by Nina Lindsey
“Margaret, there’s no need to cry.” Hunter put a lid on the last cardboard box and patted his assistant on the shoulder.
“I’m not crying.” She sniffed and dabbed at her eyes. “It’s just allergies. Are you sure you want to leave?”
“Never been more sure of anything in my life.” Hunter shrugged into his suit jacket.
That wasn’t entirely true. His love for Aria was sure. The most certain thing he’d ever felt. Not until her had he realized that his lifelong plan for himself wasn’t a path, but a wall. An obstacle preventing him from seeing all the other directions he could take.
Aria had shattered that wall. She’d shown him that loyalty and friendship meant more than corporate ambition, and that having a place to call home was infinitely more important than building a billion-dollar complex.
Bliss Cove had proven the importance of afternoon teatime, bits of glass tossed endlessly by the sea, healing crystals, and refuges for lost cats. He no longer wanted to be multiple floors above ground level in the penthouse, the CEO’s office, the private jet.
He wanted to walk barefoot on the beach with its icy ocean water and warm sand. He wanted to live beside the boardwalk, the redwoods, Mariposa Street. He wanted artichoke soup, cold beer, and chocolate ice cream spiked with ghost peppers. He wanted to make out with Aria underneath the pier. He wanted to fall asleep with her in his arms and the sound of the ocean drifting in through the open windows.
“You have my personal cell number, Margaret.” He put his briefcase on top of a cardboard box. “I’m going to need to hire employees soon, so if you’re ever in the mood to move to a small town on the Pacific Coast, give me a call.”
She lifted her eyebrows. “You’re serious?”
He frowned. “How long have you been my assistant?”
“Six years.”
“Have you ever heard me crack a joke?”
“No.” A smile twitched her mouth.
Hunter lifted the box into his arms. He walked to where a security guard stood waiting to escort him from the building.
“Bliss Cove is a great town,” he told Margaret. “I’ll be working at a place that rescues cats, if that helps purr-suade you to relocate.”
He was almost to the elevator when he heard her laugh.
As he descended to the ground floor and crossed the lobby, Juliette entered the glass doors of the building, blade-like in a red sheath dress and matching coat. Her heels clicked sharply on the marble floor.
“Glad I caught you.” She stopped in front of him, her lips pursing. “I wanted to tell you I convinced my father to call off his attack dogs. It took some work, but when I explained that taking you down wouldn’t make us look good with our clients, who think you walk on water, he agreed to leave you alone.”
“I’ll consider that a favor, then.”
“You should.” She straightened her shoulders. “I intend to call in the favor when I’m CEO, which will be before the end of year. You know as well as I do that Mariposa Street needs more than a donation jar and a petition. Play your cards right, and Imperial Properties, under my command, could help you out.”
“There will never be anything close to a luxury hotel in Bliss Cove,” Hunter said.
“Of course not.” She brushed a lock of hair away from her forehead. “That was a ridiculous and over-the-top plan, and frankly, my father is a bastard for thinking he could force us to compete. I’ve already proven my worth, and even if you hadn’t done what you did at the meeting, I wouldn’t have lowered myself to a competition.”
“So what do you want?”
“I still think that town could be more than it is,” Juliette said. “When your friend Aria went pit-bull on us, I did some research about both Mariposa and historic properties in general. There aren’t a lot of development companies that have a staff dedicated to historic preservation. Not that Imperial is going to start crusading on behalf of Great-Aunt Mildred’s father’s horse stable, but there are a number of cases in which the modernization of historic buildings has helped change a city’s landscape. So I can see the value of Bliss Cove wanting to bring Mariposa Street to life again.”
“In return, Imperial Properties still gets a foothold in the town.” Hunter narrowed his eyes. “You will never get approval to build a new development anywhere in Bliss Cove.”
“Did you not hear what I just said?” Juliette retorted. “I’m not talking about new construction. Restoring old buildings might be a sound investment for Imperial Properties. Mariposa Street could help us build a reputation in the area of historic preservation. Look.”
She held up a hand. “You and I have worked together for years. Yes, I’ve played my father’s game, but I’ve also disagreed with him countless times and stopped him from doing things I considered unethical. Do you know why I want to be CEO? Because I want to run this company exactly the way it should be run. I want to make changes and try new things and create opportunities. If you won’t give me the chance to prove that, then fine. I can go elsewhere. But I’m good at what I do. I keep my word. You know that.”
She smirked. “And don’t tell me you didn’t consider my offer before that cat girl swept you off your feet.”
Hunter almost smiled. Juliette was right. He knew how she worked and what her strengths were. They’d collaborated on several successful projects. Bringing her in to help with Mariposa Street wasn’t a bad idea.
It might not be a great idea either, but he was learning to keep all options open.
“I’ll give you a call before the end of summer,” he said. “We can talk.”
Juliette smiled. The effect was almost surprising, brightening her eyes and face. Hunter was all too familiar with her tight smiles and wicked-witch lip curves, but he’d rarely seen her smile with pleasure.
“Good luck, Juliette.” He stepped toward the glass doors.
“You too. Stay in touch.” With a toss of her hair, she strode toward the elevators.
Hunter walked outside into the glaring sunshine of Manhattan. Time to start his new lifelong plan.
Chapter 27
Rain splashed against the windows of Aria’s room above the café. Metal-gray storm clouds billowed across the evening sky, and water streamed in rivulets over the cobblestone street. Jumbo lolled on the bed, tail twitching.
Almost two weeks had passed since Hunter had left Bliss Cove. They’d exchanged emails about general day-to-day things, but she’d sensed his need to keep his distance. For how long, she had no idea.
She sat at the narrow desk, giving her grant application one final review. She’d asked Callie to proofread it, and she’d gotten input from both Mayor Bowers and the town council. If approved, they’d get federal funds to invest in Mariposa Street renovation.
She hit the Submit button and waited for her old laptop to churn through the process. She printed out the receipt and opened the top desk drawer to fish out a pen.
Right beside the pen tray rested the envelope Rory had given her—the results of the “deep search” she’d done on Hunter.
The envelope Aria hadn’t opened.
Her heart thumped. Would it matter what Hunter had or hadn’t done in his past? He’d already made a huge sacrifice for her. Was there anything she wouldn’t forgive?
She ripped open the envelope and took out a few sheets of paper. Across the top, scribbled in Rory’s messy handwriting, was “Anonymous is H.A.” The other papers held copies of news articles about the anonymous funding of a veterans’ center and charity fund in a struggling, low-income area of Chicago.
Aria sank back in her chair and read all the articles about how the center provided resources and help to any veteran who needed assistance. In addition, there were a number of “anonymous” donations to national veterans’ charities and hospitals.
For years, Hunter had been giving a place to people who didn’t have one. He’d been helping those who needed it.
No wonder her soul had fallen in love with him before her brain caught up. She’d known in t
hat deep, mystical part of herself that despite all their surface differences, she and Hunter were, at heart, the same.
Clicking her fingers at Jumbo, she headed downstairs to feed the cats. The animals purred and twined around her legs as she prepared their dinner. Fang crouched under a chair, eyeing her warily. He hadn’t eaten much for the past week.
“Here you go, old boy.” Aria set a bowl in front of him and reached out to scratch his ears. He jerked away, tail swishing.
“Sorry.” She held up her hands and backed away. Of all the orphaned cats, Fang had now been with her the longest. If she didn’t find him the right home soon, he might end up becoming a lifelong member of the Lonely Hearts Club.
“We’ll find you a forever home,” Aria promised the old cat. “Everyone needs someone to love, and everyone deserves to be loved.”
She started to prepare the other dishes. The cats swarmed around her feet.
As she took cans from the cupboard, a knock came at the window. She turned. Her breath caught in her throat. Hunter stood outside, rain drenching his hair and coat, his eyes fixed on her with a combination of wariness and hope.
Dropping a can of cat food, she hurried to the front door. Her hands shook as she unlocked the door and pulled it open. “What—”
He ran up the porch steps and hauled her against him. Words, questions, thoughts…everything dissolved into a burst of pure happiness and love. Aria threw her arms around his shoulders as he brought his mouth down on hers.
In that instant, caught in the strong circle of his arms, she knew he was really here, that her Hunter had come back. His coat was soaking wet, and the rainwater seeped through her thin cotton dress, but his body heat burned away the cold.
She drove her hands into his hair and parted her lips under his. He kissed her hungrily, as if he couldn’t get enough of her, as if he wanted to devour her. Finally he lifted his head, his expression filled with warmth.
“I’m getting you all wet.” He shed his raincoat, tossing it on to the coat-rack.
She drank in the sight of him. Lines of fatigue creased his face, but he looked as heartbreakingly beautiful as ever in worn jeans that hugged his long legs and a faded T-shirt stretching over his broad chest.
He pulled a piece of paper from the pocket of his coat and handed it to her. “First, I need to give you this.”
Aria unfolded the paper. It was a hand-drawn map of Mariposa Street. Each building had one little star somewhere—on the roof, under an awning, beneath a window.
“What is this?” She lifted her eyes to his.
“I found all the butterflies.”
A smile started from deep inside her. “You went on a butterfly search?”
“Before I left, yes. I wanted to know all of Mariposa Street’s secrets.” He shut the door with his foot, his gaze never leaving hers. “So that we can keep them together.”
“Oh, Hunter.” She pressed the paper to her heart. “I missed you.”
“Not as much as I missed you.” He kissed her again, sliding his hands down to clutch her hips. “You feel so damned good.”
Heat flooded the space between them. Cupping her chin, he tilted her head back and slanted his mouth more firmly against hers. An upwelling of emotion filled Aria’s heart.
Hunter muttered a sudden curse and broke away from her. At their feet, Jumbo let out a yowl, snagging his sharp claws on Hunter’s jeans.
Aria laughed and bent to pick up the irritated cat. “That’s his way of saying welcome back.”
“I like your way better.” He brushed his knuckles against her cheek.
But are you back to stay? What happened? Why didn’t you call? What about your job?
The questions clogged her throat. She wasn’t entirely sure she wanted to know what their relationship, what his sacrifice, had cost him.
“I need to finish feeding the cats.” Still holding Jumbo, she led the way into the Cat Lounge. She tossed him a clean towel to dry his hair. “When did you get back?”
“Just now. I haven’t even had a chance to see if Mrs. Higgins has a vacancy.”
Aria suppressed the instinct to tell him he could stay with her. Everything had happened in such a tumultuous, crazy rush with them that she didn’t want to make assumptions. She needed certainty.
“So what have you been doing?” Keeping her tone casual, she filled the rest of the cat bowls. “You didn’t say much in your texts or emails.”
“I’m sorry.” His expression darkened. “I knew that if I talked to you, I wouldn’t be able to stop myself from getting on the next plane. I’ve been desperate to come back to you, but I needed to close the door on my old life before I could ask you to start a new one with me.”
A blossom right in the center of Aria’s heart began to open and unfurl. He was looking at her with what seemed like a thousand emotions—tenderness, warmth, uncertainty, even fear.
“I quit Imperial right after the Mariposa Association meeting, but I couldn’t tell you until I was sure there wouldn’t be legal issues. There won’t be,” he added quickly when she started to speak. “Leaving the company ended up being pretty straightforward, but there was a ton of paperwork, and I had over ten years of clients to contact. Not to mention, a decade of living in New York to leave behind.”
Her breath caught. “Leave behind?”
“I need…” He paused, his throat working with a swallow. “I needed to leave it behind because I want to start again with you. Here, in Bliss Cove. I’ve never felt at home anywhere in the world. I don’t think I even knew what that meant…at least, not until I came here. Not until I found you. I know it’s only been a month, but it feels like so much longer. As if everything I did before coming to Bliss Cove was just a rehearsal for my real life. The life that started the instant I opened the window and saw you.”
He got all blurry behind her tears. Aria grabbed a tissue and wiped her eyes. She’d been working so hard to prove herself, to start a new chapter, to succeed. But she hadn’t dared to hope that love would be a part of it.
She hadn’t dared believe a man like Hunter would stand at her side, make sacrifices for her, and believe in her. Whether their first encounter had been due to cat spirits, coincidence, or just plain luck, the fact was that it had happened. They’d both been right where they were supposed to be.
Okay, universe. Maybe you weren’t playing a cosmic joke on us after all.
“I love you, Hunter.” She pressed her palm against his chest. “I think I tried not to love you, but you…you’re kind of like Jumbo the way he eased right into my heart when I wasn’t looking and then decided to stay.”
“No wonder.” He smiled, his beautiful eyes creasing at the corners. “Given that your heart is filled with so many warm patches of sunlight, he must have felt right at home there. I know I do.”
He cupped her neck and kissed her again. Every curve and crevice of Aria’s soul filled with happiness. When they came up for air, she brushed her fingers against his lips.
“What happens next?” she asked.
“We’ll have to figure that out together.” He tucked a lock of her hair behind her ear. “I have some plans, but I can’t do anything without you. I want to live here with you and explore all the town’s secrets and do something…I have no idea what…with Mariposa Street, and help take care of your cats… Oh, that reminds me.”
He eased away from her to dig another crumpled piece of paper from his pocket. Smoothing it out, he handed it to her. As Aria scanned the paper, a fresh wave of love washed over her.
She looked up at him. “You’re sure?”
He smiled again. “That old cat and I have a lot in common. It’ll take some time for us to get used to each other, but I’m willing to adopt him, if he’ll have me.”
Aria laughed, wiping a stray tear from her cheek as she stood on tiptoe to kiss him. “Fang will have you, all right. I can’t think of a better companion for him than Glowering Stranger.”
He cupped her face in his hand, ten
der warmth filling his eyes. “And will you have me, Aria Prescott, love of my life?”
“I’ll have you, Hunter Armstrong.” She wrapped her arms around him, happiness lifting her heart like a bright, colorful butterfly. “Welcome to your forever home.”
Epilogue
Aria locked the door of Meow and Then and slipped her keys into her bag. A ribbon of sunset light streaked over the horizon, and the breeze carried the ocean’s scent. Across the street, Destiny stood outside Moonbeams, squinting up at the roof. A Metalworks Hardware truck was parked at the curb.
“What’s going on?” Aria approached her friend, who had forgone her suit and was wearing a bright, Indian-print caftan and gold jewelry. “Did the understated look work on Joe?”
“I haven’t had a chance to talk to him since the meeting, so I asked him to check on my roof.” Destiny fiddled with the chain at her neckline. “Hunter hired him to assess the structural stability of all the buildings before the surveyors and inspectors come in. He didn’t even seem to notice my sedate look. Joe, I mean. Not Hunter.”
“Destiny, you’d be the first to tell me that your One True Love should adore you exactly the way you are.”
Her friend arched a plucked eyebrow. “Who said anything about One True Love? I’m just hoping for a good boink.”
Aria laughed. “It is possible to have both. Just saying.”
“Speaking of One True Loves and boinking, I saw Callie the other day.” Destiny clucked her tongue and shook her head. “That girls needs help in both departments. I’ll do a reading on her and see what the cards say.”
“Good luck with that.” Aria rolled her eyes in amusement.
Though her relationship with Callie had smoothed out, her sister still viewed the whole Mariposa situation—and Aria and Hunter’s relationship—with wary caution. Now that she no longer felt the need to prove herself, Aria was making an effort to accept her sister’s protectiveness and practicality.
Taking the red amethyst necklace out of her pocket, she extended it to Destiny. “I wanted to return this. It gave me all the courage I needed.”