by Lacey Wolfe
“Good morning,” Julie said and walked over to kiss Lila.
Mark spun around. “Get back in bed. Lila and I were going to surprise you with your favorite in bed.”
She laughed. “What is my favorite?”
“This funky omelet you made me when you first made breakfast.”
She walked over and wrapped her arms around his waist. “And what do I owe this special occasion to?”
Mark lifted an eyebrow. “You don’t know?”
“No, I’ve been so busy with Lila and my new publishing house that I don’t even know what day it is.”
“It’s your first Mother’s Day.”
Julie walked away, went over to the calendar, and saw he was right. “How did I not know?”
“You’re a busy woman. Now take that hot ass of yours back to bed, so Lila and I can finish our surprise for you.”
She didn’t have to be told twice. She was crawling back in bed and taking full advantage of this. Once in her warm bed again, she fluffed the pillows and waited.
Mark was the most amazing man and did so much for her and Lila each and every day. Coming home to Brookfield had been the best decision she had ever made. There were so many people who already spoiled Lila rotten. Her mother had stayed for a few weeks after Lila was born but was now back to soaking up all the sun she could in Miami. She was even debating staying there this summer. It was nice to finally see her mom so happy and moving past the death of her husband.
Lila’s constant cooing got closer, and then she saw Mark with the baby in the front carrier. How much cuter could the man get? Having a baby strapped to him made him ten times sexier.
In front of them, he carried a small tray with a cup of steaming hot coffee and her omelet. She reached out and took it from him. There was a card on the tray. Julie opened it, and a tear trickled down her cheek. It was her first card from her daughter, and it simply said, “My mom rocks! Happy Mother’s Day.”
Climbing out of the bed, she wrapped her arms around Mark, with Lila in the middle blowing raspberries.
“Thank you.” She kissed Mark. “I couldn’t have done any of this without you.”
She was the luckiest woman or, at least, in her eyes.
The End
Bare Necessities
Lacey Wolfe
BARE NECESSITIES
Copyright © 2012, Lacey Wolfe
Publisher: Southern Girl Press, First Edition
Edited by Megan Fisher
Proofread by Ella Jade
Cover by Designs by Viari
All rights reserved. Without limiting the rights under copyright reserved above, no part of this publication may be reproduced, stored in or introduced into a retrieval system, or transmitted, in any form, or by any means (electronic, mechanical, photocopying, recording, or otherwise) without the prior written permission of both the copyright owner and the above publisher of this book.
This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, brands, media, and incidents are either the product of the author's imagination or are used fictitiously. The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owners.
www.laceywolfe.com
Chapter One
Ava Miller closed up her soon-to-be shop for the evening. Her day had been full of blueprints, paint swatches, and phone calls. She was ready to head back to the place she called home these days and put her feet up for a relaxing evening.
She headed for her car until she realized she didn’t have her keys or cellphone. Fiddling with the store keys again, she let herself back into the shop and made a mad dash to the back of the hollowed-out store. She spotted the car keys and phone on a small, round table. Sighing, she grabbed them and then ran back across the store.
After she relocked the door, she turned to race down the side road but didn’t make it far. She ran headfirst into something hard and warm. Looking up, she saw a very fine-looking specimen.
“Excuse me…. Sorry.” Wow, this man was hot!
“You’re in a hurry. Is there a fire?” the handsome man asked.
Ava let her gaze drift over his body and noticed the badge. She then batted her lashes and said, “There aren’t any speeding laws on the sidewalk, are there?”
He chuckled. “I like you.”
She grinned. That was good to know. Maybe she could make friends with this hunk.
“I’m Seth Hampton, sheriff of this wonderful town. And you’re new. So tell me, beautiful, what’s your name?”
“I’m Ava Miller.”
“Miller? Any relation to Julie?”
“Cousins.”
He looked her up and down. “I can’t say I see the family resemblance.”
She laughed. Her father had been Italian, and she’d gotten the darker skin from him. Her eyes were emerald green and really stood out from behind her jet-black hair, and having Italian in her, she was full of curves. Something she had to learn to love.
“Since you must be new to town, I think it’s only right I treat you to dinner.”
“Sounds nice. When did you have in mind?”
“Tonight,” he said.
Yikes, he was forward. But, staring at this hot man, the ache in her legs seemed to vanish and her back no longer needed the attention of a hot bath. She’d have to remember to call Julie later and ask her why she hadn’t told Ava Brookfield was full of such attractive men.
“I’d planned on just going home and taking a nice, long soak,” she said sweetly, “but I suppose I could go to dinner, if you ask nicely.”
Seth raked his hands through his brown hair and had the biggest grin. “Ava, would you do me the honor of going to dinner with me tonight?”
“Well, since you asked so nicely.”
“You’re something, Ava. I think you’re going to make a wonderful addition to our town.”
Brookfield was starting to feel like it was finally going to be home. A home was what she’d been craving since her latest break-up. Ava had commitment issues, but she also always seemed to choose the wrong guy. The last one was a true loser, and if it weren’t for the wake-up call he’d given her, she might not be here now. But Julie had promised that if Ava came here, she would find happiness and right now, staring at this hot cop, she just might have found it.
“Where are we going? I’d like to ride separate if that’s okay.”
“I think I should treat you to dinner at the local diner. Have you eaten there yet?”
“Nope, I literally got into town this morning. All I had time to do was rent a cabin over at Honeycreek before heading to the shop.”
“So you know where the diner is?”
“Hang left at the end of this road?”
“You got it. Not only are you beautiful but smart, too.”
She smiled. “I’ll see you there, cutie.”
Ava rushed to her car. The sun was setting, and even though it was late summer in Brookfield, it still got a bit chilly in the evenings. Once in her car, she made the short drive over to the local diner, Swift Water Café. The diner, brightly lit, appeared to be hopping. She couldn’t wait to start meeting people. She loved to socialize. Talking was just second nature to her—along with flirting.
Seth greeted her at her door, and as she stepped out, he placed his hand on her lower back. It was possessive, and at first she wanted to step away, but his hand soon dropped and she realized he was just being friendly.
In the diner, they made their way to a corner booth. Many of the customers quieted and watched as she and Seth took their seats. Just like a normal small town. She was new, and now they were curious. She smiled at everyone. First impressions were important.
A perky waitress made her way over and took their drink order. The blonde made flirty eyes at Seth, and Ava couldn’t help but be amused. He was most likely Brookfield
’s number one bachelor. Every woman here probably wanted to tie him down and have six of his children. Thank God that was the last thing on her mind.
“So, Ava, tell me a little about yourself,” Seth said.
“Not much to tell, officer.”
Seth’s face lit up again. She enjoyed making him smile.
“Everyone around here loves Julie,” he said. “It’s nice having her home again. Have you been by to see her and Lila yet?”
“It’s the first thing on my agenda in the morning. I can’t believe how big Lila’s getting.”
The waitress returned with their drinks and then took their order. Diner food, what could be better? A nice, greasy sandwich and fries. She was thankful she wasn’t one of those women who watched her weight.
“So tell me, Ava, what brought you to our lovely town?”
“I’m opening my own business.” Ava took a sip of her soda.
“That’s great. We need some more shops. Let me guess, you’re opening up a boutique of some kind.”
“Something like that.”
“Rumor has it we have an adult store opening.” He laughed.
Ava froze. What was so funny?
Seth continued. “Whoever that nut job is, I hope they know this town isn’t having it. We plan on running them out. We have a reputation to keep up.”
The waitress came back, still batting her eyelashes at Seth. Looking at the food in front of her, Ava was no longer hungry. She dug through her purse for a ten-dollar bill, set it on the table, and then stood up. Seth gazed up, confused.
“Are you okay?” he asked. “Did I say something wrong?”
“Yes, you called me a nut job, and I’ve lost my appetite. I thought Brookfield would be different, but you’ve just shown me how wrong I was.” Ava turned and started to make her way to the entrance. Once she was outside, Seth came running out after her.
“You’re the one opening up a sex toy shop?” he asked.
Rolling her eyes, she said, “It’s a lingerie shop, and in the back, there just so happens to be a small adult area. Why I’m explaining this to you, I don’t know.”
“Well, I hate to tell you, but that shop isn’t opening here.”
Crossing her arms, she glared at him. “Just try and stop me.”
Chapter Two
The next morning, Ava fuming. Making her way up the stairs to Julie’s house, she hoped seeing her cousin would help calm her nerves.
At mid-knock, the door opened, and Mark, Julie’s new husband, smiled at her. “I was just heading to work. Perfect timing. I think Lila is on an eating strike, and Julie is having a time. Beware.” Mark skirted past her.
Ava closed the door behind her and could hear Julie in the kitchen. Stopping in the doorway, Ava took in the sight. Julie had her hair pulled up in a messy bun and wore an oversized T-shirt and some ugly pajama bottoms. Motherhood fit her, and she looked absolutely beautiful.
“Morning,” Ava greeted.
Julie turned and smiled. “Ava! Come hug me. It’s so good to see you.”
They embraced, and then Ava took a step back and watched as Lila tossed her Cheerios from the high chair.
“I hear she isn’t eating.”
“Don’t get me started. And it isn’t like I can reason with her.” Julie handed her daughter a sippy cup. “Want some coffee?”
“I’d love a cup, but I’ll get it. You have a seat.” Ava had been to this house many times growing up. She found everything she needed right away and took a seat at the kitchen table with a hot cup of coffee.
“I heard,” Julie said.
“You’re kidding. Already?”
“Well, you know how close Seth and Claire are.”
No, Ava didn’t know.
“Don’t worry. Once people know what you’re actually opening, you’ll be fine,” Julie reassured her.
“I don’t think so. I think Brookfield is too small a town to accept a lingerie shop. But you, cousin, convinced me that they wouldn’t mind.”
“I think it’s the toys that bother them.”
“What? Like half the people here don’t have dildos? Now they don’t have to order them online; they can come see them. And it’s in a private room.”
Julie put her hand up. “Hey, I’m not the bad guy.”
“I know. I just couldn’t believe what an arrogant son of a bitch Seth turned out to be.”
“He really isn’t. I think he’s a pretty sweet guy.”
“Sweet. Yeah, I believed that the first ten minutes.”
Lila threw her sippy cup, and Julie looked like she needed a break. Most likely she didn’t need to hear Ava’s problems. Lila was giving her enough.
“Regardless of Seth, I’m still opening my store.”
“Good. Once I lose this last ten pounds, I plan to visit. Only for lingerie. Mark is enough for me; I don’t need anything rubber.”
Ava laughed. “You’re perfect the way you are.”
* * *
Seth decided to stop by Honeycreek Bed and Breakfast. He needed someone to chat with, and his sister, Kimberly, was nowhere to be found so Claire was the next best thing. Hell, she was like a sister anyway.
The aroma of coffee was strong as he made his way through the front door. He headed to where she kept a little buffet of goodies for her guests and found her already there pouring herself a cup.
“Good morning,” he greeted.
“I wasn’t expecting you,” the petite blonde said.
“Gee, can’t I just come by and see my good friend? You do make the best coffee in town.”
Claire rolled her eyes. “Please tell me you’re over this Ava thing and you’re going to leave her alone.”
He had called Claire last night to get her advice. She had given him a hard time and said it wasn’t a big deal. So what if the woman wanted to open a lingerie shop? But what Claire didn’t get was it was on the same street people took to get to the church and the funeral home. Who the heck wanted to leave church and drive past an adult store? He certainly didn’t.
“You’re really being a prude, Seth. Don’t tell me you wouldn’t want some girlfriend of yours to have access to a store like that where she can buy lingerie to wear for you.”
A picture shot through his head of Ava in red stockings and a matching underwear set. Red would look sexy against her tan skin and long, dark locks. “That isn’t the point. It isn’t just me. There are going to be a lot of upset people.”
“They’ll get over it and so will you.”
Claire handed him a cup of coffee, and he took a long sip. “Maybe we can get her to just move the store.”
“You’re impossible.” She shook her head. “Just let it be.”
“I can’t. Everyone is going to be looking to me to stop this.”
“How do you know anyone is even going to care?”
He grunted. “Oh, they’re going to all right.” Grabbing a croissant, he added, “Where’s Jace this morning? Got him locked away? I haven’t seen him in a few days.”
“He’s sick with a sinus infection with everything blooming, I think. I really need to get back to him. You men, when you’re sick, you’re big babies.”
“Hey, you women enable us. Admit it, you like it and knowing only you can make him feel better.”
“Ha, only if you admit you have the hots for Ava and that’s why you’re in such a ruffle.”
“See ya, Claire. It was nice chatting.” He started to walk away. “I’ll bring the coffee cup back with me next time.”
The hots for Ava. Yeah, right. She was beautiful, charming and, well, she made him grin quite a bit last night. But the hots for her … yeah, right.
* * *
One of the best things about being your own boss, she could work whenever she wanted. Ava was doing just that. She had spent the better part of the day with Julie and Lila. After that, she’d returned to her cabin for a nap and then dinner. She headed to the shop to start getting it ready to paint. Most everyone in Brookfield went
home in the evenings, but she was a night person. It would be quiet, and hopefully no one would bother her.
Letting herself in, she switched on the light and glanced around. This was all hers, and it felt wonderful. It felt nice to finally settle down in one place, and without a man. Everything she had ever done in the past was for some boyfriend. She had yet to really experience life for herself. Julie had convinced her that Brookfield would be perfect, but after meeting Seth, she wasn’t so sure. The town was surely full of more people like him.
In the back, she found a can of primer. Maybe tonight she could get the walls coated and go paint shopping tomorrow for colors she liked. Once they were all white, she could hold the paint samples up and get an idea. Currently the walls were a piss-yellow color. What had the previous owner been thinking?
Ava kicked her shoes off then twirled her long hair up into a bun on top of her head. She was warm by nature, so she pulled her T-shirt off and bared a black sports bra underneath. She wore a pair of matching yoga pants. Next, she flipped on the radio to the local rock station.
Grabbing the ladder, she decided to tape around the ceiling first. That was the part she hated because so much time went into placing it in the right spot. It was likely to take up much of the next hour, and it did. It actually took just over an hour, but she was finally ready to prime the walls and say goodbye to the yellow.
She was so busy pouring the paint into the tray and singing with the music that she didn’t hear someone come up behind her.
“What the hell do you think you’re doing?” Seth barked.
Ava spun around, almost losing her balance, and stared up at who was becoming her worst enemy. “Excuse me?”
“I drive by here and see lights on. You’re half naked, and then you don’t even lock the damn door. Are you looking for trouble?”
She stood and placed her hands on her hips. “Is there a problem with me working at night? Is there some law I need to know about that only applies to Brookfield?”
“No, of course not, but not locking your door is one, and you’re half naked. Anyone could be watching you right now.”