“No, Mandy. You’re beautiful as always.”
She opened her mouth like she was about to say something and then pressed her lips together. Finally, she said, “Thank you.”
She pulled the sunscreen out and they packed everything back up again without a word. Preston reapplied his sunscreen. He watched as she got her arms, legs, and face. She gathered her hair and pulled it over one shoulder before trying to twist her arm to get the back of her neck and shoulders. He stepped forward and took the spray can from her. “Here, let me get it.”
With one hand on her upper arm, he made sure her neck and shoulders were protected from the sun. The coconut sunscreen mixed with the scent of her shampoo and sun-warmed hair. He kept his hand on her arm.
“Preston?” Her voice was low, and she continued to face away from him. “Do you regret getting married?”
“No. It’s one of the best decisions I’ve ever made.” He dropped the sunscreen to the grass at his feet and gently ran a finger across the back of her shoulder. She shivered as goose bumps appeared on her skin. “The only thing I do regret is promising to not kiss you on the mouth again.” He softly touched his lips to the back of her neck. Then he moved around her until he was looking into her eyes. “Because that’s all I want to do right now.”
She pulled her lower lip in between her teeth, and Preston groaned from the torture of not being able to taste her lips himself. Mandy’s gaze dropped, and he cupped her face in his hands, lifting her eyes back to his.
“I love you, Mandy. I always have. Please believe I will never intentionally hurt you.”
Chapter Eleven
Mandy let Preston’s words wash over her. She’d known he cared by the way he watched over her and went out of his way to make sure she was all right. To hear him say it, though... She didn’t know whether to lean into him or run away. Her emotions warred as panic set in. What if she never returned the love he offered? Or even worse, what if she fell in love with him and he changed his mind? She didn’t think she could handle it now if he walked away, much less if she let her emotions surface. Keeping them buried was the safest thing.
But the walls she’d put up cracked a little with the sensation of his hands on her face. The depths of understanding in his eyes begged her to trust him. To trust herself. But after everything she’d been through and seen, how was she supposed to do that?
Even as her mind insisted she take a step back and put some distance between them, her heart had her leaning closer. She shook her head, but Preston used a thumb to softly caress her cheek. “Trust me, Mandy.”
Her heart slammed against her ribs. What would it be like to let go, even if just for a few minutes, and trust Preston like he asked her to? Her eyelids lowered, her lashes pulling a veil over his face. She let herself move forward until her lips touched his. The contact was light as a feather, yet it sent electricity careening wildly through her body and stole her breath.
The kiss lasted only a moment. Preston rested his forehead against hers and when she opened her eyes, she found him watching her as though afraid she might bolt. When she didn’t move, he tilted his head and covered her lips with his in a kiss full of emotion and promise, as if he were pouring his love into her. His hand shifted to the back of her head, cupping it gently. Her arms moved as if they had minds of their own, her hands clasping behind his neck.
That peck of a kiss when they were teens had affected her more than she’d ever been willing to admit—even to herself. But this one rocked her to her core, further shaking the foundation of the walls she’d built up around her emotions.
Preston pulled back, a little smile on his face and wonder in his eyes.
Mandy took a breath and a tentative step away from him. “I’m scared, Preston.”
“I know, baby.” He pulled her into his arms then, holding her gently. “We’ll take it as slow as you want, okay?”
She nodded against his chest, and he pressed a kiss to her shoulder.
He released her then but captured her hand in his. “Come on, let’s head back home. What do you say?”
“I think that sounds good.”
They rode the current back down the river, only using the paddles to help steer around rocks in some of the shallower parts of the river. The whole way, Mandy compared the ride to her life. Her future.
It was easy to steer around the rocks they could see. But every once in awhile, the bottom or side of the canoe would bump into an obstacle hidden beneath the water. And when that happened, she’d suck in a breath and grip the paddle even harder, hoping it wouldn’t send them into the river. It hadn’t so far, but they still had to prepare. That’s why their cell phones were sealed away in a waterproof container and the cooler tied to the side of the canoe. That’s why they wore life jackets. Because the truth was, they couldn’t guarantee a smooth ride, no matter how much they prepared.
Preston promised he’d stay forever. He could promise he’d always love her. But what if one of those unforeseen complications arose and shook their relationship badly enough to capsize them? Kissing him earlier only proved to her how easy it would be to tear those walls down and let herself love Preston. If only she could guarantee they’d steer through life’s complications safely and arrive together at their destination.
She pushed the depressing thought into the back of her mind. The sun’s heat was starting to get to her and rivulets of sweat made their way along her spine. She looked forward to getting cleaned up and soaking in some air conditioning by the time the dock came into view.
Preston got them to the bank and offered Mandy a hand to help her to her feet. She took it, the contact sending thoughts of their kisses through her brain.
“If you want to leave your life jacket here, I’ll get everything cleaned up. You go get a shower. I’ll be inside in a while.” The warm smile he gave her made Mandy’s pulse skitter.
“Okay, if you’re sure. I can take the cooler in.”
He handed it to her. “You know what? I think I’m going to build a small lean-to over there behind the workshop. It’d be a great place to store the boats.”
“That’d be perfect.” She paused. “Thanks, Preston. You were right, getting away for the afternoon was exactly what we needed.” Her face felt flushed from the warm day and exertion of getting back onto the bank. Hopefully he couldn’t tell she was blushing on top of it.
“I was right?” He pointed a thumb at his own chest. “Boy, I wish I had that on video.” He gave her a wink and flashed the smile that had her heart going a mile a minute again.
She rolled her eyes good-naturedly. “Well, don’t let it go to your head. It’s likely an isolated incident.” She stuck her tongue out at him. “I’ll see you soon.” With a smile, she trekked back to the house.
As was her new habit, Mandy showered in Granny’s bathroom. By the time she finished, changed into a pair of jean shorts and a pink blouse, and got down to the kitchen, they had about a half hour before they needed to leave for Preston’s parents’ house.
The good thing about running the B&B meant there were always pastries sitting around. Mandy gathered a selection of muffins into a container to take with her. She didn’t exactly socialize often, but when she did, she hated to show up with nothing to contribute. Since Mrs. Yarrow had insisted she had everything taken care of for dinner, Mandy figured she’d take muffins the couple could eat tomorrow for breakfast.
She’d just gone over her calendar and the bookings for the coming week when Preston came downstairs. He looked ruggedly handsome in his tan cargo shorts and a black shirt with an eagle on it. His hair was wet from his shower and the smile he gave her hinted at a secret only the two of them knew.
Mandy still felt the way his lips had caressed hers and the memory shot her heart rate through the roof. As if it were a shield, she held the bag of muffins up in front of her. “I thought I’d bring something for your parents.”
“I’m sure they’ll appreciate it. You ready to go?”
“A
bsolutely.” Hopefully she sounded convincing. She’d been to his parents’ house a couple of times when she was a teen and she got along with them fine. But this was different. She was going to their house as their new daughter-in-law and had no idea what to expect.
~
Preston glanced at Mandy as he drove them to his parents’ house. She’d never been one of the most talkative people he’d known, but she was too quiet right now. Was it because of their kiss? She’d responded to it by melting in his arms, hopefully a sign it affected her as much as it had him. Personally, simply thinking about the kiss only made him want to kiss her again. It was better than anything he had imagined and completely worth the wait. He hoped he wouldn’t have to wait as long for the next one.
Mandy picked at her thumbnail, and Preston put a hand over hers. “You don’t have to be nervous. You know my parents. They haven’t changed.”
“Maybe not. But we have.”
“No. Our situation has. There’s a difference.” A glance at her told him she wasn’t convinced. “They’ve always liked you, Mandy. Ever since the first time you came to our house to watch a movie. Do you remember that?”
She turned her head enough to give Preston a clear view of the smile on her face. “Yeah, I remember. That alien jumped out, and I threw my box of Junior Mints in the air. They flew everywhere.” She chuckled. “I was mortified until we turned the lights on and your mom had done the same thing with her popcorn.”
Preston laughed. “We found kernels and the occasional candy for weeks after that. It was the funniest thing ever.”
Mandy nudged him with her elbow. “I’m glad we entertained you.”
He drew her hand to his mouth for a light kiss and released it. He wanted to tell her that he truly enjoyed every moment he spent with her. Instead, he kept his mouth shut and drove the rest of the way in silence.
Once there, it only took about ten minutes for Mandy to relax and become more herself. They all visited in the living room for a little while until Mom stood. “I’d better go finish getting dinner ready. Shouldn’t take long.”
Mandy got to her feet. “I’d be happy to help you, Mrs. Yarrow.”
Mom and Dad exchanged a look. “Please, Mandy. We’re family now. You can call us Ellen and Stanley.” She gave Mandy a little hug. “And I’d love help. Thank you.”
Preston watched the women disappear, already missing his wife. He turned his attention to Dad. “How are you feeling?”
“Right as rain.” Dad patted his belly. While the guy had never been heavy, he’d definitely gained weight around the middle since his transplant surgery. It was only exaggerated when Dad puffed it out as far as he could. “Fat and happy. Can’t complain about that.”
“No, you sure can’t. I’m glad to hear it.”
“How are you doing, son?”
They talked about the new business until Mom announced dinner was on the table.
The roast, potatoes, and carrots hit the spot. There wasn’t a lot of talking as everyone dove into their meals. About halfway through, Mandy’s cell phone rang. She withdrew it from her pocket and scowled.
Preston couldn’t quite see who it was on the screen. “Something wrong?”
“I’m pretty sure it’s Mr. Vincent again.”
Preston held a hand out. “I’ll take care of it.” She handed him the phone, and he answered it. “Hudson B&B, how can I help you?”
“Yes, this is Grayson Vincent with Vincent Land. I was calling to speak to Miss Hudson. She expressed an interest in selling the place, and I was returning her call.”
It was bad enough the guy kept harassing Mandy, but the outright lie made Preston angry. He pushed his chair away from the table and went to look out the window, half wishing he’d see the guy there so he could punch him. “This is Preston Yarrow. Mandy and I recently got married. I know for a fact Mrs. Yarrow is not interested in selling the place and she’s told you that before. Stop calling and harassing my wife, Vincent, or I’ll be forced to visit your office next week to speak on the matter.”
Complete silence. Preston looked at the phone screen to see if Mr. Vincent had hung up when his greasy voice spoke up again. “That won’t be necessary. I apologize for the misunderstanding, Mr. Yarrow. Have a good evening.”
Preston said nothing and hung up. He returned to the table and handed the phone back to Mandy. “Please let me know if he calls you again. He’s trying to manipulate us into selling, and I won’t have him harassing you.”
Mandy took the phone and put it back in her pocket, her brows wrinkled. “Thanks.”
Dad used a knife to put a little more butter on his potatoes. “I’m surprised people are still calling you about that. I thought they would’ve gotten the word you weren’t selling by now.”
Mandy used her fork to move some of her food around but didn’t take a bite. “I’m pretty sure I’ve told every company in the state the B&B isn’t for sale. Apparently, some individuals take a lot more convincing and won’t take no for an answer.”
“Well, I think that’s terrible. Losing someone is hard enough without having all these people trying to buy your place out from under you.” Mom gave Mandy a sympathetic smile. “I’m sorry you’re having to deal with that.”
“I appreciate it, Mrs. Ya — Ellen. Hopefully that’ll be the last time we hear from Vincent Land.”
A fresh wave of protectiveness surged through Preston as he watched Mandy. Oh, it’d better be the last time if Mr. Vincent knew what was good for him.
Mom stood and retrieved an envelope from a nearby bookshelf. “I got these back from the photographer the other day. I hope you both don’t mind that I had copies printed for you.”
Preston made sure his hands were clean before he took the envelope and pulled out the pictures from their wedding. He and Mandy flipped through them. The photographer did a great job of capturing candid photos. There was even one of them talking by the tree shortly after the ceremony. His favorite picture showed him kissing her hand after they were pronounced husband and wife. Mandy watched him, her eyes full of surprise, and a little smile on her face.
Mandy reached a hand out to touch the image. “These are great, Ellen and Stanley. Thank you both so much for doing this.”
Mom and Dad both smiled. “It was our pleasure. That was one of my favorites, too. I had several copies of it printed in the smaller size. Like I said, the photographer has all the files and more can be printed if you’d like. I put his card in there. You should find a nice photo album to put the images in.”
Preston nudged Mandy gently with his elbow. “We’ll do that.”
~
“Did you have fun tonight?” Preston held the front door open for her and then closed it behind them.
“I did. Your parents are really nice.” Some of the stories Stanley told them had Mandy laughing until her eyes watered. “I’m glad we went over there. We’ll have to do that again sometime soon.”
“I know they’d like that.” He checked his watch. “It’s late. Are you heading to bed?”
“Not yet. I’ve got some online work I need to do first.” She went into the kitchen, filled a glass full of water, and grabbed a bag of sugar snap peas out of the fridge. Whenever she had to stay up late to work, she got the munchies. Especially if she were going to be up for a while as she suspected she would be tonight. At least the peas would be better than snacking on something less healthy like the bag of M&Ms in the pantry calling her name. Mandy turned the light off with her elbow and Preston got the one in the living room.
He followed her upstairs and paused outside her room. “This is the third night this week, isn’t it?”
Mandy set the water and peas on her dresser and turned. “Yes. But it can’t be helped. I’ve taken on four new clients, and there’s never enough time during the day to get everything done.” She frowned. It might’ve been sweet of him to worry about her, but the disapproving look on his face only put her on the defensive. “What?”
“The
re’s only so much one person can do. You’re going to make yourself sick at this rate. If you’re even half as tired as I am after today…” His voice trailed off. “You don’t need to overload yourself with clients. If we pool resources together, there’ll be enough money to help cushion the B&B a little.”
Preston was just trying to help. He was right, too, because she was sore and tired after their canoe adventure earlier today. Mandy knew all of this, yet still resisted his suggestion. “We don’t have to do that.”
He crossed his arms and leaned against the doorway. “Why?”
“I can take care of this. I don’t need your help, Preston.” The moment the words left her mouth, Mandy regretted saying them.
Preston straightened as though she’d struck him. His eyes flashed. “Yes, Mandy, you do. But until you can put aside your pride and accept it, I’m stuck watching you work yourself into the ground.” The anger in his face gave way to sadness. He gave a little shrug, turned, and walked away as he pulled her door closed behind him.
Mandy’s head began to pound, only adding one more complaint to the pains in her muscles and the ache in her heart. She was doing all of this for her grandparents. For herself. Why couldn’t Preston understand that?
Chapter Twelve
Mandy slid the large metal bowl closer to Raven. They were busy slicing apples for the fritters Mandy planned to put in the oven that afternoon. She didn’t remember the last time Granny had made them, but something reminded her of them the other day and she’d been craving the pastries ever since.
Raven stopped chopping, her knife poised above another red apple. “So, is there anything else we need to pull this shindig together?”
“Invitations were mailed and the RSVPs are rolling in. Tricia’s thirty-four weeks along and getting bored staying indoors with this heat. It’s perfect timing for a baby shower.”
“Sounds good. I’ll get decorations in the next day or two.”
Marrying Mandy (Brides of Clearwater Book 1) Page 9