When Sparks Fly (11 page)

“Stop,” she said, placing her finger over his lips. “You make it sound so easy. But I’d need a job and a place to live. All of that is waiting for us in LA.” She looked away. “If my car hadn’t broken down, I never would have known Celebration existed.”

“Maybe that’s why you broke down,” he said, grabbing her upper arms. “You’re supposed to be here, in this place, at this time. Maybe it was fate.”

“I don’t believe in fate,” she scoffed.

“Maybe you should,” he said softly. Still holding onto her arms, he watched her frown, her brows knitting together then relaxing as his words sunk in.

Facing him again, she asked, “What do you mean?”

In answer, he leaned forward, pressing his lips against hers. Resting them there for a moment, he then wrapped his arms around her, kissing her the way he’d wanted to for days. She offered no resistance, kissing him back enthusiastically, running her fingers through the curls at the nape of his neck. He deepened the kiss and pulled her closer, settling himself against her body, feeling her softness cradle his erection. His fingers explored her back, dropping to her waist before coming to rest on her hips, a vague awareness that they were making out in his parent’s front yard, in front of her daughter no less, the only thing keeping him from caressing her ass.

Monica couldn’t think. Joe’s tongue was doing incredible things to her mouth, his hands setting her body on fire. Her nerve endings tingled, synapses firing in all directions, creating the most unimaginable feeling in her body. She could feel her blood pumping through her veins, rushing downward until it pooled between her legs, intensifying the ache she felt there. Pressing against him, hoping for some relief, the action only increased her desire.

“Mommy?” Kimber’s voice intruded into her consciousness. Extracting her lips from his, she glanced at his face, stunned to see it as flushed as hers felt. They were both breathing hard, and she was pretty sure that if she stuck a thermometer in her mouth the mercury would blow right out of the top.

Looking over to find her daughter watching them intently, she noticed the swing behind her still moving, indicating that though it seemed like they’d been kissing for hours, only a few minutes had gone by. Backing out of his embrace, she turned her attention to the little girl, feeling guilty that, for a moment, she’d forgotten all about her. “What is it, honey?”

“Is it time for cake yet?”

Not the question she was expecting, she was nevertheless relieved that she didn’t have to explain the display she’d participated in. “I think that cake sounds like a very good idea! Would you like some?” she asked Joe, blushing slightly at the double meaning of her words.

“I’d love some,” he replied, winking to show he understood exactly what she’d asked.

“Come on, Joe,” Kimber exclaimed, interrupting the intimate moment and taking his hand. Placing her other one in Monica’s, she begged them to swing her as they strode across the lawn to the house, shrieking delightedly as they obliged. By the time they reached the porch all three were breathless from laughter, and she raced ahead, leaving the adults behind.

“I wasn’t planning that, you know,” Joe said, feeling the need to explain. “But I’m awfully glad I did it. We’d be good together.” Leaving her standing on the porch, he walked inside and headed for the kitchen. “Leave some cake for me!”

‡
Chapter Seven

“Stop running in the house!” Kathy thundered as three giggling, squealing little bodies flew past, Leroy hot on their heels. Her husband, Rick, had arrived at the Callaghan’s two hours earlier with Hannah and Erica in tow. The girls had been delighted to find an unexpected house guest and the three had been inseparable since.

The adults were seated in the living room finalizing their plans for the weekend. Joe had completed the stage that afternoon, and the women were going over to decorate it in the morning. The men were opting to stay behind and set up for their annual Fourth of July barbeque which had become the most eagerly anticipated event of the summer by family and friends alike.

The women had spent the day cooking and baking, preparing various dishes for the party while Bill had entertained Kimber. Focused on her tasks, Monica had little time to think, though the memory of the previous evening was still fresh on her mind, including the moment when she’d walked into the kitchen in time to hear her daughter announce to his parents and sister, in between mouthfuls of cake, that “Mommy kissed Joe.”

Fran had looked pleased, Bill amused, and Kathy suspicious, but all three kept their mouths shut. She was thankful for that, not sure she’d be able to handle the questions she had no answers for. For most of the night, she’d tossed and turned, wondering if it truly was fate that had brought her here, before finally falling asleep, only to be awoken three hours later by her daughter demanding pancakes. Rolling out of bed, she attempted to quell the butterflies fluttering in her stomach, feeling more like a teenager obsessing over her first crush than the divorced mother of a five-year old.

Wondering what to say when she saw him, she needn’t have worried. He had been in and out of the house in less than a minute with barely a ‘good morning’, stopping by only long enough to retrieve his dog. Leroy had spent the night in the guest room and though Kimber wanted him to stay, Fran thought it best if he wasn’t underfoot. Not sure whether to be relieved or disappointed by Joe’s quick departure, Monica felt a little of both.

It was late afternoon before she saw him again. He pulled in the driveway behind Rick and was instantly tackled by his nieces. After a quick, impromptu game of tag in the front yard, he helped his brother-in-law with the bags while the girls made friends with Kimber. The family sat down to supper not long after, and amid the catching up and talk of the upcoming barbeque and fireworks show, she barely had time to say hello much less have a meaningful conversation. After the meal, the men retreated to the living room while the women tidied the kitchen, and the girls occupied themselves in their bedroom.

“I swear, those two are like a tornado,” Kathy remarked, setting her glass of iced tea on the end table.

“Three,” Monica corrected. “Kimber is doing her share of carrying on.” Smiling at the woman, an understanding passed between them and a bond was formed, the product of motherhood. The shift was felt by Fran and she nodded in approval, happy that her daughter finally accepted their guest.

“So we all know our assignments for tomorrow?” Bill asked.

“I think we’re set, Pops,” Joe replied teasingly.

“Good. Then I’m going to sit outside for a while. It’s a nice evening.”

“I’ll join you,” said Fran, picking up the empty glasses to take into the kitchen.

“I’ll get those, Mom,” Kathy offered. “Rick, would you go check on the girls please? It’s awfully quiet. Too quiet.” They each left the room to attend to their assigned tasks, leaving Joe and Monica alone.

With the room empty, she suddenly found herself self-conscious. He apparently felt the same way, shifting from one foot to the other, looking everywhere but at her. She, too, looked nervously around, scrutinizing the detail in the fireplace until she could no longer stand it. Turning her gaze on him, they locked eyes then spoke at the same time. “Hi.” “Hello.” Their laughter eased the tension that had been palpable since supper, and he walked over to her.

“Hi,” he said again, softly, seductively.

“Hi,” she breathed, little shivers of excitement quivering along her skin. “How was your day?”

“Horrible,” he answered. “I wasn’t with you.”

Her heart leapt, a giddy sensation washing over her. Last night had been real after all. She’d started to wonder after his terse greeting that morning. “I missed you, too.”

“Did you now?” he asked, edging closer. “How much?”

“How much what?” she teased.

“How much did you miss me?”

She tossed her head nonchalantly. “Oh, I don’t know. Not very much.”

Grabbing her by the waist, he pulled her to him. “Not much, huh?” he growled, capturing her mouth with his. He kissed her deeply, thoroughly, the way she should be kissed. His hands cradled her face, keeping it tilted at just the right angle to allow him to taste and caress and tease. She gave a soft moan, adding fuel to the fire raging inside of him, and he threaded his fingers in her hair, wrapping them around the silky strands.

Footsteps running down the hall interrupted their embrace and they broke apart a split second before the girls came galloping into the room. “Slow down!” Rick yelled, bringing up the rear. They giggled and ran outside, the screen door slamming behind them. Shaking his head he muttered, “Kids,” before following them outside.

“Guess we’d better get out there, too,” Joe remarked.

“Guess we’d better,” she agreed, her lips still tingling from the kiss. She felt him take her hand, interlocking his fingers with hers. He led her outside and around back, where the rest of the family had gathered around the fire pit. The girls were chasing lightning bugs, catching the luminescent insects and placing them in jars the way she’d done as a child. Remembering her wish from a few days ago, of hoping that Kimber had the chance to partake in this activity, her heart felt light.

Taking a seat next to Joe, she marveled at how much her daughter had blossomed since being here. Not that she had ever been a shy child but she’d grown more adventurous, more outgoing, and she’d taken to the entire Callaghan family like a bee to honey. It saddened her to think she’d be taking her away from all this, making her start over in a new city a thousand miles away. Oh, kids were adaptable and Kimber would adjust, but the real question was, would she?

Joe leaned over, noticing the strained expression on her face. “Are you okay?”

Smiling softly, she reassured him. “I am. Just thinking.”

“About me?” he teased, instantly regretting the question. It was clear there was something serious on her mind and he had a suspicion it had to do with her leaving. “Anything I can do to help?”

“No. I’m alright. Really.” She knew he didn’t believe her; hell, she didn’t believe herself. Resting her head against the back of the chair, she closed her eyes in an attempt to shut off her mind. Focusing on the sounds of children’s laughter, low murmurs of conversation, and logs crackling in the fire, she felt herself relax. A soft breeze blew, bringing with it the scent of honeysuckle and jasmine mixed with wood smoke. A whippoorwill sang its night song, and crickets and tree frogs chirped and croaked, creating a symphony that lulled her to sleep.

“Mommy, see what I caught?” Monica jerked awake, blinking her eyes rapidly to clear the fog in her head. She didn’t know how long she’d been asleep but she didn’t think long; Fran and Kathy were chatting about the decorations for the dance floor, and Bill and Rick were talking baseball. Joe was still beside her, watching her closely.

“That’s great, baby.” She took the jar from Kimber and held it up, admiring the glowing bugs. “You did a wonderful job.”

“What do I do with them now?” the little girl asked, clearly perplexed as to the purpose of her accomplishment.

“Well, you watch them glow. They’re pretty, don’t you think?” Kimber nodded, her eyes glued to the side of the jar. “And before bed, you let them go.”

Turning to look at her mother, she asked, “Why?”

Pointing across the lawn, Monica explained. “See all of those bugs out there, flying around? Every time they light up they’re inviting their friends to come and play. And when the bugs in the jar light up they’re accepting the invitation. You wouldn’t want to keep them away from their friends, would you?”

“Hannah said that I could keep them beside my bed like a nightlight.” Kimber challenged her mother’s explanation apparently thinking that child logic was better than adult.

“You could do that if you wanted,” Monica concurred. “But I think they’d be awfully sad locked in a jar in your room instead of flying around outdoors.”

Debating her friend’s suggestion against her mother’s explanation, she decided to go with the latter. “I’m going to set them free right now so they can play.” Running into the middle of the yard, she unscrewed the lid to the jar and held it out. “Fly away, little bugs,” she said, her eyes lighting up when they followed her instruction.