There's Only Been You (10 page)

Nicky started to follow Garrett and Uncle Luke from the room. He stopped in the doorway and turned back to face her, a small grin curved his lips. “Any chance you could whip up a cherry pie for dessert?"

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Sara peeked in the oven to check on her lasagna. The cheese had melted, but needed to brown a bit yet. She'd already set the table, a pan lined with thick slices of garlic toast sat on the counter, and two cherry pies were cooling right next to it.

Sara knew why Nicky had asked her to bake a cherry pie. It was Mike's favorite. At first, she'd considered being petty and making blueberry, which she knew he couldn't stand. But for some inexplicable reason she was anxious to please him, though she'd die before admitting it.

Since she had a few minutes before the lasagna was ready, Sara ran back to her room and checked herself in the mirror for the dozenth time. She hadn't dressed up like she had for her date with Jason, but she still wanted to look her best.

She wore a pair of stone-washed low-rider jeans and a light purple, keyhole halter top that bared most of her back. She'd applied very little makeup, though she did go a smidge heavy on the mascara. With her hair pulled up into a ponytail, just a few wispy curls framed her face. Also, she'd slipped on a pair of plain white slides with three-inch heels. Mike was almost as tall as Garrett, and she hated the feeling of being towered over—although even with the heels he still had almost a foot on her.

Nicky stuck his head in and asked, “Need any help with supper?"

She met his gaze in the mirror, still a little stung by his stalwart loyalty to Mike. But she loved her brother regardless of how big an idiot he was. “Thanks, but I've got everything under control."

"As usual."

When he didn't leave, she asked, “Is there something else?"

He cleared his throat. “We're okay, you and I, aren't we? I mean, you know I only want what's best for you ... right?"

Sighing, Sara walked over and wrapped her arms around his waist. “Yeah, we're fine.” She felt him relax and his arms went around her, too. “I know you only want what's best for all of us, including Mike. You're still a good friend to him, even after all these years."

"He's a good man, Sara. He'll be a good father to Ethan, too, I'd bet my life on it.” He gave her ponytail a gentle tug and then headed toward the kitchen.

Would he be a good father? Frankly, nothing else mattered. She gave herself one last glance in the mirror before following in Nicky's wake.

Sara opened the oven door and pulled out both pans of lasagna, then slid in the pan of garlic toast and cranked the temperature up to four hundred degrees.

Nicky stood next to the counter pouring a can of orange soda into an ice-filled glass. “Damn, that smells good. I bet Mike hasn't had a decent meal in years."

Sara grunted, wanting to say it was his own darn fault, but decided to keep her opinion to herself. “Somehow, I doubt that. I'm sure he's had plenty of women to cook for him over the years."

He looked up and met her gaze, his smile suspiciously knowing. “Even if that's the case, I'm sure none of them even compared to you."

"I'm not jealous, if that's what you're thinking, so you can wipe that smug look off your face right now."

His lips twitched, but he wisely kept his mouth shut.

Garrett and Danny came up from the basement arguing about the baseball game they'd been watching.

"He should be here any minute,” Danny announced, heading into the living room. Mike had always treated Danny like a little brother, and she suspected he might actually be looking forward to seeing him again.

Sara glanced at the table one last time before taking a deep, calming breath. Good Lord, she had butterflies. Which was absolutely ridiculous considering she'd seen him just yesterday. She pressed a hand to her stomach and looked at the clock; five-to-five. Boy, he really knew how to make an entrance, waiting until the clock struck the final minute before—

"He's here!” Uncle Luke shouted, coming in through the garage.

Garrett came up from behind and put his hands on her shoulders. “It'll be fine,” he said, “don't worry. And I won't go anywhere until you ask me to, all right?"

Sara nodded, grateful for his support.

Nicky opened the front door and went out to greet him.

She heard them talking, their voices growing louder as they walked up the porch steps. The front door swung open and Nicky strode in with Mike right behind him. Sara didn't realize her hands were clenched into fists until she felt her nails digging into her palms. She glanced down, surprised to see the red indentations her nails had made.

When she looked back up, Mike's eyes were fixed intently on her face. She froze. Having the full-force of those amazing blue eyes on her again was enough to steal her breath. Had it been just yesterday he'd walked into her bakery and back into her life? She gave herself a mental pinch. Dammit, she didn't want to feel breathless over him. She didn't want to feel anything for him at all!

Mike stopped less than two feet in front of Sara and held out the bouquet of red roses he'd bought on the way over. From the look on her face, he half expected her to snatch them out of his hand and whap him over the head. “Hi."

She didn't respond or reach out for the roses, just simply stared at him with borderline hostility. Mike sighed and dropped his hand. Of course, he knew she wouldn't welcome him back into her life with open arms, but he'd hoped to see some sign that she wasn't completely indifferent to him.

Nicky thumped him on the back. “Did I mention Sara made cherry pie for dessert?"

"No, you didn't. Sounds great.” His gaze flickered up to Garrett who stood over her like a sentinel dog.

Garrett gestured toward Mike's jaw, a smirk hovering on his lips. “Hope there's no hard feelings."

Arrogant son-of-a-bitch
. “It looks worse than it is. I bruise easily."

"Good to know."

"Uh, Sara, do you have something in the oven?” Danny asked.

"My garlic toast!” Sara raced into the kitchen, Danny and Garrett on her heels.

Grinning, Nicky took the roses from Mike. “You knew she wouldn't make this easy on you, man, so buck up."

Yep, he'd known it. And still, like a fool, he'd hoped to see a flare of ... something in her eyes when their gazes locked. Half tempted to run like hell out the front door, Mike took a deep breath and followed Nicky into the kitchen.

His friend pulled a vase from the cabinet above the sink and filled it with water. “Mike, why don't you have a seat on the end there.” He arranged the roses in the vase and set it in the middle of the table.

Danny and Nicky served the food while Sara poured the drinks. Everyone took their seats, and Mike had to hide a grin when Sara realized where she was expected to sit—right next to him. She shot Nicky a nasty look who merely grinned.

Supper was mostly eaten in silence. Nicky attempted to start a conversation, without much luck. Sara picked at her food, but Mike had no such trouble. He hadn't had a meal this delicious in years.

"I can't remember the last time I ate this good,” he said, reaching for another slice of garlic toast.

"Hmph."

She never even glanced his way. Mike blew out a silent breath. Well, she hadn't dumped her plate over his head yet. That was something, he supposed.

When everybody had finished eating, Sara started clearing the table. Mike stood, intending to help, but without so much as looking at him she said, “I'll take care of it."

Mike dropped his hands to his sides. He looked to Nicky who made a ‘don't worry about it’ face and motioned for him to join the men outside.

Danny sprawled out on the glider, Garrett plopped down on one of the chaise loungers, Uncle Luke and Nicky both took seats on either side of the umbrella-covered patio table, and Mike sat down on the swing.

"So Mike, you made a pretty incredible discovery last night,” Luke said. “We were all quite surprised, to say the least."

Mike nodded. “As was I, believe me. I just hope Sara will give me a chance to make up for my stupidity."

Garrett snorted. “Are you living in a fucking time warp? It's been eight years. You think she's just gonna fall back into your arms after all this time? Believe me, Sara has a better head on her shoulders than that."

Mike regarded him coldly. “She's also kind and forgiving. A couple of traits you certainly didn't inherit."

Slowly, Garrett sat up. “I'd be happy to give you a matching shiner for the other side of your face, if that's what you're looking for."

"Well here, let me turn my back so you'll have the same advantage you had last time."

"Smart-mouthed son-of-a—"

"All right, that's enough,” Luke announced. “This situation is hard enough without the two of you butting heads every five minutes."

Mike shot to his feet and started pacing, careful to avoid eye contact with Garrett. He turned to Nicky. “Look, I'm sorry but I have to talk to her. I have to know where I stand, one way or the other.” He strode purposefully toward the back door.

Sara glanced over her shoulder when the screen door opened.
Mike
. The pan she'd been drying fell from her hands and clattered to the floor.

"We need to talk."

"Where's Garrett?” she asked, attempting to peer around his broad shoulders. She tried not to make eye contact with him. As long as she didn't look him directly in the eye, she'd be able to maintain her composure.

"You've always put him on a goddamn pedestal."

She bent over to pick up the pan. “Don't you dare say anything unkind about him."

"He's a pain in the ass."

Sara shot him a look. “He's not the only one."

A slow smile curved his lips. “Now there's the Sara I know and love."

"Don't you dare throw that word around. If you loved me we wouldn't be in this situation.” A surge of emotion tightened her chest and she silently cursed herself for letting him get to her.

Hands on his hips, Mike sighed. “Look, I know you have every reason to believe that, but it's just not true. I've loved you since the first moment I laid eyes on you."

She paused. God, how she wanted to believe him. But if he'd truly loved her as he claimed, he'd never have been able to stay away for so long. She swallowed past the lump in her throat and reached into the drainer for something else to dry.

"All right, I'm done playing. Come on, we're going for a ride.” Mike reached out and grasped her elbow.

"I'm not going anywhere with you,” she said, yanking her arm free. “If you want to talk, we'll talk, but we're doing it right here.” She tossed the dishtowel on the counter and crossed her arms over her chest.

"You either follow me to my truck or I'll throw you over my shoulder and carry you there. But one way or another, we're taking a ride."

She gasped. “If you touch me I'll scream bloody murder."

"Then I guess I'll have to gag you as well."

He took a step toward her. She took a step back.

"You stay the hell away from me.” She took another step back and bumped into the table.

"Not a chance. I made that mistake once, I won't make it again.” He caught her around the waist and flipped her over his shoulder as promised. “I'll give you one more chance to walk out of here on your own two feet. What's it going to be?"

"I hate you!"

"What's it going to be?” he repeated.

"I ... don't want to be alone with you,” she reluctantly admitted.

"Don't trust yourself, eh?"

"You're just so damned full of yourself,” she muttered, trying to ignore the fact that he smelled incredible. Mike had never been one to wear cologne, so the spicy, masculine scent must be aftershave or—

He started toward the front door.

"Wait! Okay, I'll go with you. Just put me down. I don't want to give the neighbors a free show."

Mike set her gently on her feet. “Fine. Let's go."

Danny stuck his head through the back door. “Uh, everything okay in here?"

"Your sister and I are going to take a little ride. We'll be back.” Mike cupped her elbow and escorted her out the front door.

They drove in silence for several minutes. When it got to be too much, she reached over and turned on the radio. He immediately turned it off. She flashed him her most disapproving frown and turned it back on. Mike turned it off again and said, “You're acting like a child."

"Because I want to listen to the radio?"

He made a left, and then a right at the next stop sign. Sara sat up a little straighter when it dawned on her where they were headed.

"You're doing everything you can to avoid talking to me."

"Figured that out all by yourself, did you? Boy, you're some cop."

Mike shot her a quick look, and Sara felt like sticking her tongue out at him. Acting like a child indeed!

The partly cloudy skies darkened as the storm the weatherman had predicted that morning rolled in. The winds picked up and rain pelted the windshield, lightly at first, but turning into a downpour within minutes. Mike cursed and flipped on the wipers.

He made a right turn after the light and drove along the winding road until they reached the pavilion at the end. He pulled into the first parking space and killed the engine.

Sara sat speechless, unable to believe he'd brought her here, to Pamperin Park. This place held so many memories for them. They'd had their first kiss here, as well as their first fight. They'd picnicked here, fished in the creek that ran behind the pavilion.

And it was here she'd cried her heart out after discovering she was pregnant.

Mike turned and leaned back against the door to face her. She sat stiff as a board, and he could count on one hand the number of times she'd made eye contact with him since he'd arrived at the house.

"Why won't you look at me?” he asked, his voice gentle.

She remained stubbornly silent.

"Sara?"

"You know why."

"You're afraid of what I'll see?"

She ignored him and continued to stare out the window.