Firefly Duet: New Beginnings and Lasting Love Read online

  Too much. Too soon. Slow.

  As if reading her conflict between head and body, his hands fell to her bare thighs. “Easy, honey. You feel too good.” He tucked her hair behind her ear, his eyes filled with lust and awe she instantly felt addicted to. Moving off his lap, she sat cross-legged as he ran a hand over his face and shook his head.

  Leaning on her hands behind her, she let her head fall back, closing her eyes. A rolling heat curled her toes and shot straight to her tingling scalp. Sunshine and a gentle breeze fluttered over her skin. Every cell in her body awakened with new energy. “What’s the other surprise, because the kissing was really, really good.”

  “I know coming here, so suddenly, has been hard on you.”

  The seriousness of his tone made her open her eyes.

  “It must feel like life pulled every rug out from under you. That’s before you even came to a new place. With me. A stranger.”

  She grinned. “We’re not really strangers now, especially if we’ve decided to start kissing each other."

  His deep laugh, sexy and unnerving, threatened to send her floating up to the clouds.

  “We can kiss anytime you want, by the way.” He blew out his cheeks, a blank look on his face. “Where was I going with all this?”

  “You were going to tell me the surprise,” she prompted.

  “Right. When me and my brother and sister were little and on long family car trips, my mom would always get us half-way presents.”

  “What’s a half-way present?”

  “It’s just that. A present you get half-way through a journey, to keep you encouraged. Or in our case, to keep us from killing each other in the back seat of the car.”

  “I love that idea.” She wiggled her eyebrows. “So, I’m getting a half-way present?”

  “Last night, I called your parents after I got home.”

  “You did?” She scooted on her bottom getting close again.

  “I invited them to come visit.”

  “You did?” She repeated, now up on her knees eye-to-eye.

  “There’s good news and bad news. The bad news is your dad can’t come because he has to work. The good news is your mom is flying to Colorado on Thursday, and she’s staying until Monday.”

  She launched herself into his arms as he continued talking. “You and I will pick her up at the airport that afternoon. I made a reservation for her at the B&B in town and there are two beds in the room. That way if you want, you could take a break from the Mannis clan and stay with her during her visit.”

  She tucked her face against his neck. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

  “Happy?”

  “Yes. Best half-way present, ever. Best kisses. Best day.”

  Sunday night, Sofia called her mom and they talked for an hour about the upcoming visit. It really was the best half-way present and more thoughtful a gift than any object Jim or any man could have given her.

  On Monday evening, she stood at the edge of Ben’s vegetable garden, the hose in her right hand, watering. Mercy Mountain, solid and distant, rose in front of her. Capturing the image, she sighed deeply and shut her eyes. Sounds of crickets and the wind rustling the leaves sang an evening song to her. A frog croaked. Opening her eyes, she glimpsed intermittent flashes of light in the tall grass.

  Fireflies.

  She laid the hose on the ground, directing it toward an area of the garden she hadn’t soaked, and walked across the yard to the split rail fence. Leaning her arms on the top of the wood post, her mind traveled back in time to ferry rides with Anthony between Manhattan and Staten Island. Eyes closed, Sofia breathed in, the faint smell of water and fish filling her imagination. The sound of the boat engine and murmur of passengers’ voices in the background. The breeze off the water pushed her long hair into her face repeatedly. Twelve again, she kept Anthony by her side, her arm protectively around his little waist. He stood, both feet up on the first rung of the iron railing so he could see better. “Mind your brother,” her father called from the seats behind them. “When we get home I want to catch lightning bugs,” Anthony said in his little boy voice.

  Sofia put her chin on top of her hands on the fence, remembering her older sister correction at the time, “Mommy says they’re called fireflies.” He didn’t care. “It doesn’t matter, Sissy. We get to see them.”

  When her phone vibrated, she retrieved it from her back pocket. Walked toward the house, turning off the faucet to the hose on the way, and swiped to read the incoming text.

  Jim: Rafe wants to take you to your appointment with Doc Cindy tomorrow. We all know why. Are you okay with him picking you up in the morning?

  Sofia: Sounds good, thank you.

  Jim: Missed you today.

  Sofia: Missed you too.

  Jim: Want to have dinner at my place tomorrow?

  Sofia: Yes.

  Jim: It’s a plan. Goodnight, beautiful.

  Sofia: Goodnight.

  Sofia sat at the kitchen table with Ben, enjoying coffee together on Tuesday morning.

  Ben held a finger in the air. “Rafe’s here.”

  “How come you can hear a car coming down the road, way before I do?”

  “Years of practice.” Ben stood and took both their coffee mugs to the sink. “Are you excited about your mom coming in a few days?”

  “So excited.” She pushed her chair back and slipped a lightweight jacket over her shoulders. “You should be too. One, you’ll get a break while I stay with her at the B&B, and two, she’s going to want to cook… for you. That’s how my mom says thank you.” She gestured as if she had a giant belly. “Stuffing people with food.”

  “We could have everyone out to the ranch on Saturday. Do you think your mom would want to meet the whole family or will that be overwhelming?”

  “Are you kidding? She thrives in a crowd. Plus, she’s a little jealous of my time here, I think.” Sofia giggled. “She’s going to want to check out every Mannis she can.”

  “You never stop being protective of your children if you’re a parent.” Ben wiped his hands on a dishtowel. “Have a good appointment. Tell Doc Cindy hello.”

  “I will.”

  Once outside, Sofia waved Rafe back when he began to get out of his car. “I got it.” She opened the passenger door and got in. “Thanks for giving me a ride.”

  “Sure thing.” Rafe put the car in drive and kept talking. “I’m thinking it would be better if I don’t come in to Dr. Wheeler’s office before your appointment. Instead, I’ll be sitting in the lobby when you come out. All casual. Just a friend giving another friend a ride home. What do you think?”

  She hid a smirk, keeping her tone neutral. “Good idea. The other way around might seem a bit…”

  “Desperate?” Rafe chimed in. “Patriarchal?”

  “Patriarchal?”

  “Like I’m the older brother type that thinks you need to be walked in there by a man. As if women can’t do things on their own. I don’t want to come off as that guy.”

  She smiled. “Good plan.”

  Rafe glanced away from the road. “Yeah? It’s good?”

  “Yep.” She nodded enthusiastically. “I like it.”

  Whoa. Talk about wound up.

  It was only her second appointment with Dr. Wheeler. Sofia welcomed the sense of comfortable routine, settling in the same chair as last time and accepting a water bottle when offered.

  “How have things gone since last week?” Cindy took a seat across from her and opened a leather notebook on her lap.

  “Good. My mom is coming on Thursday for a short visit. I’m excited about that. I wish my dad could come too, but he has less flexibility with his job.”

  Cindy jotted something on her notepad and glanced up. “That’s wonderful. Sounds like you have a close relationship with your parents?”

  “Mm, hmm.” Sofia nodded. “I do.”

  “Last time, we were talking about your thoughts around getting back to certain responsibilities you have in New
York, with your work and family. Do you want to pick up from there or is there something different you wanted to focus our time on today?”

  “I guess I sort of want to pick up there. You mentioned there are methods for reconciling a prior life to a new life after someone dies. I’d be interested in hearing more about those.”

  “Is this related to your mom’s visit coming up?”

  Sofia bumped her hand and cast together then apart. “Boom, worlds collide.” She laughed. “Perhaps if I have one of these methods in place it will be clear to everyone that I have a plan for the future.”

  “Having a plan is important to you?”

  “I don’t know that it always was important.” She studied her fingernails for a moment. “It was Anthony that made plans. He always knew what and where and how.”

  “And you?”

  “I depended on him being that person.” Sofia kicked off her shoes and tucked her legs to the side on the chair. “Oops.” Her cheeks warmed.

  “Be comfortable. Sit any way you like.” Cindy waved her hand. “You were saying that you depended on Anthony’s plans.”

  “Thanks. Yes. He always knew what he wanted, whereas I always drifted.”

  “How did that show up in the family?”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Was one style more welcome or accepted by the family? Your parents or others?”

  She paused, debating how much she wanted to travel this road with a doctor she planned to visit only a few times. Then again, maybe that made Dr. Wheeler the safest person to say out loud what she needed to and be done with it.

  “My family is big. Italian. And Spanish. We’re traditional. Anthony hit all the marks. He had a good job, a girlfriend he wanted to marry someday, he wanted children. He dreamed of buying our childhood home from our parents someday. He would have lived in New York forever. Then he got sick.”

  Cindy wrote something in her notebook. “Who relied on Anthony to hit all the marks?”

  “My parents,” Sofia said. “Don’t get me wrong, my family loves me. But I was always the artsy one. I guess because of Anthony balancing things out, I got away with it before.”

  “And now?”

  Sofia shut her eyes and stretched her neck from one side to the other. Taking time to decide whether to say it or not. “And, now, I can’t get away with not hitting all the marks. So any methods you have so I can reprioritize my life with that in mind would be welcomed.”

  Cindy sat forward on the edge of her seat. “When I mentioned methods – and maybe I shouldn’t use that word in the future – unfortunately, there isn’t a map or a to-do list. I was thinking more about ways to celebrate the life of a person who died for who they were, so everyone who loved them can heal in their own lives being who they are too.”

  Sofia twisted the cap on her water bottle one-handed with no success, putting it back on the table with a thud. “Didn’t you become a psychiatrist because your sister died?”

  “That’s true. At least partly. We can’t deny our lives are changed as a result of a loved one’s death. Quite drastically in fact.” Cindy leaned forward, opening Sofia’s bottle and setting it down in front of her again.

  She crossed her arms and glanced at the clock on the wall. Five more minutes. “One of the ways to honor Anthony’s life would be to fulfill his dreams as part of my life.” Jim’s words immediately scrolled like a marquee sign in her head. That’s a nice idea, as long as those dreams match your own.

  Cindy closed her notebook, stood and walked to her desk, riffling through papers, before carrying a document over. “This is an article you might find interesting. It’s about linking objects in a meaningful way as a means for honoring someone who has died. It might appeal to you as an artist. Since you’re a photographer, photos are an obvious idea, but it can be other objects linked in a way that express and celebrate Anthony’s life. We could talk about it next time if you want.”

  “Okay.” Sofia followed Dr. Wheeler out of the office. All six foot two inches of Rafe shot up off the couch in the lobby. Sofia stared, perplexed by a blue bandana he wore on his head and a leather jacket. A long silver key chain hung from the belt of his jeans.

  What the heck? Where’d this goofy get-up come from?

  “Um, Dr. Wheeler, this is Rafe.” She realized she didn’t know his last name.

  “Mooney. Rafe Mooney.” He repeated, clicking his heels, if she wasn’t mistaken, and bowing.

  Like a freaking butler. Oh Rafe.

  Chapter 14

  Shortly before noon, Jim came downstairs to find Rafe and Sofia standing in the center of the lodge waiting for him.

  “We’re here to kidnap you.” Sofia clutched Rafe’s arm. “Your buddy needs moral support. We can either start playing board games or go day-drinking.”

  Jim laughed. “These are my choices? He glanced at his watch. “It’s only eleven-thirty. Was it that bad?”

  Rafe sat on a folding chair with his head in his hands. “I bowed.”

  Sofia nodded. “Actually, he clicked his heels, then bowed to Dr. Wheeler. Like he was the butler to the Queen of England. Everything but kissing the ring.”

  “Dude, seriously?” Jim barked a laugh as he walked to the card table used as a make-shift desk, tossing his clipboard and pen on it. “How’d your time with Doc Cindy go? Better than Rafe’s, I hope?”

  “Meh.”

  “You two are a pair,” Jim said. “Am I getting stuck with sad sack all alone as part of this kidnapping, or will you be coming with us?”

  Sofia headed toward him with a little extra swing in her walk until she stood toe to toe, looking up. “I’m super competitive when it comes to board games.”

  He glanced at Rafe with his head still hanging low. Jim snaked his arms around her waist, lifting Sofia off the ground and kissed her. “You haven’t seen competitive, sweetheart.” He kissed her again, his hands slipping around to cup her bottom.

  “Uh, did I miss an episode?” Rafe’s voice boomed.

  With her arms around his neck, Sofia turned. “Jim and I kiss now.”

  “You don’t say.” Rafe grimaced. “That’s real sweet and all. However, do you think you could keep the PDA in check at least until I’m shit-faced?”

  Jim laughed, letting Sofia slide down his body to stand. “Today’s about you and your heartbreak, pal. Are you sure you’re okay with this?” He leaned to whisper in Sofia’s ear. “It could get a little rowdy once the drinks start flowing.”

  “Promises, promises.” Sofia winked. “Let’s get Biker Joe here some relief.”

  He raised his eyebrows. “I’m going to need to hear more about Biker Joe. I have two rules for this kidnapping.” He dug his phone out of his pocket and typed a text hitting send. “It has to be at my house, away from the public eye, no small-town gossip, and we’re going to need a fourth if we’re playing drinking or board games.” Jim grinned when his phone dinged. “All set. Okay, Rafe, you hit the liquor store. Sofia and I will pick up snacks. Kai’s bringing the board games.”

  Sofia jumped up and down. “Kai’s coming? Girls versus boys!”

  Rafe groaned. “Your sister doesn’t like me.”

  “No, she thinks you’re a doofus.” Jim rubbed his chin. “Then again, maybe all women do.”

  “Stop.” Sofia smacked him on the arm playfully.

  He dug his keys out of his pocket, looking on as she walked over to his best friend and put her hand out, pulling him from his chair. “Come on, Mooney. Let’s patch you up so you can try again with Dr. Wheeler on Friday when I have my next appointment.”

  That’s about the kindest offer a person could make. Geez. Rafe’s gawking at her, like she just presented him with the sun. I’m not the only one who could fall in love with her.

  After a stop at the tiny grocery store near his home, Jim followed Sofia up the steps to his house, carrying a bag filled with chips and dip. “Have you had any alcohol since you’ve been out here?”

  “No, why do you ask?
Don’t worry, I’m leaving the big drinking to you guys.”

  “Elevation will make the effects stronger.” He unlocked the door and gestured for her to go first.

  “Good to know.” She faced him, walking backward down the hallway. “I tend to get a little frisky when I drink, so I’ll be sure to take it easy.”

  He shut the door with his foot. “Frisky, huh? I take it back then. You should get hammered.”

  “Very funny.” She leaned against the counter. “While we have a minute, we should consider whether we’re letting people in on things, namely your sister.”

  Jim set down the paper bag and moved directly in front of her, trapping her with his hands on the counter on either side. “Like this kind of thing?” He leaned forward kissing her, then swooped her up, enjoying her yelp. He parted her legs and stepped between. “Wrap yourself around me.” He pressed the swell of his body against her, his breath quickening when she shivered. Then sank into the soft warmth of her kiss.

  When a car door slammed, he pulled back at the same time she did, her head hitting the cupboard behind her. “Are you okay?”

  Sofia rubbed the back of her head and laughed as he lifted her off the counter. “Yes. Where’s the bathroom?”

  “First door to the left. What’d we decide?”

  She tipped her head around the door to the bathroom. “Will Rafe blow our cover anyway?”

  He shook his head. “Never.”

  “Let’s keep it on the down low then. That is, if you can manage it.”

  He grinned, then turned to wave at Kai through the window when she knocked. “Is that a challenge, sweetheart? If so, I accept. We’ll see who can keep it under wraps best.”

  Twenty minutes later, the games were about to begin – beers in hand, boys on one side of the table, girls on the other. Jim scoffed when his sister cracked her knuckles one by one, as if this were a street brawl instead of Monopoly.

  “Park Avenue will be mine. Live and learn boys.” Sofia picked up the dice and blew on them before tossing.