“Carrie,” Lauren reached across the table and covered her hand. “Of course he meant it. Caleb knows Matt better than anyone in town and he thinks the world of him. And I trust Caleb’s instincts.”
“So, what do I do?”
“I think a more important question is, do you love him?”
So much so it hurt. “Yes.”
Lauren smiled and winked at her. “Then you wait until he’s worked up enough nerve to face you again, and magnanimously forgive him. And while we wait,” she added, grinning, “I tried a new pie recipe today—Orange Creamsicle.”
Carrie laughed softly. “Sounds like heaven.”
* * *
By Friday, the work on the coffee shop was complete. The new tables, chairs, and booths had been delivered and installed, the drive-thru window was ready to open. Yet Carrie still hadn’t heard from Matt. The contractor assured her everything had been paid in full, but that’s all he would say.
Carrie decided to take a drive past Matt’s house, and her heart dropped into her stomach with a splash. A For Sale sign was staked in the front yard. She stopped in the middle of the street and gazed at it in disbelief, praying her eyes were playing tricks on her. Realizing her sight was just fine, Carrie squealed her tires in her haste to get away, not caring if she left a block full of people gawking in her wake.
She drove home and parked in her garage, unable to move, unable to breathe. He’d left her. He’d told her he loved her, then left without so much as a “See ya later, it’s been fun.” The ache in her chest grew until she thought she would suffocate. Tears burned her eyes, and she squeezed them tight, too angry to let them fall. He’d said he loved her, and she’d believed him. Like a damn idiot, she’d believed a rich and powerful man like Jacob Spalding had fallen in love with her. God, what a joke.
Of course, the humiliation she’d felt after seeing her face plastered on every rag mag at the checkout line with captions that read “Jacob Spalding Jr. found in the ‘bosom’ of small town America” and the like had been bad enough, but at least she’d been able to console herself with the knowledge that Matt loved her—despite the fact he still hadn’t called or stopped by. It was simply par for the course when you dated someone from that world.
Now, just thinking about the stories that were sure to follow once Matt was back in circulation was enough to tempt her into packing her bags and moving to Siberia. One thing was for damn sure, though. It would be a cold day in hell before she let another man into her life—or into her heart.
She took a deep, shuddering breath and climbed out of the car. She’d fix herself a sandwich, curl up on the couch, and finish the book she hadn’t been able to concentrate on for days. With any luck at all, she wouldn’t have to cry herself into an exhausted sleep again tonight.
Armed with a chicken salad sandwich and a can of Pringles, Carrie headed into the living. A movement outside caught her eye and she hurried over to peer out the window. Her plate slipped from her grasp and clattered to the counter. Sitting on the hammock was Matt. He had a bottle of water in one hand and a manila envelope in the other. Carrie hated the anticipation that quickened her pulse. Matt was here...but why? Then it dawned on her. To sell her back his half of the shop. She took a deep breath, gathered her anger around her like a coat of armor, and walked out the patio door.
“Geez, woman, did you take the scenic route home? I’ve been waiting over an hour—”
“What the hell are you doing here?” The words came out in breathless wonder; she wished she could grab them back and try it again with more outrage.
“We have unfinished business. You didn’t think you’d be rid of me that easy, did you?”
He took a sip of his water, and Carrie couldn’t decide which she’d rather do, dump it over his head...or kiss him. Focus, Carrie, he’s only here to discuss ‘business’.
“Whatever you have to say, make it quick. I’m pretty busy.”
“You were about to eat a sandwich and read a book,” he pointed out with a quirked brow.
“You were spying on me? Looking in my window like some friggin’ Peeping Tom?”
“Settle down, sweetheart. I just...I needed to see you. I’ve missed you.”
She stared at him, her hands fisted at her sides. He sounded so sincere…but then, he always did. “Whatever. Again, state your business or get the hell off my property.”
He grinned and took another sip of his water. “You’re pretty sexy when you’re mad. Why don’t you come sit with me and I’ll show you what’s in my envelope.”
“Why don’t you kiss my fat—”
“Watch it, woman. I’ll put you over my knee.”
She rolled her eyes. “Gee, what a great comeback. I’m quaking with─”
Matt leapt from the hammock so fast Carrie squealed in surprise. And the fool just stood there grinning at her. “Made you jump.”
“Oh, my God, what are you, five?”
“I have a present for you. Come here and I’ll give it to you.” He gave the envelope a shake.
So he’d signed Coffee To Chai For over to her. Great. That’s what she wanted...right? She strode forward, her chest tight, as if she were on her way to a funeral instead of on the verge of receiving her freedom back. He capped his water and set the bottle on the ground so he could pull the papers out of the envelope. She stopped just close enough to get a whiff of his aftershave. Damn, the man smelled good.
He held out the papers and asked, “So how do you feel about franchising?”
“What?” She snatched the papers from his hand and looked them over. Apparently, he’d bought a business in Madison. Her heart started pounding. Was he purposely being cruel? He knew her ex owned a coffee shop in Madison. “I don’t understand.”
He smiled as if he’d just handed her the Hope Diamond. “Look at the address. In about a month, Coffee To Chai For II will open up directly across the street from your ex’s shop. I figure you’ll be able to run him out of business in less than a year. Your coffee is ten times better—yes, I tried his—and you’ll be a buck cheaper per cup.”
“But...I thought you were here to sell me back your half of the shop.”
He leaned back against the trunk of the tree. “That would be quite a trick since I don’t own half your shop.”
She stared at him, sure he’d lost his mind. And then the truth suddenly dawned on her. My God, how could she not have thought of it before? “You signed the papers as Matt Jacobs, so the contract isn’t legal and binding.”
“Considering you have three attorneys in your immediate family, I’m surprised you hadn’t already figured that out.”
“I’ve had a lot on my mind this week.” Like missing you so much I could barely think straight.
“I can relate.” He straightened away from the tree and took a hesitant step toward her. “I’ve missed you, Carrie.” When she didn’t bolt, he closed the distance between them and took her in his arms, squeezing her so tight she could hardly breathe. “When I decided to move to Redemption, I only wanted to escape the madness of my life in L.A.,” he said against her cheek. “I’d been suffocating, between the constant hounding of the paparazzi and my parents pressing me to take over the company. I never expected to find the love of my life here.”
He pulled back to gaze into her eyes, reaching up to touch her face with near reverence. “I love you, sweetheart. The thought of living my life without you scares the hell out of me. Please put me out of my misery and say you forgive me.”
Before she could answer, Matt claimed her mouth with hungry impatience and proceeded to kiss her breathless. Carrie melted beneath him like an ice cream cone under the hot sun. She’d been dreaming about kissing him all week—his taste, his smell, his touch. He stroked his hands up and down her back as if he couldn’t get enough of her.
Desire coursed through her, scorching every inch of her body. My God, she’d never imagined she could want a man this much—it frightened her on so many levels. But she had one questio
n she still needed answered before she could even think about committing to him. She broke off the kiss with reluctance. He tried to reclaim her lips, but she placed a restraining hand on his chest and gazed up at him. “Why do you have your house up for sale if you plan to stay in Redemption?”
He cupped her face and rested his forehead against hers. “Seemed kind of silly to own two houses when I can only live in one.”
Carrie pulled back and frowned. “Two houses? Matt, if you tell me you paid off my house, I swear I’m going to brain you.”
He chuckled. “Relax, sweetheart, I know better than that. I bought the tri-level behind you. It’s got a huge living room with a fireplace, five bedrooms, so there’s plenty of room for the dozen or so kids we’re going to have. Oh, and a Jacuzzi in the master bath, and—”
“Matt?”
“Yeah?”
“I love you, too. But three kids is my limit.”
He stared at her for a moment, as if he wasn’t quite sure he’d heard right. Then he let out a whoop, swung her up in his arms and spun her around in a circle. They collapsed onto the hammock, laughing. After another mind-blowing kiss, Matt told her about his family purchasing the old repackaging plant just outside of town, and how he would slowly start to take over the family business, give his parents some time to travel. But he also still planned to help out with Coffee To Chai For, if she’d have him.
Carrie gazed up at him, her heart so full she feared it would burst. “You’ll be a local hero, supplying Redemption and the surrounding areas with so many needed jobs.”
“I only want to be your hero.”
“You already are. Just don’t expect me to start calling you Superman.”
He grinned. “I wouldn’t dream of it. Now hush up and kiss me again. I have a week’s worth of missing you to make up for.”
“Your wish is my command.”
~~~~~
Matt and Carrie were so much fun for me to write. I sure hope you enjoyed their entertaining and often volatile journey.
Charlie and Dana’s story, Grounds For Change, is next, and boy, are you in for a treat. Sugar, anyone?
(back to top)
Welcome to Redemption Series, Book 4:
Grounds For Change
by
Stacey Joy Netzel
Charlie Russell lived with a secret for fourteen years, but now guilt has pushed him to the breaking point. He meets psychologist Dana McClain and feels an instant connection that has nothing to do with his Great Dane, Sugar, spilling coffee down her shirt. Dana switched to counseling animals because she has a history of becoming too emotionally involved with her clients. She figures she’s safe helping Charlie with Sugar’s issues, until he reveals his secret and asks for her help. She tries to convince herself it's all about the dog, not the guy, but history has a way of repeating itself.
Dedication
~~~
For my husband, Wayne, who puts up with a lot of messes so I can write.
I love you.
Chapter 1
Charlie Russell scowled at the bright afternoon sun and wished he hadn’t had so much to drink at Rowdy’s last night. That, and Sugar’s hell-bent-for-leather path down the sidewalk, intensified the headache pounding at his temples. Most days he could keep the ten-month-old Great Dane in check, but today she was like a souped-up Harley on nitro.
At least she pulled him in the right direction—straight to Carrie Lowell’s Coffee to Chai For on Salvation Street. In front of the shop windows, he shifted his sunglasses to the top of his head and squinted inside to see Carrie wiping down the half-dozen or so tables. He raised his hand to knock on the glass, only Sugar jerked his arm, and tugged him toward the door as it opened with the tinkling of a bell.
“Sugar, no. Come here, girl,” he admonished, catching his balance after stumbling a step. He managed to stop the dog seconds before she accosted the woman walking out with two iced coffees in her hands. “Sorry.”
“No problem.”
The woman looked up from Sugar to him with a smile, and Charlie blinked when he saw her startling light green eyes. His attention tracked downward. Long blonde curls rioted about her face and shoulders, perfectly complimenting her white sleeveless blouse with ruffles around the collar and down along the buttons, and a pair of tan slacks.
Dropping his sunglasses back into place to cover his bloodshot eyes, he tried not to stare, but found the combination of wild curls and sophisticated clothes on a beautiful woman with a helluva body impossible to resist.
She sidestepped Sugar in her strappy high heels. He noticed her gaze sweep over him before her smile faded and she walked toward a metallic green Toyota Hybrid parked in front of the shop. He ran a self-conscious hand through his dark hair that desperately needed a trim. Why the hell hadn’t he showered, or at the least combed it before taking Sugar for a walk? Maybe worn something other than a ratty tee shirt, cutoff jeans and holey tennis shoes.
Yeah, so what, he’d brushed his teeth, but he should’ve shaved, too. Not that she’d look twice at him anyway, but still, it might have kept him from feeling like a total loser.
He turned back to the coffee shop and saw Carrie hold up a hand to let him know she’d be out in a minute. Anticipation for the reviving cup of French Roast she’d bring out made his mouth water almost as much as the woman who’d given him the visual brush-off.
“Excuse me?”
The feminine voice spun Charlie around on his heel to see the beautiful blonde standing by her car. She lifted the iced coffees, and with another smile, asked, “Would you mind getting my door?”
His heart skipped a beat. “Of course.”
He moved forward, but remembered Sugar about three seconds too late. She shoved her large black nose under the woman’s hands in an excited demand for attention. The woman’s fingers clenched on the plastic cups as she gasped in surprise and both lids on her coffees popped clear off. Charlie pulled on the leash, but watched helplessly as one cup dumped down the front of her shirt and the other spilled along the length of her right thigh.
“Oh, God, I’m sorry.”
Charlie couldn’t help but notice the lace of her bra now one hundred percent visible through her wet, previously white, blouse. The ruffles that’d swayed with her walk moments earlier hung limp against her breasts. As he watched, she leaned forward, plunged her hand into the front of her shirt, and then pulled out a fistful of ice cubes.
Ignoring a shot of pure male lust, Charlie swallowed hard and braced himself for her anger when he forced his gaze up. Displeasure colored her features, all right, but she wasn’t frowning at him.
“I wouldn’t let her do that.”
Sugar lapped at the spilled coffee on the street in between gobbling up any ice cube she came across. An unexpected spark of defensiveness shot though Charlie at the woman’s tone.
“Why not?”
She put a hand on her hip, her stern gaze cutting to him. “There’s oil residue and exhaust and God only knows what else on the asphalt.”
He pulled on the leash, having to use a fair amount of strength to get Sugar’s tongue out of reach of the apparently now poisonous coffee. “I didn’t think of that.”
“Obviously.” She watched him strain to hold Sugar back before looking down at her clothes. One hand lifted to flick at one of the limp ruffles as she heaved a sigh.
Charlie silently echoed her sentiments. “I’m really sorry…”
She shook her head. “It’s not your fault.” Then she shocked him by leaning down to pet Sugar. He got a quick flash of generous cleavage before he was pulled forward a half a step with his dog’s renewed excitement. Sugar’s hard tail beat a rapid rhythm against his thigh as the woman smiled.
“I love Great Danes.”
Charlie’s heart thumped in his chest again. “Let me replace those coffees for you.”
She straightened with a rueful laugh, and flipped her curls back over her shoulders. “No, thanks, I have to go. I’ve got an interview
in about five minutes.”
Now Charlie really felt awful. “Oh, man.”
“Well, I guess I’ll see if the guy has a sense of humor.”
Unable to believe she could be so cavalier about something that would flip most women out, Charlie’s gaze fell to the material plastered against her skin. The lace bra did nothing to hide her—
He cleared his throat. “You might want to…um…cover up.”
Color bloomed in her cheeks when she looked down, but she maintained her composure. “I have a suit jacket in the car.” After a glance inside as if to confirm it was still in there, she added, “I guess I should go. I wouldn’t want to be late, too.”
Charlie reached out and opened her car door. “Good luck.”
She grinned as she slid behind the wheel. “Thanks.”
He started to lean in to ask her name, but the bell above the coffee shop door rang again. A quick glance confirmed Carrie had his coffee, and by then the woman had closed her door and started the car. Charlie stood back, pulling Sugar with him as the woman shifted into gear, gave a quick wave and drove away. He faced Carrie on the sidewalk and noticed her gaze sweep over him.
“You look like crap.”
So nice to have it confirmed when his dog had just dumped coffee all over the most beautiful woman he’d ever seen. “Thank you so much, just what I wanted to hear.”
Carrie handed over his steaming cup. “This one’s on me, I heard what you did yesterday.”
“What’d you hear?” Charlie’s gaze narrowed over the lid of his cup as he took a drink and nearly burned his mouth.
Welcome To Redemption: Series Collection (Books 1-6) Page 26