Crossing her arms, she took in a breath. She was pregnant. From her one fling that never should have been flung in the first place. Oh, but Chase Harris was so hot. His smile had been a surprise, since it had been his brooding expression that had first caught her eye at Shannon and Billy’s reception. He was Billy’s cousin, and the two men were nearly a matched pair. Tall dark and handsome with twinkling eyes and dimples. Chase had looked a little dangerous, though. Like he’d needed something more than the bottle of beer he’d been nursing. Like he’d needed her.
“There’s someone looking for you, Carrie,” a white-blond spiky-haired young woman said from the archway.
Carrie looked over at Spiky-hair. This was the fourth receptionist this week, and Carrie had given up on learning their names until at least one of them stuck.
“Me?” she asked.
“Yeah,” a man’s voice said from behind Spiky-hair.
Carrie knew that voice. Oh, it was deep and a little rumbly and the last time she’d heard it was when the man attached to the voice had murmured the sweetest and naughtiest things in her ear. Things she’d played over and over in her dreams since.
Chase Harris stepped into the shop, his hazel eyes locked on her and a smile just teasing those sculpted lips. Darn it, he looked as good as she’d remembered.
“Hey, Red.”
And with those two words, that silly nickname she should hate but secretly loved, Carrie’s safe and insular world cracked wide open.
Crap.
Chapter 2
Chase watched as Carrie’s cheeks went a little white. Maybe he hadn’t called her since the night of Billy’s wedding. Yeah, he could be a prick that way. His ex-wife had made that perfectly clear. Since the divorce last fall he’d kept to himself. Carrie was the first woman he’d gotten remotely close to. Physically, anyway. He hadn’t expected her to look so shocked to see him, though.
“Hi, there.” He stepped closer to Carrie as the spa’s receptionist turned and went back to her desk. “How’ve you been?”
“Hi, Chase.” Carrie visibly swallowed. “I’m good. You?”
He shrugged in answer. “Good. I’m here for Billy.”
She blinked those long lashes he’d noticed from the first, her pretty blue eyes wide. “He’s not here.”
He smiled and rubbed a hand over his jaw. “Yeah. I mean I’m here on his behalf.”
She fiddled with the ties on the bars of soap like the ones he’d seen at Billy’s place. Goats-milk soap that Billy and Shannon hoped to recreate at their farm in Cypress.
“So…you’re here to visit the Becker’s farm?”
Chase nodded. “Yes. Frankie Becker has some things she needs me to take back to Cypress.”
“Why didn’t Billy come down?” Carrie clasped her hands, her eyes bright now. “I would have loved to see Shannon again.”
Chase grinned as he thought about the conversation with his cousin yesterday. “Billy said he can’t drag her out of Cypress now.”
“She did look ridiculously happy at the wedding.”
“That’s the thing about weddings, Red.” His lips thinned. “Everybody looks happy at weddings.”
Clouds seem to gather over her face. “I guess that’s true.”
“It sure was at mine.” He winced. “Damn, sorry. I’m not supposed to dwell on that, or so Shannon says.”
“She is the queen of second chances, you know.”
Chase saw the sparkle in Carrie’s eye. Once again that rush he’d felt at the wedding went through him. She was both hot and adorable, and being with her that night had been eye-opening. No games. No false promises. Just a good time and a night he would never forget. After the hell of his divorce, she’d been just what he’d needed.
“You said you worked here,” he said.
“I do.” She spread her hands. “As you see.”
He looked around at the frou-frou spa stuff and listened for a second to the almost-imperceptible music playing overhead. There were a lot of hearts here too, like in Cypress. It seemed like he couldn’t escape the holiday, even here on Mimosa Key. Too bad Billy couldn’t get Shannon to come here with him. Instead he was here as a surrogate, and as alone as he’d ever been.
“Shannon worked here too,” he said.
She blew out a breath. “Why are you here, Chase?”
He blinked. “I told you.”
“You’re here for Billy. Yeah, you told me.” She crossed her arms. “But why are you here? At the spa?”
He quirked a smile at her. “Can’t you take a guess?”
She shook her head. “Oh no, you don’t. You’re not doing that dimpled-smile seduction thing again.”
He blinked at her. “That dimpled what?”
She waved a hand. “Never mind. It’s just so not going to happen.”
He shrugged. “I wanted to see you.”
She snorted, and then covered her mouth. “It’s been over a month, Chase. No calls or texts.”
“We didn’t exchange numbers.”
“All right. No pokes on Facebook, then.”
He managed to keep a straight face at that. “I thought you wanted to…”
“Hit it and quit it?” she provided.
His mouth dropped open. “Not exactly, but you didn’t seem like you wanted that night to be anything more than what it was.”
Her brows drew together. “You’re not wrong there.”
“Then what’s changed?”
She appeared so worried by his question now that he thought he’d lighten the moment and fast.
“Don’t tell me you can’t wait for another taste of Chase?” he teased.
Her mouth dropped open and then she laughed. “I’m not going to touch that ridiculous line.”
She was on the ball. Spunky. He’d noticed her quick mind that night, but he hadn’t paid much attention to it. No. He’d been too busy thinking about her quick hands.
“When are you finished here?” he asked.
She gaped at him. “When?”
“Today, Carrie. When are you finished here today?”
“Why?”
He leaned against the sales counter and shook his head. “I was only asking you to come to dinner with me, Red.”
“Dinner.” Now her cheeks flushed a pretty pink that nearly matched the sweet little freckles marching across the bridge of her nose. “Just dinner?”
He smiled again, risking that dimple comment if it got her to thaw a little bit. “Sure.”
She nibbled her plump bottom lip and his mind went back to how delectable her mouth was. Hell, her everything was pretty delicious.
“Yeah,” she said. “We can do dinner.”
She looked so serious that he almost let her off the hook. Almost. He wanted to see if that electricity they’d experienced the night of the wedding was a fluke. It had sure been unlike anything he’d ever experienced.
“Seeing as I’m staying right here at the Casa Blanca Resort, why don’t we eat here?
***
Carrie stared at Chase for a long minute. Oh, could she do this? Sit down to a meal with this guy? She was really tempted. He looked at her with those deep hazel eyes and she flashed back to that night out by the lake. He was tall and broad, and even more handsome than Shannon’s Billy Goat. Those shoulders stretching his gray Henley shirt. Those long, strong legs clad in worn jeans. He wore sneakers and appeared very casual, but she could so picture him as he’d looked in his dark suit back then. Crisp white shirt. Loosened tie. Even his hands were beautiful. And oh, what those hands had felt like on her skin.
He had issues though, which he’d revealed yet again when he’d mentioned his own wedding. Once more, those darn blue lines flashed in her mind. He had a right to know. There were no ifs, ands or buts about it. She had to tell him what was going on.
“Okay, Chase.” She smiled up at him. “Dinner sounds good.”
The grin that spread across his face nearly took her breath. “Great. Listen, you know this place inside
and out. You pick the restaurant. When can I pick you up?”
Anytime, apparently. “I’m done here at five so, six?”
He nodded. “Six it is.”
He left the spa shop and Carrie sank back against the counter. She was having dinner with the hottest guy she’d ever been with. Heck, the hottest guy she’d ever seen. She might have bought into Doug’s lines, but that was so last year. This year she had a new life coming, in more ways than one. She’d been so sure of it. That was why she’d jumped all over Chase at Shannon’s wedding. It had been so out of character for her it had seemed like a dream. A gift for her wounded pride and self-esteem. A gift that apparently kept on giving.
She covered her midriff with one hand, taking in a deep breath. She could still smell Chase, that hot fresh scent she’d caught at first and reveled in later. And now she had to face the fact that the one time in her life she let herself go would have lasting consequences.
“Wow, he’s hot.”
Carrie looked over at Spiky-hair. “Yeah, he is.”
“So what’s your story?” Today’s spa receptionist looked at her with bright eyes. “You know. With him?”
He’s my baby-daddy. Carrie waved a hand. “No story, really. We’re going out to dinner tonight.”
“Where?”
“I’m not sure.”
The other girl’s pierced left eyebrow shot up to her hairline. “Junonia?”
Carrie shook her head. “No way. That place is too expensive. Besides, it’s full of expectations on a plate.”
“And the best food at Casa Blanca.”
“Yeah, well maybe we’ll just hit the poolside bar.” She winced as she remembered that Doug’s latest still worked there. “Never mind. Maybe Mexican.”
The entrance doors of the spa opened with an audible whoosh and the girl jumped a little. “Gotta run.”
She dashed through the archway and back to her desk. Carrie just nodded as she was once more alone in the spa shop. Maybe this one would stick. Next time maybe she would pay attention to the girl’s name tag.
Spiky-hair was right, though. Junonia was the best restaurant at the resort but it was also the most popular. Cozy and intimate, and very date-y. She wasn’t ready to date Chase. That should be funny, since she’d already slept with him.
“So you’re going to the SOB?” Jocelyn asked.
Carrie looked over at her boss. South of the Border, the SOB, was the little Mexican restaurant that was very popular with locals. It was small and always busy, and boasted no sign and no menu. Right now, the thought of their silky-soft tamales made her mouth water.
“I guess so. Chase wants to go to dinner.”
“Chase?”
“Chase Harris.”
“Harris? Is he related to Billy?”
Carrie managed a nod. “His cousin.”
Jocelyn’s eyes narrowed. “And you know him how, exactly?”
Carrie’s face heated. “I met him at the wedding.”
“Aha!”
“What does that mean?”
“He’s the reason your spirits looked quite restored when you came back.”
“Quite restored?” Carrie wrinkled her nose. “Have I taken a tonic?”
“I don’t know.” Jocelyn winked. “Have you?”
Carrie kept her expression even until Jocelyn laughed lightly.
“Okay, I’ll stop,” she said. “It’s nice to see that spunk again, though.”
Her boss returned to the spa and Carrie went about the routine of straightening and readying the shop for the next day. As she did so, she thought about what Jocelyn had said.
Spunk? The woman was wrong about that. Carrie hadn’t felt all that spunky since finding out about Doug and bartender-girl at Thanksgiving. She’d love the jerk, and foolishly believed him every darn time he’d said he loved her back. He hadn’t. Not enough to keep it in his pants, anyway.
Then Chase had walked into the wedding reception on New Year’s Eve. The setting had been gorgeous, and so different from what she’d seen during her childhood growing up on the gulf in Tampa. There had been a white tent set up on the sandy, leaf-strewn soil between towering oaks and Cypress trees dripping with Spanish moss. Fairy lights had been strung on everything that didn’t move. Music and laughter and alcohol had filled the space. It had been just what she’d needed to wake from the funk she’d wallowed in since Doug.
She’d been thrilled for her friend, too. How could she not be? Shannon had married the man she was supposed to be with. Her Billy Goat. Jocelyn was right about that. It had been as clear as crystal when Shannon kicked off her shoes and fell in love. Carrie had dropped more than her shoes on that night with Chase. Her insecurities, her inhibitions. A flush of heat washed over her. Her dress.
The next morning she’d felt amazing. Complete somehow, and more like herself than ever. It had been like she’d woken up. Jocelyn called it spunk, and Carrie reasoned she could own that. Tonight she had to rouse that spunk and fast.
Tonight she had to tell Chase he was going to be a father.
Chapter 3
Chase didn’t think the restaurant looked very promising from outside. There was no sign and the storefront looked dark and narrow, but Carrie had assured him it was the best Mexican restaurant around. After reading the chalk-board specials menu and being shown to a small table in the center of the crowded dining room, he was inclined to believe her.
The air was scented with spices and heat and cheese, and his mouth watered. Of course, part of the reason for that could be the gorgeous girl sitting across from him. She still wore her crisp white blouse, but had added a thin pink sweater. She’d apparently done some comb and flip thing with her hair. God, he loved her hair.
At the wedding, he’d noticed it from the jump. Red shoulder-length waves that caught the glimmer from the fairy lights strung overhead. He’d fisted it in his hands when they’d been alone after, holding on to the silken strands as he’d lost himself for the first time in my memory. And in the morning her scent, something flowery and soft, had filled his head as he’d woken up with his face buried in her hair.
Tonight she’d ditched the headband he’d seen earlier and the strands looked shiny and soft once more in the light from the hanging fixture above them. They were seated at a small round table for two, and the setting was surprisingly intimate despite how many diners surrounded them.
“This looks like a very popular place,” he said.
“The food is fantastic.”
He nodded. “I saw the specials board. Looks like there’s a ton of choices. What do you suggest?”
“I’m diving into the tamales.” She fiddled with her cloth napkin. “You?”
“Something with meat. Carne Asada, I think.”
She seemed a little uneasy, but he felt that too. They’d hardly talked on the night they’d hooked up. Just a few lines and some smiles and he’d been on her like he needed her kisses to live.
A male server stopped at their table with two glasses of water and they placed their meal orders. Chase couldn’t resist adding a couple of tamales himself, and finished his order with a bottle of Corona.
“What are you drinking?” he asked Carrie.
“Frozen Margarita.” She gasped. “Oh! Just iced tea, please. Sweet.”
The server left and Chase looked at her. She was back to fiddling with her napkin.
“Why didn’t you get a drink?” he asked.
She gave a quick shake of her head. “No reason. Long day. Work tomorrow.”
“I’m off for the next week.” Their drinks came and he lifted his beer bottle. “Although when I get back, I might be working for Billy instead of at the ranch.”
“You work at a ranch?”
“My family’s ranch, actually.”
“So you’re a cowboy?”
He smiled. “Not technically. We raise cattle.”
“Is that why Billy wants his own farm?”
Chase thought for a second. “I guess so. My broth
er and I…we weren’t very kind to Billy growing up.”
That was the first time he’d ever admitted that to anybody outside the family. His stomach churned as he recalled just how cold he’d been to his orphaned cousin.
“But you’re close now.” She sipped her iced tea. “I saw that at the wedding.”
Chase shrugged. “I have a lot of making up to do. Helping Billy out like this? It’s the least I can do.”
“What about your brother?”
His brother. His older brother, Zach. He was even more bull-headed than Chase.
“Zach can make it up in his own way if he wants to.”
Her brows drew together. “I’m an only child.”
“Yeah?” He folded his arms and leaned on the table. “What’s that like?”
A smile curved her lips and warmth came into her eyes. “It was great, actually. My parents live up in Tampa, still happy after more than thirty years of marriage.”
He whistled. “That’s a long time.”
“What about your parents?”
A chill gripped his belly. “My mom took off when I was eight.”
Her lips parted. “Oh. I’m sorry.”
He brushed her concern with a shrug, setting aside the long-held feeling of abandonment. The woman had run off with an equipment salesman, as clichéd as that might be. She’d snuck off while the boys had been at school. That was not a day Chase wanted to dwell on, thanks.
“My father provided for us,” he said. “We worked the ranch, sure. But we never went without.”
“And he left money to Billy when he died.” Chase arched a brow and she smiled. “Shannon told me.”
“I don’t begrudge Billy one penny. Wild Harry Harris wasn’t a touchy-feely kind of guy. I guess he loved Billy as much as he loved me and my brother Zach. Not a one of us really saw it, though.”
“That’s a shame.”
“It is what it is.”
He took a long pull on his beer. Talking about Wild Harry was always difficult, and now that he was seriously considering getting out of the ranch entirely? He just didn’t want to deal with it right now. He missed his father, despite their absent relationship.
He was grateful when their food came, and it looked as good as it smelled. His stomach growled and he grinned. “You weren’t kidding about this place, were you?”
Barefoot Bay: Giving Chase (Kindle Worlds Novella) (Cypress Corners Book 8) Page 2