by Vivian Arend
“I like touching you,” he confessed.
Then he shut up, because this wasn’t about browbeating her but waiting for the confession of her need.
They fell quiet for a while, or as quiet as it could be outdoors at five o’clock on a June day in Alberta. In the distance a tractor motor rumbled. Birds sang enthusiastically, and somewhere over the nearest rise, a whole bunch of dogs were barking their fool heads off. Even the trees in the nearby coulee added to the music as the wind rubbed their branches together.
A wilderness symphony.
“I’ve been thinking about what you said.” Karen’s eyes were still closed, but she tensed slightly at the confession.
Finn dug his fingers into the back of her legs more firmly, and whatever she was about to say vanished into a moan that just about took the top of his head off.
Somehow, he held his tongue.
“I have a lot of good memories from our summer together. And we’ve got chemistry—or we did.” She popped one eye open and glanced at him from under the arm she’d laid across her face. “I somehow think we still do.”
So far, she wasn’t saying anything he hadn’t been thinking.
She took a deep breath. “I still need more time.”
“It’s just a foot rub,” he repeated.
She made a face. “You’re driving me wild, and you know it.”
“I blasted in here a couple of days ago and threw a lot at you.” Finn worked her toes for a while. “Chérie, as much as I want you, if you asked me to jump you right now, I’d say no.”
That got a response. She sat upright, eyes no longer clouded, the cutest crease between her brows. “Really?”
He slipped his finger between her toes and teased, getting her squirming. “Didn’t jump your bones right off the bat all those years ago. Even when you begged me to. Sometimes you’ve got to work up to it so it’s even more worthwhile.”
She cursed softly, but her lips twisted into a smile. “You’re an asshole.”
He gave her foot a final squeeze but hesitated. “Got any nail polish?”
Karen raised a brow, but she was smiling again. “Maybe I should do your nails. You want green? Blue?”
“Not a chance.” He tilted his head toward the house. “Hurry up before I rescind the offer.”
When she got back with the polish, she’d slipped into jeans and soft blue shirt, ready for the party except for her bare feet.
Things remained surprisingly chill. It was as if doing the out-of-the-blue activity allowed her to stop worrying about the sexual tension flaring between them. Instead, while he painted her toes, she chatted about the ideas she and Zach had discussed. All the plans she would put into action over the coming weeks.
She even mentioned a couple of tasks she and Finn could work on together.
By the time they were ready to leave, Karen offered him a smile with honest-to-God openness.
“Thank you. That was…” She shrugged. “Just thanks.”
He extended an arm. “Come on. Let’s go see what your sister has dreamed up this time.”
7
The house Lisa had moved into with Josiah sat at the top of a long rise, with views that would rival the place Finn and Zach were working on.
The biggest difference, though, was while Finn’s place was a classic long, low rancher, at some point in the past, an abandoned silo had been attached to Josiah’s, as if the house had castle delusions.
It was unique, which Karen had to admit suited both her sister Lisa and the bighearted veterinarian. With two massive barns within easy walking distance and a parking area that rivaled the one at Silver Stone ranch, the whole place was practical and yet pretty.
It was also full of people.
“Did Lisa invite the entire town?” Karen peeked in the window before tilting her head and tugging Finn around the side. She didn’t want to step into the living room before figuring out what was going on.
With Lisa, it was better to be forewarned than to assume.
Finn stayed close, peering in the windows as they passed. A soft chuckle escaped him. “For someone who has only been in town for a short time, she’s definitely made herself at home.”
Which again sounded very much like her little sister—the life of the party. A momentary jab of discomfort was followed immediately by a rush of guilt for the jealousy.
She forced as much enthusiasm and pride into her voice as possible. “You can toss Lisa into just about any situation, and she’ll come out smelling like roses.”
Karen stopped at the edge of the back deck. Finn crowded against her back. A solid, safe, very warm, presence.
His cheek briefly brushed hers as he whispered in her ear. “Good thing it takes all types to make this world. Life of the party and those of us who are quiet or grumpy.”
Karen pivoted on the spot, outraged on his behalf. “You’re not grumpy.” She paused. “Not usually.” Honesty prevailed. “Okay, you’re somewhat grumpy, but it suits you.”
The corners of his lips twitched. “Like I said, it takes all types.”
He was right. Besides, she had long ago come to grips with her position in their trio of sisters—now quartet. She was not the fun one, but that was okay. Lisa created enough fun for the rest of them with ease and charm, just like she would tonight.
“Okay, everybody. I think we’re all here. It’s time to get the evening rolling.” Lisa rattled the dinner bell, clanging the long metal rod enthusiastically off the triangle hanging by the back door.
People settled in chairs on the massive deck, others poking their head out from the house before joining in.
Karen counted at least twenty people, including herself and Finn. Maybe two dozen.
“First up, we’ve got food and lots of it. Before you grab a plate and load up, there are three baskets on the table. Pull one slip of paper from each and keep them hidden. I’ll explain the game as soon as we’re all eating. The only rule at this point is you can’t pull your own name.”
The rich scent of barbecue and what looked to be a massive tray of macaroni and cheese hauled Karen out of the shadows eagerly. She grabbed her slips of paper and shoved them in her pocket without even looking, then accepted the empty plate Finn handed her and stepped into line at his side.
They had settled in chairs next to each other before she realized how comfortable it was to keep doing things with him.
The rich creamy taste of her sister’s homemade mac and cheese exploded in her mouth, and she moaned happily. “This”—she jabbed her fork toward the pile she’d heaped on her plate—“this is what it’s supposed to taste like.”
Finn shrugged. “If you say so. It’s good to know you have a few flaws.”
Karen gasped. She glanced at his plate to discover he hadn’t taken any of the pasta. “You’re not even trying it?”
“Didn’t want to take any and leave less for you,” he said magnanimously.
“You don’t know what you’re missing. Here.” She scooped up a mouthful—a small one, mind you—then held out her fork. “Try it.”
Finn leaned forward obediently, one hand settling on her thigh to stabilize himself. His lips closed around the tines of the fork, but his gaze fixed on her face. He pulled back slowly, the palm of his hand scalding hot on her leg.
They stared at each other.
Karen somehow remembered how to breathe.
Then he dipped his chin. “Not bad. The seasoning is good.”
She was about to tell him…something, except he was still staring at her mouth, and she was about to self-combust.
“Okay, everybody, listen up. Here’s the rules for the game.”
Thank goodness for little sisters. Lisa stood on a milk crate so she was tall enough to be seen.
“The three slips of paper you have are the name of somebody here, a location, and an easily found household item. Between now and ten p.m., your goal is to give your chosen person that item, in that location. If you manage it, they’re dead. You t
ake over their three papers and keep playing.”
Karen thought it through. “It’s like the game Clue, only with real people.”
Lisa snickered. “And we’re doing the killing, instead of the solving. Last person standing wins.”
There was a flurry as people checked their slips of paper, and a whole lot of laughing ensued.
“You sure you wrote down common household items?” Mack, one of the local firefighters, looked skeptical.
Josiah nodded. “Common around this place. It’ll make sense when we start dropping like flies. Once you’re told you’re out, go ahead and have fun with your death scene.”
“Because discovering that Mr. Greene did it on the garden swing with the castrator isn’t hysterical enough?” Zach’s quip got more laughs from the gathering.
“That game is ongoing,” Lisa said. “For now, enjoy the food. There will be other activities to try later. If you want to know why, it’s because I’m in charge of the kids’ games at the Canada Day party, and you’re test driving them for me tonight.”
Which turned the evening into something resembling one massive birthday party setting with twenty and thirty-year-olds fully getting into Lisa’s brand of mischief.
Karen peeked at her papers as she wandered through the house, but she was more interested in enjoying the good food and the buzz of happiness filling her soul. Lisa was in all her glory, laughing like a kid one minute and the next, snuggling against Josiah. Her thirty-seven year old partner looked at her as if she hung the moon.
Tamara and Caleb were there as well, baby Tyler held easily in Caleb’s muscular arm. Or more realistically, Caleb had control of his son when the kid wasn’t being passed through the ranks like a ball in a rugby scrimmage.
Even Finn took a turn. He had settled in Josiah’s massive easy chair when someone placed Tyler in his lap. For a moment Karen thought she would have to rescue him, but instead he shocked the hell out of her. Finn comfortably rotated the baby, holding him competently with one hand as he looked Tyler in the eye. He tapped his finger on Tyler’s nose, chuckling when the little tyke’s arms flailed outward, grasping for Finn’s hand.
Something inside her flared, and it wasn’t sexual this time, but still centered low in her gut. Avoidance seemed the easiest way to deal with the rush of emotions striking out of nowhere.
She turned and spotted Julia making her way over, mischief in her eyes. “Why do you look like a cat who found the cream?” Karen asked.
“I just saw the setup for the next game Lisa’s running. Look.” Julia leaned in conspiratorially and held forward the strangest rubber duck Karen had ever seen.
“What the heck?” She took it from Julia to examine it more closely. It was a rubber duck all right, but this one had a little cowboy hat and a holster and a mighty fine moustache. Laughter bubbled up and Karen glanced at her sister. “That’s cute.”
Julia grinned. “It also means that I got you. Karen, in the living room, with a rubber duck. Go ahead and hand over your targets before you die.”
Well, drat. Karen pulled out her clues and slapped them into Julia’s hand. “That was far too cheesy. And I should’ve known better than to take anything from you.”
“It is true, though. We are having duck races,” Julia said consolingly. Then she wiggled her fingers. “Have a nice death.”
She turned and walked off, head down as she examined Karen’s slips of paper.
Karen wasn’t much for the dramatic, but she owed it to Lisa to give it some effort. She pulled out her phone and set an alarm, choosing the classic duck ringtone.
Then she sat on the couch next to Josiah. “I’m so glad you’re in charge of that one now, because she is more trouble than a barrel of monkeys.”
Josiah blinked. “Come again?”
“Lisa. She’s your problem, sweetie, and it couldn’t have happened to a nicer guy.”
Karen leaned back on the couch, placed the duck on her chest, then set off the alarm. She closed her eyes and gave her best gasping, gurgling, death knell as an insistent quacking echoed through the room.
Finn wandered, watching with interest the various games that had been pulled out of nowhere.
On one corner of the deck, a group was bouncing ping-pong balls into cups. But unlike the classic pong version, no beer was involved. The red cups were lined up on the back of a Roomba that was constantly changing position, and the shrieks of laughter rising from the group rivaled any drunken revelry.
“You’re not joining in.” Zach stepped beside him. “There’s a wicked game of pin the tentacles on the octopus going on in the kitchen.”
Dear God. “I’m saving my strength for whatever twisted masterpiece Lisa has for the grand finale.” He glanced over his shoulder and unerringly found Karen.
She hadn’t been out of his thoughts all evening. And damn it if she hadn’t been within eyesight the entire time. He was trying to give her space, but it was as if after all those years of being apart, they instinctively kept rotating into each other’s gravitational force.
When she glanced up and looked directly at him, he hummed contentedly. She was as bad as him.
Her cheeks flushed, and she returned to the conversation she was having with the Fields sisters, Tansy and Rose. They were joint owners of a coffee and knickknack shop in Heart Falls that was doing well enough it had caught Zach’s attention.
Although Finn wasn’t one hundred percent certain it wasn’t the dark-haired beauty, Rose, that Zach was keen on studying.
Finn tilted his head toward where the women stood chatting. “Saw you had a meeting on the books with Ms. Fields. What tangled webs are you weaving?”
Zach managed to look surprised and shockingly innocent at the same time. “I was playing with ideas for future adventures of the brewhouse, but that’s on hold for now. After tonight, it’s full-on concentration until the ranch is ready.”
“No need for you to swear off all entertainment while we’re working. Bruce would never have approved of you acting the saint.” Their mentor had enjoyed an amiable divorce from his first wife followed by a stream of women who all left his company contented. The man had been a miracle worker in more than just the business field.
Zach glanced around at the partygoers, but his gaze kept returning to where Karen stood, now with Rose, Tansy, and Julia. “You just go on with your bad self and let me worry about my sources of entertainment.”
“Hey, Zach.” It was Julia, calling across the distance.
Zach glanced at Finn and spoke softly. “She’s murdered at least seven people I know of. This has got to be a setup.” He raised his voice and offered a cocky grin. “What’s up?”
“Toss me that ball beside you?” she asked sweetly.
Zach folded his arms across his chest and gave her his patented poker grin. “Sorry. I don’t play with my balls in public.”
Finn pinched the bridge of his nose and attempted to not die laughing. “Bad wording, man.”
Feminine laughter agreed with him, drifting on the air and becoming louder as Karen and Julia closed in on them.
A small hiccup escaped Julia, and she covered her mouth briefly before eyeing Zach boldly. “That suspicious nature doesn’t look good on you, baby.”
“You have proven to be a load of trouble,” Karen pointed out.
Julia released a hefty sigh. “I’m so misunderstood.” She tipped her head in farewell and went to step around Zach. She staggered, stumbling toward him, her nearly full glass teetering precariously.
Zach caught her and her drink before they all crashed to the floor. “Watch it. You might want to go lighter on the liquor, darling.”
She popped to her feet and grinned, completely sober and obviously pleased as punch. “And you might want to practice your death throes, because I got you. Zach, by a table, with a glass.”
Zach stood motionless for a second before rolling his eyes. “Well, damn.”
The expression on his friend’s face was priceless, and Finn twi
sted away slightly to hide his smile. Karen was beside him, and the two of them ended up grinning at each other.
“Pass over your clues,” Julia mock whispered.
“Eager to make your next kill?” Zach dug into the threadbare pocket of his jeans, Julia watching intently.
She accepted the strips of paper, a brilliant smile crossing her face. “It’s safe to play with your balls if you want.”
Finn had always been proud of his ability to keep a straight face, but that line was too much for him to bear. He twisted even farther away. Karen leaned her forehead against his chest, and the two of them shook as they attempted to contain their laughter.
Behind them, Zach groaned dramatically. “Yeah, yeah, I fell into that one. I’m drowning my sorrows. Either of you want anything? Karen? Finn?”
Karen snickered helplessly, so Finn answered for both of them. “We’re good.”
He wrapped his arms around her, gently guiding her toward the railing. They both rested their elbows on the sturdy wood beam and concentrated on their breathing. The view was beautiful, and the woman beside him was as full of life and energy as he remembered. And even though there was a hell of a challenge ahead of him, Finn was completely content.
They stared over the spring green landscape, enjoying a quiet moment of companionship.
When she did speak, it was in her usual tone of voice. Back in control and sweetly intense. “Well, that was fun.”
“Zach will complain about this for the rest of the summer.” Finn twisted position and placed his elbows on the railing as he gazed at her face. “It’s good to see you with your sisters. Julia fits in so damn well it’s like watching a case study for nature versus nurture.”
“It has been interesting to see what character traits might be genetic and what sprang up from the way we were raised. I think we’ve still got a lot to learn about each other, though.” She looked thoughtful at that. She shook it off and met his gaze. “Hey, I wanted to ask. When did you get so comfortable around babies?”
Finn had known at some point he would have to share some sensitive information. He’d been racking his brain for the best way to do it. Everything that had shaken down over the past five years wasn’t the stuff to shove at a person all at once.