Alaska laughed. “You don’t believe that do you? That a man and woman can fall in love by kissing on a cliff?”
Cariss shrugged. “I can’t say that I totally believe, but I can’t very well say that I don’t. Anything’s possible.”
“Cariss…you’re a romantic person.”
“And you’re not?”
Pushing her palms down her jeans, Alaska swallowed against the lump in her throat. She had lost her romantic beliefs a long time ago. “Not in the slightest.”
“Well, don’t come up here with a certain cowboy because you just never know.”
“I have no clue what you’re talking about.” Every cell in her body quivered and her skin warmed.
“Sure you don’t. If you didn’t see the way he looked at you then you’re either blind or don’t think Wranglers and Stetson on that specimen is hot and sexy.”
“I think he’s okay looking. I’m just not into—”
“Hot and sexy?”
“Cocky and obnoxious.”
“Oh, okay. I don’t blame you. All that man wrapped up in denim would make it very difficult to do anything but stay in bed all day, all night, with a rope and nothing else.”
“Cariss! You’re naughty.”
She shrugged. “My man doesn’t mind. Anyway, because people believe the magic of the cliff they also marry here. There’s an ancient cypress tree where couples carve their names in the bark.”
“Did you and your husband marry here?”
“Pfft.” She chuckled. “Gary’s parents are so religious they wouldn’t hear of us marrying anywhere but in the church.”
Five minutes later they crossed the bridge into the town limits. They stopped at the first light and two men waved. “Everyone here is so friendly.”
“Don’t worry. You’ll get used to the friendliness.” Cariss winked. “It took me a few weeks to get used to it myself. Coming from a big city this was all a little overwhelming. But I couldn’t imagine going back now. This is my home. This is where I want to raise my kids.”
“Where did you grow up?”
“New York. When I first moved here I was a fish out of water…worse. I missed having gourmet coffee shops at every corner and the closest thing to a nightlife here is the Saturday night church socials and cookouts with friends and family.”
Flyers were stuck to every available spot boasting Food. Rides. Raffles. And fun at the summer festival. “The festival must be very big.”
“It is. Who doesn’t like a rodeo, carnival food, and listening to local bands play?” She turned left down a one-way street. “It’s like a carnival on acid.”
“I haven’t been to a fair in so long.”
“Oh, there’s Abriella.” Cariss waved at the pretty woman wearing a white apron. “She’s the owner of the Bluebonnet. She makes the very best fried Oreos and Twinkies. These thighs don’t need them, but you are teeny tiny. We’ll stop by there on our way home. You’ll just love Abriella. There’s a rumor going around about her and one of the Colts.”
“A rumor?”
“That she’s seeing one of them.” Cariss shrugged, pretending she had a key, locked her lips, and tossed the invisible key out the window.
“Deep fried anything works for me.”
“That’s why our paths crossed. A higher power knew you needed my help in getting adjusted here. Small towns aren’t for everyone, but seeing how refreshed you look this morning, I think you’ll adjust just fine.”
There was an underlying meaning to her new friend’s words, but Alaska wouldn’t dare go there.
“Here we are!” They parked in front of the red brick church. A large bulletin read, “Come as a guest, leave as family.”
Completely out of her comfort zone, Alaska was happy to see that River felt right at home. Cory introduced him to new friends while Cariss waved for Alaska to join her where a group of women surrounded a long table covered in the supplies needed for making the tie dye shirts. The women were all smiling. Once they were all introduced one woman with silver hair, large glasses, and bright red cheeks stepped forward.
“It is so nice to meet you. My name is Abigail, but most people call me Abby.”
“Hi. Abby.” Alaska held out her hand, but the other woman giggled.
“We don’t shake hands around here, my dear. We’re all friends.” Abby pulled Alaska in for a tight hug.
When she was released from the woman’s grip Alaska offered a smile and caught Cariss’s thumbs up over Abby’s shoulder.
Normally Alaska would push off a stranger invading her space, but something told her she would have offended the women if she didn’t embrace their kindness. Alaska wasn’t about to insult the women who greeted her so warmly.
When the tie dye shirts were finished, and after they made a quick stop at the bakery for treats and the store for a phone, they were climbing back into Cariss’s SUV as she said, “You and River should come to dinner.”
Cheers erupted from the backseat.
“You provided us with dinner last night. River and I can’t impose a second night.”
“Are you kidding me? Having company isn’t an imposition, but southern hospitality. The more, the merrier.”
Alaska found that she didn’t want to turn her friend down.
“Sure, but I insist on helping you cook. That’s the least I can do.”
“Honey, a woman never turns down free help.” Cariss started the engine. “Now to the hardware store. Cory, what do you say you and I take River by the park while his mom grabs what she needs?”
The backseat erupted into agreement.
“Thank you,” Alaska said. There was only a tiny sliver of worry.
“Don’t mention it. Shopping with a kid is like hammering a nail into your temple.”
CHAPTER 8
PICKING UP THE wire cutters at the hardware store, Arc examined them when he caught a familiar scent lingering in the air. There was only one person he knew who reminded him of his favorite dessert Using his senses like a hound dog would, he followed the trail and peeked between two shelves. He separated the boxes and there she was. Alaska. Her gaze came up, meeting his, and her cheeks instantly flushed.
“Hi,” he said.
“Hi.” She went back to perusing the shelf.
He received mixed signals when it came to the brunette. At certain moments, he read a shyness in her actions, and then other times he got the feeling that she had a hidden freak flag that begged to be discovered. This only made her more interesting, if not even more challenging. Seeing her in the tight blue jeans and hippie tie dye shirt made him feel very happy. “What are you doing?”
“Looking for a new faucet for the kitchen sink. This one had a blowout.” She held up the antique, copper hardware.
“You shouldn’t look for a new one.”
“Is that right? So I should just overlook that I don’t have a working sink?” She raised a thin brow. He saw a sliver of a grin and he hoped before the day was out he’d get to see the full-fledged smile.
“That hardware that you have in your hand is worth a fortune. It’ll last longer than the house.”
“Good to know, but it isn’t worth anything to me if I can’t use it.”
“I can help you with that.”
“So, you’re not only handy with cars, roofs, goats, and horses, but you also handle faucets too? You’re just a Jack of all trades,” she teased. “What if I want to modernize the B&B?”
He saw her reservation slip some. “You can but replacing the original fixtures and wood would be a travesty. Trust me.” Her frown doubled in size. Somehow, he’d said the wrong words. “I’ll fix it for you.”
“I can’t let you do that.” She turned her back to him.
He moved the boxes back where they belonged on the shelf then swept around the aisle to stand next to her.
“Here we are. Back to you refusing help.”
“The problem is, you’ve helped with my car. My roof. And now you want to tinker with my h
ouse. When will you send me a bill?” She picked up a box and surveyed the shiny, new faucet with a removable head.
“You don’t want that one.” He took the box from her and replaced it on the shelf. “It’ll last a few years at best. As far as the bill, I have cheap service fees.” He saw the soft lines of her jaw go rigid and he swallowed a curse. How could he continually screw up with her? “Look, like I’ve said before, I feel like the B&B isn’t just your responsibility. The place was left to you in pretty bad condition. You and River need some things fixed around there not only for your safety, but for your quality of living. If you hire a contractor, it’s going to cost you a fortune. Now can you tell me that you can do all the things needed there alone?”
A long few seconds passed and then she shrugged. “No, I can’t do these things alone.”
“See, you do need me.”
“And what do you get out of helping?” Her chin came up, and a strength she didn’t show too often lit her eyes.
“If you get the B&B back up and running, it’ll help the other businesses in Tarnation. Considering my brothers and I are temporary owners of many of them, and much of the real estate, your progress will take our profit margin up a notch or two.” He’d leave out that he suddenly wanted to spend more time with her. If he had to be in Tarnation than he might as well enjoy the perks. Alaska wasn’t willing to let down her guard easily and he’d always liked someone who kept him on his toes.
“Okay, makes sense, but if you help me with the place then we need to have an agreement. I’ll pay you for anything you do.” He started to argue but she held up her hand, rejecting anything he’d say in his defense. “For my own peace of mind.”
“Fine, but before you go writing a check, remember that I’m not doing this to earn a dime.” He slid the faucet from her hand. “I have some place to be for a few hours but then I promise I’ll stop over before it gets too late and show you just how handy I am.” He didn’t mean the words in a sexual way, but the trembling of her bottom lip certainly did trigger something below his belt.
“S-So, which parts do I need to fix it?”
“Why don’t you let me grab them and I’ll add it to my bill. It’ll be easier that way.”
She tucked her bottom lip and he could see the question rolling through her expression, but finally she nodded. He would be seeing a lot more of Alaska Kellington in the future, and that didn’t bother him…not one bit.
CHAPTER 9
“SHE’S A BEAUTY. Look at those clean, sleek lines.” Arc whistled.
“Hard to believe she was a barn find. Once I wiped off the chicken shit and grime, I saw that she was worth every penny I paid. She was a nut and bolt restoration, but look at her now,” Gary said proudly. “That’s the original engine too. The previous owner never drove her, so she has low mileage.”
“What do you think she’s worth?” Arc ran his hand appreciatively down the candy-red exterior of the ’69 Mustang. A car buff or not, anyone would appreciate the amount of work and dedication Gary had put into getting the classic into such great running shape.
“I’m guessing upward of thirty. What do you think?”
Arc scratched his temple. “Probably damn near close.”
“So, you interested?”
Looking at the other man with doubt, Arc narrowed his gaze. “Man, you can’t sell this thing. You’ve put hours upon hours of blood, sweat, and tears into her.”
Gary lowered the hood gently. “Yeah, but Cariss and I are going to have a baby. I just found out yesterday. Babies are expensive and she wants an addition put on the back of the house. This beauty here should bring in enough to cover that and then some.” He looked a little green around the edges.
Feeling a little sad for his new friend, he didn’t blame him for appearing like he’d eaten something that didn’t settle well in his gut. “I get the family thing, buddy, but this is a crime.”
“I’m warning you, buddy. You find the right woman and nothing else matters, not even a car that you’ve rebuilt. Those were the glory days, back when I was single, and now the glory days are dedicated to my family. There isn’t anything I wouldn’t do to make them happy. I might be getting rid of the Mustang, but I have everything I could ever want in that house up there.”
This shook Arc to the core. He had a newfound respect for the man standing before him. That’s what marriage should be for two people, not five brothers expected to find a wife to keep their land. Arc felt like he teetered between two black holes. If he found a woman to marry him, he’d be facing divorce quickly down the road. If he chose the other path, he’d disappoint his brothers and potentially lose his ranch. Question was, did Arc ever see himself falling in love with a woman so deeply that he could understand even a glimpse of what Gary felt for his wife?
“Can I have some time to think it over?” Arc asked. Although he referred to the car, an image popped into his head. Alaska. When he saw her at the hardware store he should have walked away, but a stronger force kept him there. Helping her at the B&B felt like the right thing for him to do.
As far as buying the Mustang, he had the money in his account, but he needed to first find out the results of Link’s test. They’d have a huge loss if he couldn’t be used as a sire.
“Take a few days. It’s a big, expensive decision.” A ringing sounded in the distance. “There’s the dinner bell. We better head on up to the house.”
“Are you sure your wife won’t mind you inviting me for dinner?” Arc asked as he and Gary started up the path toward the farmhouse.
“Hell, she likes when I invite company. She lived in big city before she came out here, and she likes socializing. In fact, I think she gets a bit lonely at times. I’ve already texted her and told her to expect company, so she knows you’re coming. I think you two met earlier today?”
“We did?”
“She was with our newest neighbor, Arlene? Aileene?”
“Alaska,” Arc muttered, feeling a familiar sock to his gut.
“Yeah, Alaska. How could I forget that name? I visited the state once and ice fished. Best fishing ever. I had an amazing time. Anyway, stay for dinner. Cariss invited Alaska and her son.”
Arc smiled. He wasn’t expecting to see her at dinner, but he didn’t mind. In fact, he did promise he’d stop by the B&B later and fix the faucet. “In that case, I’ll be happy to sit down to a home cooked meal.” They entered the front door and Arc was met with the savory smell of something delicious. His stomach growled, reminding him he hadn’t eaten since that morning, and the eggs and bacon had long vanished, especially after dealing with a pissed off mare they’d rescued.
“Honey, I’m home,” Gary called out, placing his hat on a hook.
Arc hooked his hat, too, then followed his buddy through a short hallway into the kitchen where a blast of good-smelling grub waylaid him. But that wasn’t what struck him hard in the center of the chest. Across the room was Alaska. She stood on the other side of the kitchen island—her long hair was pulled up into a topknot with tendrils brushing her flushed cheeks from a steaming pot. Her bottom lip puckered, as if she was completely fixated on her task of emptying a pan of potatoes into a serving dish. A strong urge came over him to run over and help her, but that wasn’t the only urge. What would it be like to kiss those lush lips? To have her look at him with the same gripping stare? He wanted her. God help him, he wanted her more than he’d ever wanted any woman he’d come across.
“I’m glad you boys didn’t waste any time getting up here. We’re finishing up now.” The petite brunette with large earrings hurried up to Gary, giving him a long kiss that made her foot lift, like in the movies. Arc gave the loving couple some privacy and settled his attention on the warm eyes of Alaska. By the unhidden surprise in her expression, she wasn’t expecting to see him anymore than he’d expected to see her.
The pan slipped from her hands, hitting the sink with a thud as the flush deepened in her cheeks. He smiled. Couldn’t help himself. She wore her em
otions on her sleeve.
“Hi there, Arc. I’m Cariss. I guess we haven’t really met.”
The woman’s words pulled Arc’s attention from Alaska. “Nice to meet you, ma’am.”
She surprised him by giving him a hug. “I think you’ve had the pleasure of meeting Alaska.”
“Yeah, we’ve had the pleasure.”
She didn’t bother leaving her perch behind the island and instead gave him a weak smile. “Small world.”
“Yes it is.”
“Honey, will you help me get the boys?” Cariss grabbed her husband’s hand and led him up the stairs.
“Why do you need me—?” Gary complained before he was whisked away.
Arc didn’t mind the opportunity to spend a moment alone with Alaska. “Can I help with anything?”
She pointed to a stack of plates. “Since you asked. Sure. You can set the table.”
“Right up my alley.” He placed the plates around the table and Alaska followed with utensils. “Nice shirt.”
“I made it today.” She rolled the tip of her tongue along her bottom lip.
“So, what do you think of Tarnation so far?” He set the last plate down and turned to her.
“People here are cordial. I’m getting used to the weather. I’ve enjoyed meeting Cariss. How about you? You’re fairly new to Tarnation also.” She went back to gather several bowls of food.
“Not bad at all.” And it’s only getting better.
Pitter-pattering of small feet sounded on the stairs. River and Cory rounded the corner. “Hi, River.”
“Arc!” The little boy came rushing over, giving Arc a huge hug.
This was the first time he’d ever had a kid hug him, and it humbled Arc. He really liked River.
“I get to go to basketball camp this week.”
“You do?” Arc smiled at the boy’s unrestrained excitement.
“Perhaps. After we discuss it,” Alaska added.
“I went to basketball camp when I was about your age.” Arc tousled his hair. “After we were done in the gym the coaches took us out to explore outside.”
Pour me a Drink (Tarnation, Texas Book 3) Page 9