Everything She Never Wanted

Chapter 18

18

Henry dropped Cynthia off and headed back to Amavita. He couldn’t stop smiling when he was with her, or when he thought about her. She was the sexiest woman he’d ever known. He wished he could go back to his eighteen year old self and tell him to be patient. That one day she would share his bed.

And it would be the best day ever.

He grinned as he drove the winding roads through the vineyard to his parents’ house. He hoped he and Ryan didn’t find their mom as lost as she was two weeks earlier. The weekend before, she was closer to normal. It gave Henry hope that she was starting to get better.

Henry though? He wanted to yell and cry and curse everything when he thought about his father being stolen from them. He hid it the best he could, but when he wasn’t with Cynthia, the pain rushed in and nearly choked him. For the first time, he was dreading getting back into the fields and having to face the fact that his dad wasn’t out there with him.

He parked in front of the house and breathed a little easier when he saw lights on inside.

Ryan was already there, talking and laughing with their mom. Henry took off his jacket and boots and joined them in the kitchen.

“Hey honey,” Jo said, crossing to him and kissing his cheek. “How are you?”

“Good, Ma. How are you?”

“I’m having a good day today. I had lunch with Cynthia’s mom and made plans to see her again next week.”

“Cynthia’s mom?” Ryan asked.

Jo nodded. “Yes. She and I have been friends for years. It’s been a while since we’ve seen each other, but she stopped me at church a few weeks back. It’s nice to see her again.”

Ryan scowled but didn’t comment further. Henry was just happy his mom had someone to talk to.

“I always liked Ms. Hill. I should have stayed in touch with her when Cynthia and I stopped talking.”

“Well, you have a chance again. How are things going with Cynthia?”

Henry glanced at his brother, noting the clenched jaw and distrust in his eyes. “Good. We’re having fun. For however long she’s here.”

“What if she never leaves?” Jo asked. The question was innocent, but the tone wasn’t. He thought she knew something, but he didn’t want to call her on it and get his hopes up.

They were already sky-high.

“She’s not staying so it doesn’t really matter.”

“But what if she did stay?”

“I don’t know, Ma. You know how hard this life is. How tough it is to keep a relationship going. You were raised in this, so you understood, but most women don’t.”

“So you’re going to be single your whole life?”

“None of us are involved, Ma. Dillon, Sean, Leo, Ryan, Zach. None of us have ever had a relationship that lasted through harvest. They died out long before the grapes do.”

“I think you’re selling yourself short.”

Henry shrugged. “I think it’s just the cold, hard truth and we’ve all accepted it.”

Ryan reluctantly nodded when Jo looked his way. Henry just shrugged again.

“Well, I think you’re all insane. You can’t decide you’re not going to fall for someone. It just happens. And just because work is crazy, doesn’t mean it can’t work. Your father and I found a way to make it work, same with your aunts and uncles. And countless other people who live around here. You boys can find love and happiness if you want. You just have to want it.”

“Can we talk about something else?” Ryan asked. “All this talk about Henry and Cynthia is making me sick. I won’t be able to eat.”

Jo laughed while Henry glared at his brother. “You’re so bad. But yes, we can talk about something else. Who have you been seeing lately?”

Ryan groaned. Henry grinned.

Vivian was stunning. Absolutely beautiful. Tim decided to do something different for their date and chose bowling. When his boys were little, they went frequently, but it had been years since he’d gone.

He was so glad he waited.

“Another gutter ball?” Vivian complained as she stepped off the polished wood lane.

“If you throw the ball straight, that won’t happen,” Tim teased.

She fought a grin, but it wasn’t long before her lips curled up and she laughed. She had a beautiful laugh.

“I’m trying! I’m just not very good at it. When Cynthia was little we used to go to the library for fun.”

“That’s sort of cheating, isn’t it? You worked there and took your kid there.”

Vivian shrugged. “She always liked to read. Plus, when she was little they didn’t have all the things they have now. Those rails that kids use to aim the ball and the blockers for the gutters. That stuff didn’t exist. She’s always been a perfectionist. If she threw gutter balls, it would have crushed her.”

Tim laughed. He could see that in the woman he’d only met once. After hearing about her for so long, he’d had a clear picture of Cynthia in his head. Of course, she was nothing like he imagined, but she did seem like she had a mind of her own and didn’t like to be wrong. About anything.

“I think she’d have been better than you. That’s why you never wanted to go bowling.”

Vivian laughed. “That’s probably true.”

They took their turns bowling, ending the game quickly. Instead of going someplace else, Tim asked if she wanted to sit in the bar and order dinner. Vivian shrugged and agreed, thrilling him.

Too many women were high maintenance. They wanted to be wined and dined. He needed a woman that was as comfortable in heels as she was in jeans. Judging by the perfectly worn jeans Vivian wore, she fit the bill.

He ordered pizza and wings and two beers from the counter then challenged Vivian to the arcade games. “I have a bunch of quarters in my pocket.”

“Is that a pick-up line?”

A laugh burst from his chest. He hadn’t thought about the way it sounded, but loved that her mind went there. He leaned in close and whispered in her ear. “Well, I am happy to see you.”

Vivian laughed but made no move to get away from him. He wrapped an arm around her waist and guided her to a game they could play together. It was a booth and they had to drive cars, but they were closed into a tight spot, giving them a hint of privacy.

“I have no idea how to do this,” Vivian said, staring at the screen.

“You know how to drive a car, so I think you can figure this out.”

He dug quarters from his pocket and pushed them into the slot for both players. He went through the selection process to pick a car and waited as Vivian did the same. The screen counted down from three to go, and Tim took off.

He hit the first turn with the other cars all around him. He bounced off a wall but kept going, passing the first checkpoint in fourth place. He glanced at Vivian’s machine and laughed. “Are you seriously still at the first turn?”

“I have no idea what I’m doing! This game is ridiculous.”

“Okay,” he said, keeping an eye on his own screen, “it’s like driving a stick shift. This lever is your gear, but you don’t have a clutch so just shift when you want to.”

“What sense does that make?”

Tim chuckled. “It’s supposed to be for kids.”

Vivian grumbled, but she got herself into the race. Tim watched both screens as she took the turns a few seconds after he did. By the time they went into their third lap around the track, she was handling the controls like she was a teenager. She even passed him.

“Hey!”

Vivian laughed. “Too slow!”

“I think I got hustled!”

Vivian came in third place, and Tim came in fifth. He leaned over and kissed her.

“What was that for?”

He shrugged. “Winner gets a kiss.”

Her eyes brightened and she grinned. “I think I like that rule.”

Next they played a military game where they were shooters. Tim won that game and happily collected his kiss. Air hockey was next. Another kiss for Tim. When he saw their food was on the table, they went to eat.

“I’m starving.”

“Me too. It was a busy day at work today.”

“Tell me about it,” Vivian said.

Tim wasn’t sure if she was commiserating or asking him to share. “You worked today, too?”

Vivian shook her head, taking a bite of her pizza. “No. I wanted you to tell me about your day.”

“Oh, well, Scott was late this morning, which I knew about but still messed with my day. I had a few deliveries to handle, and the shop was crowded all day. It was insane.”

“That’s all good stuff, right?”

“Definitely. I keep going back and forth about hiring more help. It feels like I’m married to the place. Scott is great, but I’m a bit of a control freak.”

“Tell me about it. Being a single parent makes you that way, I think.”

Tim shook his head. “It’s only made me worse. I was a control freak long before I was a parent. Of course, not being able to back off the business a bit is part of what destroyed my marriage.”

“I’m sorry,” Vivian said.

Tim shrugged. “It was a long time ago, but thanks. I’ve learned I lack the skills to have work and life balance.”

Vivian laughed. He loved the way her hair moved when she laughed. The curls bounced and shuddered over her shoulders. She looked young when she laughed, much younger than he thought she was.

“I think work life balance is a myth. There are far too many people out there trying to find it for anyone to actually be successful.”

Tim nodded. “I’ve tried telling myself that. Maybe I’m just worse than the normal. But, that’s all in the past. I’m trying to get better.”

“Oh, yeah? What are you doing?”

Tim shrugged. “Nothing.”

Vivian laughed again, shaking her head. “Somehow, I don’t think it’s going to work.”

“Yeah, it’s probably not the best plan.” Tim laughed at himself, happy he could make Vivian smile.

They talked and laughed and finished their food. When they were done, Tim asked if she wanted to bowl another game. She agreed, thrilling him.

They went back to their lane and started a new game. Vivian was remarkably better the second time around, but Tim didn’t resist the opportunity to help her out.

“Let me show you,” he said in the third frame.

She waited for him at the line, holding the ball in her right hand. Tim positioned himself behind her, his body pressed against hers. He rested one hand on her hip and glided the other down her arm until their hands touched.

“Make sure you keep your wrist straight. Have your toes pointed where you want the ball to go. Watch the pins, not the ball, and make sure your thumb follows the ball, showing it where to go.”

Vivian trembled in his arms, her body swaying gently into his. Her breath stuck in her throat and her voice was raspy when she said, “Okay.”

He held her and guided her arm as she reached back and tossed the ball. They stood together at the line, watching as her ball rolled down and hit the center pin, sending seven others to the alley.

“Yay!” she yelled, spinning and leaping into his arms.

He caught her effortlessly, enjoying the feel of her body pressed against his. He was no longer a horny teenager, but damn if Vivian didn’t make him feel a little like one again.

His lips met hers gently, not demanding, not greedy, but potent. He kept his lips closed, conscious of where they were. He wanted to dive into her. To devour her. But he kept himself at bay, not wanting to embarrass himself in front of the families surrounding them.

When he pulled back, her eyes were foggy with desire. She stared up at him, her lips wet from his. “Thank you. Um, for your help.”

She ducked her head and glanced around as though she’d forgotten where they were.

Tim nodded, then left the lane. He sucked in a deep breath and turned to watch her bowl her second ball. She did okay, but missed the pins. She turned around with a scowl.

“Well, that wasn’t as good. I think I could use a lesson or two.”

His pulse rocketed with her words and the flutter of her lashes. Dear God, he was a sucker for a woman who wasn’t afraid to ask for what she wanted. Even if it was thinly veiled.

“I’m sure I could arrange that,” Tim said, approaching her. He threaded his arm around her back again. “I wouldn’t mind a bit.”

He gave her a quick kiss then took his turn. When it was hers again, Vivian grabbed her bowling ball and stepped up to the line where he was waiting for her. She peeked over her shoulder at him. He pressed himself flush against her and rested his hand on her hip again. His other hand went to her arm, supporting her as they watched each other instead of the ball or the pins. Together, they stretched her arm back and guided it forward. When the ball fell into a gutter, he grinned.

“Oops.”

Vivian glanced at where the ball was wobbling down the gutter and grinned.

“Let’s try this again.”

Vivian grabbed another ball and lined up again. Tim settled behind her, loving that she nestled her bottom up against him. His hand went to her hip as though it was made to be there. Her flesh curved beneath his palm the same way her backside curved against his crotch. He stifled a groan and anchored her wrist the way he was trying to teach her. They both looked at the lane and moved their arms together to throw the ball.

Tim watched, grinning, as the ball rolled slowly down the lane. When it finally hit the pins, it knocked them all down.

Vivian cheered again, wrapping her arms around him. He buried his face in her neck and kissed behind her ear, then reluctantly pulled back.

Tim forced himself not to help Vivian anymore. It seemed she had the same idea and refrained from asking. They bowled quickly, neither waiting long before taking their turn. When they were done, they turned in their shoes and tugged on boots and coats. Tim reached for her hand on the way to his truck, then opened the door for her. When he was inside the truck, with the heat on, he asked, “Where to?”

Vivian met his eyes and grinned. “Your place?”

Tim nodded and happily turned the truck in that direction.

Vivian couldn’t believe how forward she was being with Tim. It was very uncharacteristic of her. She forgot where they were when he pressed against her back. He felt too good to ignore.

And that wasn’t right.

She was a librarian. A mom. But she was also a woman. One that had been neglected for far too long. She didn’t want to sleep with Tim… well, not right away, but she wanted to have a chance to explore things with him. To get to know him better without so many prying eyes.

At his house, a modest home near his store, Tim offered her a drink.

“Water would be great.”

He filled two glasses with water from the tap and handed her one. They sat on his couch, close but not touching.

“Should we put on a movie or something?”

“Sure. That sounds good.”

He chose a movie from his collection without telling her what it was. When the opening credits of an old Audrey Hepburn film started, Vivian settled in to watch, already knowing all the lines.

“Are you an Audrey fan?” Tim asked halfway through the movie.

Vivian nodded. “Always. She’s so elegant and beautiful. Everything I always wanted to be but never could quite pull off.”

Tim smiled and tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. “I think you’re elegant and beautiful.”

Vivian grinned. “You sure know how to sweet talk a woman.”

“I’m serious. I’ve always thought you were beautiful. The first time I saw you I felt like a fool because I was staring at you.”

“I thought I had something on my face.”

“You did. It was your face. You’re beautiful.”

“Thank you,” Vivian said softly.

“You’re welcome.”

They watched the movie a little longer before he cleared his throat.

“Can I ask you a question?”

“Sure.”

“Why did you ask me out?”

Vivian smiled, focusing on him instead of the movie. She wasn’t sure she wanted to tell him, but figured it didn’t matter that much. “Cynthia suggested it actually.”

“Cynthia? Why?”

Vivian shrugged. “She decided it was time for me to start dating. It’s been more than thirty years since her father left us. She said I needed to do something for myself.”

“And I was the something she wanted you to do?”

Vivian burst out laughing at the way he put it. “In a manner of speaking, that probably was Cynthia’s plan, but she never said it that way. She was depressed about Henry and talking about me putting my life on hold and said she wanted me to be happy.”

“She’s a pretty great kid.”

Vivian nodded, proud of her daughter. “She is. Always thinking about other people.”

“So she told you to ask me out?”

“Well, I went out with a man I know from church before you. She made me promise I’d go on five dates. He was the first. When that didn’t work, she told me you were the next man she wanted me to approach.”

“Well, second best is better than fifth,” Tim teased.

“I think she would have put you first if she’d met you before I set up the date with the other man. She insisted you had a thing for me.”

“She’s very perceptive.”

“Really?” Vivian asked, curious. She almost thought Tim went out with her because he had no reason not to, not because he liked her.

“I did have a thing for you. Still do. You’re a beautiful, kind, amazing woman. The fact that you’re still single say more about the i***t men in this town than you. I’m lucky you asked me and not four other guys.”

Vivian ducked her head, her cheeks warming.

“So, we’ve been on two dates so far. Do they count as dates two and three in your agreement with Cynthia?”

Vivian shook her head. “No. Five dates with five different men. Our extra dates don’t count toward the five.”

“At least I know you’re not going to ditch me after our fourth date.”

Vivian laughed. “Nah. I think I’ll keep you around for a little while.”

“Unless one of the other guys becomes a contender.”

Vivian shook her head. “There aren’t any other guys. One at a time for me.”

Tim nodded. “I’m the same way.”

“Good.”