She looked up at him with a hopeful heart and a storm of worry in her stomach. “Are you mad?”
“No, babe. I’m glad you were honest with me, and quite frankly, he did what any guy would do. How could anyone go to the beach with you and not want to kiss you?” His gaze softened, and the edges of his lips curled up again. “You just scared me for a minute. The worry in your eyes had my mind running in some pretty dark directions.”
“Oh God, Kurt. That’s because of those dark and scary thrillers you write. I’d never do anything to hurt you. I’m not even the one who kissed. He kissed me.” She hugged him around his middle. “Thank you for not being mad.”
“I would have been mad if he’d pressured you or if you had done something more and kept it from me. But really, even if you had slept with him, we weren’t really dating at the time, so while I might have been jealous, I wouldn’t have had the right to get mad.”
“Are you always this rational? Because I can tell you with one hundred percent certainty that if another woman kissed you, I’d be mad. Even if I didn’t have the right to.”
He leaned in close and kissed her. “Then it’s a good thing that you’re the only woman who has access to these lips. Now, let’s change the subject before you convince me that I should be mad.”
She had to smile, because that was a very practical, very Kurt thing to say. “I love these beautiful flowers. Thank you.”
“I thought you might like them.” He crouched to pet Pepper. “Does he need to be walked, or do you want to go over your stuff first?”
“Why don’t I walk him first? That way we won’t be interrupted.”
A group of thirty-something women wearing colorful beach cover-ups and big floppy hats browsed the table.
“Don’t these look delicious?” said a plump brunette.
“There are tasting spoons in the basket.” Leanna pointed to a basket full of tiny plastic spoons. “And these are the tasters.” She pointed to six open jars. “Feel free to sample as many as you like, but please take a new spoon for each taste, and when you’re done, just drop the little spoons into the trash bin to your left.”
“Hey, babe?” Kurt stood with Pepper’s leash in his hand. “Why don’t I take Pep for that walk? Do you want something from the snack bar?”
What I want, they don’t serve at the snack bar. “I’ve got ice water in the cooler, but thanks.” She noticed the women stealing glances at Kurt, and after a second of jealousy, a sense of pride replaced the unfamiliar emotion.
She helped a number of customers, and fifteen minutes later, when Kurt and Pepper returned, she was still answering questions. Kurt sat with his computer on his lap and wrote. She glanced at him a few times and was happy to find him engrossed in his writing. She didn’t get a break for another half hour, and she felt a little guilty for keeping him waiting.
“Sorry. Today has been insane.” She picked up a pad of paper from the table. “Look at this. More than fifty names and email addresses.” She set it back down and shook her head as she sat beside him. “I don’t even have a website, so that’s on my list now, and I just started collecting names for a mailing list. All these things keep popping up, which means more work, but…”
He closed his laptop and set it beneath his chair. “I love watching you with the customers. You have such a pleasant way with them, and you really listen to everything they say. It’s easy to see why your customers return. Besides your jam being luscious, you’re warm and friendly, and it’s hard not to want to be around you.”
She thought he’d been writing, not paying attention to what she was doing. “You see all of that in me?”
“Leanna, I see so much more than that. You had hoped this would pan out, and it looks like it is. You did this, Leanna, and it’s wonderful.”
“I know. I can hardly believe it.”
“Let’s go over your brochures and everything before you get swamped again.”
She pulled up the files on her laptop, and they reviewed them together.
“I started a marketing plan, if you can call it that, but I don’t really know what I’m doing. I’m just listing places I can reach out to.” She clicked on the document.
He scanned the information. “I’d say you know exactly what you’re doing. You’ve got thirty-two stores here, with real research. Location, staff names, phone numbers, email addresses.” His eyes widened. “This is damn good. It looks like you’re taking this much further than just flea markets and a few grocers. This could really get big. Is that what you want?”
She shrugged. “I don’t know, to be honest. I’m kind of going with the flow of it all. I may get turned down by every place I contact, so it’s more of a wish list. I’m just happy to have found something that doesn’t leave me wanting more.” She leaned against him. “And someone who accepts me for me and doesn’t leave me wanting more…or want more than I can give.”
“I’m not surprised at all. You’re talented and you’re smart. I know you like to be a free spirit, but you’re also very driven. Look at this, babe.” He pointed to the list. “This…This is passion.”
Guilt swept through her. Here he was being supportive, and she wanted to respond with, I’ll show you passion, and kiss the hell out of him.
They finished reviewing the documents, and her mind drifted to thoughts of Kurt leaving and them being separated by all those empty miles.
“I’m really sorry about the wedding.”
“I know you are, but there’s no need to be. You’re going to be so happy when Daisy Chain accepts your proposal. In eight more days, we’ll be together again in New York, starting our life together.”
She sat back, comforted by the thought, and watched a little boy and his father looking at T-shirts in the booth across from hers. “But you leave in four days, and that seems so soon. Do you ever wish summer could last forever?”
“I don’t know. I like the change of seasons. Besides, if it lasted forever, I might spend a lot more time on the Cape, and I like knowing that if my agent needs something, or my publisher, editor, or PR rep, that I can be in their office in under an hour, and my family, too. My parents aren’t getting any younger. I live close enough to be there quickly if there’s an issue, or if everyone’s getting together for dinner or an event. My brothers Dex and Sage and my sister, Siena, and their significant others all live nearby, and we try to get together for drinks or dinner in the city about once a month. And my other brother, Rush, and his girlfriend, Jayla, try to join us as often as they can. They’re both competitive skiers, and even during the winter if they can fly in for dinner, they do.” He shrugged. “Now I have the best of both worlds.”
“I’m looking forward to meeting your family. I love my family, and we’re close, but we all live very separate lives.”
“How often do you see them?” His eyes were serious again.
“Oh, every few months, I guess. If I needed them, they’d be here in a heartbeat, and I’d do the same for them, but we’re spread out in different states, so it’s not like we can get together for dinner. Email and cell phones work wonders.”
He pulled her close. “Well, you’ll love my family, and I know they’ll love you.”
A young family stopped by her booth, and she excused herself to help them. She couldn’t help but wonder what would happen if her business did take off. Could she manage it from two different states? Would she be able to find a place in New York to set up shop? She couldn’t very well take over Kurt’s kitchen for jam and jelly making. Could she?
If it were easy, it wouldn’t be my life.
Chapter Twenty-Five
MONDAY MORNING KURT accepted Blue’s proposal for the studio renovation. Blue was set to begin working in the evenings after wrapping up his day in Hyannis, and he’d work full-time over the weekends until the renovation was complete. With Kurt leaving on Thursday for Colorado, they were safe from Leanna finding out about the work being done as long as he stayed at her house, and with her friends leavi
ng to go back home soon, he thought she’d enjoy spending more time with them.
Leanna was out with Amy taking the documents to a print shop in Hyannis, which gave Kurt the morning to write without distractions—only he sat staring at his computer screen like it was a foreign object. There was so much to do to prepare for Leanna to move in with him, and he began making a mental list: Clear space in the closet, the dresser, the bathroom. When Jackie called, he was thankful for the distraction.
“Hi, Jackie.”
“Hi, Kurt. Are we going to make our deadline?”
“Yes. Didn’t you get my confirmation email?” He knew she had.
“And are you on target for our meeting Monday?”
“We’re still on. Jack’s wedding is Friday, and I fly back into town Sunday. I plan on emailing the manuscript Thursday evening, which will give you the weekend to review and prepare to harangue me.” He clicked on his manuscript. Definitely doable. With only the final scenes left to write, he should have it done and ready to go before Thursday evening, but he knew better than to shorten a deadline.
“If all my clients were as easy as you, I wouldn’t have gray hair.”
“You don’t have gray hair now.”
“And that’s the beauty of a good colorist. Can’t wait to read your latest.”
He ended the call, and when his mind drifted back to house preparations, he gave Leanna’s laid-back attitude a test ride as his own. Don’t stress over it. I’ll clean out the drawers and stuff when I get home and it’ll all be fine. Kurt repositioned himself in the chair. Sweat beaded his upper lip, and he gazed up at the sky, wondering why it suddenly felt ten degrees hotter.
The hell with it. He felt like he was wearing a sweater two sizes too small and realized—accepted—that there were some things he couldn’t adapt as his own. The idea of Leanna walking into his house and not feeling at home made him worry, and worrying would hinder his creative ability. He glanced at his manuscript on the computer screen. He needed to get back to it.
Baby steps. Moderation.
He called Siena. “Hey, I need a favor.”
“Sure.”
“Leanna is moving in with me when I get back home, and—”
“Moving in? So you didn’t break up? Good. I was worried. Not that I know her or anything, but you sounded happy, and…Oh, Kurt I’m so happy for you.”
“You two will get along great.” He smiled at the thought of them spending time together. He was excited for his family to meet Leanna and even more excited to build a life with her.
“Is she coming to the wedding?”
“No. She can’t reschedule her meeting, but I won’t get back into New York until late Sunday night, and she’s coming in Monday. Would you mind helping me to rearrange some things so she has room?”
“You really trust me to go through your drawers and stuff?” Siena asked.
He pictured her thinly manicured brows raised. “I trust you, Siena, and don’t worry; you can snoop all you want. I’m an open book.”
She sighed. “Like I don’t know that already? Jeez, Kurt. I’m not going to snoop. I was just teasing you. Okay. Tell me what you want me to do and I’ll do it.”
“You’re a lifesaver. Mom has an extra key to my house, so you can get that from her.”
“Kurt, I’ve had your key for two years.”
He could practically hear her rolling her eyes. “Right. Sorry. I’m a little sidetracked.”
“Do you mind if Mom comes with me? She’d love to help get your house ready for a woman.”
“Of course she would.” The thought of the two of them working side by side to prepare for Leanna was an amusing one. He pictured them passing comments about how it was about time he found a real girlfriend.
“That’s fine. Just don’t go overboard. I was thinking about making room in the closet, the bathroom, the dresser. You know what to do.”
“Yeah, yeah. It’ll be fun. Can we get extra stuff? Do you care if we put some things she might want, like scented soaps, body wash, that kind of stuff?”
He sat back and looked out at the water as the tide rolled back in. “She probably has her own stuff that she’ll bring with her, but sure, go for it. Whatever you want. Just don’t turn my house into a pink, fluffy chick’s place.”
“Don’t worry. I know you like things a certain way. I’m so excited to finally meet her.”
“She’s pretty great.”
“Can you text me a picture of you guys?”
This gave him pause. He hadn’t had a real girlfriend in forever, and he rarely used his cell phone. He felt a step behind in the boyfriend category. He should have thought about pictures before Siena did. “I don’t have one, believe it or not, but I’ll take one tonight and send it over.”
“Good. I can’t wait to see it. What’s she like? Is she methodical and quiet like you? Does she organize her sock drawer by color?” Siena laughed.
“I don’t do that.”
“I know, but it’s funny.”
“Ha-ha. No, she’s not methodical. In fact, she’s just the opposite. She’s a free spirit. She isn’t a planner.”
“She’s a pantser? Wow. How does she feel about Mr. Plan Ahead?”
“She loves me, Siena, and yes, we’re a little different, but we’re happy.” He wasn’t sure they were really all that different. Underneath her disorganization and beneath his scheduled lifestyle, they were very much alike.
He and Siena caught up for a few more minutes, and by the time they ended their call, Kurt’s mind was ready to focus. He set his fingers on the keyboard and disappeared into the final chapters of Dark Times.
Chapter Twenty-Six
KURT’S LAST DAYS on the Cape flew by too fast for Leanna. She wanted to draw them out and eke out every second she could with Kurt. Between preparing for the meeting with Daisy Chain, working with Bella, Jenna, and Amy to figure out how to put a WordPress website together—which was a two-bottle-of-wine job—and spending time with Kurt, she felt the end of summer closing in on her. He’d gone to his house earlier in the day and closed it up for the summer, since he was going back to New York straight from Jack’s wedding in Colorado, and when he’d returned, she’d seen a shadow of sadness in his eyes.
She and Kurt had spent their time at her cottage so she could also have time with the girls, and she appreciated that concession. He seemed content anywhere as long as they were together, and it was one of the things she loved most about him. It was surprising how similar they really were.
They were packing the car with blankets and beach chairs to go to the drive-in theater Wednesday evening when Bella and Jenna stopped by, still dressed in their bathing suits and sundresses.
“Drive-in?” Bella eyed the blankets.
“Yeah. Should be fun. Kurt’s never been.” Leanna watched Kurt coming up the road with Pepper, and she was touched by how he’d come to care for her dog. “He’s a good guy, huh?”
“You’re kidding, right? He’s amazing.”
“Yeah. I know. I’m so lucky.”
Jenna sidled up to Leanna. “Why don’t you take the van and get down and dirty at the drive-in like a couple of teenagers?”
Leanna laughed. “I swear, we are like a couple of teenagers, but I really just want to cuddle up beside him tonight. I hate that he’s leaving tomorrow.” She closed the trunk of his car and then whispered, “Besides, we can get down and dirty in the cottage later.”
Jenna smirked. “Just remember to close your windows.”
Leanna blushed. She and Kurt had forgotten to close the windows on Monday evening, and Jenna had been armed with a litany of jokes the next morning.
“No worries there, eavesdropper.”
“Eavesdropper? Please, they heard you in P-town.” Bella put an arm around Leanna and the other around Jenna. “I’m going to miss you guys this winter. Maybe we should plan a get-together over the holidays.”
“We talk about that every year, but with our schedules…” Jenna remi
nded her. “Maybe we’ll get together for Kurt and Leanna’s wedding.”
“You guys have it all figured out, don’t you?” Leanna reached for Kurt’s hand as he approached. Yeah, I’d so marry you. Her breath caught in her throat. Oh God. I would. I really would.
“Hey, babe. Ready to grab dinner?” He ran his hand through his hair and glanced at Bella and Jenna. “You guys live in your bathing suits.”
“Why not?” Bella twirled in her dress. “We have to leave this weekend, so we’re making the most of it.”
“You’ll take good care of my girl, won’t you?”
He said it teasingly, but Leanna knew he liked that they were there with her. He’d told her last night that he was glad she had people who cared about her as much as he did.
“You know it,” Bella answered.
“If you were dressed and if Leanna didn’t mind, I’d invite you to come with us.” He glanced at Leanna.
“You would?” She could cuddle with him and spend time with the girls—a perfect night.
“I’m sure I’m not the only one who is going to miss you when we leave, so sure, why not?” He shrugged.
Amy came out of her cottage and crouched down beside Pepper to love him up. “Hi, guys.”
“Do you guys want to come?” Leanna asked.
“Heck, yeah,” Bella answered. “Amy, drive-in with Kurt and Leanna?”
“On their last date night? We can’t do that.” Amy squinted and shook her head like they’d lost their minds. She was always the voice of reason.
“I’m going to be with Leanna every night after she comes to New York. I’d feel guilty if I didn’t share one of her last nights with you guys.” He folded Leanna in his arms. “Unless there’s something I don’t know about the drive-in.” He nuzzled against her neck.
“See? I told you.” Jenna adjusted her dress over her cleavage.
“Told you what?” Kurt asked.
Leanna felt her cheeks warm. “Nothing. Jenna’s being dirty.”
“I told her to take the van and make out in the back during the movie.” Jenna grinned.
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