The bell above the door rang, and Noah Lockhart walked in. His eyes swept the room, looking for Luke. Once he found his target, he moved like a guided missile.
“Hey, Riley. Looking good.”
“Yes,” Luke said. “My girlfriend is sizzling hot.”
Noah shook his head. “Good for you, man. You snagged a good one. Pretty. Smart. Although not too smart if she chose you.”
“You want your coffee in the mug or in your lap?” Riley asked. “One more quip about my intelligence, and you won’t get a choice.”
Luke laughed. “That’s my girl.”
She slipped the order into the clip and spun the wheel. “Order up.”
“Forget Thomas. I’ll take him.” Meg lifted her chin toward the front corner booth. “Noah, right?”
Riley leaned against the counter and looked to where Noah and Luke sat talking about building his dream home. She couldn’t believe he’d bought the land. She was more shocked he wanted her input.
“Noah Lockhart. Be careful though, he’s got the reputation of a player.”
Meg picked up the coffee pot. “I like to play.” She sashayed her way to her next victim.
Chapter Twenty-Two
It had been three days since he and Riley had slept in the same bed. He’d been called out to several big fires in the area. Thankfully, none close enough to Aspen Cove to put the town in danger.
Living in a mountain town made the risk of fire ten times worse. Tall pine, fir, and spruce made crown fires hard to fight when they jumped from tree to tree. His small crew was doing all they could to help the Silver Spring department put out a fire started by a careless camper.
The one thing Luke couldn’t tolerate was carelessness.
He shed his smoke and soot filled clothes in the laundry room of the fire station.
Thomas walked in wearing his pink underwear and a T-shirt.
“You know, you can buy new stuff. You make a decent wage.”
He looked down at his bubble gum-colored skivvies. “I’d rather buy tile for my new house than underwear. Besides, this is a great reminder as to why clothes get sorted. Hey, James,” he yelled. “Come here.” He tossed his dirty clothes in the washer and pointed to Luke’s soiled ones. “You want those washed?”
James walked in. He looked at Thomas, and his jaw tightened. The muscle in his temple started to tick. “What?”
“Luke and I have laundry, and I thought you’d like to get started on it.”
James stomped forward and swept the clothes from Luke’s hand. “Jeez, how long will I have to pay for turning your shit pink?”
Thomas shrugged. “I don’t know… maybe until you learn you never wash red with white.”
“I got it.”
Thomas mussed up James’s hair as he walked by. “Great, then this is your last load.”
Luke followed him up the back staircase to the bunks, where they all stored spare clothes.
“Tile, huh?”
Thomas tugged on his jeans and slipped into a pair of black boots. “I’m going neutral. All beiges, whites, and browns with hints of yellow. Hardwood floors. Blinds instead of drapes. Getting the damn popcorn ceiling removed.” He pulled a black cotton shirt over his head. “How’s the planning coming along for your new digs?”
“It would be coming along faster if Riley was around to give her input.”
“Still burning the midnight oil?”
“She’s burning oil around the clock. With the concert in less than two weeks, at least there’s an end in sight.”
“You’re crazy about her, aren’t you?”
“Either I’m in love or I’m crazy.” He bent over and tied his shoes.
“You’re in love, and that makes you crazy.”
“Such a cynic. You should try it sometime, it makes you feel all warm inside.”
Thomas pulled on his jacket. “I’ll stick to Irish coffees. Gives me the same feeling without all the hassle. Cheaper, too.” Thomas waved goodbye and walked out of the room. “See you tomorrow.”
Luke looked at his phone to see if Riley had responded. He’d sent her a text telling her he was on his way home. No response meant she was hard at work.
He left the firehouse and headed for home, thinking he’d grab a bite to eat, then go to the studio.
When he pulled into the driveway, his heart rate picked up. There was Riley, sitting on his front step, wearing her white flowy dress and looking like a damn angel.
He threw his SUV into park and raced to her. Seeing her sitting there waiting for him was the best reward for a long day.
“Hey beautiful, I didn’t expect to see you here.”
She rose to her sandaled feet and wrapped her arms around him. “I missed you. I feel like I’ve been neglecting you.”
“I missed you, too, but I understand your need to finish. Won’t being here put you behind?”
“Yep, but I’ll make it up. Besides, you’re worth it.” She squeezed him tight.
He could get used to having her there with him all the time. Hell, she was with him regardless. Riley was the first thing on his mind in the morning and the last thing on his mind at night.
“Do I smell like a barbecue?”
“You sure do, but I like barbecue.”
“Liar.”
She shook her head. “No, you haven’t had anything until you’ve barbecued a portobello mushroom or a cauliflower steak.” She threaded her fingers through his hand and followed him into the house.
“You can’t call that barbecue.”
“I just did.” She moved in the direction of the kitchen. “How about I make us some supper and you take a shower?”
“So, I do stink.”
“No, I love the way you smell, but I can see the tension in your shoulders, and the ash in your hair has given it a gray tint. I have to say, when you turn gray, you’ll still be hella hot.”
“That sounds like an amazing plan—dinner, not turning gray.” He gave her what he hoped was a toe-curling kiss. Something of a promise of what was to come later.
They parted ways in the kitchen.
For the hundredth time, the handle to the hot water fell off and clattered to the bottom of the chipped porcelain tub. Luke was so glad he’d purchased the land. He’d be even happier when they broke ground on the building.
Noah was excited to share a greenhouse plan his buddy Owen Cooper had been perfecting. In all honesty, it was the perfect idea since the house would face east and get full sun most of the day. Solar-powered, it would leave a small footprint on the world and a smaller dent in his wallet.
He wanted Riley’s input because he wanted her there with him. He wanted her always. If things continued to go as well as they had, it would be her house, too.
Wearing sweatpants that hung low on his hips and a T-shirt that stretched tight across his chest, he walked barefoot into the kitchen.
On the stovetop was a pot of bubbling beans. Next to it was the package of no-lard tortillas and a pouch of grated cheese.
He’d never considered eating vegetarian but often did when he and Riley ate together. He had to admit the food was always good.
“Smells great.”
She whirled around, sending her dress floating around her sexy legs.
“Yes, you do.”
She moved over and leaned against the faded Formica counters. “How do you look so yummy in sweatpants?”
“It’s a gift,” he teased.
She turned off the stove and moved toward him like a lion hunting prey. That look in her eye made him immediately rock hard.
“How hungry are you?” She splayed her fingers across his chest, making sure to skate across his sensitive nubs. “I only ask because if you’re a gift, I’m eager to unwrap you.”
Luke never said no to the chance to be with her. Be inside her. They moved slowly back to his room, leaving their clothes along the way. He made slow, passionate love to her because that’s exactly what it was. He was head over heels in love w
ith her.
As they lay in post-lovemaking bliss, he took a deep breath because the time had come to move things forward.
He rolled to face her, setting his hand on her rounded hip.
“I have a question.”
“I’ll give you an answer.” She traced the curve of his jaw.
“I’ve been thinking about us.”
No one had a prettier smile than Riley. It was the kind that lit up her eyes and brought color to her cheeks. He was certain when she was happy even her hair looked shinier.
“I love the way we play house together. Love how coming home to you makes me feel whole. I was hoping you’d move in with me. I know it’s soon, but everything about us feels right.”
When her smile fell, so did his heart.
“I want to. I do, but if I lived here, I’d never get anything done. With the concert rushing towards me, I can’t afford to get behind.” She traced her finger down his chest to his happy trail. “You’re a huge distraction.”
Even though he wasn’t happy, he laughed at her huge comment. “If I had a shorter, less impressive hose, you’d consider it?”
“Such a fireman.” She rolled him to his back and straddled him. If she wasn’t careful, they might not get to the food she’d prepared for a while. “Tell you what, I’ll stay over as often as I can, and if you feel the same way after the concert, ask me again, and I’ll say yes.”
“Okay, so you’re moving in after the concert. Shall we start bringing your things over now?”
She positioned him at her entrance and eased down onto his length.
His questions were replaced with moans. He couldn’t think, much less talk when he was deep inside her. They’d given up condoms for a safer form of birth control. The problem was… skin on skin, and he had no control.
Later that evening, they sat on the couch eating cold bean and cheese burritos.
“Are you leaving me as soon as I fall asleep?”
“Nope, I’m curling up next to you and sleeping like a baby.”
He kissed the top of her head. “You make me happy.”
“You make me horny.”
He picked up their empty plates. “Time for bed, then.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Riley managed to swing by her apartment and change before her shift at the diner. She tossed on a pair of jeans and threw on a pink tunic. She wrestled her hair into a ponytail on her way out.
Each time she passed by the erector set, she smiled. When she was a kid, she’d told everyone she would grow up to be a metal artist. No one but her father had faith she could accomplish that goal.
Her fingers skimmed the metal frame as she walked past. She had made it. She’d walked through fire and come out the other side a better person. When the concert took place, her art would take center stage. It was like a private showing.
She trotted down the stairs with happiness flowing through her veins. Life had taken a severe right turn for her. One day she was living above her father’s shop, the next she was being kicked out, the next she had a place in Aspen Cove, and now she had a studio, a job, and a boyfriend. She hated to jinx her luck by thinking about it, but damn, she’d hit the jackpot.
She wouldn’t be late, but she wouldn’t be early either. Walking through the door of the diner, she figured she’d be on the dot. Meg, no doubt, would be tapping her toe and looking up at the clock to see the big hand snap to the twelve.
When she looked up, there was only her Aunt Maisey, who’d managed to turn her stylish bob into something big and stiff and unattractive.
“Mornin’, darlin’.” Maisey tossed her a clean apron. “Meg’s out back, taking a cancer break.”
“Bad habit, but we all have something we can’t kick.” For Riley, that something was Luke.
“She says you’ve turned into a decent waitress. Did you pay her to say nice things, or are you two best buddies now?”
“No payment necessary. We’re grown-ups and talked out our differences.”
“If you say so. In my experience, women are catty or batty. Some are both; those are the ones to watch out for. Crazy and jealous is never a good mix.”
Riley wasn’t sure what Meg’s motives could be for being nice. All she knew was, being friends with Meg was far more pleasant than the alternative.
The bell rang above the door, and Luke and his crew walked inside. From the back emerged Meg. She always seemed to have her radar set for Luke, or maybe now it was Thomas since she’d changed targets.
“Sit where you’d like, boys,” Aunt Maisey sang out.
Luke looked at Meg, then at her. She could see the reasoning going on in his brain. He wanted to sit in her station, but to do so might upset Meg since he’d always sat in her area. He rocked left and right and then walked toward his regular booth, with James, Thomas and Jacob following.
“Why don’t you take care of them? I mean, he is your man.”
That confirmation made Riley heat up inside. “Are you sure?” She looked toward the table. “Thomas is there, so I thought you might want to wait on them.”
Meg leaned over and took a peek. “He’s good looking. No doubt built. Probably good in bed, but he’s made it plain and clear all he’s looking for is a good time.”
Meg’s answer puzzled her. “Wasn’t it you who said you liked a good time?”
“No. We were talking about Noah Lockhart being a player, and I said I liked to play, but I also like to win, and there’s no winning with a man like Thomas.”
Another man walked into the diner. He was tall and every bit the cowboy. “You take him,” Riley said.
“Oh, Lord have mercy. I bet that man can give a good ride.” Meg swept the coffeepot from the burner and walked away.
Riley bounced over to the firemen’s table. Since it was no secret she and Luke were an item, she bent over and kissed him.
James made some sordid comment about sliding down the greased pole, but Thomas grabbed his ear and told him he was back on laundry duty. Maybe he’d learn how to sort out and clean up his dirty mouth.
After four orders of pancakes and bacon, they finished up and left, but not before Luke gave her another kiss.
The cowboy was still there, and so was Meg. She was practically sitting in his lap. Her blouse had popped an additional button to show off her ample personality.
After noon, Aunt Maisey and Uncle Ben left, leaving Dalton, Meg, and Riley to handle the afternoon. A few of the locals were picking up shifts here and there as well. Even Louise Williams took two shifts a night. She said it was her quiet time, but in truth, it was probably because eight kids drank a lot of milk and they needed the extra cash.
By the end of the day, Riley was dragging, but she had so much to accomplish.
Meg was helping her with her side-work and chattering on about her cowboy, Wyatt, a new addition to the Dawsons' ranch.
“You know what they say: spare a horse, ride a cowboy.”
“You got a date?”
Meg laughed. “Not with him.” She wiped the counter and tossed the towel into the nearby bucket of soapy water. “You and I have an after-work date at the Brewhouse.” She reached behind her and untied her apron. “Don’t say no, or I might change my mind about liking you.” She rolled up her apron and shoved it into her hiding spot next to the full ketchup bottles. “As soon as Louise shows up, come on over.”
Meg was gone before she could argue. Riley didn’t have time for a drink at the bar. She didn’t have time for much of anything. She had to weld the guitar strings in place, as well as the firework holders. She had some chemical treatments she wanted to apply to give the metal the deep patina she was after.
On the other hand, she knew if she didn’t show, she’d be back to working the place by herself and dealing with burned toast and anything else Meg could conjure up to make her life miserable.
She shot a note to Luke because she didn’t want him to think she was choosing Meg over him.
I’ve been shanghaied into hav
ing a drink with Meg after work.
She leaned against the counter and waited for his reply. It came right away.
Is she blackmailing you or just being nice?
The bell above the door jangled, and in walked Louise.
Both but I’m only staying for a soda and then I’m off to the studio.
“Hey, Louise,” Riley said. “I’m thinking Doc might be in since he didn’t show for lunch, but it shouldn’t be too crazy.” Riley took off her apron and folded it nicely. She always put hers on the table in the back. If it was there, it always got cleaned.
“Not sure of that,” Louise said. “I hear Charlie went into labor. It’s a bit early for them. They were hoping to get a few more weeks in, but I suppose thirty-seven weeks is good when you are carrying two.”
“Oh, my goodness. We’re going to have more babies in town.”
“Thank goodness, because Bobby and I can’t populate Aspen Cove on our own.” She gave Riley a sly smile. “We did try though.”
Louise took over, and Riley rushed to Bishop’s Brewhouse to find Samantha on her way out.
“Hey, I was going to call and ask how the sculptures are going?”
Riley had asked her not to peek because she wanted them to be a surprise. “They’re great. I’m putting on the final details. In fact, I’ll be heading over after I have a drink with Meg.”
“You think that’s wise?”
“What? A drink, or a drink with Meg?”
Samantha glanced at the table, where Meg sat waiting. “Both?”
“I’m sticking with soda, and Meg… well… that’s a work in progress.”
“I’ll see you later, then.”
When Riley sat at the table with Meg, she was already halfway done with her first glass of wine.
“What’ll it be?” Cannon called from the bar.
“A Coke, please.”
“Really?” Meg said. “You come to a bar for a soda pop?”
She pulled out the chair and sat. Immediately, the orange cat raced over and did figure-eights around her legs.
Meg looked down and frowned. “Why does everybody and everything like you better than me? That cat hisses at me when I try to touch it.”
One Hundred Ways: An Aspen Cove Romance Page 14