by SJ McCoy
She made him feel like a kid again. He wished the console was gone so he could hold her close. Crazy thoughts flashed into his mind—thoughts of them driving away from here, away from the square and the people and continuing their kissing in the back seat. He shifted, his pants suddenly feeling too tight. He kissed her deeply, and she kissed him back, making it plain that she was feeling the same way.
Her breath was coming deep and slow when they finally came up for air. Her hand shook a little as she pushed her hair back from her face. “Phew!” She gave him a wry smile.
He nodded. “That’s what I thought.”
“I might need you to stop doing that.”
His heart skipped a beat. She didn’t want him to keep kissing her?
She laughed. “Don’t get me wrong. It’s not that I don’t like it. It’s just that, so far, we’ve only kissed where it’s safe to do so.”
He raised an eyebrow, not understanding.
There was a hint of color in her cheeks when she explained. “I’m not sure I’ll be responsible for my actions if you kiss me like that behind closed doors.”
His heart raced. He was surprised, but very pleasantly so, that she’d say it so plainly. “Do you think we need to stick with outdoor and public dates for a while then?”
He couldn’t help but feel disappointed when she dropped her gaze and nodded. “I think we probably should.” His heart rate picked right back up, and he could feel the blood rush to his temples when she looked back up and smiled. “We should, but I’m not sure I want to.”
He hugged her as close as he could over the console. “I’m with you. I know we should.” He dropped a kiss on top of her head. Just feeling her this close reinforced for him how much he didn’t want to wait. He’d love to drive her back to his cabin right now and find out where their kisses led when the doors were closed. But he didn’t want to spoil things between them by going too far too fast. He knew, just knew, that when they went there, it would be good—it would be fun. But he also knew that he was hoping for more than fun with her.
She surprised him when she sat up. “I guess we just have to treat it the same as everything else.”
“Play it by ear?”
She nodded, and the way she smiled told him that they wouldn’t be waiting very long.
He nodded. “Okay, but I think we should go in and have a drink now.”
She gave him a mock pout. “And here was I thinking you were going to say we should go and find some closed doors.”
He had to laugh. “You have no idea how hard it is for me not to say that.”
He closed his eyes and sucked in a deep breath when she reached across the console and touched the front of his pants.
“I had an idea it would be hard.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “It’s very, very hard, and you are a wicked woman. Do you know this?”
She nodded happily. “Now that we’ve got it out in the open, I should warn you that I intend to be very wicked indeed until I can persuade you …”
He planted a kiss on her lips. “I’m persuaded. Don’t doubt it. I’m trying to be a gentleman here.”
She shrugged. “We’re old enough and wise enough. We don’t need to impose some artificial waiting period.”
“No, but it’s not totally artificial, either. I told you, I’m old school in some ways. We don’t have to wait forever, but I don’t want to rush in only to find that it makes you want to rush out.”
She touched his cheek. “I know what I want, Seymour.”
He jerked his head away at the sight of someone approaching the SUV. He thought he recognized the guy but couldn’t place him.
Chris followed his gaze and groaned. “This is Jack, my eldest. Be warned. You’re about to be interrogated.”
He winked at her. “So, I shouldn’t tell him my intentions?”
She chuckled. “No, but if they’re anything like mine, I want to hear all about them later.”
He didn’t get a chance to reply as she let herself out before Jack reached them. He hurried out to join them.
“Mom.” Jack leaned down to kiss her cheek.
“Jack, this is Seymour. I believe the two of you have met?”
Jack nodded and shook Seymour’s hand. “We have. It’s good to see you.” He smiled and sounded pleasant enough, but Seymour sensed an undercurrent. He couldn’t blame the kid. Seymour would feel the same way in his shoes.
“It’s good to see you, too, Jack. And I have to say, I’m impressed. Hope took me over to the development at Four Mile Creek this morning. It’s quite a project.”
“Thanks. It’s our best work yet.” He smiled at Chris. “And my favorite project since it led to us all living here.”
“It’s a great place. I can see why you love it.”
“It’s a bit different than what you’re used to, though, right?”
Seymour nodded. He knew Jack was testing him. He didn’t mind. He was glad he was looking out for his mom. “It is. Your mom and I were just talking about how different it is from Montana or Malibu.”
“And you’re just here on vacation?”
“This time, I am. I came with Hope and Chance because they wanted me to take a break from work. I get too locked in sometimes.” He turned to Chris. “I wouldn’t mind getting a place here, though.”
Chris’s eyes widened. He knew she hadn’t been expecting him to say that. He hadn’t considered it himself until that moment. But Jack wanted to know what his intentions were, and in order to answer, he had to figure it out for himself. Hope and Chance spent quite a bit of time here. He had friends here in Graham and Anne. He wanted to see what could develop between him and Chris—so why not get a place here?
It seemed his answer was enough to satisfy Jack. He smiled and nodded. “Summer Lake seems to have that effect on people. It sneaks in and finds a place in your heart, and then before you know it, it has a hold on you and won’t let go. Anyway, I won’t keep you.” He turned to Chris. “I wondered if you’re free on Saturday night.”
Seymour didn’t miss the look she shot at Jack before she answered.
“Do you want me to babysit?”
“No!” Jack turned and grinned at him. “I wondered if the two of you might want to come out with everyone. “Isabel’s going for a sleepover at Gramps’s, and the whole gang is coming out for dinner and to listen to the band, it’s been a while since we’ve all gotten together, and with Chance and Hope being here, you know Emma wouldn’t miss it.”
Seymour didn’t understand the way Chris laughed at that. She turned to him. “Would you like to?”
“I’d love to.”
“Great. I’ll see you both then, if not before.” With that, Jack turned on his heel and walked away.
~ ~ ~
Chris turned to Seymour and shook her head. “Sorry about that.”
“Don’t be. Do you want to go in?”
She nodded and took hold of his hand and started walking to the restaurant.
He gave her an inquiring look and held their joined hands up between them.
She laughed. “I don’t mind anyone seeing or knowing if you don’t.”
“I don’t mind at all—especially now that it seems I have Jack’s approval.”
“Like I said, sorry about that. He tends to be overprotective.”
“And like I said, there’s no need to apologize. I respect it. I thought I’d be in for a harder time than that from him. I have to confess that Chance did warn me.”
Chris laughed. “Isn’t it strange that the kids are looking out for us? It doesn’t seem so long ago that it was the other way around.”
He nodded but didn’t smile.
“Something wrong?”
He gave her a sad smile. “I’m afraid I wasn’t that great with Hope when she was growing up. I wasn’t really there for her in the way I should have been. After … after Kate.”
Chris squeezed his hand. “I’m sure you did the best you could.”
�
��It wasn’t enough.”
She could tell there was a whole lot of pain behind that statement. She sensed guilt, and she hated that for him. She knew how it felt—maybe not for the same reasons, but still, she knew how much it hurt to feel like you’d failed your children. “It seems like the two of you have found your way back to each other now.”
“She found her way back through my walls.” He smiled. “I can’t take any of the credit. It was all Hope.”
“I’m sure you did what you could.”
He opened his mouth, seemingly to argue but changed his mind. They’d reached the door, and he opened it for her. “What would you like?”
“That depends. Are you planning to get me tipsy?” If he wanted to change the subject, she wasn’t going to push him.
He chuckled. “I was hoping you’d choose and make that decision for me.”
“In that case …” She made her way to the bar. “Hi, Kenzie. Can you make me one of your special margaritas?”
Chapter Seven
Seymour parked the SUV alongside the cabin and climbed out with a smile. It had been a great afternoon. He and Chris had sat out on the deck of the Boathouse and talked about all kinds of things. He was amazed at how quickly time flew by whenever he was with her.
He’d been a little tense about what they might do afterward. When she’d asked if he planned to get her tipsy, he’d considered it—but only for a moment. It seemed inevitable that their relationship would become a physical one at some point in the not too distant future. He didn’t like to think that either of them would need any Dutch courage to take that step.
She’d made him laugh when she offered him a sip of her margarita. Apparently, Kenzie’s special version was a virgin one—alcohol free, just like the beer he’d ordered in lieu of his usual bourbon.
He’d dropped her off at home afterward. He didn’t want to go in with her. He wanted to be alone and digest what was developing between them. He liked it. He was eager to see where it might take them, but he didn’t see any reason to rush it.
She’d felt the same way. She’d leaned across and landed a peck on his lips when he pulled up outside her house. Then she’d smiled. “You know I want to kiss you.”
He’d nodded. “You know I want to kiss you, too, but we both know why we’re not going to.”
“Yet,” she’d added.
He was glad they were on the same page.
He’d told her not to forget the bag he’d left on the kitchen counter for her earlier. It was the cookies he’d promised her. It was a silly gesture, he knew, but she’d put a word to the way he felt about his baking—it was allowing himself to be vulnerable. In his mind, giving her the cookies symbolized his willingness to be vulnerable with her, too. It didn’t come easily or naturally to him, but it felt right to try. He was too good at putting up walls and hiding in his work.
Speaking of which … he checked his watch as he let himself into the cabin. He could get a few hours in this evening if he …
He turned around at the sound of a knock on the door and went back to open it.
Hope stood there, smiling at him. “You were in a world of your own there, weren’t you? I called to you when you got out of the car, but you didn’t see or hear me.”
“I’m sorry, Hopey.”
She laughed. “Don’t be. It’s nice to see you relaxed. You’re usually on high alert, observing everyone and everything around you. I’m glad being here suits you—or is it something or someone else that’s got you so relaxed and spaced out?”
He pursed his lips. Allowing himself to be vulnerable with Chris was one thing—telling his daughter all about it was another.
She slapped his arm. “Go on, admit it. It’s Chris, isn’t it?”
He gave her a rueful smile. “Yes. It is.”
“That’s wonderful, Dad. Everyone says she’s an amazing lady.”
“She is. But who’s everyone? And have we been a topic of conversation?”
“Of course, you have. You knew that coming here. Chance warned you. This is small town life; that’s the way it goes. And besides, Chris is like everyone’s favorite aunt. They all want to see her happy, and I know it probably hasn’t occurred to you, but you’re a teeny bit famous, very good-looking for a guy your age, and considered quite a catch.”
He stuck his nose in the air and tried to look offended. “For a guy my age?”
She laughed. “You know what I mean. I’m your daughter. I’m trying not to get weirded out that my sister-in-law’s mother-in-law has the hots for my dad!”
He had to laugh with her. “I can see your point there. That doesn’t sound too great, does it? It sounds like we should all be on some daytime TV show.”
“No, it doesn’t. It’s just that I’ve only ever seen you as my dad, you know? So now it’s weird for me. I like that you’re spending time with Chris. I hope things go well for you, whatever that’s going to look like, but it’s strange hearing all the girls—and I mean the girls my age going all starry eyed and swoony over you.”
Seymour chuckled at that. “Girls your age?”
Hope slapped his arm again, harder this time. “Yes, but don’t even think about it. I’m doing well encouraging you and Chris, I couldn’t even—”
He shook his head rapidly. “Neither could I, so don’t even think about it. This isn’t about me showing an interest in women all of a sudden. It’s about me showing an interest in Chris in particular.”
“I know, and I love it. Do I get to meet her?”
He thought about it.
“Whenever you’re ready. I know you’ve only seen each other a couple of times.”
“It’s not that I don’t want you to. I met her son today.”
“Jack?” Hope looked wary. “I hope he wasn’t too …”
Seymour laughed. “I like it. He made it clear that no one messes with his mother, but I respect him for that. In fact, are you and Chance going to the Boathouse on Saturday night?”
“Yes, we are. I was going to ask if you want to watch Dylan. Frank and Alice were going to. You know they like to get all the time they can with him when we’re here, but Alice’s sister is coming to town for the weekend.”
Seymour hesitated. He loved it when he got Dylan to himself for an evening when Hope and Chance went out, but he’d been asking about Saturday night because Jack had invited him and Chris to join everyone. But no. Dylan was his grandson. He couldn’t pass up an opportunity to have him for an evening. “I’d love to.”
“Great, thanks. You know what Chance is like. He doesn’t always want to go out with the whole gang, but this time he’s looking forward to it.”
He smiled. “Of course. You know I love having him.”
“And what are you up to this evening?”
“I think I’m going to get some work done.”
She gave him a stern look.
“Come on, Hopey. I’ve hardly opened my laptop since we arrived. I’ve been out for dinner with old friends. I’ve had two dates with Chris. You can’t tell me I’m overdoing it.”
“No, I don’t suppose I can. We’re going to eat at the restaurant. Do you want me to bring you something back?”
“Yes, please. It’ll save me cooking.”
“Anything in particular?”
“Whatever looks good and you think might survive the ride back here.”
She laughed. “I’ll see what I can do.”
She made her way back to the door, and he followed. She reached up to peck his cheek before she left. “I’m glad you came, Dad.”
“So am I, Hope.”
She let herself out and stopped halfway down the steps and turned back. “I am such an idiot! Forget about Saturday night, would you? You’re going to want to see Chris! What was I thinking?”
He smiled. “You were thinking that I’d want to have my grandson for the evening—and you were right.”
“No! I’m not going to take away your chance for a Saturday night out with your new lady.�
�
He frowned. “She’s not my new lady. At least, not yet. And if she is going to be, then she’ll have to understand that my daughter and my grandson are important to me.”
“I know we’re important to you. But this is about timing—you can see us any time you like.”
“True. But if Chris is going to be my lady then there’s no reason that I can’t see her any time we like either, is there? Don’t argue, Hope. You offered me an evening with my grandson. You’re not going to take it away from me now.”
Her lips pressed together into a thin line. It was a mannerism that she’d picked up from her husband. On Chance, it could appear quite menacing. On Hope, at least to Seymour, it just looked comical. He laughed. “Even Chance can’t intimidate me with that look—you don’t stand a chance. Go get your dinner and don’t forget to bring me something back.”
She blew out a big sigh and made her way down the steps. “If you’re going to insist on giving up your Saturday night, then I’m going to do something to make it up to you.”
“There’s no need.”
“There is for me. And besides, it’ll be a surprise. So, you can’t argue about it.”
He smiled as he watched her walk down the path back to the cabin where she and Chance and Dylan were staying. She stopped before she rounded the corner and waved at him. “Love you, Dad.”
He raised his hand. “Love you, Hopey.”
He stood there for a long time after she’d gone. Just a few short years ago, he’d barely seen her from one year to the next. He’d checked out of life after Kate died when Hope was twelve. He’d shut down and closed out his friends and family. Unfortunately, he’d closed Hope out, too. He hadn’t known how to cope. He hadn’t wanted to deal with life or with people. He hadn’t been able to console himself and had no clue how to console his daughter. She was a resilient soul—strong and independent—though whether those were natural traits that had seen her through the years after her mother’s death, or whether she’d developed them in order to survive that period, he still wasn’t sure. All he was sure of was that he’d abandoned her when she needed him the most.