Starting Over at Lane's End (Harlequin Heartwarming) (15 page)

But she didn’t hear him—she’d already turned and was walking away.

As her footsteps faded, Cary straightened his pile of papers, looked across the room at the empty desks. Though things weren’t perfect between them, there was promise.

Right then, it was enough.

Chapter Twenty-One

G
EN
’
S
LILIES
HAD
grown a good seven inches. The leaves were green and healthy.

Yet there wasn’t a bloom to be found.

Bonnie frowned at the plant she held in her hands before turning to Gen. “Easter’s next week. With you in charge, I’d say it’s gonna be a toss-up whether any of these plants flower or not.”

“Thanks for the vote of confidence.”

“Anytime,” Bonnie groused with a shake of her head.

“I’ve been doing everything the garden expert told me to do—partial shade, water every other day, plant food.”

As Sadie barked at a pesky robin, Bonnie fingered a shiny green leaf. “How’s your potting soil?”

“Good.”

“Uh-huh.”

Okay. Enough was enough. “What are you trying to tell me?”

Bonnie plopped down on her ancient chaise lounge. “Have a seat.”

Gen sat down next to her.

“Let’s forget all about those ungrateful plants and focus on you.”

“Let’s not.”

“Too late.” Bonnie looked her up and down. “See, the fact of the matter is...I don’t think
you’re
blooming.”

Gen didn’t need Bonnie to tell her that. “Are you done?”

“No.” Her landlady glanced around the backyard. “Where’s Cary?”

“I don’t know. I know he’s not hiding in the hedge.”

“That’s not what I meant and you know it. Take pity on an old woman and answer me directly. You two are perfect for each other.” She wrinkled her brow. “I thought there was something between you.”

“There was. There is.”

“So then how come he hasn’t been around here lately? How come he’s not with you now?”

That’s the million-dollar question, isn’t it?

Gen had left his classroom with the hope that he’d call, but in the past two days, she’d yet to hear his voice on her phone. “I don’t know. Things are confusing.”

“Not to my mind.”

Bonnie was giving Gen’s mother a run for her money. “At my last job—when I was in Cincinnati—there was a cop I was close with.” She swallowed, having a hard time even saying his name. “Keaton.”

“And?”

“He was a widower. I became his partner after his wife died in a car accident. We became friends. We’d go see movies together, have dinner—all very platonic.”

“But—”

“I wanted more. I was sure one day
Keaton would stop missing his wife and notice me.” Her voice cracked as she recalled her embarrassment. “I waited years. One day, Keaton told me about a woman he’d met. He was smitten. Next thing I knew, he’d stopped grieving for his wife...but had fallen in love with someone else.”

“He didn’t realize you’d been there the whole time, waiting for him.”

“I wasn’t the right person for him.”

“So you ran away.”

She nodded. “I left the CPD and started over here. But, in my defense, I also knew I wanted something different as far as my job. I wanted to work in a smaller town, to feel close to people again.”

“But you fought it at first.”

“True.” Lying back on her chair, holding her face up to the sun, Gen sighed. “I’ve been constantly wrestling with what I want. One day I’m happy to be single, the next I’m sad. One day I’m making friends, the next I’m putting up roadblocks for anyone who tries to get too close.” Straightening, Gen waved a hand. “This is how messed up I’ve been, Bonnie. When the lieutenant first told me I’d be leaving Lane’s End High, I was relieved.”

“Because you had a perfect excuse to sever all those friendships in the making.”

Gen nodded. “Cary was the most important one. We’d become close, but I started worrying that maybe we’d only become close because we’d been working together, not because there was something really strong and lasting between us.”

“What did Cary say?”

“He let me go.”

“Well, are you going to try and patch things up?”

“I stopped by his classroom. It’s his turn now.”

“Don’t keep hiding. You’re not going to bloom on your own.”

Gen grimaced at the metaphor. “What if Cary doesn’t think I’m worth it?”

“Let me tell you a secret, Gen. You are completely worth it.”

A warm feeling spread through her. As compliments went, most people probably wouldn’t have given what Bonnie said a second’s thought.

But to Gen it meant the world.

* * *

C
ARY
TOOK
A
LONG
sip of Coke, hoping against hope that the current conversation was going to end quickly.

But as Dean argued back and forth with Melissa, it was obvious that this discussion was set to go on for quite some time.

“Dad, everyone goes to Florida for spring break.”

“Not you.”

“I’ll be perfectly fine. Katie’s parents are letting her go.”

“All I heard was that Brian was going.”

Her cheeks colored. “So?”

“So I don’t think the two of you need to be going on vacations together.”

“Why?”

When Dean looked his way, Cary grabbed a handful of chips and stuffed a couple in his mouth. Anything to stay out of the exchange.

“You know why,” Dean said, his tone firm.

“Because you think Brian and I are going to go too far?”

Ouch. Dean leveled a glance at Melissa. “Yes.”

Melissa turned to Cary. “Uncle Cary, say something!”

Cary crammed another chip in his mouth.

“Things can happen on the spur of the moment that you’re not ready for,” Dean said.

“Oh, Dad. You’re treating me like a child. If we wanted to, we’d already be doing it, without you knowing.”

Cary just about choked. Man, this was uncomfortable.

“Help me out here, Cary,” Dean ordered. “Now.”

Dean’s standing-on-the-edge-of-a-cliff look made Cary push the chips aside. “Is Brian pressuring you?” Cary said.

“No. He just wants to spend spring break with me.”

Dean scowled. “He’s lying. I know what’s on guys’ minds.”

“Not yours, Dad. I never see you dating.”

Dean paled. “Melissa, you’re out of line.”

“Well, it’s true.” She crossed her arms over her chest. “And you’re almost as bad, Uncle Cary.”

“Hello. I have been dating. Remember Kate? Remember Gen?”

Melissa tossed her head. “Well, you’re not dating either of them now.”

It was Cary’s turn to feel defensive. “That’s none of your business.”

Dean’s expression hardened. “Melissa, you’re staying home on spring break. End of discussion.”

Finally Melissa caught on that she’d better not push anymore. “All right.”

Dean breathed an audible sigh of relief. Cary lifted his drink in a silent toast.

Until Melissa got started again.

“So what are we doing for Easter?”

“I don’t know,” Dean said.

“I think we should have a party if I can’t go anywhere for spring break.”

“Huh?” Dean picked up his pop can, saw that it was empty, then looked to Cary in exasperation.

Cary felt just as confused. “Aren’t all your friends going to be in Florida?”

“Actually...there are some other kids who weren’t allowed to go, either,” Melissa admitted. “And Brian’s not exactly sure if his parents will let him.”

“
Now
you tell me that.”

Melissa shrugged. “So what do you think?” Warming up, she said, “We could buy one of those hams from the deli, and I could make a cake.” She turned to Cary. “You can make salad.”

Making a salad involved opening two bags. “I can do that.”

“Everyone else can bring a dish. We can play badminton or volleyball in the backyard.” Eyes shining, she looked to her dad. “Please say yes.”

“Yes.”

Melissa hopped up with enough speed to make Cary wonder if a party had been in her plans all along. “I’m going to go make the guest list.”

As she ran back inside, Cary glanced at his brother. He was clutching his empty pop can and looking as if he’d been through a war. “Ever feel like you’ve been had?”

“Constantly.” Dean shook his head. “My girl is growing up in spite of my best efforts.”

“I know.”

“Do you think I should have said yes about Florida?”

“No,” Cary said, taking another sip. “That sounded like trouble.”

After grabbing another pop out of the cooler, Dean took a celebratory sip. “I hate to say it, but Melissa was right. Gen’s been pretty nonexistent around here. What’s going on?”

“I’m not really sure.”

“Why don’t you invite her over on Easter?”

“I might do that.” Cary looked at his brother. “Maybe you should invite someone, too.”

“I would if I had anyone in mind, but I don’t.”

“That sucks.”

Dean nodded. “Melissa has a point. I haven’t dated anyone seriously in years. It’s gotten ridiculous.”

“Not all women are like Valerie.”

“Or like Kate.”

Cary stood up. “I think I’m going to go make a phone call.”

* * *

G
EN
SAT
DOWN
AS
soon as she realized who was on the phone. “Cary, hi.”

“Hey, how are you?”

She was exhausted. Though she liked her new job with Mike, the stress of learning the new routine and responsibilities as quickly as possible had been a challenge, but she’d expected that.

What she hadn’t expected was feeling so lonely at night. The hours seemed to stretch on forever. Even Sadie moped around the place, obviously missing Sludge.

But she didn’t want to admit any of that. “Fine.”

“I don’t know how to do this any other way—I miss you, Gen.”

Tears stung her eyes. “I miss you, too.”

“I’ve been trying to give you more time, like you wanted, but it hasn’t been easy.”

She didn’t want any more time. “I shouldn’t have left without trying harder to mend things between us.”

“I can’t believe we’re having this discussion on the phone. I’m coming over, okay?”

“I’ll be here,” she said, smiling when she realized he’d already hung up.

* * *

C
ARY
HAD
HAD
IT
ALL
planned. He was going to sit down on Genevieve’s ugly couch and hold her hand. Looking into her eyes, he was going to very calmly, very systematically review the reasons they should give their relationship another chance. He was going to tell her he loved her but not push her into admitting anything she wasn’t ready for.

And then, only then, was he going to take her in his arms. No way did he want any of this to happen out of order, knowing full well any deviation from the plan would guarantee distraction.

But the moment she opened the door, looking feminine in a little slip of a dress, Cary skipped steps one through four and pulled her into his arms.

She was breathless when their kiss ended. “Wow. Hello.”

He tried to look embarrassed. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me.”

There was that smile again, just touching the corners of her lips but lighting her eyes like a hundred-watt bulb. “Thanks. Um, do you want to sit down?”

She led him to the table, where she’d set out a pot of coffee and some cookies.

“I didn’t bake the cookies,” Gen pointed out. “Bonnie did. They’re really good.”

He took one, poured himself a cup of coffee, then sat across from her. “I’m impressed.”

“Well...” She shrugged as her voice trailed off. “I’d like to say something witty in response, but the truth is I’m no good at that. I’m not very good at relationships, period.”

“Here’s my truth—I don’t want to lose you.”

“I don’t want to lose you, either.”

Relief filled him. “So are we good?”

Gen scanned his face, saw everything she’d ever wanted, then nodded. “I can’t speak for you, but I’m a yes.”

He grinned. “Me, too.”

She laughed when he pulled her toward him. Following his lead, she wrapped her arms around him as Cary trailed his fingers down her bare shoulders and along her toned arms. Her body swayed as he held her tightly and kissed her neck.

Cary pulled back slightly. “I almost forgot—Easter.”

“Huh?”

“Will you come over to my place for dinner? Melissa’s planning the whole thing.”

“Sure.”

As their lips met again, he caught the silky fabric of her dress between his fingers. Smiling, he couldn’t help teasing her.

“Pink, Gen?”

She shrugged. “Today is my feminine day. Tomorrow it’s blue jeans all the way.”

Chapter Twenty-Two

L
ATER
THAT
NIGHT
,
after he’d left Gen’s place and gone home, Cary thought about Dean and Melissa again. It was a good thing they’d become more dependent on each other. No matter how crazy this Easter brunch was going to be, Cary had a feeling it represented a turning point for all of them.

Dean asking his new assistant, Dianna Grant, was proof of that. Though Dean hadn’t said as much, Cary suspected his brother had strong feelings for the petite brunette. There was something in the way he talked about her that lit him up inside.

It looked as though another chapter was opening for both of them. Time to make some decisions. Time to tell Gen just how much she meant to him.

Time to ask her to marry him and to stay in Lane’s End forever. He hoped she’d care enough about him to conquer any old fears.

But, just for added insurance, he called Marilyn Townsend, the dog breeder he’d contacted a few days ago. “Mary, do you still have that pup?”

“I do. She’s adorable. I had another call about her last night.”

Biting the bullet, he said, “Save her for me, will you?”

Mary’s voice became a little tentative. “Are you sure about that, Cary? Sludge is quite a handful.”

“I’m sure. I’ll be by tomorrow with a check, but I don’t want to pick her up her until Easter. Would that be okay?”

“That’s fine. I hope Sludge doesn’t give her all his bad qualities. It would be a real shame to sell you two pups to ruin.”

“Sludge is fine, just mischievous. Besides, the puppy isn’t for me, it’s for a friend. See you Sunday morning after church?”

After an exaggerated sigh, Mary said, “We’ll be ready.”

* * *

“O
H
, C
ARY
. S
HE
’
S
beautiful!” Gen held Maddie against her chest, wrinkling her nose as the puppy covered Gen’s face with excited kisses. “I love her.”

“I’m glad.” Cary caressed the pup’s soft ears as it yipped and squirmed in Gen’s arms. Though he’d been pretty sure Gen was going to love the gift, seeing the pure joy on her face when she’d seen the little beribboned dog come scampering her way was something he would never forget.

So far everything was perfect, even the weather. April’s arrival had brought with it seventy-degree temperatures and a fresh burst of spring. Sunny-yellow daffodils and pink, white and red tulips were blooming everywhere, making Lane’s End—and his backyard—look vibrant and festive.

He and Melissa and Dean had gone a little crazy getting ready for the party. Between mulching beds, trimming bushes and applying a fresh coat of white paint to the back fence, Cary had hardly had a spare minute during the past few days.

As the puppy licked Gen’s chin, she looked up at him with the most gorgeous smile he’d ever seen. “You didn’t have to do this, you know. Everything’s good between us.”

“I know. I just wanted a little insurance,” he said, kissing Gen’s cheek.

“For what?”

“Watch out!” Melissa called as a volleyball sailed toward Gen, cutting off any forthcoming reply.

Cary pulled Gen and the puppy to him just before the white ball flew by. “Watch it!”

“Sorry!” Brian called out.

“You okay?” Cary asked, relaxing his grip on her but keeping her close.

“Sure,” she said with a smile. “Both Maddie and I are.”

He brushed his lips against her brow. “So...Maddie?”

“Yep. For ‘Madness.’ Getting another dog is madness...but I can’t resist her.”

Maddie barked. After Gen set her down, the tiny beagle padded toward Dianna, Dean’s assistant.

Watching Dianna pick up the pup while she chatted with Bonnie and Christy, Gen smiled. “I think Dianna’s having a good time. I’m so glad she came.”

“I am, too. It’s nice to see Dean with a date, even though he’s saying there’s nothing between them.”

Gen nodded. “Don’t be so sure. There’s something there, and my guess is that it’s more than just work-related. I’ve spied each of them sneaking peeks at the other when they thought no one was looking.”

He couldn’t resist teasing her. “Always a cop?”

Her eyes glowed. “Almost always a cop. Sometimes, though, I’m just Gen.”

There was nothing “just” about her. In fact, when Cary looked at her, he felt that she was everything.

Glancing around, Cary knew this was the perfect time to propose. Everyone he and Gen cared about was nearby...and everyone was also busy enough to not be paying attention to every movement they made.

“Let’s sit over here.” He gestured toward an empty wrought-iron bench nestled next to a trio of bright blue ceramic pots. After they sat, he took her hands in his. “Before I met you, I didn’t know how much was missing in my life. I thought everything was perfect—well, as good as it was going to get.”

Her eyes widened as he continued. “You’ve made me think about a lot of things—about what makes me happy, what makes me want to get up in the morning. It’s like that crazy basketball tournament, Gen. Who would have ever thought we’d go all the way to state? Who would have ever thought the whole town would come together the way it did? It was exciting and scary and nerve-racking, but I’d never change the experience for anything. I want those feelings with you, Gen. I want to have it all.”

The smile she treated him to was worth all the idiotic confessions in the world.

“I love you, Gen.”

“I love you, too.”

“I want to marry you.”

“Me, too,” she said glibly, then clasped a hand over her mouth. “Oh! I can’t believe I just said that...like that!”

With a laugh, she said, “Yes, I will marry you.” She leaned forward to press her lips against his cheek, his jaw, his mouth.

Cary wrapped her up in his arms—just as he realized that the rest of the partygoers had stopped everything they were doing and were crowding around them. Clapping.

“It’s about time,” Bonnie said.

“I knew we needed champagne!” Christy called out. “Dave, come help me.”

“I can’t believe you proposed to her
here,
” Dean said. “Don’t you think a little privacy would have been nice?”

Cary turned to Gen. “Did I do this all wrong?”

“Are you kidding? We’re together, our friends are here...you gave me a puppy! Your proposal was perfect.”

Christy hugged her. “Congratulations. You two will be perfect together.”

When Melissa strode forward, worry etched on her features, Gen started to regret that they’d done things so publicly. But then Melissa launched herself into Cary’s arms, hugging him as if she were six years old again.

“I’m so happy!” Melissa exclaimed.

Cary held her close. “Me, too. Today couldn’t get any better.”

Two shrill barks pierced the air.

Dean’s expression turned to pure panic. “Sadie! Sludge! No!”

As if in slow motion, the whole group turned to the wide, grassy area where the beagles were playing—with a very large, very expensive honey-baked ham.

Actually, calling it “playing” was rather generous. Sadie and Sludge were clawing and tearing at that poor piece of ham as if they were wolves and they didn’t want to share the ham with the rest of the pack.

Not to be outdone, Maddie, their new apprentice, was eating a puppy-size chunk and growling with all her might.

“That breeder is going to kill me,” Cary said with a groan.

* * *

A
MULTITUDE
OF
things happened at once. Cary ran over to the dogs and attempted to remove them from the ham.

Melissa burst into tears.

And people started noticing that things were missing. The eggs were gone—a lot of eggs were gone.

So was a big hunk of Bonnie’s baked ziti.

Shredded ribbon marked the place where stuffed Easter bunnies had once stood proudly.

And all that was left of the lamb-shaped Jell-O mold was its head, cherry-red gelatin oozing as if it had been decapitated.

Dean muttered something about beagles, and everyone was spurred into action. Bonnie herded Sadie and Sludge. Christy scooped up Maddie. Brian tried to control his laughing while trying to comfort a still-upset Melissa.

And Cary looked as if he might abandon them all.

Clearly, it was up to Gen to restore order. Slipping her first and fourth fingers into her mouth, she expertly let out a sharp whistle. The result was shrill and loud enough to stop everyone in their tracks.

Even Sadie and Sludge forgot about the ham for a moment.

“Cary, grab those dogs and kennel them.”

Once she saw that both beagles’ collars were firmly in Cary’s large hands, she turned to everyone else. “Let’s get this mess cleaned up. Melissa, go get two large garbage bags.”

“But, Officer Slate—”

“It’s Gen,” she corrected with a small smile. “Let’s tidy up, then reconvene in the kitchen.”

Finally Gen turned to everyone else who was either looking around in shock or valiantly trying not to laugh at the state of the party.

After a brief pause, Christy motioned to the metal tub filled with soda and four bottles of champagne. “As far as I’m concerned, if there’s still something to toast with, there’s still a reason to have a party.”

Someone turned on the music, and everyone’s voices rose accordingly.

Gen heaved a sigh of relief as she saw Cary loping toward her. “How are the dogs?”

He rolled his eyes. “About what you’d expect. They’re irritated to be back in the kennel but too full to do much except groan and lie on their sides.”

“Poor things.”

“Don’t feel sorry for them for a second. Serves them right.” He shook his head in dismay. “I’d say I couldn’t believe what they just did, but I’d be lying. These are the type of shenanigans Sludge excels at.”

“Sadie’s no different. And, unfortunately, I think they found a worthy trainee in Maddie.”

Cary wrapped an arm around her. “Where were we?”

She smiled. “Getting engaged. I believe you were kissing me.”

He leaned closer. “I think I remember that.”

Gazing up at him, she said, “I love you.”

“I love you, too,” he whispered, pressing his lips to hers.

Oh!
She pulled away. “I almost forgot to tell you—my Easter lilies bloomed today.”

Gently enfolding her in his arms, Cary said, “Well, that just about makes our day complete.”

As their lips met again, Gen felt the warmth of the sun and the promise of a bright future. April was here and May was right around the corner.

It looked as though March and all its madness was over, and her life—the life she’d always dreamed of having—was just about to begin.

* * * * *