Sweet Surrender Page 11

  “And you’re helping?”

  “No, sir. I’m—” Beth motioned to the couch where thick textbooks lay open “—I’m doing my homework.”

  He followed her in and picked up one of the books. “Pre-calculus?” He made a motion of bowing to her. “Who knew?”

  Beth blushed. “My teacher wanted to challenge me. I have ten problems to complete.”

  “I hope you don’t need help.”

  “Naw, I’m cool.” Beth laughed.

  Pierce wanted to encourage her to do that more often. A smile transformed her face. But one wrong move or statement and he knew that she could revert to her usual adolescent scowl.

  “Looks like you’ve got something for me,” she said.

  “You left this at my office. Thought you may need something in it for school,” he said.

  “Thanks. I didn’t need it though. That’s not my homework backpack.” She shook her head at the object and then at him.

  “Should I say— ‘loser’ because I can see it written all over your face.” Beth hooted. Now he understood. As long as he placed himself in a ridiculous situation or poked fun at himself, she didn’t mind his company.

  “Doc, I don’t use a backpack. Figured since you’re the doctor, you’d know that the device isn’t good for the back, especially the way kids wear it slung over one shoulder.”

  “Cut me a break, kid, or I won’t tell you my other surprise.” He had to regain the upper hand in the situation.

  “Beth? Who was that?” Haley asked as she came into the room.

  Pierce looked up to see Haley come down the stairs. He saw her bare feet then her ankle and the hemline of a thick terry robe as she descended. When she caught sight of him, she froze on the steps. Her head was wrapped in a bright yellow towel that didn’t in any way detract from her beauty. All he could do was gulp in air and hope that his voice would return.

  “Oh, Pierce, I didn’t expect to see you…in my living room. Is something the matter?” Her fingers clutched the robe and the other hand patted the towel.

  “Sorry for the intrusion.” The mannerly thing to do would’ve been to call ahead. He’d been too caught up in his motives to consider the effects of dropping in on Haley unannounced.

  “No, it’s all right. Have a seat. Excuse me for a minute.”

  She disappeared back up the stairs. He shifted his attention back to Beth, who had resumed her homework. He sat across from her, and looked at the framed photographs that captured Beth’s and Haley’s past. Haley in the eighties not only held his interest, but caused him to burst into laughter. She wore a pantsuit that had faux leather trim. Her shoulders cut sharp right angles with shoulder pads large enough to protect a line-backer. And her hair stood a good three inches above her head with flips on either side. The complete look had him doubled over with laughter. And yet, no matter how bizarre her attire, Haley still radiated a natural beauty.

  Pierce stood. He really shouldn’t have dropped in. Haley hadn’t come down and Beth had her work to complete. “Beth, please tell your mom that I didn’t mean to intrude. I was only returning the bag.”

  “Mom!”

  Pierce cringed at the high-pitched scream from the bony young girl.

  Haley emerged in a black T-shirt and black jeans. The simple attire looked like a million dollars on her body. Her hair, still damp, framed her face in loose waves. She wore no makeup. It wasn’t necessary.

  “Were you leaving? Sorry I took so long. Please, stay. Would you like something to drink?” Haley prayed that he would step away from the door, back into her tiny living room.

  First, she had been shocked to see his large frame dwarfing her room. But that had only been an instant reaction. She couldn’t deny the happiness she felt when he smiled at her.

  “Actually, I had an appointment this evening. Thankfully it was rescheduled. I got to come home and pamper myself for a few minutes.” She walked over and placed a hand on Beth’s shoulder. “How’s the homework coming?”

  “I’m finished.” Beth snapped the book closed. “I’ll set the table for dinner.”

  “Thanks, sweetheart. Pierce, have you eaten dinner?”

  He shook his head.

  “Good.”

  “Beth, can you set a spot for Pierce?”

  “Don’t go to any trouble. Show me where it is and I’ll do it.”

  “You’re the guest, Doc. I know this used to be your house, but you have to act like a guest when you’re here.” Beth was busy adding more utensils to the table.

  “I’ve been duly chastised. Thank you.”

  Haley felt the blood rush to her face. She knew from Beth’s voice that she wasn’t being mean-spirited. But she had to realize that there was a fine line with rudeness. Pierce winked at her.

  “Don’t let her push your buttons,” he whispered low enough for her ears only. “I know that I’m imposing, but after seeing you at lunch, I wanted to see you again. Besides, I had a legitimate excuse.”

  “Really?” She folded her arms, measuring his demeanor for honesty.

  Pierce pointed to the backpack. She got up and inspected it, vaguely remembering when she’d bought it for Beth.

  “Let’s go eat. Don’t get your hopes up, though. It’s only baked chicken, stuffing and spinach.”

  “It’s more than I would have eaten tonight. I think that I’ve a peanut-butter-and-jelly sandwich with my name on it at home.”

  “You’re such a bachelor. You only cook when seduction is on the menu?”

  “Something like that.”

  “I hope that your kitchen doesn’t get much use.”

  “It didn’t until a woman and her daughter landed on my doorstep.”

  The microwave buzzed. “Looks like Beth nuked our dinner. Hopefully it’s not rubber chicken.”

  They shared a laugh as they walked over to the table. Beth had placed herself at the head of the table with Pierce and her mother sitting opposite each other at the sides. Haley studied her daughter’s face for any signs that this was a joke. Beth looked innocently back at her and then at Pierce before taking her seat.

  They ate dinner and conversed about the day’s events. Beth lit up when it was her turn to talk about her day. Haley wanted to hug Pierce for taking the time to ask questions about Beth’s work and friends at school. Beth’s easy chatter with him revealed things that Haley didn’t know about Beth’s likes and dislikes.

  Listening to Beth made her realize that she had to keep a line of communication open or she would be locked out of her daughter’s life. Not everything required her input or even reaction, but she needed time to talk to her.

  “Doc said he had something to tell me. What is it?” Beth pushed.

  Haley looked at Pierce, wondering what else he could be up to. “I’m all ears.”

  “I came to tell you about my open house.” He held up his finger. “Hold on. Both of you are so impatient. I’m having the party so that we can unveil Beth’s wall mural.”

  “Oh, wow! Mom, can you believe that everyone will see my wall painting?” Beth bounced in her seat.

  Haley saw her daughter’s indecision on whether to sit there and continue the conversation or run from the table and call her friends. Haley decided to make it easy for her. She nodded to Beth, letting her escape.

  “You’re the greatest, Doc.” Beth hugged Pierce before running to the phone.

  Pierce stared after Beth, then looked at Haley.

  “Don’t question it. I’ve learned to go with whatever comes. Beth’s mood swings certainly keeps our lives fresh,” she said.

  “I’m touched.”

  Pierce didn’t need to tell her that he had been affected by Beth’s acknowledgment of what he’d done for her. His face had softened. His mouth twitched into a ready smile. His genuine affection for her daughter was reflected in his face.

  They cleaned up the dining room in a matter of minutes.

  “Meet you on the porch?”

  “Sure. I’ll run up for my Afghan
throw,” she said.

  Haley pulled the lightweight blanket from the linen closet. She treasured the rare evenings they spent together on the porch, sitting side by side sharing ice cream talking about the day’s accomplishments or frustrations. Pierce and his fine physique could eat the ice cream and be unaffected. She, on the other hand, alternated the treats with fresh fruit and frozen yogurt.

  Ever since their ill-fated assignation that had ended prematurely, Haley hadn’t encouraged Pierce to come over, even for the nightly treats. Beth’s reaction to the turn in their relationship worried her. The less Pierce visited, the more sullen Beth became. She couldn’t blame all of the tension in the house on Beth. More of the blame lay squarely at her feet as she played tug-of-war with her emotions and her attention to the good doctor.

  Pierce was already on the porch when Haley came downstairs. Beth was still on the phone. She overheard her giving directions to Pierce’s office. Haley hoped he had a hefty food budget for the open house. He would have to have plenty of goodies on hand to feed all of Beth’s friends. She gave Beth a hand signal to wrap up the phone call. She knew it would take at least two more warnings before Beth hung up. She sighed; it was their nightly ritual.

  “Mad at me for dropping in?” Pierce patted the spot next to him on the wicker love seat.

  Haley shook her head. She kicked off her shoes and slipped her feet under the blanket. A soft sigh escaped her lips. Sitting on the porch had become a wonderful way for her to de-stress. The stained wood with white rails had a quaint country feel while sitting in a very modern city. Her position on the wicker chair she’d recently splurged on made her feel as if she were between two worlds, her hectic job and life.

  On most days, this was her favorite spot, an oasis where she could regroup. She breathed in the air, loving the fresh scent after a hearty rainfall. The thick rain clouds had cleared, revealing an inky-blue sky peppered with twinkling stars. The crescent eggshell-white moon stood in stark contrast against the dark backdrop of the heavens.

  Haley kept staring up at the sky as she did on the nights that she sat with Pierce, hoping to see a shooting star. She hadn’t formed her wish. Her thoughts were like fragments circling around in her mind and inspired by her heart. One name sat at the edge of her lips, waiting for the night when a star would race across the sky. Sending his name out into the universe was enough, she believed. All her dreams, cares, fantasies would follow his name to the twinkling star.

  “How about a special treat tonight.” Pierce presented her with a chocolate ice-cream bar.

  “Oh, you’re going the decadent route,” Haley said and pounced on her gift. She ripped open the wrapper, with no desire to read the nutrition label. There was nothing like a dark chocolate treat. Her hand and mouth coordinated on autopilot. She rolled her eyes as the ice cream melted onto her tongue, before closing her mouth to savor the stimulation to her senses.

  “If I’d known you were going to have an erotic reaction, I would have held on to it for blackmailing purposes.”

  “How did you know that this was the only thing in the world that would make me feel better? I’m a sucker for chocolate.”

  “I’m not sure where that leaves me?”

  She kissed him, leaving a chocolate imprint near his lips, and resumed eating her treat. “Can’t let it melt. Give me a second.”

  Haley didn’t care how she looked gobbling her dessert. Pierce offered her several napkins and laid them on her lap and chest in a sincere effort to save her clothes and blanket.

  “Stop smiling at me. Chocolate around those pearly whites is not a pleasant sight.” He pulled her into his arms and seared her with a bawdy kiss. “I’m beginning to feel lonely sitting here keeping myself company.”

  “Now you know that you can’t give me an ice-cream Popsicle and expect conversation.”

  “There won’t be any of this on Friday.” He kissed her temple as she rested her head against his shoulder. “I’ll have to throw out the entire box.”

  “Yeah, Friday.” She really did try to make her voice sound upbeat and excited. When he leaned forward to study her face, she knew that she’d failed.

  “Talk to me, Haley,” he urged.

  She followed his gaze out onto the road leading to the main intersection. How could she tell him that Friday, Friday night, Saturday morning would all be major, gigantic steps for her. Her breathing became labored just thinking about it.

  Their impromptu plan the other day hadn’t caused her advisory lights to flash. His invitation and her acceptance had been spontaneous. She knew that her daughter’s discovery stood at the core of their impulsiveness.

  “I want you to understand how difficult all of this is for me. I’m not sure that I’m ready for this weekend.”

  “It’s one night.” He held her gaze until she looked away and then righted herself in the chair. “Look, I don’t want to sound like the horny boyfriend pushing you to do something that you’d rather not do, but I need to know what is bothering you. One time, I think that it’s Beth dealing with us being more than friends. At another time, I think it’s you being afraid to open up and care about someone.” He ran his hand over his head. She heard his frustrated sigh before he turned his head away from her. “Sometimes I even think that I’m the problem. That I’m not good enough for you. I’m not talking about professionally or financially. I wonder if I measure up to what you consider to be an ideal man.”

  “You have always been thoughtful and sweet to me and Beth. How can you not be the ideal man? My heart is touched with your sensitivity,” she said and realized that she sounded like a greeting card. “Look, Pierce, I don’t know if I should be doing this right now. I’m not talking about Beth, I’m talking about me. I’m the one with the problem. I don’t want you to think that I can’t function without you. Or that I’m needy. From the first day that we met you came to Beth’s rescue and you continue to do so.” She stopped talking, unsure how to tell him how insecure she felt.

  “Friday is two days away. Let’s not cancel. If you’re there on Friday, I’ll know that you’re ready to move on with me.” He didn’t wait for her reply. He took his bowl and spoon and walked into the kitchen, then came out on the porch where she still remained. “Good night.” He walked down the steps without their traditional nose rub and kiss.

  Haley looked at his car through the rails of the porch. She hadn’t moved a muscle since he’d last spoken. Pierce had not only tossed the ball into her court, he’d handed her the racket.

  Pierce parked in front of Sheena’s house. Tired of their rift, he’d called her. She hadn’t said that she didn’t want to see him, and he’d taken that as a good sign. They could talk about the weather. They could talk about the latest high-school football game. The topic of conversation didn’t really matter. He simply missed being around his family, all of them.

  Plus he wanted the family, especially Sheena, to visit on Saturday. Haley’s visit, if she showed up, would remain his secret surprise. But if she backed out, he would have his family to help him get through the disappointment. Not that he would give up on Haley. Too much had passed between them and there was that small fact that he couldn’t deny. She had found a way into his heart, Pierce admitted grudgingly.

  Sheena appeared from the backyard. His sister who was very fashion conscious looked disheveled. An orange scarf secured her hair. Brown gardening gloves covered her hands. Her face had brown smudges to match the dirty fingers of her gloves. Gone were the bright reds and blues that she wore as her signature colors. She didn’t usually wear a T-shirt, denim shorts and ratty tennis shoes. Sheena beckoned to him. He waved and hurried to catch up with her retreating figure.

  “What’s all this?” Pierce surveyed the backyard that looked as if someone had turned it inside out. The enclosed space had a series of deep trenches, piles of dirt, stacks of lumber and a backhoe parked under a tree.

  “I’m rebuilding the deck over here and building a bigger deck up there.” Sheena first pointed
at the family room on ground level and then up to the deck off the dining room. “I was trying to save some of the plants that lined the area.”

  “Didn’t know you had it in you.” Pierce couldn’t hide his surprise. Seeing Sheena in this setting opened his eyes. Looking at Sheena, he realized how much she’d matured into a loving wife and mother. No longer did she fit neatly into the category of malleable little sister.

  “Come over here.” Sheena pulled him to another area of the yard where the earth had been dug up.

  “Burying the family?” He elbowed her, which she promptly returned with a jab to his stomach.

  “Inground pool.”

  Pierce choked. “Are you sure that you can manage such an expense? A pool and all these other renovations only make sense if you’re planning to make this your dream house.”

  Sheena shook her head. She threw up her hands and screamed through clenched teeth. She pulled off her gloves and stalked off toward the house.

  “What’s the problem?” he asked, although he had caught himself a little too late. Maybe he could play the dumb role and beg for her mercy.

  At least she hadn’t locked the door, he thought, as he followed her into the family room. The renovations weren’t just outdoors. The family-room walls were now a tropical green with decorations that made the room look like an island getaway. Looking out the doors to the backyard, his imagination filled in the space with the deck and the pool.

  “I think this is going to be awesome.” Pierce really admired what Sheena had done. “I’m sorry for jumping all over you a few minutes ago.”

  “It’s getting old, Pierce. You always jump on anything that I want to do that doesn’t involve you.” Sheena stood next to him. “Carlton and I decided that we’re comfortable in this house. We’ve got enough room. Instead of splurging on a big, new house and skimpy yard in another neighborhood, we can make this house and our backyard into what we want.”

  Pierce heard her logic. “You grew up on me, and I don’t know if I can handle it,” he said.

  Sheena rubbed his back. “There will be times when I’ll need you, big brother, but for the most part I can handle my life. I don’t need rescuing. Don’t forget I now have a husband who is my shining knight. He’s my number-one guy, Pierce.”