“You don’t have to explain yourself to me,” Liv countered.
But Clayton swallowed and continued. “I do. It’s the least I can do. Thank you for what you did the other night with Hope. She came home and told me about sneaking out to go walk by the lake, and she also told me that it was you who brought her back home and convinced her not to sneak out again. Whether she needs space or not, it’s not safe. I can’t tell you how much I appreciate that.”
Liv held up a hand, slightly stunned by his words, but so very happy to hear that Hope had told him the whole truth. “Really, you don’t have to thank me. Anyone would’ve done it.”
“No, anyone wouldn’t have, and I . . .” He looked at her, clearly searching for the right words when Aunt Joyce chimed in from by the register.
“Hey, Clayton, you wouldn’t happen to have any free time this afternoon, would you?” The way she asked out of the blue caused Liv’s brows to pull together and wonder what the woman was up to. It seemed like such an odd request when Clayton had clearly just stopped by to grab his pastries and be on his way. Liv felt a setup in the making.
Clayton turned toward Aunt Joyce at the same time Liv did, confused, but Liv could tell he was clearly glad for the intrusion on his awkward conversation. “I did and I am. It’s my afternoon off today, so I have some time. Is there anything you need doing around here, Miss Joyce? I’ll be happy to help out.”
“No, not really, I’m good. It’s just that, you won’t believe we’re already running low on honey, but with the girls here and Liv’s new recipes, it seems we’ve created quite a stir and can’t keep up with orders.”
Clayton stared at her, clearly even more confused, not quite knowing why what she was saying had to do with him being off that afternoon, and frankly neither did Liv. “Well, usually I don’t collect until the weekend for your order and for the farmers’ market, but I’m sure I can gather up some more for you this afternoon and have it for you in the morning.”
Aunt Joyce clapped her hands with a huge smile “Now, that was just what I was hoping you would say. Isn’t he the most accommodating, Liv?”
Liv smiled, but still looked at her aunt skeptically. What in the world was she up to?
Thankfully, she didn’t have long to wonder, since Aunt Joyce decided to move in swiftly with her killer shot. “Well, since we got that straight, seems like no time like the present. It really is amazing how you get all the honey from that little crop of bees you’ve got. Why, Livy, you ought to see it. It is something to behold. As a matter of fact, Clayton, why don’t you take Olivia right now and show her your hives and how you collect the honey. I’m sure she’d find it fascinating.”
“I’m sure I’d not,” Liv said, then caught herself and turned back toward Clayton, an apology in her eyes. “Sorry, it’s not that, it’s just that, well, it’s probably best to stay here and help out with the shop. I don’t want to leave my aunt, and we’ve got plenty of work to do.”
“We have no such thing,” Aunt Joyce said. “Rena will be back in a few minutes when she picks up her little ones from school, so she can take over then, and Drea is with me now, so I will be fine.”
Really, did Aunt Joyce have to go on? There was no reason for her to go up and see Clayton’s dusty old beehives. It didn’t matter how good his honey was. Clayton, his hives, and all that went with them were not her business, and Aunt Joyce needed to understand that.
She turned to Aunt Joyce. “It really is not necessary,” she said. “And besides, I remember seeing those old hives years ago when we were kids. Clayton showed me how they work. I’m sure not that much has changed.”
Clayton chuckled from where he was standing. “Well, that’s where you’re wrong; I have made quite a lot of improvements in the time that I’ve been here, and things have changed since my dad’s day. The developments really have been quite fascinating. But really, it’s no big deal, Livia.” He turned toward Aunt Joyce. “She’s right, Miss Joyce. Being around the hives can make some people quite uneasy. You’ve got to have a pretty strong constitution and nerves of steel to be able to handle them. Some people are just not up to the task.”
“Excuse me?” Liv said. She was sure there was some sort of put-down in Clayton’s seemingly benign remark and it got her fired up, though at the same time part of her felt intrigued to see what improvements he had made, and a part of her also couldn’t help feeling a bit of sadness over thinking of him taking over where his late father had left off. But for the most part, the petty part, was stuck on the fact that he thought she couldn’t handle his hives. “What do you mean, not everyone is up to the task? Are you trying to call me some type of wimp or something?”
“Of course not. Why would I do anything like that? I’m just saying that it’s not the type of situation for someone with anything but the strongest of constitutions, and if you’ve got any sort of aversions to bugs, it may not be your thing. Besides, it’s been a while since you were a kid running around in the fields. And let’s be real,” he said, giving her a swift up-and-down. “You’ve been in the city a long time. And my hives are set quite a ways back. Who knows if you’re up to that kind of rugged terrain?”
Liv frowned. “I know where your hives are. I remember your father used to keep hives off by that old fishing cabin of his. Isn’t that where they are?”
“Yes,” Clayton said with a bit of curtness to his voice. “That’s where they are. Like I said, it’s been a long time since you’ve been out there, and like I said, the terrain is rough. It’s changed quite a bit. I’m not sure it’s something you can handle or would even care to try.”
Okay, he and his attitude were really starting to get on her nerves. Liv gave him a sharp look. “How would you be able to determine what I’m up to handling and what I’m not, Clayton Morris? I’ll have you know, I can handle pretty much whatever is sent my way. And I’ve never been afraid of any kind of bugs, be it spiders, lizards, or what have you.” She paused then. What was she arguing about? It wasn’t like she wanted to hang around a bunch of bees. Who would? But then she looked up at Clayton and thought about his words and realized it was the principle of the thing. Liv went for the front tie of her apron and proceeded to untie it. When she was done, she looked back up at Clayton. “I’d love to see your hives. Aunt Joyce needs some honey, and you’ve been saying you wanted to talk, so let’s get to it. Might as well kill two birds with one stone and all that.” She looked over at Aunt Joyce and gave her head a tilt. “Is there anything else you need, perhaps something that doesn’t require folks to get into a situation where they might get stung?”
Aunt Joyce let out a chuckle and shook her head. “Nope,” she said, “the honey is about all I’ll be needing. You kids go ahead and take your time. Drea and I have it from here. As a matter of fact, I’m sure we can find our way home and just meet you there.”
At that, Liv’s eyes went wide and she gave Aunt Joyce an incredulous look. “Really, there’s no need. I’m sure this won’t take very long, and I can get back and pick you all up in time for closing.”
But Aunt Joyce shook her head once again as Drea walked out from the back room. “Nope, like I said, we’re fine. Just leave the car keys and we’ll make our way. You go on and see about those hives with Clayton.”
With that, Liv tried her best not to give a huff and add in stomping her feet like she really wanted to; instead she tried to continue to hold her head high as she looked over at Clayton, who at least had the wherewithal to give her a sideways glance and look back down at the ground as he shuffled his feet, still holding his bag with the two blackberry pockets. She noticed a small butter stain start to form on the outside of the bag. He gave Liv a half shrug and walked over to Aunt Joyce, going into his pocket to pull out a few bills. Aunt Joyce waved him away. “You take those on me, Clayton. Just be sure to take good care of Livy while you’re over there by those hives. I wouldn’t be happy at all if she did happen to get stung.”
Liv came around to the outside of th
e counter, putting her purse over her shoulder and tapping Clayton on his. “Oh, you don’t have to worry about that, Aunt Joyce. I’ll be extra careful; nothing is going to sting me.”
* * *
“Ever get the feeling you’re being set up?” Clayton looked over at Liv as they stepped out into the bright light of the afternoon sun and he took in her annoyed expression. Annoyance aside, she still looked beautiful with her hair pulled back in a high ponytail, showing off her lovely brown skin, high arched eyebrows, sparkling eyes with full lashes, strong regal nose, and full lips that today were covered with only a hint of gloss. Clayton fought the urge to stare, so he turned his gaze forward, but not without noting that she was wearing a cute, sleeveless striped T-shirt and tight stretch ankle-length jeans. He couldn’t help the joy it gave him to see that on her feet were once again well-worn Converse sneakers. At least she hadn’t grown out of that style choice.
“Yeah, I’d say we were totally set up on this one,” Liv agreed. “Sorry. You know how my aunt is when she gets a bee in her bonnet, no pun intended. She doesn’t stop until she’s fully satisfied.”
They started walking toward the firehouse, which was just a few doors down and across the street from the bakeshop. Clayton turned to her, having already noticed a couple of glances from a few inquisitive eyes. As they passed Doreen’s Diner, Doreen openly gawked at them, and he swore that she would have overfilled her current patron’s coffee cup if Cletus Jones hadn’t stopped her with a poke in her arm.
He turned to Livia. “Listen, you really don’t have to come and see the hives if you don’t want to. I can just take you and drop you off at your aunt’s house and go and extract the honey myself. She wouldn’t be any the wiser, and you’d have a free afternoon. I don’t want you to feel that you’re obligated to hang out with me.” He held his breath for a moment, suddenly nervous as to what she might say.
Livia glanced up at him as they were just reaching the front of the firehouse. She seemed to be taking him in, studying his expression as if looking for any hint of subterfuge. Finally, she shook her head. “It’s fine. Honestly, seeing beehives wasn’t topping my list of things to do when I got up this morning, but I’m sure they are quite fascinating. And besides, if I don’t have that honey when Aunt Joyce gets home, there will be all heck to pay, and to top it off, I have a feeling she’d know if I didn’t actually go and see the hives myself. She has a way of making me feel like a teenager all over again. She might even give me a pop quiz or something.”
Clayton let out a relieved breath. “Honestly, I wouldn’t put it past her. She is quite determined. Come on, my ride is out back. We better get going. Depending on how the honey taps, it might take a while to actually fill a jar.”
Livia followed Clayton around the back of the firehouse to where his truck was parked, and as he walked her over to the passenger side to open her door, he caught her admiring the Harley next to his truck. For a moment it seemed as if she was about to reach out and touch it. “You like it?” he asked.
She looked up at him with a hint of admiration in her eyes. “Oh, yeah, I guess I do. Not that I’m one for motorcycles all that much. It just reminded me a little bit of the one you used to have when we were kids. Although this one is the more modern version. So much more put together than the one you had as a kid. No rusted-out tailpipe.”
“Hey, I thought you loved that old bike of mine. Rusted bits and all.” Clayton couldn’t help but laugh.
He’d run that old bike into the ground, but he loved it and was proud of it. Snagged for all of $350 and missing its most vital parts, he’d spent the better part of the summer restoring it. Once he got it together, he couldn’t wait to zoom around town, and he was the proudest when he’d finally convinced Livia, after much cajoling, to take a ride on the back with him. She’d been so afraid, having never been on the back of a bike before, but when she finally did, she was hooked. Constantly egging him on to go faster, really get the wind in her hair. He’d loved how fearless she was in her innocence. It was such a surprise to him after seeing her only as the quiet city girl he thought she was.
He looked back at Livia. “You want to take a ride?”
Once again, she looked up at him with shock. “This is yours? I didn’t think you still rode. I mean, all I’ve seen you drive since we’ve been in town is your truck, so I assumed you’d given up the motorcycle for your new life. You know, being a dad and all.”
Clayton put his hand over his heart and feigned being wounded. “Ouch, that one hurt. I’ll admit I don’t ride all that much. Mostly it’s just been parked here at the station. Mama says it’s too much racket and it’s easier to shuttle Hope and groceries in my truck, but hey, are you trying to say that a dad can’t still be cool?”
“Oh yeah, you’re a regular road warrior,” Avery said, suddenly coming up behind them and interjecting herself into the conversation. “Don’t believe anything he says, Olivia. He hasn’t been on that bike in I don’t know how long.” Clayton shot her a harsh glare, which she laughed off. “Well, you haven’t. I was wondering if you’re thinking about finally selling it. I know a couple of people who would happily shell out the big bucks for that bike.”
“I’m not selling anything,” Clayton said, “and don’t you have reports that are due tomorrow?”
Avery shrugged her shoulders and looked from Clayton to Olivia. “I guess I’ve been dismissed. You two carry on. I’m off to do my reports. Have a wonderful afternoon, Chief.”
He turned back toward Livia knowing that, come tomorrow, when Avery handed in her reports, she’d be expecting a report back on what was going on with him and Livia, as if something would be going on. He tried to brush off the sudden feeling of hopeful feeling of unease and gave Livia a casual smile.
“She seems nice. Like she’s a good friend and uh . . . colleague,” Livia said.
Clayton turned, looking once again at Avery’s retreating back. “She is, though at times she can be pushy and blur the lines.”
At Livia’s frown he was quick to add, “What I mean is, she is a good friend and just that. But she is always on me about things like my bike and getting out, having more fun.”
Livia nodded and looked away, as if she were embarrassed about inquiring.
“So, about that ride,” he said. “Do you want to?”
She glanced from him to the bike, then back at him again, and he could tell once again she was weighing the idea of what she wanted to do with her trust in him. “Look,” he said, “I know Avery said it’s been a long time since I’ve ridden, and well, maybe it has, but you have to know you’re safe with me.” He reached into the back of his truck and pulled out two helmets, handing her one. “So, are you game?”
Livia gave him a halfhearted smile. “Sure,” she said, her lips looking sweet and inviting while her eyes still held a hint of hesitation. She took the helmet from him and brought it over the top of her head. “How can I refuse an offer like that?”
Chapter 16
The ten-minute ride out to the lake felt both too short and somehow like an eternity, Clayton thought, with Livia pressed against his back. Why he thought it was a good idea to offer her a ride on the back of his bike, he’d never know. In what world did he think he could handle the pressure of feeling her so near, so close, and still find a way to keep his cool? The idea was unfathomable. It took all of Clayton’s skills just to keep the bike steady and upright as they sailed down the winding roads that were so familiar to him, but seemed to take on an all-new danger with Livia’s arms clasped tightly around his waist.
He could’ve sworn even with his erratic heartbeat that he thought he could feel her shivering slightly behind him, and she tightened her grip just a little bit more when he picked up speed on a flat, open stretch that ran parallel to the lake.
“Are you all right?” he yelled over his shoulder, not knowing if she could hear him. But she must have, because he could feel her nod her reply, but still her grip tightened all the more as she scooch
ed in just a bit closer to him, her thighs locking more solidly around his own.
Finally, they pulled up onto his property and he brought the bike to a not-quite-as-smooth-as-he-wanted stop, jerking them both slightly forward before coming to an unsteady halt. Clayton turned around, removed his helmet, and gave Livia a shaky grin. “I hope that wasn’t too bad for you,” he said.
She removed her helmet to reveal bright eyes and cheeks flushed with excitement and a surprisingly wide smile. “No,” she said. “It was fine, though I will admit at times I was scared out of my wits. It’s been at least ten or twelve years since I’ve been on the back of a bike.” Her gaze went skyward as if her mind went somewhere far away, glancing back up at him, and this time when she spoke it was a little bit softer. “Thank you,” she said. “It’s been a long time since I felt that kind of excitement.”
Clayton went temporarily still. What could she mean by that?
“Oh, come on, you must get all sorts of thrills and excitement in the big city. But I will accept the compliment; it’s been a long time since I’ve given a beautiful woman a ride.”
It was then that he saw something shift in her, and her eyes seem to shutter with his compliment. Did he go too far? He didn’t mean anything but the truth by the nice words. It had been forever since he’d had anyone on the back of his bike. Celeste didn’t go for riding. She was actually terrified of his motorcycle and had banned him from ever letting Hope on the back. And truth be told, it didn’t really bother him one bit that Celeste didn’t want to ride with him. Honestly, he hadn’t met anyone in all these years with whom he felt he wanted to share that feeling of letting go, of being free, since those years that he used to ride with Liv. But she just stared at him and he wanted to do something, anything to break the awkward mood. “Well, we better get a move on and head out toward the hives if we’re going to get that honey tapped for your aunt. Like I said, it’s no telling how long it may take. It all depends on how things are flowing. Are you ready?” he said, trying his best to make his voice light.
As Good as the First Time Page 20