by Marie Ahls
A ding alerted him to an incoming email. He swung around and opened one from Daisey, containing the link for their mountain vacation rental. Pictures popped of a small cabin tucked into a grove of pine trees. Looked like Heaven. He noticed it was pet friendly. She’d thought of everything, even insisting his old dog be part of the trip. Finding accommodations very last minute, especially one allowing Harley, couldn’t have been easy. He couldn’t think of a single woman he’d dated who would have done that. Not even one.
And there was the problem. No other woman ever stacked up against her in his mind. Or maybe he just never gave them the chance. One girlfriend, well ex, accused him of ‘whiling away his time with her until Daisey realized she was in love with him.’ It seemed harsh at the time. Now, not so much. Maybe he hadn’t given her enough credit. Maybe she could see what Daisey couldn’t. They belonged together.
His electronic calendar beeped, reminding him of his weekly partner’s meeting in fifteen minutes. Sick of being a cog in the much bigger wheel of corporate America, he and Jason Wright, a friend from graduate school, had gone out on a limb and started their own software consulting firm. Caleb had the mad skills and Jason became the face to the company, excelling at finding and schmoozing new clients.
He took one, last look at the cabin before shutting down the page. They’d be there soon enough. In the meantime, he had about a billion things to do if he was going to pull off taking vacation next week. Just one of the perks of being the boss. He grinned at the thought of having Daisey to himself for a week; something that hadn’t happened since the advent of Carter Andrews Bradshaw. This time was a gift from the universe. A chance to make her see, once and for all, why they made sense together. He’d take it!
Chapter Four
Daisey lowered the back window for Harley, allowing him to stick his massive head out as they rounded the final curve to the cabin. The old dog bayed his excitement, while his nose twitched with the cornucopia of scents. Late afternoon sun trickled through the canopy of trees surrounding the small house. She clapped her hands and raced out her side of the truck the moment Caleb put it in park. “Look at this place,” she cried, running up the stairs to the front porch.
Fishing in her pocket for the key they’d just picked up in town, she threw open the front door and went inside, an exuberant hound on her heels. The main room boasted a large, stone fireplace taking up one whole wall. At the sound of footsteps behind her, she turned and threw her arms around Caleb. “I almost wish it was winter, just so we could build a fire in there.”
“You mean so I could build a fire, right?”
“Well, of course. I may not be a girly girl, but I wouldn’t want to burn the place down either.” She was brilliant at work but not nearly as handy as she liked to think she was. Caleb had begged her to not try anymore DIY projects in her condo. And forbid her from doing any in his home. “I still think I could have installed those ceiling fans in your place.”
His raised eyebrows told a different tale. “Watching YouTube videos doesn’t make you an electrician. I was happy to pay an expert, and not call 9-1-1, thank you very much.”
She giggled until she had to wrap her arms around herself. “Oh, Caleb, you’re so easy. Just mentioning wiring or electricity gets your panties in a twist.”
“Oh really?” He advanced on her, swooping her up and throwing her over his shoulder. “For your information, I don’t wear panties. And my boxer briefs are not in a twist.” With long strides, he carried her out of the house and around to the lake. Harley followed along, baying his excitement at this new game. Daisey’s shrieks split the otherwise serene air.
When he reached the end of the dock, he swung her down into his arms and dangled her over the water. “It might still be a bit chilly up here in the mountains.”
“Oh, no you don’t,” she cried, clinging to him. She wrapped her limbs around him wherever she could find purchase. “If I go, you’re going with me,” she threatened.
“Fair enough,” was the only warning she got before he stepped off the dock. She remembered to close her mouth just before hitting the chilly water. The air temperature might be in the eighties. The spring-fed lake water was not.
Daisey kicked her way free of him and surfaced, sputtering. “Very funny.” She made her way to the ladder and climbed out, wringing water from her long hair.
Caleb hoisted himself out of the water and collapsed on the deck, sprawled on his back, next to her. “I thought so,” he said with a smirk. “You should have seen the look on your face.” He dissolved in laughter, not able to say anything further.
Daisey pulled off her short sleeve, button down shirt and wrung it over his face. He screeched as the cold water hit his face. “You should see yours now.” She sat next to him, in her shorts and tank top, and waited for the sun to dry her off a bit.
“Old Carter would never have dumped you in the lake.”
She glanced down at him, the dearest person to her on the planet, and took in his even features. With his eyes closed and hair slicked back, he looked years younger. And care-free. Running his own business didn’t leave Caleb a lot of play time. This week would be good for him. She flopped down on her back next to him, pillowing her wet head on his arm. “Carter would never have come here. Nothing but first class for The Bradshaws. We’d have gone to Bermuda or Saint Bart’s.”
“We could have gone there.”
She turned to look at him. He’d opened his eyes and stared at her. In a way that made her stomach flip. Daisey shook her head. “I’m right where I want to be.”
He stared for another moment before closing his eyes against the bright sun. “Me too.”
She smiled before curling into his side. And groaned when Harley flopped down next to and half on top of her. “Besides,” she wheezed. “We wouldn’t have been able to take him with us to an island.” Harley woofed in response, as if he knew she was talking about him.
***
Hours later, Caleb stood at the stove, stirring the chili he’d thrown together after they returned from their impromptu swim. He closed his eyes against the feel of her clinging to him, every inch of her pressed against him. Her hair, still smelling of lemons and lake water, had tickled his nose when she curled into him on the dock. How could she not know? He replaced the lid and opened cabinets in search of plates.
“Hey, I ‘ll do it.” Daisey entered the kitchen wearing shorts and an old vet school tank top. She’d pulled her wet hair into a ponytail and her face lacked any makeup. Just the way he liked her. “After all, you’re cooking.”
He felt her smile from his head to his toes and all points in between. “If you want to. I started hunting for things. Dinner should be ready in an hour or so. I’ll finish unpacking.”
He headed across the open floor plan to his room. The cabin only boasted two smallish bedrooms with double beds and a bathroom in between they’d be sharing. Standing in the same shower she used meant his would need to be chilly. Icy even. But worth the sacrifice. Having Daisey back in his life, full time, was worth any price. As always, the thought of her with Carter, even though the no good, spoiled trust fund baby was history, made him clench his fists and grind his molars.
Not wanting to ruin the first day of vacation, Caleb threw his clothing into drawers and brought his toiletries into the bathroom. A layer of steam still hung in the air. Daisey scented air. Citrusy and sunny. Like her. He shook off the ridiculous thought and hopped in the shower, trying hard to not think about her in there. Naked.
Twenty minutes later, freshly shaven and clean, he threw on shorts and an old shirt and headed back into the open space. Open, empty space. He checked on the chili before heading to the porch. And stopped at the door. Daisey sat on the porch swing with Harley, the dog’s enormous head in her lap. Lucky dog. The hound’s eyes were closed while she played with his long, silky ears. And chatted to him. Her serious expression stopped him.
He retreated to the kitchen and grabbed a beer. Perusing the book
shelf in the living room, he selected a new thriller he hadn’t read and collapsed in a recliner. But pages later, he gave up. Staring at the words until they swam in front of him wasn’t any fun. He closed the book and played with the ragged corner of the bottle label. Something had to give.
As though he’d conjured her, Daisey floated through the doorway, her love slave Harley pressed on her heels. She stopped short when she saw him. “Oh. Why didn’t you join us on the porch?”
He took another swig of his beer. “You looked like you didn’t want company.”
She tilted her head. “Huh?”
“You and Harley seemed deep in conversation. I didn’t want to, uh, interrupt.” He wished the words back as soon as he said them.
But then a grin lit her face. “You do know he’s a dog, right?” She approached him and ruffled his damp hair. “How many of these have you had?” Daisey plucked the beer from his hand and tipped back her head, taking a long drink before handing it back.
Without breaking eye contact, Caleb placed his lips over where hers had just rested and finished the beer. He watched her swallow. Hard. “Less than a whole one, thanks to you.”
A light pink spread across her cheeks. “Oh. Well, you did think I was conversing with a dog.”
“You were talking to Harley. I saw you.”
“True. He’s a fabulous listener. Keeps all my secrets.”
“But how’s his advice?”
She lifted one bare shoulder. “You got me there. He’s not great in the advice department.”
“More of the strong, silent type,” he quipped.
A timer dinged from the kitchen. Caleb got up from the recliner. “Perfect timing. Dinner is served.” He brought the pot of chili to the table. “Do you mind grabbing the corn bread from the oven?”
Daisey did as he asked, setting it on the table as well. After helping herself to chili, she took a small bite. She closed her eyes and moaned. “Tell me again why you aren’t married.”
The forkful he’d just tasted threatened to lodge in his throat. Coughing, Caleb reached for his water glass. When he was sure he wouldn’t choke, he made eye contact with her. “What?”
She waved her empty fork over the table. “This is amazing. You’re amazing. Seriously, why aren’t you married yet? It’s not for lack of female companionship. Or offers. I know for a fact Pam has been trying to marry you off to one of her relations for years.”
He laid his fork down. “None of them were you.”
She stared at him for a long moment. Then burst out laughing. “Oh, right. Because I’m so perfect.”
“No one is perfect. Just perfect for someone.”
Her eyes grew large for a second. Then she held up a hand, ticking off fingers as she went. “I’m very opinionated, too much so some would say. I’m stubborn. I’m set in my ways. I don’t wear makeup or dress like a girly girl. Most days, I like my patients more than I like people.” She grinned at him. “Do you want me to start on the other hand?”
He shook his head and held up his own hand. “Most days, I like Harley more than I like people. Yes, you’re opinionated, but if not then you’re spineless. No thanks. You not wearing makeup means we’re never late for anything because you’ve spent an hour to ‘look natural’. It’s a bonus in my book. Which leaves stubborn and set in your ways. I can live with those. You’re perfectly imperfect. For me.”
“Then there’s the obvious fault.” To his horror, a lone tear escaped from one of her eyes. “Your infertility doesn’t count, Daisey.”
“How can you say that?”
“Because it’s true. Many people are infertile. They just don’t find out until they try. Hell, for all you know, I might not be able to father a child.”
“You’re right of course. But the odds are way in your favor, Caleb. You’re in your early thirties and healthy. You take good care of yourself.”
“Having a family doesn’t only mean biology.”
“To some it does,” she whispered. More tears leaked from her eyes.
He clenched and unclenched his fists under the table. “Only to those who don’t matter. Carter Bradshaw isn’t worth one more of your tears. Anyone who wants you to change to be ‘good enough’ isn’t worth your time.” He leaned forward, brushing the tears from her face. “I would never ask you to change one thing about yourself.”
“I can’t,” she whispered before fleeing the table.
***
Daisey paced the length of the front porch. And then back again. Soft, fading light filtered through here and there from the canopy of trees, and although it wasn’t pitch black, the night sky was dark enough for her to not want to risk walking alone in the unfamiliar woods. Even though she needed to do keep moving.
What was she going to do? Suddenly, her best friend, the man she loved, had been in love with, for years was talking crazy. She couldn’t. They couldn’t. She’d never dared to dream about a relationship between them.
“There you are. What happened?”
She whirled at the sound of his voice behind her. “What happened, Caleb? You happened.” She poked a finger into his chest to emphasize her point.
“Me? What did I do?”
“You ruined everything. You’re supposed to be my best friend.”
“I am your best friend, Daisey.”
“Then why are you trying to wreck it?”
“What did I do?”
Tear flowed freely down her face, dripping onto the fabric of her shirt. “You told me I’m perfect. What am I supposed to think?”
A soft laugh escaped him. “I’m sorry. This isn’t funny.”
She watched as his face grew serious, wondering what he was thinking. “You’re right, it’s not. I don’t want to do anything that would destroy our friendship.”
He took a large step towards her, closing the gap between them, and placed a finger under her chin, tipping her face up to meet his. “I don’t plan to do anything to wreck us.” He stopped, sucked in a large breath. “But I think, I know, we can be more.”
“More,” she breathed, hardly daring to hope she understood.
“More. Daisey, I love you. Am in love with you. Have been for longer than I can remember.”
“You are? Have been? What?” She shook her head, trying to clear it. “Why?”
“Really? How about why not?” A smile spread across his face. “You’re my best friend. You make me happy. I already spend all my time with you. Or did until what’s his face came into the picture.”
“Let’s not talk about him. You can’t love me, Caleb. I can’t, you know.” She tried to lower her gaze, but he wouldn’t let her.
“You can’t what? Give me a child? I know, Daisey. I was there, remember?”
And she did. The endless days, trapped in the hospital, fighting leukemia. Fighting for her life. And he was there. Holding her hand, playing unending rounds of checkers with her, talking to her about a future she wasn’t sure she had. And it didn’t matter if she was bald or vomiting. He never left her side. “But, what about having a biological child? Can you really tell me it doesn’t matter to you?”
This time, he laughed openly. “I’m a Davis. What does that mean? Do you really think I care about passing on my DNA? Not in the least. We can make our own family, Daisey, you and me. Together.”
Her heart squeezed until she thought it would explode. She launched herself at him, wrapping her arms around him. “I’ve loved you for so long. You have no idea. But I never thought I’d be enough for you,” she murmured into his chest.
“You’re more than enough, Daisey. You’re everything I ever wanted.”
The tears came again, but this time they were happy ones.
Epilogue
Daisey sat in front of the mirror, turning this way and that to see her reflection. She had to look just right.
“Are you still getting ready? You look perfect. The only time you’ve taken this long to get ready was our wedding day. And I don’t think my heart could tak
e you looking so perfect again.”
She glanced down at the rings on her left hand, a reminder of the amazing day when they became so much more than best friends. They’d become husband and wife. She glanced once more in the mirror and nodded. “I’m ready. More than ready.” She stood and walked into his arms, heart swelling with love for this man.
“Good. Because there’s a little girl waiting for us. And I don’t think she cares whether your hair is perfect or not.”
Soon after marrying almost two years ago, they’d started domestic adoption proceedings right away. And now, after months of red tape and paperwork and crossing their fingers a birth mother would choose them, someone did. And that young woman was about to give birth any minute. She hugged him once more before pulling away and grabbing her purse.
“You’re right, of course. Let’s go meet Savannah Emory.”
About the Author
Kimberley O’Malley is a transplant to Charlotte, North Carolina from the frozen North. She is learning to say y’all but draws the line at sweet tea. Sarcasm is an art form in her world. She writes small town Contemporary Romances and hilarious Cozy Mysteries. When not writing, she is a full-time nurse and part-time soccer Mom, but not necessarily in that order. She shares her life with an amazing husband of more than 23 years, two teenagers, and one very sweet Shetland Sheepdog, Molly.
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Safe Haven
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