Chance at Love on Mystic Bay (Island County Series Book 6)

by Karice Bolton

  “Adventurous,” Jake exclaimed.

  “Wild.” Chance wiggled his brow.

  Jake rolled his eyes at his brother and Jewels began again.

  “Romantic.” She kissed Jake’s cheek and he grinned before going.

  “Creative.”

  I thought we only had to come up with one word and scrambled as I tried to come up with another, but thankfully Chance went next.

  “Loyal.”

  My eyes flashed to his, and I swore his expression gave me more to dream about than anything I’d imagined. Loyalty was never something I’d had in a relationship. I wanted it—craved it, in fact—but never once had it. That alone was one of the many reasons I put off even bothering to have a relationship. Well, that and I got stranded at the altar.

  “Faithful.”

  “Ooh, this is fun.” Jewels rubbed her hands together. “Now, we each say one word to describe the person sitting next to us. I’ll do Jake. Sexy.”

  I laughed and scooted back on the stool. “Way to put the pressure on.”

  “Beautiful,” Chance said softly, and it was like all the air had been sucked out of the room.

  “I can’t be chosen twice,” Jake told his brother, and I burst into laughter.

  When I finally caught my breath, I glanced at Chance and the perfect word tumbled out.

  “Kind.”

  I didn’t know if it was the beer or what exactly, but the attraction I had for Chance was quadrupling the longer his eyes stayed on me. It was like he could read me inside and out, knew I needed to bust out of my everyday ordinary, and become a little spontaneous.

  And this added a complication I wasn’t prepared for. Danny, the UPS driver, wouldn’t have added this complication. He also probably wouldn’t have agreed to my idea.

  Jewels stood up and glanced at Jake who’d just finished his last bite of food.

  “Jake and I are working on designing a new chicken coop so we’re going to head into the study. If you need anything, just follow that hall.” Jewels pointed behind me.

  “A chicken coop in the dead of winter?” I asked suspiciously.

  “It’s even more important in winter.” She nodded, taking her plate over to the sink with Jake right behind. “Chickens get cold in this weather, and I don’t feel like knitting them sweaters.”

  Jewels was a terrible liar.

  “I didn’t know chicken sweaters were a thing.”

  “Yeah, but getting the fit right is next to impossible.”

  “I can imagine.”

  “Not to mention all the other barnyard animals would be jealous and demand some of their own,” Jake added quickly.

  I glanced over at Chance and noticed he looked to be cocking his head to the exit. He’d been motioning for them to take a hike. I dropped my gaze quickly to my plate and concealed a chuckle.

  “There’s more beer in the fridge,” Jake said, looping his arm around Jewels’ waist.

  She gave a quick wave, and just like that, they were gone, and I was left wondering if Chance was really going to stick to his end of the deal.

  Chapter Eight

  I slipped my cellphone into my pocket and took my plate over to the sink, rinsed it off, and placed it where Jewels and Jake put theirs. I felt Chance come up behind me, and I closed my eyes, feeling a shiver run up my spine.

  This wasn’t how this experiment was supposed to go. I was supposed to learn from him, not get turned on by him.

  He slid his hand along my waist and I turned around slowly.

  “Did I mention how beautiful you are?” he asked, stepping closer.

  “Friendship is a beautiful thing.”

  He smiled, and motioned for me to follow him into the family room while I drew in a breath.

  But I couldn’t move. He was causing emotions to stir in me that I was certain were gone forever. This wasn’t part of the plan.

  “Are you coming?” he hollered from the other room.

  I took a sip of beer.

  “I’m onto you,” I nearly whispered.

  “Onto me?” he said, coming back into the kitchen. His eyes fell to my beer. “What have I done?”

  “I think you know precisely what you’ve done.” The beer was running its course through me, and I fully intended to take advantage of the boldness.

  “Why don’t you tell me?” He leaned his back against the wall, folded his arms over his chest, and waited.

  The charge running between us was impossible to ignore, and I was absolutely positive that I’d be more than happy to be kissed, among other things, and it had nothing to do with the alcohol.

  So I kissed the air and he chuckled.

  “You do remember the arrangement you laid out to me, right? I’m nothing more than a man to answer your questions. All things relating to maleness and manliness are what brings us together and nothing more.” His brow quirked. “Or has that changed?”

  I chuckled, but then it hit me.

  I actually had had too much to drink after all. The room turned into a dazzling kaleidoscope with visions of bratwursts, sauerkraut, and berry pie as I tried to center myself.

  “Maddie, are you okay?” Chance rushed over to me as I leaned toward the granite island.

  “Totally fine.” I did my best to keep my words straight, but they sounded slurred to me. “But I really did want a kiss.”

  “You sure about that? Even after our arrangement?”

  “Mmhmm.” I looked into his blue eyes, noticing his expression intensify, as he brought his thumb up to my mouth, slowly caressing my bottom lip. His touch left a trail of warmth where he’d been, and the room stopped spinning.

  Desire rushed through every part my body as his eyes fell to my mouth. My breath caught just as his mouth touched down to mine, and I reminded myself it was only a kiss.

  Chance tasted good, sweet. His hand slid up my back, sending my fear swiftly out of this orbit. My body melted into his when I felt him press against me. Letting me feel all of him, I ran my hands through his blond hair and pushed into him deeper.

  It had been so long since I’d been in a man’s arms.

  Our kisses only intensified as he picked me up and spun me onto the counter.

  “Amazing,” I murmured between kisses and he nearly growled in response.

  His lips slowly broke from mine, leaving a tingling rawness where he’d just been. His eyes stayed fastened on me, and I felt my body sway a little too much from no support.

  “Whoa there.” He circled his arms around my waist and pulled me down from the counter. “So a good takeaway from that lesson is when a beautiful woman tempts a man with a kiss, it’s hard to turn it down when he’s already extremely attracted to her.”

  “Makes sense.” I felt my body lean to the left and Chance righted me.

  “Why don’t we find one of those guestrooms and you can lie down for a little bit?”

  “Yes, please.” I didn’t know what all had come over me. I wasn’t so sure it was only the alcohol, but I suddenly imagined lying down and pulling him on top of me.

  “I’ve got you,” he said softly, guiding me through the kitchen.

  I attempted to walk a straight line, but noticed everything in my world had a slight lean.

  “We’re almost there,” he said softly. “I can’t believe Jewels made those gingerbread shots for you two when she knew beer and sausage were on the menu.”

  “It’s kind of exciting this whole walking sideways thing.” I chuckled.

  “You’re not.”

  “That makes things awkward,” I said, my head lolling into his chest. “This is so unlike me. I’m usually so in control and—”

  I’d bet my tea shop the floor was rolling all around us.

  I needed to sit. In fact, I felt like I was on those boats that had given me so much trouble years ago as the floor below rocked and rolled me.

  “You don’t say.”

  “I do say.” I closed my eyes and sucked in a breath, trying to stop the room from careening
into an abyss as he led me into the family room. “Maybe we should sit and talk by the fire. Get to know each other before. . .” I held in a hiccup. “You know.”

  “Before what?” A casual confidence wove through his expression as he waited for my reply.

  The sensation of the floor jiggling underneath me spread sheer panic through me. I couldn’t answer him. I just needed to stop moving.

  “Right there.” I nearly crawled onto the sectional, commanding myself to get my act together.

  This was why I planned my life accordingly. When I planned things, this type of disaster never cropped up. I needed to stay on task.

  Chance was merely a part of my plan for a new me, but I had to stick to my own rules. He was nothing more than a friend, a tutor of sorts, who would open my eyes to the dating world I’d left behind.

  “What made you drop off the lavender?” I asked, sinking into the couch. I needed to focus on simple topics, keep my mouth going, my brain active, and everything would be fine.

  “I’d heard a lot about you,” he answered honestly, resting his elbow up on the cushion and turning to look at me.

  “From who?”

  “Jake, Jewels, your sister, my mom . . .” He let out a deep breath. “Everyone that counts. I thought I’d come see what all the hoopla was about.”

  “Hoopla?” I chuckled. “Was it worth the trip?”

  “Absolutely. It’s not everyday I get to show off my culinary skills by cooking bratwursts or sign up for a social experiment that’s bound to fail.”

  “Your cooking skills are mighty fine.” I ignored the rest of his statement as I felt the warmth of the flames coat my skin.

  I wondered who said what to Chance and when all of this took place.

  “It was the best hot dog, resembling a bratwurst, I’ve ever had.” I turned my attention back to Chance.

  He scratched his chin and nodded. “Thanks.”

  “Do you cook a lot?” The room began to settle down a little.

  “As much as I can. I went to culinary school after I finished my business degree.”

  My heart squeezed at this information. Of course I’d fall for a man who was a chef.

  Wait. I wasn’t falling for him. I was only curious about him.

  “You should open a restaurant at the lavender farm. Not that I’ve been there yet, but I’ve heard it’s quite the destination.”

  “It is.” His expression warmed. “My mom and dad built a phenomenal place. I’m just glad I was able to come back and help her keep it going after my dad’s death.”

  His statement struck me as odd. I’d met Hildie several times, and she never appeared to be a woman who needed help of any kind.

  “Is it hard being at the farm?” I asked, thinking about all the memories that must lurk in the fields and the stories within the walls.

  “Not usually. The holidays are the hardest, which is why I think she insists on throwing such a large event. It takes her mind off of things.”

  I nodded and sat quietly, letting my body and mind acclimate

  “It’s really kind of you all to invite me.”

  His eyes swept over me like I’d done him a favor. He shook his head, raking his fingers through his hair.

  “I’m looking forward to it.” He sat back. “So how did you find Fireweed Island? It’s a long ways from Illinois.”

  “I didn’t tell you I was from Illinois.” My eyes flicked to his.

  “No, but your sister told my mother.” A friendly smirk rested on his features. “You know how it works around here.”

  “Yes, I do.” I smiled, feeling more relaxed. “There’s nothing sacred in this neck of the woods.”

  “There’s plenty sacred.” He readjusted his leg.

  I smiled. “Because Fireweed was the furthest place demographically from Illinois where a lot of tea drinkers tend to congregate.”

  My entire body flashed ten degrees higher off the question. He already knew more than anyone else about why I came to Fireweed, but he wanted more. It was written all over his face.

  Everyone else on the island just accepted that I moved here to open a tea shop.

  But not this one.

  He wanted more of the story.

  “We didn’t have the berry pie yet. That might help settle your stomach.” He got off the couch and stretched toward the ceiling, the hem of his shirt raising just enough to see a glimpse of his stomach and the slight v-definition leading into his jeans. To see what washboard abs looked like in person was quite a sight.

  “Wow.”

  Sensational didn’t even begin to describe what I was looking at.

  He cleared his throat, and I tore my eyes away.

  “So is that a yes?” He cocked his head slightly, and I realized I wasn’t drunk enough to be numb. Embarrassment scratched deeply when I realized I’d spoken my sentiment aloud.

  “Yes. Wow. . . berry pie sounds great. Yes, wow to the pie.” I stood up to help, but another wave of dizziness pummeled into me and I sat down quickly.

  “I’ll bring it to you.” He gestured for me to stay seated, and I eagerly complied because I knew the alternative might involve me lying flat on the beautiful floor.

  “Thanks.” I crossed my legs and pretended as if my world wasn’t still circling in light years around me, and watched him trundle into the kitchen.

  Admiring the tasteful décor, I scanned the great room. I couldn’t even guess the size of this home, but it didn’t feel overwhelming or cold. That could also have been because of the constant stream of laughter that echoed from the kitchen.

  “Chance, trust me on this. She’ll want the sauce.”

  “It’s got bourbon in it and I’m not sure that’s the best idea.”

  After what sounded like a little tussle, followed by footsteps, in came a defeated Chance holding a tray, followed by Jewels and Jake, neither holding any pie.

  “Holly said your favorite holiday drink was a Pomegranate Moscow Mule,” Jewels said. “It’s on the tray with your pie. I made it just for you.”

  I wondered what else my sister had mentioned and when.

  Chance put the tray with the drink and pie on the coffee table and bent down to my ear.

  “Sometimes Jewels gets a little pushy with her cocktails.”

  I let out a giggle and took the slice of pie. It smelled delicious and was still warm from the oven. The vanilla ice cream had started to melt just enough to disguise the bourbon sauce. I took a bite and the flavors swirled around in my mouth.

  “Amazing.” I looked at Jake who smiled and nodded.

  “It’s an old family recipe.”

  “You guys aren’t having any?” I questioned.

  “We’re still working on the chicken coop,” Jewels said, looping her hand through Jake’s. “I just wanted to see if you needed anything else.”

  “That’s going to be quite the chicken coop.” I said, before taking another bite.

  “Okay, well we will see you soon,” Jake said, pulling Jewels away.

  “They’re not very discreet.” I laughed and reached for the drink, taking a sip. “This is good too.”

  Chance concealed a smile and took a bite of his pie.

  “My brother certainly knows how to roll out a crust.”

  “Yes, he does.”

  I finished my pie and sat back on the couch.

  “This has been really nice tonight. I didn’t expect things to go so well.”

  “I’ve found it’s always good to go in with low expectations.” He smiled and put his empty plate on the coffee table next to mine.

  “Exactly.”

  “On that note, I should probably get going. I have work in the morning and who knows how long it will take for a cab.” A hiccup came from nowhere and I closed my eyes. “Yeah. Definitely time to go home. I’m so sorry.”

  “I think it’s cute.”

  “I don’t think I’ve drank this much since my bachelor—” I stopped myself and Chance tilted his head slightly.

>   “Since your what?”

  “Nothing.”

  “Nothing?” A slow, sexy smile spread across his lips.

  “A cab is definitely in order.” I felt the tickle of sweat at the base of my neck. Soon it would spread, and I’d be a hot, babbling mess. Wooziness spread through me, and I knew I shouldn’t have had a sip of the drink. That was the final blow to staying coherent.

  I was feeling every ounce of alcohol circulating through my body. It was like I was floating above, staring down at this whole ordeal. It was time to message my sister.

  I knew what was in store for me tomorrow morning, and I had to tell her that she needed to take care of the shop. I felt bad for my sudden tardiness, but I was too loopy. I pulled my cell out of my pocket and quickly texted Holly.

  I do believe this Chance character could bring me out of my drought, but anyway, I’ve had too many beers and cocktails. I’ll be regretting tomorrow morning for sure. Can you cover for me at the shop? Love you!

  And that was the last thing I remembered.

  Chapter Nine

  I wheeled my suitcase out of the shop, locked the door, and stepped onto the sidewalk. Spotting Mrs. Coleville walking her little Yorkie, I held in a chuckle thinking about Jewels’ fifteen minutes of fame on the front of the island’s newspaper. It all happened when she attempted to rescue Mrs. Coleville’s Yorkie from a tree and needed rescuing herself. Now, why couldn’t I have that kind of headline?

  “Hi, Mrs. Coleville.” I gave her a quick wave and she came over.

  Ever since she started dating Harry Winters, she had a different hair color every week. This week her hair was platinum blonde, last week she was a redhead. It was hard to keep track of her and doubly hard to recognize her most of the time. She’d been retired for more years than I’d been working, but you’d never know it by looking at her.

  “Merry Christmas, Maddie. How are you?” She gave me a quick squeeze.

  Coco ran around in circles, and I noticed her pink fleece jacket with faux fur collar matched Mrs. Coleville’s leisure suit.

  “I’m doing great. How about you?”

  “Just taking Coco in for her holiday spa day before Christmas.” She bent down and picked up Coco. “Can you believe tomorrow is Christmas?”