“I still can’t believe you risked your pilot’s license for me,” she whispered.
“I risked it for Destiny,” he said. “So, for you by association.”
“But you skirted the law.”
“Aidan covered for me, and after I get that call with George, we’re going back up for my last official hours.” He grinned. “Does that mean my call sign can be something like…Law Breaker? Wildcat? Oh, oh, I got it.” He lifted his brows. “Reckless.”
She snorted a laugh. “We could go simple with Bad-Ass.”
“I like it.”
“Seriously, John. That was an amazing move, but a potentially huge sacrifice.”
He shrugged. “I didn’t give it too much thought.”
“Words no one ever expected to hear from you.”
“Well, you know how you’ve let go of your guilt issues? I’m learning to let go of my need to overthink everything and sometimes just go with what I’m feeling.”
She studied his face for a long time, drinking in the long lashes, the gold specks in his eyes, and the few creases from years of easy laughter. “What are you feeling right now?” she whispered.
“Oh, let’s see. Happy doesn’t quite capture it, but elated feels a little, I don’t know.”
“Not manly enough for Bad-Ass Santorini,” she teased, giving his muscled arm a squeeze. “How about content?”
“I sailed past content about an hour ago when you…” He looked down where their bodies were pressed together. “That was amazing, by the way.”
She laughed. “You still haven’t answered my question. What are you feeling right this very minute?”
He looked into her eyes for a long, long time. “There’s a word for it. A simple four-letter word.”
Her heart kicked up. “Yeah?”
“And that’s how I feel, Summer Jackson.” He placed his hand on her cheek. “The deepest, wildest, most indescribable feeling in the world. Love.”
She sucked in a soft breath.
“I love you,” he said. “And I know you already said it, but you were high on adrenaline and relief, so I’m not holding you to it.”
“Hold me to it,” she whispered. “I love you, too.”
His eyes closed for a second, as if he just had to let the moment sink in. “Oh, that’s good to know.”
“You didn’t believe me when I said it by the plane?”
“I didn’t know what to believe, but I wanted to.”
“Believe it,” she said, tightening her grip on his whole body. “Because it’s true. I love you.”
“Summer.” He grazed her cheek. “I never want you to leave.”
The words floated over her, warming her with possibilities and hope and a great big delicious future as his—
“There’s my call.” He jerked away, silencing her thoughts.
“I didn’t hear the phone.”
“It’s vibrating on the dresser.” He rolled over her, dropping a kiss on her forehead on the way. “Wish me luck.”
She bit her lip and nodded, but the only thing she wished was that Travis Shipley persuaded his father to drop the plan to reopen Hoagies & Heroes and let John buy the property.
“George, good morning,” John said, answering the phone with one hand as he yanked on his boxers with the other. “How’s your Sunday?” He sat on the edge of the bed, taking her hand in his and tapping the screen to put George on speaker.
“Good, fine. I just want to…” He hesitated for a moment, then cleared his throat. “I don’t actually know what happened when my son visited last week, but it’s changed everything.”
Everything? Summer sat up a little, squeezing John’s hand.
“How so?” John asked.
“Travis has decided he’s not quite finished pursuing music, it seems.”
Summer bit back a squeal of joy.
“Is that so?” John was way cooler, thank God.
“Boy has his dreams, you know?”
“Oh, I know,” he replied. “And you’re a good father to help him pursue them.”
He snorted. “I got my hands full with my wife.”
“I understand she’s sick,” he said. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
“Thank you. It is…what it is.” He let out a sigh. “And I had no right to corner you into a higher price, John. Let’s go with your original offer. I’m going to sign those email documents right now and send them right over to you. We can close in ten days.”
Summer dropped back on the pillow, sighing with relief.
“That’s awesome, George. I really appreciate it.”
“Hey, thank Travis. He was the one who came back here, went into his mother’s room, shut the door, and didn’t come out for two hours. When he did, she’d changed her mind about everything. And I do what my wife wants, if you must know the truth.”
John and Summer shared a look, and she nodded, imagining that Travis took his story back to his mother and convinced her that the life she wanted for him wasn’t what he wanted.
Because of Isaiah’s letter? Maybe. The pages of the letter that talked about Travis had been missing when she got home that day, so she hoped he’d shared Isaiah’s words with his dying mother.
“Oh, one more thing,” John said as they were signing off. “We happen to have close family ties to country singer Scooter Hawkings. Do you know of him?”
Summer sat up, a little surprised at the question.
George responded with a snort. “Only because Travis played his music nonstop when he was here. Said he married that pretty singer, Blue, not long ago.”
“He married her at my soon-to-be sister-in-law’s winery, and my brother was the chef at the wedding.”
George let out a whistle. “Big-time celebrities.”
Seriously big-time.
“Actually, Scooter and my brother are good friends now, and I’m sure Alex would ask Scooter to meet with your son when he’s settled back in Nashville. Could be a good industry contact for Travis.”
Summer felt her jaw loosen. He’d do that for Travis? A man who had waltzed into Santorini’s and threatened to take it and her from him?
George was gushing. “That’s just…wow. Thank you. Susan! Honey, wait till you hear this…”
As John tried to say goodbye, Summer sat up and wrapped her arms around him, kissing his shoulder first. Laughing, he finally managed to sign off as professionally as possible before tossing the phone and turning his full attention to her kisses.
“You…” Summer said, smacking him with her lips on every surface she could find. “Are…” Cheek. Neck. Shoulder. Bicep. Mouth. Mouth again, making him laugh.
“I am what?” He pushed her back down on the bed, bracing himself over her. “Go ahead. Just say it. I can take it. I can take anything.”
“Nice.” She grinned at him. “And I love you, Nice Man.”
“I can’t fight it. That’s my freaking call sign, isn’t it?”
“Yep.” She continued her kisses, whispering his new name, loving him with everything she had and then some.
* * *
Destiny’s loud shriek of laughter made John turn and look out over the grass of Waterford Farm where she and Christian were playing tag with at least four dogs and poor Wee Fee, who toddled between them, trying to get in on the fun.
The Sunday meal was finished, and the sun had started to drop low behind the hills around Waterford Farm, adding a golden glow to the porch where he sat with Summer, Mav curled between them, chatting with the grannies.
“Our little singin’ birthday lass is no worse for the wear, I’d say,” Gramma Finnie mused as she rocked and watched the children play.
Yiayia leaned forward in her rocker and put a hand on Summer’s arm. “And how’s the little pupper doing?”
John lightly stroked Mav’s bandage, covering a laceration. “He’s in the best possible vet hands and will be fully healed in no time,” he said.
“And my daughter has learned her lesson about leashes and
listening to the counselor’s rules.”
Just then, John’s mother stepped out on the patio, her husband, Daniel, right behind her.
“We bear some responsibility,” Daniel said as they sat side by side on the sofa, facing John and Summer. Daniel’s old setter, Rusty, trotted out, followed by the much-younger retriever, Goldie, the two of them as attached to each other as Daniel and Katie Kilcannon.
“I don’t blame Waterford Farm,” Summer said. “I know my daughter all too well. She can be willful and wily.”
“And Mav ran away,” John added, gently flipping the puppy’s ear. “So he’s the one who should be held accountable.”
“Well, it was a bad situation,” Daniel said. “Thank God you saw her T-shirt from the air, John, but it should never have happened. We’ll be looking into additional security around the areas where the kids are camping for next year.”
“Shane and the counselors walked me through exactly what happened,” Summer said. “No one did anything wrong except Destiny, who should have known better. She even admitted that she thought if she told the counselors, they wouldn’t let her run after Mav, so she took it upon herself to do so. And she has learned a lesson, I hope.”
Daniel nodded, clearly appreciating her attitude. “You’ll have to come back and give Tails and Trails another chance next year,” he said. “We sure hope you do.”
“Better yet,” Yiayia said with a raised brow, “don’t leave at all.”
John fought a smile—and the urge to sneak his grandmother a high five because, well, he couldn’t have said it better.
Summer gave a soft laugh. “Believe me, I’m tempted. But I do have this thing called a…job.”
“Third-grade teacher, right?” his mother asked. “Andi just told me she got a notification from Christian’s school that he’s starting the year with a substitute because his teacher decided to take a job up in Holly Hills.”
“Oh, there’s an opening, then, lass,” Gramma Finnie said excitedly. “You should fill it.”
“Okay, okay,” John said, holding out his hand. “We do not need to do a full-court press to try and convince this woman to move her entire life from Florida to Bitter Bark.”
Yiayia leaned close to him. “Good one, John. I know she responds well to reverse psychology. I’ve used it on her myself.”
They all laughed, but the attention shifted to the drive as a car pulled up, and Daniel stood, frowning. “Who’s this?” he asked.
“Someone who can’t read the closed sign at the gate.” John’s mother stood, too, and gestured toward Gramma Finnie and Yiayia. “I think it’s time to get that birthday cake ready for Destiny and gather everyone in the family room.”
“I’ll help you, lass.” Gramma Finnie pushed her old bones up with a grunt. “I have a wee gift for the child.”
As they departed, John watched Daniel continue to frown at whoever was pulling into the drive. “Not a parent from camp. Not a boarder. Who is that guy? He’s wearing a sports jacket and tie?”
John looked down when Mav stirred, but Summer turned around to follow Daniel’s gaze and took in a noisy breath.
“What?” John asked.
She pressed her hand to her chest, her eyes wide. “It’s Secret Shopper.”
“Tom Barnard?” He shot up, whipping around to see the unfamiliar man climbing out of a black Mercedes. “He’s here?”
“You know this guy?” Daniel asked.
“He’s my potential investor,” John replied, looking not at the new arrival but right at Summer, whose eyes glinted with optimism.
“He wouldn’t come here to turn you down,” she whispered.
“I know.” A slow smile pulled. “Let’s go talk to him.”
“You want me to go with you?” she asked.
He took her hand and gave her a gentle pull. “Everywhere, always,” he whispered. Then he turned to Daniel. “Can you keep an eye on Mav?”
“Of course, son.”
Hand in hand, Summer and John jogged down the porch steps to the long driveway, walking slowly to meet Tom Barnard halfway.
“Hello, Tom,” John said as he extended his hand. “I left a message yesterday, but when I didn’t hear from you…”
“I told you I like surprises.” He shook John’s hand and then smiled in greeting to Summer. “Hello, again. I stopped in at the restaurant.”
“Oh, we’re on a skeleton crew on Sunday afternoons since it’s so slow,” John said.
“They weren’t slow, but your skeleton crew was doing a great job. A nice woman named Karyn told me where to find you.” He looked around. “Dogs, huh?”
“My stepfather’s home and business. Would you like to come up, meet the family?” John gestured toward the house. “We’re about to celebrate a birthday so you’re just in time for cake.”
Tom shook his head. “I don’t mean to intrude, and this young lady right here told me all I need to know about the family.” He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a folded paper. “This is a preliminary contract for a healthy investment and a reasonable percentage of equity in what I think is going to be a booming franchise business.”
John felt his jaw loosen as he took the paper. “Thank you, sir.” He let out a surprised laugh. “We haven’t even had a meeting.”
Tom waved that off. “I’ve done my homework on you, Santorini. You have a strong reputation, and I know a good idea when I see it. Next week, we can sit down and hammer out details. But this investment opportunity is money in the bank, and I wanted to get in on the ground floor.” He angled his head. “I don’t like to spend too much time dallying about thinking, you know? I go on my gut, and when I see a great thing, I go for it. That’s my philosophy.”
John felt a smile pull. “It’s a good one, sir. And it’s mine as well.”
“Good to hear.” He reached to shake John’s hand again. “When you see something and know it’s right, you have to dot your i’s and cross your t’s and swing that bat, if you get my general drift.”
John laughed again, transported back to his childhood and his father and his mixed metaphors of advice that lingered to this day.
“Tom, I’m going to like working with you.”
“Looking forward to it.” He added a pat on John’s shoulder, then turned to Summer. “You belong to him?”
She laughed. “Well, I…”
“Oh, I know,” he said. “You young ladies don’t belong to anyone. I’ve got a feisty daughter who tells me that all the time. But are you…” He tipped his head from one to the other, a question in his eyes.
“We’re still working that out,” John said quickly when a blush deepened Summer’s cheeks.
Tom flashed him a look. “Didn’t you just say that when you see a great thing, you go for it? That’s your philosophy?”
“Well, yes, I did and…”
Tom lifted his brows and pointed to Summer. “Here’s a great thing, son. Her whole face lit up when she talked about you. I will call you next week.” With that, he pivoted, headed back to his car, and left them holding a piece of paper that was going to change his life.
Except…it wasn’t the change he wanted most.
“John!” She grabbed him by the shoulders. “You did it! You got the investment!”
“With a little help from my hostess.”
She lifted a shoulder. “Hey, teamwork, baby.”
“Summer.” He took her hands and drew her closer. “Don’t leave.”
She blinked. “I won’t. There’s cake and—”
“Don’t leave me. Don’t leave Bitter Bark. Don’t leave the future you know we can have together.”
She stared at him, her mouth in a little O. “We’ve known each other for less than a month.”
“Then we’ll get to know each other even better…” He wrapped his arms around her. “Here, together, as a family.”
“Mommy!” Destiny came tearing at them, ringlets flying. “It’s time for cake and candles and presents!” She sang the
words in a Destiny-like melody that had them both laughing. “Let’s go.”
She tugged on both of them, getting between them to take their hands and drag them toward the house.
They shared a look, the request he’d just made hanging in the air between them, but both stayed silent as they walked to the house.
The whole family gathered around the dining room table, far too big a group to eat there as one anymore, but it was the traditional place for forming a circle and singing “Happy Birthday” over cake and candles, something that happened at least once a month, if not more often, with this many people.
Chaos reigned, of course, with a hum of excitement and happiness in the air, made extra special considering what they’d all gone through recently for this little girl. Cassie guided Destiny to the head of the table, whispering something that made Destiny giggle.
Summer followed, turning to John to get him to come with her.
“I’ll be right back,” he said. “I have to get her gift.”
“You got her a gift?”
“Of course.” He stepped outside, chatting with a few rowdy relatives and sidestepping some dogs to get to where Daniel stood holding Mav.
“I’ll take him now, thanks.” John reached for the dog and gingerly held him in his arms. “Come on, Mavvie,” he whispered into the tiny ball of fur. “Yeah, I called you Mavvie. You should hear what they call me.”
Mav snuggled against his chest. The pain meds had mellowed him, making him pliable and easy to carry.
But not so easy to give away.
As he returned to the dining room, nearly everyone had gathered. Pru was informing Destiny about exactly what to expect and how they would sing and when she should blow out the candles.
“Easy, General Pru,” Shane called out. “She’s probably been to a birthday party before.”
“But not a Kilcannon-Mahoney-Santorini birthday party,” Pru fired back. “Ours are special.”
“They are,” Destiny agreed, her magical eyes dancing as she took in the cake and all the people. She turned and looked up over her shoulder at Summer. “This is fun, isn’t it, Mommy?” she whispered.
“It sure is, Des.”
Pru raised her hands and called for silence, which only made her aunts, uncles, and cousins a little noisier, but finally she got them all singing “Happy Birthday” to Destiny. As they ended on a high note, Mav managed to let out a soft whine, but the noise was too much for anyone but John to hear.
Hush, Puppy Page 29
