Taking a Chance (12 page)

“As long as I’m on a plane Monday, I should be good.”

“Perfect. I’ll change my flight to Monday and book the B&B for Sunday night. We can spend Sunday together. Can you imagine? An entire day together, just the two of us.”

“Trust me, I can imagine.” His mouth curled up into a lazy smile and his brown eyes darkened with desire.

“That’s not what I meant.” She blushed. “I just meant we can spend more than an hour together.”

His smile fell. “I see. Well, if that’s all you want.” Maddie was acutely aware his thumb had stopped brushing over her hand.

“Austin, that’s not what I meant either.” Frustrated, she threw her free hand up. “Oh, forget it. How about I just say I’m looking forward to seeing you and spending more time with you. You can take it however you want. Fair?” She smiled as she felt the now familiar and intoxicating brush of his thumb back on her hand.

“Yep, definitely fair, and just so you know, I will take it how I want.” One side of his mouth lifted and he winked.

Maddie could feel her entire face flush. She was sure she was in over her head. She hoped she was over the last breakup because she didn’t want this to seem like more than it was just because she was on some sort of rebound. The last thing she wanted was to be hurt all over again, so she needed to be careful with her emotions.

After George had changed, she had not trusted a new man in her life even as a friend. Now, she had dropped her guard to two different men within only a couple of weeks. Her heart had to be protected even if that meant pulling back some of her trust. Even though she was starting to trust Austin fully, she was afraid she would never trust a man again if she got hurt again so soon. She tried to put it all out of her head, so she could enjoy her short time with Austin.

The hour went by too fast and both were reluctant to acknowledge it was time for Austin to go back through security. He had admitted the band had not been happy with his decision, as he was taking a chance his flight could be delayed. If he was late for the show, or even worse, missed it, the band would not forgive him so easily.

“I want you to stay here in case someone recognizes me. We were lucky today, but if people see you with me, it can change your life before you’re ready for that to happen. I would love to hold you until the very last second, but I respect your privacy and want you to keep it for as long as possible.”

“I can’t imagine the media would find me very interesting,” she said with a smile, “but I appreciate your concern. I just wish you didn’t have to leave again so soon.”

Her gaze dropped to the floor and Austin brought her chin up, so she was forced to meet his eyes. “I know, but I’ll see you again in a couple of weeks.”

They both stood up and Austin pulled her into his arms. He had made the most dreaded day unbelievably better just by showing up for an hour. His arms were a blockade from the rest of her life and Maddie did not want him to leave. Right now, he was her safety net. Tears were stinging behind her lids and she shut them tight. She didn’t want to cry in front of him, as she was terrified it would scare him away. A tear slipped out and slid down her face, but before she could wipe it away, Austin had pulled back to look at her.

“Hey, what’s wrong?”

His thumb brushed across her cheek wiping the tear away. He kept his hand on the side of her face and she leaned into it relishing the warmth and comfort of it.

“Nothing. I’ve just had a long week and I guess it caught up with me. I’m sorry. I know you don’t need drama and I swear I’m not normally like this. I just felt comforted in your arms and my emotions took over.”

The expression in his eyes was unreadable, but she was sure she had scared him. However, he took her by surprise when he dropped his hand to her neck and tilted her head. His mouth had claimed hers before she was even aware of what was happening. He was kissing her as if she was the air he needed to breath. Her mind was screaming to stop, to remind him they were in public, but her body’s reaction was stronger.

Maddie leaned into him and heard a moan of pleasure deep in her own throat. Austin tightened his hold on her. She could feel the muscles pulsing in his arms wrapped around her and she wanted to stay that way forever. Finally, he pulled his mouth from hers and looked into her eyes. He now ran the same intoxicating thumb lightly over her lips. He moved it to her cheek as he locked his eyes on hers. Without breaking eye contact, he brushed her lips lightly with his.

“God, Maddie. I’m sorry. I can’t control myself when it comes to you. I completely forgot where we were.”

“Um, please don’t apologize.” She was leaning into his body and was not sure if her legs could even support her anymore. “I don’t know if I can handle you in private.” She laughed trying to clear her head, so she could function again.

“Well, I hope you don’t control yourself.” He winked at her. “I hate to leave, but I have to.”

“Thanks for coming to see me. I can’t wait to see you again in a couple weeks.”

“Bye, Mad.”

How could the simple nickname make her melt? As soon as he had said it, Maddie felt her walls crumbling. She was scared to let herself be so vulnerable, but he had the ability to get close to her. Austin had no idea what she was feeling or how hard it was for her to trust him, but he was doing an impeccable job of capturing not only her trust, but also her heart.

“Bye, Austin.”

He kissed her again. Then, without giving either one of them an opportunity to change their mind, he turned and walked the direction of the gates. She watched him flip his hat back to the front. He waved before he disappeared around the corner. Knowing he was not coming back, but hoping, she stood rooted to her spot for a long time.
What the hell just happened?

Maddie swore he had been just as caught up in everything as she had been. She felt guilty she had not told him about today, but all she wanted was for one person not to ask her how she was doing.
Is today difficult? Are you going to be okay? Blah, blah, blah.
She was sick of hearing about her wedding, George, and how everything would be okay. She felt stupid for almost marrying such an awful person and just wanted the entire thing behind her. Her phone vibrated, bringing her back to the present.

Maddie laughed.

Maddie shook her head.
Austin, please don’t do this to me unless you mean it.
Getting hurt so soon after the break-up would destroy her. She had no idea how she fit into his life or what he was looking for, but she didn’t want to be just another toy for him.

Maddie read the text but tried not to make too much of it. It was just playful banter, she told herself. That was it. He was not talking from deep within his heart, just teasing her.

M
addie had been planning Amanda’s wedding almost as long as her own. As things had unfolded in her own life, it had turned out to be a good distraction for her. Maddie was flying out a day early to help Amanda with the final details. Amanda and Steve had flown to California yesterday with their parents. Celebrating her marriage in Napa Valley had been something Amanda had wanted for many years. When Steve told her she could do whatever she wanted for their wedding, Amanda had immediately set out to make wine country work.

Not many Napa wineries hosted weddings, but Amanda had lucked out when she discovered a family friend had a connection to a boutique winery in the northern part of Napa Valley. The property where they had developed the vineyards and winery had an old mansion on it which they had just finished transforming into a B&B a year ago; it was the perfect setting for a small wedding. The pictures of the property looked gorgeous, and Maddie had enjoyed working with the winery family during the entire planning process.

As excited as she was for the wedding, though, Maddie was looking forward to seeing Austin even more. Not able to get up to Calistoga until late Friday night, he would miss most of the rehearsal dinner. But she could not wait to spend the entire day with just the two of them on Sunday.

They had talked every day since she had met up with him after the concert at the House of Blues. All she had said was that George was her ex and they had been together almost four years. She knew Austin might be upset when he found out she had not told him the entire truth about George. It was a risk she was aware of, but all she wanted was for one person not to feel sorry for her on Amanda’s wedding day.

The care and concern of her friends and family was great, but she was moving on with her life and wanted them to forget about the past, too. Hopefully, if her friends saw her happy with Austin, they would understand she had moved on and would not treat her with kid gloves anymore.

As soon as the plane landed, she sent a text to her mom and brother to let them know she had arrived safely in San Francisco. She had let them think that she had simply not been ready for a relationship when she ended it with Todd, and she could tell they were excited that Austin was her date for the wedding.

Maddie sent a text to Austin to tell him she had landed. Her phone rang within seconds. “Hey, Austin. What took you so long to call?” She laughed.

“Hi, Mad. I needed to hear your voice.”

He sounded upset. Maddie had never heard him down. “What’s wrong?”

“Anthony was in a car accident after the show last night. His girlfriend was driving. It was the other driver’s fault, but Elizabeth is still upset. Anthony is in the hospital and I stayed last night. They had to do surgery to repair his leg. The good news is that it’s his left leg, so it will not affect his drumming. He will recover fully, but it may affect some of our tour dates. We have a guy, Stu, that can play our entire set, but it won’t be the same without Anthony.”

“I’m so sorry, Austin. That’s terrible. I hope Anthony heals quickly. You need to get some rest. You sound exhausted and you have to sing tonight.”

“I’ll be fine. I plan on sleeping for a couple of hours, but wanted you to know what happened.”

“Just think in a little over twenty-four hours, you’ll be here.”
Crap. What if he’s calling to say he can’t travel now?
She couldn’t bear the thought. “I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have assumed you were still coming. Do you need to stay with Anthony? I’d hate not seeing you, but I understand.”

“No, I’m still coming. The other guys can handle it for a couple of days without me. I stayed last night and I’ll stay tonight after our show, so they can handle the next three without me. I may be tired when I get there, but I want to see you.”

“I’m really happy you are still able to come,” she said. “I can’t wait to see you, but if anything changes and you need to stay, I understand.”

“That’s what I love about you.”

Maddie caught what he had said and noted that he had abruptly stopped talking. She didn’t want to draw attention to it as she could just be looking too deeply into it. “Call me when you’re on your way from the airport tomorrow. I can’t wait to see you.”

“Bye, Mad.”

Maddie could not believe how strong their relationship had become over phone calls, texts and emails. She had sat face to face with him at the Four Seasons and at the airport, but that was it. The extent of their physical relationship was the few times he had kissed her in public. Maddie appreciated that their connection was clearly based on much more than just physical attraction, but it made her aware he might be upset when she told him about George and her past. He might not forgive her for holding it back, considering their relationship had been built almost solely on open and honest communication.

• • •

M
addie got her luggage and slid into the back seat of the car. She did not need a car for the rest of the weekend, so she had hired a driver to take her up and planned to enjoy the scenery on the drive to Calistoga. The only other visit to Napa had been with George, but she loved the hills and valleys covered in grapevines. Nearly every hill and field was planted with row after row of vines. Some of the grapes had been harvested, but many vines across the valleys would be heavy with fruit.

She called Amanda on her way. Amanda and Steve had just finished meeting with the planner at the winery to finalize last minute plans. The ceremony was scheduled to be outdoors, which was taking a chance, as the weather could be cool at that time of year in Calistoga. But if the weather chose not to cooperate, the winery had enough room to host the ceremony inside by the tasting room. Even though the wedding would be catered, the staff at the mansion was handling all the food and wine pairings for the rehearsal dinner. During the renovation, an intimate dining space for small dinner parties and wine tastings had been created on the second floor. It would be the ideal setting for the rehearsal dinner.

As the car drove up the gravel drive, Maddie gazed out the window at the tall, perfectly manicured trees lining the entire driveway. She stepped out of the car and took in a deep breath of fresh air. Feeling the warmth of it today, Maddie was hopeful it would stay that way until Saturday.

The building was light grey stone and even more breathtaking than the pictures. A wooden porch extended across the entire front of the building. Rocking chairs, benches and a few tables were spaced about the porch area. Shading the mansion all around were hundred-year-old oak trees. Colorful gardens connected by stone walkways had been planted around the mansion. Between the numerous gardens was lush green grass so perfectly manicured it would not have surprised Maddie to hear it had been cut by hand with scissors.

The entrance to the grand building was a double entry with two oversized dark wood doors. Before Maddie even got a few steps from the car, the doors opened and Amanda ran out looking as happy as a bride-to-be should. She was wearing a long sundress and had her black curls piled atop her head.