“You okay?” Fisher yelled from somewhere inside.
Renata nodded. “Fine.” But it was a whisper. “Well...” She swallowed. “You. You’re here?”
He smiled. It was good to see her. “Hi.”
Her brows rose. “Hi?” she asked, stepping back and crunching on glass. “Ash. What are you doing here?”
What the hell was he doing? At the moment, he was staring. Stunned. Trying like hell not to panic.
Fisher came through the back door. “What happened?” Fisher asked. “You okay?” he asked Renata. “You get cut? You look weird.”
Ash was amazed at how quickly she pulled herself together. The way those blue eyes turned on Fisher as she teased, “Gosh, thanks. You know how to make a girl feel special.”
“You’re fine,” Fisher said, surveying the damage at her feet. “Beer down, huh? I’ll get the broom.” He shook his head. “Now you’ve met another member of the Boone family. There’s a lot of us but this one is special. Ash, this is my twin sister, Renata Boone.”
Renata Boone. Twin sister? That answered a few questions he had...
Well, shit.
He’d slept with Fisher’s twin? Men tended not to take kindly to their sister’s flings. Not that he was a fling, exactly. It hadn’t been a fling for him, anyway. Not that he knew what she was—or rather, what she had been—to him. And he didn’t like it. He swallowed, doing his damnedest not to stare at her.
“Big sister,” Renata shot back, taking pains to avoid eye contact with Ash.
“Whatever makes you feel better,” Fisher said as he disappeared inside to get the broom.
Then those blue eyes fastened on him. “What are you doing here?”
“It’s good to see you, too.” He smiled.
Her eyes widened and her cheeks turned a lovely shade of red.
His hand ached to take hers. Instead, he flexed it, resting it on the railing and holding himself in place across the deck. Too far to touch her. He cleared his throat. “I’m the new teaching physician at the vet hospital.”
“You are?” She blew out a deep breath. “You... You’re Dr. Carmichael?”
He nodded, wishing he could get a read on her reaction.
“But...” She shook her head, her gaze searching his. “You said you were here for one night.”
She was upset he was staying. He was upset she was Fisher’s twin. And there was nothing they could do to make this less awkward. He’d hoped like hell he wouldn’t run into her again, hadn’t wanted to. Their time together had shaken him up—scared him. She made him feel...feel. If they ran into each other again, and he’d assumed that would be a big if, he’d figured he’d deal with it.
Wrong.
He wasn’t equipped to deal with this. Her. Here. Now. The woman he dreamed about was staring at him with all the horror and confusion he was feeling. “My plans changed.”
“So...you’re staying? In Stonewall Crossing?” Her blue gaze searched his. “That won’t change?”
No, it wouldn’t. Of all the offers he’d received, this was the best. And Curtis? This place was kid friendly—a place Shanna had wanted for their son. He’d made peace with that. Now he was going to let his reaction to Renata Boone challenge that?
No. He was a grown man, for crying out loud. He’d get over whatever it was that she stirred inside him. Even if, looking at her now, that bone-deep want gripped him. Dammit. He’d have to be careful until he was over this. It wouldn’t do to remember the brush of her lips on his neck or the hitch in her breath when he’d touched her the right way. His lungs ached for air and his fingernails gouged the deck railing. Dammit. Stop. It. Now. But he couldn’t. Couldn’t forget. Couldn’t think. Or breathe. Or break the hold of the blue eyes he’d dreamed about.
“We’ll get these steaks flipped.” Fisher emerged, making them both jump. He offered the broom to Renata before turning his attention to the grill. “Almost done. You’re not on some fancy diet or something, are you, Ash? Vegan, gluten-free, something or other?”
Fisher was expecting an answer. And openly staring at Renata probably wasn’t the best idea, either. “No. I’m a meat-and-potatoes kind of guy.” He did his best to laugh.
Renata didn’t move. Those big blue eyes were fixed firmly on him. He was moving before he realized it, taking the broom from her. The burn of her fingers against his was a sweet reminder of the very thing he needed not to be thinking about right now. He frowned, sweeping the splintered glass into a pile.
“Earth to Renata?” Fisher turned. “You sure you’re okay?”
“I’m fine,” she said.
No, she wasn’t. But only Ash knew why.
“Uh-huh. You’re never this quiet.” Fisher looked at Ash and shrugged. “Renata’s a bigwig in town. The head of the Tourism Department—making people welcome is part of her job. She’s a talker. Normally. Off to a rocky start, sis. First you drop his beer, then you don’t say two words to him. Not very welcoming.”
Her mouth fell open. “I didn’t realize I was here on the clock, little brother. I thought I was here to have dinner with my family.” She glanced at him then. “I am sorry for dropping your beer, Dr. Carmichael. And, of course, welcome to Stonewall Crossing. It’s a great little town to call home.”
“Ash, please.” The knot in his throat didn’t budge. The sooner his son arrived, the sooner Ash would feel more grounded—and less distracted. “I’m happy to be here,” he said, toasting them with the refill Fisher had provided. “And thanks for dinner.”
Fisher nodded. “Where are you staying?”
“The Lodge.” Where he’d spent the most incredible night. With Fisher’s sister. Dammit.
“My dad’s place. And my sister’s, too. She lives there—guess that makes you two roommates. Didn’t you stay out there before? When you came for your interview?” Fisher was too busy piling the steaks onto a platter to see her reaction.
But Ash saw. She was breathing heavy and staring at the ground, her full lips parted slightly. When her gaze darted his way, the impact slammed into him. Heat coiled low in his belly, liquid fire, making the urge to reach for her threaten his calm. Especially now that she was within reach. He cleared his throat, took a sip of his beer and finally answered. “I did.”
“I’m surprised you two didn’t run into each other when you stayed there originally.” Fisher carried the steaks inside, leaving the two of them alone on the deck.
Ash couldn’t tear his gaze free. The longer they stared, the more weighted the air between them grew. Pressing in. If he didn’t put space between them, he feared the same current that had landed them in bed the first time would lead them there again. It was real, fiery and undeniable. Knowing he was staying at the Lodge didn’t help. She was at the Lodge.
It was a good thing he was a man of his word. One night, that was what they’d agreed on and that was the way it had to stay. For both of them.
The Lodge was a big place. If they were both careful, they’d avoid one another. No point in making things uncomfortable because they’d...slept together. It had happened. It was over. Their night together had been a beautiful fluke.
Still, the tiniest sliver of doubt remained.
What if it wasn’t? What if the two of them, together, could be something...more? He tore his gaze from hers, forcing himself to follow Fisher into the house. He wasn’t up for something more. He wasn’t sure his heart would ever be up for it—even with someone as wonderful as Renata.
* * *
Renata couldn’t stop talking.
John-Asher Carmichael sat across the table, looking for all the world like he was enjoying himself, while she was on the verge of falling apart. How did you behave when your one-night stand showed up for dinner at your brother’s house and would now, apparently, be an everyday part of your life? Worse, how was she going to see him without thinking of and achin
g for the incredible things they’d done and shared? The hopes and dreams she’d poured out while she rested her head against his chest...
It was warm. Very warm. She plucked at the front of her shirt and glanced at the cuckoo clock on the wall. It was early yet—meaning she was stuck for a long, torturous dinner. Her only option? Apparently, put her Director of Tourism face on and gush like a fool. She tapped into every bit of interesting and not-so-interesting piece of information she could think of to help pass the time. Her nervous energy kept the words flowing—while preventing anyone else from really participating in the “conversation.”
The longer she talked, the more confused Fisher looked.
Kylee appeared to be fighting laughter.
And Ash? Well, she was doing her best to look at the ornately framed bouquet of pressed, dried flowers over his left shoulder versus the actual man. If her gaze accidentally bounced off his, she sputtered to a stop and lost her train of thought.
“Pie?” Kylee asked, holding a piece directly in Renata’s line of sight. “Maybe take a breath,” she whispered.
Renata’s stomach growled. She’d poked at her steak, mashed all the toppings into her plump baked potato and cut her green beans into bite-size pieces, but she was fairly certain she hadn’t eaten a thing.
“Buttermilk pie is my sister’s favorite,” Fisher explained.
Ash said, “It does look delicious.”
“I used your mother’s recipe, too,” Kylee said, setting the plate in front of her. “Eat,” she mouthed.
Renata sighed. Fine. She’d eat.
She’d killed a good hour and a half with her aimless chatter. Dinner was done, and dessert signaled impending freedom. Besides, her face hurt from smiling and she was sick of the sound of her own voice.
“You’re an encyclopedia on all things Stonewall Crossing, the Hill Country, and every plant, animal and water source in the region,” Ash said, taking a bite of his pie.
“That was...something,” Fisher agreed. “Felt like a test review or cram session. Planning on quizzing us later?”
He and Ash chuckled, pricking her pride. “Maybe I will.” She scrambled for a logical explanation. “You know I...I take my job seriously.” And she did. But that didn’t explain her bizarre behavior this evening. Had she really listed off the reasons bluebonnets had become more prolific the last four years? And why oak wilt was such a threat to the Hill Country? She shoved a massive bite of pie into her mouth to prevent any further outbursts of random conversation.
“Renata can’t help it. It’s in their blood, I think. The Boones are tied to the land.” Kylee smiled. “They love this place, the people—pretty much everything about it. The more time you spend with them, the more you’ll learn.”
“Can’t say that I blame them. It’s beautiful country.” Ash glanced out the window. “Photography is my hobby—I can tell I’ll have plenty of inspiration.”
“Tell us about yourself, Ash. Where are you from?” Kylee asked.
Renata chewed slowly, giving herself permission to fully enjoy the bite of heaven in her mouth. She’d been fighting a stomach bug for a few days and hadn’t eaten a thing all day. And now? She was upset, but this pie... Delicious. A slight groan escaped, drawing all eyes.
“Sorry.” She covered her mouth with her hand.
But she didn’t miss the tightening of Ash’s jaw, or the whiteness of his knuckles as he held his fork. “I agree with Renata. This is the best pie I’ve ever eaten.”
She nearly choked on her pie when he said her name. The husky timbre sent all sorts of warm tingles along every nerve ending. Her name, that tone, pulled an especially bone-melting memory front and center. Ash, braced over her, flushed and breathing heavy...saying her name. The temperature in the room shot up a good twenty degrees.
Fisher, on the other hand, was like a dog with a bone. “You’re acting funny. You sure you’re okay?”
She nodded, shoveling another bite of pie into her mouth.
“Maybe you’re working too hard?” Fisher pushed. “Right now is one of the busiest times of year for her. Between parades and festivals, float and gingerbread competitions, she needs a holiday to recover from the holidays.” Fisher shook his head, leaning toward Ash to continue. “She takes on too much sometimes.”
She swallowed and smiled at her brother. “And you worry too much.” Another bite of pie. No more talking. Talking was bad.
“Maybe. Maybe not. Blame it on the twin thing but you’re keeping secrets, I can tell.” Fisher was watching her. “And you don’t keep secrets. Ever. So, yeah, I’m worrying. You tell me—should I?”
She froze, fork midair, stunned by her brother’s intuition. She’d underestimated him. Seriously underestimated. She sucked in a deep breath, inhaling part of Kylee’s delicious pie instead of swallowing it.
“Fisher.” Kylee placed a hand on Fisher’s arm, her dark eyes full of reproach.
Fisher frowned.
She waved one hand, pressing another one to her chest. But her coughing continued.
“Renata.” Ash was up, refilling her water glass. “You’re choking.”
She gulped down more water and drew in a deep breath. “Fine.” More coughing. Another sip and it was a little easier to breathe.
Ash squatted by her side, those gorgeous light gray eyes watching her.
Don’t look at him. Bad idea. She tore her gaze from his. One more long drink of water. “I’m not choking.” The words were tight and irritated. At least she wasn’t choking anymore.
But Ash was still watching her. A man shouldn’t be beautiful like he was.
“Really,” she said, clearing her throat. The whole choking-from-near-public-humiliation thing was forgotten now—but now there was that electrified air humming between them to deal with. Last time they’d given in. This time, they had an audience.
She needed to shut out the fact that he smelled better than a fresh-out-of-the-oven gingerbread cookie and looked good enough to eat. Immediately. Her mouth went dry and every inch of her tightened with want. She cleared her throat again. “Go...eat your pie,” she all but pleaded. Before her brother’s spot-on twin senses picked up on something they shouldn’t.
Ash smiled then—and it was one hell of a smile. “Yes, ma’am.”
Even after he’d returned to his place, and his pie, she was distracted. He was distracting—all gorgeous and manly with his shirtsleeves rolled up. Even his hands were distracting. Big and strong. And oh so capable of making her experience the most incredibly intense and bone-melting sensations.
She shot a look at Kylee, then Fisher, both enjoying the conversation she was completely oblivious to. What was wrong with her? The three of them were talking about things like holidays and festivals and sharing a laugh—appropriate adult conversation. While she was thinking about Ash’s hands on her body, thinking about that night. During a family dinner.
She needed to snap out of it.
“The first-place gingerbread house was devoured by the donkey that was carrying Mary to the church Christmas pageant about the same time the children’s choir was struck by a stomach bug.” Fisher shook his head. “Well, one kid started throwing up and it started a chain reaction. It was a sight to see. I can’t guarantee we’ll have that sort of excitement, but there’s no shortage of entertainment,” Fisher said, laughing. “You remember that?”
She nodded.
“Sounds like fun.” Ash chuckled along with her brother—completely at ease the whole evening.
“That’s one way to put it.” Kylee was all smiles. “Where are you staying?”
“He’s at the Lodge,” Fisher answered for him. “I spoke with my father earlier. You don’t have to eat in the guest dining room. My father, his wife, Clara, and Renata all eat in the family kitchen. The food is good and the company even better. Plus, I think you’ll like my father. He’s a
good man. Knows everyone in town. Might be able to find you a place.” He nodded. “Renata can show you where it is when you get back.”
Of course I will. She used her fork to break up the remains of her pie crust.
“The place is gorgeous.” Kylee was talking. “Teddy really knows how to take care of guests.”
“I stayed there for my interview. You’re right,” Ash said, making her look at him—to find him glancing her way. “I was very well taken care of.”
Did the corner of his mouth just turn up? Was he teasing her? In front of her family? Her hand tightened around her fork. A fork she really wanted to launch at his head. But that would definitely be waving a red flag in front of her brother.
But when he dared to look at her, that damnably gorgeous smile on his face, she dropped her fork. It was a quick look, but it was enough to have her melting. And seeing red. Luckily, Fisher was too busy serving more slices of Kylee’s buttermilk pie to notice when she dropped her fork on the ground.
Kylee, however, saw everything.
“It was a quick trip,” Fisher continued. “One night, wasn’t it?”
Renata ducked, taking as long as possible to collect her fork. And hide the telltale flush burning her cheeks.
“Yep.” Ash’s voice was thick.
She popped up and placed her fork alongside her plate.
“Maybe it was a good thing. If you’d run into Renata, she might have talked your ear off then and you would have decided to pass on the job.” Fisher chuckled.
Renata tried to laugh but it came out sounding slightly unhinged. All eyes turned her way. Enough already. She pushed her chair back and stood. Her stomach clenched, nausea settling in. After feeling queasy for a few days, the pie probably wasn’t the best choice. “I should head out. I—I’m sorry.” She smiled at Kylee. “Today has been...long. I’m going to head home.”
Kylee pushed out of her chair. “Are you sure?”
“Sit. I’m good.” Seeing Kylee move, round and awkward from her pregnancy, triggered a wave of sympathy—and guilt. “Please. I’ve got an early-morning meeting for the Gingerbread Festival. Finalizing judges, I hope, since Lola backed out. If you think of someone who’d be interested, let me know.” She nodded, waving at Fisher, then Ash, and hurried toward the door. “Plus, I’m beat. Thanks for dinner.” And I’ll make an even bigger fool of myself if I stay a minute longer.
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