by Fiona West
“You’ve been training, right? She’s been training,” Daniel added.
“She didn’t run last year, either. She said ‘something came up.’” Kyle said, pointing at her.
She narrowed her gaze. Kyle was shivering, but he still looked so stinking solid; how did he manage that?
“I don’t want your help,” Kyle announced. “I want you to run. I’m firing you.”
Ainsley saw Daniel sliding away, back inside, but he gave her a wink as he opened the door. What was he winking about? The sleep deprivation is getting to that boy . . .
She laughed. “You don’t control the sign-up, the council does, so . . .”
“Well, wear your running shoes, because I’m not letting you help me. I’ll draft Maggie or something. Let me worry about it. You do too much; you’re already running the fall festival.” And the PTA, and the playground improvement committee, and I’m doing the bake sale . . .
“Why aren’t you running?”
“I ran last year.”
“No, you didn’t. You were out of town for your grandma’s funeral.”
He waved a hand. “Then I ran the year before. I hardly do any community service. This is my chance to make up for my laziness the last few years.”
“I highly doubt you’re lazy . . .”
“I am where the town’s concerned. I haven’t been very involved.”
She blinked. “Did you want to be? You always struck me as kind of a lone wolf.”
“I don’t mind that description. But most wolves need a pack. I haven’t had one for a long time, besides my family.”
“Why’s that?”
He shrugged, looking toward the door. “Spent a lot of time studying, preparing to be a doctor.”
“That’s important, too.”
“It is,” he agreed. “But there’s a lot of things, a lot of relationships that have been neglected because of that . . .” He wasn’t just looking into her eyes, he was pouring himself into her. The mild frustration he usually carried when he talked to her wasn’t there. He wasn’t somber, but there was a stillness to him, a peace, almost. Ainsley felt as though she were looking into a glassy lake hidden up in the mountains . . . There was a secretive streak to the man, but she felt like he’d just opened the door a crack for her, let the light stream out.
“What kind of relationships?” She played dumb. She had to. Because if she considered what it meant that he’d been steadily moving closer to her, that his breath was warming her face, that he was touching her elbow . . . she couldn’t. He was Kyle Unattainable Durand—there wasn’t a single woman in this town who wouldn’t give her right ear to have his attentions on her. Everyone knew he was a shoo-in for his father’s seat on the hospital board in a few years. He was as much a pillar of Timber Falls as she was . . . but she couldn’t let herself imagine what he wanted from her. Not after what had happened with Shane, her first boyfriend. Or rather, the boy she’d thought was her first boyfriend. Just thinking about that incident was still enough to put her on edge.
“Ains, I—”
“Meeting’s starting again!” Daniel sang out as the front doors popped open. Kyle shuffled back quickly, rubbing his arms.
Ainsley shrugged out of his coat and handed it back to him, murmuring her thanks. He opened the door for her, tipping his head toward the warm interior of the building. There was no time to grab a cookie; they’d spent the whole break talking. No, not talking—bantering. Time was when she could hardly get Kyle to talk to her . . . until that wedding picnic. Ever since she’d mentioned weddings, that day kept floating back to her. She’d seen that moment in her mind a million times since then. It was definitely on her brain’s “greatest hits” list when she was bored or tired.
When the meeting was over, everyone flowed out of the hall to their cars. Kyle and Daniel had walked; their house wasn’t far from the middle of town. So it surprised her when Kyle started into the darkened parking lot.
“Where are you going?”
“Just making sure you get to your car okay.” He spun his keys on his index finger.
“Why?”
He scowled at her. “Because it’s dark? And you’re a woman alone? And we’re friends? Do I need another reason?”
“I guess not . . .” It was hard not to be skeptical. He was just acting . . . weird. But she was too tired to fight with him anymore. He shadowed her to the back of the large gravel lot, where her truck was waiting. She put her keys in the lock, but he stopped her with a hand to her arm.
“Your car door isn’t closed all the way. Check inside, make sure there’s nobody in there.”
Ainsley chuckled. “It just doesn’t work right. I think I slammed my seat belt in it one too many times.”
“You should get it fixed.”
She peered at him. “Why?”
“Because it doesn’t work right?”
“Don’t have the money for aesthetic fixes right now. The ‘check engine’ light keeps me plenty busy.” She climbed up into the driver’s seat, tossing her bag onto the other seat, slamming the door behind her. Kyle knocked at the window. Was their conversation not over?
Amused, she rolled down the window. “Yes?”
“It’s more than just aesthetic, it’s dangerous. If I had a screwdriver, I could pry that thing open in two seconds flat.” His high cheekbones and broody eyes were doing things to her in the dark. Ainsley had the sudden desire to kiss him—just to shut him up, of course.
“And someone in town would see wherever you parked it and call me to come get it. Next objection?”
“What if it comes flying open on the highway?”
“I always wear my seat belt, Dr. Durand.”
“That’s not the point, Ms. Buchanan.”
She leaned forward, dangerously close to him now. “And what is the point?”
Oblivious to her interest in his lips, he turned and bumped the door with his hip, then pushed on it. Kyle lowered his shoulder and slammed himself against the door, which finally clicked shut completely. Then he opened it and began to examine the hinges. She pretended that his show of strength hadn’t impressed her.
“Hey. Nosy McGee. Please close my door, I’m tired. I want to go home.”
“Are you getting married?” He held her door open, his arms bracing his large body between it and the rest of the car, his gaze still focused on the machinery.
Ainsley felt her eyelids fluttering rapidly as she tried to process his nonsensical question. “I beg your pardon?”
“I was curious if you were getting married. Cooper mentioned something about it a while back . . .”
She was still shocked speechless. Why would Kyle Awesome Durand care if I’m getting married? Her heart rate sped up as she considered the possible answers to that question, none of them simple.
“No,” she finally choked out. “I’m not. I’m not even dating anyone.”
Kyle straightened, nodding, rubbing his hands together, which did nothing to remove the grease that was now on his fingertips from poking around in her car.
“Okay.” He closed her door hard, then bumped it closed with his shoulder.
“Okay,” Ainsley echoed vacantly, starting her car. What is happening?
“So I’ll see you tomorrow? Seven?”
“Okay.” It seemed to be the word of the day. She felt like an idiot just nodding, staring at his handsome face. Drive away, Ainsley. Put the car in drive. She fumbled for the gear shift.
“Drive safe,” he called, giving her a little wave.
“Yes, you too. Walk . . . safe.”
This man is going to be the death of me, she thought as she pulled away.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
KYLE PULLED UP IN FRONT of Ainsley’s apartment building at precisely 6:50. He figured ten minutes was more than enough time to get three people loaded into the car. What he’d forgotten was that when Ainsley was one of those people, ten minutes was not nearly sufficient.
To her credit, she was dressed when s
he answered the door, and Bilqiis and Fawzia had already arrived.
“Coffee,” she blurted, rubbing her eyes. Her blonde locks were still very askew, and he thought to himself that if this was how she looked when she first woke up in the morning, he wouldn’t mind waking up next to her from now on.
“We’ll drive through. Come on.”
“Got stuff,” she said, pointing to a large pile of striped beach towels, plastic buckets and shovels, a kite, and what appeared to be some kind of tent.
“Oh good. Let’s get this stuff to the car; has everyone used the bathroom? I’d prefer not to stop until we get to Lincoln City.” He pivoted to see Ainsley’s face. “That’s where we’re going, correct?”
She nodded, then stood there, still nodding, looking around like she wasn’t sure where she was.
“Did you run out of coffee?”
She nodded again, then whimpered so pitifully, Kyle just wanted to hold her.
“Okay. Go get in the car, Ains. We can get this stuff. Then we’ll get you your coffee. Cuppa Joe.”
She smiled, and he remembered why he was doing this. Phase Three: Win Ainsley’s Heart. Now that he knew she was single, he anticipated he would be in this phase a long time. He hoped so, anyway. Kyle gathered up all the stuff he could, and Bilqiis and Fawzia got the rest. It appeared Ainsley had packed lunches for all of them, and he hoped it wasn’t something he hated. She was a pretty good cook; her brownies were his favorite.
“You can sit in the front, Bilqiis,” he offered as he popped the trunk of his minivan. He really wanted to sit next to Ainsley, but he figured the most senior adult in the car should be offered the best seat first.
“Oh, no, thank you. I will sit with Fawzia. I want to see her face when she sees the ocean. I don’t think she remembers.” Ainsley was giving the other woman a funny look, and he wondered briefly if he was missing something. Whatever.
“Seat belts, everybody.”
Once they got Ainsley her coffee, she perked right up. He’d brought an audiobook, fearing awkward silence in the car for two hours. What he’d forgotten was that Ainsley could entertain a slug, just by virtue of being herself.
“Let’s see, I’ve got G. Hi, my name is Gertrude, my husband’s name is Grant. We come from Georgetown, and we sell grapefruit.”
“Grapefruit don’t grow in Georgetown,” replied Kyle.
“I didn’t say they did.” She grinned. “I said we sold them in Georgetown. We import.”
“This is a weird game.”
“Hush, driver. Your turn, Bilqiis.”
She cleared her throat. “Hi, my name is Habeekah, my husband’s name is Haamid. We come from Hargeysa, and we sell horses.”
“Ooh, good one, Hooyo!” Fawzia exclaimed, and she and Ainsley both applauded.
“Kyle’s turn,” Ainsley sang, “and you’ve got I.”
He groaned. “The only letters harder than I are Q and Z.”
“Not true,” said Bilqiis. “Just sell qatayef and zaatar spice.”
Kyle smiled at her in the rearview mirror. “Maybe I will. Okay, I? Hi, my name is Ivan, my wife’s name is Irene. We come from Iceland, and we sell ice.”
“Iceland is very green, you know,” Ainsley teased, sipping her coffee.
“Yes, I know. But you threw logic out the window when you told me you sold grapefruit in Georgetown. Next.”
Ainsley threw back her head and laughed, and he had to make himself watch the road instead of her. He treasured the sound of it; he was going to play it over and over tonight in his mind. It was very good at collecting facts and memories regarding her, and this one was definitely getting saved.
As they started cresting the coastal range, the beach looked like it was completely fogged in.
“No problem,” Ainsley declared. “We could hit the aquarium. Or just find a bakery and gorge ourselves on treats. Or . . .”
Kyle put a hand on her leg. “Or we could see what it looks like when we get there. They came to see the ocean, Ains.”
“Yes. You’re right,” she said, but she’d gone sort of quiet. Was she that disappointed? Had he said the wrong thing? He glanced at her, and she was staring at his hand. Oh, right. He’d just wanted her attention; it wasn’t easy to get when she was all bubbly and excited like this. Kyle quickly pulled back and put both hands on the wheel.
When they arrived at the parking area, there were few other cars, but amazingly, there was some blue sky. He even needed his sunglasses; darn. He’d hoped it would stay overcast, as he hadn’t had time to get the umbrella from his mom. Sand was terrible as it was, but now the sun would be glinting off the waves and beating down on his head. At least it wasn’t hot. By the time he got down to the sand, Ainsley had set up her tent.
“Ta-da!” she exclaimed. “I brought this for you. My mom keeps it for Travis’s kids to nap in. It’ll give you a place out of the wind and the sun.”
He peered inside; it was large enough that he could sit up inside it, but the door was wide enough that he could see what was happening outside. It was kind of . . . perfect.
“I can see that you’re speechless with gratitude. I’m gonna go fly this kite with Fawzia. I’ll be back.”
He opened his mouth to thank her, but she was already gone, barefoot with her blonde hair whipping behind her like the wind wanted to fly her, too. Kyle retreated to his tent, spreading a towel so he wouldn’t have to sit on the cold sand itself. Bilqiis was right behind him.
“Your ocean is very cold. Beautiful, but very cold.”
“That’s true.”
They sat in silence, just watching the waves roll in and out, the occasional brave walker go by. After half an hour, Ainsley came back, her chest heaving.
“Your turn, Bilqiis,” she gasped out. “She’s . . . I . . .”
“She exhausted you?” Bilqiis chuckled.
“Yes!”
Bilqiis smiled as she exited the shelter. “I will take my turn, then, but I will not run races.”
“You’re smarter than me,” Ainsley said, collapsing onto her vacated towel, rolling onto her back, but she was still smiling. He hadn’t seen her smile this much in a while.
“You’re having fun.”
“Yes. Are you?”
He shrugged. “I’m enjoying watching you have fun.”
“You’re too nice,” she said, propping herself up on her elbows. She was winded, tousled, still talking a mile a minute . . . the thought had barely crystalized before it was out of his mouth.
“This is how I remember you,” Kyle said.
Ainsley ran a hand through her long hair. “What do you mean?”
He shrugged again, trying to figure out how to express what he wanted to say. “Lately, you’re so stressed and responsible and in charge. But not today. Today, you’re free.”
She looked out at the water. “Everyone’s different on vacation.”
“Just haven’t seen you this happy for a while.”
“I haven’t been.”
“Why?” What are you trying to prove? Why do you pile on responsibility like that?
“I don’t know,” she mumbled, still watching the waves.
“Well, I hope it lasts. For your sake.”
She looked at him then, and the emotions in her eyes were as choppy as the sea. Ainsley cleared her throat, then suddenly changed the subject.
“Okay, so ice cream is out, I think, because we’re all going to be frozen. And pepperoni pizza, because, you know, pork. But I’m sure we can find something . . . Ooh, sushi! Kyle, do you like sushi?”
“You want to feed them uncooked fish, then put them in a car for two hours? I don’t think so.”
“Spoilsport.”
“You gonna clean out my car if someone throws up? Or worse?”
She grinned, lying back down. “Nope.”
“Then that’s settled. No sushi. What’d you bring for lunch?”
“Tuna sandwiches.” When he wrinkled his nose, she laughed. “I had to, Durand! It’s the
beach, seafood is a requirement!”
Kyle rolled his eyes, then got to his feet, brushing off his hands and clothes. “Ugh. Sand.”
“Why’d you come with us?” That breakwater look in her eyes was back, and now he was the one groping for answers.
“Sounded like fun.”
“No, it didn’t. You hate the beach.”
“I don’t hate the . . .” She lifted an eyebrow at his skeptically, and he paused. “Yes, I hate the beach. But you asked me to come.” Ainsley was staring at him, and he didn’t know what she was thinking, but based on the softness of her face, it was complimentary. He reached out to help her up, and she took his hand.
“Bilqiis! Fawzia!” she called. “Let’s eat!”
CHAPTER FOURTEEN
A WEEK LATER, KYLE had pink fluff in his hair. He’d been up in the attic all afternoon, installing insulation with Abshir, and it seemed like they’d had a pretty good time based on the way they were shaking hands. He went to brush off his clothes, but Ainsley stopped him.
“Let’s go outside to do that, eh?” She led him into the backyard. This was the first day he’d worked apart from her, and she’d had to tell herself not to feel sad about it. It was good for him to branch out, learn more skills. But he’d been quiet when he’d picked her up this morning, and she didn’t know how to interpret that. “Did you have fun working with Abshir?”
He nodded. “Yes, but I turned on my phone’s flashlight to help us see better, and now it won’t go off. But I like Abshir; he’s led a fascinating life. They seem like a nice family.”
“Yeah, they are.” She pulled her heavy gloves from her tool belt and put them on. “You have to be careful with insulation; it’ll sting like crazy if it gets on your skin.” She started brushing off his chest, his arms, his neck, his hair. Kyle just stood still, watching her with an unreadable expression. “Didn’t you wear gloves?”
He lifted his hands, which were already red, and inspected them. “No, I didn’t know.”
“Go wash them off and I’ll give you some lotion from my purse.”
“I don’t do lotion.”
“You do today,” she said, pushing him back toward the house and into the bathroom. “Don’t fuss at me. You’ll need those hands later today. Can’t hold an Xbox controller with your teeth. And take off your clothes and shake them out in the shower.”