. Joachim

  Publisher: Moonlight Books

  Editor: Katherine Tate

  Cover Design: Simon Smith-Wilson

  Other Books by Jean C. Joachim:

  The Moonlight Series

  Sunny Days, Moonlit Nights April's Kiss in the Moonlight

  Now and Foerever Series

  Now and Forever, Callie's Story Now and Forever 1, a Love Story Now and Forever 2, the Book of Danny

  New York Nights series

  The Marriage List Champagne for Christmas

  All are available on Amazon and Barnes & Noble, read more about these books on her website: www.jeanjoachimbooks.com

  Jean loves to hear from readers, contact her through : email - sunnydaysbook@gmail.com, Facebook: Jean Joachim, Aurhor, Twitter: @jeanjoachim.

  Dedication:

  To Simon Smith-Wilson

  Thank you so much. Without your friendship and support this would never have come about.

  To Diana Finegold, Sally Gallagher, Marilyn Lee, Lisa George, Kate Tate,my sons and my muse, Homer the pug

  Chapter One

  "A dance in Central Park for single people…how romantic," Linda Davis said, clasping her hands together in front of her bosom.

  "Ma..."

  "You’re not getting any younger and I want to be a grandma."

  "I’m only 27, I'm not over the hill, yet," Caroline responded.

  "Check it out, sweetheart. Go, dance in the moonlight. Find a rich man, make me happy."

  Saturday night, Caroline Davis slipped into the new print sundress her mother made for her.

  “I picked this fabric because the cornflower blue in those little flowers matches your eyes exactly.”

  “You’re right. The match is uncanny.”

  “I like white on blondes, too, it sets off your hair, sweetheart,” Linda put in.

  Caroline had always been proud of her curvy figure, long slim legs and bright smile. Her father said she was a work of art.

  Caroline entered Central Park with a sigh and headed for the Sheep Meadow which was aglow with twinkly lights and live music. A warm breeze brushed her cheek on her way across the uneven lawn where she stumbled over a rock and caught her heel twice in the tall grass. She took a glass of wine off a table covered with a white cloth and wandered through the growing crowd, looking, in vain, for a familiar face among the men and women mingling under the gaze of the full moon.

  As she faced South, the breath-taking skyline of New York City dark against the light sky turning pink and purple as sunset arrived demanded her attention. No matter how long she lived there, her artist’s eye would see no two identical skyline scenes; tall gray, black and silver buildings in varying heights outlined against the ever-changing sky. Finding a man as interesting as this City would be a challenge.

  She had agreed to return to New York City to live with her mother, leaving behind her college and graduate school friends in Willow Falls, New York. She missed her friends, but her mother, recovering from a bout with cancer, needed her. But now, Linda was pressuring her to find a man and Caroline wanted to make her mom happy.

  If she was honest with herself, Caroline had to admit she was lonely, too. Her college boyfriend left her behind when he went to medical school where he met and married another medical student. She scanned the faces at the dance again, hoping to find someone she knew. A tall dark-haired man with brown eyes, perhaps the right man to alleviate her loneliness approached her and introduced himself as Cary before he asked her to dance. As the fast song became a slow one, he drew her into his arms, holding her close.

  It felt good to be held by him. Caroline closed her eyes and let the warm summer breeze and the woodsy scent of his aftershave wash over her. After the music stopped, the band took a break. Cary plucked two glasses of wine from a waiter’s tray and took Caroline's hand, leading her into a shadowy area of the park. He sat down on the thick grass and gently tugged her down next to him then handed her the wine.

  Before she knew what he wanted, he was kissing her. At first, the kiss was nice, but then it got too passionate, too urgent. Caroline pulled away.

  "Come back, beautiful thing," he murmured, reaching for her.

  Caroline moved out of his grasp and shook her head. "I hardly know you."

  "What better way to get acquainted?"

  "You're kidding, right?"

  His eyes glittered in the moonlight and Caroline began to feel conscious of his eyes on her body, she sifted her weight from foot to foot.

  "Why do you think guys come to these crummy things?"

  "To meet someone?"

  "To get laid," he said.

  Caroline got up, brushed off her skirt and tucked her purse under her arm. "Smooth…real smooth."

  "Honest, at least."

  "Goodnight."

  “I knew you weren’t going to put out,” he called after her, pulling up a tuft of grass.

  She related her story to her mother as soon as she closed the front door behind her.

  "We'll have to find a better place. Some place where the guys have a little class."

  "Meaning they still want to get laid but don't tell you in the first five minutes?" Caroline replied.

  "Cynic," her mother chided.

  Chapter Two

  Perched on the window seat in her room, Caroline watched the moonlight play on the gently moving leaves of a Linden tree and wondered what plan Linda would invent next. Her mother was a determined lady and marrying off her daughter was her most recent preoccupation. Caroline slipped into bed, preferring not to think about Linda’s next scheme and drifted off to sleep wishing to find her Prince Charming soon so she could get on with her life.

  The next morning, she padded into the kitchen and plopped down at the table next to her mother. Linda wore her reading glasses while she pored over the newspaper.

  “Can I have the want-ads?” asked Caroline.

  Her mom handed her part of the paper and she began to search the section under the heading “Teachers Wanted” for a position teaching art. Three years earlier, the young artist hadn’t fought her mother’s suggestion she prepare for a job teaching, but she refused to change her major to education, preferring to continue with her fine arts degree. Linda relented, knowing how strong the artistic pull to create could be. Her late husband, Alex Davis, a very talented artist, handed his talent down to his daughter, whom he always called, “Sunny.” Linda sat back with her coffee, her mind wandered back to the first day she met her husband.

  ****

  Linda had fallen in love with Alex in college. He’d spotted her in the quad and drawn a quick sketch.

  She was quite stunning and admired by most of the guys on campus, having been crowned homecoming queen two weeks earlier. Alex, painfully shy, dropped his sketch on the grass in front of her, pretending it was an accident. Linda picked it up, looked at the sketch and then at Alex. He got flustered, and ended up dropping his sketchpad, pencils and chalks in front of her, causing her to giggle.

  His hand touched hers when she handed him back the sketch pad and their eyes met. His shy smile grew bigger an
d his blue eyes danced. She was captivated. He invited her to sit for him and published his drawing in the school magazine, which brought her invitations for dates from a dozen guys, much to Alex’s distress. But Linda turned them all down to be with him.

  The young artist didn’t have much money but he was loaded with charm and ingenuity. He took her on unusual dates: picnics in the woods, bird watching, late night skinny dipping in an off-campus lake where Linda succumbed to desire, giving him her virginity. They became inseparable. While some of the girls wondered what the beauty queen saw in the shy artist with the uncertain future, Linda knew the sweet man inside who was desperately in love with her.

  Graduation came and Linda received her nursing degree. She and Alex eloped, since her parents didn’t approve of her marrying a “starving” artist. They moved to New York City where Linda found work and Alex painted. He continued to do portraits of his adored wife and they lived on love in a tiny apartment.

  ****

  “So, no teaching jobs?” Linda asked Caroline.

  She shook her head.

  “I found something.”

  Sunny looked at her mother and cocked an eyebrow.

  “Look here. A listing of the charity functions, dinners…dances,” Linda pointed out.

  “You think we should be recipients of charity?”

  “A perfect place to socialize, mingle with the rich.”

  Caroline grabbed the paper and read the listings. “Five hundred dollars a ticket! Where would we get that kind of money to toss away on a dinner?”

  “Some are less. Here’s one that’s only $150 a plate. We can squeeze out $300. I’ve put a little bit aside. Kind of like a dowry, since you will be getting married someday.”

  “Don’t hold your breath, Mom. Prince Charming isn’t exactly beating down my door.”

  “Not yet, but he will. Look at you, Caroline. You’re beautiful. We’re going. I’ll go with you so you don’t have to worry about being shy.”

  “Pin a sign on my back, ‘Daughter for Sale’,” Caroline said, refilling her coffee.

  “Hush! What a terrible thing to say. Is it a crime for a mother to want her daughter…well fixed?”

  “It depends, Mom…”

  “I’m going to the fabric store today. You need a suitable dress,” Linda said, folding up the newspaper.

  “I’m late for work,” her daughter said, looking at her watch.

  “Perhaps it won’t be long before you leave your job at Macy’s behind for a life of luxury, my dear,” Linda said, giving her a kiss.

  “Keep dreamin’, Mom, She said with an exasperated sigh.

  ****

  After a few years of struggling, it became apparent to both Linda and Alex that he would have to take a job. Their lack of money put a strain on their life together. He found a job teaching for a few years and the couple’s deep love continued to flame. But, when city funding for school arts programs dried up, Alex was out of a job. He worked at a procession of unfulfilling jobs, mostly in sales, which he hated but worked at anyway, desperate to keep his homecoming queen happy and well fed.

  While work days were stressful, nights were passionate. Linda’s respect for Alex’s talent grew as he continued to create. Sometimes he would paint or draw into the wee hours of the morning on weekends. Artwork filled their house, hung on walls and in stacks in closets.

  Desperate to make money from his artwork, Alex and Linda attended every gallery showing and opening they could. After six months, Alex got his turn. One painting in one gallery made them hopeful. It sold and the gallery requested more of his work.

  It wasn’t long before Alex’s work was hanging in a few galleries in Soho and Greenwich Village. But sales were bumpy. Some weeks he would sell a painting or two, then four weeks would go by with nothing. The extra money was always needed as Alex kept losing jobs or quitting because he couldn’t force himself into the regular work mold. Linda dreaded those days when she came home to find him sitting with a glass of wine, staring out the window. He was always sorry but it didn’t help.

  Chapter Three

  Caroline was wearing a sky blue strapless dress Linda made for her and her grandmother's pearls when she walked into the Vanderbilt Room at The Waldorf Astoria hotel. Mother and daughter looked stunning and the room with its green marble wainscoting, pilasters capped with gold leaf cornices and silver nickel railings was equally posh and understated.

  "I'll find our table, see if there are any interesting men here," Linda whispered, moving off quickly.

  After a few minutes, Linda located their table and sat down. She watched her daughter from across the room and recalled when Caroline had been born.

  ****

  When Linda became pregnant, the stress in their lives doubled instantly. She worried how they would live if she couldn’t work. Alex was thrilled. Fatherhood came easily to him. The prospect of having his own child as a playmate lifted his heart. He took jobs working in stores, two jobs a day, to put aside enough money for Linda to take a few months off.

  When Sunny was born, Linda insisted on giving her the beautiful, dignified name, Caroline, but Alex slipped “Sunshine” in as her middle name on the birth certificate. He called her “Sunny” insisting she brought sunlight into his life. The first few months were heaven as Linda, Alex and Caroline cocooned together, going for walks, playing, laughing and loving. Long-missed passion returned to Alex and Linda when they weren’t up at night with the baby.

  When Linda went back to work, she created a schedule where she would work at night while Alex minded the baby, and he would work during the day. There was never enough time for painting and making love. Still, they managed to make ends meet and stay together. As Caroline grew, Alex found steady work as a word processor for a law firm. The work paid well, even though he hated it. When Caroline turned four, Linda discovered a cabin in a summer community in the Catskills called The Birches. It was cheap, so she and Alex bought it. Mother and child went there for the summer while Alex stayed behind to work and paint in the city, but he joined them on weekends.

  ****

  Caroline wandered toward the bar clasping her arms behind her back, then crossing them over her chest, then flipping her tiny handbag from hand to hand as she walked.

  "Vodka and tonic, please," she ordered from the cute bartender, giving him a big smile.

  He placed the drink in front of her with an appreciative look at her dress. She blushed as she turned away. Though she and didn’t see several men giving her the once-over, she could feel their stares. Caroline wondered if her dress was hiked up in the back and reached around to give the hem a tug. Silence hung heavy in the air as she stood near the bar, shifting her weight from foot to foot, trying to get comfortable standing by herself drinking and wondering when this dreadful event would be over.

  "Who invented these awful gatherings?" said a male voice on her left.

  She turned to see an average-looking man in a finely-tailored tuxedo standing next to her. In one elegant hand, he held a whiskey on the rocks. He smiled as he moved his gaze up and down her body. Caroline crossed her arms over her chest in a defensive move.

  "I'm Miles Wentworth," he said, offering her his hand.

  She shook his long-fingered hand and introduced herself. "Caroline Davis," she said, remembering to make eye contact.

  "You add much to this dreary event, Caroline."

  "This room is beautiful and the tables with all the colorful flowers and al..."

  "They have nothing on you," he said, leering at her.

  She smiled at him and scanned the room for an escape. Linda was making her way slowly toward Caroline, smiling her outright approval that her daughter had made a connection. Caroline directed her gaze at her mother with a "help me" look in her eyes, but Linda simply smiled, shook her head slightly and moved away.

  "Thank you…kind of you," she replied.

  "Nothing kind about it. You are definitely the most beautiful woman in the room."

  C
aroline blushed again and made another attempt at conversation. "What do you do for a living?"

  "I cash trust fund checks. Does wealth make you want to sleep with me?" he answered with a suggestive laugh.

  "Actually, no. I think I'd prefer the bartender," said Caroline, moving away from Miles and scanning the crowd for her mother. She didn’t care if she was rude; she wanted to get away from him so she returned to her seat next to her mother.

  Linda looked around her table, disappointed to see no single men there. It was mostly older couples and a single young woman seated next to Caroline. Although she hadn’t expected her daughter to be seated next to a wealthy prince, she was still disappointed it didn’t happen. Determined to get her three hundred dollars worth, Linda scanned the room, looking for attractive men to point out to Caroline.

  “Long-time supporters of the Boys and Girls Clubs?” An older woman asked Linda.

  “We’re new to this one,” Linda said, smiling.

  We’re new to them all!

  Caroline looked away to keep from laughing, and noticed a nice looking man staring at her from an adjacent table. She smiled at him and he returned her smile.

  “I hate these things. My parents drag me here because their friends come…and they’re hoping I’ll meet someone,” the girl next to her confided.

  “This is my first one, but I know what you mean. My name is Caroline.”

  “Anne. If I looked like you, I wouldn’t be here.”

  “Where would you be?”

  “In bed with some hunk.” Anne laughed as she spoke.

  Caroline raised her eyebrows and dug into her salad to avoid responding.

  “Where did you get such a stunning dress? It’s amazing how the blue matches your eyes so perfectly,” Anne said.

  “My mother made it.”

  “She did a great job. My mother wouldn’t be caught dead at a sewing machine. She’s a day trader.”

  Caroline nodded and kept eating, hoping the sooner she finished the quicker they could go home. The lights dimmed as the main course arrived and a speaker stepped up to the podium.