The Bartender's Daughter (13 page)

Her father
’s key felt cold in her hand as she used it to open the door. The smell of paint and floor polish hit her. Her sister hadn’t wasted any time getting the house ready to sell. The furniture remained but all of her father’s knickknacks were gone. The throw rugs had been removed and it looked like the wood floors had been recently refinished.

She walked through the house, little memories popping up. There was the kitchen table she sat
at doing homework while her sister made dinner. The coffee table she crashed into while roller-skating through the hall and around the living room. She rubbed the small scar above her lip. Michelle had cried and yelled while pulling her up and dragging her into the car for a trip to the hospital. Two stitches and an ice cream cone later, she’d sat in Michelle’s lap while she braided her hair.

The bar was her father
’s domain. The house, Michelle’s. Her father hadn’t been home all that often. It was all about the bar then. It needed him and she’d had Michelle after their mother passed away. Michelle had been there the night of her senior prom when she stood out back under the rose arbor for pictures. She had been the one to stay up late on the nights she suffered through one ear infection after another, her first period, strep throat, the concussion she received at nineteen when she got into her first car accident.

Her footsteps echoed through the empty hallway as she walked to the back of the house. Her room was still blue, the walls still covered with posters of her favorite bands. Her desk had her old journals piled in a corner, a picture of her mother sat on top of them. She opened the closet doors and found every piece of clothing she
’d left behind when she moved to New York still hanging. Her first communion dress hung beside the short little summer dress she wore the day she married Lee at Town Hall.

She turned at the sound of heels clicking down the hallway. A second later, Michelle
’s head popped through the door. She’d forgotten how much Michelle had been there for her, had forgotten so much about the way things used to be between them. She went with the moment and hugged her sister. Michelle’s hands hung out at her sides until they came up to wrap around Sam’s back. They stood like that for minutes while Michelle ran a hand down her hair.

“
I haven’t changed anything in here. I thought you’d want to go through it yourself.”

She finally stepped back out of her sister
’s embrace. “Sorry, Michelle. I should have been helping you out here all along.”

Michelle stiffened, her eyes narrowed on Sam
’s face. “Yeah, you should have, but you’ve been busy with the bar. I just finished up the rest of the house this weekend. I donated Dad’s clothes and most of his books. I’d do a yard sale for the furniture and odds and ends, but I really don’t think it’s worth the time.”

She followed Michelle out of her old bedroom and down to the kitchen.
“When should we meet with the Realtor?”

Michelle sighed.
“I’ve already done all that. God, Sam. The house goes on the market in two days. We need to pay off the mortgage. I can’t see paying taxes and insurance on a house no one is living in.”

“
Oh.” She’d spent the last three months mired in her own guilt, grieving over her father, angsting over Lee. Meanwhile her sister had been moving on, shouldering another family burden, like the six-year-old motherless sister she cared for over twenty years ago. “I’ve been selfish. I was so mad at you and it’s made me into a self-centered cow.”

“
You’re not a self-centered cow. I know you’re dealing with a lot.” She smacked the counter with her open hand. “This is why I wanted you to let go of it.”

“
I can’t sell it.” Sam pulled a stool from the island and sat down. This wasn’t going to be an easy conversation at all.

Michelle
’s lips thinned and she looked away before turning back to her. “Because Daddy didn’t want you to? All the more reason to sell it. He’s gone. That bar isn’t going to bring him back. You don’t have to give up your life for it.”

“
I’m not giving up my life. Maybe I’m finally figuring out what I want to do with it.” She traced the pattern of the linoleum floor with her eyes. Michelle didn’t see what she did when she looked at the bar. There was just as much hope for her future as there were memories of the past. She looked up. “We’re going to change things, big things.”

“
Have you asked Lee about the loans?”

“
Yes.” She slipped off the stool and walked a few steps around the kitchen. “You need to explain some things to me. I’ve been quiet for too long and I’m through with letting you manipulate me.” She threw back her shoulders and took a deep breath. It was time for answers. “Why did you tell me you were sleeping with him?”

Michelle
’s head swiveled away from looking out the back window. She focused on Sam’s face before looking away again. “You were going to make a big mistake. You were turning into Mom. She was stuck, loving a man that dedicated his life to that stupid bar. I wasn’t going to let you throw away your future for some bartender.”

“
Dad loved Mom.”

“
He did, but that didn’t stop him from spending every waking moment there. Think about it. Do you really want your life to be wrapped around bar bills and beer deliveries? You only got a business degree because Dad wanted you to. Come on, Sam.”

“
There was more to it than the bar. I loved him, Michelle.”

Her sister shrugged.
“It was a crush and look what happened, you met Serena’s brother.”

“
I’m not with Dylan. I was never with Dylan. Chelle, Lee was more than just a crush. You made me think he cheated on me, and I left because I couldn’t bear to look at the two of you. How could you do that?”

Michelle
’s eyes widened and she took a step back. “You were dating?”

She focused on Michelle
’s face. “We were married. Still are.”

Her sister
’s face paled. She pressed her back into the counter and leaned back.

“
I believed you. Believed you so fully that I didn’t even give him a chance to defend himself. You were wrong then and you’re wrong now. If Daddy tried to control my life by leaving me the bar, what do you think you did?” She slid off the stool and walked away without waiting for a response.

She was through with talking. There was a bar and a man waiting for her. It was time she took control of her life and reached for the things she wanted.

C
hapter Thirteen

“
What is he doing here?” Joanna asked the question under her breath as she put away the last of the glasses.

The object of her irritated question walked into the bar, letting in a blast of humid air before the wooden door closed shut behind him.

“Work stuff. Sam took the Jeep so I had him meet me here.”

Jake walked up to the bar and pulled the messenger bag off his shoulder.
“Hey Joanna, can you get me a water please?”

“
We’re not open for business. If you want a drink, you’ll have to get it yourself.” She tossed the dishcloth down and stalked off to the kitchen.

“
She knows I wasn’t the one that cheated on her, doesn’t she? Pat’s the idiot.”

“
It doesn’t matter. You’re guilty for being his friend.”

Jake
’s eyes stayed on the door she’d just walked through. “Acquaintance. I’m screwed either way. I just wish she hadn’t found out like that…”

“
You did the right thing. She wasn’t going to believe it until she saw it for herself.” Lee pulled his glasses off and placed them on the notebook. “She’ll come around. Give her some time. She’s still trying to get her feet under her.”

“
He isn’t worth it. He was never good enough for her.”

“
Yeah. He isn’t. At least he didn’t show up at the thing at the club the other night. I’m guessing you had something to do with that.”

Jake ignored the comment and walked around the bar. He followed Joanna
’s suggestion and poured himself a drink. He was still behind the bar when the door opened again. Jake’s eyes narrowed on the person walking in.

Lee turned around in time to catch the keys Sam tossed to him.

His friend reached out his hand across the bar. “Jake Coelho. We met at your father’s funeral but I doubt you remember me.”

She only gave his hand a brief shake before she turned back to Lee. She barely moved her lips when she spoke.
“Can we talk? In the office.”

She waited until the door clicked behind him before she shouted.
“What is that about? You promised me that I would have time to think about it. It hasn’t even been a day and he’s already making himself comfortable behind my bar.”

“
He was getting himself a drink because Joanna wouldn’t. He was friends with your father, too. He feels almost as comfortable behind the bar as I do.”

“
He knew my dad?” Some of Sam’s ire faded and he pulled her into a hug.

“
Yes.”

The tension in her shoulders loosened and she slumped into his embrace.
“I’m sorry. I saw him back there and I lost it. So stupid.”

“
What happened at the house?”

Sam stepped back and pulled on her hair tie, letting her blond hair fall in a wave around her shoulders.
“Michelle showed up. I’m sure one of the neighbors called when they saw me walk in the front door.”

He should have gone with her. Dealing with Michelle and the memories of seeing her old house wasn
’t something she should have handled on her own. “What did she say?”

“
The same. I should sell the bar and go back to my glamorous life in New York.”

“
And Dylan?”

She dropped her eyes for a second too long and he knew that Dylan had been a part of the conversation as well.

“That’s it. I’m going to talk to her. I want to know what she has against me.”

“
You don’t have to. I already confronted her about the lies. I don’t know, Lee. Maybe you’re right. She’s jealous of me for some reason. She never wanted the bar but maybe she wanted you. Did something ever happen between you after I left?”

“
No. I never picked that up from any of my dealings with your sister.”

She shook her head and looked up at him with tired, sad eyes. He wanted her to look the way she did this morning when she was still so full of hope and plans for the future.

He pulled her into his arms again and kissed the top of her head, all the while trying to come up with some way to make her happy. “Was it hard to see the house?”

“
Yes. My room was the same as I left it. I have to go back and clear all my stuff out. She has it going on the market in a few days.” She wrapped her arms tight around him.

“
Already? Isn’t that fast? You need time to deal with everything.”

“
It’s been three months. Every room but mine is ready. I just have to accept it.”

“
Talk to Michelle. See if she can hold off on the sale.”

He felt the shake of her head against his chest.
“She can’t. There are bills that need to be paid.”

“
Then I’ll pay them.”

She pushed away from him and threw up her hands.
“No. Lee, stop trying to throw your money around. It can’t fix every problem.”

****

She shouldn’t have snapped at him. He offered to help with the house because he could and because he didn’t like seeing her in pain. He walked away from her a moment later to deal with his friend and sister, all buttoned up and quiet. She was the reason he shut down and she was compelled to fix it now. She stepped out of the office and saw the two men with their heads down. They didn’t notice her when she walked up behind them. She could just hear Jake’s voice.

“
That’s what they all say. It’s not too late to find that out. We’ll have John draw something up. If Sam signs it, you’ll have your answer and some protection.”

“
If I sign what?” She looked from Jake to Lee. He looked guilty while Jake just looked smug.

Jake replied first.
“In case of a divorce, you both should have protection. If you’re willing, I can have a friend of mine, one that deals with prenuptial and postnuptial agreements, work on one. I’m sure we can come up with a mutually satisfying agreement.”

“
You want me to sign some kind of prenup? We’re
already
married and I don’t want Lee’s money. If I’m to sign something, it needs to say that. Not one frigging cent.” More anger than she had room for coursed through her. Her face heated while the blood pounded through her body. She turned and walked toward the door. She ignored Lee when he called her name. This was really the last thing she wanted to deal with today.

She was two blocks away before she heard pounding feet behind her. Lee reached for her hand
, and she let him grasp it as they walked in silence. She was too riled up to talk but she still needed that connection to him. He squeezed but didn’t try to stop her from walking off her anger.

It took another block before she was ready to speak.
“I needed air. I would have come back before lunch. You don’t have to worry about me taking off.”

“
About what Jake said—” He rubbed his thumb over her knuckles.

She stopped and pulled her hand out of his.
“It’s okay. I should have expected that this was coming.”

“
He’s just worried. It’s part of his job, as my lawyer and friend.”

“
Of course. You must be a very wealthy man. You’ve already offered to help me. You’re willing to put your own money into the bar. I don’t have anything but a little in savings and half of a failing business I can’t afford. I’m not even the full owner of the cottage. Let him do what he needs to make sure you have your protection.” She sneered the last word and continued walking.

“
You’d be protected too, Sam. If things don’t work out, you should have…” He hesitated finishing.

She knew what he meant.
“A consolation prize? No, it’s okay. I really can take care of myself. Despite having friends with money, I never abused those friendships. Beyond borrowing clothes, I never took from Serena or Dylan. I married you when I thought you were a bartender living off tips. I don’t want any of your money.”

“
What if we had children?”

He seemed just as stunned by the question as she felt.

“I didn’t know we were even near that stage.”

“
We’re not, but there might be a time when we are.”

“
I don’t get it. This is how you bring up having children? In the context of lawyers and legal documents? What’s wrong with going into a marriage with the promise to stay together forever? No exit strategies. No talk of assets and protection.” A sharp pain pierced her heart. That he brought up children while convincing her to sign a financial agreement ripped her apart.

He stiffened, his hands curled into fists.
“Forever? Is that what you were thinking when you left? Maybe Jake’s thinking you’ve taken off once before, what’s to stop you from doing it again?” He stopped her from walking on by grabbing hold of her wrist. He spun her around to look up at him.

She sighed.
“I explained everything to you.”

“
I get it but that doesn’t stop anyone from wondering what the next misunderstanding will be. We’re going to have fights, Sam. We’re going to disagree on the big things. How are you going to handle that?”

She reached for him but he stepped out of reach.
“I screwed up but you did too. Are you planning on keeping secrets from me? It goes both ways. If signing some stupid piece of paper is going to make you feel like I won’t take off again, then I’ll sign it.”

“
It’s not—” He took a step toward her, but she raised her hand.

“
I’m fine with signing any paper you put in front of me but I’m not fine with having your wealth thrown in my face.”

“
How is moving into that stifling hot cottage with its lumpy bed throwing my wealth in your face?”

Another comment about the cottage and she had to hold back her urge to scream. She kept her voice soft, controlled.
“If you don’t like it, you can take your things back to your three-story house. I know we can’t go back in time, but I thought we’d be able to relive some of our good memories.”

He let her go and she charged ahead, no destination in mind. She needed movement. She thought he turned back to the bar but a few minutes later, he caught up with her again. This time he didn
’t allow her to speak as he grasped her arm and swung her around to him. His lips crashed down on hers. A few gentle tugs on her arms and she wrapped them around him. His shoulders were wide, his body a harbor she needed. It always came back to this. She loved Lee, nothing anyone else could say would ever change that. She didn’t want to fight with him, didn’t want to constantly relive their mistakes.

He pulled back to look down
at her. “I don’t know why we’re fighting. I don’t want a prenup, postnup, any kind of nup. I just want you. Wear my ring, Sam. Forget about the money, where I came from, where you came from. Just give us a chance. Please.”

****

He did it. He got the ring back on her finger. They walked back to the bar slowly, holding hands but not talking. He was surrounded by the rightness of it. Sam beside him, no more talk about money or the past.

She broke the silence first.
“What are we going to tell everyone?”

“
That you were swept off your feet and couldn’t possibly live another day without me?”

She swatted his arm with her free hand.
“Maybe you couldn’t live without me.”

“
We already know that.” He stopped to take another taste of her sweet lips. He never wanted to stop.

“
I want you, Lee. I truly don’t want your money or anything to do with it. I know you thought that was my reason for going to New York. At the time, Serena was my only option to get out of town. She’s my best friend. It was never about how much money she had. If anything, these last two years have shown me that I’ll never fit in with that crowd. I’m not polished. I’m just a bartender’s daughter.”

“
You’ve been selling yourself short if you’ve been trying to fit in with the St. James crowd. That’s not polish, it’s over-processing.”

She melted in his arms when they wrapped around her. Warm lips molded against hers. Her hands reached up to pull him down to her, while her fingers ran through his hair. A horn had them jumping apart. They both laughed as they recognized the white Volkswagen bug. One of their waitresses, Shelly, passed by slowly, a big grin on her face as she waved.

“Well, that settles that. By tonight everyone in town will know we’ve been making out on a public road.” She slid a hand over her hair, smoothing it down while looking up at Lee’s face.

“
Good. Let’s get back to the bar. I want to make sure Joanna hasn’t thrown my things in Jake’s face before he left.”

“
I can’t say I feel any differently, but why does Joanna dislike him so much?”