Where I Found My Heart (6 page)

Chapter 13

My first day back to work and I felt like a kid going to her first day of school. I was actually nervous, even though I’d worked there for years. I dug out my garden clogs from the back of the closet and rolled up the bottom of my baggy jean overalls. I wore the Tee shirt with the McAdams Nursery logo and tagline - ‘The Seed is Hope, The Flower is Joy’.

I made my way down to the basement and got behind the wheel of my car. I still pulled out of the garage with blinders on. Not ready yet to deal with my ‘people’ issue. I know it will take some time. I’ve got a lot of pent up pain and anger and uncertainty to work through. But I’m well aware of my issues, and will deal with them a little at a time.

Plants on the other hand…they were easier. You gave them food and they blossomed and grew. You take care of them and they provide you with lots of beauty and satisfaction. Yeah. Easier.

Much easier.

Dylan, Dave and Libby’s parents died a while ago, and the family business was now being run by Libby and Dave…and me. After all, I was still a McAdams. I dug in, so to speak, plant talk, and got busy right away. The acres behind the greenhouses were filled with crops of corn, tomatoes, peppers, artichokes…well you get the picture. There was so much to be picked and sold at our roadside stand. I could tell there was a lot to be done. It seemed since Dylan’s death, things around here kind of got put on the back burner. It was obvious the work had slowed down. I wanted to make him proud of me, and set about tackling one greenhouse at a time.

When I got home that night I was exhausted, but it was the good kind of exhausted. I took a hot shower and climbed into bed. I think I was asleep before my head hit the pillow.

“Babe?”

“Yeah?”

“Can you do that thing you do?”

I smiled. I was pretty sure I knew what he was referring to, but I was going to make him say it.

“What thing is that exactly?”

“You know.”

“No. I do a lot of things. Which ‘thing’ are you referring to?”

“The one where you put your mouth…”

I blushed. Yes, I still blush, but quickly recovered.

“Oh that thing.” I smiled.

Before he could ask again I scooted down to the end of the sofa and unzipped his jeans. He was musky from working out in the sun all day, but it was sexy. You know? It was sexy. It was Dylan and I’d take him any way I could get him.

He quickly stopped me from lowering his jeans, but moaned. I felt his erection under my fingers.

“Why are you stopping me?”

“I need to shower for that ‘thing’”

“Then what ‘thing’ did you mean exactly?”

“The thing where you lay on top of me and let me hold you close.”

“Oh, that thing.” I was as confused as you are now. I crawled back up his muscular body and lay my body over his. He crushed me to him with his strong arms and I sighed. I felt him kiss the top of my head and inhale deeply.

“Love the way you smell.”

“Good.”

He squeezed me.

“Love the way you feel.”

“Mmmm.” I was liking this.

“Love the way you feel against me.”

“Me too.”

I listened to his chest and heard his heart beat quicken. But not soon enough…and I wasn’t prepared. In one smooth move, he stood up, tossed me over his shoulder like I was a sack of potatoes, and walked with me squirming into the bedroom, then through to the bathroom. He leaned inside and turned the water on. All the while I’m flailing and yelling. Then he carried me, fully dressed—so was he—into our large shower and let the water cascade over both of us. I screamed then laughed so loud I was afraid I woke the dead.

“Dylan!”

He laughed, as only he could, and believe me, it was contagious.

“Oh, you!” I cried out in feigned indignity.

“You got me thinking.”

“Really?”

“Yeah.”

“Bout what?”

“Bout your offer.”

“What offer…” Oh, I got it. “And you thought you’d bring me in the shower with you so I can
do
what I offered.”

“Figured I’d kill two birds.”

“Oh, and how did you
figure
that?”

“I figured I’d help you with the laundry too.”

He kneeled on the shower floor and unzipped my jeans. Then with my squirming and his tugging we managed to remove my pants. Quickly followed by my panties. He lifted my tee shirt over my head and dropped it, while I unhooked my bra and let it fall wherever it did.

His jeans. Well, that was a whole ‘nother story. He was so hard I couldn’t lower the zipper without his help. But I’m happy to report, he was very helpful with that.

A pile of clothing lay on the floor at our feet and he pulled me to him. Our bodies melded into one. He grabbed the bar of soap and lathered us up. I stood on my tip-toes and delivered the mother of all kisses. I know this because when I finished, he leaned against the tile wall of the shower and moaned my name. But my mouth was hungry for him.

All of him.

Next stop on this train was his chest, followed by his tight muscular abs. I spent a little time rubbing that soap into every nook and cranny I found. The sheets of water fell on us both quickly washing the bubbles to the floor, where they swirled around the drain before disappearing.

The final stop caused an audible inhale from him as I took him, hard, into my mouth. I let my tongue do the talking for me and when I occasionally gazed up between dips, I saw the look of pure satisfaction on his face. His eyelids were half closed and he clenched his perfect teeth. I got hot looking at him.

His eyes closed and he spread his arms out on either side of him as he continued to lean against the wall. His thighs were trembling under my fingertips. It wasn’t long after that he cried out my name and told me he loved me as he held my head between his massive palms and tilted his back.

I waited until the pulsing finished before releasing him.

I love the taste of him. I love everything about him.

“Good?”

“Reny, baby, you never cease to fucking amaze me.”

“Good. I’ve got more where that came from.”

“God help me.” He smiled that smile I’ve come to love so much.

That was the first time in almost a year where I’d let a memory come back and I was happy watching the picture play like a movie in my head.

God I missed him so much.

Chapter 14

It wasn’t long after the shower memory washed over me, word pun, when the memories seemed to flood my conscious and sub-conscious mind.

I remember making potato salad; it was probably my best, damn near perfect. We were expecting all of Dylan’s family, my parents and a few close friends to the house for a barbeque. I lifted the heavy bowl and was carrying it over to the fridge when out of nowhere Dylan came up behind me and wrapped his arms around my midsection.

He scared me to death, and I dropped the ceramic bowl.

I stared at the floor and the cracked half of bowl with what was left of my near perfect salad and the huge mess that seemed to cover the floor and my cabinets.

I was angry then not.

I wanted to scream but didn’t.

So I figured I’d cry. Seemed to cover both emotions perfectly.

Dylan bent down and lifted the remaining half of the bowl and rested the crescent shaped ceramic on the counter. He stuck his fingers inside and lifted a glob to his mouth.

“This is delicious.” He glanced at me, “I’m serious. Probably the best you ever made.”

“Dylan…” I sniffled. He silenced me with a kiss, an ardent long kiss. His mouth coated with my
perfect
potato salad.

Without warning, as was his way, he lifted me up onto the counter. Pushed my skirt up revealing my thighs and my thong. Gently parted my legs and stepped between them.

“Mmmm. This is perfect too.” He said as he glided his fingers over the silkiness of my thong.

With his two fingers he lowered the scant material slowly—achingly slow—down my legs and let it fall to the floor next to the globs of mayonnaise coated potatoes. Then opened his zipper releasing himself. And to my surprise entered me without hesitation.

He took my breath away. He pulled my tank top over my head, as well as my bra, and stuck his finger into the remaining salad again before smearing it across my breasts. Then lowered his mouth and licked and sucked at my covered nipples as he slowly tortured me with the gentle movement of his hips.

I grabbed the edges of the counter and my head rolled back against the wooden doors of the cabinet as I panted like a wild animal. I slowly opened my eyes and found him staring at me, smiling.

“Reny, this is amazing.” He held up his fingers, “You are amazing.”

He slowly pulled out of me and looked at me longingly. I was about to pull him by his hair back into position, but he had other ideas. He took those two fingers and plunged them once again into the same crescent shaped smashed bowl and lightly drew his fingers along my pubic bone before lowering himself to the floor where he kneeled on a cushion of cooked potatoes before me. The heat from his tongue ran up my inner thigh and he licked at the seasoned mayonnaise above my mound. His fingers slowly, decadently slid over my clit and his tongue followed suit.

“Mmmm. My God Reny I love the way you taste.”

I was so unprepared for what was happening all I could do was moan.

He licked and licked until I dug my fingers into his shoulders and screamed out in pleasure.

“Told you it tasted good.” He chuckled.

“Dylan…” My voice faded.

He stood and entered me again. His rocking motion brought me to a new level of satisfaction and I literally screamed. He pumped faster before he stopped and pulsed inside me. A look of euphoria on his face, the same as the one I’m sure was on mine.

“Reny, that was the best tasting potato salad you ever made.”

I tossed my head back and laughed, then brought my mouth to his and licked the remnants off his face.

“You know, I think your right.” I smiled sheepishly, “and since we are expecting company any minute now, I think we should get this mess cleaned up and get changed.”

“The hell with them, we won’t answer the door.” He took my face between his hands and kissed me deep and hard and I felt my body react.

The rest of the afternoon, into the evening, my eyes followed him as he moved through the clusters of our guests. I watched his face for each and every smile. There were times I’d catch him looking at me and he’d shake his head and laugh when he saw I blushed, but, all in all, it was a great day, and that
was
the best, damned potato salad I ever made.

Chapter 15

The next morning I got up, took a shower, got dressed and made a small pot of coffee. Libby bought me a Keurig for Christmas last year, but I really don’t like the way the coffee tastes. It tastes like coffee that has been pressure-cooked. It’s good when I’m in a big rush, but there is something to be said for fresh brewed coffee.

I finished my cup and before I left, rinsed it and the spoon then left them in the dish drainer.

I grabbed my satchel, slung it over my shoulder and headed out the door. I was half way to work when I realized I’d left the lunch I made the night before. I got a little creative and made a small batch of potato salad and a ham and swiss on rye, extra mustard. So what, I had a yen for potato salad.

“Oh well, I know what I’m having for dinner tonight.” I sighed.

I pulled my car into the same spot I parked everyday and opened my trunk. I walked around the back to retrieve my work bucket then lowered it to the ground. It had all my gardening tools all neatly stored in their respective places. Looking up at the sky I could see we would definitely get rain tonight.

Need to leave the hothouse roofs open
.

I reached in and grabbed my new garden gloves I’d bought from the nursery yesterday. They called out to me, so to speak. Or I liked them, either way they were mine now.

I heard a car pull into the gravel lot and turned around to see Libby arriving. She opened the passenger window and yelled out. “I’ve got Coffee Shack and donuts.”

“The coffee I’ll take.”

I picked up my bucket and walked over to where she parked. She was getting out of her car when I got there. She pulled out the tray holding the four cups of coffee and the box of donuts and looked over my head, her smile widening with each passing second.

“Libby, why are you acting so weird.”

Turning around I saw a dark blue car pull in. Normally, this would not even concern me, but it was 6:30 in the morning and the Nursery wasn’t open for business yet. And then there was that crazy smile on Libby’s face.

“Libby, who is that?”

“A visitor.” She said matter of factly.

“Someone you know…” The words no sooner left my mouth when I saw who was behind the wheel of the dark blue sedan. “Mark.”

“Close your mouth, your gonna catch flies like that.”

I closed my mouth. Then opened it again, “Where…how?”

“I guess you can say we bumped into each other at the Coffee Shack.” She was trying as hard as she could not to laugh.

He stepped out of the car and walked towards where we both stood; Libby with a smile on her face, me not so much.

“Stalk much?”

“Seems I remember you asking me that once before.”

“Well, you followed Libby here. That is definitely stalking.”

“No. She invited me. That’s called being polite.”

“Well, I’ve got work to do.” I picked up my bucket and walked away.

“At least you can here me out.”

“I think I got the message loud and clear.”

“I’m pretty sure you got the wrong message.”

“You stood me up. That is the message I got.”

“I didn’t. I had car trouble. I called a cab, but the time I got there you had already left.”

By the look on Libby’s face, it was obvious that this little tête-à-tête was very entertaining to her. I scowled at her.

“At least let the guy explain.” She defended him.

“Fine.”

Both sets of eyes turned to him.

“Like I said, my car wouldn’t start. I was frantic knowing you’d be waiting. I went right in and called a cab, but when I got there…no Reny.”

“Did you expect me to wait there indefinitely?”

“Of course not. But since you wouldn’t give me your phone number there was no way of contacting you.” His cobalt blues were staring right at me and I found myself at a loss for words. Then he smiled and I nearly cried. “I contacted every Reny McAdams I found on the internet, which I’ll admit there were only two, One in Illinois and the other Portland, Oregon. Figured they weren’t you. I even searched just ‘McAdams’. There were far more of those, but none of them were you, or even knew you for that matter.”

“Oh.”

“So what does a determined man do?”

He stopped talking but his eyes were relentless, and so was that smile.

“What?” I mumbled.

“Tell her.” That was Libby. She looked at me and waved her hand in the air, “I already heard this part…but I like it.”

I looked back in his direction but looked at his chin, refusing to look at those eyes. My body was already feeling kind of odd.

“I made it a habit to stop by the Coffee Shack
punctually
at 9:45 every morning. I’d buy my coffee and sit while I waited, hoping you’d walk in that door.” He smiled sheepishly. I looked at him as though he was mad.

“I’m sure they thought you were a very loyal customer.”

“I didn’t care what they thought, I stayed until 10: 30 then I’d go to work.”

“You must have a very forgiving boss.”

“Oh, he’s forgiving…to a certain extent.”

Okay already, stop with the megawatt smile. You’re killing me here.

“I um…” I didn’t know what to do next. It’s been a while since I’ve had a conversation with a man I was attracted to, even if I wasn’t willing to admit that just yet. “Well, that seems excessive.”

He laughed and my legs wobbled. A weak wobble. I put the bucket down and tried to stand still while maintaining my haughty attitude. Not easy.

“I figured if you can shop in
my
grocery store, I can have coffee in
your
Coffee Shack.”

“It’s not
my
Coffee Shack. That one is out of my way now, I go to the one on Main Street.” I said crossing my arms over my chest, satisfied the control was back in my court. “It still seems a litle excessive.”

“I told you, I’m very interested in getting to know you. So how about we do this the right way.” He pulled his cell phone out of his pocket, “why don’t you give me your phone number so I can call you and ask you out for lunch, or something.”

I stared at him. Refusing to say a word.

“Reny?” Libby turned towards me and then made a funny face, “it’s 913-354-5543.”

He quickly typed that number into his cell and I turned to look at Libby, my eyes narrowing. Oh, she got the message, but she didn’t care. She smiled at me like an idiot.

“Well, I’ve got to go get ready to open, I’ll see you soon…I hope.” She said to Mark. Then she turned in my direction. “I’ll talk to you later.”

“Oh, we’ll
talk
alright. Yup.”

She picked up the coffee and donuts and disappeared inside. I knew her all too well. I would bet my life she was watching from somewhere.

“Don’t be mad at Libby. I kind of left her no choice.”

“Yeah, I bet.”

“Seems we’re on the wrong foot again.”

“You really stopped there every morning?”

“If I’m anything, it’s persistent.”

“I’ll say.” I managed a weak smile, “I don’t get why.”

“I take it you have no mirrors in your home?”

“Of course I have mirrors.” I blushed. Like…a lot. I’m sure a beet has nothing on me right about now.

“Reny, you are a beautiful woman, and there’s something, not sure I could put my finger on it, but there’s something about you that pulls at me.”

“Now you’re sounding like a stalker again.”

“Well, we can easily remedy that. Have lunch with me and once you get to know me, you’ll know for a fact I’m not a stalker. Just a guy who is attracted to a beautiful woman.”

I looked down at my feet and laughed. I hadn’t realized one of my pant legs were cuffed and the other not. I looked ridiculous.

“Yeah, I didn’t want to say anything. Besides, it’s cute.”

“Cute?”

“Yeah.”

“Okay.”

“Okay what?”

“Okay I’ll have lunch with you.”

He smiled triumphantly.

“I knew it would pay off.”

“What would?”

“
Stalking
you.” He smiled. “I’ve got your number, and I will be calling you shortly.”

I laughed nervously.

“Of that I am sure.” I picked my bucket up. “But I really need to get to work.”

“I’ve got to get to work myself. Don’t want the boss angry with me.”

He waved, kind of dorky-like, and walked back to his car.

I grinned. I kind of liked grinning. I turned toward the greenhouses and the butterflies swarmed in all at once. I felt ridiculous, somewhat like a little kid, all giddy and silly.

I had just gotten inside Greenhouse Two when my phone rang. I lifted it out of the bucket and looked down at the caller ID. I didn’t recognize the number but I answered anyway.

“Hello.”

“So are you free today?”

I smiled and smothered an outburst, a giggle of sorts, into my hand.

“I’m surprised you waited this long…stalker.” I tried using my stern voice, but I’m sure he could hear I wasn’t serious. I was happy he wasn’t able to see me bouncing like a loon in my garden clogs. “How about tomorrow? I will wear something a little more appropriate.” I looked down at my overalls and smiled again at the one leg up, one leg down thing.

“I have a better idea.” He said. Damn, his voice was, I don’t know, sexy?

“What’s that?”

“How about I pick you up tonight, say seven-ish, and we’ll go out for dinner instead?”

“Um…I…”

“Come on, it’s just lunch at a later time.”

“I guess that would be okay. That would be okay.”

There was a small silence.

“You do realize you’ll have to give me your address, right?”

“Stalker.” I laughed, “It’s 6014 Dogwood Lane, Apartment 416.”

“Thank you. I’ll see you at 7:00.”

“Stalker.”

I heard him laugh as I pushed end. That voice will be the end of me…and that smile…and those eyes.

“Dylan…what do I do here?” I said to the heavens.

“You go out and have a nice time.”

I spun around to find Libby standing in the doorway.

“How long you been standing there creeper?”

“Long enough to know you finally found your senses.”

“Oh, Libby.” I panicked, “I have nothing to wear for dinner. I mean. I haven’t shopped for…well, forever.”

“No problem. That’s why you have me. We’ll go to Neiman’s lunchtime. We’ll find you something really pretty there.”

When she noticed I was shaking she stepped closer and hugged me. “Don’t worry, I’ll help you get ready. I’ll even stay at your house till you get home. We’ll have us a good old fashioned girl’s sleepover.”

I smiled. “Thank you Libs.” I’m sure my relief showed in my eyes.

“That’s what family does for each other. Besides, I’ll want to hear every detail when you get home.”

“I see. You have an ulterior motive.”

“I do.” She hugged me and for the first time in a long time, I was that nervous young girl going on her first date.