Still Not Over You

by Barbara Lohr

  She was risking everything.

  Ten minutes from now, she might be driving back down that highway, her whole world destroyed. No matter. What was that saying? Nothing ventured, nothing gained? She had to try.

  In her imagination she pulled on her big girl pants. Then she walked in. At first no one noticed her. Mick was working over a Harley, along with a couple other guys. Ryder and Stanley stood talking in the glassed-in office. Papa was waving his hands while he bent Ryder’s ear. Ryder leaned against the counter with his head down, like he’d heard all this before.

  When Mick saw her, he turned the music down. The change in volume must have alerted Papa and Ryder. Their conversation stopped. For one wild second Phoebe wanted to run. But she had to try to fix this. For her, there was only one man. Only one life and that was with him.

  Okay, she would have preferred to talk with Ryder in private, but that wasn’t going to happen. So she sucked it up and stood there shaking. He’d come into the main garage with Papa right behind him. “Phoebe?” Ryder looked like he couldn’t believe his eyes.

  “Yes.” What was that? Her voice was so small, she could hardly hear herself. “Now look here Ryder.” She ended up shouting because Mick may have turned the music down but not off. “I love you. That’s just the way it is. I love you like crazy.” She held up the pad of yellow paper. “And I don’t blame you for being mad about this.”

  His eyes went to the yellow pad. Ryder stopped dead in his tracks, and Stanley ran right into him.

  With one good yank, Phoebe tore the contract from the pad. How foolish she’d been, thinking this could give her a secure future. She had to do that for herself. Ryder’s jaw dropped as Phoebe ripped the paper again and again. Finally she tossed the bits of paper into the air. The pieces fell over them like confetti, and Ryder wore a big smile. Stanley just looked confused.

  “Kind of a grand gesture, isn’t it?” Ryder said, taking her in his arms. He picked a couple pieces from her hair. Gosh he felt good.

  “You’re kind of a grand guy.” She smiled up at him. “Will you marry me?”

  “Yes.” And he kissed her. “As long as you never write another contract.”

  “You got it. As long as you...”

  His eyebrows lifted.

  “Nothing.” She snuggled under his chin. “Just be you, okay?”

  Stanley broke into applause, so of course the others followed. Phones flashed and she figured they’d end up on the cover of the next issue of The Beacher. So what.

  “I can’t live without you,” she whispered.

  “You don’t have to,” he said before kissing her again. “No more talking about the past. Just the future.”

  Whipping out his hankie, Stanley wiped his eyes and hitched up his jeans. “Now this,” he said to no one in particular. “This is mission accomplished. You bet.”

  “Oh, Papa. Come here.” Phoebe waved him over so he could be part of a group hug.

  “So you’re taking the name back?” Hope gleamed in her father-in-law’s eyes.

  “Wouldn’t have it any other way.”

  “Phoebe Branson.” After a quick hug, Stanley disappeared back into the office mumbling her new name.

  Now, she liked the sound of that.

  Epilogue

  From the window of her bedroom, Phoebe watched family and friends gather in their backyard. Diana and Carolyn had worked hours on the trellis arching over the new walkway and leading to the fire pit. Ryder had hired a stonemason to reconstruct the pit and it was beautiful. The bluish gray stonework added a rustic touch to the pink calla lilies, banked by white roses adorning the pit. Maisy had worked her tail off planting bright pink gerbera daisies in the flowerbeds that led to the patio. Phoebe could hardly believe this was the same yard she’d ignored all summer.

  The garden wasn’t the only thing that had been improved by Maisy. To Phoebe’s amazement, she’d also taken on the porch table, which now had a beach theme complete with shells. Phoebe was thrilled that the teenager would be in Gull Harbor for a while. After begging her mother Delinda, she’d been allowed to stay with Will for the upcoming school year. Phoebe hoped that went well. Diana still had her doubts, but the whole family agreed that a stable structure was what Maisy needed. Will’s parents were seriously considering relocating to Gull Harbor and leaving Indiana behind. So many good things had happened this past summer.

  Pulling the white dimity curtains closed, Phoebe was relieved that this day had arrived. At Ryder’s urging, they decided not to delay the wedding. Oh, it hadn’t been easy convincing her parents. Concerned by her surprise call, Cal and Lorna had jumped in their car the minute Phoebe gave them the news. She hadn’t let her folks in on what was happening in Gull Harbor. Stanley was way ahead of them, and bless his heart, he helped reassure them when they arrived for their three-day visit in early August. Now they were back for the wedding, and Phoebe’s mom adjusted the shoulder length veil for the fifth time.

  Diana stuck her head in the door. “Are you ready?”

  “Just about. Come on in and close the door.” Phoebe waved her inside. She didn’t want Ryder to get a sneak peek. He’d already made one trip to the bathroom across the hall, despite her scolding that seeing the bride before the ceremony was bad luck.

  No white dress for this second-time bride. Phoebe wore an outrageous pink dress that fit like a glove and was the color of Fernando. Diana, Carolyn, Sarah, Chili and Kate had all chosen a dress in some shade of pink. They’d scored big time at Secondhand Rose. Phoebe had left her card with the new owner, asking her to call when anything pink came in. Esper had been as good as her word, and they were all outfitted. Kate’s dress looked more like a tent than a dress because her baby was due any minute.

  “Yep, all set,” Phoebe told Diana, taking one more spin in front of the mirror. “Has Ryder cleared the area?”

  “They just went outside.” Diana fanned herself. “Wait until you see your groom.”

  Phoebe grabbed Diana’s hands. “Oh, Diana. Is he handsome?” She could only imagine.

  “Smoking hot.”

  “Now, now,” her mother clucked. “The bride is supposed to be the center of attention on the wedding day.”

  Over Lorna Hunicutt’s head, Phoebe exchanged a look with Diana. Sometimes mothers did not understand.

  “Hey, what’s going on in here?” Carolyn eased through the door, closing it firmly behind her. “Oh, my goodness. Look at you!”

  Phoebe did a quick pirouette and nearly slid right out of her sling back heels. “Do you think I’ll be able to dance in these?”

  Carolyn shrugged. “Kick them off. I’ve seen that dance floor. We’ll probably all be barefoot later.”

  “I’m so glad the weather has cooperated.” Phoebe smoothed a hand over the silk that tucked in all the right places.

  “Only you could wear that dress and not be arrested,” Carolyn murmured.

  A knock came at the door. “You girls ready in there?” Kate called out. “You better hurry or I’m going to have this baby right here!”

  “We’re coming. We’re coming.” Phoebe kissed her mother. “Mom, go join Daddy. I’ll be right out.”

  “Oh, sweetheart.” Her mother gave her a kiss. “I’m so happy for you.”

  “Then stop worrying,” Phoebe whispered before pushing her mom out the door.

  And then there were just the three of them, beaming at each other. “Are you ready, Phoebe?” Diana asked.

  “As ready as I can be.” Phoebe glanced at the pink walls that Ryder had finished painting in August. If these walls could talk, what stories they’d tell.

  When they reached the kitchen, two of the catering staff were busy at the counters. Phoebe loved the new look of her kitchen, not that she intended to do much cooking. That was one thing that hadn’t changed. She was back at work and picking up dinner on the fly. In the two months before the wedding, Ryder had finished the flooring and installed new white cupboards. Sometimes when she came through the door, sh
e hardly recognized her own house.

  “Has Brody arrived?” she asked Carolyn as they left the kitchen. Carolyn’s nervous flush told Phoebe the man had arrived.

  “Yes, and this time he’s arranged his schedule so he can stay for two weeks.”

  The sun was slipping behind the tall pines when Phoebe walked outside. She was glad they’d decided to be married in their own yard and not down on the beach. After all, working on the house had brought them together again.

  Carolyn signaled to the organist and the wedding march began. The group of fifty family and friends was small, but everyone who mattered to them was here. When Phoebe looked down the aisle formed between the white chairs, her breath caught. Ryder was so handsome in a gray tux that matched his eyes. His steady gaze drew her forward. Next to him stood Stanley, his best man. He’d wanted to wear his jeans, but Ryder put his foot down. Phoebe hadn’t seen Stanley in a suit since their first wedding. Even Fernando wore a white collar and black bowtie. Ryder had put her lawn decoration right next to the arched trellis for the ceremony.

  “You look beautiful,” Ryder told her when she reached him.

  “Thank you. So do you.”

  “Just don’t fall.”

  “Hey, no chance.” Taking his arm, she held on tight.

  The music stopped and the minister began. When the time came for their vows, a hush fell over the crowd. Second weddings weren’t new for this group. Some of Phoebe’s friends hadn’t gotten it right the first time. But for Phoebe? She knew this second time was forever.

  Their vows made reference to second chances, patience and love that endures. She felt Stanley’s eyes on them the entire time. Then they exchanged the wedding bands that had “forever” etched inside, along with the date. When the minster said, “You may now kiss the bride,” she caught Stanley’s eyes over Ryder’s shoulder. Her father-in-law winked.

  “Oh, Ryder,” she whispered. “I’m so happy. Is this for real?”

  “This is for always.” His kiss carried that promise.

  The guests had been given bags of shredded yellow legal pads. When the recessional started and they turned, everyone showered them with the stuff. How they laughed because only Phoebe and Ryder knew just how that contract went down. Phoebe was still finding bits in Ryder’s hair when they danced to the first song two hours later.

  “Guess that’s all we have left of the contract, Mrs. Branson,” Ryder whispered.

  “Yep. And that’s all we’ll ever need.”

  His arms tightened around her. For their first dance they’d chosen an old Sinatra favorite, “The Second Time Around.” For them and a lot of her friends, the words had special meaning. They did have their feet on the ground. This time they knew what it took to make a marriage work. A good partnership was more than moonlight and kisses, although that sure helped.

  “This time we’re taking time to have fun,” Ryder said as he spun her around the small dance floor.

  “Did you have anything in mind?” She batted her lashes at him innocently.

  When he whispered his reply, excitement made her knees weak. “I didn't know you’d seen that movie.”

  “Oh, yeah, babe. Several times.”

  For them? The second time around was definitely the best.

  THE END

  Read On!

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  Sign up for Barbara’s newsletter for news of her latest books, fun giveaways and other fun stuff. You can sign up here. If you are new to Gull Harbor and its wonderful crew of close friends, enjoy this excerpt from Coming Home to You, the first book in the Man from Yesterday series.

  The thumping started when Kate Kennedy reached Greta’s Gifts on Red Arrow Highway. Cheese curls churned in her stomach as she tapped the brakes. Almost home but something was wrong with the kayak strapped to her roof. Gravel crunching beneath the tires, she pulled into Greta’s and parked. The sun bounced off the hood of her SUV, but a cool May breeze bathed her face when she cracked open the door.

  Welcome to Michigan. Her eyes felt grainy from fourteen hours on the road, but she was home.

  Stretching, Kate breathed in the lake, damp and beachy. The tightness in her shoulders eased. Pine trees caught a high spring gust and the familiar rustle made her smile. Her stomach gurgled. Not much to eat the whole ride from Boston except peanut butter and jelly, plus bags of cheese curls washed down with coffee.

  Looking up, she exhaled. At least she hadn’t lost Gator, her green kayak. A red security tie flapped in the breeze. Must have lost the other strap along the way. Kate scrubbed her face with hands shaking from all the caffeine. A semi roared past, kicking up dust. She tugged up the zipper on her hoodie.

  “Doggone it, Gator.”

  The kayak slid a bit farther. Too bad she’d left her small kitchen stepladder in the Boston condo, along with a lot of other stuff. When she yanked the remaining red band, it fell away in her hand. One frustrated shove and Gator retaliated, smacking her square in the chest before clattering to the ground. The pain bent Kate over like a paper clip. She almost didn’t hear the door slam behind her.

  Blinking furiously, she pulled herself up, grateful for the sunglasses. No way would anyone see Kate Kennedy cry. A man ambled toward her in work boots, worn jeans, and shoulders that tested the seams of a beat-up jean jacket. That walk looked familiar and her heart kicked up a beat. He wore aviator sunglasses, so no telling for sure. A black and white dog hung out of the pickup, Great Dane ears pricking forward. Big muzzle, big dog.

  “Need some help?”

  Yep, it was him. Kate’s legs weakened. “No, I’m fine.”

  His eyes shifted to the kayak on the ground. “Doesn’t look fine to me.”

  She fisted her hands on her hips. “I’m fine. And so is Gator.” Her chest throbbed.

  Blue eyes swept like a July wave over the tops of his sunglasses. “Gator?”

  She swallowed. “My kayak. Seemed appropriate.”

  “I see.”

  But Cole Campbell had never understood why Kate wanted all her belongings named and in their proper place. Shoot. They’d been on the high school debate team together, and he didn’t recognize her? Maybe it was her recent drugstore dye job. She’d had brown hair in high school. Now she ran a hand over blonde hair, crisp from two days of neglect.

  He swayed back on his heels, a Good Samaritan with second thoughts. The two empty seats of the kayak stared up at them. “Lucky you didn’t lose it on the road. Could have smashed into another driver. You need to batten it down.”

  “Thought I did. It was dark when I loaded it.”

  “Try doing it in the daytime. You could kill somebody.”

  “I left at midnight.”

  “Midnight?” He lowered the glasses and his eyes darkened.

  Her chin came up. “Highway’s quiet at night. Just the truckers.”

  “Exactly. Truckers. You think that’s safe?”

  None of his business. “I’ve, ah, probably got some rope in the back.” She seriously doubted it.

  “I’ll be glad to help.” Cole’s attention shifted to her jeans. The corners of his lips lifted. “You saving that for something?”

  Kate looked down. A cheese curl was caught in her crotch and she batted it away. No time for games. Especially not with him.

  His eyes flitted from her to Gator and back. A stern mask slipped into place. Cole’s teenage acne had left faint pockmarks that definitely didn’t detract from his macho appeal.

  Was he going to help her or not? Her chest throbbed. Could this day get any worse? The boy she’d lusted for in high school didn’t even recognize her. Kate’s throat closed. Nothing like feeling forgettable.

  In two thrusts of his muscular arms, Cole had Gator back in the rack on top of her SUV. Disgusting how easy he made it look, but it gave her time to enjoy the view. Cole Campbell had definitely left “gawky” behind.

  “Thank you.”


  Wheeling around, he caught her staring and grinned. “Got that rope?”

  Her face burned. “Sure. I’ll get it. Let me just check Bonita.”

  “Bonita?” He tilted his head.

  “My car.” One glimpse of the pretty blue SUV on the lot and she knew it was Bonita.

  “Sure. Right.”

  Popping open the back gate, Kate launched herself into the tightly packed boxes and bulging trash bags. Her rear end felt big as a helium balloon.

  “Finding anything? I might have something in the truck.”

  Feeling him hovering, she tried to squeeze her butt tighter.

  When she heard the scratch of his boots, Kate thought maybe he was leaving. Her disappointment surprised her. After all, she wasn’t at her best. If you’re going to run into an old flame… well, a man you wanted to be your old flame… a girl should look hot, not sweaty.

  Kate was sweaty. And not in a good way.

  Finally, she climbed out empty-handed. Cole was ambling toward her with a roll of heavy gauge rope.

  “That looks serious.” Her mother wouldn’t even be able to get a clothespin around this sturdy stuff, although she’d probably try.

  “Want to stand on the other side and catch this?”

  “Sure.” I’d hold anything for you. Like my breath.

  While Cole tossed a length of rope over the kayak, his dog watched from the pickup with mild interest. Grabbing the rope, Kate threaded it back and he knotted it securely. “First, I like to tighten the bow and then the stern.”

  “You kayak?”

  Whipping out a Swiss army knife, he cut the rope. “Way too much work. I sail.”