by Jane Porter
“He’s my world.”
“That’s what I mean. You are a good sister. And a very beautiful person, inside and out.”
She blinked, determined not to cry again tonight, but touched by the compliment. “Thank you.”
He was still looking at her, really looking at her, seeing her, and it kind of stole her breath, the way he was looking at her…
He liked her. Really liked her. She could feel it, see it.
“We should thank Jane,” he said.
She smiled tremulously. “Yes.”
The words died away and for a long moment there was just silence. The kind of silence that hummed and shimmered with all the things that words couldn’t communicate.
Hope, hunger, heat, desire.
Troy leaned forward, and drew her towards him, closing the distance. “I’ve been dying to do this ever since I got you in here,” he murmured, pulling her onto his lap. “It’s been hard keeping my hands off of you.”
Her heart did a funny little beat. “Even though I was a sobbing wreck?”
“You weren’t a wreck.” He brushed his lips across hers, sending shooting sparks up and down her spine. “But you did have a good cry.”
She smiled against his mouth. “Where is my mascara now?”
“Um, on your chin.”
She laughed softly and dragged her mouth across his, loving the hot sparks that shot through her veins. “As long as they’re not on my dress. It’s a very expensive dress.”
“I’d say maybe we should take the dress off, but if that happens things would most definitely happen, and I don’t think you’re ready for that. I want to take this slow for you. Let your head catch up with your heart.”
“What does that mean?”
“I think the romantic you believes in love at first sight and all that wonderful fizzy stuff, but the practical survivor you is mistrustful of love and happy-endings so you’re going to struggle with this, with us, for awhile.”
“Is there an us?” she asked.
“Yes. Most definitely.”
Smiling, she reached up to lightly drag her nails down his cheek. He felt good. So good. And so real. She wanted to kiss him. And more. “I’m not good at this stuff,” she whispered.
“It’s just you and me, baby.”
Her heart did a painful double beat. “I’m afraid I’ll get this part wrong. I’m not a big city girl—”
“Haven’t we covered this one already? I don’t want a big city girl, and I’m not a big city guy. I just want you. I like you. Can’t you tell?”
And then he was kissing her, showing her how much he liked her and they kissed until they were both a little frenzied but her gorgeous gown stayed on, as did his tuxedo and eventually they fell asleep where they were on the couch, wrapped in each other’s arms.
Taylor woke up sometime in the night and yawning she lifted her head, looked at Troy who was still asleep.
He looked so much younger asleep. He looked…almost sweet…but also still so very appealing and sexy.
It had been years since she’d done this and she felt some of the same shyness the first time she’d slept next to a man. Men were such different creatures. Big and hard on the outside and yet surprisingly tender on the inside.
Exhaling slowly, she closed her eyes and tried to relax and fall back asleep but it was hard to sleep when so many different emotions raced through her, making her insides feel raw and tender.
A week ago she would have never thought this was possible. Even two days ago she wouldn’t have thought this was possible…
Now look at her… wrapped in Troy’s arms, falling for him, hard. So hard.
And yet somehow it felt right. Him, her, together…
Everything worked. They worked. She didn’t know how, didn’t know why, but maybe she didn’t have to have all the answers. Maybe it was enough to just feel wonderful.
Maybe Troy was right, maybe there was an us.
Taylor must have fallen back asleep because the next thing she knew Troy was waking her with a kiss. “Hey Sleeping Beauty,” he murmured, his deep voice raspy. “It’s almost six. We better get you home. Don’t want to worry Kara or Doug.”
Marietta was still dark when Troy drove the five blocks from the hotel to Kara’s house on Bramble. The small yellow house was dark when Troy pulled up in front of it and turned off the engine.
“You didn’t need to drive me home,” she repeated.
“I didn’t trust the icy roads. It is bad out there.”
“You don’t trust me, or the roads?” she teased, leaning over to kiss him goodbye.
“You’re not getting rid of me yet,” he said, growling. “I’ll walk you to the door.”
She laughed softly. “You sound like a caveman.”
But moments later she was grateful he was there as she stepped from his SUV. Her high heel hit a patch of ice on the sidewalk and she would have gone down hard if Troy hadn’t steadied her. “That could have been ugly,” she said.
“You’re determined to wreck the dress. Poor Lily Jewel.”
She laughed through chattering teeth as he walked her to the door. On the porch she dug through her little purse for her keys. “Now you see why I don’t wear expensive clothes.”
She was just about to unlock the front door when it suddenly swung open. Doug was on the other side, in the shadowy hall, and he looked even worse this morning than he had yesterday. His eye was swollen shut, and purple and yellow bruises covered his face.
“Did I wake you?” she asked him, looking away from his face to focus on putting the keys back in her purse. She knew he wasn’t a little boy anymore but it didn’t make seeing him this way any easier.
“I’ve been up for a couple hours.”
“Couldn’t sleep?”
“Was worried about you.”
“That’s my fault,” Troy said, stepping forward. He put out his hand and introduced himself to Doug. “I’m Troy Sheenan. You must be Doug.”
Doug glanced from Troy back to Taylor, then he shook Troy’s hand. “Nice to meet you, Mr. Sheenan.”
“Call me Troy.”
“Yes, sir.”
Troy’s mouth quirked. “I am sorry for keeping your sister out all night. Should have let you know. You’re a good brother to be concerned.”
Doug’s expression was shuttered. He seemed to be sizing Troy up, trying to decide if he liked him or not. Finally he shrugged. “As long as she’s safe, and had a good time.”
Taylor smiled, relieved. “It was an amazing party. I had such a good time.” She gave her brother a quick hug. “And I should have texted you, Doug, and let you know everything was fine—”
“It’s fine,” he interrupted gruffly. “I’m not your dad and you’re an adult.” He flicked on the porch light and then the hall light. “Do you want coffee? I just made a big pot.”
“I’d love some,” Taylor said. “Troy?”
But Troy shook his head. “I should get home and give Dillon a break. He’s been with Dad twenty-four hours straight and he’ll want to get out and have some free time before I return to California.”
Taylor’s heart fell. “When do you go back?”
“Tomorrow morning.” He glanced at Doug. “It was good to meet you, Doug. I hope I have the chance to get to know you better.” And then Troy was gone, heading down the walkway to his big black SUV. Taylor watched until he reached the truck and then carefully closed the front door.
She was home, she thought as she followed Doug into the kitchen for a much needed cup of coffee. Home and back to reality.
She doctored her coffee with creamer and sweetener and tried to focus on Doug who was telling her about the movie he’d watched last night with Kara, but it was hard to concentrate on the plot twists in the film when she couldn’t stop thinking about her life.
The Valentine’s Ball was over. Troy was returning to San Francisco. Was the fairy tale over, too? Or could there possibly be another chapter…?
Chapter
Twelve
‡
After lunch, Kara offered to drive Taylor to pick up her car from the hotel since it’d warmed up and the roads would be more slushy than icy.
But Taylor glanced out at the bright blue sky and shook her head, refusing the offer. “I’ll just walk. I can use the exercise.”
Doug overheard the exchange and left the TV room to join them in the kitchen. “I’ll go with you, Tay. It’d be great to get out. I’m kind of going a little bit crazy here, all cooped up.”
“I’d love company,” Taylor said. “But do you have anything warm to wear?”
“He can wear one of my dad’s coats,” Kara offered, aware that all of Doug’s things were still at Hogue. “And I’m sure there are tons of extra scarves and hats and gloves in the closet, too. Just dig around, find something that fits.”
While Doug looked for something that would fit, Kara asked Taylor about the ball. “So…anything juicy to share? Did you have fun? Was he any good? Did you sleep at all…?”
Taylor smothered yet another yawn, very much in need of a nap. “I did sleep, for a couple hours. And no, we didn’t have sex.” She saw Kara’s dubious expression. “We talked a lot and then kissed for hours. He is a very good kisser.”
“I guess that’s good.”
Taylor made a face. “You should be glad that he respected me.”
“Right. And I am. That’s super romantic.”
Taylor rolled her eyes. “It was practically our first date.”
Now it was Kara’s turn to roll her eyes. “You guys have talked and texted all week. Stop acting like you’re strangers, or virgins—” she broke off, eyes widening. “You’re not a virgin, are you?”
“No.” Taylor took her coat off the peg by the kitchen door. “But it has been a long, long time.” She saw Kara’s expression and grimaced. “Technically, I am not. Emotionally, I could be. But can we not talk about this anymore? It’s mortifying.”
After getting the car Taylor and Doug decided to go see a movie and then get dinner at the Chinese restaurant next door to the theater on Front Street. They swung by the grocery store on the way home so Taylor could pick up something to make for dinner tomorrow and let Doug buy a new toothbrush and razor and shaving cream.
Kara was out when they reached the house, but a giant red glass vase of lush roses and tulips sat on the front porch. It wasn’t a cheap arrangement by any means. Grabbing the bag of groceries, Doug headed for the porch. He picked up the flowers and checked the name on the envelope. “It’s for you, Tay.”
Her heart did a quick beat and she immediately thought of Troy. Was it from him? Had he come by himself to drop off the flowers?
In the house she opened the envelope. For my favorite Book Girl. Happy Valentine’s Day. Troy
“Is it from him?” Doug asked. “Mr. Sheenan?”
She nodded and read the message on the card again.
“That’s nice of him,” he said.
She nodded again and put the card away. It was nice of Troy. The only thing nicer would have been seeing him in person. Maybe tomorrow she could meet him for coffee before he left.
Taylor grabbed her phone and shot him a quick text. Thank you for the flowers. They’re beautiful.
Troy didn’t answer right away and for the next couple of hours she checked her phone and rechecked it waiting for a reply. She finally got one just before midnight.
Just landed in San Jose. Had to return for an emergency meeting. Glad you like the flowers. I’ll be in touch soon.
Taylor put her phone back down on her nightstand but couldn’t fall back asleep.
He’d left. He was back in California. Gone.
She wasn’t going to see him tomorrow. She couldn’t grab coffee and chat. He’d jumped in his plane and flown away and now that he was halfway across the country, she didn’t know when he’d be back.
He didn’t call on Sunday. He didn’t text, either. Nor did she hear from him on Monday and it crossed Taylor’s mind as she dressed for work Tuesday that maybe, just maybe, she’d read too much into Troy’s attention, and that maybe just maybe he’d been kind and attentive and an excellent date, but he wasn’t ready for more. That his idea of a relationship wasn’t hers.
Or maybe he’d never wanted a relationship and he had just been flirting.
Maybe it had all been lines, smooth lines to wrap her around his finger.
She went to Java Café for lunch Tuesday, needing to get out for a bit since she’d be working late, meeting with the Tuesday Night Book Club. She did not love meeting with the Tuesday Night Book Club.
Taylor was trudging back to the library following lunch when her phone rang. She didn’t recognize the number, but answered, aware that Doug’s court date had been scheduled for the end of the week and she was waiting to hear back from a lawyer.
It wasn’t the lawyer, though. It was Kara calling from her office, using the office line instead of her cell. “Taylor, you didn’t hear this from me but I had to tell you that I’ve just learned that Judge McCorkle is going to allow Doug to finish his probation at home, with you. There will be no additional charges. Doug won’t have to go to court on Friday. It’s all over. As long as Doug doesn’t get into trouble in the next few months, it’s done.”
“What do you mean, it’s done?”
“Judge McCorkle has agreed to let Doug remain with you. He does not have to return to Hogue. He just needs to remain with you and meet the terms of his probation, but that shouldn’t be a problem, should it?”
“No.” Taylor was shocked and thrilled. She couldn’t wait to tell Doug. They could get his things from Hogue and he never had to deal with that place again. What a relief. It was wonderful news. But she knew someone had to have pulled some strings and she was sure it was Troy. “Was Troy behind this?”
“I don’t know for sure,” Kara answered honestly, “but I wouldn’t be surprised.”
Taylor wouldn’t have been surprised, either. And she was happy for Doug, truly happy, but she wished Troy would call. She wanted to hear from him…unless they were finished and in that case, well, she’d want to know that, too.
Troy phoned right at the end of the Tuesday Night Book Group and it was the perfect excuse to step out of the room while Maureen and the others packed up their books and thermoses and pulled on their coats.
“Hey,” she said, dropping her voice as she squeezed past the ladies to reach the door and step into the hall.
“Am I interrupting?”
“It’s a good interruption. The Tuesday Night Book Group is just ending.”
“I thought the meeting would be over by now.”
“They talk a lot.”
He laughed, a low husky sound that sent shivers of pleasure through her. “Haven’t heard from you,” he said. “Was getting worried. You okay?”
“Yes. Just busy. Tuesday is a long day.” She hesitated, nervous, and then before she could stop herself, she blurted, “Are we okay?”
She could almost feel his smile.
“We are okay,” he said cheerfully.
She flushed. “Why do you say it like that?”
“No reason.”
“Hmph.” She glanced behind her as the door to the meeting room opened and the ladies began to file out. She lifted a hand to acknowledge them but wasn’t about to hang up on Troy, not after waiting days to talk to him. “I heard some good news today,” she added.
“Oh, really?”
“I’m not supposed to know yet, but apparently Judge McCorkle is signing off on allowing Doug to live with me. He won’t have to finish his probation at Hogue. That’s wonderful, isn’t it?”
“Yes, it is. That’s fantastic news.”
“It absolutely is. I need to go home and tell Doug. I haven’t had a chance as I wanted to tell him in person.”
“I’m sure he’ll be relieved.”
“He will be. So very much.” She drew a breath. “Did you do this, Troy? Did you talk to the judge?”
“
I didn’t talk to McCorkle.”
“Someone talked to him.”
“I don’t know.”
“Troy.”
“Sweetheart.”
She giggled. “Did you really just call me sweetheart?”
“Yes, I did.”
“That is so old fashioned.”
“But you’re a little bit old fashioned.”
“Am I?”
“That’s a compliment, Taylor.”
“I don’t know. Maybe we can find another one…something a little more modern. Like honey or baby.”
“Or dude.”
She burst out laughing. “That’s awesome. Dude. Thank you.”
“We’ll work on endearments this weekend.”
She said nothing, not sure what to say.
“Are you around this weekend?” he asked after a moment of awkward silence.
“Yes,” she said hesitantly. “Are you thinking of coming back this way already?”
“Dad’s not well and I need to spend some time with him. Dillon needs his breaks, too. And then there is you. I’d very much like to see you, that is, if you want to see me—”
“Yes.”
“You’re sure, dude?”
She spluttered with laughter. “Yes, yes, yes. Come home this weekend. Please come see me.”
“I’ve missed you, Taylor.”
Her heart felt so full right then. It was a struggle to keep the emotion from spilling into her voice. “I’ve missed you, too.”
“I have to warn you, I hate long distance. I have a rule about long distance.”
“What’s that?”
“Don’t do it. But I guess rules are meant to be broken, because I want to see if we can make this work.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. So I am making you a promise now, that I intend to come home every weekend—”
“That’s a lot of flying.”
“—as long as I can be there, I will be there. And I hope you know by now, that I don’t make promises lightly. I don’t make a promise that I don’t intend to keep.”
She didn’t say anything for a moment, overwhelmed.
“But I don’t want you to feel pressure,” he added. “Dad doesn’t have much time left, and I need to spend time with him, so if at any point this isn’t working for you—”
