Imagine That: A Small Town Big Love Novel

by Collins, Kelly

  Maya wasn’t aware that Kevin had had it bad for the woman who’d married her cousin. It went right to the top of his list of things to talk to her about when they were alone.

  Lucy broke the ice and said hello. “Hey, Kevin,” she said graciously. “Nice to see you, and Maya too.”

  Maya stood and hugged her cousin-in-law hello. After their less than pleasant first meeting, they’d been cordial and supportive of one another.

  John and Kevin shook hands. They had come to terms with one another just as John and Lucy got serious, but there were rough patches in between. Maya seemed to sense the strangeness in the air.

  “What’s going on?” she whispered.

  “We’ll talk.” Kevin patted her thigh.

  Deena and Caleb arrived, Patrick and then Jennifer showed up next. The last holdout was Clem’s estranged wife Kaitlin.

  “I emailed her.” Deena gave Clem a look of sympathy.

  “I’m here,” Kaitlin called out as she walked through the door. “Sorry. It was snowing on the way in. I had to drive slower than I expected.”

  “It’s not snowing now, is it?” asked John.

  “No. I came in from Aspen.”

  “In your car?” scolded Clem. “That’s not a good idea.”

  John put his hand out to stop them. “Not here, guys.”

  Kevin’s heart lifted. He watched Clem’s eyes glom onto Kaitlin. Something told him that even though they had their troubles, he had hope they could figure it out.

  She was a pretty, petite woman with sweeping blond hair. He could see the reason for the attraction and was rooting for them.

  “Okay,” said John, who was the oldest of the cousins. “As we all know, there are a few things the people who bought the town have failed to deliver. We have an opportunity to take it back. I personally don’t want to do that because Lucy and I have moved to Idaho Springs, and we are working on some other philanthropic projects. My fear is we’ll get spread too thin. However, I’m willing to lend financial support if needed. Lucy is now a member of the corporation and can answer for herself. He looked toward her.

  She laughed. “At one time I would have jumped at the opportunity to stay in Blackwood. It’s always been my home, but I learned something valuable when you sold it. Home is not always a place. My home is wherever John is.” She turned to her husband and smiled. “Besides, now that we’re running the new non-profit that puts art supplies in the hands of children, we don’t have much free time. What little we have I want to spend with John.” She smiled. “We are newlyweds.”

  John wrapped his arm around Lucy’s waist. “If there’s a way to work it out so whoever wants it back can have it back without obligating us then I’m all ears.”

  Caleb seconded John. “I’m not interested either,” he said simply and flashed a perfect smile. “Deena?”

  “I’m not sure. If I was single, I’d say no, but now that children are a consideration, it’s a cool legacy or it could be.”

  “We had the town as kids, and we didn’t appreciate that,” added Caleb.

  Deena smiled from ear to ear. “Now we have a chance to change that.”

  Caleb tilted his head.

  “I knew it!” Maya squealed.

  “What?” Caleb asked.

  Deena raised her brows and waited. Everyone in the room got it but Caleb. Each person took a turn miming hints at him, but he was clueless until Deena rocked a phantom baby and hummed a lullaby.

  Caleb staggered backward, grabbing the fireplace mantel for balance.

  “Wow.” John leaned over and steadied him.

  “Aww, honey,” said Deena. “You okay, Daddy?”

  Caleb reached out to her and they hugged.

  “I wanted to break the news while everyone was here.”

  Maya got up and got everyone a glass. She poured so that they could toast.

  “Sorry, guys. No alcohol but we have sparkling water.”

  “That’s perfect,” said Deena.

  Everyone clinked glasses and congratulated the couple.

  “Okay.” Deena picked up a pen and grabbed her notepad once the toasts were over. “No for Caleb because he will be spending his time learning how to be a stellar daddy. No for John and Lucy. Clem and Maya are interested in taking the town back. My feeling is if the new owners don’t get it together, the price will be good. I say we sit back and track this.”

  “Okay,” said Clem.

  Maya and Kevin collected all the glasses and brought them to the sink. Maya happened to glance out the window and see the snow. It was coming down hard. This was no longer a flurry but a full-on storm, and that meant everyone was spending the night or the meeting needed to be over now.

  “Snow,” she said and everyone scrambled.

  “Wait.” Kaitlin’s voice was filled with panic.

  Kevin took Maya by the hand and they quietly made their way toward the door.

  “Kaitlin, stay in my room.” Maya looked around the space. “Everyone, we’re leaving. We’ll be over at Kevin’s. Make yourself at home in John’s house.”

  “That’s it?” asked John. “That’s our meeting?”

  “Yep.” She walked back and gave everyone a hug while Kevin waited patiently. “Eat and party and have fun.”

  He was eager to get her alone. They shuffled in the newly fallen snow. He opened the door for her and hoisted her inside his truck. Maya practically flew in.

  He had Clem’s bike in the back. Before he forgot, he lifted it out and rolled it into the house and through to the garage.

  “Sorry, guys. I don’t have the remote.” He pointed to Clem. “No riding this. Good night.”

  He hustled out to the driver’s side and climbed in. He was shivering because he’d handled the cold frame of the bike. He touched her cheek with chilled fingers and listened to her shriek.

  He leaned in and kissed her. It was so romantic to kiss her while the snow was falling outside around them. The security light shone through the falling flakes, making the snow appear glitter-like as they drove the private road quietly to Blackwood.

  The truck glided on I-70, and Kevin thought of Clem riding his bike on this road. There wasn’t a lot of traffic as a rule, but most people drove way too fast. He thought of it when Clem first mentioned that he was suicidal, and that he felt that way over a woman he loved.

  Kevin wondered if he would feel that way if his heart was broken. He chanced a glance at Maya and knew he would.

  She was quiet. The only show of emotion was a slight smile on her face.

  “What are you thinking about?”

  “Caleb is going to be a dad,” she said wistfully.

  “Neat, right?”

  “Yes. I guess pretty soon John will be a dad too. It happens like that. Pregnancy is contagious. Lucy will want a baby too.”

  “Did you know that I knew Lucy before I knew you?” It was a good time to mention it.

  “She lived here, so I’d assume you knew her.”

  His confession seemed juvenile since what he felt for Lucy paled in comparison to the strength of emotion he felt for Maya. Comparing the two women was like comparing apples to oranges. Cats to dogs. Night to day. He attacked his admission the same way he removed a Band-Aid—quick and painless. “I had a thing for her,” he said, almost embarrassed. “Nothing ever came of it. I cared for her. I thought you should know.”

  Maya was quiet before she responded, “In truth, Togi mentioned it once, but I didn’t think much of it. Did you love her?”

  “I thought I did, but she wanted nothing to do with me. I kind of watched over her, and accepted that she didn’t want me and that was fine. But because it was the decent thing to do, I tried to take care of her.”

  “Oh, so you have a long history.”

  “I suppose. It went back to when we were kids.” He lifted his shoulders. “I can’t explain it.”

  “Okay,” she repeated, her voice insecure. “Do you have a hard time seeing her with John?”

  “
No.” There was no hesitation with his answer.

  “Are you sure?”

  “Yes,” he replied. “I cared for her, and I thought she needed someone. I couldn’t be happier for her or for me.” He took her hand and lifted it to his lips. “You’re the woman for me.”

  “You like caring for people, don’t you?” she asked with a warm smile.

  He nodded and reached over to stroke her cheek softly with his fingers.

  It was a good thing they left when they did. He took the Blackwood exit and slowed down. The snow was powdery and the breeze picked up and blew it around like a dust storm. He drove down Main Street, past the saloon. Even though he wasn’t on the clock, he always kept his eyes open.

  Finally, they arrived at his home. He backed his truck into his driveway just so far, pressed the remote that lifted the garage door, and rolled all the way in.

  He took her hand. In the glow of the overhead light, he asked, “Do you want children one day?”

  “Yes.”

  “I want children too. I’m happy for Caleb and Deena.” Warmth flooded his heart. “You’re right. Bringing up the subject makes me think about kids, and I want them very much.”

  He helped her out of the truck. Despite the cold of the falling snow, he was warm and relaxed. His feelings for Maya grew. Before he turned the key to the house, he framed her face with his hands and kissed her.

  He pressed his lips against hers and slipped his tongue into her warm, wet mouth. In contrast to the cold, she was hot.

  She moaned as their lips ground gently against one another. He put his key into the door, reaching around her, drawing her against his body as he opened it. They danced into the entryway of his home, a small rancher that opened into a great room. He had a feeling they would not get much beyond the couch.

  He led her to the sofa. She watched as he built them a fire. His fireplace was not like John’s, which used both gas and wood. His was fueled by nature alone.

  The logs were stacked neatly, the fireplace always cleaned after each fire. He lit the kindling with the lighter. It took a bit, but he was an expert at building fires and the flames caught quickly. He set the lighter back in its place and joined her on the couch.

  With his arms wrapped around her he said, “I do want children.” He stared at the dancing flames.

  “Do you want them with me?” she asked shyly.

  He looked to her and hoped the love he felt would show in his eyes. “Yes.”

  “I know it seems fast, but Kevin … we’ve known each other for the better part of the year. Sure, I had to get back on my feet, but I’ve had a thing for you for a while.”

  He slid a strand of hair that strayed across her forehead back into line.

  “I’ve had a thing for you as well. And it’s not just because I like taking care of people. This is different and it’s special.”

  They sat, embracing each other, gazing at the fire. First, he kicked off his shoes and then she did. When they turned to each other, they fixed their mouths into a slow, savoring kiss. His hands swept her body slowly, finding her buttons so he could remove her shirt.

  She took over unfastening as he drew his hands down her hips and lifted her thigh up and over his to straddle him. His palms sat high on her firm thighs.

  She was fit with her crazy rope jumping. He’d heard her once when he’d been in the living room at John’s, before he moved back home. She’d left the door to the gym open and was going a mile a minute with that rope. She was good at it and he knew it wasn’t an easy thing to do because that was one exercise they did for football.

  He smiled against her lips, remembering that in all the time he spent with her, they had not worked out together. He would change that right away.

  He stroked her from her hips down to the back of her thighs repeatedly. Finally, he encouraged her to rise so he could remove her jeans. She gazed up into his eyes with adoration and wonder. Her expression said everything about how she felt and he felt the same. They were in love.

  There was a level of anxiety about the timing and the telling of his love for her. They’d known each other for a respectable amount of time and most of that time was spent together. He’d seen her through hard times, but even connecting on a daily basis, he wanted more. And yet, he debated with himself. Did he expect to meet another woman he would feel this way about? When was the right amount of time before telling her he loved her?

  Her blouse was opened and elegantly draped around the full, round perfection. She was naturally beautiful—so blessed. He lifted her flesh with his fingertips and suckled her.

  It was as if he had never tasted such sweetness. His tongue bathed the petal soft skin until it peaked. He toyed with the tip as it formed in his mouth.

  She clutched his head firmly, her body stiff with tension.

  His head so close to her chest, he heard her moan begin as a low growl inside her. He chuckled softly. “Wildcat,” he murmured.

  Without any other signal, she pushed on his shoulder and urged him back. They shifted positions and she worked to lower his pants. It was clear what she intended. That had not happened to him in some time. He lifted his hips to help her ease his jeans free.

  He was hard, and his length lifted the loose cotton of his fitted boxers. The soft strands of her hair splayed around his stomach as she lowered her head.

  Her lips were scorching hot on his sensitive skin as she took him completely into the velvet of her mouth. One hand clutched her head, the other the back of the couch as he held on for dear life, enjoying the pleasure she gave him.

  His breath sucked in and his eyes closed. He fought for control. He wasn’t sure how much he could take before he had to be inside her. He played with her silky strands, fingering them over and over while immense pleasure built within him. He tapped out.

  She lifted her head and bore a wicked, pleased-with-herself smile. As if they had the same plan, she crawled forward and he leaned back. Kevin reached for his jeans and pulling out a condom. She rolled it onto him, then lifted up. She steadied herself on the back of the couch and pushed up with her long powerful legs so that she could lower her body onto his length.

  She let her weight sink onto his massive frame, pulling him into her as deeply as she could go. They both growled like animals as their bodies were joined completely.

  She was everything he could hope for in a woman. He considered himself a lucky man to have found her.

  Her lips curled with a hazy smile as she looked at him with heavy-lidded eyes.

  “You’re so damn beautiful,” he told her.

  She lowered her face to his in a graceful gliding motion and kissed him with such passion, he thought he would burst within her. He clutched her head, her hair a messy cloud as he deepened the kiss, tasting her, tagging her, owning her.

  He moved his lips from hers to the dip in her collarbone, bracing himself for the pleasure that was about to hit. His breath hot against her skin caused her body to tense. A gasp of pleasure left her lips before she pulsed powerfully around him. Her pleasure triggered his and soon he was helplessly following her over the cliff.

  He rolled, bracing her so they were side by side. When he regained his senses, he covered her face with kisses.

  “Mmm,” he said again.

  “Mmm, indeed.”

  The fire crackled beside them, sending the shadows of light dancing across the cream-colored walls.

  Moments later, they rose and went their separate ways, freshening up before taking a place in front of the fire. He stoked the flames, adding another log before sitting back. She lay down in between his body and the hearth. They admired the warmth and the beauty of the simple scene in front of them.

  “I love you,” he confessed.

  She pulled his arm tightly around her. “I love you too.”

  “I got so worried about what people would think, whether I was rushing things or what. The truth is, I don’t think I could find a more perfect woman than you. I don’t—”

&n
bsp; She rolled around and touched his lips.

  “I feel the same.” She inhaled deeply. “After I lost Brad, I couldn’t imagine loving another person or meeting someone as wonderful—in some ways, more so. I don’t need to look any further.”

  He laid her on her back and leaned over her so that they were face to face, eye to eye.

  “Marry me?” he asked. “Please, Maya Blackwood. Marry me.”

  “Yes. I want to be yours.”

  He held her tight. “You already are.”

  Chapter Eighteen

  Maya

  The spring storm dumped five feet of snow on Blackwood. Maya was sure this meant that she and Kevin were deliciously housebound, but Kevin had his police radio and his home was hooked up to a generator so his laptop could display emergency activity.

  To her disappointment but not her surprise, he showered and dressed for work.

  “Where are you going?”

  His smile had the ability to make her entire body tingle.

  “Got to check on people.” He adjusted his belt and clipped on his holster.

  “How?” she asked, dumbfounded.

  “Snowmobile. There are too many old folks that can’t do for themselves. As soon as the plows roll, I expect I’ll be shoveling, fueling generators, and all of the above in no time.”

  She rolled her lower lip forward. “It’s not even daylight.”

  “It’s my job.” He leaned down and kissed her. “I’ll get you a radio handset so I can keep in contact with you. For now, come here and I’ll show you how to get a hold of me. Then you can go back to bed.”

  “I can’t go to sleep knowing you’re out in the snow in the dark.” She threw off the covers and sat up. Kevin’s T-shirt hung down her thighs to cover all her sexy bits. The bits that if uncovered could probably coax him back to bed.

  “I’ll be fine.” He took his keys from the dresser and shoved them into his front pocket.

  “I’ll worry.” She was terrified. Her husband had been traveling in the wee hours of the morning when he was killed.