Falling for Owen

by Jennifer Ryan

  “This town is growing, but it still has a small-town mentality. They don’t know her people back to her great-greats. Word will spread about what happened last night and that you brought her home from the hospital. People will talk. If you start seeing her, they’ll talk more.”

  “I dropped her off at work. You’d think I walked her down the aisle.”

  Janine laughed. “Small towns.”

  “I don’t know what to do.”

  “Ask Brody. He’s got a couple of little girls. I’m sure he can fill you in on the mechanics.”

  She said it with a straight face, which only made it all the more funny. He busted up laughing, realizing she’d done it on purpose to make him relax and stop being so serious. After the night he had, the lost hours of sleep, he needed the levity.

  “Watch it, or I may just have to show you my moves to prove to you I know exactly what I’m doing.”

  “Not before I sue your ass for sexual harassment. I’ve seen the way you look at me,” she teased.

  “You’d lose. I’ve seen the way you stare at my ass every time I walk past your desk.”

  “You’ve got a great ass.”

  Unable to help himself, he laughed again. “I have work to do.”

  “I checked in with the sheriff’s office. They still have no leads on Dale’s whereabouts.”

  “He’s probably holed up in some dive motel outside of town with a bottle and a prostitute.”

  “What Shannon ever saw in him.”

  “People aren’t always who we think they are when we first meet them. Sometimes they change over time. Or maybe it’s they can’t hide who they truly are forever.”

  He thought of Claire’s asshole ex.

  “Let’s hope Shannon has wised up.”

  “Keep checking in with the cops about Dale.”

  “I will. I’ll check on Claire at lunch.”

  “Thanks. Do you have the number for Madeira’s?”

  She clicked a few keys on her keyboard and wrote the number on a sticky note. She held it up to him, but didn’t let him take it. “Hot date.”

  “First date of many.”

  She handed him the slip of paper. “Good answer.”

  Chapter Eleven

  * * *

  CLAIRE WIPED THE counter down. Her last customer left ten minutes ago. The store hadn’t been this busy since last Christmas. Gayle stayed an extra hour to help her with folks who came in for a light dinner or dessert and coffee. Many bought books. Others bought some of the new collectibles she’d ordered and stocked on the shelves this afternoon. Pleased with the day, she didn’t see Owen on the other side of the glass door until she was about to lock him out. She smiled and laughed when he gave her a mocking frown.

  “Trying to get rid of me already?”

  “Not at all. I’m starving and you’re buying.”

  “Ouch.”

  She laughed and put her hand on his jacket lapel. “Sorry. I’m happy to see you. I’ve been looking forward to a quiet dinner.”

  “With me.”

  “That’s why I was looking forward to it,” she admitted, trying not to squirm under his intense blue gaze. She snatched her hand back and grabbed hold of a lock of her hair, hanging over her shoulder. “Um, I need just a minute.”

  “Take your time.”

  Owen stuffed his hands in his pockets and sauntered to one of the display cases by the book shelves, glancing at this and that. She wondered what he was looking for, but scurried behind the counter and boxed up the last of the pastries and brownies from the extra batches she made that day to meet the demand of her many new customers, thanks to the gossip spreading far and wide about Owen dropping her off this morning and why. She hoped at least half came back on a regular basis. She might even be able to buy a new refrigerator for her house.

  She set the bakery box on the counter and dashed to the back bathroom to check her makeup in the mirror. With a little water on her hands, she finger-combed her wavy hair over one shoulder to hang down to her waist. She loved the effect. She swiped on some tinted lip balm to accentuate her mouth and not make her look so pale and washed out.

  She stepped back into the main part of the shop and didn’t see Owen.

  “Where are you?”

  “Back here,” he called.

  She walked past the seven-foot-tall bookcases and found him standing by the back seating area. She loved this alcove the best. Tall windows made the spot bright in the day. In the evening, especially when it got dark earlier in the fall and winter, she had two lamps on side tables that cast a soft glow over the round wood coffee table, leather love seat, and two leather club chairs. Sky-blue and cream-colored pillows offset the deep brown sofa and chairs. A potted fern sat in the center of the coffee table, giving the space a real at-home feel.

  “What are you doing?” she asked, wondering why he stood staring at the alcove.

  “You’re really smart.”

  “You’re basing this on furniture?”

  He laughed and turned to face her. “No. I’ve been in your shop little more than half a dozen times with the girls. I never really paid attention. They love it here.”

  “I’m glad.”

  “You’ve made a place for everything. Coffee with friends up front and outside. A quiet reading spot here to be alone or quiet with friends. Over on the other side, well away from this tucked-away corner, you’ve got an area for the children to sit and read, play games and dress-up that doesn’t disturb others.”

  “Well, too much in a small store,” she added.

  “Yes. Books of all types to please a variety of tastes, just like your selection of treats and lunch items, not to mention the variety of knickknacks and collectibles carefully chosen and displayed.”

  “Um, thanks. This isn’t your kind of store, but your summation pretty much hits the mark.”

  “All those things make this place unique and fun. It’s the way you’ve set up the shop that draws people in and gives them a sense of comfort. It’s why they keep coming back.”

  “I’m glad you like it. Shall we go?”

  “Yes, if we spend any more time alone, I’m going to have to find out.”

  “Find out what?”

  “What it’s like to kiss you.”

  The anxious little butterflies in her stomach she’d been trying to tame all day thinking about their date tonight stirred into a whirlwind of flutters. She swallowed hard, staring up at him. Her gaze fell to his mouth and back to his smoldering eyes.

  “Maybe if we get it out of the way, we can enjoy dinner without constantly thinking about it,” she boldly suggested.

  “Have you been thinking about kissing me?”

  She didn’t know what to say. Unable to look away, she stared up at him, mesmerized by his sky-blue eyes and the way he studied her.

  “I’ve been thinking about you all day,” he admitted, his voice soft and husky. “You make it impossible to concentrate on anything when I’m worried about your safety.”

  “So that’s all you thought about? My safety. As you can see, I’m perfectly fine.”

  “Yes, you are, except for your aching feet, your hip that makes you favor that leg, and the throbbing headache that makes you squint in the bright light up front.”

  “Observant.”

  “Yes. I am. While I thought of your safety often today, I also couldn’t help thinking about your beautiful green eyes and the arch of your upper lip and the fullness of the bottom one. I wondered if your eyes would fall closed when I kissed you and if your lips would fit to mine. I wondered how you’d taste and if after one kiss I’d be able to stop from sharing another.” He took a step to her. “And another.” One more step. “And another.”

  He closed the distance, standing so close his jacket brushed against her blouse, but their bodies remained a mere inch apart, her head tilted back to look at him. He never took his hands out of his pockets.

  “We need to find out,” he whispered, his head descending toward he
rs, his gaze dipped to her mouth.

  She held her breath and their mouths met in a soft sweep of his lips to hers. Her eyes closed and she sighed. In that moment, his mouth settled over hers. She stood on tiptoe, meeting him with the same passion and tenderness.

  Desperate to regain her balance and stop her spinning head, she ended the kiss, falling back onto her flat feet.

  “I need to work on my imagination. That was far better than I thought,” he said, smiling down at her.

  “We should go to dinner.”

  “Okay.”

  “You’re not moving,” she said, still standing close to him.

  “You’re still holding on to me.”

  She let her gaze fall from his broad chest to her hands fisted in his shirt at his sides. She’d pulled most of the material out of his waistband.

  “You’re hands are still in your pockets,” she said, wondering why it bothered her, besides the fact she wanted him to want her as desperately as she wanted him.

  “That’s because if I grab hold of you, the only place we’re going is to the floor.”

  Her gaze flew up to meet his and she read the truth in his eyes. He did want her. Badly. It only took a second to realize as much as she’d like to give in to her desires, she’d done that with her ex and not seen who he really was. With Owen, she wanted to know the whole man, everything about him. The kiss proved they were compatible in one area, but she wanted more from him. She’d had a couple casual affairs in college based on nothing but lust and hot sex. While enjoyable—and she and Owen could certainly burn up the sheets—she wanted something real this time with a man who took the time to not only notice her, but the store she’d built and the heart and soul she’d put into it.

  She spun on her heel, winced when she hurt one of the deeper-stitched cuts, and walked away from him to the front of the store. He chuckled behind her, but didn’t protest her exit.

  She grabbed a light-blue-and-green crystal-and-gold necklace from one of the displays on a shelf, another gold circle necklace draped around the lamp shade near the front windows, and pulled the tags off both. She put them over her head and arranged her hair, the necklaces dressing up her otherwise business-casual outfit.

  “Those are really pretty.”

  “Thanks. Since you’re in your suit, I thought I needed a little something extra for dinner.”

  “You don’t need anything. You’re beautiful just the way you are.”

  She stopped in the process of grabbing her purse and looked up at him. He smiled and waited for her to say something, but she couldn’t. He meant those simple words and they melted her heart and endeared him to her even more.

  I’m in so much trouble.

  If she lost her heart to this man, she didn’t know if she’d survive if things didn’t work out, because with Owen it mattered more than it ever had with anyone else.

  “Let’s eat, I’m starving,” he said.

  The implied for you didn’t go unnoticed. She grabbed the bakery box and held it out to him. “Your favorite brownies and a few other treats.”

  “You must be sweet on me if you’re giving away your goods.”

  Not admitting to anything, she smiled sweetly and replied, “Well, they are leftovers. It’s either toss them out or give them to you.”

  “Good choice. No sense wasting something this good.”

  “My thoughts exactly.”

  This time his eyes told her he understood she meant the two of them together, too.

  Chapter Twelve

  * * *

  OWEN OPENED CLAIRE’S door and helped her down from the truck. She took his hand without reservation, making him happy she accepted him so easily. After the kiss they shared, he didn’t want to let go of her, but pull her closer. Aware of her hesitation to take things too quickly, he held her hand and escorted her into the restaurant without putting his arm around her and pulling her to his side.

  The hostess recognized him immediately, and despite the many people waiting, she showed them right to a table near the window. Complete with candlelight and tall potted plants to shield them from the next table, it was intimate enough to give them privacy, but still not too secluded as to cut them off from the many other guests watching them.

  Owen held Claire’s chair and waited for her to take her seat before he took the one next to her rather than across. He even scooted a bit closer so they could talk, get to know each other better without having to raise their voices over the din of the other guests.

  “Our specials tonight include a delicious salmon ravioli with white sauce, and Portobello mushroom with chicken and rigatoni in a white wine and fresh herb sauce.” The waitress came to stand beside the hostess. “This is Anna, she’ll take care of you this evening. Enjoy your meal.”

  “May I take your drink order? Mr. McBride, your usual?” Anna asked.

  “Yes, please.”

  “And for the lady?”

  “What are you having, Owen?”

  “They have a really great Californian cab I love.”

  “We stock it especially for Mr. McBride,” Anna added.

  “I’ll have what he’s having,” she said, smiling at him.

  “In that case, bring the bottle.”

  “As you wish, Mr. McBride. Would you like an appetizer this evening?”

  He looked to Claire and she smiled prettily at him, melting his insides.

  “I’ll defer to you again,” she said, trusting him with the order, and he hoped a lot more.

  “The antipasto platter and pancetta focaccia twists.”

  “Excellent choices. I’ll leave you to the menu. The specials are listed inside as well. If there is anything you need, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

  Owen spotted Rain and Brody heading in their direction. “Can you kick them out?” He indicated his brother with a nod in their direction.

  Anna smiled and laughed. “Sorry, no. I’ll be back with your order in a few minutes.”

  Owen dropped his napkin on the table and stood to greet his brother and Rain. She came around the table and hugged him close.

  “Hello, beautiful.”

  “Hi. Fancy meeting you here.” Rain cast a glance Brody’s way and Owen caught the guilty look.

  “What? I’m hungry, and we’re celebrating,” Brody defended showing up at the same restaurant, like Owen hadn’t mentioned it when they talked earlier.

  “Celebrating what?” Owen asked.

  “Can I tell him now? It’s been three months.”

  “You’re pregnant,” Owen guessed, crushing Rain to his chest. “Oh, honey, I’m so happy for you. Both of you. I know how much you want this.”

  “We’re very happy. But we’re being rude. Introduce me to your friend,” Rain demanded.

  “Oh God, Claire, I’m sorry. This is Rain. Rain, Claire.”

  “It’s lovely to meet you,” Rain said, reaching across him to shake Claire’s hand. “I heard a lot about you this morning.”

  “I’m sure you did.”

  “You remember my brother, Brody, from last night.”

  “Keep the knives away from her,” Brody teased.

  Claire’s face turned pink with embarrassment. Owen shot his brother a dirty look.

  “I’m so sorry about that.”

  “No big deal. I’m not the one you nearly gutted last night.” Brody nodded in Owen’s direction.

  Claire stared up at him with a question lighting her green eyes.

  “You weren’t thinking clearly and you tore my shirt before I took the knife from you.”

  All the color washed out of Claire’s face. He took her hand and squeezed. “Sit down.”

  “Don’t mind if we do,” Brody said, seating Rain in the chair beside his.

  “Brody, they’re on a date,” Rain scolded.

  “Now, it’s a double date.”

  Owen didn’t care what they did. His sole focus remained on Claire. “Breathe. I’m fine. No harm done.”

  “I didn’t know,”
she mumbled, worrying him.

  “You didn’t need to know. My brother needs to keep his big mouth shut. It’s no big deal.”

  “I could have stabbed you.”

  “You didn’t.”

  “I’m sorry.”

  “No need to be. Brody scared you after you’d been terrorized. It’s only natural you’d fight.”

  Anna arrived with the wine and poured a small amount into his glass. He went through the ritual of smelling and tasting it, though he hardly paid attention. He gave Anna a nod that the wine was good, and she poured for the table.

  Owen took Claire’s hand from her lap and held it. “Take a drink. You’ll feel better.” When she did as he said, he stared across the table. “Nice work. Did you come here to purposefully ruin my date?”

  “No. I promised Rain a nice dinner out. Messing with you is a bonus. But I am sorry I upset you, Claire. You didn’t need that after last night’s trouble. How are you feeling?”

  “Fine, until you showed up.”

  She said it with a straight face and Brody frowned and leaned back in his seat, obviously dismayed by her statement. Owen wanted to groan and throw up his hands in defeat. The date had started off so well, now it had gone to shit. Claire would probably never want to see him again.

  “I’m just kidding,” she added, smiling and giggling nervously.

  Brody sighed out his relief. “You look better. How’s the head?”

  “A few glasses of wine, and I’ll be fine.”

  “That should be a slogan,” Brody said.

  “Here, have mine.” Rain set her glass in front of Claire’s place. “I can’t have it anyway.”

  “Congratulations.”

  Owen caught the look of envy on Claire’s face and remembered that she and the asshole broke up for more than his cheating. She’d wanted to have a family. Well, he liked the idea of having kids. Hell, he loved hanging out with his nieces.

  “Your girls are wonderful. Always so full of joy and fun when they come into the shop,” Claire said, engaging Rain in her favorite topic. Her girls.

  “Always so full of sugar when they come home from your shop.” Rain smiled, then gave Owen a frown because he was famous for taking them out, feeding them nothing but sugar, and dropping them home for Rain to deal with the inevitable sugar crash and cranky attitudes.