by Diana Tobin
“That could be a bit awkward, me tagging along with your date.”
He gave her his most charming grin. “I didn’t bring a date. I had planned on skipping out as soon as possible, but now that I’ve met you, I think I’d like to stay…and celebrate.”
Lynn’s smile lit up her face. “In that case, I’d be delighted. I might be able to find you a few extra cookies. If you have a sweet tooth.”
“I’m very partial to sweet things.” JC led her to the table where a banquet was spread out.
Nettie and Wil had hired a catering service to provide the food, fortunate to have found one on such short notice. Two of Ethan’s hockey players had returned for the wedding and set up speakers so selected music could be played. Along with the columns providing a backdrop for the ceremony, the men had set down plywood planks for dancing. Tables and chairs were scattered around the yard.
JC and Lynn each filled a plate from the tempting buffet. JC grabbed a beer and Lynn took a wine cooler, before finding a small table off to one side.
Since he’d barely eaten all day, JC wolfed down his food. He went back for a refill and returned with two of the cookies and another wine cooler for Lynn. “Here,” he said, placing one of the cookies next to her plate. “These look good. Did the bakery make these along with the cake?”
“No, I did. All of us girls worked on the toppers.” She pointed to the card he’d just ripped off. He gave her a slightly stricken look and she patted his hand. “Just a little thank you from Mom and Wil.”
“No wonder you can get me extra cookies.” He pulled out the treat and took a bite. He was determined to be polite, no matter how bad it tasted. Butter and sugar melted on his tongue. He shoved the rest of the cookie into his mouth and rolled his eyes at her. When he could speak, he grabbed her hand and leaned close. “Take me to your secret stash. Please.”
Lynn gave him a deadpan look. “Guess that means you like them.”
“Are you kidding me? These are the best cookies I’ve ever had. Cake is okay, pie is better, but cookies are the best. Especially these.” He looked around to make sure no one was paying attention to them. “You’ve got more in the house, right?”
She laughed at him, but he didn’t care. “Are you serious? The only ones left are the rejects.”
He stood up pulling her with him. “Show me.”
“JC,” she protested on a giggle. “At least let me clean up our table.”
He wrapped his arm around her waist towing her toward the back door of the house. “If the rejects are half as good as the one I just had, I’ll stay and help you clean up later.”
“Is this what butter and sugar reduces you to?” She opened the door, leading him into the kitchen.
He halted her progress just inside the door and gave her a long look. “Among other things.” He nearly kissed her, but came to his senses. He’d seen a side of her today he hadn’t known existed, but that didn’t mean he should get more involved. Right now, she wasn’t quite the pain in the ass he’d always thought, but that could change. Just because she could bake didn’t mean she was so different from his ex-wife. He and Lynn could be friends. He doubted she’d stay in town long, no matter what her sister believed.
Lynn pulled over a step stool to reach a high cupboard. “I could’ve done that for you,” he told her.
She pulled out a plastic container, handing it to him. “I’m used to doing things myself.”
JC pried off the lid before she could step down. “These are rejects?” He looked at her, finding they were eye level. The same way they would be if he picked her up. The same way they would be if they were lying down. He grew warm at that last thought, and his trousers got a bit snug. “What…” he had to clear his throat. “What’s wrong with them?”
Lynn pointed to one. “This one isn’t even. See, it’s thinner on this side. That one,” she pointed at another, “got too brown on the bottom.”
He bit off half of one and chewed. “Tastes the same. You’re always a perfectionist, aren’t you?” He didn’t phrase it as a question.
“They needed to be perfect for Mom’s big day.”
JC stared into her deep blue eyes. How many women cared about making things right when the event didn’t revolve around them? His ex-wife would never have baked cookies, and she certainly wouldn’t have taken the care Lynn did, especially when it wasn’t all about her. Maybe she wasn’t quite so much like Suzanne as he’d thought.
He took a step closer and pressed his mouth to Lynn’s.
The container of cookies was between them. He lifted one hand to the back of her neck, holding her in place. His tongue traced the shape and curve of her lips and slipped inside when hers parted. So sweet. She tasted much sweeter than her cookies and he thought he could spend the next ten years just exploring her mouth. The shape, the texture, the flavor.
JC couldn’t say what made him pull his lips from hers. There was a buzzing in his ears, a heaviness in his lower body even as he felt rather light-headed. Maybe it was realizing if he didn’t stop kissing her he’d be inside her within the next few minutes, ignoring the fact they were in her mother’s kitchen with guests outside the door.
Lynn looked shell shocked. Or, that could’ve been a reflection of his feelings.
Who the hell would’ve guessed little Caro-Lynn June Baxter could kiss like that?
Reluctantly, he took a step back. If he stayed where he was, he’d put his mouth on hers again. He closed his eyes, but images of all the places where he’d like to put his mouth forced them back open. He needed to get a grip before he went off like a rocket.
Even that thought had him groaning.
Lynn scrambled off the stool and put it back where it belonged. She darted around the kitchen, babbling about cookies and cleaning and he wasn’t sure what else. She came to a complete standstill when he placed his large hand on her shoulder.
“I’m not going to apologize.” She was so small his fingers reached her scapula and his thumb could graze her nipple if he just…He swallowed hard and kept his touch light and on the point of her shoulder. “That was long overdue curiosity.”
“Sure,” she agreed. “Do you want a drink? I need some water.” She got out a glass and filled it from the tap. “Keep the cookies if you want. Mom wouldn’t let me throw them out, but she had me hide them so Wil wouldn’t make himself sick.”
He chuckled and let his hand fall to the middle of her upper back, rubbing her bare skin. “I can make myself sick instead.” He took two more out of the container. “Why don’t you set these aside for me? I promised I’d help clean up, and I will. We could go out and dance or something.”
“Really?” she looked surprised at his suggestion.
“I’m no Derek Hough but I won’t stomp on your toes.” He glanced down at her feet. “Can you dance in those?”
“Will you think me a total redneck if I dance in my bare feet?”
He grinned and held out his hand to her. “Welcome back to Webster, Lynn.”
CHAPTER EIGHT
She’d been sure she would enjoy her mother’s wedding, but JC had made the evening doubly enjoyable. They had danced more than she ever had during high school. In fact, it had been so long since she done something for the pure fun of it, Lynn couldn’t remember when the last time had been.
Michaela had joined them for many of the fast dances, something Ethan wasn’t willing to try with his bad leg. JC claimed not to be as good as the pro dancers on TV, yet he’d had no trouble keeping up with both Baxter girls and Michaela’s daughters, Dani and Charley. Goofy and fun as the group dances had been, Lynn’s favorites were the slow ones.
Being a foot taller than Lynn, JC had to bend down to dance close. After a few numbers he’d told her to stand on his feet. “I can put my shoes on. That will add a few inches,” she protested.
“No,” he insisted, lifting her up to slide his shoes beneath her bare feet. “This way, I get to hold you closer.”
Maybe she should’ve f
elt foolish, like a child dancing with her daddy; something that never happened during her childhood. Instead, Lynn felt special, protected, cherished. Feelings she’d never before experienced.
True to his word, JC stayed to help with the clean-up when the guests left. He offered Lynn a ride when they’d finished, but Marc had been beside her, ready to drive her. Both Marc and Lynn were spending the night at their sister’s so Nettie and Will could have the house to themselves that night.
“My car is at Micki’s and I need to open the coffee shop in the morning.” Not quite sure how to handle whatever was between them, Lynn gave JC a quick hug. “Thanks for the offer and all your help.” She handed him the container of cookies.
“Yeah.” He gave her a grin, then turned to her brother. “Good to see you again, Marc,” and strolled off in the darkness to his truck.
“You got the hots for him or something?” Marc asked as she watched JC drive away.
“What? No,” she answered automatically. Then, she glared up at her brother. “What if I am interested in him? What’s the harm?”
Marc gave a careless shrug. “He’s just a farmer. Didn’t think that was your type.”
Lynn shoved her feet into her shoes. “You’re just a doctor so don’t do my thinking for me. When did you get to be such a snob?” She stomped away hoping she could catch a ride with Ethan and Michaela instead.
Two strides had Marc next to her and catching her arm. “Hey, wait. Sorry.” Dropping her wrist he dragged a hand over the back of his neck. “I’m sorry, Sis. I’m just—”
“Cranky. Short tempered. Dealing with your God complex,” Lynn supplied.
“I don’t have a God complex.”
“Yeah, right,” she snorted. “All doctors think they’re God, or at least, His right hand man.”
“I don’t want to argue.” He scrubbed his hands over his face and Lynn thought he looked much too tired. “I’m disappointed.” He placed an arm across her shoulders, leading her to his rental car.
“I thought you liked Wil.”
“I do,” he insisted, as he opened the driver’s door. Once Lynn was in the passenger seat, Marc started the car. “Wil is a great guy and it’s easy to see he makes Mom happy. I like Ethan, too. He and Micki seem good together, especially raising their two girls. Looked like you were having a good time with JC.”
“Did we make you feel left out?”
“No,” he said slowly. “I got to thinking how nice it would be to have…uh…for Cassandra to be here, with us.” He reached over to pat one of her hands lying in her lap. “I’m just tired. Strange bed, you know.”
“You can have your pick of beds tomorrow night,” Lynn promised. “I’ll be living above the coffee shop and opening up for Mom. You are staying through the weekend, aren’t you?”
What do I have to go home to? Marc kept his thoughts to himself. “You and Micki won’t mind having me around a few more days?”
“Are you kidding? We’d love it,” Lynn assured him. “I feel like the three of us barely know each other any more. We each took off out of town once we graduated and haven’t spent any time together since. Micki and I are being totally honest with each other. We discovered part of our problem with each of us was believing lies Dad told us. All I’m asking is that you keep an open mind.”
“I can do that,” Marc agreed as he parked in the Reigh’s driveway. “Maybe I’ll extend my stay.” He grinned at his baby sister. “You know, help take care of Mom’s place, get to know my nieces, get re-acquainted with my little sisters.”
Lynn gripped his hand. “Sounds like a plan.”
○◊○
Lynn opened Moose-ley Coffee for a few hours Memorial Day. She figured anyone wanting coffee would be out early. After that, most people, like her, would have other plans for the holiday. Dani had come in to help and in between waiting on the few customers Lynn was able to put together some dishes to take to the picnic. She made a batch of chocolate chip cookies, a pasta salad, and bacon wrapped water chestnuts. She’d also filled a thermos with lemonade and another with iced coffee.
Mother Nature complied with Michaela’s plans for the day providing a clear blue sky and a warm sun to send sparkles off the lake water. Marc had brought lawn chairs from his mother’s house along with a couple old quilts. He’d also brought an ice chest filled with bottles of beer, announcing he hadn’t enjoyed an old-fashioned picnic by the lake since he’d left home for college.
While the men set up the grills, Lynn asked her sister for a tour of the in-progress house. Walls were framed and a rough stairway led to the second floor. The roof trusses had yet to be delivered.
“I know this is a huge space, but it seems smaller with just the framing. I know once the actual walls are put up it will give me better perspective.” Lynn commented as they stood in the master suite. “You’ll have a great view of the lake.”
“We’re going to have French doors over here,” Micki showed the location, “with a small balcony. Ethan wants either a fireplace in the bedroom or a small stove on the balcony.”
Lynn wrapped an arm around Micki’s waist. “It’s going to be beautiful. You deserve it.” She leaned her head against her sister’s shoulder. “I don’t mean to be nosy—well, I guess I do. Can you two really afford all this?”
“Kind of unbelievable, isn’t it?” Micki sighed. “I’m the luckiest damn woman in the world. And, I don’t mean just because of all this,” she added with a sweep of her arm. “Down there is going to be a guest house. That’s so we can billet hockey players and Ethan’s parents during the off season.” She turned to grip Lynn’s hand. “Ethan was very frugal with his earnings when he played hockey and made good investments. I was able to save quite a bit after Nancy’s death—the girls’ mother. I moved in to help take care of the girls and haven’t paid rent since. It’s added up over the years.
“Denny left a large life insurance policy, which I’ve put aside as a college fund for Dani and Charley. I borrowed from it to start the salon, but Ethan insisted I pay that back from my savings. Between us, we’re doing fine, and Ethan has made sure we’ll always have a home.” She bumped her shoulder against Lynn’s. “Are you going to open a law office here? Or, in a bigger city? With the money you can earn you’ll have a place like this in no time.”
“Micki, I’m not a lawyer,” Lynn stated quietly.
“Oh, sure. You’ve got to take the state bar exam first, right? But, you are going to stay in Maine, aren’t you?”
“I want to stay here, in Webster.” Lynn looked out over the trees, avoiding her sister’s gaze. “I haven’t finished school.” Her voice dropped to a near whisper as she fought back tears. “I’m nothing but a failure and a disappointment to you all.”
Micki wrapped her arms around Lynn, soothing her as she would a child. “You are not a failure,” she stated firmly. “I doubt you could disappoint us. There has to be a reason you didn’t finish law school.”
“Yeah,” Lynn agreed on a shaky breath. “I’m a sucker and a fool.”
“No more talk like that.” Micki gave her sister a shake. “Let’s grab a couple of beers, find a shady spot to sit, and you tell me the whole story.”
“You’re gonna hate me.” Lynn swiped at the tears leaking from her eyes.
Micki cupped Lynn’s face and pressed a kiss to her forehead. “You’re my sister and I’m never going to hate you. But, I do want to hear what happened. Come on, baby. Something tells me you’ve been carrying this alone for too long.” With an arm around Lynn’s shoulders, Micki led her down the stairs and out to the yard.
Soon, the sisters were secluded under the trees with a slight view of the lake and what would one day be the patio off the house. Micki had stopped long enough to let Ethan know she and Lynn needed some time alone, counting on him to keep the kids and other guests away.
“I don’t know where to start.” Lynn opened her beer and took a sip. “I haven’t had a beer in years.”
“You want somethi
ng else?” offered Micki.
“No, that’s just one of the many stupid things I’ve done the past few years. I tried drinking martinis and cosmos. They were disgusting.” She took another sip. “Aren’t cosmos a flower? Who the hell drinks a flower?” When she caught Micki staring at her, she waved a hand. “Sorry. Got off track. The point being I couldn’t stand the cocktails so I drank wine. It was expected I’d drink white wine. I don’t like Chardonnay.”
“Who expected you to drink what you didn’t like?”
“Attorneys. Other law students. To be accepted I needed to dress the part, act the part, be the part. As if studying wasn’t hard enough, I had to portray the proper female attorney.”
“Isn’t that what you wanted?”
Lynn shrugged her shoulders and picked at the label on her bottle. “I thought I did. I wanted to be a professional. To dress in nice clothes, be able to go places and do things. I wanted others to look up to me. I wanted to be important and be accepted for me,” she thumped a fist to her chest.
“Honey,” Micki placed a hand on Lynn’s arm, “did you think if you were important and successful Dad would come back?”
“No. Maybe.” She rubbed a free hand over her face. “Am I that stupid and needy? I figured that ship had sailed when he walked out and I quit trying to be a boy for him.”
“This bears repeating; if he had any balls I’d kick them so hard he’d choke on them.” Micki took a sip of her own beer. “I know this is easier said than done, but we all need to let go of the crap he put us through. It was worse for you, I see that now, because he tried to change who you were. Is that why you feel like a failure? Because you didn’t live up to Dad’s warped ideas?”