The Summer of Us

by Moreland, Melanie

  “If it wasn’t light out and this wasn’t a public parking lot, I might let you cop a feel again, Linc.”

  He winked. “I might anyway.”

  A car pulled into the parking lot, and we both laughed.

  “Damn,” he muttered. “Cockblocked.” Then for the first time, he noticed Abby’s SUV. “What is that doing there?”

  “It was closer and faster than the bakery van.”

  “I’m buying you a car.”

  “I don’t think so.”

  “As your husband, it’s my right to buy you anything I damn well want.”

  “You’re not my husband, Linc.”

  “Not yet,” he agreed. “But that is going to change.”

  “Oh really?”

  He nodded, his voice firm when he spoke. “Soon.”

  With a grin, I opened the door and stepped out, heading over to Abby’s vehicle. Linc stepped out of the car, watching me.

  “If that’s your idea of a proposal, Mr. Webber, you are sadly lacking. I will have to say no to your tempting offer at the moment.”

  He leaned on his door, a wide grin on his face. “If that tempted you, just wait. You won’t be able to resist.”

  I snorted. “Such ego.”

  In three long strides, he was at my door, leaning into the SUV. He bent inside, his chest warm and hard against mine. “Challenge accepted, my Sunny-girl.”

  Then he kissed me. Until I was dizzy. Until I would have agreed to anything he asked at that moment. His mouth was tender but demanding. Firm but gentle. Possessive and dangerous. When he eased back, we were both gasping for air. He smiled and traced my lips.

  “See you at the bakery.”

  * * *

  Linc

  Escaping the parking lot was easy. Making it through the bakery was a different story. Even though the only people in it were Michael and Abby.

  When we walked in, Abby at first looked relieved, then her eyebrows shot up and her lips twitched, looking at the outfits Sunny and I wore. My shirt and sweats hung off Sunny, showing all the love bites I had left on her neck. Her hair was wild, her cheeks and neck pink from the scruff on my face. She looked well and truly fucked and no doubt, so did I. I certainly felt it. I was sure my ass was covered in bruises from the rocks.

  Michael blinked, looked at Abby with a grin, and stood. “I, ah, should be going.”

  I refused to feel ashamed, although I didn’t want Sunny embarrassed. But as usual, she surprised me.

  “Oh, sit down, Michael. It’s not as if I didn’t see you making out with Abby this morning while you were supposed to be cleaning the supply room.”

  He gaped at her. “I was helping her reach something on the shelf.”

  Sunny snorted as she poured us each a cup of coffee and reached for a plate of cookies. “What was her mouth reaching for? Your tongue?”

  I barked out a laugh and sat down, pulling Sunny to my lap. I wrapped my arm around her, holding her close. “Your mouth looks a bit swollen, Mike. Allergies acting up?”

  Abby chuckled and pulled on Michael’s hand. “We’re all adults here, Michael. Relax.”

  He shook his head and sat.

  “Everything okay with the store?”

  “Yes. Martha canceled everything. Business as usual again tomorrow.” He cleared his throat. “Thank you for, um, anything you did.”

  I shook my head. “I did nothing but talk. I think our deputy mayor realized she had made an error.”

  “Well, I still appreciate it.”

  “No thanks needed.”

  We sipped our coffee, and they chatted. Talked about the baking to be done for the weekend, plans for a barbecue maybe on Sunday—all normal, everyday things most people would take for granted. I loved listening to it. Being part of it.

  I let the conversation drift away as I thought about what I’d said to Sunny earlier. I meant it. I was going to marry her—and soon. We had lost enough years, given up enough happiness already. I wanted my life with her to start now.

  I simply had to figure out the how-to’s.

  The touch of her hand on my cheek startled me, and my eyes flew open. I blinked, confused.

  “Where are Abby and Michael?”

  She smiled, stroking my hair. “They left about ten minutes ago. You fell asleep.”

  “Holy shit.”

  “You’re exhausted, Linc. Abby is going to have supper with Michael and his kids. We’re going upstairs, and we can have a shower. I’ll make you something to eat and you’re going to bed.”

  “You’re coming with me.” It wasn’t a question.

  She smiled softly. “Yes. I will come with you. I have a busy few days ahead of me.”

  I stood, swinging her up in my arms and heading to the kitchen and the stairway.

  “I’m gonna help.”

  “Can you bake at all?”

  “No, but I am an awesome quality control person. Nothing but perfection will leave the kitchen, Sunny. You have my word.”

  She laid her head on my shoulder. “I would expect nothing less from you.”

  I dropped a kiss to her head. “Good.”

  * * *

  I woke late into the night, Sunny tucked beside me, her head next to mine on my pillow. I watched her slumber, lost to her dreams. She looked peaceful and content, and a part of me hoped I was there with her.

  Carefully, I slipped from the bed, making sure she was covered, then headed out to the kitchen, grabbing a drink of water and snagging a handful of the cookies from the jar on the counter. I wandered to the window, staring out on the silent town. For the first time in my life, I felt no anger or bitterness. I felt nothing but the peace of the town at rest.

  I glanced at the clock. It was two a.m., but given the fact that we had fallen asleep early in the evening, I knew I wouldn’t be going back to sleep anytime soon. My mind was awake and active now.

  An idea I had been thinking about was taking hold, and the more I thought about it, the more I liked it.

  I had been serious earlier when I told Sunny I would marry her—and quickly. I was determined to start our life together sooner rather than later.

  Logistics was one of the problems we were going to have to address. I knew how she felt about her bakery. The people she cared about here. The simple life a small town allowed her.

  At the moment, my world centered around Toronto. I also knew Sunny would suffer terribly there—away from the water and everything familiar, and although I had no desire to move back to Mission Cove, there were compromises we could make. My office was transportable. My business would run no matter where I was.

  But I had to be where Sunny was. Of that, there was no question. I had to make that happen.

  I grabbed my laptop and opened it, scrolling through my contacts, until I found my favorite architect. I composed a long, detailed email, attaching files I had saved, as well as a sketch I quickly did and took a snapshot of, knowing it would amuse him.

  I sat back, rereading the email, and satisfied, I sent it off.

  I reached for the last cookie, munching on it, when arms wrapped around my neck.

  “Why are you out here?” Sunny’s sleepy voice murmured in my ear. “I woke up and you were gone. I didn’t like it.”

  I turned and tugged her to my lap. She was a warm, soft weight on my legs, nestled happily into my chest.

  “Sorry, I couldn’t sleep. I got a little work done.”

  “Hmm.” Her lips drifted up my neck. “I could have helped you go back to sleep.”

  I chuckled at her drowsy attempt at seduction. “Is that a fact?”

  She tugged my head down, nipping on my earlobe. “I have ways.”

  “I bet you do.” Turning my face, I captured her lips with mine, kissing her. It took my body about three seconds to catch up with Sunny, but my erection kicked up fast and hard.

  “Mmm,” she whispered. “You taste like ginger.”

  “And you taste like mint, you little seductress. You planned this.”
>
  She peered up at me, shifting on my lap. “I think it worked. Take me back to bed, Linc. I promise you’ll sleep well once I’m done with you.”

  That was an offer I couldn’t refuse.

  * * *

  The following Monday, I was busy working on my laptop. Abby was at the house with Sunny and the town librarian, letting her have first choice of the books on the shelves. After my meltdown, it was decided perhaps it was better if I didn’t return to the house. I was fine with the idea. I had what I wanted from the interior, and the one thing left on my list was to watch it disappear. In less than two weeks, I’d have my wish. Until then, I was happy to stay away. There was nothing else I wanted to take from it. Or at least I thought so, until Sunny burst in, her arms filled with picture frames and looking strangely excited.

  I saved the item I was working on and shut the lid. If Sunny saw the car I was building for her, she would call a full stop to my endeavors, and I was having too much fun making it for her. She loved Abby’s SUV so much, I decided to get her one of her own. I was looking forward to seeing her reaction to it. I hoped delight would override her independent streak. Especially the way I planned to present it to her.

  I smiled at her flushed cheeks. “What’s got you all excited, Sunny-girl?”

  “Linc, did you know your mother used to paint watercolors?”

  I scratched my head. “No.”

  “Mrs. Miller was telling me as we looked through the books. She said your mother always loved to paint, even back in school. She says there’s one of her paintings in the library.”

  “Wow. I’ll have to go see it.” A fragment of a memory floated in my head. “I recall an easel, I think. In the back sun-room. I remember a pencil behind her ear a lot. At least, I always thought it was a pencil. Maybe…it could have been a paintbrush.” I indicated the pile of items in her arms. “What are those?”

  She laid the pile in front of me. “Your mother’s paintings, Linc.”

  I gaped at her. “What?”

  “They were in a box, upstairs in one of the closets.”

  I picked one up, studying it. Pretty, light, and feminine, it was a good painting. The use of light was wonderful, and I could see how talented she had been. And priceless to me because of who painted it. “Are we sure these are my mother’s?” I asked.

  “Yes. Look at the bottom. She always signed her pictures the same way. With simply a W. Mrs. Miller said she always used her initial.”

  I spread out the collection, looking at them. There were six in all. All similar in composition, all signed with a W.

  I gripped Sunny’s hand. “I remember these. In the hallway. There used to be one over the mantle in the den, but then it was gone. They all disappeared.”

  “That’s the one in the library, Linc. Your mother gave it to them. Mrs. Miller said you could have it back if you wanted.”

  I gazed at the paintings. Pieces of my mother I didn’t even know existed. Small treasures. I swallowed the lump in my throat. “These would have gone when the house did,” I murmured. “I never would have known.” Another memory hit me. “I remember a pile of canvases. They were piled by the door and then gone the next day. He must have gotten rid of them. But he must have forgotten about these.”

  “We could try to find them. Advertise. Check out secondhand shops in the local area. Abby is searching the entire house in case we find any more, but she wanted me to come to show you these right away.”

  I stared at the canvases. “No. I would like to think someone else is enjoying her work.” I turned to Sunny, pulling her close. “What a gift you’ve given me. Even if we don’t find any others, these are such amazing things to be able to have.” I dropped a kiss to her head. “Thank you.”

  She beamed up at me. “You’re welcome.”

  “I love you, Sunny-girl.”

  She wrinkled her nose with a smile. “I know.”

  24

  Linc

  The next two weeks proved two things to me.

  One—the fact that I thought I couldn’t love Sunny more was wrong. The more I got to know this Sunny—the calm, sweet, vibrant woman she had become—the harder I fell. Gone were the days of hiding and of fear. I could touch her, kiss her anytime I wanted. Show her my affection. Accept hers. I loved her independent streak, the way she handled herself with her business, and all the people that involved. I was proud to stand beside her on the weekends, making coffee, stealing cookies, gorging on biscuits. I wasn’t too proud to clear tables, help take out the trash, or do anything that made her life a little easier.

  And I was well rewarded for it.

  Which led to my second discovery. Leaving her behind was simply not an option. We had a brief discussion about me returning to Toronto, coming back on weekends. It sounded like a good idea until we decided on our future. I kissed her in the early morning dawn and headed into Toronto, comforted by the fact that I would see her in a few days.

  But by three a.m. on the third night of not being able to sleep, I knew I was fucked. Without Sunny beside me, I couldn’t rest. And even with Abby in the office, I couldn’t concentrate, and neither could Abby. I didn’t even wait, driving back in the middle of the night. I left Abby a message, and by the morning, we were both back in Mission Cove, and neither of us planned on leaving for any great length of time.

  The apartment over Sunny’s was now Abby’s. I’d planned to rent a hotel room for the sake of appearance, but Sunny had laughed and called me old-fashioned. She was right. No one cared, and I was happier with her. Abby felt safe in Mission Cove. Carl was back in jail and her mother had disappeared, but knowing Abby was among friends who would watch out for her when I wasn’t around gave me a sense of comfort I never thought I would get from the town of Mission Cove. Abby and Michael were growing closer, and we hoped they were able to help each other heal.

  Another odd thing happened. As more people discovered who I was, there was no censure, no looks of dislike or distancing. I was surprised at the number of hugs I received, the welcome from people still living here that I used to know. Even odder, not a single person offered condolences on my father’s passing. Many of them spoke of my mother, and I was grateful to hear so many wonderful stories. It felt good to know her memory would live on here while my father’s terrible legacy died off, a mere whisper of the past. When they discovered the house was being taken down, there was a lot of excitement and curiosity about what would replace it. I kept my mouth shut, waiting for the final drawings to take to the town council on both matters. I wasn’t shocked when the mayor dropped in and told me he expected there to be no problem with my proposals. I had sat with him and his wife and laid out my plans, then left, allowing them to talk in private.

  They were both smart enough to know what my ideas meant for their little town. The economic implications were staggering. I expected zero pushback. It was a good feeling though, to be able to go forward without using anything but my ideas and plans. I didn’t have to drop any veiled threats or use the past. My future was in my hands, and I was in control—nobody else. It felt right.

  I sat in the sun out back of the bakery. Sunny had shown me the wide cement wall that ran along the edge of the property. She had a ladder propped against it and often sat with her back against the even higher wall beside it while she did work on her computer and enjoyed the sun, she explained. I had taken advantage of it a few times, using the privacy to make calls and arrangements I didn’t want her to know about. It also provided me with an unobstructed view of the house on the hill. I watched as people went in and out. Trucks pulled up, filled, and left. The final purge of my father’s things. Luckily, thanks to Sunny, I now had everything of my mother’s. It was she who pointed out the heavy copper pots in the back of the cupboards in the kitchen. The delicate china gathering dust in the bottom of the dining room hutch. The crystal I never remembered being used.

  “Your mother would have chosen these things, Linc. Not your father. You should have them. They were part of
her.”

  They were all now safe, along with some other items Sunny unearthed. I was grateful she had a better eye than mine to spot them.

  Knowing how my father would have raged seeing people traipse through his house, taking his things—for free—as if they were worthless, gave me a great deal of satisfaction. I didn’t try to deny that it pleased me. And the bottom line was many of the items would benefit the community. The dining room table would have a family sit around it and make memories. Children would jump on the beds and run on the carpets. Each family or individual was given a number and a limit, and it appeared to be going well. I bit back my grin. With Abby and Ned in charge, I had no doubt it would remain so.

  “Hey.” Sunny’s head appeared beside me.

  “Hi.”

  She looked worried. “You okay?” She indicated the hill. “Is that upsetting you?”

  I patted my legs. “Get up here.”

  I helped her settle, then wrapped my arms around her. “No, it’s very cleansing. I know all those things will be used. Maybe loved. It actually gives me some peace.”

  She leaned into me, her shoulders relaxing. “Good.” She played with my fingers. “What about next week?”

  “Sunny, that is going to be a banner day for me.”

  She peeked up at me. “Are you sure you really want to…blow it up?”

  I chuckled. “I wish I could blow it up. Watch it explode and scatter for miles. But sadly, that is illegal and dangerous. When they hit the switch, it will implode—almost sink into itself. I watched a lot of the videos—it’s fascinating. A building is there one moment, and when the dust clears, it’s a flattened pile of debris they’ll truck away.” I pressed a kiss to her head. “And I get to push the button.”

  Her voice was low. “And then what?”

  “Hey.”

  I waited until she turned her head and met my eyes. “Then it’s done, Sunny. My past will be exactly where it needs to be—in the past. My father will no longer have any part of my thoughts.” I slid a hand under her chin, angling her face up to mine. “I have a whole new life to live—with you. I plan on living the hell out of it. You with me?”