Wish for Love Page 2

  She placed the pint of ice cream on her wooden coffee table. She tucked her hands underneath her cheek as she watched Doris Day fall for the playboy Rock Hudson. Leah smiled feeling somewhat better. She would have to face reality the following day. It would be her first official day without Brian. When was he leaving? She dashed out of the restaurant so abruptly that she didn’t get to hear his plans.

  Leah didn’t want to think about it anymore with her emotions scrambled. All she wanted was to sleep, but it didn’t come easy. She pulled the blanket draping her couch to cover her feet and sniffled. Her throat thickened with sobs. Her heart wrenched. She cried silently in her living room. She was right back where she started two years before. She was alone.

  She didn’t understand why it was so difficult for her to find love. Overall, she was a great person… at least I think so. Leah wiped her nose and picked up her carton of ice cream once more. She took another spoonful in her mouth as she listened to Doris Day sing the movie’s love song, “Possess Me.”

  Leah rested on the couch with her knees pressed against her chest. She blew away the stray curl of hair that dangled in front of her face. When her favorite movie ended, Leah walked to the kitchen to throw away her ice cream carton and wash her spoon. She shut off the television and walked to her bedroom. She didn’t bother to check her phone. Brian wouldn’t be calling to tell her goodnight, which had become his routine.

  Leah reclined in her full-sized bed, pulling the covers tightly to her chest. No point in rehashing her break-up. She loved him, but she didn’t want to spend her nights thinking about him when he wanted something different. Did she miss the signs? Did she only see what she wanted to?

  Chapter 3

  Cole Parsons effortlessly carried his luggage into the guest room of his older brother’s home.

  “Want me to help you lift the suitcase onto the bed?” Seth asked with a smirk.

  “Ha-ha,” Cole shot back, ignoring how Seth crossed his arms over his chest to emphasize his muscular frame. “I see you dressed up for me. Got the whistle on and everything.” He raised his eyebrows at his brother, still dressed for his job as Piedmont Valley’s high school football coach.

  “Glad to have you back, little brother,” Seth declared, leaning against the bedroom doorframe.

  “Glad to be back.”

  After traveling the world as a sought-after photographer, Cole was more than glad to be home. It had been a long flight and even a longer ride in his brother’s 2015 Chevy Silverado. It exhausted him.

  He sat on the bed and massaged the back of his neck, then moved to his jaw, scratching his heavy stubble to relax the tension built up from his hours of flying. He noted his brother’s guest bedroom had changed since he last saw it, the walls now a cornflower blue, very similar to his old bedroom in his parents’ house. He inhaled the faint smell of Febreze while a box fan whirred. Maybe Seth was trying to drop a subtle hint about coming back for good.

  “Want to get some takeout from Mack’s BBQ?” Seth asked.

  “Not tonight. I really want to crash.”

  “Called Mom and Dad yet?”

  “I called Mom when I got here. Dad was in the backyard with one of his ‘projects.’” His forehead furrowed.

  “I don’t think retirement has sunk in with him yet.”

  “Mom’s calling for an intervention,” Cole joked.

  Seth bobbed his head. “We’ll get to talk to them tomorrow. She wants us over for dinner after church.”

  “Sounds like a plan. No one can cook broccoli cheese casserole like Mom.”

  Seth agreed. “You got that right. You good, man? Need anything else?”

  “I’m okay.”

  With that, Seth gave a final nod and closed the door after him. Cole sighed as he unpacked his pajamas. What else had changed since the last time he saw Piedmont Valley? On the way through town, he had spotted the lush green trees, the beloved fountain downtown, and his old high school.

  ****

  Leah knocked her phone off her nightstand to turn off her alarm. She moaned underneath the covers, wishing she could stay home for the rest of the day. As Leah opened her eyes, she brushed the stray hairs away from her face.

  Finally shutting off her alarm, Leah dragged her feet to her master bathroom to brush her teeth. Her outfit choice for church was her short-sleeved emerald green peplum dress. The black tie attached to the collar she tied as a bow, forgoing a necklace. After adding her flat gold-hooped earrings, Leah searched her kitchen for breakfast. She settled for whole grain toast and scrambled eggs.

  Leah rested her cheek in her palm, recalling how she and Brian used to have breakfast together at Carol’s Diner. He preferred his eggs sunny side up, which she never understood. Her bottom lip quivered. She didn’t want to cry again; it wasn’t helping her situation. He would leave town, and he probably wasn’t coming back.

  Brian was the adventurous one in their relationship, Leah, a creature of habit. She was happy in Piedmont Valley, so why did she need to change? She’d made a name for herself and she loved the community. She couldn’t leave it all behind. Too many memories. She had found her dream and even her first love in Piedmont Valley. She would never forget him, the first one to break her heart—Seth Parsons.

  Leah never imagined dating the star quarterback in high school, especially with him being a year ahead of her. Still, she fell head over heels in love with Seth. Then the day came when he said he was going to college out of state. She was ecstatic they had recruited him. However, Leah naively assumed they could make a long-distance relationship work. Seth had other plans that apparently didn’t include her.

  It took some time for her to accept his leaving, but Leah eventually moved forward. She finished her degree and opened her own boutique. She was selling her own designs and expanding her store online. By the time Seth moved back to Piedmont Valley, Leah had dated Brian. Yet, she was grateful that they had agreed to remain friends. She never denied her devastation when Seth left but found comfort with his younger brother, Cole. Leah and Cole practically stuck together during their senior year.

  Leah leaped to her feet to wash her dishes, not wanting to dwell anymore on either Parsons brother. She hadn’t seen Cole in years and no way was he returning to Piedmont Valley. The news would have traveled around town if he were. Then again, you were wrapped up in Brian. It was true. Leah even searched for ring designs.

  She pinched the bridge of her nose as disappointment flooded through her. She had gotten her hopes up for nothing. That’s what she always did with the guys she dated, the few that stayed in Piedmont Valley.

  After retrieving her black pumps, purse, and phone, Leah dashed for her Chevy Spark LS. It was less than ten minutes before she parked in front of Piedmont Church, already seeing the regular attendees saunter inside. The cream-colored steeple church stood tall, decorated with stained glass windows. Leah made it in time to see her mother and father walking hand in hand towards the front steps. She greeted her parents with a smile.

  “Good morning, sweetie.” Her mother said.

  “Good morning.”

  Her mother peered around Leah as if looking for someone else. “Where’s Brian?”

  Leah looped her arm through her mother’s. “I’ll tell you about that later.”

  Her father ran his free hand over his bald head. “Oh, boy.”

  The trio didn’t say another word about it as they greeted friends and neighbors. The organ played softly in the background as Leah hugged and waved to her friends. She even waved at the organist, Mrs. Lowell, before taking a seat next to her parents. She stared at the decorative arches and moldings and heard the whisper of fabric as people shifted in their seats.

  When she spotted Gemma and Chase, she waved, but her eyes widened when she noticed the Parsons family. She recognized Mr. and Mrs. Parsons and made eye contact with Seth. Next, she gazed at the man walking beside Seth. Cole? Her heart thumped. Surprised by her abnormal response, Leah jerked her head toward Pastor Hil
l at the pulpit.

  ****

  Cole’s breaths quickened when he noticed the beauty sitting in one of the middle polished wooden pews. She was gorgeous and waved to Seth. While he recognized some faces, some had to remind him who they were. Cole finally nudged his brother’s arm.

  “Who’s that in the green?” he said.

  “You have been away too long,” Seth joked. “That’s Leah. She looks great too.”

  Cole ignored his brother’s observation. Seth didn’t give the impression he was seeing her. Still, his brother was right. For that brief second with her facing him, Cole’s eyes gazed into Leah’s.

  He took his seat next to his family as the service started. Listening to the choir, Cole recalled as a teen trying out as a tenor. He quickly found out his gift was in photography. Leah had always laughed at his attempts. Yet, she never made him feel like a failure. While his parents encouraged him to be a doctor or lawyer, Leah persuaded him to follow his dream.

  Soon, the service ended with Pastor Hill dismissing the congregation. Cole stood as the crowd proceeded to the exit doors. His palms were sweaty from the anxiety building inside him. It made little sense. Then he gazed as Leah came down the aisle. He loved the color of her dress. I think she still loves green. As soon as she greeted Seth with a hug, her chestnut eyes met his mink brown ones.

  “Cole,” she beamed.

  His eyes lit up. “Hey, Leah.” Loose curls framed her face, her mouth quirked up in a gleaming smile. He pulled her into a bear hug as he would in the past. They rocked back and forth, and Cole was thankful that Seth let them have a moment alone.

  Leah brushed her palms together. “When did you get back? I’m surprised I didn’t hear about it.”

  “I got back last night,” Cole shared.

  “How long will you be here?”

  “I’m moving back here. For good.”

  She smiled. “No way.”

  “Yes, way. I’m opening up my studio here in town.”

  “Wow, that’s great Cole. I’m happy for you.”

  “How are you?”

  Leah stiffened. “I’m… I’m doing okay. I guess I’ll see you around.”

  He didn’t want to ask why her smile faded so quickly. Not wanting to pry, Cole didn’t ask. “Hard not to in this town.”

  “True,” Leah agreed. She relaxed and gave one last smile. “Have a good day. Good to see you.”

  “You too.” Cole watched her as she exited the church. He hoped she was okay and if he could do anything to help… A pat to his back disrupted his thoughts. It was Seth.

  “Leah still looks incredible,” Seth said as he stared after her. “Maybe I was wrong to let her get away, huh?”

  Cole shoved his hands in his pockets. He didn’t want to think about his brother rekindling anything with Leah. He hated to be in the shadow of his brother, but all his life, that’s who won the spotlight. His parents loved him, but Cole never thought he could keep up with his older brother’s accomplishments.

  Even when he dated a few of his crushes in high school, his dates always asked him about Seth. Back then, Cole was the second choice. He should have been past these feelings at twenty-nine, but being back home brought them back again. He even attempted to tell Leah his feelings for her, but when she accepted a date with Seth, Cole cowered. Looking back, he should’ve fought for her, but he didn’t see the point.

  Still, he didn’t return home to rehash the past. He was here to pursue his own photography business. Once he got his business off the ground, he would consider settling down. He didn’t mind having a wife and a family, but it wasn’t in the cards for him.

  “Whatever you say, brother,” he finally replied to Seth. Cole figured it was best. He didn’t want a repeat of last time.

  Chapter 4

  Leah tapped her manicured fingers on her mother’s dining room table. She’d switched her shoes, loving the cushion of the leopard slippers her mother lent her. Her father carried in a pitcher of his famous iced tea. He had a knack for brewing her beloved beverage with the right amount of sweetness.

  Her father took his seat across from her. “Everything okay, sweet pea?”

  Leah rested her chin in her palm. “I’ll be okay.”

  Her mother joined them carrying a pan of her homemade macaroni and cheese. It completed the Sunday meal, which comprised rotisserie chicken and southern style green beans. Leah accepted the challenge of working off the calories for the rest of the week and relished in her cheat meal. She relaxed in her seat as her mother settled next to her father.

  “Start from the beginning, because I know this has something to do with Brian,” her mother stated.

  Leah raised an eyebrow. “How do you know that?”

  “Lonnie the cab driver, his wife told me. She caught me right outside of the church. Lonnie took him to the airport,” her mother informed her.

  Leah served herself a plate. “I’m not surprised.”

  “Where’s he off to?” her dad asked.

  “Chicago. He got a job up there.”

  Leah’s mother tilted her head. Her brow furrowed. “So… where does that leave you two?”

  Leah exhaled. “Brian broke up with me. He wants to focus on his career.”

  Her father gave a dismissive wave of his hand. “His loss.”

  Leah gave a half-smile at her dad’s statement. “Thanks, Daddy.”

  Her mother pressed, “Are you sure you’re okay?”

  Leah kept her face calm, despite the weight settling onto her heart. I want to be over it. “I will be. I even watched Pillow Talk last night.”

  Her mother ran a hand through her shoulder-length salt-pepper hair. “Aww, sweetie. When you watch the classics, I know it’s serious.”

  Her father’s eyes sparkled. “Good job, sweet pea. Stick with the classics. Kids nowadays don’t even know what On the Waterfront is.”

  Her mother nudged her dad’s shoulder. “Even I have a hard time paying attention to that film, honey.”

  Her father touched a hand to his heart. “It’s Marlon Brando. What’s not to like?”

  They’d made thirty years together. At the sight of her father planting a kiss on her mother’s cheek, warmth filled Leah’s chest. She longed to have the same relationship. My chances look slim now.

  “Anyway.” Her mother sat her palms face down on the table, gazing at her daughter. “Sweetheart, I think this is a good thing.”

  Leah furrowed her eyebrows. “How’s that? I’m single—again. I thought Brian was the one, Mom.”

  Her mother said, “No such thing. With billions of people in this world, there are more than enough good men out here. It depends on who you meet first. You get to choose ‘the one.’”

  Leah rubbed her forehead. “Am I doing something wrong?”

  Her mother reached for her hand across the table, while her dad gave her a faint smile.

  “You’re great the way you are,” her dad encouraged her. “If these guys don’t realize that, it’s their loss. Remember that.”

  Her mother patted her hand. “There’s nothing wrong with being single as you figure out what you truly want. Take some time out for you, sweetie.”

  Leah gave a half shrug. “I’ll think about it.”

  “While she does that, I want some of this macaroni and cheese.” Her father picked up the casserole dish and served himself.

  Her mother, however, held out her hand to his, signaling it was time to say grace. She took both of her parents’ hands and reminisced on the many dinners she shared with them as a girl. As they ate Sunday’s dinner, Leah mulled her mother’s words. Take time for me? Maybe that’s what I need. All worries went away at the taste of her favorite dish.

  ****

  Leah leaned on her elbows as she scrutinized her boutique’s website. She loved how well the online store was doing, but she was at odds with her web designer. While Quinn McGee knew her craft, Leah thought something was still off about the website. The fuchsia colors in the background an
d the scripted handwriting showed class, but something still felt off.

  Leah rubbed her head as the corners of her mouth turned up. From dresses to casual wear, Leah’s brand boutique, Morris Styles, boomed in Piedmont Valley. Her love for fashion in high school matured into a successful business and her website expanded her clientele.

  When her unruly stomach growled, Leah touched her hand as if to silence the noise. Her eyes diverted to the space on her desk, which she used to display a photo of her and Brian. With smiles on both of their faces among the fall foliage surrounding them, he had picked her up off her feet. Back then, the world was theirs for the taking.

  Brian had swung her in his embrace, placing a sweet kiss to her lips. “I love you.”

  Leah’s heart had flooded with joy. “I love you too.”

  Then he put her down. The leaves crunched under her feet and her eyes caught the fall wind swirling the rest. Brian clutched her hand as they strolled from the park to the nearby sidewalk.

  Leah dismissed the painful memories, grateful she buried the picture in the bottom drawer. If only life had worked that way, Leah would stuff every problem away. In reality, she had to face them. It wouldn’t happen overnight, but she would learn to live without Brian.

  She got to her feet and grabbed her purse and cell phone. Leaving the store attended by her employees, Leah walked to Mack’s BBQ. Her mouth watered as she expected his special smoked chicken. Normally, she would have had lunch at Carol’s Diner three blocks over, but it was her special place with Brian.

  Leah fanned herself as she stood in line. She wasn’t a fan of warm weather, and although it wasn’t officially summer, it was warm outside. Finally, at the counter, the white-haired man with nearly translucent skin greeted her with a smile. She ordered her dish and waited in the corner with her ticket. She checked her cell, no messages. What would they talk about? It was over between them. He would live his dream in Chicago, while she remained in Piedmont Valley.