And granted, I’m all for injecting, tweaking, and modifying however a woman wants, but this was something else. Maybe a cry for attention?
I scanned the page for any information about Leila and found an article about the arson. I clicked on the link, and a photo of what I presumed was Walker’s home popped up.
The home was more like an estate, and I could see that Walker was doing very well—so well, in fact, that I wasn’t sure why he didn’t want to rent his own mansion here on Fireweed.
I quickly read police statements, and a shiver ran through me. Walker wasn’t making that up, at least.
My phone buzzed, and I saw the text from the realtor slide over. Excitement darted through me at the thought of seeing inside this home. My hope was that it was in my price range. It wasn’t huge, by any means, but it seemed perfect for me.
At least on the outside.
Although, so did Walker Malone, and I know how that worked out.
I chuckled to myself as I grabbed my bag and keys and locked up behind me.
The afternoon sun cascaded over my bare arms as I walked down the sidewalk to the home that looked more like a cottage and got me already wanting to buy it.
“Hi.” The real estate agent waved as I made my way up the short drive. “You must be Harmony. I’m Pam with Island Realty.”
I nodded and drew a breath, glancing at the house. “I am.”
“Nice to meet you. Well, I don’t know if you looked anything up online . . .”
I laughed and shook my head. “I don’t know why I didn’t think of that, but no, I haven’t.”
“It’s a great home, and the owners have done a ton of updates. They actually redid their kitchen last year, and the wife is crushed that she has to leave it behind.”
“May I ask why they’re moving?”
“The husband got transferred to Oklahoma, and they’re expecting another child, so they’re about to outgrow the space.”
“Things always work out.” I smiled, noticing the hot pink petunias and scattered heather along the pathway to the front door. “It’s so cute.”
“And the inside is even better.” The realtor pointed at the home. “Last summer, they painted the exterior of the home, and her husband installed those shutters and the matching window boxes.”
“I love the color. Really cute.” And I did. I loved everything about the outside of the house, and I couldn’t wait to see inside. The square cottage was painted bright white with navy-blue trim, which made the home feel crisp.
The moment the realtor opened the door, I knew I wanted this home. The small foyer was immediately welcoming, and a cozy living room was to my right.
“I love the wood floors.”
The realtor smiled. “Newly refinished. They’ve been worried that the grey they chose wouldn’t be for everyone.”
I grinned. “I love them.”
Pam walked me into the living room, which shared a fireplace with the dining room behind it. I could imagine inviting all my friends over in the winter with the fire roaring and enough food to stuff everyone.
“And the kitchen,” Pam said, ushering me through an arched wall.
My mouth dropped open when I saw the kitchen. It was my dream kitchen on steroids. I tried to play it cool, but I couldn’t.
Excitement turned to horror that I wouldn’t get this house.
“A Viking Tuscany stove with dual fuel and double ovens?” I stared at the realtor. “And they aren’t taking this with them to Oklahoma?”
She shook her head. “Nope.”
“Wow. It’s gorgeous.” The navy-blue enamel stove was like something out of the Williams Sonoma Catalog, and it probably was. Not only was it functional, but it was also pretty. The white marble counters and white subway tile backsplash that went up all the way to the ceiling only made me want it more.
I didn’t care about anything else in the house.
“About five years ago, they put a new roof on, and they had a new furnace put in a couple of years ago. There are three bedrooms and a den to complete the home. We can go take a look if we follow this hall.”
I nodded as I imagined making myself at home.
The master bedroom was spacious, and the other bedrooms were roomy enough to welcome friends.
By the time we walked back to the front door, I sucked in a deep breath and grinned. “I’d like to make an offer.”
“Really?” Pam smiled.
“I’d like to pay five thousand over ask.”
Pam lit up. “I’ll contact the sellers and let you know.”
“Thank you.” I waved, and for once in my adult life, I hopped and skipped down the sidewalk to my rental and dreamed of making a home on Fireweed.
Once I reached my rental home, I nearly jumped to the driveway in glee—until I spotted Walker near my porch.
He was leaning against a post and smiled the second he saw me. I let out an exasperated sigh.
“Wasn’t one round of torture enough for the day?” I asked as my hands flew to my hips.
His smile grew as he pushed himself off the post and wandered toward me.
“I’m beginning to think you have far too much time on your hands.”
“I didn’t like how we ended things,” he began.
“You mean with your telling me how wonderful you were for leaving me?”
He inhaled and glanced over my shoulder. I could see the thoughts flying a million miles an hour behind his gaze.
“I didn’t mean for it to come across that way.”
I moved around him and walked up the steps to the door and went inside.
Against my better judgment, I turned around and drew a breath. “You want to come inside?”
“You don’t happen to have a shovel, do you?”
My brows furrowed.
“You know, to bury me out back.”
I laughed. “Please. I’d be far more creative. We live on an island surrounded by water. I’m sure if I wanted to make you fish food, I could.”
“Good to know.” He grinned, and a shot of electricity ran through me.
But once he was inside, I knew there was no turning back.
We had a lot of things to hammer out, especially if he wasn’t planning on leaving Fireweed anytime soon.
I ushered him into the living room and pointed at the couch.
“Do you want anything to drink?”
He took a seat and dug his elbows into his knees as he leaned forward. I noticed how thick his forearms were and wondered how he could be so cut as a businessman.
“No, I’m fine.”
“Well, I need one. I just made some lemonade this morning.”
“On second thought, I’ll take a glass.” He stood, and I pointed back at the couch.
I didn’t need him following me into the kitchen and getting too close.
I poured two glasses of lemonade and walked back into the living room.
“Were you visiting the neighbors?” Walker asked.
I scowled. “You’re really nosy.”
“Just a conversation starter, I thought.” He laughed and took a sip of lemonade. “Delicious.”
“Thanks.” I sat in the wooden rocking chair near the fireplace. It was one of the few possessions I truly treasured since it came from my grandmother. She’d passed away when I was twenty-three but was the only family member who’d applauded me for following my dreams.
The loss still cut deep when I thought about it, which I tried not to do.
“You okay?” Walker asked.
I blushed, realizing he still had the uncanny ability to read me.
“Yeah. Just thinking about my grandma.”
“How is she?” he asked.
He’d met her several times when we’d been dating, and she loved to flirt with Walker more than I did.
“She . . . umm.” I licked my lips.
“Oh, Harmony. I’m so sorry.” He shook his head. “I should have—”
“You couldn’t know.”
> He let out a deep breath, and I suddenly found myself wanting to comfort him.
“Just one more example of missing out on your life.” He pressed his mouth into a thin line.
“That tends to happen to people who break up.” I cleared my throat. “Although, technically, I’m not sure we ever officially broke up. You just left.”
Walker nodded, looking so big and strong. It confused me. He confused me. He’d always shown me his sensitive side, and it was in such direct contrast to the harsh exterior he exuded. His cool blue eyes were gorgeous, but they could also look like they’d strike you down if he wanted. One minute, a smile could hide behind them and another minute, a look that could kill.
“I did.” He nodded.
“And your little story about being so noble was quite impressive.”
“It wasn’t meant to be.”
“I’m being sarcastic.” I glared at him.
“I know.” He laughed. “Believe me, I know.”
“Are you going to tell me next that you wanted to test out that old saying, If you love someone, set them free. If they’re yours, they’ll come back . . . ?”
“And if they don’t, you were never meant to be,” he finished.
My brows shot up. “Well, it sounds like that backfired.”
Shock registered on his face.
“I mean, according to your story.” I licked my lips. “Right? I should have tracked you down and proven my love for you?”
“Never one to beat around a bush.”
I laughed. “It’s never been my style, which is why you knew what I wanted for my life.” I shrugged. “I just don’t buy your story, Walker.”
He swallowed and studied me.
“So, what keeps you hanging around me? Just too lazy to pursue another female?”
“I’m fighting a losing battle, aren’t I?”
“Honestly, I’m not even sure what the battle could be. At this point, we’re basically strangers.” I put my lemonade glass on the floor. “I did look up Leila, though.”
Surprise sparked behind his gaze. “And?”
“I think she’s not very comfortable in her own skin. That’s for sure.”
“I’m not even sure it’s her own skin any longer.”
I stifled a giggle, and his eyes caught mine.
“I can still make you laugh.”
“Don’t read anything into it. I laugh at just about anything. It releases good endorphins.”
“Whatever you say.” He leaned back and crossed his legs as he continued to balance his glass on his knee.
“Were your hands always that massive?” I asked, noticing the slight roughness along his knuckles.
He opened his free hand and examined it. “Well, I doubt they grew much recently.”
I giggled again and felt that flutter again. Even though we were sitting far away from one another, I swore I could feel the energy rolling off his body. Energy that I wanted to feel.
“Why are you here again?” I asked him.
“It didn’t go well earlier, and I need to explain myself better.”
“It doesn’t seem like it’s going any better the second time around.”
He laughed. “Imagine that.”
I studied him cautiously. “I’m sure you’ve become accustomed to women melting like butter for you. I imagine you get whatever you want, whenever you want.” I let out a sigh. “But I’m not like any other woman. I won’t ever let myself get hurt like that again.”
Walker nodded as his gaze stayed fastened on mine.
Even though I was uttering those words, it was like my body was completely betraying me. All I could think about was the kiss we’d shared and what more he was capable of.
“I would never hurt you like that again, Harmony. I never meant to and—”
I stood and hugged myself as a shiver ran down my spine.
“I know you won’t, Walker, because I won’t ever let you.”
Chapter Thirteen
Walker Malone stood, and I took a step back. Not because I was afraid of him but because I was afraid of myself. It was like there was no way to stop the storm of Walker Malone. It didn’t matter that my mind knew to stay away from him—my heart didn’t.
I drew in a trembling breath. “What do you think you could say to possibly make up for leaving me and never looking back?”
“I looked back every day, Harmony.”
“You could have given me that line in my twenties, but I’m in my thirties, Walker. You had a lot of time to do soul searching, to reach out, to make amends.” I shook my head and waved my arms around me. “This is merely convenient for you. That’s all. You’re on Fireweed, and I’m on Fireweed.”
Walker threw his head back and laughed. “You think getting a tongue lashing from you every time I try to apologize is taking the easy way out? I could have just waved at you in town and never said a word.”
“Guilt can be a dirty bugger.” I shrugged. “Or maybe you just want one last fling with the ol’ gal.”
He furrowed his brows and laughed. “You’re not an old mare, Harmony. I’m not trying to give you one last ride before I put you out to pasture.”
I chuckled. “I guess it did kind of sound like that.”
“What’s it gonna take for you to believe that I’ve regretted what I did every single day of my life? he asked. “I want to make things right between us.”
“The truth. The real truth.” I stared at Walker. “Although, I’m starting to think you might not even know what that is anymore.”
His eyes narrowed. “I don’t want to believe that our chance encounter on some unknown island doesn’t mean something.”
“What do you want it to mean, Malone?” I asked, feeling like I couldn’t really get the air I needed.
“I want to believe that we’re in each other’s lives again for a reason.”
I refused to believe his oversimplified version of reality. “Every time you see a ghost of girlfriends past, it doesn’t mean that you need to start anew with them.” I shook my head. “You may have a stalker who’s out of your control, but I’m pretty sure you’ve left a very long and messy trail of women in your wake. Judging by your home in California, you could hire security. You could’ve stayed there. What else are you running from, Walker? It’s not just Leila.”
His head tilted slightly, and he smiled. “I guess we can both still read each other pretty easily.”
“Hazard of falling in love so young.” I didn’t take my gaze off Walker. “But you’re still avoiding the topic, Walker. How many messes have you left behind? How many women have you utterly broken on your path to Fireweed? I don’t believe I was the only one, and I don’t believe you left me so I could fly to my dreams.”
He let out a slow sigh. “None were like you, Harmony.”
I smiled. “It would be nice to believe that, but I’m not that naïve.”
He rubbed his palms across his face. “You’re right. My life hasn’t been perfect in the dating world. I’ve made a lot of mistakes, but I’m trying to make up for the biggest one of my life.”
“Somehow, I think there’s a line of women who’d beg to differ. I’m willing to bet a lot of money that they all thought they were the special one too.” I grinned, trying not to be swayed.
I wasn’t going to fall for Walker Malone again. I’d beat him at his own game. Sure, it might be fun to sleep with him one last time, but I wasn’t going to give him that satisfaction. The man needed to be taught a lesson. Women weren’t items to be discarded when he grew bored. And even though he was sexy as sin and standing mere feet away, I wasn’t going to fall for him.
“You know why I believe I still have a shot?” he asked, taking a step forward.
I shook my head and silently held my breath.
“Because of that look right there.” His gaze stayed locked on mine. “The curiosity and the love you won’t let yourself remember, but I see the struggle, Harmony.”
I let out a deep breath. “A
nd do you think that’s fair? Trying to make me remember an emotion I’d fought so many years to forget?”
Walker took another step forward, and it felt like the room shrank like in Alice in Wonderland.
“What’s it going to take to forgive me, Harmony?” he asked, his voice low and seductive.
“I—” Words wouldn’t come, and Walker closed the gap between us.
He leaned down and whispered next to my ear, “I’ve got all the time in the world.”
My breath hitched as I forced myself to breathe. Heat rolled off Walker, and my mind spiraled out of control with a kind of desire that I didn’t want to believe existed.
I looked up into Walker’s eyes as he stood back and watched me. “Do you know what drives me insane about you, Walker?”
“Tell me.” His voice was low and sultry.
“You always act like you’re the best part of my day by merely showing up.”
A smile touched his lips. “And?”
“Like I’d ever tell you one way or another.”
“You don’t have to tell me, Harmony. I can see it in your eyes.” Pale grey and turquoise splinters of color in his irises ignited as I let out a slow breath.
I wasn’t going to fall for his smoothness.
The man was a professional womanizer. He knew how to woo women.
“We both have pasts. We’ve both dated other people,” he said, taking a deep breath. “But maybe it’s time we stop running from our destiny.”
“Oh, Walker Malone.” I laughed. “You’re not my destiny. You’re my downfall.”
I slid my hands onto his chest and rested them there as he studied me. I saw the same desire flicker through his gaze as I watched him and wondered why he wanted to bother.
“When I first moved to Portland, it was the loneliest time of my life. In between proving myself in the culinary scene, I was chasing broken dreams, a type of heaven that wasn’t meant for me, and it wore me out, Walker. I buried myself in drinking, partying, and men.” I let out a cynical laugh. “I’m not the woman you left behind. I’m not seeking approval. I’m done searching for something that doesn’t belong to me.”
Imagining Love on Willow Road (Island County Series Book 13) Page 9