Love in a Small Town Box Set 1

by Tawdra Kandle

  I laughed. “That’s true enough. Okay, I’m out of here. See you tomorrow.”

  Driving home, I considered what Rocky had said. It didn’t surprise me that Burton Community Church had a reputation. It blew my mind that in this day and age, Rilla had grown up so protected and sheltered. As a father, I understood the desire to keep my daughter safe at any cost, but I couldn’t imagine stunting her emotional growth like that. It was almost miraculous that Rilla had turned out as well as she had.

  I turned into the driveway and climbed out of the truck. It had been a long day—a long week—and I was ready to eat dinner, put my daughter to bed, and have a little necking session with my wife. Maybe tonight I’d get my hands under her shirt. The thought of touching her breasts, maybe making her moan under me while I covered them with my lips, put a smile on my face, even if it made my jeans a little less comfortable.

  I opened the kitchen door, sniffing in appreciation. Meatloaf. But although dinner was clearly underway, Rilla and Piper were nowhere to be seen. I was about to call their names when I heard music coming from down the hall.

  Following the sound, I headed for my mother’s room, where the unmistakable lyrics and tune of Come on, Eileen were blasting. I glanced into the room and then did a double take.

  Rilla was dancing. She had the music turned up loud, and she was swinging her hips in time with it. Those jeans that had been making me hot and bothered for quite a while clung to her ass as she shook it. And she was singing along.

  I was a musician, and even more, I had the gift of recognizing musical talent. It had been my job in Nashville, and I was damned good at it. I’d heard the magic in Lu’s voice the first time we met. It had been a big part of falling in love with her.

  Rilla didn’t have talent. She didn’t sing badly, but she was barely on key. She wasn’t going to win any talent contests, and she’d never be signing a recording contract. But all the same, the sound of her belting out those words, some of which she got horribly wrong, was one of the most beautiful sounds I’d ever heard.

  She was singing with such joy and abandon. And she was dancing with the same freedom. My pretty girl had never looked more beautiful to me.

  I didn’t want to stop her, but neither did I want to startle her. I was about to turn around and sneak away, wait in the kitchen until the song was over, when she turned in mid-dance and spotted me.

  My goal to not startle her went out the window, as her hand flew to her chest and her eyes grew wide. She recovered quickly and moved toward the music blaster where she hit a button to turn off the song.

  “Oh my gosh, you scared me to death. How long were you standing there?”

  I shrugged. “Not long. I just got home.” I let my eyes wander up from her jeans to the green shirt that gave me a tantalizing hint of the boobs beneath. “Come here.” But before she could move, I took two long steps forward and pulled her against me. The difference in our height didn’t come into play during our evenings on the sofa, but now it did. Her face, turned up to mine, barely skimmed my chest. To kiss her I’d have to hunch over. I solved that problem by hooking my arms beneath hers and lifting her to me.

  Almost as though she’d done this a million times, Rilla wrapped her legs around my waist, clasped her hands behind my neck and pulled my face down to hers. She kissed me, open-mouthed and eager, and I wanted her more than I wanted my next breath.

  I threaded my fingers through her hair and moved my head, frantic to get even closer. I consumed her mouth, swallowing the moans that were coming out of her, and letting my tongue cover every part of her I could reach. The hand that wasn’t buried in her hair skimmed down her back to cup her ass, finally getting to massage what had been tempting me for so long.

  I walked blindly out of the room, down the hall and into the living room, where I pushed Rilla against the wall and slid my hand out of her hair and down over her ribs. I wanted to get to her tits, but she was pressed so hard against me, I couldn’t get my hand between us.

  She was still kissing me, but now she was moving against me, too, rubbing her core into my abs. I was just considering—in the small part of my brain still capable of thought—whether I should try to make it upstairs to my bedroom or just fall onto the sofa on top of her—when Rilla lifted her head.

  “Mason—phone. Your phone is ringing.”

  She was right. I could hear it as though from a distance, and I swore under my breath. “Ignore it.”

  “But—” She placed an open-mouthed kiss on my neck. “Your mom. You have to answer it. Could ... be ... the hospital.”

  “Shit.” I stepped back and dug into my pocket for my phone. I answered without even looking at the caller ID. “What?”

  “Mason?” Rocky’s voice sounded strained.

  “Yeah, Rocky, what’s up?” I tried not to sound like I could’ve murdered him for interrupting.

  “I’m at the hospital. Lacey—my oldest—started getting really sick, and we brought her to the ER. They think it’s her appendix. They’re prepping her for surgery.”

  “Oh my God, Rocky. You okay?”

  “You know how it is with your kids. Scary stuff. I’m so damned sorry to do this to you, but I can’t cover tonight. I can’t leave Carey here to handle it herself, and I want to be with Lacey when she comes out.”

  “Of course. No worries, Rocky. I got this.” I struggled to get my mind back into the game. “Listen, you need anything? What can we do?”

  “Just prayers. I got to go now, but I’ll text you as soon as we have news, okay?”

  “Absolutely.” I ended the call and blew out a breath.

  “What’s wrong?” Rilla touched my arm. “Something with Rocky?”

  “Yeah.” I swallowed down frustration. “His daughter’s in the hospital. They think appendix.”

  “Oh, no. Is she okay? What can we do?”

  “Sounds like they have it under control, but I have to go in tonight and cover Rocky’s hours at the bar. I’m sorry, honey.”

  “It’s okay.” I saw the disappointment in her eyes before she hid it, and it gave me a burst of gladness to know I wasn’t the only one feeling that way. I kissed her lightly on the lips. “I need to get moving. Hey, where’s the rugrat? I was on my way to look for the two of you when a certain vixen lured me into kissing her against the wall.”

  Rilla flushed, but there was a smile on her face. “She fell asleep on our way home from the hospital, and I carried her upstairs. Then I thought I’d clean up Naomi’s room. Meghan’s been giving me songs to check out, since I’m clueless about any music that wasn’t played in church. So I turned on the playlist she gave me, and then you were there ... I’m sorry, Mason, I didn’t think. She could’ve walked in on us.”

  I laughed. “Honey, first of all, I started that, not you. Second, it doesn’t hurt a kid to walk in and see her parents making out. Kissing. And third, she didn’t wake up, so don’t worry.” I brushed the backs of my fingers over her cheek. “My only question is, why were you listening to that song and not some good old country music?”

  Rilla rolled her eyes. “I knew you were going to say that. Meghan says I need to stretch my boundaries, and that you'll only expose me to country.” She held up one hand. “I know, I know. According to you, that's the only good music around. But don't you want me to be well-rounded?” She widened her eyes, trying to look innocent, and I couldn't help laughing.

  “I'm pretty sure I just gave you a taste of how much I appreciate your, uh, well-roundedness.” I reached around to pinch her lightly on the ass, making her squeal as her face went even redder. She was so fucking adorable sometimes. I tugged her toward me again, brushing my lips across hers. “Hey, I have an idea. Why don’t you come over to the club tonight? It’s Friday, so it’ll be busy but not insane—no band tonight. You can dance, or you can just sit up at the bar and hang out with me.”

  Interest warred with worry in her eyes. “What about Piper?”

  “Well, you could call one of Boomer’s da
ughters to babysit, or see if Meghan might want to come over for a little while. I don’t know, it was just a thought.” I kissed her again. “I might be late, though. So I’ll see you in the morning if you don’t make it over.” I headed for the door. “Oh, and Rilla? Even if Piper had walked in on us ... it was totally worth it.”

  I winked at her and left, whistling.

  PIPER WOKE UP, CRANKY and disoriented after her late nap. I soothed her, gave her time and space to adjust and then made her macaroni and cheese for dinner.

  While she ate, I called Meghan.

  “Hey, Rilla! How’s it going?”

  “I’m good. Are you eating dinner?”

  “Nah. Sam had a special Guild meeting tonight, so I’m just sitting at home. What’s up?”

  I chewed the corner of my lip. “Mason had to go into the club to work tonight at the last minute—Rocky’s daughter is getting her appendix removed. He asked me to stop in for a little while.” I paused. “I was thinking about it.”

  “You need a babysitter? Sure, I can either drive into town or you can bring her in to spend the night on the farm. You could have a romantic evening. If you’re thinking about a romantic evening, that is.”

  I grinned. Meghan had become a good friend indeed. She hadn’t even blinked last month, when I’d announced that Mason and I were getting married. She’d been nothing but supportive ever since.

  “I’m not saying I don’t want a romantic evening, but actually, I have a babysitter. My cousin Jenna’s coming over to sit with her. I was going to ask you to come with me.”

  “On your date?” Meghan sounded amused. “With your husband?”

  “I was thinking, Mason’s going to be working, and I don’t want him to have to worry about me. If you were there with me, he could relax.” I hesitated. “I’ve never done anything like this before, Meghan. I went to The Road Block once, during lunch hours, and even then I was a nervous wreck. I need some support.”

  “Then you came to the right girl. I’ve got history at that club, you know. Get dressed, sweetie. I’ll be by to pick you up in an hour.”

  “Rilla Grant—uh, Wallace, you look hot, girl!” Meghan stood in the kitchen with her hands on her hip. “Wait a second, I promised Ali I’d take a picture of you. She called me on the way over here.” Meghan held up her phone. “Strike a pose, lady.”

  I laughed and stood with one hip jutting out, a serious expression on my face, and then crossed my eyes and stuck out my tongue. Meghan snapped away.

  I hadn’t been sure what to wear tonight, but then I remembered a dress Meghan had insisted I buy during our shopping trip. I’d argued that I wouldn’t have any place to wear it, but Meghan had been adamant. Now I was glad I’d listened.

  The dress was a deep blue, a shade that matched my eyes. It was made of a light material that hung on my body, accenting curves I’d been hiding my whole life. The hemline hit just above my knees, showing enough of my leg to make me nervous at the time we’d bought it, but I was more used to the idea now.

  And the skirt of the dress was the reason I loved it. It swirled, dancing around my body when I moved. It made me feel glamorous and pretty, and as soon as I’d opened my closet tonight, I’d known it was the perfect dancing dress.

  “Okay, let’s get moving. I can’t wait to see the expression on Mason’s face when he gets a look at you.”

  I rolled my eyes at Meghan and turned to kiss Piper’s cheek, smoothing her hair. “Okay, sweetie, I’m going to go see Daddy for a little bit. Be good for Jenna.”

  “Aw, don’t worry about us.” Jenna, Boomer’s youngest daughter, was a senior in high school and apparently one of the most in-demand babysitters in town. I’d been lucky to get her for this last minute job. “We’re going to be fine.”

  “Have fun, Mama!” Piper leaned over Jenna’s phone, absorbed in the game she was playing, oblivious to the fact that she’d just made my heart stop.

  I bent over, brushing her hair out of the way, and kissed her cheek. “I love you, baby girl.”

  “Love you, too.”

  I followed Meghan to her car. Once we were on the road, she cleared her throat.

  “Well, that’s one way to turn on the water works, huh? Since when does Piper call you mama?”

  “That was the first time.” I was too shocked to cry.

  “God, kids. They can just wrap you up, can’t they?” She sniffled. “Rilla, you know, I look at you and I just can’t believe everything that’s changed since I first saw you at the stand last spring. You’re a different person. You’re not timid anymore. You’re not closed off. It’s a beautiful thing.”

  I flushed. “I’d still be that same person if it wasn’t for you and Sam. And Ali. You all gave me a chance, and if you hadn’t, I’d still be living with my father, miserable and alone.”

  “Rilla, we gave you an opening, but you did the hard work. You made the tough decisions. You made some choices that made the difference. Sam and I are proud of you.” She reached across to squeeze my hand. “And we’re so happy for you and Mason.”

  I sighed. “I’m not sure exactly what Mason and I are.” I’d been honest with Meghan from the beginning about why we’d gotten married. “Sometimes I think he might really care for me, and then others, I remember what he said about Lu.”

  “Sweetie, you might be a little bit older than me, but let me give you some advice. Men are idiots. They don’t know what they mean. Sometimes they don’t know what they want. When Sam met me the first time, he hated me. When he met me the second time, he yelled at me.”

  My eyes got wide. “Sam did that?” The man worshipped not only the ground Meghan walked on, but also the flowers that grew there. “What happened the third time he met you?”

  She smiled. “I moved into his house, and we fell in love. Well, not just like that. First he had to tell me how he was too old for me, how he had no time for a relationship, how we couldn’t ever be serious. But finally, once I left town, he came to his senses and realized the truth of the matter. That he was an idiot and he loved me.”

  “So romantic,” I murmured.

  “Yeah, he’s lucky I loved his idiotic ass right back. But I’m just saying, Mason might have himself convinced that he can never love another woman after Lu. That doesn’t mean it’s the truth. Rilla, the way he looks at you—sometimes I’m afraid you’re going to burst into flames, it’s so hot. Like he could unwrap you and devour you in one sitting.”

  “I hope you’re right.” I shifted in the seat and took a deep breath. “Because Meghan, I’m pretty sure I’m in love with him. And I don’t know what I’ll do if he doesn’t love me back, at least a little.”

  Meghan didn’t appear the least bit surprised by my revelation. “Of course you’re in love with him. I’ve seen it on your face almost since the beginning. Don’t worry so much. It’s all going to be all right.”

  I rubbed my hand down the skirt of my dress and prayed she was right. I figured praying for my husband to fall in love with me was something God could get behind.

  The Road Block was lit up and full when we pulled into the lot. Meghan maneuvered around until we lucked upon someone leaving a spot in the front. She parked the car, and we joined the groups of people heading inside.

  My stomach turned over. I was about to go into a club. A bar. A place where they served alcohol and encouraged men and women who weren’t related to dance with each other. If my father knew, he’d flip out.

  Pull it together, Rilla. I spoke to myself sternly. You’ve done so much in the past months. You’re grown-up. A married woman. Piper called you mama tonight. You’re old enough to go into a bar—one that your husband owns, for criminey’s sake—and hold your head up high. You’re not doing anything wrong. Be the woman Mason and Meghan think you are. Be brave.

  I took a deep breath and determined to do just that.

  The Road Block looked completely different after dark. The lights were low, and the entire place was chock fill with people. They surrounded
the bar, two and three deep. On the other side of the huge room were the tables where I’d sat with Mason that first day here, and beyond that, a huge dance floor. A man was set up at a table with equipment, playing music, and on the floor, everyone was dancing.

  Meghan held onto my arm. “Let’s go to the bar first, so you can say hello to Mason. Then we can get a table if you want.” She had to shout so that I could hear her.

  I nodded, and together we pushed our way through to the oak bar. I spotted Mason right away, pouring drinks and leaning over to hear customers. Darcy was covering the other end and looked just as busy. She caught sight of me first, and a broad smile spread over her face. She tugged on Mason’s sleeve and pointed toward Meghan and me as we made it the last few feet to the barstools.

  Mason’s eyes searched the crowd, and when he found me, his face lit up. I always thought that was a figure of speech, but with Mason, it was literal. His eyes brightened and his mouth curled into a grin. His expression lit a fire deep within me, and I felt like I glowed, too.

  I managed to wedge my small body between two stools where both occupants were facing opposite directions. Mason met me there, folding himself over the polished oak and taking my face in his hands. His kiss was hard and hot. I was pretty sure I would’ve melted right there if I didn’t have the crush of other bodies holding me upright.

  “Hey, baby.” He rubbed his thumbs over my cheeks. “You came.”

  I nodded. My heart was still pounding too hard to speak coherently.

  “And you brought a partner in crime. Hey, Miss Meghan. You going to give me your credit card up front so you can get hammered?”

  Meghan threw back her head and howled with laughter. “I can’t believe you remember that, Mason. Yeah, I thought I’d come to a backwater bar that night to get wasted and forget my troubles. Didn’t think I’d ever come back to this place again.” She held up her left hand, where Sam’s diamond sparkled. “And look at me now. Stuck here but good.”

  Mason chuckled and shook his head. Down the line, people were shouting for his attention. I watched his chest rise and fall in a sigh. “You okay, darlin,’ while I work?”