Stowe Away

by Blythe Rippon

  “Absolutely,” Jamie said.

  “She’ll love it,” Jenny added.

  This time Sam couldn’t suppress the flush that spread up her neck. She didn’t have to ask who Jenny was referring to. No one did.

  All that was left were accessories. “Shoes? Bracelet? Help?” Her hands hung awkwardly at her side, and the Js laughed at her.

  “Yes, all of those things. Why don’t Eva and I scope out the jewelry, and Jamie can help you with shoes,” Jenny said.

  When they finally left Millie’s, Sam’s credit card balance significantly higher than it was two hours earlier, there were hugs all around. “Can’t wait to see you two at the wedding,” Jenny said.

  “Yeah, I’m excited to see our hard work in action,” Jamie added. “And Sam, I know makeup isn’t your thing, but you should consider borrowing mascara from Eva. It’ll bring out your eyes.”

  Their cars were parked in opposite directions, so they parted ways in front of the store. A few paces later, Sam called over her shoulder, “Hey, you don’t perhaps know what Maria and Pauly are wearing?”

  Wry grins on their faces, the Js shrugged. “Wait and see.”

  The wedding took place at Stowe Community Church, and Dolores positively beamed throughout the entire ceremony, while Edward’s eyes shone with unshed tears. When the minister announced, “You may kiss the bride,” Edward wrapped both arms around her and gave her a kiss that lasted so long, the congregation laughed. Sam looked around for Maria and Pauly but failed to locate them in the crowd.

  The reception was in a lodge on the outskirts of town, and tea lights illuminated the way from the parking lot to the double doors. She escorted Eva to the placards with table assignments, noting that they would be seated at Florida Keys. Evidently, the labels represented places the bride and groom planned to vacation together in the coming years.

  Gossamer hung from the exposed rafters of the lodge on long diagonals, crisscrossing the space. Lanterns suspended above every table, over centerpieces of daffodils, provided dim, romantic lighting. The evening air held a chill, and flames danced inside a large fireplace along the far wall. The directors of Stowe High School’s music programs had enlisted students to join their band, and a dozen instrumentalists on a raised platform on the left were playing “Somewhere Beyond the Sea.” On the right, long banquet tables, placed end to end, held two dozen chafing dishes.

  Eva had been slow to leave the church, and most of the guests were already seated or milling about chatting when she and Sam arrived. Sam spotted their table adjacent to the fireplace, a thoughtful gesture on Dolores’s part, considering Eva was constantly cold these days. Pauly was the only one seated at the table, and he helped Eva settle in a chair next to his.

  Once Eva was comfortable, he bowed to Sam and handed her a glass of champagne that had been at his place setting. “You can have mine if you tell me I look okay.”

  She looked up and down his navy blue suit and white button-down. Even his tie was perfect. “Positively dashing.”

  He removed the red rose from his lapel and held it out. “It matches your shirt,” he said, nodding at her camisole.

  Grinning, she slipped the flower behind her ear before kissing him on the cheek. “I’m glad we’re at the same table.”

  “Me too! Jenny and Jamie are at our table, too.”

  “And your sister?” she asked, taking a sip of champagne.

  Pauly looked over her shoulder. “There she is. I think she was saying ‘hi’ to someone. But yeah, she’s at our table, too.”

  She turned around and choked on the champagne in her mouth. Maria was draped in slinky red fabric that clung to every curve, revealing cleavage that made Sam light-headed. She weaved between tables on strappy red heels, and a perfectly curled tendril of hair gently moved to and fro against her jaw as she walked.

  If someone had told Sam all the lights in the place had suddenly been extinguished, she would have believed them. The ground beneath her feet seemed to buckle, and she reached out for the back of her chair to steady herself.

  She was still standing like that when Maria arrived at her side, leaned over, and kissed her cheek. “A little bird told me you were wearing red tonight, so I thought I would too,” she whispered. She was already seated and leaning over to chat with Eva before Sam summoned the wherewithal to move. Her camisole perfectly matched the red of Maria’s dress. It’s true, she thought. We would make a stunning couple tonight.

  The soundtrack for the evening was all oldies, all the time. As the band went on break, a recording of “Tell It Like It Is” by the Neville Brothers crooned from the speakers, and the pace of the dance floor slowed instantly. The reception had been in full swing for over an hour by the time Sam finally mastered her awkwardness and asked Maria, “May I have this dance?”

  Maria had been laughing about something with Jenny, and she turned surprised eyes toward her before her whole body softened and Sam’s legs turned to Jell-O. Maria’s warm fingers weaved in between hers, and Sam led them to the dance floor. They eased against each other, Maria’s head resting on her shoulder, arms draped loosely around her neck, while Sam’s fingers spread out across the small of Maria’s back. Everything else around them disappeared, and Sam saw only Maria, heard only Maria’s breath, felt only Maria’s heat. Eventually, she became aware of the music as Maria hummed against her neck. As her low voice vibrated the lyrics into Sam’s chest, it surprised her that she wasn’t nervous. Unlike emotionally charged moments with Natalie, a calm contentment infused her body. Focused, and settled confidently into the moment, she pulled back a bit and, sliding her index finger under Maria’s chin, guided her head away from her chest so that they could see each other. Sam felt her temperature slowly rise at the intensity in the way Maria looked at her.

  Sam stopped dancing. She’d never felt anything more right than holding Maria, and she brought her hand to Maria’s cheek, softly caressing the warm, smooth skin she found there. A world of disappointment and inadequacy—a world of Sam’s own making perpetuated by her utterly dissatisfying relationship with Natalie—fell away, and the sudden lightness made her weak. She sagged a little, and Maria’s arms immediately tightened around her, supporting her. “You okay?”

  The concern hit her like a fist to the abdomen, and as her breath left her, she clung to the only person who made sense to her, the only person who had seen her for who she was and offered what she needed without question—before Sam even knew herself what she needed. The depth of love in Maria’s eyes should have overwhelmed her, should have left her bereft of sense, but it resonated with such synchronicity alongside the depth of her own love for Maria that she glided her thumb across Maria’s jaw, her cheek, her lips. She didn’t know when she’d fallen so deeply, so sublimely in love with Maria. She only knew that she was, and it made her strong. Maria’s hands gently caressed the back of Sam’s neck, and little jolts of electricity surged down her body. She couldn’t tear her eyes from Maria’s; she’d never just looked at someone else, looked into her eyes for this long, and she thought briefly that perhaps she should find it awkward. Instead, she swam into the love and longing she saw there.

  Her eyes dropped to Maria’s perfect lips, which were slightly parted, but the Neville Brothers faded into “Sugar Pie, Honey Bunch,” and the atmosphere shifted. Maria took the lead and, lightening the mood a bit, she moved her hips suggestively and grinned. Trying to ignore the persistent hum that vibrated through her body, Sam twirled around the dance floor and threw her head back in laughter. Four oldies later, they were still lost in each other when Jenny interrupted them to ask if she could cut in and dance with Maria. A few years ago, if she’d been dancing with Natalie, she would have felt put out, disappointed, possessive. Now, with Maria, there was no need to rush, no need to cling. The urgency that governed a relationship riddled with uncertainty disappeared entirely with someone who seemed to hold Sam’s future in her e
yes. Nodding graciously, Sam passed Maria’s hand to Jenny and promptly invited Pauly to dance instead. Jamie escorted Eva to the dance floor, and the three mismatched couples cut random, uncoordinated swaths through the crowded dance floor.

  When “Pretty Woman” began, they rotated partners, each pair imitating the scene from the movie where Richard Gere gives Julia Roberts the necklace. As the night progressed, they continued to shuffle dancing combinations until most of the other guests had gone home. Last call saw Pauly leading Eva and Maria leading Sam.

  Whether it was the thinner crowd, the romance of the evening, or the culmination of too many months spent waiting, Maria’s dance moves eventually transformed from charming to sensual. Arousal coursed through Sam as Maria slid down her body and back up. Face to face, lips to lips, Sam leaned in to kiss her, but the song ended, and the air between them palpably changed. Maria smiled ruefully before placing a gentle kiss on Sam’s cheek and softly bidding her good night. Sam watched her locate her brother, slip on her coat, and walk out the door.

  Only when Maria was completely gone from sight did Sam’s breath return to normal.

  “Sam?” Eva’s voice in her ear was filled with amusement. “Can you walk…or…should I carry you?”

  Sam swatted at her and guided her to a bench just outside the front door. It had been a long night for Eva, and exhaustion was written all over her. Sam brought the car around, and helped her into the passenger seat.

  Electricity coursed through her body, and Sam feared she wouldn’t be able to sleep. Much to her surprise, she awoke the next morning after the best night of sleep she’d had in a year. After making breakfast for her mother and setting her up with an easel and some watercolors, Sam looked up the number for Stowe’s Snapdragons, Eva’s favorite florist. She ordered the biggest flower arrangement they made and had it delivered to Stowe Away as soon as Brendon unlocked the doors.

  The few weeks she had spent helping out at the restaurant while Maria was on crutches had ingrained Maria’s schedule upon her memory, and at quarter after ten that morning, when she knew Maria would arrive at her restaurant, Sam drove through the Stowe Away parking lot. She watched through the restaurant’s windows as Maria spotted the flowers on the bar and stopped dead in her tracks. Brendon grinned at her and said something that must have been teasing, but Maria ignored him.

  Samantha could see the card’s words in her mind:

  May these flowers brighten your day the way your smile brightens mine. Thank you for dancing with me last night. I would be honored to escort you to dinner on Friday. Yours, Samantha.

  Sam was gratified that Maria read it twice before sliding it into the pocket of her jacket. Maria glanced over the menus to verify they had been printed correctly, and booted up the register. After glancing around to make sure Brendon had returned to the kitchen, she took out the card and read it again.

  This is going well, Sam thought as she drove away, pleased that her first step at courtship had been so well-received.

  On Friday night, Sam pulled into Maria’s driveway and wiped her sweaty palms down her tailored linen pants. She might not have been nervous at Dolores’s wedding reception, but today was a different story. According to the digital clock on the radio panel, she was three minutes early. It would be foolish to sit in her car for the next three minutes, but she didn’t want to seem overeager, either. This would probably be when many women reapplied lipstick, but she didn’t even own lip gloss. Nevertheless, she lowered the visor and studied her appearance. A quick check confirmed she didn’t have food in her teeth. Considering she’d brushed and flossed on her way out the door, it seemed unlikely, but Sam didn’t want to take any chances. She glanced at her lightweight, white V-neck sweater to confirm that she hadn’t spilled any of the food she’d barely eaten that day. She returned the car’s visor to its home and, grabbing the small paper bag from the passenger seat, strode slowly and purposefully up the drive. The warm summer air and the soft crunch of her loafers on the gravel settled her nerves a bit.

  The door opened before her knuckles made contact with the wood, and Pauly beamed at her. “Right on time! Please, come in.” Ever the paragon of charm and politeness, Pauly held the door for her. “You look very nice tonight, Samantha.” She raised her eyebrows at him. “Maria told me to tell you that,” he whispered conspiratorially. Hearty laughter rose from the bottom of her abdomen, and out her lips. She felt all her anxiety replaced by something that felt a lot like happiness.

  “You did good, buddy,” she said and winked. “You look dapper as well.” Pauly glanced down at his chinos and polo, which might have constituted a uniform, he wore them so regularly, and shrugged. “I guess I always look dapper then.”

  “I brought you something.” Sam casually nodded at the brown bag swaying back and forth in her right hand. Pauly’s eyes lit up and he grabbed for the parcel. “Uh, uh, uh. I want something in return.”

  His eyebrows knit in thoughtfulness, and then he suggested, “I just got a new book.”

  “No, no. I just want to know what your sister’s favorite dessert is.”

  “Oh, that’s easy. She likes crème brûlée.”

  Sam extended the bag, and Pauly extracted a cookie. He was taking a bite when Sam smelled her. Her nostrils flared at the sweet, fresh scent of lavender and the hint of sandalwood. The intoxicating fragrance washed over her, and she closed her eyes a moment. When she heard movement behind her and she opened them again, turning around. Her chest constricted at the sight of Maria in a white linen dress that stopped just above her knees. The thin silver straps of her heels encircled her ankles and crossed just above her toes, and small sapphires in each ear provided the finishing touch. They both looked like they were headed toward the beach, and Sam forced her thoughts away from kissing Maria as the surf danced around their legs.

  “You look stunning.” She struggled to keep the desire out of her voice and wasn’t sure she was entirely successful.

  “So do you,” Maria said, her voice lower than usual.

  Through a mouthful of cookie, Pauly puffed, spraying a few crumbs, “I already told her that.” They both laughed, and Maria indicated the remaining cookie half in his hand. “Your doing?”

  “Guilty.”

  “Well, you certainly know your way into one Sanchez’s heart. I wonder how you’ll do with the other one.”

  When their eyes met, it was like a current of electricity passed between them.

  “Shall we?” Sam held the door open for her date and enjoyed the view before she grinned at Pauly. “Your sister sure is something.”

  He nodded happily and started on a second cookie. She hurried to overtake Maria and open the car door for her. As they drove away, Otis Redding serenading them, Sam took one last look at the house and saw Pauly leaning against the doorframe, waving them off.

  Sam had booked a reservation at an upscale bistro in Essex, forty-five minutes away. The hostess led them to a romantic table by the windows with two chairs at ninety degrees to each other, rather than on opposite sides of the table. It was a nice setup for a date; she would be able to touch Maria and look at her easily. An orchid floated in a small glass bowl in the center of the table, flanked by two tea candles. They immediately agreed on a bottle of pinot noir, and Maria slipped away to the restroom.

  Sam flagged down their waiter, who politely took her secret order of a crème brûlée and two spoons.

  “Excellent choice. The lady will be pleased,” he said before he walked away.

  Maria returned as the wine was poured, and they settled back into their chairs, sipping pinot and discussing the menu. Sam was acutely aware of the heat coming from Maria’s bare knee, then equally distracted by the thrumming of her heartbeat. Grateful for the dim lighting, she fumbled with her napkin, nearly dropping it. As though it were the most natural thing in the world, Maria gently rested her knee against Sam’s and continued chatting abou
t what she wanted to order. Sam’s heartbeat continued to race, but she relaxed into the pressure against her leg and managed to focus on other things.

  The entire menu looked delicious, and finally Maria said, “Would you like to order a few things and just split them?”

  “I’m hoping to share a lot tonight, and that may as well include the food.” It could have easily sounded cheesy, but Maria seemed to melt a little. “You’re the food expert; would you like to order for us?”

  In her smile Sam got a glimpse of what a young Maria might have looked like in a toy store. Her eyes ran down the menu one last time, she nodded in approval, and set the menu aside. ”What looks good to you?” the waiter asked, appearing at their table.

  “Everything, but that would be a bit extravagant. We’d like to share the bruschetta, endive salad, risotto, and the butternut squash and scallion pudding.”

  “Excellent choices.” The waiter collected their menus.

  After he left, Maria whispered, “Waiters are supposed to validate your choices. I train my staff to do this, but it still feels good to hear, doesn’t it?”

  Sam shrugged, pretty sure the waiter could have told her she’d ordered sludge on top of gruel and she’d still feel good. Maria had that effect. “Butternut squash seems a bit out of season. Are you growing that in your gardens right now?”

  “You’re right; squashes are fall vegetables. Asparagus reaches maturity in early spring—it’s usually the earliest vegetable. We’re adding an asparagus enchilada to Stowe Away’s offerings next week. It’ll probably be on the menu for a month or so, depending on our yield. But honestly, the fish fertilizer we’re using has completely blown up our gardens and greenhouses. We’re producing so much that I’d like to expand into CSA boxes. We might not be able to do that all year round, but I’d say we could provide veggies for the community from May through October, maybe November.”