Ashley smiled. “Yes, that’s right.”
“Unless I can convince her to stay longer,” Ray said, taking her hand in his.
“You can always try, Ray,” Ashley said, smiling sweetly at him, appreciating whatever game he was playing for Deborah’s benefit.
“I intend to,” he replied, smiling back at her and rubbing his thumb across her hand. She doubted he knew it but that was what Devon used to do to her hand all the time. A little silent message to her. Rubbing her hand while holding it in just this way always meant he was horny and liable to jump her bones any minute.
“So, you’ve changed your mind about dating now, Ray?” Deborah asked, seemingly hopeful.
“Just when it comes to this woman right here,” he said, smiling down at Ashley. “I guess you can say she wowed me.”
“Did she?” Deborah said, giving Ashley a scowl.
“Yes. Now, if you will excuse us, we’re on our way to lunch,” Ray said, tightening his hold on Ashley’s hand and leading her away.
They had walked a distance when she looked up at him. “So, what was that about?”
He glanced back down at her. “Nothing. It’s not important.” Then he said, “And just for the record, Ashley, you did wow me. So much, in fact, that I’m regretting the time when summer ends.” He gave her a smile and added, “I might have to think of a way to get you to extend your time here.”
She returned his smile, liking that thought. It gave her hope. “Go ahead and think of something. Changing my mind might be easier than you think.”
He threw his head back and laughed. “Don’t tempt me.”
When he led her away from the crowds toward the parking lot, she asked, “Where are we going?”
He came to a stop and faced her. “My place. I ordered lunch to be delivered. I hope that’s all right.”
Ashley couldn’t stop her smile. That was better than all right. She would finally get to see the place Ray called home. “Yes, that’s fine.”
Still holding tight to her hand, Ray led her out to the parking lot and over to his truck. He opened the passenger door and helped her inside and snapped the seat belt across her. His closeness was playing havoc on her senses. Not only did he look good, he smelled good.
He closed the door and she watched him walk around the front of the truck to get in, sliding firm masculine thighs onto the driver’s seat and fastening his seat belt. He turned the ignition in the truck and then backed out the parking space and headed toward the street.
Glancing over at her, he said, “You’re quiet. What are you thinking about?”
She shrugged. “I missed seeing you the last couple of days.” Although it was true, she regretted saying it the moment the words left her lips. The last thing she wanted was for him to feel she was putting him on the spot for not coming around.
When he brought the truck to a stop at a traffic light, he said, “Although we talked every night, I wanted to see how long I could go without seeing you. Being with you. I discovered just how miserable I could be.” He chuckled softly. “I won’t be trying that again anytime soon.”
She honestly didn’t know what to think of that. What he said could be of a sexual nature since they did make love a lot whenever they were together, but she wasn’t sure. Or was he insinuating that he’d begun developing feelings for her? Feelings he wasn’t ready for. There was only one way to find out. “Why did you feel the need to do that, Ray? To see if you could go without seeing me?”
When he came to another traffic light, he said, “That’s what I’m trying to figure out, Ashley.”
She nodded, deciding not to say anything. Instead she looked out the window. Since moving to the cove, she’d driven around a bit exploring, and she recognized the area. Quaint historical homes lined both sides of the streets and most had long and winding driveways. They were a good ways from the water and she thought it odd since she knew how much he loved the ocean.
As if he read her mind, he said, “When I bought this place, it was all I could afford at the time. I liked it immediately because it’s what I think a home should look like. My place is the last house on the road and I like my privacy. When I become successful, I plan to buy a bigger place on the water.”
She chuckled. “Yes, I know, and you’re eyeing the place I’m living in now.”
He laughed. “Yes. You sold me on that view outside your bedroom window. You can’t help but love it.”
He pulled the truck into the driveway of a cute little house and for a minute Ashley just sat there and stared. The house bore a strong resemblance to Devon’s grandmother’s place in Hardeeville. The home he’d grown up in as a child. The place he’d refused to sell after his nana’s death. Instead he’d rented it out to Mr. Rowman, an elderly man who’d been a member of Nana’s church.
There was the small wraparound porch and the slanted roofline. The yard looked well cared for. Devon had never been a home-improvement type of man. At least, not to the point where he worked outside in the yard. They’d had one of the most immaculate lawns in the neighborhood because they’d hired a lawn service to make sure of it.
“Nice place,” she said.
“Thanks. I think I timed it pretty good. The delivery service should be bringing our food in ten minutes. That will be enough time to show you around. Although this place lacks being on the water, it backs up against an apple grove.”
“Apples? I guess I never thought of apples growing around here. I mostly think of blueberries.”
He chuckled as he undid his seat belt. “That’s our major fruit but we also grow apples, peaches, nectarines and muscadines. The cove even has a winery that you rarely hear about, but I understand it’s pretty prosperous.”
She smiled at him. “I’m learning something new about the cove every single day.”
He broke eye contact with her to glance out the truck’s windshield. “I love it here. I’m not saying it just because it’s where I took up roots after losing my memory and there’s no place in my mind to compare. I’m saying it because this is where I found peace and acceptance that I’d lost my memory. Instead of becoming depressed wondering what I’d lost with my memory, I got my therapist’s help to start focusing on the things I’d gained.”
Ashley didn’t say anything. At that moment it hit her that there was a chance Ray might not ever get his memory back because in a way he didn’t want it back. This was the life he lived now and he was content. That only made her wonder where that would leave her if he didn’t want any part of his past, whether he remembered it or not.
CHAPTER TWENTY-FOUR
“READY TO GO INSIDE?” Ray asked after Ashley had gotten quiet on him. She smiled and that smile did something to him. Made him glad he’d come up with the idea of bringing her here for lunch.
“Yes, I’m ready.”
Nodding, he got out the truck, walked around to open the truck door for her and leaned over to unbuckle her seat belt. He then impulsively swept her into his arms and carried her to the porch.
When he placed her on her feet, she laughed and said, “You didn’t have to do that, so you better not complain if my weight causes your back to go out.”
He laughed. “You’re not heavy, trust me. And my back is good. Besides, the ground is unleveled and I wouldn’t want you to miss a step.”
He unlocked the front door and stood aside for her to enter. He went in behind her and closed the door, watching her look around. She looked good here in his home. Like she belonged.
Pushing that thought to the back of his mind, he said, “Let me show you around, although, honestly, there’s not a lot to show. There’re two bedrooms, and one I use as an office. A living room, dining room, kitchen and two bathrooms. What I fell in love with was the back porch. I love sitting out there in the evenings and drinking my beer. I thought we could sit out there for lunch.”
“Oka
y.”
He showed her around and she was quiet, but when they returned to the living room, she said, “I love it and it’s obvious you’re a neat freak. Nothing is out of place and your hardwood floors look so clean you can probably eat off them. Devon used to be a neat freak, too.”
Ray thought about that for a moment and decided to address something that was beginning to bother him, although it shouldn’t. “You do that a lot, Ashley.”
She tilted her head to look up at him. “Do what?”
“Compare me to your dead husband.”
The shocked look on her face said she was horrified. “I—I’m sorry. I hadn’t realized I’ve been doing that.”
He reached out and caressed the side of her face. “Hey, it’s okay,” he said, when deep down he knew it truly wasn’t okay with him. “You loved him. You still do. The two of you had good years together, so it stands to reason you would do that.” He was being logical about it now, but whenever she would do it he never thought logically. He would often get annoyed when he really shouldn’t.
There was no reason to make her feel even worse by telling her that she’d even whispered her husband’s name the last time they’d made love. That was when he began wondering if she was only seeing him as her dead husband’s substitute. He’d needed the last two days to think about it. In the end, he’d missed her like crazy and couldn’t wait to see her today.
“Come on. Let me show you out back.”
He knew the moment she stepped on his back porch that she could see why he liked it so much. The apple grove was beautiful and the scent of fresh apples filled the air. “It’s nice out here, Ray.”
“Thanks. I had it screened in because of the mosquitoes. There are nights I even sleep out here,” he said, explaining the reason for the daybed.
“I can see why,” she said, glancing around. “I could lose myself out here.”
“Even without the ocean view?”
She smiled at him. “Yes, even without the ocean view. You’re right. It’s so peaceful here.”
At that moment the doorbell rang. “That’s probably our lunch. You can use any of the bathrooms to wash your hands and I’ll be back in a minute.” He was about to walk off but then he pulled her into his arms.
“Welcome to my home, Ashley,” he said, and then lowered his head to kiss her.
* * *
ASHLEY PRESSED HER body against Ray while he took her mouth with a hunger that she felt all the way to her toes. And she kissed him back because she needed this kiss.
She was bothered by what he’d said. About her comparing him to Devon. She hadn’t meant to do that but it had come naturally. She would have to be careful in the future. In building a new relationship with Ray, she didn’t want him to think she was attracted to him because he was part of an old relationship with her husband.
But then, wasn’t he? Wasn’t she always looking for things about him that reminded her of Devon instead of fully accepting Ray for the person he was now?
He released her mouth and took a step back when the doorbell sounded again. “I better get that.”
And then he was gone and she was left sighing deeply while licking her lips. She loved his taste. She loved him, period. Deciding to go wash her hands, she headed for one of the bathrooms. She recalled her reaction at seeing his bedroom.
His bed was large with one of those old iron bed frames. He told her most of the furniture had come with the house but over time he’d replaced all of it, except for the bed frame. The only thing it had needed was a new mattress and box spring and it had been good to go.
When she returned to the patio, he was placing two bags on a round table with two chairs. The aroma floated to her nostrils. “Something smells good.”
He smiled at her, and seeing him standing there looking handsome and sexy had heat engulfing her, starting in the pit of her stomach. “I think you’re going to like what I ordered. Takeout from Briggins.”
Briggins Bar and Grill was another place he’d introduced her to. She’d thought that she’d died and gone to heaven after tasting their hamburger and fries. “You, Ray Sullivan, have made my day.”
He chuckled. “I’m glad. Can you take everything out the bags while I go wash my hands?”
“All right.”
By the time he returned, she was all but licking her lips. He’d ordered hamburgers, french fries and onion rings. All the things she liked. “Come and sit down and let’s dig in.”
He rejoined her at the table and she said, “You’re on lunch and have to return to work, right?”
“No, I’m off the rest of the day.”
She lifted a brow as she sat down. “You are?”
“Yes. I always shut down half days during the festival.”
“Doesn’t that hurt business? I figured with this crowd you’d want to capitalize on that.”
He shrugged. “I figure that making money all the time isn’t everything. There are times when you have to just enjoy life.”
“I agree,” she said, her head spinning with the news that Ray didn’t have to go back to work, which meant they would have more time to spend together today.
She recalled there was a time Devon had thought working was everything. For them to be successful was an obsession with him. It had gotten bad when she’d bought into his belief and they’d become power hungry. As a result, their marriage had suffered. Where other couples would had caved in and gotten a divorce, love had kept them together and had driven them to seek help from a marriage counselor.
She was beginning to like Ray’s view on life more and more.
“So tell me,” she said, smiling at him. “What things do you enjoy doing, other than being out on your boat? Anything in particular you like doing at the festival?”
He smiled back at her. “I like playing tennis. I’m pretty good at it, so I can only assume I played a lot at some point.”
He had. Devon had been captain of the tennis team in college. “You play a lot here?”
“Not here as much as in New Orleans. The courts are better. A couple of years back, this big corporation wanted to build a tennis resort in the cove, but the zoning board wouldn’t approve it.”
“Why?”
“The cove wasn’t ready for such a change. If you haven’t noticed, there aren’t any chain stores here.”
“I did notice. However, I did see that Spencer’s.”
“Trust me, it’s the only one and it’s pretty new. Vashti will have to tell you how that came about.”
“I’ll be sure to ask her, and just so you know, I’m pretty good at tennis. Maybe we can play a game or two one day.”
“No maybe about it. We need to add that to our schedule.”
Tossing her bangs from her face, she asked, “Are you playing hooky or did you shut the entire business down at noon?”
“I shut the entire business down. Tyler deserves to spend time with his wife to enjoy the festival. He told me this morning she’s expecting. I’m happy for him.”
Ashley could tell from the sound of his voice that he was. “That’s great.”
“I think so. I’ll become an honorary uncle again. I’m one to Sawyer and Vashti’s son and Tyler said I’ll be one to his kid. Can’t wait.”
She bit into a fry and gazed over at him. “You like kids?”
He glanced over at her like he thought she’d asked a dumb question. “Who doesn’t?”
She shrugged. “There are some couples who don’t want any and others who decide to wait till later.”
He chuckled. “I can’t see that being me. The waiting. It wouldn’t bother me if I got my wife pregnant on our wedding night.” He didn’t say anything for a minute but a pensive look appeared on his face. “That’s something that used to worry me.”
“What?”
“Knowing how I feel about children
and my desire to have them, maybe I did. And in addition to a wife, maybe I have a child or children somewhere. Not knowing is what pains me the most sometimes.”
She wished she could take him out of his misery by letting him know he hadn’t left behind any children. Just a wife who deeply loved him. Deciding to change the subject, she asked, “So, who owns the apple grove?”
* * *
RAY WAS WELL aware that Ashley had deliberately changed subjects. That was fine since he probably should not have said anything to her about how he felt about children anyway. It had been thoughtless of him. She had been married five years and she and her husband hadn’t had any kids. Had they been one of those who might not want any like she’d mentioned?
If that was true, he would bet it had been her husband who’d been the reluctant one. He’d seen the way she held Sawyer and Vashti’s son, Cutter, that day they’d run into them at dinner at Briggins. Vashti had to nearly pry the baby from Ashley’s arms to get Cutter back. Her interaction with Cutter had touched him that day and he’d wondered then why she wasn’t a mother.
“That apple grove is owned by Reid LaCroix, the wealthiest man in the cove.”
She nodded. “He owns the blueberry plant as well, right?”
“Yes, and it employs a great number of people. He’s an okay guy. I like him.”
As they ate for a minute in silence, his chest tightened at the thought he might have bothered her with his comment about children. The last thing he wanted was to hurt her feelings about anything. “Ashley?”
She glanced up at him. “Yes?”
“I am sorry what I said about kids.”
Her brow bunched. “Why would you be sorry?”
“I might have offended you. You and your husband didn’t have kids and—”
“We wanted them,” she cut in to say. “It was just a mutual decision to wait awhile. There were a number of things we wanted to accomplish before becoming parents.” He saw the pained look in her eyes when she added, “We decided to wait and he died before we could start a family.”
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