by Lynn Hunter
“Okay, I just want you to go slow,” Lily said as she put the groceries away.
“I’ll eat slowly. How about that? I’m still alive and healthy. I’m not going to sit in a rocking chair and waste away. That stroke was a wake-up call for me.”
“Then you can do the dishes too if you’re feeling so spry.” Lily teased.
“Not on your life. I can’t believe you would make a poor old lady work so hard.” Her blue eyes twinkled.
They set up the kitchen island with plates and silverware before laying out the meal.
“Guess what happened at the store Gramma?” Johnathan said as they sat down to eat.
“What?” her mom asked. Worry entering her lovely face.
“We didn’t have enough money at the store for the gun. The coupon was spired.”
“Expired? Oh no.” Her eyes went to Lily.
“It’s okay Mom. We got it covered.” Lily said quickly not wanting her mom to stress.
“Yeah! Samson paid for everything!” Her son said as if Samson was his best friend in the world.
“Samson?” Her mom questioned, taking in Lily’s flushed cheeks.
“A man standing in line behind us at the store. He paid for everything before I had time to put anything back.” She explained. “And then he ordered two dozen cupcakes instead of a repayment.”
“How did he know you baked?”
“I told him. He was really nice.” Johnathan said.
Lily sighed. “No big deal Mom. I have to take the cupcakes to his shop next Friday at noon. Maybe we’ll get some repeat business.”
“I’ll ride along.” She turned her attention to her grandson asking about his day at school.
After they finished eating and the kitchen was cleaned, Lily helped Johnathan with his homework. She loved this time of the evening. Everything was so calm. Tonight, though, she felt restless. Almost anxious like something was going to happen. Her thoughts kept wandering back to the man at the store. Why did her thoughts keep turning to him? She could still feel his warm hand on her elbow. A man hadn’t touched her, except a handshake, since her father died. It made her feel off balance. Maybe she should just mail him a check. No, that would be rude. Not to mention she might be missing repeat business. With a mental groan, she wondered how she could fit in any repeat business. She would worry about it later. She brought her thoughts back to her son, where they should be.
Chapter 3.
Lily decided on chocolate cupcakes. Judging by the cake Sam bought at the store, he liked chocolate. She carefully packed the freshly iced cakes into two boxes specifically for cupcakes. Guys working in a shop might not care about presentation but someone might be impressed enough to place an order.
Lily worried about this day all week. She felt edgy and nervous about seeing Samson again. Maybe he wouldn’t be there. Or, she could just run the cupcakes inside and be on her way. Two minutes’ tops.
“I’m ready to go. Do you need help packing up?” Her Mom asked breezing into the kitchen. As usual, she looked fresh, wearing jeans and a soft short sleeved red sweater. Her blond hair was curly and shiny, swinging around her shoulders. She looked perfectly put together even in jeans and a simple sweater. Lily, on the other hand, also wore jeans but they had worn holes in the knees. Not the fashionable kind, the tired kind. Her black t-shirt showed her morning work, covered in flour and icing. As long as she’d been baking she always forgot to put on an apron, usually remembering after she made had already made a mess. She was a messy baker but wasn’t trying to impress anyone with her looks, just her cakes. She usually changed into clean clothes before a delivery but for some reason, she didn’t want to today.
“Nope. I got it. Let’s get going.” Lily carefully stacked and lifted the boxes and started for the door.
Her mom didn’t move from her spot next to the Island.
“Don’t you want to change your shirt and brush your hair?”
“My hair is in a ponytail Mom, and I don’t have time to change. You can run these inside to the owner. Let’s go. Would you grab my purse and keys please?” She wanted to hurry this along and get it over with. Her mom clearly wanted to argue but trailed her out of the house grabbing their purses along the way.
It took about twenty minutes to get the shop. The large building sat on an enormous lot with several semi-trucks and trailers parked in neat rows. The shop had two large bays and a small office off to the side. On the left side of the parking lot was another much smaller building that looked to be an office with a few cars parked in front.
She turned to her mom without turning off the engine and took a deep breath. “Why don’t you run those inside and I’ll wait here,” nodding to the cupcakes in her lap.
“Lily you’ve been acting so strange for days now.” She reached out to put her hand on her forehead. “Are you feeling alright? Are you sick? Why didn’t you say something-”
“No, Mamma, I’m not sick, I promise.” She sighed. “I’m sorry.” She turned off the car and opened the door then walked around to the passenger door. She would run inside, drop off the boxes and hightail it out before she ran into Samson. “Just wait here, I’ll be right back.” She bent down to gather the boxes but her mom’s eyes were looking past Lily curiously. Instantly she felt warmth along her back and knew who was behind her.
*
Sam waited all week to see her again and she was finally here. His body hummed with excitement when he saw her old blue Honda pull into the lot. He wasn’t sure she’d come.
“Who’s that?” His brother Dean asked around a mouthful of grilled burger.
“That’s dessert.” Sam murmured and left his brother standing alone as he walked out to meet Lily. She was so cute with her hair pulled up. She had on those same worn jeans she was wearing when they met the first time. And the same black t-shirt. He felt his body charge the closer he got to her. He finally reached her and stood as close as he could to her back without touching her. She was talking to an attractive older blond woman sitting in the car. The other woman looked like an older version of Lily except Lily’s eyes were a light brown where this woman had sky blue eyes.
“Hello, Lily. Did you have any trouble finding the place?” She took her time but finally turned to look over her shoulder at him. Her soft brown eyes held a wariness in them. Was she still afraid of him? That wouldn’t do for his plans at all. He forced his body to take a step back and give her some space. “Want me to carry that for you?”
She glanced down at the boxes in her hand as if surprised she was holding them. He almost smiled. She wasn’t as immune to him as she pretended to be…or hoped she’d be.
“Um…Yes.” She turned and practically shoved the boxes at him. “Here you go. Enjoy.”
*
Oh, Lord. He was more attractive than she remembered. He was tall and muscular and smelled so good. When she met his glittering blue eyes, her breath left her lungs in a whoosh. She saw his mouth kick up at one corner and heat stained her cheeks. He was laughing at her. He knew how he affected her and he thought it was funny. Feeling humiliated, she turned away and saw her mom’s eyes practically bug out of her face. Not wanting to make introductions she just said brightly, “Okay all set.”
“Stop.” Sam’s deep voice commanded softly and she froze. She couldn’t believe it, she obeyed his command as if she was his dog. “Lily, why don’t the two of you stay for lunch.”
She forced her stiff body to turn to him once again. “Thank you, no. We have to-”
“Hey there Sam,” another voice called. A tall, lean man emerged from the glass doors of the office and ambled in their direction. He looked to be around fifty Lily guessed. He had a neatly trimmed head full of salt and pepper hair. His face was creased with a smile that seemed natural on him like he smiled often. He was handsome with a lean, tan face and light gray eyes. Judging by the way he looked now, he was probably downright hunky in his younger years. His smile made her want to smile back. Almost. She would have if her face d
idn’t feel so stiff from the tension in her body.
“Who do we have here?” The man asked, his friendly grin aimed at her.
“This is Lily,” Sam answered. “I’m sorry, I didn’t get your last name the other day.”
She swung her eyes back to him. She didn’t want to tell him for some reason. She didn’t want him to think she was interested in friendship. His eyes glittered almost demanding she tell him. She turned back to the friendly looking man. She extended her hand. “You can call me Lily,” she said with a forced smile.
He clasped her hand in a warm grip. “Nice to meet you, Lily, my name is Glenn Jones.” Something past her caught his attention and the easy smile froze on his face. With her hand still caught in his, she half turned.
“Oh! I’m so sorry Mr. Jones. This is my mom, Sarah.” He gave her hand a gentle squeeze before letting go and approaching her mom seated in the car.
“Hello, Sarah.” He greeted, reaching for her hand to draw her out of the door. “My, my,” he murmured. His eyes traveling over her mom’s face and taking in her halo of blond hair. “Two beautiful women on our lot in one day. I don’t know how you did it Sam but I’m going to have to give you a raise.” He said without taking his gaze off Sarah.
Lily wasn’t a bit surprised by his reaction to her mom. Men always found her captivating and it drove her dad crazy with jealousy. Glen’s compliment caused her mom to flush with pleasure and she gave Glen a shy smile. Was she flirting? Lily felt her jaw go slack with shock.
“I don’t work for you, old man.” Sam chuckled. His deep voice sent pleasure vibrating through her body.
“Oh, yeah,” Glen said, his twinkling eyes turned to Lily. “Sam owns the shop and I own the trucking company. It’s a win, win for both of us.”
“Jones Trucking,” her mom murmured. “I’ve seen your trucks on the road. It’s nice to meet you both.”
“Do you live here in Falls?” Glen asked still not releasing her hand.
“No, we live outside of Baker.” Conversation starting easily between the two of them. Lily felt awkward and out of her element. She’d never saw her mom touch a man other than her dad. It made her a little uncomfortable.
“If you two ladies aren’t busy, stay and have lunch with us.” Already leading her mom toward the smell of food grilling.
Lily’s hand shot out and latched on to her mom’s arm. The quick movement drew everyone’s attention. She felt heat climb her neck, knowing she must look like a child who wanted to cling to her mother. She forced her stiff fingers to let go. “Um, we need to get going. We have to meet Jonathan’s bus.” Begging with her eyes for her mom to understand.
“I’m sure we have a few minutes for lunch honey.” She smiled gently before walking away with Glen. Lily watched as he put a hand at the small of her back and bent down slightly to hear whatever her mom was saying. This left her standing alone with Sam, who had remained like a watchful statue for the last few minutes.
“Are you hungry?” He asked.
Without looking at him, she turned to the car. “No thank you. I’m just going to sit here and make a list of things I need from the store. You go on ahead.” She gave him what she hoped was a dismissive smile.
Sam knew when he was being dismissed. However, he wasn’t ready to leave yet. Frustration started to build. He stood behind her as she bent over to search her purse inside the car. She had a nicely rounded rear and he got hard just by watching her bend over. He couldn’t stop the groan that slipped out of his throat. She didn’t miss it either. It startled her so badly she jumped and hit her head on the door frame.
“Oh shit. Are you okay?” He put the cupcake boxes down on the roof of the car and reached for her. Rubbing the back of her head she stepped back and put a hand out in front of herself to keep him away. He ignored it and kept moving closer until her small hand came in contact with the hard ridges of his stomach. At the contact, she jerked her arm away so quickly she smacked her elbow on the open door behind her. She let out a small distressed sound and he paused. Sam saw the pulse quicken in her neck and a flush fill her face. She was trapped between him and the car door. Wide, frightened eyes met his before they fell away again.
“Have I done something to offend you Lily?” he asked, “Are you scared of me?”
“Apparently,” she said shakily.
He was so pleased with her honesty, he stepped back to give her some breathing room.
She visibly relaxed. “I’m not trying to scare you. I just want to get to know you.”
Startled eyes met his. “Why?”
“I’m attracted to you.” Her shaky hand smoothed her ponytail and then tugged at the front of her shirt in a nervous gesture.
“I-I’m not interested in getting to know anyone, Mr. Fuller. I’m sorry.”
She was fresh and sweet….and young. He should probably let it drop but his body wouldn’t let him. She was so unlike the women he usually dated. He wanted her. “Do you have a boyfriend?” He saw her mind working behind those maple brown eyes. “The truth.”
A guilty look crossed her face. She was an open book. “No. I don’t.”
“Come eat lunch. No pressure. We’ll just talk.”
After several minutes, she let out a sigh “Alright. Just lunch.” She warned with a tiny frown.
He wasn’t going to argue. He grabbed the cupcakes and she moved out of the way so he could shut the car door.
“What kind of cupcakes do we have?” He asked as they started to walk.
Lily felt heat fill her cheeks. “Chocolate.”
He gave her a knowing look. “I love chocolate.” His deep, gravelly voice made her shiver and he didn’t miss her reaction. Her eyes met his and she saw his flare with heat. Her breath caught and she stopped in her tracks. She was flushed from head to toe and her nipples turned to tight, painful peaks. Could he see through her shirt? She crossed her arms over her chest and hunched her shoulders.
“It’s okay, Lily.” He tried to soothe her but the sound of his voice made her body feel achy.
“I-I think I’m getting sick. I need to go home. Please tell my mom I’m waiting in the car.” She started backing away.
Sam’s arm snaked around her back to halt her flight. Her whole body stiffened. “Please don’t touch me,” she begged in a whisper, feeling so out of control of her body she wanted to cry.
“You’re not sick, baby. It’s okay.” She looked up into his eyes and saw understanding.
“I can’t go over there, Sam. Just let me go home.”
He opened his mouth to reply when her mom called from several feet away. “Lily, honey, are you alright? You look flushed.” She asked with a concerned look on her face.
“Actually Mom, I am feeling a little under the weather. I think we need to head home.” She turned to Glen. “It was nice to meet you, Glen. Enjoy the cupcakes.”
“You too, Lily.” He glanced at Sam curiously. Probably wondering what went on between them. “Did Sam order more? We would love to have fresh cupcakes instead of that stale stuff Sam gets from the store.
“Great idea.” Her mom said. “There is a card with our number in the boxes.”
“Perfect,” Glen said with a pleased smile. “I’ll walk you to the car.”
As they made their way to the car, Lily turned to follow giving Sam no choice but to let her go.
“I want to see you again Lily.” His voice quiet, for her ears only.
“I’ll bring cupcakes next week, but that’s all. I don’t want more. With anyone.” Lily strived to sound final but she felt like she was lying, even to herself.
“You want more with me, honey. That much is obvious.” His warm hand wrapped around her upper arm stopping her from walking away. “But I’ll give you time to get used to it.”
Get used to it? “Stay away from me, Sam.” Her body went from hot to ice cold.
“Not a chance.” His words were not a threat but a challenge.
Sam stood at the bay doors watching Lily’s car
disappear a little too quickly down the road. Why didn’t she recognize arousal when she felt it? She had a kid so she obviously had sex before. She was young but not so young to be entirely innocent. He’d find out soon enough. He wanted to know everything about her.
His brother’s voice cut into his thoughts. “Who was that sweet thing?”
Sam narrowed his eyes at him. “None of your damn business. Are you done eating yet? We have work to do.”
“Touchy, touchy big brother. Just curious. She looked a little young for an old man like you. Just right for me, though.” Dean said. “I can’t believe how good lookin’ her mom is either,” he let out a whistle, “Good genes in that family.”
“Stay away from her, Dean.”
Dean paused just before shoving a big chocolate cupcake in his mouth.
“And don’t eat all the cupcakes. I know for a fact you were raised with manners. Use them.”
Dean took a bite and moaned in bliss. “Holy shit, this is good.”
“Finish that and get to work,” Sam growled. He walked back to the Fleetwood he’d been working on before Lily showed up. He wondered what she would think of Dean. Women thought he was handsome and charming. He loved his brother but wouldn’t hesitate to beat the shit out of him if he turned his charm on Lily. Dean was closer to her age. He could probably find the right words to get her to relax.
“I won’t come on to her Sam. I promise,” Dean said in an unusually solemn voice.
“Good to know.”
“So… you’re really interested in her, huh?”
“More than interested. Let’s leave it at that.”
Chapter 4.
Lily re-lived her humiliation during the ride home. What was wrong with her body? Both times that she had been around Sam, her nerves went haywire.
“Sam seems interested in you.” Her mom said casually.
Ya think? “I’m not interested in him, though.”
“It’s alright if you want to date. It’s been-”
“I don’t want to date, Mom, I just want us to get on solid ground with bills so we don’t lose the farm house.” Lily was determined not to lose the house she grew up in. The house Johnathan is growing up in. It was more than a house. It was a sanctuary.