by Tanya Stowe
She looked up. One lone tear pooled and trickled down her cheek, and she swiped it away as confusion swept through her. “You flew all the way out here for me?”
Jackson ducked his head. “I know how much Dorothy meant to you. I knew this would be difficult.”
Struggling to process his words, she licked lips gone suddenly dry. Did he really care that much? She couldn’t understand it, couldn’t believe, so she said the first thing that came to her mind. “Dorothy was everything I ever wanted to be. She had it all. This place, this culture didn’t beat her. My mother survived, but she had to leave Hollywood to do it. Toni gave up her chance for love and a family. But Dorothy…it didn’t beat her. She had a happy marriage, children, and a successful career. I want to be just like her.”
Jackson gave a slow nod. “If anyone can do it, it’ll be you. That’s not the only reason I came back though. I wanted…needed to apologize. That last night we were together, I was pretty harsh. I said some unkind things.”
She shook her head. “No. You spoke the truth. I let things…people…push me in the wrong direction. I’m the one who should be apologizing. It was an awful night that never should have happened. At least not the way it did.”
A rueful smile tugged at his lips. “I think maybe you tried to apologize but I cut you off. I lost my temper. I don’t usually do that but I was…” He broke off.
Say it. Tell me you were as jealous and as confused as I. Tell me you cared too much, and I’ll throw myself in your arms and never let go.
His jaw flexed and his teeth clenched. But he didn’t say the words she longed to hear.
Giggling interrupted them. The group of teenagers had found them and were making their way down the path.
Their private talk was about to end.
“About the show…”
Sunny shook her head. “I only brought it up because I couldn’t think of anything else to say. You were right. Now is not the time.”
He glanced back at the little group timidly creeping forward. “I’ve rented the beach house for a week. Maybe you could stop by later, and we’ll discuss it.”
“I’m helping Dorothy’s family with the reception. But I’m free tomorrow.”
He smiled. “Great. You can finally teach me how to surf.”
“It’s a deal.”
Gripping her hand, he gave it a squeeze then turned to meet the teenagers. He artfully greeted the young girls and began to sign programs, all the while shepherding them back down the path they’d come so he could make a graceful exit.
She listened to the sound of their excited chatter and his deep baritone even after they passed from her view. Then she closed her eyes. He hadn’t said the words she wanted to hear but how could she blame him? She’d deflected his affection so many times, he was probably afraid to open his heart again.
But he cared…enough to fly all the way back just to be here for her during Dorothy’s funeral. And they were meeting tomorrow.
God was giving her a chance to make things right.
Please, Lord. Don’t let me blow it.
12
To Sunny’s surprise, Buzz answered the door of the beach house.
“Wow. Are you coming for the afternoon or moving in?”
“Hi, Buzz. Good to see you, too.”
He took the heavy surfboard from her arms then gave her a one-armed hug.
Sunny shifted the hatbox and beach bag to her other hand then stepped inside. “I didn’t realize you were here.”
He gave her a wry smile. “I’m actually the one who rented the house. I wanted to spend the week here, and Jackson tagged along.”
Sunny ignored the little lurch of her heart as she dropped her box and bags on the sofa. “So how is my assistant? I haven’t seen her since she started her two-week vacation.”
A grin popped out, and Buzz winked. “I’ll find out in a few. We’re meeting for lunch.”
“Tell her I said hi.”
“Will do.” He grabbed car keys from the kitchen counter. “Jackson’s waiting down by the water. He said it’s too nice a day to miss a minute of the sunshine.”
“He’s got that right.”
Buzz waved as he headed out the door.
Sunny turned to face the windows. OK. So it wasn’t Jackson’s idea to come to California. That didn’t mean he didn’t care. She wouldn’t let her fears stop her from doing what she came to do. She changed into her wet suit and let it dangle at her waist while she wove her hair into a thick braid. Now for the final touch. She lifted the pristine, perfectly shaped white cowboy hat from the hatbox and set it in place. Taking a deep breath, Sunny hefted her surfboard and headed onto the deck. She crossed the white sand.
Jackson was body surfing the waves. He raised a hand in greeting.
She headed to the spot where his surfboard lay propped in the sand, upright on its side.
As Jackson ran up the beach, he slowed his pace. His wet hair was slicked back and his torso gleamed with water. Based on the light brown shade of his skin, he’d found time to be in the sun.
Sunny’s mouth went dry.
Jackson came to a stop at her side and traced her face with his caramel-colored gaze.
She planted her surfboard beside his, and then took a deep breath. “Hey.”
“Hey.” He gestured to the hat. “A little out of place here on the beach. Trying to start a beach cowgirl fad?”
“No. Just making a point.”
He cocked his head. “What point?”
“I can see our future now, Jackson. Horseback riding beside you. More restaurants, maybe even a few more shock-and-awe adventures.” She managed a little smile. “But not a lot. I’m not sure my heart can take too many of those. Wherever you want to take me, I’ll go.” She ducked her head. “I’m sorry I didn’t see it before. I was a little confused, but now everything is crystal clear.” She drew a deep breath and fixed her gaze on his. “I hope it’s clear for you, too.”
He said nothing, just frowned. Stepping closer, he lifted the hat off her head and examined it. He was silent for so long, dread gripped Sunny’s heart, slowing it to a dull thud.
At last, Jackson looked up and fitted the hat back into place. Then he lifted her chin with his fingertip. “You forgot the red carpet. I didn’t much like it on my last visit, but I’d like to give it another try. And sunsets over the ocean. I want lots of those. I’m even thinking of buying this place.”
The anxious, frozen twist in her stomach began to melt. “I don’t think it’s for sale.”
He shrugged. “My second album looks to go platinum. I’ll make them an offer they can’t refuse. Or maybe I’ll buy some property I found up the coast. I’d rather build my own place anyway.” He placed his hands on her hips and tugged her forward.
“Oh, Jackson, that’s a wonderful idea. I’d love to see the house you’d design.”
“Well, I’ll have to be frugal. There’s this company I want to invest in.”
Sunny’s smile faded, and she stared at him as he snuggled her closer, into the curve of his body.
“I know a good businesswoman with a knack for making shows a success. I want to invest in her.”
“You’d do that?” Her words came out soft, almost a whisper.
Jackson tilted his head. “I told you I can see us doing lots of things together.”
Joy rushed through Sunny in a tidal wave. She looped her arms around his neck. “How about babies, Jackson Maise? Do you see those in our future?”
He jerked back, surprised. “And Buzz says I hone in on the target. Isn’t that rushing things a bit?”
Sunny tilted her head back and laughed. “A dear, old friend advised me not to wait. She said life is too short to make excuses.”
“Remind me to thank your friend. But first things first. Will you marry me, Sunny Bates?”
She stood on her tiptoes until their lips were almost touching. “Is tomorrow too soon?”
“Whoa. I don’t think my parents can get here
that fast. Maybe you better slow it down a little.”
“Not with you, Jackson Maise. Not ever again.” Sunny sealed her promise by pulling his head down for a kiss.
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