When Sparks Fly (13 page)

Watching while Rick expertly flipped a burger onto her bun, he detected a hint of a smile, which rapidly faded when Frankie appeared. “Joe, Ms. Russo, how’re ya doin’?” Popping a chip into his mouth from the stack he carried in his hand, he crunched loudly then swallowed. “Wanted to tell you that I’ll have your car ready to go first thing Monday morning. Turns out a guy I know over in Springfield got ahold of a Malibu that’d been totaled, cosmetically speaking. The engine and tranny are solid so I had him bring them to me yesterday. Spent most of the day putting them in; just have to make a few tweaks and she’ll run better than new.”

For as much as Monica had cursed the Chevy for breaking down, and the time and money it was costing her, she wasn’t as happy to hear the news that it was fixed as she would’ve thought. Aware that Frankie was awaiting her reply, she smiled brightly. “Thank you. I appreciate you repairing it so quickly.” Risking a glance at Joe, she saw he was scowling and not wishing to have the conversation she knew was inevitable, set off across the yard in search of her daughter.

Locating her among a group of youngsters playing an enthusiastic game of tag, she pulled Kimber away and they found a place to sit near a big oak tree. From her vantage point beneath its leafy branches, Monica watched the Callaghans’ guests eat, drink, laugh, and play. Everyone was having a good time and she could see why this family she’d found herself part of was so popular. They were genuinely good people, the kind who threw an annual barbeque for their neighbors or who gave a stranger and her daughter a place to stay.

She was going to miss this; miss them. All of them. Tears stung her eyes, blurring her vision. Swiping at her cheeks, she hastily brushed them away before anyone could see. How had she grown this comfortable in only four days? She had plans, dammit! Plans that didn’t include barbeques and Fourth of July parades and a cute dog and… Joe.

Closing her eyes, she recalled the feel of his fingers across her skin, the taste of his lips, the heat emanating from his body. She craved his touch but more than that, she craved him. She wanted to know everything about him from his childhood memories to his hopes for the future. Oh, shit! Sensible, intelligent, no-nonsense Monica Russo was in love.

Opening her eyes she looked across the yard, her gaze instantly locking onto his. Unaware that he’d been watching her the entire time, her pulse sped up as their eyes met, the chemistry between them sizzling in the summer heat. He was surrounded by family and friends, her daughter was sitting beside her, but she knew in that moment they existed only for each other.

Confused by her realization, not certain what this meant for her future, their future, she turned her attention back to Kimber. “Do you want any more to eat?”

“No, Mommy, can I go play? Hannah said her mom bought squirt guns and she’s saving the pink one for me.”

“Squirt guns, huh? Alright but remember not to shoot anyone in the face, okay?”

“Okay.” With a nod of her head, she jumped up and went running over to the side of the house where Rick was filling the plastic toys with water from the hose. Within minutes, the yard was filled with a dozen screaming children, running around and squirting anything that got in their way. Everyone was a target, even Leroy, who jumped around trying to catch the water streams in his mouth.

“She’s a sweet kid.”

Monica looked over to find Kathy standing next to her holding out a bottled daiquiri. Nodding in appreciation, she grasped the icy beverage and took a long drink. “Thanks. These are really good.”

“I’m more of a beer drinker myself.” She was silent for a moment, watching as the kids cornered Rick and Joe, soaking them down. “You won’t find a better guy, you know.”

Caught off-guard, Monica wasn’t sure how to respond. She knew his family was aware of the growing attraction between them but she was still coming to terms with her own feelings for him. She wasn’t sure she wanted to discuss them with anyone else. At least not until she had a chance to talk to Joe.

Kathy looked sideways at the woman who had captured her brother’s heart. If she had a manipulative bone in her body, she hid it well. Not known for sugar-coating anything, she decided to lay it out. “Joe had his heart broken, badly. Actually, broken is too good of a word for what Hayley did to him. She took advantage of everything that was good about him and crushed it into little pieces. Worse still, she took him away from his family.” She returned her gaze to her brother, her heart filled with love for the man he was, the man he’d always been. “It took him a very long time to come to terms with the situation. I’m not sure he’s ever completely forgiven himself for what transpired. I’m not going to go into detail; it’s his place to tell you if it works out between the two of you.

“I will tell you this,” she said, turning to face Monica. “If you don’t have true feelings for him, if you’re using him as a distraction during your road trip, then you’d better leave Celebration today and don’t ever look back. Because if you intentionally hurt him, I promise you that California won’t be far enough for you to get away from me.”

“I have no intention of hurting Joe, or using him,” Monica stated honestly. “I’m not sure what we have, if it’s real or the result of circumstances we found ourselves in. I do know I have true feelings for him but honestly, he and I haven’t discussed them. Until we do, I’m not sure what my plans are.”

“So you’re considering staying.”

“Maybe. This is all really sudden, you know? I had everything planned out and then my car broke down and….”

“Everything okay?” Joe cast his sister a questioning look. “You two look awfully serious over here. This is a party, remember?”

“We’re fine. Gossiping about you. I was just telling Monica about that time in third grade when you camped out in the back yard with Loren. So anyway, it was pitch black and the boys were huddled together in the tent….”

“Shut up!”

Kathy laughed, enjoying her brother’s discomfort. “I’ll tell you the rest later,” she winked. “Glad we talked.” Ambling across the yard, she joined in the water fight, making more noise than the kids.

“I hope she didn’t say anything to offend you. She can be blunt but she means well.”

“You don’t have to apologize for your sister. I am capable of holding my own in a conversation.” She bent down to pick up the plate from the ground intending to throw it away. Joe took it from her and walked over to an old barrel that was serving as a trash can. Dumping it in, he wiped his hands on his jeans and returned to where she was standing.

“I have no doubts you can hold you own against my sister or anyone else. I have no doubts about you at all, Monica. There’s a reason you stopped in Celebration beside the fact that your car broke down. You were meant to be here, you and Kimber. You were meant to meet me.” His lips claimed hers, his arms wrapping around her, holding her close, kissing her thoroughly, not caring who saw.

Sensation flooded her body, mixing, twirling, spiraling within her, threatening to overflow. The music faded; conversations were a distant hum. All she knew was Joe, and she savored every moment. Clutching the back of his shirt, she sought to pull him closer though she didn’t know how she’d stand the heat. The flames of desire between them threatened to consume them both until all that was left were tiny wisps of smoke.

A cold spray of water hit them, dousing them from head to toe, and they jumped apart. Joe whirled around on the perpetrator, fists clenched, his eyes shooting daggers. Loren danced out of reach, holding the hose and laughing uproariously. “You two looked like you needed some cooling off.” Joe took a step in his direction but Monica placed her hand on his arm.

“It was only a joke. No harm done.” She pushed her soggy hair off of her face.

“Really? Cause I sure would rather be kissing you right now than feeling like a drowned rat.” He shook his head vigorously, droplets of water spraying everywhere. “Now I know what Leroy feels like after a bath.” After threatening to get even with his friend, a threat he intended to keep, he grabbed a couple of towels from the porch and handed one to her with a wink and an offer to help her dry off. She primly informed him that she was capable of performing that task herself then threw the damp towel back at him, laughing at the astonished expression on his face.

They spent the rest of the afternoon visiting and playing games, enjoying the company of everyone gathered. Joe teamed up with Kimber for the three-legged race while Monica cheered them on, laughing when they sprawled to the ground two feet from the finish line. She found herself on the same side as Loren for a game of horseshoes, a fact that Joe made plain he wasn’t happy about. Though she had no interest in his best friend, it was kind of nice to see him keeping a watchful eye.

After winning the game, she begged out of a second match, preferring to sit and visit with Fran and Bill. “This is a lovely party,” she said, sinking into a rocking chair on the porch.

“Thank you, dear,” Fran replied. She and Bill were sitting side by side on the swing. “I’m so glad you could be here for it. You’ll have to make plans to come back next year. I imagine that Kimber will have grown a lot in that amount of time.” Ignoring the look her husband gave her, she continued. “It’s certainly not going to be the same around here without you.”

“I’m going to miss all of you, too. I can never thank you enough for opening your home to me and Kimber.”

Fran reached over and patted her hand. “You are more than welcome to come and stay with us any time you like. For as long as you like.”

“Okay, sweetie, I think she got the message,” Bill jumped in, coming to her rescue. “Now you know where Kathy gets it from. Although I must say, my daughter is more direct than her mother.”

“Are you saying I can’t get to the point?” Fran huffed, glowering at her husband.

“Not at all. It merely takes you longer to get there.” He leaned over and gave her a kiss on the cheek and her expression immediately softened. “Of course, you know what they say, ‘the fun is in the journey, not the destination’.”

“And I’ll go anywhere with you.” Fran gazed lovingly at her husband, her eyes seeing the man she fell in love with all those years before, overlooking the gray hair, wrinkled skin, and trembling hands. Their relationship truly was a testament to marriage; and love.

“Mom, the Monroe’s are leaving. Sally wanted to say goodbye before they left.”

Fran stood up, smoothing the front of her walking shorts. “I’d better go perform my hostess duties,” she said, stepping off the porch.

“Wait just a minute and I’ll go with you,” Bill called, moving more slowly than his wife. Joe unobtrusively helped him down the steps, then he and Fran walked hand in hand to see their guests off.

“Your parents really are something,” Monica remarked as he lowered himself to the top step. She left her rocker and sat down next to him, watching as the guests headed towards their cars. “Isn’t it funny how as soon as one person leaves, everyone takes that as their cue to follow?”

“I’ve noticed that,” he agreed, waving to Loren and Frankie as they took off.

“Joe?”

“What?” She was silent for so long he turned to look at her, only to find her staring at him. “What? I have mustard on my face or something?” he joked.

“Nevermind.” She stood and started down the steps. “I should help clean up.”

He grabbed her by the hand and pulled her back down. “Monica, what? Tell me.”

She hesitated, her eyes searching his. Leaning over, she gave him a kiss, brief but meaningful. “I’ll never forget you, Joe Callaghan.” With that, she hurried out into the yard and started gathering plastic cups. Calling to Kimber to help put the toys away, she made sure to keep her back to the house.

He sat for a minute on the top step, watching with a heavy heart as she picked up trash scattered throughout the yard, helped Erica search…and find…her favorite ball, and laugh when Hannah emptied her squirt gun on her shirt, because though she hadn’t said the words, he had no doubt that she had just told him goodbye.

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Chapter Nine

The morning of July fourth broke clear and bright. Everyone in the Callaghan household was up early, excited for the events that lay ahead. They were going to eat breakfast in town, both as a treat and to ensure they claimed a prime viewing spot for the parade. Though there was plenty of room in the Excursion, Joe opted to drive his truck, saying he had some last minute things to do at the park and he’d meet them later. No one was fooled by his excuse, least of all Monica.