Love Built to Last

by Lisa Ricard Claro

  Maddie sucked in a breath the moment her chest was set free. With her boobs shifting to normal, she regarded her little band of rescuers. Beyond them stood the rest of the ersatz football team—all Cal’s guy pals, she surmised. She raised her hand in a weak little wave when she spotted Luis and Ray among them. They smiled and waved back.

  She sighed, embarrassed, and said, “I’m okay.”

  “That’s good to hear.” Cal’s eyes crinkled at the corners and he crouched beside her. “Hello, Maddie.”

  “Hello, Caleb.”

  “You’re really okay?”

  “Everything but my pride.”

  “Shall I help you up now?”

  “I wish you would.”

  Cal helped her stand, and when he began to brush grassy debris from her back, the redhead marched up and shoved his hands away.

  “She just had the wind knocked out of her, moron. Last thing she needs is your big bear paws making a mess of her pretty shirt. Stop.” The redhead turned to Maddie and took up where Cal left off, picking off grass and leaves, albeit with a gentler touch. “I love this shirt. You must have bought it at the Bluebell Boutique here in town. I know, because I coveted it for weeks myself. It looks way better on you than it would on me, though. My boobs are too small, but yours fill it out very nicely.” Her smile offered encouragement while she dusted off Maddie’s butt with a quick brush of her hands. “There. A little dirt over your ta-tas, courtesy of the dog, so that amazing top came through like a champ, considering. Your capris weren’t as lucky. I’m sorry to report you’ve got grass stains on your ass.”

  “Uh, thanks.”

  “Me and Miss Maddie were gonna ask if I could go with her and Pirate. Can I Dad?”

  “Hold on, buddy.” Cal looked from TJ to Maddie. “What are you doing here? I thought you had some pinkie finger thing or other.”

  “I told you we’d be at the park today, and that Edie switched up our usual Fourth of July routine.”

  Cal shook his head. “You never mentioned it.”

  If she didn’t tell him, then he had no way of knowing they might run into each other, which explained why he hadn’t worried she’d find out about the redhead.

  Maddie looked down at Pirate and swallowed the lump in her throat.

  “How’d you find us, anyway?” He took both her hands in his, and she looked up to see him smiling. Confused, she stared at him until his smile faded and a frown settled. “You sure you’re okay?”

  “Yes, sorry. Pirate found you. We were just setting up over by the gazebo, and Pirate took off. He came here straightaway. I think he could sniff out TJ anywhere.”

  “You hear that, Short Stuff? You’re so smelly the dog picked you out of everyone at the park.” The redhead tousled TJ’s hair with such loving familiarity that Maddie’s heart did a miserable flop.

  “That’s cuz I’m a smelly Walker man. Right, Dad?”

  “Wear it like a badge of honor, son.”

  “See, Aunt Becca? It’s good that I smell.”

  The relief of awareness weakened Maddie’s knees. No wonder the redhead looked familiar. Maddie should have known the minute she looked into her eyes. They shone green as a cat’s, just like Cal’s, TJ’s, and the gentleman with the impressive mane of white hair curling from beneath the edges of his baseball cap. She could only be Cal’s younger sister, Rebecca.

  Atop her plateful of humiliation now rested unpalatable shame. What did it say about her that at the first test of faith in Caleb she had thought the worst? He hadn’t deserved the nasty assumption she’d made.

  Old habits die hard, don’t they, Mads? That’s what Jack would say.

  Too ashamed to meet Cal’s eyes, Maddie turned her attention to Rebecca instead. “I’m Maddie Kinkaid. You must be Caleb’s sister.”

  “I am. Sorry, I should have introduced myself. Or my big idiot brother could have introduced us.”

  “I only introduce Maddie to people I like,” Cal deadpanned.

  “You’re such a moron,” Rebecca said, but her lips curled in an affectionate grin and Cal laughed.

  “I’d introduce you to Grampa Boone, but he abandoned us.” Cal inclined his head. “He’s on his way to the gazebo. He’s the old guy with the canvas chair folded up under his arm.”

  “Yep, there he goes. He’s eighty-seven and when he’s not asleep he moves like a rabbit. We should probably follow him and hook back up with the fam,” Rebecca said. “The parade has to be starting soon. Where is your group situated?”

  “As it happens, we’ve set up at the gazebo, too.”

  “Wow, that’s lucky, given the size of the park and the way it’s filling up today. What are the odds?” Rebecca’s lips curved in a funny little grin.

  They said goodbye to Luis, Ray, and the others. Cal held up Pirate’s leash, end pointed toward Maddie. “You want your dog?”

  “He’s nearly killed me twice today. Maybe you better hold on to him.”

  “I see obedience school in your future, matey.” Cal gave Pirate’s lean ribs a gentle thump. Pirate’s tail swished and his back end gyrated.

  “Do you always come to the park for the Fourth?” Cal asked.

  “Never, actually. We cookout at the Kinkaids’ place and watch the fireworks from the porch roof.”

  “We never come to the park either. Too crowded.” He looked around at the growing sea of people. “I don’t know why Mom insisted on coming today, but she was adamant.”

  Rebecca smirked and Cal narrowed his gaze.

  Rebecca held up her hands. “Don’t ask me. I’m pleading the Fifth. Just go with the flow, Cal.”

  Maddie’s stomach coiled. There was that phrase again, shining into her world like a cosmic sign. She glanced heavenward. The sun beat down, but the breezes came through in an almost steady rhythm. By some miracle of fate, her family and Cal’s were situated somewhere near each other by the gazebo, and thanks to Pirate she had found him within her first few minutes of arriving at the park.

  “Why, look at that! Y’all ran into each other already. And you found that rascally Pirate. Good. And look who we bumped into, Maddie. It’s the Walkers!” Edie stood with her arm linked through another woman’s, both of them beaming.

  Maddie stared at Edie for a beat and felt an uncomfortable prickle at the back of her neck. The man standing with Papa Ron could only be Cal’s father, considering the green eyes and general resemblance, which made the attractive woman beside Edie, Cal’s mother. Maddie shifted her gaze to Brenna who sat grinning in a lawn chair. Maddie shot her a look filled with meaningful accusation which Brenna ignored with good cheer.

  Standing beside Maddie, Cal heaved a mighty sigh.

  “Miss Edie!” TJ ran over to Edie and wrapped her legs in a heartfelt hug. He looked up at her and grinned. “Didja bring any of those cookies?”

  “The Kiss cookies? You bet I did.” She smoothed his hair and looked at Cal. “Can he have one?”

  “Yes, ma’am. Thank you.”

  Maddie forced herself to breathe. Cal’s discomfort rolled off him in waves, and she didn’t blame him as it mirrored her own muted embarrassment. When she got Brenna alone, she intended to beat her senseless with whatever she could find. To make sure Brenna knew it, she shot her another glare.

  “Ron, will you please get this young man a Kiss cookie or two? Sada, why don’t you and I make the introductions so everyone knows who’s who?”

  Handshakes and greetings ensued, after which Cal caught Maddie’s eye and nodded toward one of the coolers. They met under the pretense of getting sodas.

  “Well, this is awkward.” Maddie dug through the ice in search of a root beer. “I’ll apologize, as I can say with certainty that Edie is behind this not-very-subtle attempt to play matchmaker.”

  “Like we need any help.”

  Maddie muffled a laugh. “How do we handle this? I’ve talked to Brenna a little, but I’m not ready to announce to everyone that we’re—what are we, exactly?”

  Cal popped the t
op on his Coke and mirrored her hushed tone. “Hot for each other?”

  Her skin tightened in private places and she had to reassure herself that no one, not even Caleb, had an inkling of that. “So, what? Do we just act normal? You know, the way we are when we’re alone?”

  Cal choked on his soda. Curious heads turned in their direction and Maddie pounded his back, cheeks coloring when she clued in that, despite the matchmaking going on, hot kisses and heavy petting probably wouldn’t go over very well in the present company.

  “That’s not what I meant, and you know it.” She took advantage of her job as back pounder to give him a solid and deserving disciplinary whack.

  Cal laughed and wiped his watering eyes. “Look, my mother and your motherin-law obviously put their heads together on this one. So let’s play along. An hour from now, when I hold your hand or put my arm around you, they’ll get giddy and think their elaborate plan was a success. Since I’m right where I wanted to be anyway, which is spending the day with you, I’ve got no real reason to complain about how we got here.”

  “Good point.” Maddie glanced over at Edie and Sada. Both of them smiled, heads together, and offered a little wave. Maddie waggled her fingers in return and murmured, “So. Awkward.”

  “Only if we make it that way.” He shot her a wink with all sorts of unspoken implications and sent a new rush of heat through her.

  “I hear the high school band. Must be time for the parade,” Rebecca said.

  TJ jumped up and down with excitement, but Grampa Boone growled and sank farther into his chair, waving his hands like he was shooing a fly.

  “You don’t wanna see the parade Grampa Boone?” TJ rested his hands on the old man’s knees and peered under the brim of his cap. “Uncle Dante’s in it. He’s driving…what’s he driving, Daddy?”

  “A blue ’68 Mustang GT500 convertible. Pristine condition.”

  “Yeah. Like that. So you gotta come see, Grampa Boone.”

  Brenna stiffened. “Dante Caravicci?”

  Sada beat Cal to the answer. “Why, yes, dear. Do you know Dante? He and Cal have been best friends since college. He owns Caravicci’s Pizzeria, you know.”

  “Yes, ma’am, I do know Dante. We’re neighbors.”

  Only Maddie noticed the narrowing of Brenna’s eyes and the tightening of her mouth.

  “Grampa Boone is going to stay here and keep an eye on our stuff, buddy. C’mon with me and we’ll go watch the parade.” Cal’s suggestion received two thumbs up from Grampa Boone who pulled his ball cap down and shut his eyes.

  Cal scooped TJ upside down and flipped the giggling boy onto his shoulders.

  “Best seat in the house, right there,” Big Will told his grandson. He fell into step beside Cal. Walking behind them with Brenna, Maddie slowed her pace. She assumed he’d slowed to allow for William’s measured gait, perhaps mindful of his father’s recent surgery.

  “You know, your daddy used to sit on my shoulders, too, back when he was your size, TJ. Why, I bet you can see for miles from up there.”

  “Sweet!”

  Big Will was right. TJ did have the best seat in the house with a clear view over the top of the crowd, and he roared with delight, and much pumping of his fist, when Dante’s hotrod growled into sight about midway through the parade. Chloe sat up on the rear dash wearing a pair of Daisy Dukes and a halter top. She waved a sign identifying them as Caravicci’s Pizzeria.

  “Why no L&G representation?” Maddie asked Brenna.

  Brenna stared at Dante’s classic ride, her expression stony. She shrugged. “I just didn’t think of it. I’m not the greatest business owner around.”

  “What are you talking about? You’re awesome. L&G’s busy all the time.”

  “We’re the only game in town right now, and no one shows up for me. It’s Greta who makes the place great.” Brenna crossed her arms and glared at the back end of Dante’s Mustang as it rounded the corner. “Today for example. The L&G shouldn’t be closed for the holiday, Maddie. I should have opened at five, same as always, and stayed open until midnight. There are hundreds of people in the park today with my coffee shop a short walk away. I’d be raking it in.” She pulled the elastic band from her hair, redid her ponytail, and yanked it tight. “But no, stupid me, I gave everyone the day off.”

  “Well, it is the Fourth of July, after all, and it was nice of you to honor the day.”

  “Not the greatest business decision, though. Being nice isn’t going to fill my coffers.”

  “What’s going on with you right now?” Maddie laid a hand on Brenna’s arm, concerned with her friend’s uncharacteristic remarks.

  “Nothing. I’m sorry. It’s just—Dante Caravicci makes me crazy,” Brenna said, her voice a low hiss. “He’s so damn full of himself all the time. He’s always restoring some stupid muscle car, putting it up on blocks right in the side yard of his townhouse, which is in strict violation of the neighborhood covenants, by the way, not to mention in clear view of my bedroom window. I didn’t pay two-hundred thousand to live next door to a damn redneck junkyard.”

  “Do the other neighbors complain?”

  “Are you kidding?” Brenna snorted. “The men bring twelve-packs and yuck it up while Dante’s out there doing engine work or whatever, and the stupid single women collect on his lawn like honeybees.”

  “But not you.”

  Brenna scowled and crossed her arms over her chest. “Damn straight.”

  Maddie hoped a change of subject might pull Brenna from her funk. “You could have told me we were meeting the Walkers here today. It’s awkward, I’m not going to lie. The two moms keep watching us and grinning like a pair of hyenas. Maybe I ought to go up to Caleb and really lay one on him. How do you suppose that would go over?”

  Brenna cracked a smile. “Dare you.”

  Maddie glanced at Caleb. He winked and smiled, and her insides turned gooey. Sweet Lord, she was so sunk.

  After the parade they returned to their spot at the gazebo. Grampa Boone held his arms out to TJ and listened while the boy described every vehicle in the parade. To the old man’s credit, he hung on the child’s every word, nodding and encouraging his dialogue with enthusiastic questions and comments.

  “Hey, it’s Sean!” Edie held her arms out to her eldest child and embraced him in a warm hug. “Hello, Cynthia. Don’t you look lovely today? Bless your heart.” Edie’s words eked out through a forced smile and clenched teeth. “Would you like something to eat or drink? Water or soda?”

  “No thank you. I brought my own sparkling water and power bars,” Cynthia said, patting a purse the size of the Titanic.

  Cynthia tolerated the multiple introductions with ennui, and with her spectacular cleavage on full display in a too-scooped top, she said to Sean, “I’ll be over here answering emails,” and settled into a lawn chair that she set apart from the group. She crossed her tanned legs, pursed her lips, pulled out her phone, and never came up for air.

  Maddie and Brenna, sitting in lawn chairs side by side, exchanged a look.

  “Told ya,” Brenna said with a shrug.

  Sean pulled a burger off the grill, fixed himself a full plate of food, and ate while making the rounds. He chatted everyone up, and when he got to Maddie and Brenna, he offered his cheek for kisses hello. When he finished chewing, he planted a smooch on both their foreheads and pulled up an empty lawn chair.

  “Sorry for the half-assed hello. I had a mouthful. Hey, Caravicci. Come have a seat.”

  Dante sauntered over. Brenna’s body stiffened and her lips formed a stubborn line.

  “Well, hi, Brenna. It’s nice to see you, too,” Dante said.

  “Neanderthal.” She muttered the word under her breath, loud enough for only Maddie to hear. She crossed her legs and Dante grinned when she began to tap her foot. He ignored her and said to Maddie, “So, you loving your kitchen? Cal said it came out great.”

  “It did,” Maddie nodded. “He did an awesome job. You should come over and see it
sometime.”

  “I’d like that. I understand you have a barn full of cats, too.”

  “Five. That’s hardly a barn full, but admittedly more than most.”

  “I like cats. Anyone who says cats don’t have personalities has never been owned by one.”

  Maddie laughed. “You’ve got the syntax correct. Caleb said you have a cat that sings.”

  “Pavarotti. He’s an old tuxedo tom, and I’m not sure I’d qualify his caterwauling as singing, but he really goes at it sometimes. Not as much as when he was young, but he still wails during thunderstorms.”

  “Is that what that noise is?” Brenna asked. “It sounds like someone’s dying over at your place.”

  Dante grinned. “Nope, it’s just Pavarotti exercising his musical talents.”

  Sean swallowed the last of his burger. “So, how you doing, man? I understand I missed seeing one helluva ride.”

  “Classic Pony, ’68 Shelby convertible.” Dante pulled a soda from the cooler and then used the cooler as a seat. “I’m getting ready to sell it. You interested?”

  “Might be. Maybe I’ll swing by and have a look at it this weekend.”

  “I thought you just bought a new truck?” Maddie said.

  Sean flashed a killer smile. “I did. But a ’68 Pony’d sure look nice sitting in my driveway, too.”

  “What is it about men and vehicles?” Rebecca stepped up and her green eyes raked Sean with a thorough once over.

  “Hey, Twizzler. How’s my favorite ginger?” Dante stood and pressed a chaste kiss to her cheek. “Take my spot, beautiful. Your brother’s waving me over.”

  Rebecca answered him with a brilliant smile and sat in his place on the cooler, which situated her next to Sean. Since Rebecca’s cat eyes perused him the way a lioness views her prey, Maddie surmised that next to Sean was right where Rebecca had wanted to be.

  “So one ride’s not enough for you?” Rebecca said.

  Sean held Rebecca’s gaze for just a few beats too long, looking rather carnivorous himself. Wow. Maddie tapped Brenna’s foot with her own and pointed with a quick movement of her chin. This could turn out to be fun.