More Than Pancakes (The Maple Leaf Series Book 1)

by Christine DePetrillo

  “Why not? Is he blind?” Drew laughed.

  “So my magic has to do with my appearance?” Lily asked. “Not my expertise, my professionalism, my intellect?”

  “Whoa,” Drew said. “I didn’t say that. I’m sorry. I was just making a joke. A bad one apparently. You’re wound up tight.”

  She rubbed her temples and pulled her legs up onto the couch. She yanked down the quilt folded over the back of the couch and covered herself with it. “I didn’t mean to jump down your throat, Drew.”

  What is my problem? She pictured Rick saying he liked his old life. That he preferred broken in. Nobody preferred that. Not in Lily’s world.

  “It’s okay. You’re under a little stress here.”

  “A little? I’m stuck in the woods with growling beasts and a curmudgeonly neighbor. California is a whole freaking continent away. If we don’t make this new resort idea work, Rita will not be pleased. How is that a little stress?” She wasn’t fond of the whining in her voice, but it saturated every word.

  “Okay. Take it easy. It’ll all work out. You want me to give this Stannard guy a call myself?”

  “No.” She blew out a long breath and rested her head on the armrest of the couch. She stared up at the vaulted ceiling so incredibly far away. Four gigantic skylights let in the darkening night. Lily could see a few bright stars. For a moment, she felt insignificant.

  “Lily?”

  “Yeah.”

  “Are you all right?” Drew said.

  “I will be as soon as my feet touch down in Cali.”

  “Give me Stannard’s number. I’ll call him tomorrow and try to get things rolling.”

  “Let me have another go at it,” she said. “Maybe he needs the night to think it over and look through the documents. I’ll bring some of the designs with me. Try to convince him of how nice the resort will be.”

  “Okay. Call me after you meet with him again.”

  “Roger that.”

  “Good night, Lily. I miss you.”

  She checked the clock on the fireplace mantle. 6:30 p.m. In California, it was much earlier, and the sun would still be shining. Drew was still at work, his tie still secured around his collar, his hair still perfectly in place. He probably had fun plans to go to the theater or have drinks with friends after work.

  What does Rick do for fun? Lily had noticed his hands while they sat at the table in his store. They weren’t like Drew’s at all. Not manicured and smooth. Not short and slender. They were calloused and scarred. Long and solid. What would they feel like on her skin?

  “Good night, Drew. I’ll be in touch.” She hung up and dropped her phone in her lap. “Why are you comparing Rick to Drew, moron? They’re not even the same species.”

  She pulled the quilt over her head as Patrick and Jennifer made love in Patrick’s studio. She let out a frustrated grumble and peeled the quilt off. Good thing Drew wasn’t here. She would have given in to his flirting no doubt and ended up in bed with him because he was available.

  Does that make me a horrible person?

  It didn’t in California. Many of her friends had causal sex partners. Folks that hooked up now and then during a dry season. Here in the woods, though, it seemed as if “hooking up” wouldn’t be enough. A gal would need someone who was going to stick around and protect her from the wild. Someone who would hold her during the long, cold night.

  After watching more of the movie, Lily wrapped the quilt around her shoulders and got up. She was on her way to the kitchen when a loud clang outside froze her in the hallway. She shot a look to the huge windows flanking the fireplace, but couldn’t see past the drawn curtains.

  Another clang sounded, but it didn’t sound as if it were coming from outside the living room. Sounded closer to the kitchen. Outside the garage maybe? Lily battled with staying where she was or heading toward the sound.

  “Please don’t hurt me. Please don’t hurt me.” She inched closer to the switch for the garage floodlights. Her breathing was dangerously close to the hyperventilation phase. She felt a little woozy. She flicked on the lights and screamed when eyes reflected back to her.

  The sudden burst of light made the creature hiss and jump from the stone wall bordering a garden beside the garage. A raccoon. He’d knocked over some metal flowerpots Lily’s grandmother had on the wall. His striped tail swished as he vanished into the darkness.

  “Overgrown rodent,” Lily mumbled as she shut off the light and double-checked the doors and windows. Another glance at the clock revealed disappointing news. Only 7:00 p.m. In California 7:00 p.m. meant more than enough time to meet a group for dinner at Ruby’s. More than enough time to catch live music and have drinks at Fuega’s two blocks over from Gems. More than enough time to dance at The Jam Circus in San Diego.

  In Vermont, 7:00 p.m. meant reciting lines to movies until she got sleepy. If she got sleepy.

  ****

  Rick hardly slept though he had been tired from all the hobbling around he’d done during the day—his first full day on his feet. Lazing in bed had been what his body wanted, but not his mind. His brain kept analyzing and dissecting his interaction with Lily Hinsdale.

  “Who does she think she is?” he asked Poe as he globbed shaving cream onto his hand.

  The coyote sat in the hallway by the bathroom door and used her hind leg to scratch at her neck. Rick watched her then shaved around his slight beard and mustache to keep everything neat.

  “Imagine her thinking you’d hurt her. You wouldn’t hurt anything.” He rinsed, dried his face with a towel, and put his razor back in its drawer. He turned to Poe and waved her over. She obediently entered the bathroom and stood on all fours right in front of him. “Sit.”

  Poe dropped her rump until she was seated on the small, fluffy rug in front of the vanity. She looked up at Rick with big, yellow eyes and let out a short ruff.

  “You’re right, Poe. No more talking about that mean Miss Hinsdale. On to other, more productive things. Come.”

  He stopped in his bedroom and grabbed the cane. He found he didn’t need it so much schlepping around the house, but if he were to head to the store, he’d take it. Between the little bit of snow, the patches of mud, and the general rough terrain, walking from his cabin to the store was an exercise in caution with two good ankles, never mind only one.

  He ate a quick breakfast, longing for some pancakes instead of the oatmeal he shoveled down instead, and put his insulated flannel coat on over his sweatshirt and jeans. He slid his right foot into a black work boot then made sure the Velcro straps on the air cast were tight on his left foot. The tighter it was, the less pain he felt with each step. The less pain, the less he was reminded of how he should have let the damn sled go instead of running after it.

  When he and Poe emerged from the garage, Rick was surprised at how warm it was outside. Probably close to 50°F. The melting snow dripped from the trees and mud squished under his feet… and onto his sock peeking from the air cast. His toes were instantly wet. Eyeing the muddy path to the store, Rick decided it didn’t make sense to change the sock now. Fortunately, he had extra socks in the sugarhouse for when he went out in the woods and got wet. He’d put on a new one once he got there.

  With a stop to check a few taps, he confirmed the sap wasn’t running yet, but it would be. He could feel it in the air. The woods were beginning to smell like the woods again after being asleep under the snow for months. This was truly his favorite time of the year. This in-between time, when one season surrendered to the next. When the trees shared their natural goodness with him so he could make a living on the land he loved.

  When… an ugly cream-colored Jeep was parked in front of his store.

  “Oh, I don’t think so.” He shuffled as fast as he could with Poe jogging along beside him.

  He swung open the door and marched in to find Aunt Joy, Hope, and Sage sitting at a table. With her. Their laughter filled the empty store and burrowed right underneath his skin.

  “What
are you doing?” he roared.

  All four women jumped in their seats, and Rick had to contain his satisfaction. He hooked the cane on the nearest chair and limped over to them. Pointing a finger at Lily, he said, “You. Get out. Now.”

  “Rick,” Aunt Joy said. “Where have your manners gone?”

  “My manners? Are you kidding me?” He lasered a glare at Lily. “I don’t know what you think you’re doing, but you’re not welcome here.”

  “That’s it,” Sage said to Hope. “He’s finally lost all of his social skills.”

  “Shut up, Sage.”

  Sage shrank back in her seat, and Rick clamped his mouth shut. He didn’t usually snap at his cousins like that. This… this outsider was turning him into a monster.

  “Did she tell you what she’s doing here?” He gestured to Lily. Why does she have to be wearing a low-cut, black sweater that hugs her amazing body? He shook his head and looked back to Sage.

  “She’s staying at Gail’s house,” Hope said. “Gail passed away. She was Lily’s grandmother.” Hope rested a hand on Lily’s and gave her a compassionate look.

  “So maybe you could try to act like a human, Rick,” Sage said, “and be nice to the girl who just lost her grandmother, huh?” She shook her feathery blond hair out of her face.

  “I’m not going to be nice to her,” he said. “She’s leaving.” He slid Lily’s purse off the back of the chair and made a move to grab her by the bicep.

  “Rick, you will not lay a hand on our guest.” Aunt Joy’s tone froze his hand just shy of Lily.

  “It’s okay, Joy,” Lily said.

  Joy? First name basis. So nice we’re all chums here.

  Rick tossed Lily’s purse onto the table where it landed like a bag of rocks. It upended the saucer Lily’s teacup rested on and sent the tea into her lap. She popped up from her seat as did Aunt Joy, Hope, and Sage.

  “Rick!” his aunt and cousins said together.

  He tried to feel triumphant over the dark, wet stain on Lily’s light blue jeans, but he couldn’t get past the way the denim molded to her thighs and tapered down her legs. Amazingly long legs. She was so much taller than his aunt and his cousins. They were mere dolls next to her.

  “Get some towels, Hope,” Aunt Joy said as she handed Lily some napkins in the meantime. “I’m sorry about my nephew.” She turned to Rick. “What’s your problem? This is Robert Hinsdale’s daughter. Robert Hinsdale, the actor. The one I adore,” she said through clenched teeth. “I know you don’t do people very well, but I’ve never seen you be this rude.”

  “Tell them.” Rick stared at Lily, and she swallowed as if she had trouble doing so. He’d interrupted her game, her attempt to win over his family then dive in for the kill.

  “Tell us what?” Sage asked.

  “This is not Miss Hinsdale’s first trip in here, is it?” He pulled another chair over and sat. He would have loved to remain standing to appear more imposing, but his ankle was screaming from walking so fast to the store. Plus, his foot was soaked with mud.

  “I stopped in yesterday.” Lily took a towel from Hope and dabbed at the stain on her jeans. “To make a deal with Mr. Stannard.”

  “What kind of a deal?” Aunt Joy sounded suspicious now. Good.

  “Well, I was getting around to telling you before the Abominable Snowman came in.” She shot Rick a glare. “I work for Utopia Resorts and—”

  “Those fancy hotels with the themes?” Sage asked.

  “So not everyone is a recluse up here, I see.” Lily nodded at Sage. “Yes, I design those resorts.”

  “Oh, my God,” Hope said. “Sage and I have been saving a little money every year with the wild notion of visiting one of those resorts sometime.”

  “You have?” Lily and Rick said at the same time. Lily with encouragement, Rick with disdain.

  “Well, sure,” Sage said. “They’re beautiful hotels and who wouldn’t want to escape this.” She threw her hands out indicating everything around her. “I mean, I love it here and all, but it is a bit monotonous.”

  “And quiet,” Hope added. “So quiet.”

  “I’ve noticed the quiet.” Lily folded the towel and placed it on the table. “California is not like this at all.”

  “No, it isn’t,” Rick said. “And I’m not going to let you turn Vermont into another California. One is all we need.”

  “I never said I wanted to recreate California here,” Lily said, a laughing edge to her voice that irritated Rick. “If you’d let me finish my discussion yesterday, you would have seen that Utopia wants to keep this resort natural, outdoorsy.”

  “And get rid of my home, my business, my woods.” Rick shook his head. “Not going to happen. I don’t want to live next door to a fancy resort either. No one around here does.”

  “I’m sorry about your grandmother,” Aunt Joy finally said, “but I have to agree with my nephew. This is no place for a mega-resort.”

  Finally. Someone is making some sense. Rick nodded at Aunt Joy, and she patted his hand.

  Lily reached into her bag and pulled out a small laptop. “Let me show you some of the designs I’ve drawn up.”

  “We’re not interested, Miss Hinsdale,” Rick said. But why was he interested in the way her strawberry curls fell around her neck? In the small freckle below her right eye?

  He focused on Poe trotting in the door he’d left open and tried to erase his stupid thoughts about Lily pushing through his sensible annoyance. The coyote sniffed the air and turned her head toward Rick. He dropped a hand in a subtle sign to call her over, and she obeyed like always.

  Lily skittered behind Hope and Sage. “Mr. Stannard, please,” she said. “That animal frightens me.”

  “This animal is welcome here,” he said. “You, on the other hand, are not.”

  “Okay, Rick,” Sage said. “None of us wants to hand this land over, but maybe we could at least try to be civil to Lily. She’s come all this way. She’s lost her grandmother.” Sage threw a glance back to Lily still cowering behind them. “She obviously has an issue with coyotes.”

  “Not just coyotes,” Lily said. “All animals.”

  “Did you have some childhood trauma or something?” Hope asked.

  “I’m not here to discuss that.” Lily straightened to her full height, which made hiding behind Hope and Sage look ridiculous, but Rick could still see the fear in her big blue-green eyes.

  “Lily,” Aunt Joy began, “Poe won’t hurt you. She’s no predator. Too accustomed to getting her food from a can to know how to attack anything.”

  Lily didn’t look convinced. In fact, she appeared to be shifting into a deeper stage of anxiety. Rick recognized the pale skin, the trembling hands, the thin sheen of sweat on her brow. He’d experienced all those symptoms and more. He hated them.

  “Poe, lie down.” Rick pointed to the small wood stove Aunt Joy had fired up for the day. The coyote nuzzled his knee and pranced to the stove. She circled a few times in front of it then settled down on the floor.

  Lily returned to a color characteristic of the living. A faint blush played on her cheeks, and a heat crawled over Rick’s skin.

  Clearing his throat, he said, “Look, I’m sure your designs are lovely.” He motioned to her laptop still open on the table. “I’ll even agree to selling your grandmother’s land to someone who will let me continue to lease the maple trees if you don’t want to sell it to me. I’m not going to sell you my land, however. Besides, tourists that do come to Vermont, don’t come to stay in huge hotels. They stay in log cabins, or campers, or tents in the unspoiled woods.”

  A shudder worked its way down Lily’s body. What in the hell happened to her to make her so afraid of the woods? Rick bit down on his lower lip to keep from asking. He didn’t care. All he cared about was keeping his property.

  “That’s because there are no resorts for people to stay in around here.” Lily tossed a wary glance toward Poe then slowly maneuvered out from behind Sage and Hope. She tapped a few ke
ys on her laptop and spun it around to face Rick. “If Utopia builds this, the tourists will be lining up to visit. Guaranteed.”

  Aunt Joy, Hope, and Sage formed a semi-circle behind Rick so they could see the screen.

  “Wow,” Hope said.

  “Unbelievable,” Sage added.

  “Is that a waterwheel?” Aunt Joy asked.

  “It’s amazing,” Rick said, “but it doesn’t belong here.” He shut the laptop and pushed it toward Lily.

  “You’re talented though,” Aunt Joy said. “No denying that.”

  “Thank you.” Lily put the laptop back in her bag and extracted an envelope that looked remarkably like the one she had left with Rick yesterday. “I don’t know if you perused the documents—”

  “I burned them, as promised,” Rick interrupted.

  “I see.”

  If she sees, why is she pulling out new documents? He ground his teeth together, certain that growling was next. If Lily didn’t like wild animals, she certainly wasn’t going to like him in about five minutes.

  “Well, I have authorization to up the offer on your land, Mr. Stannard.” Lily flipped through the papers, put one on the table, turned it right side up to Rick, and slid it toward him.

  Without dropping his gaze for a glance at the figure, he said, “I’m not selling.”

  Sage reached her arm over Rick’s shoulder and picked up the document. “Holy shit! Rick, are you sure? They’re prepared to pay you—”

  She stopped when he held up a hand. “There is no amount of money that would make me leave. This is my home. My only home. There is nowhere else.”

  Aunt Joy’s hand rested on his shoulder. She gave him a little squeeze. He took the gesture to be part “I’m on your side” and part “Stay calm, sugar.”

  “I’m afraid we can’t help you, Lily,” Aunt Joy said. “Pretty as those designs are, this land keeps us fed, sheltered, and healthy.” She gestured to Rick’s ankle. “Most of the time, that is.”

  He shifted under Aunt Joy’s hold. This land kept him from ending up a big pile of shot nerves. He needed to be here, but something in the expression on Lily’s face, the downward pull of her full lips, made him want to help her.