by Mary Manners
The house was quiet—too quiet. Maybe he should look into adopting a dog. The local shelter overflowed with abandoned mutts desperate for a home. Why not rescue at least one? But a dog would mean roots and a home. It would mean staying.
“Well, then, I suppose you have a problem…I suppose I do, as well.” Kami’s words echoed through Wyatt’s mind. What a mess he’d made of things. That was one area he seemed to excel at…making messes.
He glanced out the kitchen window and saw Kami’s house was dark. Of course it was dark—she’d be up at the crack of dawn and off to Pappy’s to help Anthony prepare for customers once again.
“Laughter and love, that’s what fueled me for all those childhood years, at least until Mom died, taking the laughter with her. The restaurant is a chore now, something I’m beginning to despise.”
The words were an icepick to Wyatt’s heart because, in them, Kami’s grief mirrored his. Yes, being the eldest he’d shouldered the lion’s share of responsibility for his younger siblings, often taking the blame for things beyond his control. He’d wanted out, wanted freedom. But, unlike Kami, at least he had siblings to argue with and to lean on when he needed them.
And his mom, although most certainly filled with grief, had managed to carry on admirably, despite her loss. Kami was alone, without siblings, carrying a father who was consumed by his own grief with little or no regard to hers.
It hadn’t taken Wyatt long to realize that, after leaving Clover Cove, his newfound freedom came with greater responsibilities as well as a boatload of drawbacks. Suddenly, he had no family close by. Just a closetful of neatly-pressed suits, a loaded appointment book, and a boss who expected him to sacrifice every ounce of his personal time for the good of the company. Sure, the salary proved lucrative, but, as Kami had pointed out, money wasn’t everything. Yet, money sure did make the world turn a lot more smoothly.
Wyatt took his coffee out onto the back deck. Crickets serenaded as a gentle breeze kissed the treetops, nudging leaves into a slow, swaying dance that brought Kami to mind once again. The feel of her in his arms, the soft scent of her perfume, awakened a longing in Wyatt that was difficult to tuck away in his heart, to write off as if it didn’t exist. He’d need to face it—and soon.
Moonlight bathed the white slats that surrounded his yard in a milky glow, and reminded him it was time to quit riding the fence and move forward into his future—however uncertain that future might be.
Chapter 9
THE SHARP, STACCATO CLACK OF heels along the planks of his front porch the next afternoon set off an alarm in Wyatt’s head, but the numbers flashing in a neat spreadsheet across his computer screen monopolized his attention and rendered him immobile.
Until a trio of raps on the front door were followed by a shout.
“Wyatt, open up.” Kami’s voice was tinged with annoyance. Trouble, for sure. “I know you’re in there. Your car’s in the drive.”
“The door’s open. Come on in.” He peeled his gaze from the computer screen and stood from the rolling desk chair, taking a moment to stretch kinks from his spine before heading from his make-shift home office toward the living room. The office had been a spur-of-the-moment act of brilliance. His Mom and Reese, with their incessant chatter, made it nearly impossible for him to accomplish anything at the nursery. So he’d hauled the small kitchen table into an empty bedroom, set up his laptop and printer, and gone to work. Great plan, except now he was lacking a table on which to eat. Didn’t much matter, by his way of thinking, since he usually stopped off at Pappy’s in the evening to grab a bite to eat before heading home.
And to see Kami.
“Wyatt Cutler,” Kami’s voice sailed down the hall, rising a notch or two as she neared. “I have a bone to pick with you.”
“Pick away.” He forced a grin as she strode through the doorway, knowing a bit of humor might stave off the flamethrowers. “I’m wearing my armor.”
“What do you mean, going to see my dad?” Her green eyes shot flames. “He told me what you did, told me everything.”
The grin widened as Wyatt recalled his conversation with Anthony Moretto. “So, now it’s wrong for me to ask Anthony’s permission to date his daughter?”
“You might have asked me first. And those flowers—”
“Magnolias, yes.”
“They’re gorgeous. But you shouldn’t have.”
“Yet, I did.”
Kami huffed out a breath, like a pressure cooker losing steam. She waggled a finger at him. “I’m mad at you. I need to sit down.”
“Go right ahead.” Wyatt’s hand swept toward the only other remaining chair.
“I—” She paused as a tiny, pitiful whimper reached her ears. “What’s that?”
“That would be Moe.”
“Moe?” The flames in her gaze died as she slipped around the desk and spotted the ball of fur huddled at his feet. “Oh my goodness, look!”
“Yeah, that’s Moe.” Wyatt watched her fall to her knees and lift the chocolate lab mix from the wood floor. “All fourteen, furry pounds of him.”
“He’s adorable. But how? Where? When?”
“Extinguish your flamethrowers and give me a minute here.” Wyatt laughed as Kami nuzzled Moe to her chest. The puppy squirmed and whined, burying his muzzle in her neck. “I made a visit to the animal shelter this morning. Moe and I found each other. The bond was instantaneous—love at first sight.”
“You saved him.” Kami kissed Moe’s fur and Wyatt couldn’t help wishing those lips would wander his way. “But I’m still mad at you.”
“Why? Because I sent you flowers?’
“Because you’ve made me, despite all odds, fall in love with you.” She jabbed an index finger into his chest. “And I don’t like the feeling—not one little bit. I’m sure I’ll like it even less when you take off for New York again.”
“I’m not going to take off again.”
“And to top it all off, you introduce me to this little guy. That will only make it harder. And—” She paused for a breath, his words registering. “What did you just say?”
“I’m not planning to leave, Kami.” He took a step toward her, pressed a palm to her warm cheek as Moe squirmed between them. “I plan to stay right here in Clover Cove to help Mom and Reese run the nursery— and to win you over to my team.”
“I didn’t…well, I didn’t expect that.”
Wyatt leaned in, sidestepping the puppy, to claim her lips. The kiss was light, gentle and filled with the heady promise of more. “I’ll bet you didn’t expect that, either.”
“No.” She stepped back, her gaze glossed with surprise, and pressed a finger to her lips. “I don’t know, Wyatt. I can’t think. It’s too much, too soon.”
“Take your time, then.” He inched toward her, claimed her lips once more, then her temple, before settling his mouth along her brow. “Because I’m not going anywhere.”
Kami’s head was spinning with an overload of emotions. Her heart, full and pulsing, felt as if it might burst with every breath. A spray of pink and purple magnolias on the counter beside the register reminded her why.
Wyatt.
“Kami, sweetie, I’d like a splash of coffee.” Mrs. Baker held up her cup, waving it like a white flag of surrender in an attempt to draw Kami’s attention. “And another basket of those delicious garlic knots should hit the spot, although my waist says otherwise.”
“Coming right up.” Kami took Mrs. Baker’s cup, set it on the table, and filled it to the brim. “Are those new earrings you’re wearing? They’re lovely.”
“My daughter-in-law, Susan, sent them from Vermont for my birthday. She has impeccable taste, and owns her own boutique.” One hand went to her fleshy lobe. “I was touched that she remembered. Susan’s always been a sweetheart. You remind me of her, you know.”
“Thank you. That’s really a thoughtful thing to say.”
“Just stating the truth as I see it. I’ve noticed that Wyatt Cutler’s been coming
around lately. Good to see he’s home. Nice man, but restless. He’s got an eye for you though, yes he does.” She winked. “Just be careful, you hear?”
“I’m always careful, Mrs. Baker.” Kami took up the empty bread basket. Indeed, careful seemed to be her middle name. But, where Wyatt was concerned, she needed all the caution she could muster. She’d fallen in love with him, but that didn’t mean he felt the same for her. Words came easy, the actions that backed them up, not-so-much. Time would tell, but in the meantime, she pasted on a smile. “Don’t you worry about that.”
Kami turned from the table as the bell over the entrance door chimed and Hattie Cutler came through, carrying a mesh bag sporting Cutler Nursery’s emblem.
“Hattie, it’s so good to see you.” Kami gave her a quick hug, allowing the scent of Shalimar to enfold her. “What can I get for you?”
“I came to see your dad. He phoned the nursery a while ago, looking for fresh herbs. I brought him over a few containers from a delivery that just arrived—some parsley, thyme and rosemary from the greenhouse, along with a few others he mentioned.”
“He’s in the kitchen. Would you like me to take them back for you?’
“No, I’ll go myself. Thank you, dear.” She started that way. “You go ahead and take care of Mrs. Baker. I know how impatient that woman can be, bless her heart.”
“How did you know—?” Kami turned back at the telltale clack of a spoon against wood. “Ah, yes…there it is.”
“Hattie laughed. “Like I said, I’ll bring this to Anthony while you take care of Alice Baker. We’ll meet back here when we’re done and share a nice slice of apple pie a la mode, how’s that?”
“Sounds heavenly.”
“Yes, it certainly does.”
Chapter 10
A MEMORY WRESTLED THROUGH WYATT’S subconscious as he slept fitfully later that night. An emergency siren wailed through his mind as lights flooded the nursery’s office in a patchwork quilt of reds and blues.
In the nightmare, Reese skidded through the office door, his dark hair flying. “Wyatt—come—quick. Something’s up at Pappy’s.” The words forced their way out as a cluster of staccato gasps.
Wyatt stiffened in the chair, his heart suddenly racing. “What’s going on?”
“I don’t know. Mom just went over to bring some herbs to Anthony, and now an ambulance has rushed into the parking lot.”
The thought of Kami pushed all else from Wyatt’s mind. Was she hurt? Did she need him?
Fear had stabbed Wyatt as he yanked reading glasses from the bridge of his nose and tossed them onto the desk blotter. Of course, whatever had happened, Kami needed him. The feeling nudged like Moe’s cold, wet snout. He shoved back from the desk and matched stride for stride with Reese as they hurried from the nursery to cross the road.
The dream suddenly muddled as footsteps slapped tile, tugging Wyatt up to the surface of consciousness. His eyes snapped open while his pulse raced, and for a moment, he was unsure of his surroundings. The incessant beep of a heart monitor proved a rude reminder, while the kink in his neck and chill in his bones reminded him that he’d nodded off in an unforgiving vinyl-covered hospital chair.
His gaze fell on Anthony Moretto, tucked beneath a sheet in the hospital bed beside him. Exhaustion had finally claimed Kami’s father, resulting in a heart attack.
Luckily, all subsequent tests indicated the attack was mild. Thank God for that single adjective—mild. It could have been a lot worse.
Devastating. Fatal.
Wyatt sucked down a breath, his sinuses revolting at the sharp sting of disinfectant, as his mother stepped into the room carrying a trio of foam cups filled with cafeteria coffee.
“Here, son.” She offered him one, set one on the bedside table, and kept the third for herself.
“Thanks.” Wyatt shifted in the seat, suddenly aware that his right arm had gone numb. One glance told him why—Kami was nestled in the vinyl hospital chair beside him, sound asleep. Her head lolled against his shoulder, cutting off the circulation. “With all the medication pumped into Anthony, he’s sure to sleep through the night.”
His mother stepped to the bed and gingerly adjusted Anthony’s sheet to cover his shoulders. “You should take Kami home. The poor girl is exhausted. Just look at her.”
Wyatt glanced Kami’s way, and his heart broke for her. Tears stained her cheeks as wisps of dusky hair curled around her face. Her breathing was shallow, labored with riddled dreams. He longed to take her pain on as his own, to shoulder it for her.
“She’ll sleep now, too.” He smoothed a hand over her cheek and shifted her from his shoulder. “I think she cried herself out.”
“Yes, and rightly so. She’s been under more pressure than any young woman should have to deal with, lately. Her father, so hard-headed…”
“He reminds me of you.” Wyatt grinned tiredly, yawned and stretched. “Two peas in a pod.”
“Pish posh.” His mother waved him off and shifted gears. “Reese locked up the nursery, made the night drop, and stopped by your house to pick up Moe and take him home for the night. That little guy is a cutie. I think Reese has fallen in love.”
“Seems to be par for the course.” Wyatt shifted, grimaced at the painful, burning tingle as blood began to course the length of his arm once again. He tossed back coffee with his other hand. “You didn’t happen to run into Anthony’s doctor out there, too, did you?”
“As a matter of fact, I did.”
“But he couldn’t release any information to you since we’re not family, right?”
“Oh, not so fast. I have my ways.” She winked. “He’s waiting for more test results, but everything indicates the attack caused minimal damage.” She nodded toward the bed where Kami’s dad rested. The color had begun to return to his cheeks, yet his eyes were still ringed in dusky shadows. “Anthony should make a full recovery. Oh, he’ll most definitely have to make some changes, slow down a bit at the very least. But he’ll live to bake another pan of lasagna, toss another pizza crust. He’s lucky…” Her voice broke as it trailed off. She slipped into a plastic chair he’d dragged in from the waiting room hours ago and shook her head. “Oh my goodness, so much hurt.”
“Don’t cry, Mom. It’s going to be okay.”
“This just brings back memories.” The tears came then in spades, making her gasp. “When I saw poor Anthony, lying on the pizzeria’s kitchen floor, it brought back a wave of…so many memories.”
Wyatt set down his cup and rose from his chair, crossing the room to wrap his arms around her. A log jam of emotions broke loose. “I’m sorry I haven’t been here for you. I’m so sorry I let you and Reese down at the nursery. I had no idea how hard it was for you both, all that time I was away. I didn’t think—”
“Stop.” His mother nudged him back, her eyes suddenly blazing. “Don’t you dare, Wyatt.” She brushed a hand over her face, smudging the tear streaks. “Don’t you ever regret following your dreams. There’s a danger in lost opportunities, in letting them drift by with little or no regard for the passage of time or the burning of chances. At one time, New York was your dream. Maybe it still is. I don’t know. But there’s no shame in following your heart or in doing what fills your spirit and makes you happy. Your father certainly did that. I did that, too, and Reese is surely walking that path, as well. We all have to make our choices—and our own future. Just because they don’t always mesh doesn’t mean any are wrong or less worthy.”
“Right. Of course.” Wyatt nodded. His gaze settled on Kami, and he suddenly knew with all of his heart, felt one hundred percent certain, of what his choice concerning her—and their future. He loved her. “You should go home now, Mom. I’m staying with Kami, where I belong. I’ll hold down the fort here and if anything changes, I promise I’ll call you.” He leaned in, kissed her cheek. “Tell Reese to give Moe a goodnight hug for me, okay?”
Sunlight spilled through the blinds, filling the stark hospital room with a measure of warmt
h. Kami crossed to the bed, adjusting the serving table pressed against father’s midsection. Cinnamon filled the air as she stirred a bowl of tepid oatmeal.
“It’s not so bad, Dad.” She hid her frown at the sight of the brownish sludge.
“It’s horrible.” He wadded his napkin and tossed it onto the tray. “I want scrambled eggs and bacon, a cup of coffee that’s got some kick to it, not this watered-down tea and congealed blob of putty.”
“I see you’re feeling much better already.” She handed him a spoon. “The quicker you eat, the quicker you get out of here.”
“Good grief, when you put it that way…” He took the spoon, dipped it and brought it to his dried lips. “I guess I can choke down a bite or two.”
“Kami scooted onto the foot of the bed. “We need to talk.”
“You mean you need to talk.”
“You’re not making this easy.” She patted his shin. “Please, Daddy.”
“Okay.” He swallowed, grimaced, and eyed the food on the tray as if it were a lethal enemy. “I’m listening.”
“Things at the restaurant have to change. I don’t want to lose you.”
“Lose me? You make me sound like a set of car keys.”
“I’m not kidding. Last night…well, it scared me terribly.” Her eyes, even now, felt gritty from lack of sleep. Her jeans were wrinkled, her blouse creased, and her hair a mass of waves that had come loose from the braid she’d woven yesterday. She hadn’t been home in over twenty-four hours, having kept vigil at the hospital, at his bedside.
With Wyatt.
The thought leapt to her head, and Kami realized how much it meant to her, having Wyatt at her side. He’d gone down the hall just minutes ago to phone Reese and check in on Hattie and Moe, leaving her alone for the first time since he’d driven her to the emergency room, blazing a trail behind the wailing ambulance.
