“Hey.” Ethan stood in front of her, searching her face.
“I thought you’d gone.” Her voice sounded far away in her own ears.
“I didn’t know if you’d want to be alone.”
She took another breath. “I’m good.”
He looked surprised and relieved at the same time. “Do you still want to fish?”
“I do.” She stopped when she realized the two words she’d uttered, steeped in meaning for them both.
He only smiled, his eyes crinkling at the corners. “Let’s go.”
* * *
The afternoon flew by in the blink of an eye for Ethan.
He’d packed a cooler with sandwiches, apple slices, chips and cream sodas. Sitting on the dock next to Lainey had made it feel like a gourmet feast. He couldn’t remember the last time hanging out with a woman was so easy and exhilarating.
He quizzed her on her work, places she’d visited, adventures she’d had. When they’d been in college he’d been a huge jerk. In their short time together, he wasn’t sure if he’d once asked her a question about herself and her interests.
He figured he had a lot to make up for. Maybe he’d deserved to be left at the altar. He didn’t know what kind of husband he would have made—pretty bad if his own parents’ marriage was any indication.
As the light began to fade behind the trees, Lainey stood and stretched. “I guess we should take off.”
He pulled his line out of the water. “I didn’t catch anything.”
She scrunched up her face. “You didn’t try too hard.”
“Nope,” he agreed.
“My dad always said fishing was one quarter what you caught and the rest an excuse for some peace and quiet.”
“Your father was a smart man.”
She lifted the blanket. “He would have been proud of what you’ve done with the clinic.”
He shrugged. “I mainly try to stay out of your mom’s way.”
“I’ve spent most of my life with that goal.” She looked out at the lake as a group of teenagers made their way down the far shore. “You know, I never came here in high school.”
He heard a peal of laughter and the thump of rap music in the distance. “Never?”
“This is where the popular kids hung out—the girls with boyfriends. I spent my weekends in Annie Williams’s basement, imagining what I’d do when a boy finally brought me here.” Her smile was wistful. “It never happened.”
“I thought everyone—”
She shook her head, taking a few steps toward the water.
“So who was the lucky guy in your plan?” he asked, trying to keep the conversation light. “Geez, not Tim I hope.”
She turned, her eyes bright in the fading light. “You don’t know? After all this time?” He heard her voice catch. “I’ll give you a hint—the boy I dreamed about all through high school didn’t know I existed.”
Stunned, he could only stare at her. “Lainey, it wasn’t like that. I knew you...”
She stood only a few feet away but might as well have been on the other side of the lake. He looked around wildly, desperate for a way to change the subject. His gaze caught on a flash of light through the trees.
“There’s something I want to show you.”
She glanced over her shoulder and pulled a face. “That’s a bad line, even for you.”
He grimaced but felt grateful she’d made a joke.
“Come on.” He grabbed the cooler and fishing poles and headed toward the parking lot. After dropping the gear into the back of his pickup, he made his way to a small trail that snaked out of the woods.
He paused, waiting for Lainey to catch up as unrealistic anxiety skittered through him. Pull it together, buddy. This is not a big deal.
She studied him as she walked to the edge of the parking lot. “You’re freaking me out. Should I be worried you’re luring me into the deep, dark forest to exact some psycho plan for revenge?”
He flashed her a Jack Nicholson leer. “Do I look psycho?”
“Not reassuring,” she muttered.
Grabbing her hand, he started up the path. “Trust me.” Her palm felt smooth and warm against his. He liked touching her, like the feeling of connection and awareness that put each of his senses on high alert.
They walked in comfortable silence as shadows cast patterns along the forest floor. The trail was narrow, with thick green foliage creeping close on either side. He’d loved this forest since he was a boy, pedaling his bike miles from his home as often as he could. He’d lost himself in the peaceful stillness of the trees. It had been his sanctuary and escape from the chaos of his own house.
“Didn’t your family own some land around the lake?”
“We’re on it. I bought it from my granddad a few years ago. This is the place.”
He watched her gaze lift, released the breath he hadn’t realized he was holding as her jaw dropped.
“It’s wonderful,” she whispered.
“It’s taken a few years. I work on it during weekends, and the clinic doesn’t always leave time.”
She walked toward the house. “You built this yourself?”
“Mainly,” he answered, coming up behind her. He looked beyond her shoulder, trying to see the house with new eyes.
“Can I see inside?”
“The front door is unlocked.”
“Show me.”
He turned the handle and watched her step across the threshold. A feeling spread through him that this moment was exactly right. As if he’d been waiting to have her in his home. As if she belonged here.
His emotions stirred as she started up the stairs. Her fingers trailed along the wood rail, and his insides grew heavy in response. He followed her through the kitchen and out the French doors onto the deck, his favorite spot.
She leaned forward against the rail. “The view is incredible. You can see the whole lake from here.”
“It is incredible.” He traced his finger along the back of her neck. The need to touch her pulsed through his entire body.
Her eyes had turned stormy gray again, and in the dim light he could just make out the smattering of freckles across her nose.
“I like you here,” he whispered and pressed his mouth to hers. He meant to keep the kiss light. But when he tasted the sweetness of her mouth, all the emotion swirling through him poured out.
He tried to tell her everything he couldn’t say out loud. What this moment meant to him, having her in his home. That he was sorry it had taken him so long to realize how special she was.
He’d kissed more than a few women in his life; still nothing had felt like this. Like a piece of his soul was hanging out in the summer air.
When he lifted his head, her eyes were dazed. He knew he looked the same, but if she could see inside... He had to put some distance between them until he could pull his mask back into place.
“I need to check some work the electrician did this week. Are you okay out here for a few minutes?”
The question was clear in her eyes as she looked at him, but to his relief, she only nodded.
As Ethan disappeared inside, Lainey stared across the water at the kids on the other side. She’d dreamed of being part of a group like that when she was younger. A few times her senior year—once Ethan was safely away at college—she’d driven out here with her girlfriends, hiding at the edge of the woods as they’d watched the couples on a Saturday night.
A night like this, where the forest surrounding the lake hummed with the sound of insects and the wind off the water ruffled her hair. She’d imagined him bringing her to the lake, how it would feel to sit near a campfire with his arm around her shoulder.
She’d given up that fantasy years ago.
She wasn’t the sam
e lovesick girl who wore her heart on her sleeve. She’d spent too much time living in the shadow of her past mistakes. Now she longed to be whole. To feel like her life and the people in it belonged to her alone.
She rubbed her hands against her bare arms to calm a sudden flush of goose bumps.
“What are you thinking?”
The quiet rumble of Ethan’s voice made her jump. She spun and tried to step away. He caught her and pulled her close.
“I can’t—” she began then stopped when he covered her mouth with his. Without hesitation, she met his need with her own. She reached up and wrapped her arms around his neck, twining her fingers through his thick hair.
So much for her willpower.
With just a touch, Ethan made her forget all her pain. In its place burned a need years in the making. Suddenly, she was seventeen again and her dreams were coming true in the arms of the man she’d once loved with all her heart.
She dragged her mouth away from his. Digging her fingernails into the wood railing, she concentrated on breathing.
“I need to go home,” she said, irritated that she sounded breathless.
His eyes were gentle yet dark as the shadowy woods as he stared at her, but he didn’t argue. “If that’s what you want.”
Chapter Ten
“Are you sure you don’t want some place not so busy?” Ethan asked as he angled into a parking spot. “And with better food.” A crowd of people spilled onto Carl’s outside patio.
“Everyone but you loves Carl’s,” Steph said as she climbed out of the truck. She’d badgered him into taking her to lunch. Truth be told, he was glad to get a break from his own company. “Best onion rings this side of the Smoky Mountains.”
“My arteries are clogging already,” he answered. A bead of sweat rolled down between his shoulder blades. It wasn’t unbearably hot for August and a light breeze tickled the back of his neck. Why was he suddenly roasting?
Steph didn’t notice. “I’ll get a table.” She took off down the street as he locked the truck. He’d just finished putting change in the meter when she reappeared at his side.
“It’s too crowded,” she said quickly. “Let’s go someplace else.”
One last quarter dropped in the slot. “We’re here now. Carl will find us a table. Or we can sit at the bar.” He turned to look at the restaurant’s entrance. Steph jumped in front of him.
“It’s not worth it,” she insisted. “We can pick up Chinese and eat at the clinic.”
“I put a buck fifty in the meter. What’s your problem?” He ducked around her and stopped in his tracks.
A couple was being shown to a table on the enclosed patio in front of the restaurant. Ethan’s mouth went dry as Tim Reynolds placed a hand on Lainey’s back and leaned close to whisper something in her ear. She laughed and slipped into her chair, gazing at Tim with her sweet, open smile. Her sleeveless black dress hugged every curve on her body—it was the kind of dress a woman wore on a real date.
Anger bubbled up inside him as he took off for the restaurant. Steph hung on to his arm with all her strength.
“Whoa, there, killer,” she said.
“Do you see how he’s looking at her?” Ethan could hardly see straight for the possessive rage he suddenly felt. “How he touched her?”
“Um, Conan, before you drag her off to your cave, think about how it’s going to make you look.”
“I don’t give a...” He stopped and took a breath. “Fine,” he muttered, disgusted that he couldn’t put Tim in his place. “We’ll play it your way.”
“My way? I don’t have a way,” she protested, tripping in her attempt to keep up with him.
They were almost to the restaurant when Tim noticed them. He leaned forward and spoke quickly to Lainey. She turned as Ethan and Steph got to the table.
“What are you doing here with him?” Ethan asked, his plan to play it cool totally forgotten. Out of the corner of his eye, he saw Tim stand.
“Dude, we’re on a date,” Tim said. “Do you mind?”
Lainey’s chin tilted. “Tim and I need to discuss possible articles to promote the adoption fair. It’s a working lunch.”
He tried not to let her scent invade his senses. “You print a few pictures of furry animals on the front page. You need a black dress for that?”
Lainey’s eyes narrowed. “You’re way out of line.”
Patrons at other tables looked over, whispering to each other. He wanted everyone in the restaurant to go away, to leave him alone with Lainey. If it was just the two of them, maybe he could calm down—figure out how to make things right. After she’d gone home last night, Ethan had spent hours awake wondering how to show her she still meant so much to him. In his heart, they belonged together. Something about Tim with Lainey wound around his gut and wouldn’t let go.
He tried to rein in his fury. “I can pull up stories from previous events—families that have kept in touch about their adoptive pets,” he said quietly.
Her expression turned confused, but she smiled slightly. “That would be great.”
He couldn’t ignore the feelings that seeing her with Tim conjured, but it didn’t help either of them to cover his fear with anger. Any man would count his lucky stars to have her on his arm.
What if she realized how much better she could do than him? What if she didn’t give him another chance?
He wanted to reach forward and touch the soft strands of her hair. Her dress scooped in front, revealing just a trace of her pale, freckled skin. He noticed a faint blush of pink work its way up from her chest to her cheeks. He couldn’t tear his eyes away.
Tim cleared his throat. His trance broken, Ethan glanced at the other man. He wanted to rip Tim’s throat out, and it looked like the feeling was mutual.
Steph grabbed his arm. “We should get a table,” she said, yanking on him.
He looked at Lainey. Her lashes fluttered down over her green eyes, veiling their expression. It amazed him that her lashes didn’t tangle when she blinked, that’s how long they were. She wouldn’t meet his eyes, but her lips pressed together in a thin line.
Ethan couldn’t pretend seeing her with Tim didn’t make him want to go ballistic, and he had no intention of sitting down with Steph to watch the whole scene. “I lost my appetite.”
He turned on his heel and stalked down the street, not particularly caring if Steph followed. But she scrambled into the seat next to him as he threw the truck in Reverse and slammed on the gas, almost hitting another car as he pulled out.
After a few minutes, Steph spoke. “Ethan, this isn’t the Daytona 500. Could you slow down?”
He looked at the speedometer then pulled into the parking lot of Burger Bucket, Brevia’s version of fast food.
“I’m sorry, but did you see that?” he yelled. “She was on a date. With Tim Reynolds.”
Steph made a face. “I’m not sure what you saw, but they were having lunch. And talking business, for heaven’s sake.”
“So what? You saw how he looked at her.”
“Yeah, well, she looked really good.”
“More than good. She looked amazing.” He ran his hands through his hair. “What was she doing with him?”
“At the risk of repeating myself, they were eating lunch. Friends do that. She’s been friends with him for years.”
He sighed. “The whole scene threw me. The Lainey I knew didn’t wear tight dresses and go on lunch dates.”
“Maybe you don’t know her that well,” Steph suggested.
Ethan rested his head against the seat back and closed his eyes. A picture of Lainey tossing her hair and smiling at another man filled his mind.
“That’s obvious.” He opened his eyes to clear the scene. “Am I such a first-rate fool?”
Steph smiled. “Is
that a rhetorical question?”
“Hell, yes,” he answered.
* * *
Lainey swallowed against the anger that squeezed her throat as Tim swung his car into the parking space next to her Land Cruiser. He’d met her in front of the newspaper office and driven the short distance to Carl’s.
“Are you okay?” he asked, turning to face her.
She tried to smile but couldn’t quite coax her mouth into moving. “Sure,” she said.
“He’s acting like a jerk,” Tim said. “He never did deserve you.”
“You don’t have to say that. I know you two are friends.”
He shook his head. “I don’t care about Ethan. You’re the one who’s important to me. Do you understand?”
“I guess.” Something about the gleam in Tim’s eyes made the hair on her bare arms stand on end. His gaze strayed to her chest. She hadn’t purposely worn a dress that could be misconstrued as a come-on. The way he looked at her said she’d made a mistake.
“He can’t make you happy—will never give what you want.”
Her shoulders stiffened. “What I want is to make the adoption event a success and get back to my life.”
“Trust me. We’re on the same page.”
She wanted to trust Tim, needed people in her corner as she worked on the event. She didn’t remember Tim’s behavior being so suffocating in high school. Lunch had been uncomfortable, and while she’d blamed that on Ethan’s interruption, now she wasn’t sure. “Thanks again for lunch. I’ll call you next week to confirm the run dates.” She reached for the door handle.
“Do you think there’s a chance for us, Lainey?”
Her head whipped around. “Excuse me?”
“I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have blurted that out.” His hands clenched and unclenched in an unnatural rhythm. “You must know how I feel about you. How I’ve always felt.”
“We’re old friends, Tim.” She cringed at the pain that flashed in his eyes. If there was one thing Lainey knew a lot about, it was unrequited love. “That’s all. I don’t want to hurt you but...”
“It could be more,” he interrupted. “If Ethan wasn’t in the picture, if you could forget about him...” He grabbed her wrist and leaned in close. “I don’t want to see you hurt again.” His lips thinned. “He doesn’t care about you, Lainey. He never did.”
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