Moonstruck Marine

by Kirsten Osbourne

  Maggie Quinn—one of Jake’s many cousins—walked to the table. “Bobling? Is that you? I heard you were back in town!”

  “Hey, Maggie. Yeah, I’m back, but it’s Jake now. I gave up Bobling when I started shaving.”

  Maggie laughed. “We’ll see how that flies. Did you tell Grandma yet?”

  “Yeah, and she said she’d try.” Jake had no confidence it would work, but he was going to try at least.

  “Oh, sure she will.” Maggie shook her head, looking at Melinda for a moment. “What can I get you to drink?”

  “I want a water,” Jake said.

  “Me too,” Melinda replied. She wasn’t about to let her new personal trainer see her getting a full-sugar soft drink, and artificial sweeteners made her sick.

  “Back in a minute.” Maggie hurried away to get their drinks.

  “Does Maggie usually wait tables?” Jake asked. “I thought she tended bar most of the time.”

  “She does. I have no idea why she came to the table. Maybe she’s helping out whoever is waiting on us or she wanted to see her favorite cousin.”

  “Oh, I doubt if I’m Maggie’s favorite.” He shrugged. “We were never particularly close. I don’t dislike her or anything, we just didn’t hang out together.”

  “That makes sense. You did have nineteen other cousins to choose from.”

  Maggie brought their drinks over. “Roberta is going to be waiting on you, but a big party came in just before you, so I told her I’d get your drink orders. Had to see my favorite cousin anyway.”

  “You say that to all your cousins,” Jake said.

  “Sure do!” Maggie wandered back over and walked behind the bar.

  Melinda took a sip of her water as she studied her menu. “What do I want?”

  He shrugged. “I think I’m going with the special of the day. You can never go wrong with a special.”

  She pursed her lips. “Good point. I’ll do the special, too.” She stacked her menu atop his, wondering why he’d asked her out. He was the golden prince of the Quinn family from what she could tell. Well, maybe not the whole Quinn family, but definitely the Bob Quinn branch. “Looks like a band is setting up.”

  “Good. You’ll have to dance with me.”

  “I’d like that. Do you dance well?”

  He shrugged. “I’m adequate. I can slow dance with the best of them.”

  “Slow dancing sounds right up my alley. Less chance to embarrass myself.”

  “Are you clumsy?” he asked. “My sister Renae can trip over a speck of lint.”

  She grinned. “I’m not like that for sure, but I’m not super light on my feet either. I want to be, but I didn’t want to be enough to take dance lessons or anything.”

  “Well, I guess I’ll see if you dance on my feet later.”

  “I’ll do my very best not to.”

  Roberta came over then, pushing a wisp of hair out of her face with the back of her wrist. “Oh, good. You have drinks. What can I get you?”

  “Two specials,” Jake told her.

  “Sounds good. I’ll put that in. Save room for dessert. There’s a delicious pineapple upside down cake tonight with vanilla ice cream.” Roberta hurried away.

  “I wonder how long she’s worked here,” Jake said.

  “I’ve never seen her. Maybe she took over for Ivy.” Melinda had no idea.

  “Maybe. I wish Ivy hadn’t already been gone when I got home, but I’m glad she’s following her dream.”

  “She was a big draw for this place. I hope their revenue doesn’t go down now that she’s gone.”

  “I doubt it will. They have a fabulous chef, and David is still supplying the food. He’s amazing.”

  “Wait? Who is David?”

  Jake frowned. “Dad doesn’t have you buying your food from my cousin David?”

  Melinda shook her head. “He’s always been pretty hands-off about the restaurant.”

  “Well, then you need to talk to David Quinn. He will give you a good price and very good quality food.”

  She pulled her phone out and tapped his cousin’s name into her notes. “I will call him first thing Monday morning. We want the best.”

  “You’ll get it from him.” Jake took a sip of his water. “I hear a slow song. Dance with me.”

  Melinda drew a deep breath. She enjoyed dancing, but being that close to Jake was well . . . intimidating. She finally nodded and got to her feet, walking with him toward the dance floor. As soon as he pulled her into his arms, she knew she was lost. His touch . . . it sent electricity shooting through her and made her feel like she was on fire from head to toe.

  He pulled her closer, his chin resting on top of her head. “I’ve been wanting to hold you since I saw you in my dad’s office.”

  “You have?” she asked, pulling away a bit so she could look up into his eyes.

  He nodded. “I thought you were beautiful then, but now I think you’re smart and beautiful. That’s a combination no man can resist.”

  She blushed, moving back to where her head rested on his shoulder. He felt something for her, too. Maybe she was as crazy as Ambrosia, but she wanted more from him—so much more.

  After the dance, they returned to the table, and she couldn’t keep her eyes off him. It had been hard before the dance, but now . . . now she knew she was his for the asking.

  “We’ll have to do that again soon,” he said softly. “I like holding you in my arms, Melinda.”

  “Not as much as I like being held,” she mumbled under her breath.

  His grin widened. “I wish the gym was in order so I could train you Monday morning. I can think of ways to help you hold the weights just right.”

  She laughed. “I’m not sure that’s what your father had in mind when he hired you to be the trainer for the hotel.”

  “Probably not. But I like the idea. How about having lunch with me on Monday?”

  “I’d like that.”

  “Do you go to church?” he asked.

  She frowned at the question. It seemed like an odd one to her. “I usually do unless I’m stuck with the morning shift on Sunday for some reason.” Like if one of her sous chefs called in sick. She never scheduled herself for Sunday morning.

  “Would you like to maybe have lunch after? We could have a picnic and drive four-wheelers up into the mountains.”

  “That’s such a cliché thing to do here in Quinn Valley. What if I want to go to Lewiston and drag you all over the shopping mall?”

  “I’d do it. I just want to spend more time with you. I truly don’t care what we do.”

  She smiled. “Well, I’m not much of a shopper, but I would love to cook supper for you, and maybe we could watch a movie. I love being outside, but I would feel like the whole town was watching us. I want to have a little time to get used to this first.”

  “This?”

  She waved her hand between them, not having a better word. “This. Whatever it is that is building between us.”

  “Oh, that this.”

  She made a face. “You’re being difficult on purpose.”

  Jake grinned. “I do that more than I should probably.”

  “Well, stop.”

  He laughed. “If I stopped, what would you have to complain about?”

  “I don’t like to complain,” Melinda said with a frown. “Don’t be a pain in my glutes, Bobling Jake Quinn.”

  He wrinkled his nose. “As long as you promise never to call me Bobling again, I will be nicer.”

  She grinned. “I know your Achilles heel now, Mr. Quinn. Don’t think I won’t threaten to stab it repeatedly.”

  Roberta came by then and pushed their plates in front of them. “I heard nothing about stabbing. I will not be a witness! No one can make me!” She smiled sweetly. “Can I get you anything else? Other than more water?”

  Melinda bit her lip against a laugh. “Water would be great, but nothing else for me.”

  Jake looked down at the fish and chips in front of him. “V
inegar and ketchup.”

  “I’ll be right back.” Roberta hurried away.

  “Try not to end up dead in a ditch somewhere, would you? I think our friend Roberta there would be happy to testify that she heard me threaten to stab you.”

  “Now I have something to hold over you. We’re even.”

  Melinda frowned at him. “You’re being a pain again, Bobling.”

  “I’ve never kicked a woman, but I’m seriously thinking about it at this moment.”

  “How cruel! That would be abuse!” She picked up a chip and popped it into her mouth. “These are yummy.”

  “I’m not surprised,” Jake said. “I’ve been getting emails about the new chef and the changes she’s made for almost a year. So glad you let me drag you here just so I could eat.”

  “You could have come alone or with any number of sisters or cousins.”

  “Wouldn’t have been half as much fun without your eyes to stare into.”

  She blushed, shaking her head. “You shouldn’t say things like that to me.”

  “Why not?”

  “I work for your father.”

  “So do I. Dad is all for a relationship between us. Trust me.”

  Melinda raised an eyebrow. “How do you know?”

  “He dragged you to the house for dinner to ‘even up the numbers’ at my welcome home dinner. He was doing his best to matchmake. I promise.”

  “I wonder why.” Melinda shook her head. “I don’t think he even knew I was his employee until a few weeks ago.”

  Jake grinned. “Dad knows everyone on the payroll, down to the kids who lifeguard there. You’d be surprised at how meticulously he runs things.”

  “Really?”

  “Oh yeah. He’s always been that way.” He took the vinegar from Roberta and sprinkled it liberally on his fish. “Thank you.”

  “Let me know if you need anything else.”

  “We will.” Jake ate a bite of fish and sighed. “I love fish and chips. Always have.”

  “Me too.” Melinda put a bit of the vinegar on her own fish. “I’m a bit of a foodie. It’s the real reason I became a chef. So, I could cook for me.”

  He laughed. “Well, how’s this for you?” He held up a piece of the fish.

  “They’re actually done perfectly. They’re a golden brown but not a dark brown, giving it the crunch you want. The chips are just right as well. Whoever is running that kitchen knows her stuff.”

  “I agree.” He took another bite. “After we finish eating, we’re dancing again. Just so you know.”

  “Thanks for the warning.”

  “Oh, you like warnings? When I walk you home tonight, I’m kissing you goodnight, and I plan to knock you out of your socks when I do.”

  “Out of my socks, huh? Can we both go to church tomorrow if we kissed sockless tonight?”

  “Well, we’ll start out kissing with socks on . . . and I don’t think Blake will mind too much as long as we keep other clothes on. Socks aren’t as mandatory as underwear and stuff.”

  She laughed. “I never know what’s going to come out of your mouth.”

  “That’s good, right? I keep you guessing?”

  “Suuuure . . . ”

  “Sorry to interrupt . . .” Jackson was standing beside the table, and he sounded out of breath. “I got the ring.”

  Jake stared at the ring in his former commander’s hand. “How’d you get them to make it so fast?”

  “Oh, I paid an expedited fee. I can’t risk the chance that Ambrosia is going to meet someone else. What do you think? Does it look good?”

  “Is that moonstone and sapphire?” Jake asked. He knew next to nothing about crystals except that sapphire was blue.

  “It is. I’m going to go ask her to marry me right now. But what am I going to do if she throws something at my head like she did last night?”

  “Didn’t she just throw a slipper?”

  Jackson nodded. “Yeah, but it’s what she had at hand. What if she has a plate or a glass or something that could hurt me?”

  “Why don’t you ask her to go for a walk. There’s that park down the street from her shop. If you take her there, she won’t have anything to throw unless she arms herself first, and if she does that, you’re doomed anyway.” Jake grinned, his hand going to cover Melinda’s.

  “That’s probably true. You don’t think she’ll scream at me, do you?”

  “I have no idea. I barely know her. She’s owned that shop for as long as I can remember, but I know next to nothing else about her.” Except that she was insane, but everyone in town knew that. Except Jackson, of course, but he was sure the other man would figure it out soon enough.

  “Well, wish me luck, then. When next you see me, I hope to be an engaged man. And maybe I can talk her into getting married Monday. Do you know if there’s a waiting period in Idaho?”

  Jake shrugged. “I really don’t know. I’ve never been married in Idaho. Or anywhere else, for that matter.”

  “I guess I can google it on my way to see her.” Jackson took a deep breath. “My hand is shaking. She’s so special, and I’m just a Marine . . .”

  “Go. You’re going to make yourself more nervous if you keep waiting.”

  “All right! All right!” Jackson hurried out the door.

  As soon as he was gone, Jake looked at Melinda and shook his head. “I don’t know what the man is thinking, but if he’s happy, then I don’t know that I want to interfere.”

  “He sure looks like he’s happy.” Melinda shrugged. “I’m not sure I understand, but I’m glad she makes him happy. I truly believe there’s a love for everyone out there, and apparently, Jackson is the love for Ambrosia.”

  “I’m still not sure how Ambrosia feels about Jackson. I know that she’s the love for him, though . . . as hard as it is for me to comprehend, he truly loves her. I watched him fall.”

  “I think it’s sweet.”

  “Sweet and a little scary, though, right?” Jake asked.

  “Definitely a little scary.”

  Maggie walked back to their table. “Jake, is that your friend who’s . . . courting Ambrosia? I don’t know what other word to use for what that man is doing.”

  “That is. He’s heading to her place right now with an engagement ring, and he hopes to talk her into marrying him on Monday, if there’s no waiting period in Idaho.”

  Maggie laughed, shaking her head. “There is no waiting period in Idaho.”

  “Then I might just be a best man on Monday. I also might be visiting my friend in the hospital after Ambrosia throws a brick at his head. It could really go either way.”

  “Let’s hope for the best.” Maggie hurried back to the bar, but she was shaking her head the entire way.

  Jake ate the last of his fish, and he noticed Melinda was finished as well. “Let’s dance.”

  Melinda nodded, knowing what to expect this time. Her legs were about to turn into noodles, and she was going to burn from head to toe. It was just how dancing with Jake went.

  Seven

  It was after ten when they left the pub, Melinda’s hand firmly in Jake’s.

  “I had an amazing time,” he said to her.

  She nodded, her face flushed from the dancing and laughter. “I did, too. I wanted the night to last forever.”

  “So, are we on for lunch tomorrow? And a movie day?”

  “We are. I haven’t decided what I’m making yet, but it’ll be something yummy.”

  “Sounds good to me.” Jake was always up for a good home-cooked meal. He’d had so few in the past several years. “Can I bring anything?”

  She shook her head. “No, I’ll handle it all. Be thinking about the movie you want to watch.” Melinda was concocting the perfect picnic. They’d go to her backyard, and they’d sit on a quilt on the ground. Fried chicken, maybe? No, too cliché. I’ll think of something.

  The closer they got to her house, the faster her heart beat. Knowing he was planning to kiss her was nice to prepare
for it, but it was too long from the time he’d told her he was going to do it until he actually did it. It was making her crazy thinking about how it would be.

  Jake grinned over at her, so happy he’d met her his first day back. She was pretty darn special. Of course, he wasn’t on his way to Lewiston to get a ring yet, but so far, so good.

  When they reached her front step, he turned to her, looking down into her eyes. “You have the prettiest green eyes I’ve ever seen. I haven’t been able to stop looking at them all night.”

  “You trying to flatter me?” Melinda asked nervously.

  “Nope. Just feeling the need to speak my truth. Now, get over here.”

  “I’m less than a foot from you now. What do you want from me?” She shook her head in exasperation. Really, did he expect her to move so close to him that they felt like they were one person? Though it sounded lovely, she didn’t think it was a good idea at all.

  He chuckled. “You know exactly what I want.” He caught her by the hips and pulled her to him. “Now, hush up and close your eyes.”

  “What if I like to kiss with my eyes open?”

  He sighed. “Are you always going to be this argumentative?” he asked.

  “Probably not. I just talk more when I’m nervous.”

  “Are you nervous about our first kiss?” Jake asked, understanding finally what her problem was.

  “Well, yeah.”

  “Then let’s get it over with.” He quickly lowered his head, brushing his lips across hers. When she sighed a little, he slanted his head and deepened the kiss, pulling her even closer toward him.

  Melinda wrapped her arms around his neck and sank into him, feeling as if her entire body was on fire. The man sure could kiss, but it was more than that. His touch was almost magic to her.

  When he finally broke off the kiss, Jake rested his forehead against hers. “Well, that sure answered some questions.”

  “There were questions?” She was in a bit of a daze and had no earthly clue what the man was talking about.

  “Haven’t you been wondering if we’d be physically compatible? Well, I have, and now I know. We would definitely be compatible.”

  “Is it good we know that?” she asked.

  “Oh, yeah. Now we can move forward with all of our information in our hands. It’ll be better that way.”