Finding Harmony (17 page)

“Yeah, thanks.” Rick tapped the pen in his hand on the arm
of his leather desk chair as he stared out at the gray sky outside his office,
waiting for the same answer he’d gotten for weeks now. This afternoon was no
different. “Just tell her… Just tell her I called.”

The line went dead and he let out a breath. He turned in
his chair and dropped the phone back in the cradle. Why wouldn’t she call him
back? It was almost a month since that horrible day out on her dock and she hadn’t
tried to reach him. Not once. If he had any pride left, he’d stop calling her. But
just the thought of the receptionist saying his name to Harmony made him feel a
little better. She’d have to think about him then, at least for a second. She’d
have to acknowledge… something.

He should just focus on his job. God knew it took up his
time during the day and his mind during the night.
Aside from a stolen afternoon here and there at the health club, his life was
all lonely dinners and working until after midnight. But he only had his work. The
biggest deal of his career which would prove he was the man for this job.

Chapman was gearing up for a big push, bringing on
investors to pour their money into the sprawling development planned for the Aspen property. Aspen.  The thought was tempting. He needed a change of scenery. It was
unusual for him, but he hadn’t been anywhere since taking this job. Not to a
bar or a restaurant since the dinner with Jake, except to coddle some Chapman
investors.    Maybe he’d fly out to Aspen. Do a little skiing. Do a little
drinking. What the hell, right?

Looking out the window he saw the streets below were
layered with old snow, brown and sooty even from up here. The city was cold and
damp and lonely. His office was climate-controlled, of course. Comfortable
enough that he’d shed his jacket and worked in his shirtsleeves. Yet he wasn’t
really comfortable, not in his office and not in the city. This was nothing
like what home should feel like. He’d never thought about Boston that way
before, but he did now.

Jake had taken off for parts unknown a couple of days
earlier, and Rick felt his loss keenly. At least he’d talked to his sister for
a few minutes last week. The kid sounded okay, if overly cheerful. Something
was up, but he didn’t have the strength to worry about it. Besides, who was he
to give her advice?

He’d dodged a few more dinner invitations to Chez Chapman. That
was a relief. Bill at home was something he’d been spared since he’d left
Rick’s mother.  He certainly saw his father enough at work. He wouldn’t extend
his sucking-up to after hours. Or to Tiffany.

He tried to focus on the file in front of him. What was up
with this deal again? Man. Oh, yeah. Where to put the second martini bar. Huge
chunks of ice—purportedly carved from the mountains, but that was a
crock—through which the different mixtures would trickle down into the waiting
customer’s frosty glass.  Very trendy. He didn’t even care. He shut the folder.

This was what he’d wanted. Even his talk with Jake hadn’t
changed that. He admitted he wanted Harmony, too. Well, he was done groveling. She
didn’t want to call him back? Fine.

“Screw it,” he muttered.

“Sounds like an invitation.”

He looked up to find Tiffany in his doorway. She was dressed
in her usual attire, short skirt and tight blouse. He could smell her overpowering
perfume from where he sat. Something French, probably. Expensive. Her practiced
smile put him as much on edge as her scent.

“I’m busy,” he said.

“Your secretary wasn’t at her desk.” She shrugged and shut
the door. “Silly girl. If I worked under you, I’d be… eager to please.”

He let that one go, as obvious as it was. “Like I said. I’m
busy.”

She walked to his desk and propped a hip against the edge. Reaching
closer, she fingered the folder in front of him. “Work. You and your father. You’re
cut from the same cloth.”

Hardly. “Get out, Tiffany.”

She slid closer, her leg brushing his arm. The rasp of her
pantyhose sliding over his shirt sleeve scratched against his brain and he
pulled away.

“What do you want?” he asked.

“Been awhile, Rick?” She reached out and brushed the hair
off his forehead.    When he jerked his head back at the contact she laughed. “You’re
very jumpy.”

That was it. He stood. “Leave me the hell alone, Tiffany. It
wasn’t cute the first time and it’s not cute now.”

She pouted her lips. “What are you talking about? I’m just
making conversation.”

“You’re my father’s wife, damn it.”
She reached for him again and he cursed.

“That’s a pity, since you want me,” she said. “It’s
obvious.”

“The only thing that’s obvious is how pitiful you are.”

“Tell me you don’t want me.” Her eyes narrowed and she
pointed a long-nailed finger in his face. “Tell me you haven’t always wanted
me.”

He would have laughed if he was watching this on television.
Who said lines like that outside of a soap opera? But here? Now? This was just
sad.

“Are you kidding me?” he countered. “Why the hell would I
want you?”

Her botox-ed forehead didn’t pucker as she raised her
eyebrows. “It’s that girl, isn’t it?”

“Who?”

“Melody.”

“Harmony.”

“Whatever. You’re still horny for her? I don’t believe it.”

“Get out,” he said again. “I’m not talking about her. Not with
you, of all people.”

She closed the short distance between them and smiled, the
expression hideous at such close range. “Why not? She seemed to have no problem
talking to me about you.”

He scoffed. “Right. You barely spared her two words at
dinner that night.”

“True.” She moved away from him at last and ran her fingers
over the desk. “But I went to her camp.”

“You did what? When?” He shook his head. “Never mind that. Why?”

“I wanted to see how the little tree-hugger lived. I saw
her little tent or whatever. The lake, the trees. It was pretty enough. I liked
the outside shower.”    Her mouth turned down at the corners. “Did you screw
her there?”

He fisted his hands at his sides to keep from wrapping them
around her neck.    “What did you say to Harmony, Tiffany?”

“I told her what Bill said, Rick. That he told you to
seduce her to get her on Chapman’s side.”

“Son-of-a… Are you out of your mind?”

“It’s true.”

“Goddamn it!” He stalked over to her and grabbed her arms. “Bill
never told me any such thing. If he had—”

“If he had you would have done it,” she snapped. “He says
‘jump’ and you ask ‘how high?’”

He pushed her away from him. “Shut up. I can’t believe you
told her that. You lying bitch.”

She ran her hands over the sleeves of her blouse, adjusting
the shoulders so the neckline fell to a deep V once more. “Call me what you
want. I’m honest enough to admit what I am.”

“A money-grubbing slut?”

“At least I know what I want and I go after it.” She walked
to the door. “You’re too busy kissing up to Daddy to go after what you want.”

“And that’s you, I suppose? Not in a million years.”

She ran her eyes over him and curled her lip. “You don’t
have the balls to go after what you want, Rick. Maybe you’re not like your
father after all.”

In a flash he felt his chest open up and his head clear as
her words made their unintentional mark. “You’re goddamned right. I’m not like
him. Now I’m tired of saying it, ‘Mom.’ Get the hell out.”

She smirked again and left, passing his secretary as she
stepped into the doorway. “Get out of my way.”

The girl frowned in confusion and looked at Rick. “Mrs.
Chapman had me go down to the copy room but they didn’t have anything for you. Did
you need something?”

So she’d gotten the girl out of the way so she could what? Seduce
him? The conniving little…

“No, thanks,” he said. She turned to leave and he called
out to her. “Wait. Tell my father I need to see him. Right away.”

She nodded and hurried out of his office, closing the door
behind her. Rick sat back down and went over what Tiffany had said. Oh, not the
innuendo and out-and-out propositions. What she divulged about going to see Harmony.
It made sense now. Ever since Bill and Tiffany’s visit she’d been different. He
thought about Christmas Eve. Most of the night she’d been cool and reserved. But
if she believed anything that Tiffany said, and Rick was sure it was more than
the bitch admitted today, it was little wonder she hadn’t wanted to come with
him. Or to ask him to stay. She thought he’d used her? For his friggin’ career?
No. Even in the beginning, when he took her to dinner to get her on his side,
he’d wanted her.  For her, nothing more. What man would want anything more?

“Not me.”

“‘Not you?’” Bill walked in and shut the door. “What are you
muttering about?”

Rick faced his father, the man whose good opinion he’d
sought for so long. For too damn long. He stood up. “This job, Dad. It’s not
me.”

“What the hell are you talking about? I groomed you. Taught
you everything you know. You’re made for this job.”

“I don’t want it.”

Bill stared at him, his mouth open. Then he scowled. “I
thought you had your priorities straight, Chapman. I thought you’d proven
yourself to me. I thought you wanted the damn job.”

“I did. Before.” Man, it felt great to say the words. He
took a second or two to say them in his head again. “But I don’t want it now.”

His father blinked a few times. “But… It’s what you’ve
always wanted. What I wanted for you.”

“Since when? I’ve wanted your approval all this time, and
now—”

“You have it.” His father stepped closer. “You have it all,
Rick.”

Confusion and something else showed on his father’s face. Desperation?
He doubted it. He put on his jacket and smoothed down his tie.

“Tell me what you want, Rick. More money? Why the hell not?
The Aspen project is due to bring in a ton of it.”

Rick walked over to the rack in the corner grabbed his coat.
He shrugged it on. “I hope the money keeps you warm, Dad.” He grabbed his
laptop and briefcase and shoved them under his arm. “Me? I’m through. Through
living up to a promise I never should have made. Through kissing up to a man
who couldn’t give a crap about me until I added enough to the bottom line.”

“You can’t quit, Rick.” His father’s voice stopped him. It
almost sounded… warm. Real. Like the man cared. “I need you here.”

Rick shook his head. “Well, I don’t need this. It’s too
little, too late. I don’t need you or your approval anymore.” He walked past
his father and into the hall.“Let Jake take over the position. If you can
convince him, that is. Good luck with that.”

 He didn’t clearly hear what his father said after that,
the mutterings, the curses. He was through with all of it and every word he’d
said was true. He didn’t need Bill Chapman or his money. He didn’t need this
job or the prestige it brought.

The elevator ride to the lobby was long and gave him time
to recall every beautiful word he’d said. God, it felt great. He felt great. No
more headache, no more chest constriction. He was almost high with relief.

Stepping outside onto the crowded sidewalk, he sucked in a
breath. The air was cold but it felt wonderful as it bit into his lungs. No, he
didn’t need Chapman Financial. He only needed one thing.

Harmony.

The airport was crowded with families eager to leave the
chill of New England for the fun and sun in Florida. Rick was leaving the
chill, all right. For good.

His cell beeped and he checked the screen. Jake. Thank God.

He answered with a smile. “Yeah, Jake.”

There was a moment of silence before Jake chuckled in his
ear. “Bro, you even sound better.”

He smiled into the phone. “Bill told you?”

“Yep.” Jake whistled. “And was he pissed! He just doesn’t
get it.”

“He never did.” He checked his watch. “I can’t talk long. My
flight’s boarding in ten minutes.”

“I just wanted to wish you a safe trip. When will you be
back?”

“To Boston? Not anytime soon. Come down to Cypress.”

He could almost see him shaking his head. “Gotta get to Aspen.”

“God, no.” Rick sat up. “You’re working for Chapman?”

“A little.” Jake laughed again. “Let’s say the place is
gonna have a climbing wall the likes of which they’d never seen before.”

“Now, that I can believe.” He was quiet then, just existing
in the same space for the moment. “Keep in touch, okay?”

 “Yeah, bro. You too.”

He slipped the cell back into his pocket. Let Bill just try
to mold Jake into his corporate image. No friggin’ way.

The plane ride seemed to take forever. Waiting in the car rental
line was no picnic, either. The place was packed with families eager to start
their holiday, shuffling bags and kids as they inched toward the counter.

He had to come to his senses now, in the middle of school
vacation season? At least he wasn’t getting a minivan. That line was around the
block.

He refrained from tapping his foot as he stood behind a
large woman with a toddler perched on her hip. Another child, a girl about four
years old, held tightly to the woman’s other hand.

“We need a car seat,” the woman called to the guy in front
of her.

The guy, the husband and head of the brood, nodded and
waved a map over his shoulder. “Yeah, Marie. I know.”

“Are we going to see Mickey today?” the little girl asked
the woman. She wore her favorite mouse on her shirt and clutched one in her
arms. When neither parent answered right away, she turned to Rick. “Are we?”

He stared down at her, at her hopeful face and big blue eyes.
“I don’t know, sweetheart. But I bet you’ll see him soon.”

She nodded, her black curls bouncing. “He lives down here,
you know,” she said. “Dreams come true here, too.”

He laughed lightly. “They do?”

“Yep. ‘When you wish upon a star.’”  She nodded sagely. “The
song says so.”

“Come on, Haley,” the woman said. She grabbed the girl’s
hand and gently dragged her toward another waiting area. “Daddy’s getting our
luggage into the car and then we’re off!”

The little girl waved at Rick. “Bye! I’m going to see
Mickey. I hope your dreams come true!”

He watched her family, the dad harried and the mom put-upon
but both showing the same spark of excitement that their daughter did. Wishing
upon a star… He’d never done that. He thought about the gorgeous starry sky
above Cypress Corners and knew what wish he’d make if he got the chance.

Dreams came true here, huh? He hoped so.

***

Harmony settled cross-legged on her dock, looking out over
the cool water. It was the middle of February and the sun warmed her through
her sweater. A soft breeze teased her hair as she closed her eyes and leaned
her head back. The nausea of the morning long passed, she opened her eyes and
breathed in deeply.   She stared at the pines and bare branches of the oaks and
maples surrounding her lake. This was a beautiful place. Now that she’d seen
for herself that development here wouldn’t necessarily be ugly or intrusive,
she looked forward to bringing her child to the recreation area that would be
set here.

There would be a playground equipment. A launch for canoes
and paddleboats. Another snack bar or maybe a hotdog stand. She could deal with
that. The people, too. Dr. Robbins. Sweet, scandalous Hettie.

She hadn’t formed any other lasting friendships yet, but
she liked joining the others from the Institute at The Clubhouse for dinner now
and then. Even Tammy at the Welcome Center was nice once Harmony got to know
her better.  She hadn’t always felt at ease on property, away from her camp. Now
she felt like Cypress Corners itself was her home. It was a nice feeling.

But something was missing. Someone was missing. Rick. She
glanced down at her belly, at the swelling just beginning to show. He deserved
to know. Oh, not all of it. She wouldn’t tell him she loved him. But he
deserved a chance to try to be a father to their baby. Their baby deserved the
shot Rick never got.

She’d call him. She’d head toward the village and use the
pretty little silver cell phone Dr. Robbins had given her. It was only good for
telling the time out here at her camp, but she knew right where it picked up a
signal, where it gave a friendly little chirp she’d ignored up until now.

Determined, she stood and brushed her hands over the front
of her jeans and walked down the dock. She heard the crunch of tires on gravel
and looked toward her cabin.

A little red car—a Jeep, she could make out from here—parked
in front of her cabin but she couldn’t see the driver from this angle. Curious,
she stepped around a fat cypress trunk and looked again. There was no one in
the Jeep so she walked up to her cabin and pulled open the door. And froze.

Rick sat on the bed, his hands folded between his knees. Her
heart tripped and she nearly did on the thick rag rug. She had to be
hallucinating. She’d just been thinking about him!

“Rick?”

He glanced up at her. Wearing jeans and that fisherman
sweater again, he looked incredible. His hair was mussed and his clothes rumpled
but the small smile on his lips made her insides quiver.

“Hey, Harmony.”

She let the door softly bang shut behind her. “I was just
going to call you.”

When he looked skeptical she held up her little phone,
dangling it by its wrist cord.

“You get a signal out here?” he asked.

“No. I was going to—” She shook her head. “What are you
doing here?”

He shrugged one of those broad shoulders and stood. “Where
else would I be?”

No. She wouldn’t dare believe it. She slipped the phone
into her pocket. “Where? How about Boston?”

He laughed, a deep sound she realized she’d missed as much
as his kisses.

“Boston isn’t home for me anymore, sweetheart,” he said. “Home
is here.”

She took a step back and leaned against the wood-framed
wall. “W-what?”

He laughed again and suddenly he was holding her and she
could smell him.    She could feel his heart beating against her cheek like
that last time. Oh, she’d missed him.

“Home is here, Harmony,” he said again. He kissed her hair,
her cheek. “Home is you.”

She met his mouth with hers and felt it, the passion and
connection, and she couldn’t stop her arms from wrapping around his neck as he
held her tightly against him.

He pulled back and held her close. “I’m sorry I left. God,
I shouldn’t have left.”

“I didn’t… ”  She could barely get the words out. “I didn’t
give you a reason to stay.”

He nodded and led her over to the bed. She needed to sit,
that was for sure. Her dizziness was back and she doubted the baby was causing
it.

“What about Boston, Rick?” she had to know. “What about
Chapman?”

Rick shook his head. “‘What about Bill’ is what you mean,
right?”

“All right.” She licked her lips and tucked her hands under
the thighs. “Yes. What about your father?”

“I told him to keep his job. It wasn’t for me. Not
anymore.”

His eyes were crystal clear and bright. Of course, Ariel
would want to check his aura. She could see the sincerity etched on his face,
though. Oh, how she wanted to believe him.

“But it meant so much to you,” she said. “For so long.”

“I know. But I don’t need it anymore.” He took her hands
and held them. “I don’t need corporate success or Bill’s approval. I only need
you.”

She let his words sink in for a moment.

“Wow. That’s a big change.” She smiled at him. “Like the
rec café.”

His brows shot up. “You saw it?”

“Finally.” Her cheeks heated with embarrassment. “It’s
beautiful, Rick. The colors. The style.” She took a breath. “Thank you.”

“For what?”

She tilted her head to one side. “You took care of my
parents like I never could. I’ve never seen them so happy.”

He nodded. “I’ve been checking in.”

“Really? My mother didn’t tell me.”

He smiled. “They’re a trip but the place is in good hands.”

“I can see you’ve changed.” She ran her fingers through the
mussed hair at his temples. “But it’s more than that. I can feel it. You’re
more relaxed, and… ” 

“And what?”

“You came back.”

“Ah, sweetheart.” He held her again. “My heart never left.”

She pulled back this time. “Your heart?”

“I love you, Harmony.”

That did it. She turned and pinned him to her bed, right on
top of her old quilt.   His sweater was gone, his jeans thrown somewhere on the
floor, and she had her way with him. His hands, his mouth, were everything she
remembered. There was more. There was a tenderness she’d only felt for a few
fleeting moments when they were together before. Now he held her, cherished
her, and she was crazy to have him inside her.

“Rick, please.”

He kissed her neck, her throat. Freeing her breasts from
her bra was a two-second job and his mouth was on her. The sensation nearly
made her climaxed.

He stilled and lifted his head. “Am I hurting you?”

She managed to open her eyes to find him staring up at her.
“No.” She swallowed and touched his face. “No.”

When he left her for a moment—she could hear him rustling
through his jeans’ pocket—she stopped breathing. But then he was there, deep
inside of her and she let go. Pleasure took her and she could hear his shout of
release as if from far away.

Then he held her again, his arms wrapped around her and the
soft quilt drifting over her. She breathed in. The scent of Rick and of their
passion. Their love. Heaven.

“I love you, Harmony.”

She caught her breath at last and looked into his eyes. His
beautiful silver-gray eyes. “I love you.”

He shifted and she cuddled closer to him. He deserved to
hear it all. He’d given her his heart today, right?

“You’re not the only one who’s changed,” she said.

“Hmm?” He kissed her hair and stroked her back. “Who else,
then?”

“Me.” She propped herself up on one arm and faced him. “I’ve
changed. I’m ready to trust again. In you.”

He grinned. “In us.”

She had to tell him. Now. She took in a deep breath. “I’m
pregnant.”

He blinked. “You’re pregnant? That’s… Oh, God.”

Please be happy. Please be happy.

“Surprised?” she asked.

“Yeah.” He grinned again. “But it’s a good one.” He got up
and knelt before her on the bed, tugging her to a sitting position. “Marry me,
Harmony.”

She must have heard him wrong. “What?”

“Marry me. Not just because of the baby. I love you and
want to start our life right here in Cypress Corners.”

“Do you… ?” She swallowed. “Do you mean it?”

“God, yes. I promise you this. Our child will never feel
like I did.”

Tears pricked her eyes. “Oh, Rick.”

“Our child will always know he or she has my love and my full
attention.”

“You’re going to be a wonderful father.”

“Then marry me? Please?”

She knocked him over onto the bed again.

“Yes!”