Waking Up To Love (Lakeside Porches Book 4) (8 page)

“It boils down to ‘Wow her in bed’ and ‘Go along with whatever she likes.’”

“Whatever she likes in bed?”

“In life.”

“What if she likes fishing?”

“Were you always a spoil-sport?”

She ducked when he rolled up the
New York Times
Book Review and pretended to bop her over the head with it.

“I’ve missed you, big bro. Who is Lyssa, anyway? Do you have a picture? Hey, Pris.”

Pris joined them, yawning. “I forgot you guys get up so early.” She sipped from her mug.

Rand placed his phone between his sisters. “Push play to meet Lyssa, your future sister-in-law.”

Pris squinted at the screen as Chrissie launched a video clip from Lyssa’s Savvy Spender series.

“Adorable.” Chrissie gave him a knuckle-bump.

“She is, but that outfit is
so
not
.” Pris said.

“Oh, let’s see, is the Savvy Spender supposed to wear designer chic?”

“And does she really wear her hair like that? Ugh.”

“She came to the interview with her hair in a thousand, bouncy curls, and her luscious body swathed in gray gabardine.”

“Seriously?” the twins chorused.

“That’s what we do in academia.”

Pris pounded her mug on the table. Hot liquid sloshed on his newspaper. “Rand, you
so
don’t belong there.”

“Wake up, Pris. I love teaching. I was born to academia. I swear, you sound like Bert and Regina.”

Pris muttered an apology. “I need more coffee.”

“I’ll get it.” Chrissie jumped up from the bench.

“Rand, I love you,” Pris said, “and I know you’re just a year away from tenure, but I worry about you repressing your heart’s desire year after year. When are you going to turn that gorgeous poetry loose on the world?”

“Gorgeous?” He chuckled. “It’s dark, irreverent, fantastical.”

“And I’m the Dark Witch, remember? Trust me, it’s gorgeous. Chrissie may not like it, but I know it’s brilliant.

“You’re talking about his epic poems?” Chrissie made a face as she refilled their mugs.

Pris spread her arms. “Apocalyptic tales of rival superheroes who emerge, centuries after the total destruction of planet earth, unscathed, and resurrect their cultures, keeping only the best. Thrillers filled with cautionary hope for the future. I’m telling you, teens and twenties will eat it up.”

Chrissie shook her head. “And it’s all in iambic pentameter.”

Rand patted her hand. “I love you for knowing that, Chrissie.”

She planted a kiss on his cheek.

“How is this timeline, Pris? Next June, I’ll marry Lyssa. In the fall I’ll be a fully tenured Associate Professor.
Then
, Pris, then I’ll publish my six tales.”

“There are
six
of them?” Chrissie rolled her eyes.

“You mean they’re finished?” Pris stood, her body quivering.

“Remember I said I was at loose ends? I finished the second trilogy last week.”

Pris grabbed his arm. “We need to get you an agent right away and plan the release a year from now.”

“Knowing how publishers work, Pris, you may be right,” Chrissie said.

“Bet your life, I’m right. I’ll be your publicist, Rand. We’ll make a fortune.”

Rand stood, spit into his right hand, and held it out. “Deal.”

Pris spit into her hand and smacked her palm against his. He grabbed her into a full-body hug.

“You’ll be rich. You won’t regret it, bro.”

Chapter 3

Lyssa hauled the last few grocery bags up two flights to Joel’s old apartment and set them on the kitchen counter.
Good for the gams
.

She loved it all. Pale blue-gray walls. Gray carpeting deep enough for her to dig her toes in. A gourmet kitchen with an espresso machine. Two little porches, each of them trimmed with white gingerbread.

Joel’s tailored furniture might not be her taste, but it worked. She just needed a bed, pink towels, and a few decorative pillows to add her signature.

I am truly moving on
. That her heart still ached when she thought of Kyle was something she’d just have to get over.

With the pantry stocked and the counters clear, she was ravenous. Four o’clock, the microwave told her. Still a little jet-lagged. She opted for a big salad with goat cheese and a medley of seasonal vegetables.

As she washed and spun and chopped and scooped, she thought back to the bizarre conversation with Justin after he’d shown her around the apartment.

“I must tell you the history of the place, if you want to live here,” Justin had said. They’d stood side-by-side on the porch off the living room, looking out at the sparkling blue lake.

“Joel’s grandmother Bridey was the mastermind behind these apartments, Lakeside Terrace. She’s passed now, but this very apartment was Bridey’s own getaway place.” He paused with a smile, as if the significance was obvious.

“And you’re telling me this why?”

“Do you know the term ‘fey one’?”

Lyssa narrowed her eyes. “My Grandma Doughty told me about the Irish fey ones. They were matchmakers, some of them, and they could see the future.”
Not that I ever believed a word of it.
“Did you know Bridey? Did she read tea leaves?”

“Yes. And yes.” Justin’s eyes had twinkled when he said it.

“What did she see in your tea leaves, Justin?”

“That is for Gianessa’s ears alone. I’ve only told you this because you may encounter Bridey from time to time. She speaks her mind on matters of the heart, but only if you choose to listen.”

“You’re freaking me out, Justin.”

He’d shrugged and handed her the keys.

When Lyssa finally called him, Rand had been back from the Hamptons for a few days. Classes had started, and she’d said she wanted his advice about teaching. But he knew she really wanted to go out with him. Rand suggested they meet in the library café Wednesday morning.

After wowing her with examples of his teaching, he politely asked her to tell him about her work.

Lyssa started with a three-minute overview of the grant, then shared the outline for her course, and finished, in her best professional voice, “I think it’s important to incorporate new media in learning, as you do with your websites. My students will create one- and two-minute video spots for their peers on smart financial practices. I’m excited about it, and it’s only possible because of the new media center in the library. Have you made use of it?”

She is way too stiff
. “Personally, no. But I’m sure my students will.” To prevent her from boring him to death with her views on pedagogy, he asked, “Are you planning to socialize with the faculty?”

“You read my mind.” She scooted forward and leaned on her elbows on the table. “I was going to ask your advice about that. You probably know everyone.” Those intense blue eyes of hers captivated him.

“I probably do. Some are worth cultivating. And a few are even fun. I’ll be glad to introduce you.” He sat back and crossed his legs. “In fact, I’m having an intimate hors d’oeuvre party this Friday evening. Come with your favorite cheese or dip or whatever. I’ll have wine and sparkling water.”

“I’d love that, thanks. I look forward to meeting your spouse.”

She is so transparent
. “I’m not married and never have been.” He liked the way her eyebrows lifted at that information.

“Significant other? Special girlfriend?”

“None at this time. I’m finding it a little isolated here in Tompkins Falls, especially since I’ve made it a policy not to date colleagues.”
Let’s see what she does with that challenge
.

“Interesting, why is that?”

“It’s a recipe for disaster.” He jotted his address on the back of a business card and passed it across the table.

“Do you speak from experience?” She glanced at the card before tucking it in her purse.

“Not my own, fortunately, but I’ve seen toxic fallout in the halls of academe from personal relationships gone wrong.” He stretched his arm along the back of the booth.

“Does that mean you’d never take a date to a colleague’s wedding or join in with some of the family events I see on the bulletin board?”

“Such as?” If it was a family thing, Tully would be there. The family had just returned from spending the summer with Marie’s parents and siblings in Canada.

“Like apple picking in Sodus this Sunday?”

Apple picking, seriously?
His eyes swept over her.
“I might drive a special colleague apple picking if she didn’t mind riding in a two-seater.”

“Wait.” Her laugh was as pure and joyful as wedding bells. “Was that an invitation?”

“It was, yes.”

“But not a date?” She looked at him out of the corner of her eye.

“Isn’t this a date, Lyssa?” His gaze probed her deep blue eyes, saw a hint of confusion, a spark of what might be excitement and, finally, a blush on her cheeks.
Got her.

“I thought I was taking you up on your offer to save my sanity during the interview process. Just a bit late.”

He shook his head. “Some advice is in order.” He enfolded her hands in his, and fixed her with his most sincere gaze. “The half-dozen faculty and more than a dozen students who’ve passed our booth in the past twenty minutes are spreading the word that Professor Cunningham is dating Professor Doughty.”

“You’re not serious?” She gasped, extracted her hands, and gripped the edge of the table. “I’ve compromised your policy, Rand.”

It was all he could do not to laugh at the performance. “Then you owe me, don’t you? You
must
come as my date this Sunday for apple picking.”

“Smashing.” Her eyes sparkled.

I’ve finally met my match.

No way do I believe he doesn’t date colleagues
.

Lyssa leaned on her porch railing, sipped her iced tea, and contemplated the choppy blue water. A lone sailboat wrestled with the wind.
I held my own with his trickiness
.

Fifty feet below her, waves smacked the rocks at the base of the bluff.
But do I really want to get involved with someone so devilishly clever?

She marveled at the ease and speed with which Rand had twisted her every answer to suit him. She would make a brief appearance at his gathering Friday evening and leave before the drinking revved up.

And she’d enjoy the apple picking.
I’ll surprise Manda with enough apples for both of us
.

Somewhere to her right, a woman’s voice shouted. “Hello, Chestnut Lake!”

My sister?
Lyssa tore down the stairs and burst through the door to the street. Manda stood with her husband at the end of Lakeside Terrace, on the edge of the bluff, arms open to the windswept lake.

“Welcome home, Manda and Joel!” Lyssa squealed with joy as she ran to them.

The sisters wrapped each other in a teary hug and rocked to their own rhythm for a full minute before Joel made his voice heard. “Welcome to Lakeside Terrace, Lyssa.”

“Joel, hi.” Lyssa broke from her sister’s hug and welcomed his kiss on her cheek. “I’m loving your old apartment. I’m so sorry I wasn’t in London to greet you and show you around. I feel bad that you went there at the end of a long trip, all for nothing.”

“It worked out all right,” Joel said. His face was younger, but the resemblance to Justin was striking, the same patrician features and discerning gray-green eyes. He stood with most of his weight on his left leg. “I’m heading inside for a shower, but you two stay and talk.”

Manda reached for his hand. “Justin said he stocked the kitchen for us. I’ll fix us something to eat, if you’re hungry.”

“No hurry,” he said with a tender smile for her. “Enjoy some time together.” He gave them a cheery wave. He used his cane to walk to the entry for 14 Lakeside Terrace, where he let himself in.

“Joel will probably fall asleep after his shower, and he can fend for himself in the kitchen if he gets hungry before we’re back.”

“You two live in my building?” Lyssa asked, incredulous.

“On the first floor.”

“Justin neglected to mention that.”

“Justin is selective about what he tells people,” Manda said, her tone wry.

“Now there’s an understatement. But I’m thrilled we’re living under the same roof.”

“Me too. To Justin’s credit, after Joel’s accident, he completely renovated the first-floor to be handicap-friendly for Joel. And, in case you’re wondering, there’s no one on the second floor right now. Do you really like living on the top floor?”

“Love it. Great exercise, beautiful view.”

“Have you met Bridey yet?” Manda grinned.

Lyssa struck a pose, one hand on her hip. “You, too? Is this a conspiracy to freak me out?”

“Well, have you?”

“Not yet, but I’ve been warned. Come up for an iced tea?”

“I’m dying to walk over to the Cushman grounds. Come with me, and I’ll show you where our house will be. It’s only a half mile from here, if we cut through the park.”

She linked arms with her sister, and they set off across the lush green lawn of Overlook Park. After a few yards, they both kicked off their sandals and wiggled their toes in the grass. “We are definitely sisters,” Manda said with a laugh. “It’s so good to have you here.”

“I agree absolutely.” They fell in step with each other. “Was your wedding trip wonderful?”

“It was everything we dreamed it would be. Except Joel’s exhausted. It was good we didn’t have an itinerary in London. Kyle arranged a guide for me, so I shopped and did tourist things, while Joel swam and got some spa treatments and hung out in the hotel library, reading. He also chatted up the clientele and the staff every chance he got.”

“He enjoys being an innkeeper, doesn’t he? Did you both love Ireland?”

“Totally.” Manda’s eyes sparkled at the memory. “We’ve got a million pictures. If we ever sort out the best of the best, we’ll show you.”

“Good. I want to go myself, maybe next year.” Lyssa’s hand brushed against Manda’s as they walked. “I can budget for a trip, now that I have a position that’s more than a year.”

“I’m so amazed you’re at Tompkins College. And you’re teaching economics, just like Dad. You’ll be great for the students.”

“Thanks, that’s a big compliment. I really admired that side of Dad. The way he shared his values, I mean, and how he got his students—and us—interested in managing our money. I wouldn’t have been able to get my degrees if he hadn’t taught us those skills.”

“I know, right? And you made those fantastic TV spots to teach other women.”

“I’m very proud of that. And now I’m doing it here, for college students.”

“But, Lyssa, I can’t understand how you could walk away from Kyle Pennington? He is so dreamy and so smart and—”

“So not interested in me for anything more than wonderful dates and weekends in Cornwall. I loved it all, but that’s all there was.”

“Are you so sure about that?”

“I’m very sure. And, Manda, I could not even get an
interview
for a job in my field in the UK. For a decent-paying job of any kind. Oh, except the hot young chef on the food show that wanted a sexy redhead to spice up his kitchen shots.”

“No, thank you,” Manda quipped. “Joel and I like Kyle. He and Justin are both photographers. Can you imagine the shots they’d get of the grape harvest and the fall foliage? We want to invite him for a visit.”

“No, Manda, please.” Lyssa grabbed her sister’s arm. “You can’t do that to me.” She pressed the heel of her hand to her heart. “I can’t take seeing him again, Manda. I care so deeply for him, and he’s not looking for anything serious with me. He’d come and leave just as quickly, and I’d die inside, all over again.”

“But, Lyssa . . .” Manda fumbled for words. “He bailed us out, and obviously he showed you a good time for a whole year in London. We owe him.”

“Manda, please.” Lyssa covered her face with her hands. “I am trying to move on f-from a b-broken heart. I need you to support me in that, not m-make it more difficult.”

Manda made sympathetic sounds as she pulled Lyssa into a hug. “I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

“Promise me you won’t bring Kyle here. I need to move on.”

“I’ll—I guess I’ll talk it over with Joel, then.” She heaved a sigh. “Neither of us wants you to be unhappy. Please don’t cry, Lyssa.”

“You’re right, I should be done with crying.” Lyssa brushed away the tears from her cheeks. “Catch me up on your life while we walk.”

Manda filled her in on everything that had happened since her wedding day, the last time they’d been together. “And one of the things I still do, even though Joel has tons of money, is go to thrift shops with friends. Would you ever want to do that?”

“Absolutely! I desperately need clothes for this warmer weather. When is it ever ninety degrees in the UK?” She gestured at her long pants and long-sleeved T-shirt. “I gained some weight while I was there, and my Texas clothes don’t fit anymore.”