Ragan's Song (Fairfield Corners #2) (4 page)

Skylar had climbed down from his mom’s lap and was hugging Ragan’s leg, acting bashful around this person he didn’t know. “This is my son, Skylar. Sky, say hi to mommy’s friend, Cassie.” Sky gave Cassie a bashful smile. Instant recognition. One of Ragan’s secrets was out.

Cassie immediately asked the question, “When are you going to tell Adam he has a son?”

“I don’t know.” She sighed, not bothering to deny it. “I had no idea Adam was still in town.” Ragan rubbed her arms, feeling as if the room had lost its welcoming warmth. “I didn’t know I was pregnant when I left. I just wanted to get away from Adam and the memories. I was in the Congo for about three weeks when I started to feel sick. It would have been funny if it wasn’t so pitiful. Everyone thought I had some local disease.”

Ragan managed to get up and limp around the room again. She had nervous energy, but every time she stood, the foot throbbed. “I went to see the only English doctor in the village, and I couldn’t believe it when he told me I was pregnant. Liam was worried about me when I failed to return for a follow-up appointment, so he tracked me down to make sure I was okay. I cried on his shoulder for a couple of hours, telling him the whole story. Before today, he was the only one who knew the whole truth.”

“Liam was the doctor?” Cassie asked.

Ragan hoisted her bottle of water and took a drink before continuing, “Yes. As the only English-speaking residents of the village, we ended up spending time together and became friends. My pregnancy had just started to show when Liam was called back to England. He convinced me that the Congo was no place for me to have my baby, and that I should go to England with him. By the time we landed in London, he had talked me into marrying him.”

She eased back onto the couch, elevated her ankle and stared Cassie in the eye. “I don’t regret it, either. We were happy together living in London. When Skylar was born, we were even happier. Liam was so proud to call Skylar his son, even though he knew the truth, and he did try to convince me to tell Adam about Sky. He told me many times that Adam deserved to know. In the back of my mind, I knew I would tell him someday.”

Cassie grabbed Ragan’s hand, “That’s some story. So, where’s Liam? Why didn’t he come with you?”

Ragan remained uneasy, but sharing the details with Cassie had calmed her a bit. “Liam was killed about a year ago.” She turned away from Cassie and faced the fireplace, trying to hold back the deluge as the grief hit her all over again. “I was devastated when Liam died. I had come to love him; not in the same way that I love Adam, but he was good to me, and I know he loved me and Skylar.” Ragan hoped Cassie didn’t catch that she said
love
instead of
loved
.

Cassie frowned. “Oh honey, that’s terrible. You should have called me. That’s what friends are for, to help you get through the hard times.” Ragan’s sorrow reflected on Cassie’s face, making it difficult for Ragan to restrain her tears.

Wiping her palms across her lap, Ragan continued, “Lately, I’ve been homesick for the States, and then Robbie emailed me that he was coming home from Los Angeles for Mom and Dad’s anniversary next week. He suggested that I come home, too; and it sounded like a good idea… so here I am.”

Cassie had joined her friend on the couch again, trying to absorb everything Ragan had told her. “I am so sorry that you felt you had to go through all of that alone.” She took her hand, “I can’t agree with everything you did, but I can certainly understand why. Adam and I need to have a talk about how he treated you, right after I tell you that I am so disappointed in the choices that you made.”

Ragan looked Cassie in the eye, “Don’t you dare. I want you to promise me that what I told you today will stay between us. I have to figure out how I’m going to tell Adam about Sky. He deserves to know from me first.”

An hour later, Cassie pulled up in Adam’s driveway, ready to give him a piece of her mind about the secrets he had kept from Ragan. Striding up the walk, she stopped when she heard arguing coming from the direction of Adam’s studio, which sat attached to the garage at the back of the property.

“Were you even going to tell me?” Krista asked. “I heard that you rescued your ex during the snowstorm. Everyone thinks I need to know; my phone hasn’t stopped ringing.” Cassie moved slower, hesitant to interrupt the shouting match.

“I didn’t tell you for exactly that reason. I knew you would overreact and blow it all out of proportion. What I feel for Ragan is none of your business.”

“See, you still have feelings for her. The whole town thinks you two belong together.”

Cassie smiled, for once in total agreement with Krista. She walked up to the door and knocked. “Adam? You back here?”

Adam ran his hands through his hair as he opened the door. “Yeah. What’s up, Cassie?”

“I just wanted to talk to you about something, but I can see you’re busy. I’ll call you later.” She turned to walk away, hiding her grin, “Sorry for interrupting, Krista.”

Krista glared at Cassie. She’d long suspected that Cassie didn’t like her dating Adam. “No problem. I was just leaving.” Krista stomped out of the room, slamming the door behind her, and Cassie entered, frowning at the woman’s tantrum.

“What’s her problem?” Cassie asked, hoping that this would be the end of Adam and Krista.

“I know you don’t like Krista. You made that perfectly clear when I first started dating her. Just leave it alone, Cassie.”

“You were arguing about Ragan, weren’t you? I stopped by to see her today…”

“Don’t even start, Cass. Ragan and I are done. She’s the one who left with no explanation. She didn’t even say goodbye.”

“Yeah, about that. You were totally innocent weren’t you? Not telling your girlfriend that you had been married and had a daughter totally absolves you of any blame.”

“Cass, come on. She left me and you want me to forgive her?” He picked up the guitar off the stand. “Ragan and I were finished the night she left. End of story. If you’re done harassing me, I’ve got an album to work on.”

“Okay, Mr. Grumpypants. I’ll leave you to your music.” She stood on her toes and wrapped one arm around his neck. “I just want what’s best for you.” She kissed him on the cheek as he hugged her back.

They jumped apart when Logan’s voice seemed to come from nowhere. “I see the truth now. Unhand my wife, Cuz.”

“Jeez, Dudley. I’m going to put a bell around your neck so you can’t sneak up on me anymore,” Cassie said before she turned to face her husband.

“Hi, darlin’,” Logan said as he watched the gleam in her eyes before pulling her close for a kiss. “What’re you doing here?”

“I just came to give Adam my opinion on something.” Her phone buzzed, alerting her to a text. “Perfect timing. Mel needs me at the bookstore. I’ll see you later, Dudley.”

Adam grimaced at Logan, “I suppose you’re here to harass me about Ragan too?”

“Is that why Cassie was here? I’ll try and convince her to stay out of it.”

“No, that’s okay. She just let me know how she felt about me keeping secrets from Ragan.”

“What secrets?”

“That I had an ex-wife and a daughter. Cassie just hinted that Ragan left because I never told her about Julia or Jenna.”

“Why would that make a difference? It doesn’t make any sense.” Logan hung his coat on the back of a chair, avoiding eye contact with Adam. “You said you needed my opinion on a song. That’s why I stopped by. Let’s hear it.”

Chapter 9

Being home in Fairfield Corners felt right, and Ragan had started to seriously consider moving back, pushing all the reasons she shouldn’t to the back of her mind. After making her decision final, she placed a quick call to Karen at the real estate office for an appointment to look at some rentals; she knew exactly what type of place she’d want. She would need enough space for her photography business and a growing son. Staying with her mom and dad was working for the short term, but she needed her own space.

Going back to London wouldn’t be what was best for Skylar once she got up the courage to tell Adam the truth. She’d want them to have the opportunity to spend time together. Besides, now that her mom was part of Skylar’s life, she didn’t think separating them would be possible either. Her parents would put out a bounty on her to drag her back to Fairfield Corners if she left again.

Ready to spend some time with her son, Ragan dressed Sky in jeans and a t-shirt for their day in town. Her parents had monopolized his time since they arrived, but her mom had a “Church Ladies” meeting to attend, and her dad was at his office dealing with the snow cleanup. As much as Ragan dearly loved her son, it was great having an occasional break from his around the clock care.

The short drive to the real estate office brought back so many memories of her childhood. Onion rings at the drive-in with friends, cruising downtown in her first car with Cassie, and dancing in the square at the Harvest Festival Dance. She felt glad Skylar would be able to do the same things when he was older; Fairfield Corners would be a great place to raise a child.

Pulling into the parking lot next to the real estate office, she realized that hardly anything in town had changed since she was a kid. Just returning to the office when Ragan parked the car, Karen approached them and helped Sky out of his car seat. “What a handsome boy. You’re going to be a real heart-breaker, aren’t you?”

“Hi, Karen; this is my son Skylar.”

“Wow, what a cutie. I’m so glad you’re back,” Karen remarked. “Let’s see what we have for rent that might work for you.”

“I’m not too picky. It needs to be three bedrooms or two bedrooms and a separate family room. I need the extra room so I can have my photography studio at home.”

“Is the third bedroom a deal-breaker?” Karen asked. “We have a few two bedroom units but not many with three. Let’s go inside and see what’s available.”

Two hours and three showings later, Karen took Ragan to the last one available. “Now, this just came back on the market. The renter was called back to California a couple of days ago, so I don’t know if it’s been cleaned yet. It’s coming up here on the left.”

Ragan slowed down and parked in front of a cottage-style house.
No way, it can’t be,
she thought. The only rental that had everything she needed was Logan’s house; the house where Adam had stayed while Logan went through physical therapy. He had been injured saving Cassie from her ex-fiancé, and Ragan and Adam had spent every spare moment together there while he stayed with Cassie. That is, until it ended when she left. Karen started her realtor spiel, “I think this one will be perfect. I know it doesn’t look like much, but it has everything you need.”

Ragan bit her tongue and let Karen show it to her, even though she already knew it would be perfect. “Is this the last one?” Ragan asked.
Fate sometimes has a strange sense of humor.

“Yes, it is,” Karen answered. “Oh geez, I’m sorry. I forgot… you and Adam…” She pulled the listing out of her folder and made a note. “It completely slipped my mind, if you give me a couple of days, something else may come available. You know we never have a lot of rentals in town.”

“It’s okay, Karen.” Ragan felt sure she’d regret it, but she agreed to take it.

“I’m so glad you’re back to stay, Ragan. After you get settled, we’ll have to get together for a drink or a girls’ night out or something.”

They went back to the real estate office and signed the paperwork. Ragan drove to her mom and dad’s house with the keys to Logan’s house in her purse. They had discovered that it had already been cleaned, so she could move in whenever she was ready. However, she decided to wait until her ankle had healed; the extra help keeping up with Skylar had been a blessing.

Chapter 10

Ragan put the finishing touches to her makeup; her reflection in the mirror revealed that the bruises from the car accident had faded and were almost gone. Her mom pulled out the new pair of shoes Ragan had bought the day before. Every pair she’d brought home had been ruined by their dunking in the river. At least most of her clothes had been salvaged from the wreckage, and only needed a good washing.

“You look beautiful, honey,” her mom complimented, but as she started to pull Ragan into a hug, she noticed her watch and exclaimed, “Wow, I didn’t realize it was so late. I better get moving. Your dad and I have reservations at six.” She kissed the top of Ragan’s head, “Have fun.” She made a quick exit to finish getting ready for her own date.

Ragan heard the doorbell ring, and she listened to Robbie answering it as she put on her perfume. Locating the shawl that matched her dress, she took one last look in the mirror and smiled at the sequins sparkling in the light.

Robbie yelled up the stairs, “Hey Ragan, get your tail in gear. Your date is waiting.”

Ragan wondered if he would ever mature past the mental age of fourteen as she slowly limped down the stairs to find both Robbie and Mark looking up at her expectantly. “What? Do I have a stain?” she asked, stopping about halfway down the staircase to inspect her dress.

“God, no,” Mark exclaimed. “You look spectacular.”

As he approached, the expression on his face made her wish she didn’t have a sprained ankle so they could spend the evening dancing slowly in each other’s arms.

Robbie looked at Mark as if he’d grown two heads; “You do realize you’re talking about my sister, don’t you?”

Mark only laughed and lifted Ragan’s hand, entwining their fingers. At the front door, he held her coat so she could slip it on easily. Leaning his head towards her, he straightened the collar and kissed her beneath her ear. The touch of his lips on her skin sent a nervous shiver down her spine; it had been years since she’d been on a first date.

When they arrived at the pub, Mark showed her to one of the circular booths in a far corner. Sliding in beside her, the high backs of the seats gave the night an intimate feel. She noticed how the pub had changed, from new lights, to a new stage and dance floor along the far wall. Someone had spent some money fixing the place up, and it reminded her of the more hip joints she had seen in New York.

Mark and Ragan sat quietly for a few long minutes before he finally broke the ice with casual conversation. They ended up talking about his job, her photography, and Skylar. She enjoyed catching up on everything that had happened since they last saw each other five years ago. While Mark told a joke about his work at the hospital that had her laughing in spasms, she noticed Marie and James heading their way, followed by Cassie and Logan. Ragan instinctively motioned them over to the table until a frown on Logan’s face caused her to drop the hand down and put it in her lap. Apparently, she was not welcomed home by everyone. The other couples sat at a reserved table near the stage.

Ragan dismissed the snub by telling Mark a story about Skylar, but before she had finished, she noticed Adam enter the club with his arm around the blonde from the picture in his bedroom. She scanned the room;
I’m going to need another drink.
She strained to see over the backs of the tall seats, determined to find a waitress. “Excuse me, but I need another drink. Do you want one too?” Mark clasped her hand and gently pulled her back down.

“No, I’ll get your drink. What’s wrong?”

She stared holes in Adam’s direction as he pulled his chair closer to his date and kissed her on the cheek. Ragan dropped her gaze to her hands, not wanting Mark to catch the source of her distress. If she had to admit it, the sight of Adam and the other woman together tore her heart to pieces.

Mark didn’t know what was wrong with Ragan, but asked if she wanted to dance. He helped her out to the hard-wood floor where they stood in one place, swaying gently to the song playing on the jukebox. He enjoyed the closeness and tried to comfort her by rubbing his hand up and down her back.

After a few minutes, Ragan started to relax; she did enjoy being close to him. “Thanks, Mark. I’m sorry. If I’d have thought about Adam being here tonight, I would have suggested we go into Fort Wayne.” She forced a smile, hoping he understood.

“I guess I’ll just have to work a little harder at getting you to finally fall in love with me.” He continued to sway as he kissed the top of her head. “Is your ankle okay?”

“Yeah, it’s a little uncomfortable, but I enjoy dancing, so it’s worth it. Besides, I really appreciate you taking me out. This place is nice. Thanks.”

After the song ended, he led her back to their table and distracted her with more stories about his intern days in Florida. Neither one of them noticed Adam staring at them, with his gaze riveted on Ragan as she laughed with Mark.

When the band took the stage, they started with some classic rock. Ragan wished she could dance to more than the slow songs; the music was excellent and her good foot tapped with the beat. About halfway through the second song, Robbie showed up and sat at the bar. He ordered a drink and watched the action on the dance floor.

When the band finally played another slow song, Mark and Ragan made their way out for another round. Halfway through the song Mark’s phone rang and he looked at Ragan with regret when he checked the screen. “It’s the hospital. I have to take this.” He kissed her cheek and escorted her back to the table before going outside where he could hear.

Ragan sat at the table and stared into her drink as the band finished the song. When they played the opening riff for
Dreaming of You,
one of Adam’s hits, she casually looked in his direction and caught him staring at her before he hopped up on the stage. “Sorry guys, but you know the rules. I’m the only one who sings that song in my bar.”

Ragan couldn’t believe what she’d heard.
This is Adam’s bar?
She wondered why no one thought to mention that to her. As he started to sing, Ragan allowed her subconscious to take her back to an earlier time; one when she was happy with him. At that moment she couldn’t take her eyes off of him. She didn’t even notice her brother staring at her as she watched; Adam’s stage presence drowned out everything else. Mesmerized by his voice as he sang about searching for his destiny, she recalled the first time she’d heard him sing that song in person; it played in her mind like a video.
Oh, so many years ago… you started to haunt my dreams…