Chapter 23
The table was set, and Ann was putting the finishing touches on dinner when Bill walked through the door. She wasn’t sure what to expect from him, given how they’d parted. Would he be upset with her for asking him to come clean with his friends?
A part of her wanted to take back the hurtful things she’d said.
Even if they were honest, maybe it wasn’t fair to make such demands on him when he’d been so kind.
But she still needed to know how the conversations went with his friends.
Did he go through with them? To give him her heart, she needed to be certain of his.
But she still harbored oh-so-many doubts.
As soon as the door was closed, Bill dropped everything, strode over to her, and kissed her with a fury that took her breath away.
Thank heavens! He’d forgiven her. There was no way he would kiss her like that if he was still upset with her.
She leaned into him, relishing his taste and letting the warmth of his embrace unfurl slowly from her core right down to her toes.
It was so tempting to sink into his affection and let her worries go, and for a moment, she did.
Releasing her at last, he murmured, “I’ve missed you.”
“I’ve missed you too.” She sighed, her body still tingling.
He went over and picked up Junior. “I missed you too, little sweet pea.” He cradled Junior against him and kissing the top of his head. “Have you been taking good care of your mama and making sure she stays out of trouble?”
Junior cooed and grabbed his nose, and Ann couldn’t remember ever seeing anything so adorable in her life.
“Oh, I see. And what have you two rascals been up to in my absence?” Bill asked Junior, tickling his belly.
Gracious! Did Bill have to be so distractingly attractive?
There were serious things Ann needed to speak to him about.
Bracing herself, she took out dishes and silverware and started setting the table.
She needed something to do with her hands to quell her nerves.
“I spent yesterday afternoon at Mary’s and this morning with your mother. ”
He straightened and looked at her intently. “And how was your conversation with Mary?”
With reluctance, she met his gaze. The vulnerable look in his eyes told her that he was hanging on her every word.
“She confirmed what you said. She explained your fibs as blarney intended to entertain that got out of hand. I still don’t like it, but I understand better.
I hope that your days of telling tales like that are at an end.
I also hope that you treat what happens between us as private.
Bedroom matters should stay in the bedroom. ”
“You have my word.” He looked her in the eyes as he said it, any hint of his usual mischievous humor gone.
Good. He was taking this seriously.
But then Junior grabbed at his lower lip, and Bill pretended to eat him up. It was all she could do to keep her expression solemn in the face of such a display.
“I appreciate that,” she said, putting the last dish on the dinner table. “Dinner is ready. Come sit down.”
He put Junior back on his blanket with a kiss on his forehead and came over to pull out Ann’s chair for her, playing the gallant as usual.
Once she was seated, he went and sat at his place. He said a brief grace, and they ate as she tried to summon the courage to continue the conversation. They definitely weren’t finished yet.
“Did you have a chance to speak with your friends?” Ann asked in as light a voice as she could manage. It might ruin their dinner, but she needed to know.
“I did, but I’m afraid they didn’t believe me.”
She looked him in the eyes and found no deception in his gaze. Then he truly had gone through with it. That should have been more of a relief than it was. “Mary thought they wouldn’t.”
“Mary is far too perceptive sometimes.”
“She also loves you dearly. She has nothing but good things to say about you.” She speared some green beans with her fork, trying to believe her friend’s assurances.
There was every reason to give Bill the benefit of the doubt here, but some corner of her heart still mistrusted.
Anyone else would have given in by now, but she simply wasn’t built like that.
Trust and love had always taken time for her, and Bill was no exception, no matter how endearing.
“She’s the best big sister a man could have.” He took a bite of salmon. “Mmm. Delicious. You’re a much better cook than me.”
As they ate, Bill kept up a steady stream of conversation, telling her about his flight, his hotel in DC, Pritchard’s secret talent for drawing.
Ann listened, mostly silent as she pondered why she couldn’t simply give in to his obvious affection for her.
He was a good man. He’d saved her from disaster twice now. This should have been easy.
After dinner, she brought out the last of the strawberry cake in the icebox. “We should finish it off before it goes stale.”
It truly was a delicious cake, and the fresh bite of lemon on her tongue made her smile despite her brooding thoughts.
Before she knew it, her plate was empty.
She’d been so anxious about whether they’d finish the cake before it went bad, but now that it was gone, she couldn’t help wishing she had more.
“Thank you for a stupendous dinner, my dear.” Bill gathered the plates and put them in the sink. He turned on the faucet and started to wash.
“Oh no! You don’t have to do that.” That was her job. Men didn’t volunteer to do housework like that. Did he think she wasn’t competent at keeping house?
“Nonsense. You did all the cooking. The least I can do is clean up. Go sit down and relax.”
Bill wasn’t like other men, she supposed, and he was adorable at the sink with his sleeves rolled up, even if she had to clench her fists to stop herself from taking over.
As he worked, he hummed a tune she knew from the radio, and she began to sing along, harmonizing.
Anything to break the lingering tension.
“Too bad I lost my piano,” she said as he finished. “Then we could do this properly.”
“As soon as we move, I promise I’ll buy you one.” He ambled over and wrapped her in a loose embrace. “In the meantime, there’s always the piano at my parents’ house if you feel the urge.”
He was trying so hard to please her that she had to smile. “Yesterday, Adelaide showed me her piano skills, and I helped her practice.”
“I’d love to hear you play. Would you like to go over there right now?”
Had she truly never played for him? How was that possible? The thought of sitting at the piano with him by her side made her heart soar. But it was late, and the last thing she wanted was to impose on Mr. and Mrs. O’Donnell. “Wouldn’t we be disturbing them?”
“Not at all. I’m sure they would be delighted to see us.”
His eager grin was so irresistible that she gave in, and the three of them headed over to Main Street in the deepening dusk. As promised, the O’Donnells welcomed their impromptu visit, attempting to convince them to sit down to a second dinner.
“Thank you, Mrs. O’Donnell, but I don’t think I could eat another thing. We were just wondering if we could use your piano for a bit.”
“Of course, dearie,” said Mrs. O’Donnell. “Do you mind if we come down and listen too?”
“Of course not. I’d be happy to play for you.” Ann hadn’t anticipated giving an impromptu concert, but she’d do anything for the O’Donnells after all they’d done for her.
Soon the entire family trundled downstairs to the parlor.
Ann sat at the upright piano and started playing a Chopin waltz she loved.
As she settled in, the music flowed from her fingers and took her away to another world.
She lost herself in it. With music, she could let go of all her cares and let the beauty transport her.
When she finished, the family sat silently. Did they like it? She hoped they liked it. At last, Bill came over and put a hand on her shoulder. “That’s the prettiest thing I’ve ever heard.”
Putting a hand over his, she said, “Thank you,” and looked up adoringly. It was difficult to believe she’d never played for him before, but when had she ever had the chance?
She gave him a smile and a wink and started the chords for “I’m Always Chasing Rainbows.” They started off together, their voices blending in perfect complement. She switched to singing harmony, and he held his own beautifully on the melody.
Singing with Bill made her heart swell. As their voices entwined, she couldn’t remember why she’d ever been upset with him. This moment was too perfect and precious to spoil with negative thoughts, so she lost herself in the joy of it. When they finished, the whole family burst into applause.
“You have such a lovely voice, Ann, and so talented on the piano too! Our Bill is a lucky man.” Mrs. O’Donnell beamed at the two of them and squeezed her husband’s hand, making him smile fondly at her.
Ann played a few popular songs they could all sing along to after that.
It brought back memories. She and Roger used to sing with her mother like this when they visited.
Of course, his parents were always too stuck up for such things.
It was such a pleasure to enjoy the company of her in-laws like this.
When she and Bill finally took their leave, she was exhausted and very ready to curl up with her husband.
It had been a lovely evening, and she didn’t want it to end.
But they had to get Junior home, and she could barely keep her eyes open.
It had been foolish to worry so much about Bill.
He obviously adored her, and with so much proof of his good will and affection, the last of her walls were crumbling.
He was a man she could trust, a man she could love.
As she strolled through the evening on his arm, she couldn’t help feeling that against all odds, her heart had found a new home.
She was in love again, vulnerable as that felt.