He lifted a brow. “Your parents?”
“Yes.” She realized she’d never discussed her parents with him, and doing so now would mean she was sharing more of herself with him. “By most standards, I have good parents. Dad and I get along great the majority of the time. But Mom and I clash a lot.”
He chuckled. “Why? Is she bossy like you?”
Ashley smiled. “No, she’s controlling. Not a little bit but a lot. She and Devon never got along, because he refused to let her control our lives.”
“Good for him.”
She was glad Ray felt that way. “Anyway, Mom thinks I’m taking too much time getting my life back together after Devon’s death, so she’s taken it upon herself to help me along by playing matchmaker.”
“Matchmaker?” he asked, taking another sip of his beer.
“Yes. There’s this guy she keeps shoving down my throat, although I told her I’m not ready to get involved with anyone. I talked to her the other day and she wants Elliott to come see me and I refuse to let that happen.”
“Good for you.” His voice was hard and his jaw had clenched. Her heart skipped a beat. If she didn’t know better, she’d think he was upset at the thought that another man was interested in her.
“Why is it a good thing, Ray?”
“Because you’re a grown woman who knows her own mind and what she wants to do with it and who she wants or doesn’t want in it. Your mother should respect that.”
She couldn’t help but smile. Now he sounded like Devon. “She doesn’t and that’s why I’m going home this weekend to make sure they understand. Unfortunately, Dad can’t hold his own against Mom.”
“In other words, he’s a damn wimp.”
Ashley hated her father being described that way but Ray’s description was pretty darn accurate. “Yes.”
Ray pulled her to him and rested his chin on the crown of her head. “Thanks for sharing that with me, Ashley. That deal about your parents.”
Pulling back, she looked down at him. “I’ll share anything with you, Ray. Anywhere and at any time.” Ashley figured an invitation couldn’t get any more blatant than that.
He evidently thought so, too. Placing the beer bottle aside, he stood with her in his arms and headed back into the house. She didn’t have to ask where they were going because she knew.
They were going to make love in his bed this time around.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SIX
“MORNING, RAY. You’re not joining us for breakfast?” Sawyer asked, glancing up at Ray over the rim of his coffee cup. Instead of sliding into the booth like he normally did, Ray stood there with what he knew was a satisfied smile on his face. Sawyer clearly recognized the smile and the meaning behind it.
“No, I’m getting it to go.”
“To go? Why?” Kaegan asked, obviously hiding a grin. He might not be involved in a serious affair but Ray knew the man wasn’t stupid.
“Maybe that’s none of your business, Kaegan,” Sawyer said, coming to Ray’s defense.
“You’re right, Sawyer,” Ray said, grinning. “It’s none of his business. You guys have a good day.”
Leaving his friends, Ray moved toward the counter to order breakfast for him and Ashley. Waking up with her sleeping beside him had left him with a profound feeling of peace.
A short while later, he was placing the bags on his kitchen table. He went into the bedroom and found Ashley still sleeping. He stood there and stared at her for a moment before stripping off his clothes and getting back in bed.
Easing up close beside her, he inhaled her scent as he gently pulled her into his arms, trying hard not to wake her, and released a deep sigh when she continued to breathe evenly while he held her. He loved the feel of her naked flesh next to his. Loved the way even in sleep how he sensed her trusting nature, especially in knowing he was the first man she’d shared a bed with since losing her husband. He’d felt such pleasure when he had awakened in her bed and felt the same way now.
The only thing missing since the last time they’d spent the entire night together was a feeling of panic. The last time, he’d felt overwhelmed, not sure he was making the right move. Feeling like he was getting too attached to Ashley. Too obsessed.
Now he still felt those things. None of it bothered him. He’d tried putting distance between them. He’d convinced himself it was all about sex and fulfilling physical needs. But he knew that was a lie. Ashley was coming to mean something to him and he was no longer afraid of that realization.
What he was afraid of was that he wasn’t coming to mean anything to her in the same way. There was no doubt in his mind that she liked him and enjoyed being with him. But what did it mean that for the first time in three years he was finally considering moving forward in his life, but unfortunately he’d hooked up with a woman who might not want to move on in hers?
Granted, she no longer wore her wedding ring and that was a beginning, but he had a feeling she was still stuck in the past, specifically on a husband who wouldn’t be coming back. A man who was dead, yet whom she still refused to bury. At least she hadn’t called Ray Devon like she’d done the last time they’d made love at her place.
Hearing her call him by another man’s name had been disheartening and bothered him deeply to the point he’d stayed away for those two days to deal with it. But still, he knew that Ashley was starting to mean something to him. He didn’t want that but didn’t know any way to stop it.
He’d made love to her in this bed last night. A lot of times. Each time had driven him to want to do it again. And again. It was as if his bed, the sheets and all the bedcoverings had her name on them. As if they’d been waiting for her to slide between them, that one person, that one incredible woman who could make his life complete. He hadn’t thought such a thing was possible. He’d been afraid to think such a thing was possible.
Fear of the unknown was what he still had to overcome. Fear that one day the other shoe would drop and he would get his memory back and discover the last three years had been a lie and that the life he’d remembered wouldn’t be the life he wanted now.
Ray wasn’t sure just how long he lay there holding Ashley, reveling in how a part of him wished things could have been different for them. That he was totally free to pursue her the way he’d like and not just settle for the summer. He closed his eyes, not wanting to think how he would feel when he would see her for the last time...on the day she packed up to return to South Carolina and the life she had there.
“Good morning, Ray.”
He glanced down at her and saw she’d awakened. Damn, she looked beautiful. The sunlight that flowed in his bedroom window through the blinds seemed to highlight her features, giving them a stunning glow. “Good morning.”
As if it was the most natural thing to do, he leaned in and kissed her with all the emotions he’d been feeling lately, especially those he’d encountered since returning from the café and rejoining her in bed. Emotions he found overwhelming but gloried in nonetheless.
When he released her mouth, he gazed down at her. “How do you feel this morning?”
“Great. Making love to you practically all night seems to have given me a new lease on life. Thank you for sharing your time yesterday and your bed.” She didn’t say anything for a moment and then she said, “It wasn’t my plan to spend the night. I don’t want you to think I’m clingy.”
He reached out and brushed a few strands of hair back from her face. “I believe I’m the one who brought you here and I don’t recall asking you to leave. In fact, I’m holding your clothes hostage.”
She chuckled as she snuggled closer into his arms. “That’s right. You are, aren’t you?” Her sigh was one of contentment. “It’s Saturday. Don’t you have something to do? It’s day two of the festival.”
“Nope. I don’t have anything to do but enjoy the festivities like everyone else. I got
up earlier and went out to get us breakfast. It’s gotten cold by now, but I do own a microwave, so we’re good.”
She leaned up to brush a kiss across his lips. “Yes, we are good. In more ways than one, Ray.”
He definitely agreed with that. “You’re hungry?”
“Not yet.”
“Good. I’m going to miss you all over again when you leave town on Sunday. When will you be back?”
“Thursday.”
“That’s a long time. I hope you know what that means.” He pulled her into his arms to show her in case she didn’t.
* * *
ABOUT AN HOUR after landing in Hilton Head, Ashley pulled into the parking lot of her parents’ apartment complex. The flight hadn’t been as bad as the one she’d taken the last time she’d come home. Or it could be that she had so many great new memories that even turbulence couldn’t sidetrack her mind.
After breakfast Saturday, she’d gotten dressed and Ray had taken her back to her place, where she’d changed into a sundress, and together they left for the festival. They had spent the majority of the day taking in the sights and vendors and even a concert before grabbing a bite to eat and returning to her place. They watched a movie together and he didn’t leave until this morning, kissing her long and hard before telling her to be safe and he would see her on Thursday.
She didn’t want to get her hopes up about anything but the last couple of days with Ray had been idyllic. She only hoped things continued that way because every day she was falling deeper and deeper in love with her husband. The thought that he would never love her in return was too devastating a possibility to even consider.
Leaving her car, she walked up to the door. Her father knew she was coming. Her mother did not. She and her dad figured it would be best that way. The last time she’d talked to her mother and told her she was coming so they could talk, Imogene had said not to bother. Ashley knew that wasn’t an option when Elliott had called her yesterday to say her mother suggested that he call her.
Ashley had been with Ray when she’d gotten the call. Although he hadn’t said anything, she could tell by the tensing of his jaw that he hadn’t appreciated Elliott calling during their time together. Now she was glad she’d told him the story about her mother and Elliott.
She rang the doorbell and the look on her mother’s face told her she wasn’t surprised to see her. That meant her father had caved as usual. “Hi, Mom.”
Her mother was smiling and that wasn’t a good sign. “Hello, Ashley. I’m glad you decided to come home to see your aging parents,” Imogene said, and even leaned in to place a kiss on her cheek. Then she moved aside to let Ashley enter.
When Ashley walked inside, she knew the reason for her mother’s good mood. Elliott was sitting on the sofa, grinning from ear to ear. “Your mother said you’d be coming home today and suggested I drop by to welcome you back.”
Ashley’s hand tightened on the strap of her purse. “There was no need for you to do that, Elliott.” She looked at her mother. “Where is Dad?”
“He’s out on the patio grilling. Since you were coming to town, I thought I’d invite Elliott over for dinner. Your dad volunteered to grill to give me a chance to get out of the kitchen.”
Ashley knew her father never volunteered to grill. He hated doing it. “There was no need for either you or Dad to go to any trouble because I don’t intend to stay. I’m here to meet with you and I plan to go to my place and rest up. I’ve already made plans for dinner with Emmie for later.”
“Ashley,” her mother said in her stern voice. “There’s no way you’re eating with Emmie when you came home to see us.”
Her mother’s authoritarian tone grated on Ashley’s nerves. “I came home to speak with you, and I’d like to do it now, Mom, so I can leave.”
“Leave? Ashley, don’t be ridiculous.”
“I’m not being ridiculous. Please let Dad know I want to talk with him now. And while you’re doing that, I’ll talk with Elliott.”
Her mother must have seen the determined look on her face and said, “Okay. I’ll go get your dad while you entertain Elliott.”
It didn’t take Ashley any more than five minutes to entertain Elliott. She told him, like she’d told him several times before, that she wasn’t interested in him. This time she went further and told him to lose her number, and if he tried to contact her, regardless of what her mother said, did or advised, she would consider it harassment and take action. That was enough to send Elliott quickly packing without looking back.
When her mother returned, she asked, “Where is Elliott?”
“He left.”
“Left? Why? I ordered him to stay no matter what you said or did. I told him when the two of you get together, he would need a firm hand with you.”
“And I made sure he knew we wouldn’t be getting together at all.”
“Can we all sit down and discuss this?” her father said, giving her an apologetic look, which she ignored.
“No, we can’t. I’m here to get a few things straight with you two. I don’t need you interfering in my life and please don’t do it again.”
“But you need someone,” her mother implored. “Devon isn’t coming back and you need to accept that.”
Ashley wished she could tell her mother how wrong she was about that. Instead she said, “Look, Mom, I know you assume you know what’s best for me, but you don’t. I’ve told you countless times that neither you nor anyone else can control how long I grieve. You can’t say how long it should last.”
She paused a minute and then added, “Leaving town for a while was the best thing for me. I met someone.”
Just like Ashley had expected, her mother’s jaw dropped. “You met someone?” Imogene exclaimed. “Who? When?”
Ignoring her mother’s questions, Ashley said, “All you need to know is that I really like him and we’re talking.” Of course, she and Ray were doing a lot more than talking, but her parents didn’t need to know that.
“Well, I hope you’re taking things slow. You can’t rush into affairs these days.”
So said the woman who’d been constantly trying to shove Elliott down her throat. “I ask that you stay out of my business, Mom. You’ve interfered long enough. Let me handle my own affairs.”
“When will we get to meet him?” her father asked.
Ashley turned to her father. “When I think the time is right, Dad, and not before.”
“We need to know when,” her mother declared in a huff. “And we need to know his name.”
Samuel turned to his wife. “We don’t need to know anything, Genie. You heard what Ashley said. When she is ready to tell us anything, she will,” he said in a firm voice. “For once you need to stay out of her business.”
For the second time that day, her mother’s jaw dropped. “Don’t take that tone of voice with me, Sam.”
“I am taking it and meaning it as well,” her father said loudly.
“You raised your voice to me,” Imogene said in shock.
“Yes, I did, and I intend to do it more often. It’s about time you let Ashley live her life, and I intend to start stepping up and make sure that you do,” her father stated.
Ashley appreciated him at that moment and hoped he stuck to his guns. “I’m leaving now, but I’ll be in town until Thursday. Suzanne and Kim are flying in tomorrow and we’re all hanging out. If you want to plan dinner for Wednesday, Mom, then I’ll be happy to come. Just call and let me know when. Bye.”
She turned and left.
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
“WHEN DOES ASHLEY return to town?”
Ray glanced over at Sawyer. “How did you know she’d gone anywhere?”
Kaegan chuckled. “He’s the sheriff, Ray. Sawyer knows everything that goes on in Catalina Cove.”
Sawyer leaned back in his chair. “Not everyt
hing. However, I knew about Ashley because she mentioned it to Vashti. Was it supposed to be a secret?”
Ray took a sip of coffee. “No, it wasn’t a secret.”
“Well, I happen to know she was gone because you’ve been walking around with a sad face,” Kaegan said, biting into a blueberry muffin.
Ray frowned. “I haven’t had a sad face.”
When both Sawyer and Kaegan merely grinned at him, Ray figured they might have been right about the sad face. He had been feeling pretty damn miserable for the past few days. “She’ll be back on Thursday.”
“Right in time for my party Friday night,” Kaegan said. “Make sure you bring her.”
Kaegan had given a party every year since he’d moved back to town. “I’ll ask her.”
Later in his office, Ray and Tyler had finished all the tours for that day. Since Ashley had been out of town, he’d worked late at the office every night catching up on paperwork. Before going home, he would swing by Ashley’s place just to make sure everything looked okay. Then once he got home, he would fall into his regular routine.
He leaned back in his office chair, thinking just how much he missed Ashley. He hadn’t figured he would miss her this deeply. Although he’d talked to her every night, he still missed her something crazy. He’d tried staying busy but found himself thinking of her and smiling when he remembered something she said or something they did together last weekend. Just yesterday he had caught Tyler looking at him as if he’d thought Ray had lost his mind. In a way, he had. He could finally admit he’d lost his mind over Ashley.
Ray rubbed his hand down his face in frustration. He should not have gotten attached to her when he knew they were only short-term.
“You’re working late again tonight, Ray?”
He glanced up at Tyler. “Not too late. I thought you left.”
“I decided to hang around and wait on Marie. She’s meeting me at Lafitte’s at seven.”
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