by Jill Sanders
He laughed. “I like my mornings free too much to do that to myself. Besides, what other Italian place do you know that’s open for breakfast.”
She tilted her head. “None, but you could start a new fad.”
“True, but we have our hands full with opening our new franchises.”
“How’s that going?” She tucked her leg up so that she rested her chin on her knee.
“Good. The first building is almost ready to open.”
“In Edgeview?”
“Yes.” He smiled. “We thought to start close to home so we can check up on them.”
“Smart.” She pushed her plate aside.
“Want more?” he asked.
“No, I’m full.” She glanced out over the water. “I don’t want to go home.”
“What about your cats?” he asked, remembering the two alley cats she’d rescued after accidentally running over the one his brother had adopted. The three-legged cat was his brother’s pride and joy. He’d named him Rosco.
“Lilly and Corey stopped by and picked them up for a few days.” She sighed. “I’ve nothing to go home to.” She frowned over at him. “Plus, Lilly told me that if she saw my face in the shop before Monday, she’d call my mom on me.”
He laughed. “That’s playing dirty.”
“Tell me about it.” She rolled her eyes and was surprised that her head didn’t explode.
“Well, since we both have the day off…” Her eyebrows rose. “How about taking a walk on the beach?”
She smiled. “Yes, please.”
She changed into her own shorts but kept his T-shirt on and pulled on a pair of tennis shoes she’d brought along in the big bag.
He changed into a pair of shorts and pulled on beach shoes that he kept in the mudroom. Making sure to lock the house when they left, he followed her down the pathway and stairs that led them to the beach.
“Gosh, I don’t think I could get tired of this view.” She stopped at the top of the stairs. “I mean, we have a great view, but there’s just something about being high over the water like this, rather than down on it.”
He agreed. “You should see it when a storm comes rolling in across the water.” He took her hand as he continued looking out over the water.
Even if he couldn’t sleep with her, he could at least be a friend to her. After all, they were soon going to be in-laws.
“We need a dog,” she said once they hit the beach.
He glanced towards her. “We do?”
She nodded. “Dogs make walking on the beach so much more fun.” She laughed at the look he was giving her. “Trust me. I’ve had lots of long walks on the beach and some of the best times were with a mutt in tow.”
“I’d never really thought… Corey has a cat.” He shrugged. “We weren’t really allowed animals growing up.”
She laughed. “There wasn’t a day I didn’t have a four-legged friend to hang out with. Most days there were several mucking about.” She tilted her head as her eyes ran over him. “I can see you with a lab or a German shepherd mix.”
“I’ll have to think about it.”
“What’s there to think about?” she said as they reached the water’s edge and started down the beach. “You head down to Carrie’s place in town and pick an animal that touches you the most.”
“Who will watch it while I’m at work?”
“Dog’s don’t die if you leave them alone during the day,” she said easily.
“No, but they do require bathroom breaks every now and then.”
“When was the last time you didn’t return home at night?” she asked, looking at him from the corner of her eyes.
“Is that your sneaky way of asking the last time I shacked up with someone?” he joked.
Instead of denying it, she stopped walking and turned towards him. “Yes.” Her chin rose slightly.
He faced her and locked eyes with hers. “I haven’t, as you say it, shacked up with anyone in town. Yet,” he added just to see what she would do.
She continued as if she hadn’t been bothered by the last part, “Then there’s no reason for you not to get a dog.” She started walking again.
“What about the expense?” he said, which earned him a cross look from her. “Okay, then how about…” Hell, he couldn’t think of any excuses not to get a dog. “What if I don’t like dogs?”
She laughed at that. “Everyone likes dogs.”
“Not everyone,” he said. A memory of their father beating a mutt Corey had brought home one summer when they were eight played in his mind.
She sighed. “No, I suppose not.” She stopped again. “But since I can tell that you’re nothing like those type of men, think about it.” She turned and looked back up at his house. “A place that big needs a dog.”
He followed her gaze and smiled at the place on the hill overlooking them. He could just imagine a big ball of fur running down the steps towards them, jumping in the water, shaking off, and getting them wet as they laughed. A dog welcoming them home every evening, eagerly greeting the arrival of their first child, lying on the floor and playing with the kids in front of the fireplace. Growing older with blonde-haired kids with blue eyes.
He realized that, in all his visions, Riley was with him, and he had to swallow the visions and turn away from her.
“I’ll think about it,” he said, turning away from the visions and the pain of knowing that they could never come true.
Chapter Ten
Riley knew something had changed during their walk. She could feel the mood darken with every step they took.
Stopping, she took his arm. “Carter?”
“You look tired. We’d better head back,” he said, avoiding her gaze.
“Did I say something to upset you?” she asked, holding him in place.
“No,” he said after a moment.
“It’s something,” she said softly, searching his eyes.
“Let’s sit.” He tugged on her hand, and they both moved over to a large deadwood log. She waited for him to start talking. “I’m no good for you. Hell, Lilly’s too good for my brother. We come from tainted blood.”
“We are not our parents,” she broke in. It was a saying she’d heard her family say often and it rang true. “My uncle Todd’s mother is a conniving bitch, Aaron’s parents created a new category of elitism, and…”
He stopped her by putting his hand over hers. “I can lose my temper.”
“So do my dad and my brothers. I can too.” She narrowed her eyes at him. “Life isn’t about making excuses, it’s about living and loving.”
He shook his head as he closed his eyes. “I wish I could believe that.”
“All you have to do is let go and give it a try.” She leaned closer. “So, the question isn’t do you trust yourself, but do you trust others?”
He turned and met her gaze. “What do you mean?”
“Do you trust my judgment?” she asked.
“I…” He thought about it for a moment. “Yes,”
“Good.” She smiled and laid her lips over his. She felt him tense, but then his hand moved to her hip as he pulled her closer. His body pressed against hers and she felt her heartbeat double in speed.
She may not have had sex before, but she’d enjoyed making out with several guys over the years. None compared to Carter. Her body responded differently than with anyone else before.
She wanted him. Really wanted him.
His hand moved up her side, traveling up her arm until he cupped her head in his hand. When he moved slightly, she jerked back in pain as lights exploded behind her eyes.
“Sorry,” she heard him saying over and over. “Breathe,” he said softly.
When she relaxed again, she realized she was in his arms as he carried her across the sand.
“I’m fine,” she started, but her vision was doubled.
“No, you’re not,” he said between clenched teeth. “I’m taking you to see your uncle.”
“No.” She pla
ced her hand over his heart. “It’s just… I’m better now. I guess I’m just tender right around there.” She reached up and gently touched the spot. There was a large, tender knot there.
“You should be in the hospital, not taking walks on the beach.”
“I am not going to the hospital,” she said assertively.
He glanced down at her and watched her shoulders sink slightly. “Then you’re going to sit on my sofa the rest of the day with an ice pack on your head.”
She smiled. “That depends on how much chocolate you have in the house.”
He chuckled. “Enough to keep you from moving. If not, I’ll have some more delivered.”
“Okay,” She threw her arms around his shoulders. “I’ve never been carried by a man before. I like it,” she added.
“You weigh nothing,” he said, shifting her in his arms. “I lift weights heavier than you each day.”
“Flattery will get you everywhere,” she joked.
“It’s the truth,” he added as they started up the steps.
She couldn’t help but sigh as he took several of them two at a time.
“That was a great workout. I’ll have to carry you around more often,” he said at the top of the staircase.
“I’m available whenever.” She laughed.
She felt him tense and followed his gaze to the back door. They had left the house using what he called his mud room, where he’d slipped on a pair of beach tennis shoes.
She remembered him locking the door behind them. Now, however, the door stood wide open.
He set her down slowly. “Stay here.”
“Screw that.” She pulled out her cell phone and tried to tug him to stay with her. “I’m calling Robert. You are not…” She didn’t get any further, since he’d disappeared inside.
“Riley, what’s up?” Robert’s voice had her hands shaking.
“Someone’s broken in to Carter’s place. I tried to tell him not to go…” Just then she heard a gunshot and screamed and dropped the phone to rush into the house.
She was frantic as she went room by room. When she found him, he was standing at the front door, looking out with a pistol in his hand.
“Damn it.” He groaned and turned to catch her. “It’s okay,” he said softly. “I’m not hit.”
“You shot someone?” she asked, glancing out the door.
“No.” He sighed and held his gun up. “I didn’t even get the safety off.”
“Who…” She felt her entire body shake. “There was a shot.”
“Yeah.” He picked her up again and walked over to set her on the sofa. “You’re shaking.”
“I’m scared, damn it.” She hit him on the shoulder. “Don’t do that again.”
He walked over to a hidden safe in the hallway and slid his gun back into it.
“Robert’s going to want to see that.” She didn’t know why she’d said that, but knew it was true.
“He can see it when he gets here.” He glanced around. “Where’s your phone?”
“I dropped it.” She motioned towards the back of the house.
“I’ll go get—”
“You are NOT leaving me alone. Not until I know what the hell just happened.”
He sat next to her. “I came in here, pulled my gun out of the safe, and was going to go room by room, when I felt a… breeze.” He shrugged and motioned to where one of her mother’s paintings hung. When she looked closely, she realized there was a hole in the piece. “I threw myself on the floor and turned around, but whoever it was had already run out the front door. I heard an engine of a car when you came in. I was going to go after it, but…”
“Someone tried to kill you.” She felt all the blood drain from her face.
“Yeah, that’s why I stayed with you.” He gathered her into his arms.
“Police,” Robert’s voice shouted at the front door.
“It’s okay, Robert, come on in.” She laughed. For some reason, she started giggling uncontrollably.
“She’s in shock.” Robert rushed over to her. “Is she hit?”
“No,” Carter said softly. “The only thing damaged is my painting.” He motioned to the wall.
“My mom will make you a new one,” she said as she closed her eyes. “Robert, someone tried to kill Carter.” Her stomach rolled at the thought of how close it had been.
She sat on his sofa, listening to Carter tell Robert and David, one of his deputies, everything that had happened. Her phone was retrieved, and she sent a text off to Lilly letting her and Corey know what had just taken place. She doubted Carter would mind, but when they showed up, he glanced in her direction with a slightly annoyed look.
“That’s it,” Lilly said, sitting beside her. “I’m taking you home.”
“No.” She nudged her cousin’s hand away. “I’m not leaving Carter here to fend for himself.”
She heard a laugh and glared at him from across the room.
“I can take care of myself,” he said to the room.
“I’m sure you can, but until we figure out what’s going on, I’m going to have a car outside your place,” Robert said. “Now, you were going to show me your registration for that gun?” He nodded to the wall where Carter had replaced the handgun in the hidden safe. “And any other guns you have on the premises.”
The men walked out of the room, leaving her alone with her cousin.
“Have you talked to your folks yet?” Lilly asked.
“No.” She rested back against the sofa. “All I wanted was one day to relax.” She sighed. “He was going to give me chocolate.” She frowned and looked over at Lilly. “You’re not going to let me stay, are you?”
“Not a chance in hell.” Her cousin crossed her arms over her chest.
“Fine.” She started to get up, but Lilly laid a hand on her arm. “I’ll get your stuff. You rest. You look tired.”
“I am.” She hadn’t realized it until she said it out loud. “We went for a walk and…” She figured it wasn’t a good idea to finish the story. “I am.”
“Where’s your stuff?”
“Upstairs in Carter’s room and bathroom.”
“I’ll be right back.” Lilly got up and as soon as she left the room, Corey returned.
“How are you feeling?” he asked, sitting across from her.
“Did she send you in here to babysit me?” she asked, narrowing her eyes at the man who looked identical to the one that she had fallen madly in love with over the past year.
“N…” He stopped when she raised her eyebrows at him. “She’s worried about you.”
“I wasn’t the one who got shot at,” she reminded him.
“No, you just got knocked over the head,” he said dryly.
“I obviously got in the way.” She shrugged.
“Carter’s coming to stay with us for a few days,” he admitted. “Until the new security system is installed.”
“Does he know this?” she asked.
“No, I was hoping you could persuade him.” He leaned his elbows on his knees. “That is, if you have enough power over him.”
She laughed. “I doubt it…” Suddenly she got an ingenious idea. “Hold that thought,” she said, pulling out her phone and shooting a text to her aunt Megan.
Her aunt and uncle ran Pride’s very own bed and breakfast. They had ten small cabins scattered around their land, which sat along a secluded beach just outside of town.
When everyone came back into the room, she waited until Carter sat next to her.
“My aunt has a cabin ready for you, if you want it,” she whispered.
“What?” He glanced around the crowded room.
“You’re a fool if you think your brother is going to let you spend another night in this house alone. They want you to stay with them.” She smiled when he cringed. “Right, so unless you want to spend your nights listening to them…” She made a motion with her hands and had him laughing. “I’d suggest staying at my aunts B and B instead.”
> He tilted his head. “I could always stay at your place?” he suggested.
“And experience the wrath of my family?” She rolled her eyes. “Good luck with that.”
He sighed. “The cabin it is.” He took her hand. “Sorry about… everything.”
“It’s not your fault,” she said.
“Robert’s going to put extra security on Corey and Lilly as well. I’m going to request that they check in on you every now and then as well.”
“Why? I’m sure I just got in the way last night.”
“Still.” He flipped her hand over his palm and studied her fingertips. “I’d feel better if I knew you were safe.”
She shrugged. “I live two blocks away from the police department.”
“And your store sits across the street, yet someone held you at gunpoint less than a year ago.”
She nodded. “Good point.” She smiled. “If you promise to stay at one of the cabins, I’ll agree to extra security.”
“Done.” He raised his hand to his lips and kissed her knuckles. Her heart did little flips in her chest.
Chapter Eleven
Carter tossed his overnight bag on the massive bed and glanced out the window. The sound of the waves crashing outside his window drew him back outside.
“Nice place,” someone called out to him. He glanced over and saw a man walking towards him. Instantly, his guard went up. “I’m Wicks. My wife Beth and I are staying in town”—he glanced over towards the beach—“for the next week.” The man stopped at the base of the small steps to the cabin that would be Carter’s home for the next week at least.
“Yeah.” He moved over to the railing and smiled. “Pretty enough view.”
“You married?” the man asked.
“No.”
“Vacationing?” The man eyed him.
“No, just…” What? How did he explain that he was a prisoner in the cabin until they caught whoever had shot at him? “I actually live in town,” he said. “I’m… having work done on my place.”
“Nice.” The man’s eyes narrowed as his head tilted in thought. “You run the pizza place.” He snapped his fingers. “We had lunch there today.”