Maybe This Time_A Whiskey and Weddings Novel

by Nicole McLaughlin

  She turned into him, their bodies plastered together chest to chest, and when she grinned up at him, his heart squeezed. How would he survive if he never knew what it felt like to have her fully?

  “I enjoyed it immensely, Trevor. It was adorable. And I wasn’t kidding you completely. I do talk to my plants.”

  No one called him by his full name anymore, which made it sound even sexier on her lips. It was a reminder of how long they’d known each other. And how many years he’d been attracted to her. He lifted his hand and gently ran the edge of his finger down her cheek. She was so damn pretty, her red lips glistening and her dark hair pulled back, exposing the creamy skin on her neck.

  He’d never known another woman like her. She was special, with a wild but endearing personality, colorful tattoos, and more natural talent in her pinky than ten normal people put together had.

  “Well then,” he said, looking in her eyes, “if you’re so good at conversing with the plants, I’m going to need you to talk to them and find out who wants to come home with me.”

  “Oh, that will be a tough one.” Untangling herself from his body, she began to walk backward. He kept hold of her hand, not wanting her to get too far. “They’ve seen you walk in, and they’re already worried.”

  “And why is that?”

  Jen appeared to consider his question as she looked him up and down. Using her free hand, she pointed at him. “Well dressed, handsome, obviously wealthy.” She grinned. “And kind of sexy. That combination is a real cause for concern.”

  “Oh really?” he asked, genuinely confused, but also a bit excited. “And what do you mean, kind of sexy?”

  She laughed again. “Don’t get paranoid. The plants are already thinking that while you look like a catch, you’re only here on a whim. Maybe you’re only interested because they look fun and colorful, a novelty. But they fear that once you get them home you’ll get bored. Maybe neglect them, or throw them away when you see how difficult they can be to care for.”

  That statement could not go unchallenged. TJ gripped her hand and tugged her back into his arms. “They should understand that I’ve always been attracted to plants. This is not a whim. I was just nervous. Afraid I wouldn’t know how to give them what they needed. But now that I’ve made the decision to act, I’m committed. Ready to do whatever I have to do to make them happy.”

  “That’s a lofty goal, TJ. Some plants are incredibly needy. They want it all. Light, water, perfect soil, ideal humidity. They don’t just want to stay alive. They want to grow.”

  He laced his fingers in hers. “Luckily, I have you here, to tell me exactly what she needs.”

  “‘She,’ huh?” Jen smiled. “Let’s see what we can do.”

  Breaking the spell, she pulled away and headed down a row full of large potted plants. He watched her backside shift as she walked, her small shorts revealing plenty of leg. This evening she’d worn a red sleeveless top that showed off all her tattoos, something he didn’t get to see that often on normal days. It was a reminder of how much he wanted his mouth on her again, to taste her tangerine skin and feel her softness against him. Her hair was pulled into a low wavy ponytail that trailed to the middle of her back.

  She stopped in front of a pallet and pointed. “I love these. I’ve always wanted one myself,” she said. “What do you think?”

  “It’s nice. I like it. Which ones should we get?”

  Her eyes widened. “You’re easy. How many plants are we getting?”

  “I don’t know. Three?”

  “Three. Nice. What’s my budget?”

  “I have no idea. How much are we talking for like…” He pointed to a large one with full leaves. Almost like a small tree. “One of those.”

  She checked the price tag and then raised her eyebrows. “You like the pretty, expensive, popular ones. No surprise.”

  “I recall you liking these first. I just pointed at one. How much is it?”

  “Two hundred.”

  “Oh shit, seriously?” He balked, completely not expecting that price.

  “They’re not all that expensive. Let’s keep looking. How about a rubber plant?” She pointed to one good-sized one with big, thick leaves.

  “Yeah, I like that one. How much?”

  She leaned over, located the price tag. “This one is ninety-five.”

  He nodded. “That’s a good price. Let’s get him.” TJ bent over to pick it up off the palate. When he turned around and set the plant down near his feet, he found Jen smiling at him.

  “What’s so funny?”

  “I’m just curious why he’s a him?”

  TJ shrugged. “I don’t know. He’s just kind of rugged and strong-looking.”

  “Of course.” She stared down at his new rubber plant. “I see it. His leaves are on the thick side. All girls love a nice, thick, man,” she added with grin.

  “I’ll keep that in mind.”

  “What next?” Jen looked down the row once more. “He needs a girlfriend.”

  “If I buy him a girlfriend, does it save me from having to talk to them every day?”

  Jen laughed that sexy, throaty laugh again. The one that had the power to make him hard in a second. Thankfully, so far, he’d managed to keep himself under control in the greenhouse.

  They found a small flatbed cart and chose two more plants: a calathea that Jen declared was most definitely a girl and was also one of her favorite plants and a large split-leaf philodendron, which TJ had reservations about due to its sheer size and price, but Jen had gotten so excited he couldn’t say no.

  By the time they chose containers, potting soil, and plant food, he knew their total was going to be outrageous. However, he didn’t even hesitate as they made their way to the checkout.

  When he realized she’d been quiet for several moments as they waited in line, TJ leaned in to look over her shoulder. She was touching something in a display on the checkout counter.

  Stepping around to get a closer look, he realized they were ornamental stakes made from colored glass. Just something pretty and unnecessary you’d put into the dirt in a garden or a pot. There were various designs: mushrooms, dragons, ladybugs … and fairies. He watched her finger slide over the shiny yellow glass, obviously admiring it. It was beautiful and looked handmade, with sparkly wings. It was something he never would have noticed himself, but she seemed mesmerized by it.

  Before he could mention it, she shoved the stake back into the pot and turned to face him, unaware that he’d been watching her. “I’m excited to get these potted and put in your place.”

  “Me too.”

  “I’ve never seen your house. Is it fancy or frat housey?”

  “What does frat housey look like?”

  She shrugged. “Kind of like my place, probably. Random. Crowded. I’m sure you don’t live like that. You’re too mature and well mannered, but I’ve found that a lot of single guys do.”

  Was she touching his shirt consciously? Didn’t matter to him either way, he loved it. She would never need a reason—or permission—to touch him.

  “My house is actually new. But I wouldn’t describe it as fancy,” he said. She just nodded in response, and then he had an idea. “Hey. What do you think about pulling the truck up when it’s our turn? Then I can load everything up?”

  “Okay. That’s probably a good idea.” She looked at their collection of plants and then back at him. “I’ll be out front in that circle drive.”

  The minute she was out the front door and the person in front of him was finished, he grabbed three fairy stakes of various colors and laid them on the counter. Then he proceeded to spend six hundred and ninety-two dollars.

  She was worth every penny.

  Thirteen

  Jen pulled up to the loading area of the nursery and parked her truck. The past hour had been one of the most fun she’d had in a long time. Still hard to believe it had happened with TJ of all people. Who knew he could be so sweet and so funny, and that they could actually
not annoy each other for a while.

  When she finally saw him heading her way, pulling the flatbed wagon, she got out of the truck and lowered the tailgate. Together they loaded the three plants and all of the paraphernalia, and then Jen grabbed the handle of the cart and put it away in the cart corral. When she walked back to the truck, TJ was behind the wheel.

  Once she was buckled up, they headed to the west side of Maple Springs, somewhat out into the country. Surprised, Jen watched out the window as they headed down a state highway lined with tall, sundried cornstalks. Finally, they turned on a smaller road, and drove for about a mile.

  “How far out here do you live?”

  “Almost there.” Within minutes he was pulling into a driveway.

  Jen nearly gasped. “This is your house?”

  “Uh-huh. You like it?”

  She gave him an annoyed glare as he put the truck in park, smiling at her. “You told me it wasn’t fancy, you liar. It’s beautiful.” She immediately got out to take it all in. The house itself was new, but obviously made to have the charm of a much older farmhouse. It wasn’t giant, it was just big enough, with a big wide front porch.

  And a swing.

  She was nearly in shock at how beautiful the property was. The right side of the lot was lined by a field of corn, the left, nearly a quarter mile away, was a fenced-in area full of cattle. The yard itself was vast and fairly unadorned. She recalled TJ moving over the winter, but never in her wildest dreams had she pictured this.

  “Don’t tell me you farm in your spare time.” She looked back at him. He was leaning against the front of her truck, watching her look around.

  “Of course not. I only own ten acres. I lease seven of it to my neighbor for his cattle.”

  She shook her head and walked back toward him. “Always looking to make a buck. You’re good at it. I’m impressed, TJ.”

  “I’m still getting used to living out here,” he said. The sun was low in the sky, and she loved the way the light brought out flecks of color in his hair.

  “Don’t you get lonely?” she asked.

  He turned to look at her. “Yeah. I do. Which is why I’m glad you’re here right now.”

  “Me too.”

  He pushed off the truck. “Let’s get these plants inside.”

  They walked around to the back and lowered the tailgate. Jen instantly grabbed the calathea, since it was smaller, and TJ got the split-leaf plant, which was about three feet tall.

  “Still can’t believe you talked me into this monster.”

  “Hey, language,” she scolded.

  He rolled his eyes as he made his way to the front door. “Oh yes. I forgot.” He leaned closer to the leaves. “I’m so sorry, Mr. Plant. I can’t wait to welcome you to your new home.”

  Jen cracked up, loving that he chuckled also. He had the best laugh, something she’d never really noticed until recently. Even the creases around his eyes were incredibly sexy. He set the pot down and went back for the rubber plant. While she waited, Jen couldn’t help trying out the swing.

  It was so lovely and peaceful looking out at the corn, the cows, and the field beyond the road. It appeared to have been harvested already, probably wheat. A girl didn’t grow up in Kansas without knowing a little something about agriculture.

  After he stepped back onto the porch and set the rubber plant down, he came over and settled beside her on the swing. The slatted seat wasn’t that wide, so they were close, and despite it being hot out, she liked his nearness. Maybe even leaned in his direction a little.

  “What made you add a swing?”

  “Seemed like the right thing to do with a porch like this.”

  “I would agree,” she replied. “I’ll be honest, I never saw you as a country house kind of guy. This really surprises me.”

  “Yeah, surprised me too, actually. I used to live in town. The first house I lived in was three blocks off the square, an older bungalow that I’d bought intending to flip. Instead I moved in. I liked it okay, but I just wanted … space. Something I could see living in forever, maybe have a family in.”

  They were both silent for a moment, and Jen couldn’t help imagining TJ as a father. He’d probably be a really good one.

  “But I wanted a place different than where I grew up, which was in a gated subdivision with nosey neighbors and wife-swapping.”

  “Stop it!” she said, turning to stare at him. “Wife-swapping?”

  He laughed. “No lie. My mother was always sharing all the neighborhood gossip. I was hearing about the soap opera of my neighborhood my entire childhood it seems.”

  “Wow. I knew you were a rich kid but I hadn’t realized you’d lived in one of those neighborhoods.”

  “There were decent people too, of course. But they didn’t get talked about near as much. There was always plenty of crap going on.”

  “Wow. I knew there was a reason I never liked rich kids.” She looked out in time to see a lightning bug fly by. She looked back at him. “That must have really twisted your view of what a healthy relationship is, huh?’

  “I suppose. If not that, my parents did a pretty good job of messing me up.”

  “Tell me your dad didn’t swap your mom.” She said, mouth dangling open as she awaited his response.

  “God, I hope not. Don’t even make me think about that.” He chuckled and then sobered. “They just don’t really love each other. That’s all. It’s sad, and I feel bad for my mother. I think she tried for a long time.”

  “How do you know? Maybe they’ve just lost touch. People get comfortable. Doesn’t mean there’s no love. Or so I’m guessing. Trust me, I know nothing about healthy relationships either.”

  “Nah. I’m certain of it. There’s not only no love, there’s not even much like. My father is not really a good guy. I wish I could understand why he is who he is, but I don’t, and it looks like I never will.”

  “I’m sorry to hear that.” Jen looked over at him. “I always assumed you and your dad were like two peas in a pod.”

  “Why would you think that?”

  “In my eyes you were always the perfect student, handsome, well liked, and popular. Why wouldn’t a father eat that up?”

  TJ sighed. “It’s a question I’ve been asking my entire life. But I’ve sort of come to terms with the fact that my success has to be for me. No one else.”

  “I admire your success. I always have. You’re a hard worker.”

  TJ smiled over at her. She liked that his long legs were keeping the rhythm of the swing, allowing her legs to just glide back and forth against the wood. It was relaxing.

  “If I had known how messed up you were, I might have liked you sooner,” she said.

  * * *

  TJ watched Jen arrange the calathea on a table near the window in his living room.

  “Notice how the leaves are starting to look higher?”

  He analyzed the plant. “Maybe. Why is that?”

  “I honestly don’t know why it does it, but it’s the reason these are my favorite. This variety is called a peacock plant. The leaves move all day. At night, they will be straight up in the air. Then in the morning they’ll be down again. It’s so amazing.”

  “Wow. That’s really bizarre. But cool.”

  Even besides the moving leaves, he could see why she liked it so much. The leaves were an incredibly vibrant green with purple undersides, and the bold pattern made the entire thing striking.

  “So do I need to write down all the instructions for you?” she asked, moving the soil around once more before stepping back to admire her work.

  “That would be nice. I sure as hell won’t remember it.”

  “Okay, I will, but keep in mind, every plant is different and so is every situation. You’ll have to get to know them. Sometimes you just have to go with your gut.”

  Great. “I’ll get the hang of it I’m sure.” Or I’ll just have to find a way to convince her to be here more often.

  When they’d first gotten
inside, they’d had some sandwiches and fruit salad he’d picked up at a deli after work. Then he’d given her a tour of the first floor. Or rather, she’d begun to give herself one so he followed along. But he’d loved sharing his home with her, telling her about the building process and why he’d chosen the finishings he had.

  Now that they were done with the major task of the evening—the plants—he felt a little panicky. He didn’t want her to leave. In fact, had he known that finally giving into his craving for her would be so good, he might have given in years ago. All he wanted was more. More time, more kissing, and definitely more touching.

  “I have a homecoming present for the plants,” TJ announced, grabbing the last bag from the nursery that he’d left near the entry. Jen’s eyes narrowed as she watched him walk it over. He smiled tentatively as he pulled out one of the fairy garden stakes.

  Her mouth dropped open, eyes wide. “You bought one?” she asked in a whisper.

  “I actually bought three. One for each plant.” He held out the pink one for her to take and then retrieved the other two. Yellow and blue. “Now they can think about you even when you’re not here.”

  His comment implied that sometimes she would be there, and he so wanted that to be true. He watched her turn the metal stake over in her hand, admiring the fairy again.

  “I know they seem kind of silly. I just thought they were so pretty.” Her words were quiet.

  “If I thought they were that silly, I wouldn’t have bought them.” It still shocked him a bit that he did, honestly. Buying plants and garden stakes were not par for the course in his world.

  “So, you’re going to let me put fairies in your plants?”

  When she put it that way. Her crooked smirk was his undoing. “Yeah. I am. If you want to, that is.”

  “Even the man plant?”

  He smiled. “Even the man plant.”

  She turned and went back to the window, turning the pot this way and that, searching for the perfect spot. The entire time she was humming to herself. After a short pause, she pushed the metal into the soil. It gave the effect that the fairy was flying around the leaves.