“No problem at all,” Braxton stated. He still stood so close, close enough that when he talked, his elbow would occasionally brush against her arm. “I’m here nearly every day now that I’m not in school.”
“In school?” Cora asked. “Are you going back for a degree?”
“Hardly,” Zach interrupted. “He’s the family nerd. He teaches history and economics at the local college.”
And there went her last shred of self-control. The man was sexy, kissed like his life depended on that one act, and he was intelligent. Did he have a flaw? Flatulence attacks in public? A third nipple? Ear hair? Surely, Braxton Monroe had something that made him not so perfect.
“I’m on break,” Braxton added. “I can bring you here anytime you want to come over. In fact, I’ll be the one to make sure you get here for work and back home.”
Cora’s grip tightened on Heidi. “Oh, no. I’ll work it out. You don’t have to go to any trouble.”
“Cora.” She jumped as he whispered in her ear. “We’ll discuss it later. No arguing.”
Later. She’d have to be alone with him later when they were supposed to discuss the equipment needed for work; now they were adding her transportation, which would no doubt lead to an argument. Great. If they argued, that would drive up the sexual tension and that was the last thing she needed.
Then again, if she let him chauffeur her all the time, they’d be alone then, too. There really was no good answer.
“We need to get back home to the dogs,” Sophie stated. “We left Brock in charge. And while he loves them, he also lets them get away with murder.”
“They only shredded one pair of your panties on his watch,” Zach added.
“Each. Those seven puppies each shredded a pair.”
“Fine by me,” Zach laughed.
“All right,” Braxton interrupted in a louder tone to cut off any more panty chat, and Cora couldn’t help but laugh at the banter. “I’ll get Cora back and I’ll make sure to get a list of everything we need. You two go check on Brock, the dogs, and Sophie’s underwear situation.”
Once Cora said her good-byes, she hoped she’d made a good impression on the moody brother . . . though he didn’t seem moody to her. By the time Braxton had led her and Heidi back to the car, Cora had her nerves under control. She could handle this tension between them. Granted, she’d never had such chemistry with a man before, but how hard could it be to keep control over? All she had to do was keep her hands, and her lips, off of him and do her job. Piece of cake.
“Zach seems nice,” she commented after they’d pulled out onto the road. “When your other brother is around, do you all just harass one another?”
“Pretty much,” Braxton admitted with a slight grunt.
“May I ask what happened to Sophie?” She hoped she wasn’t stepping on too personal ground here, but she’d been curious since she’d met her initially when they’d been on the house hunt.
“What happened to her?” Braxton repeated in reply.
“Her gait isn’t smooth,” Cora explained, reaching up to pat Heidi’s face when her head came to set on Cora’s shoulder. “I wasn’t sure if she’d been in an accident or what. None of my business, so just ignore me.”
“It’s okay,” he assured her. “Sophie wouldn’t mind. She was in an accident a little over ten years ago. She was severely injured, tore up her hip and thigh. Liam was in the car too. He’s physically scarred on the right side of his face.”
“Oh, my word,” Cora gasped. “That’s scary.”
“Zach was the driver.”
Those words hung between them as Cora processed all of that information. There was so much backstory there, she knew there was, but none of this was her business. Still, she wanted to know more because it was clear this family had overcome tragic obstacles. Her family, on the other hand . . . never would.
“Was Zach hurt?” she finally asked, dropping her hand back into her lap.
“His hands are all scarred. He punched out the glass to go get help.”
“I don’t even know what to say,” she muttered.
“It was a long time ago.” Braxton paused before adding, “Zach and Liam were always butting heads before. After the accident it got much worse, but since Chelsea’s death, they’ve come to some sort of silent agreement that we’re all doing this for Chelsea.”
Cool air filled the car as Braxton turned on some vents. “That okay?” he asked.
“Fine.”
“Zach and Sophie have obviously let the past go,” he continued. “They’d danced around each other for years. I’m glad they’re finally together and planning a wedding.”
They drove in silence a bit more until her cell vibrated once again. Groaning, she knew she couldn’t keep avoiding her mother.
“Everything okay?” he asked.
“Yeah,” Cora muttered, pulling her cell from her pocket. She didn’t want an audience for this, but she’d try to keep this as simple and as short as possible. “Just a call I’d rather not take.”
Answering, she put the phone to her ear and tried to shift closer to the door as if she could use her body as a sound barrier.
“Hello.”
“Corinne, ignoring my calls is no way to act,” her mother huffed, totally bypassing the traditional “hello, how are you” greeting. “This makes my fourth call today.”
“I’m aware of that, Mother. I’ve been busy.”
“Too busy for your mother? Well, Eric is worried and he would like to know where you are.”
Resting her elbow on the arm of the door, Cora rubbed her forehead, hoping to ward off the impending headache. Of course her mother would never admit to wanting to know where her daughter was—that would indicate she actually cared about something other than spreadsheets and financial numbers. And Eric didn’t give a damn either. He only wanted Cora as a stepping-stone to get to the top of Buchanan Chocolates.
Did anyone stop to think about what she wanted? No, which was precisely why she’d left. Her family was in constant denial about her health, which was how she ended up on a path that couldn’t be reversed. She may have been stuck living without her sight, but she didn’t have to be stuck living in a loveless lifestyle where she felt as if she were a marionette being jerked around and manipulated.
“I’m still in Georgia,” she explained, knowing that still wouldn’t appease her mom. “I have a house and a new job. I’m actually quite happy.”
“You can’t seriously be staying?” her mother asked, shock lacing her hoity-toity tone. “We need you here. The holidays are always an exciting time for the company and you know we have our annual ball coming up just before Christmas. I sincerely hope you’ll be in attendance. I’ve already ordered your gown.”
“I haven’t decided on that event yet,” she stated, cringing at the fact her mother ordered her a gown, just as she’d done the previous year and the year before that.
“Of course you will. Darling, who is taking care of you there? I’m worried someone is going to take advantage of you. Do you even care that I’m losing sleep over your move?”
The guilt card had been played so much throughout her life, Cora was immune. She closed her eyes, refusing to feel bad for wanting to live her life, for wanting to break away from the chains and control she’d lived under for years. And as far as who was taking care of her? She wasn’t even getting into that right now because for once in her life, she was taking care of herself and making the best decisions for what made her happy.
“I need to go, Mother. Assure Eric I’m fine.”
If Eric even wanted to know. She wasn’t even going to ask about her dad. Cora’s father maybe gave her a passing thought between holes seventeen and eighteen at the country club. He’d given her attention after her accident, but that loving period didn’t last long.
Cora ended the call before her mother could say any more. One had to be in the right mind-set to fully take on Barbara Buchanan and Cora was most definitely not in that mood.
“I’m going to venture into territory I shouldn’t and assume you and your mother have a strained relationship?” Braxton asked.
Cora kept rubbing her head as she let out a sigh. “‘Strained’ would be a kind way to put it. We’re nothing alike and that has never gone over well with her. My parents and I had a difficult relationship before I went blind. Having an imperfect daughter only added to the mess.”
She’d never admitted that out loud to anyone, but now that the words were out, she didn’t regret them. The truth had glared at her for years, so why run from it?
“I doubt they think you’re imperfect.”
Cora smiled. “You don’t have to defend them. I wish the situation were different, but it is what it is and I’m dealing with it the best way I can.”
“By fleeing to Haven?”
The vehicle turned to the right, pushing Cora a little more against the door. “I didn’t flee,” she corrected. “I wanted a fresh start.”
“Fleeing,” he muttered as if agreeing with himself. “Do you want to go over that list of supplies or did your mother drain your energy?”
Cora was tempted to tell him she wanted to be alone and they could go over the list tomorrow. But, in doing that, she would give her mother the control and Cora was done letting that happen. Besides, her mother always drained her energy and would most likely do it again tomorrow when she called. Cora might as well focus on the life she had going for her, the future she wanted to start building.
“We can go over it.” The vehicle came to a stop and Braxton killed the engine. “Are we back at my house?”
“Um . . . no. I’m hungry so I pulled into this little burger place that’s popular in town. Since I had you out all day, we didn’t get lunch.”
Part of her was irked he didn’t ask and assumed she wanted to eat lunch with him. Another part of her, the part that was still reeling from his kiss, was pretty excited he’d thought to take her to lunch.
“Fine by me.” Her stomach was growling and she wasn’t about to throw out her pride simply because in his mind he was being a gentleman. “Will they let Heidi in?”
“I graduated with the owner. They’ll let her in,” he assured her. “I’ll come around and get you. Don’t argue. This is a busy street. You hold on to Heidi, and I’ll hold on to you.”
She wasn’t going to argue, but he didn’t even give her the chance as he hopped out of the vehicle and shut the door.
“Well, guess that solves that issue,” she muttered to Heidi, who simply breathed heavy and hot against Cora’s cheek.
The back door opened first and Braxton let Heidi out. Then Cora’s door opened and he slid his hand into hers. Would there be a jolt every single time he touched her? Mercy, she hoped so. She liked knowing that someone could cause emotions in her. At least now she knew she was normal.
She was twenty-four years old and had never been jolted by a man before . . . her would-be fiancé included.
Braxton led her across the street. Cars whirring by, people chatting and laughing, and one person calling to Braxton in a friendly hello all greeted her as they walked together.
His entire body froze, his hand gripped her just a touch tighter, enough to alert her that something was wrong.
“What is it?” she asked quietly, not knowing what was going on since he hadn’t said a word.
“Good afternoon, Braxton.”
The unfamiliar voice had Braxton shifting his body and she knew he stood slightly in front of her now, still holding on to her hand. She didn’t have to ask again, she knew this man wasn’t one of Braxton’s friends.
“Rand.” The cold greeting intrigued Cora. What had this man done to Braxton?
“And who is this lovely lady you’re with?” the man asked.
“Cora Buchanan,” she offered with a smile. “We were just heading in to have some lunch. If you’ll excuse us.”
“Oh, but I haven’t had the chance to properly introduce myself,” he went on. “I’m Rand Stevens, the mayor of Haven. I’m so glad you’re visiting our little town.”
Braxton’s rigid shoulder brushed against hers. She didn’t need any more encouragement to try to break away from this guy. His cocky attitude shone through in his tone and if Braxton was irritated by the guy, that’s all Cora needed to know.
“I’m actually living here now, so I’m sure we’ll run into each other again,” she told him, attempting to brush him off but not be terribly rude until she could form her own opinion. “Have a good day.”
She urged Heidi along, tugging on Braxton’s hand in the process. “I have no idea if I’m heading the right way,” she muttered once they’d taken a few steps. “I just wanted away from that man.”
“Why? Did he steal your fiancée, too?”
Cora stopped for a second before she started again. “I’m sorry, Braxton. I could tell he wasn’t your favorite person, but I had no idea why. I just wanted to get away. You were so stiff and . . . cold.”
“He has that effect on me,” Braxton replied, a bitter tone she hadn’t heard before lacing his voice. “And you are going in the right direction. You must’ve smelled the grease from the world’s best burgers.”
Cora laughed. “That must be it.”
As soon as they were inside and seated, Braxton started telling Cora the best items from the menu. He wanted to forget the incident outside and enjoy his lunch.
With two menus in hand, the waitress came up to Braxton’s side, eyed Cora, and quickly dismissed her. Her eyes ran over Braxton in a look he recognized all too well. At one time he may have been interested, but not today.
“Hey, sugar. What can I get ya?”
“You trust me to order what I think you’ll love?” he asked.
Cora nodded and he was warmed by the idea that she wanted to express her independence in everything, but she didn’t mind letting go at times . . . with him.
As Braxton placed their orders, he didn’t miss how the waitress was completely ignoring Cora and purposely eyeing him like he was the lunch special.
She bent down, ripped off a sheet from her pad, and laid it facedown on the table. Quickly giving him a wink before sauntering off.
Braxton groaned. Coming here was a mistake. Even though he wasn’t on a date, the fact that he was with a woman made this situation awkward. Though Cora didn’t see anything that happened, Braxton didn’t like the fact the waitress ignored her, then blatantly passed her number.
“Everything okay?” Cora asked.
Braxton settled back into the booth and sighed. “Fine.”
“Are you still angry about what happened outside?”
Braxton ran a hand over his jaw. Damn, he needed to shave. Being off his big-boy job had made him lazy.
“I’m not angry. I’m immune to those feelings now.”
Okay, well, maybe not immune, but he was no longer jealous. He was quite happy he saw Anna for who she was before he’d placed a permanent band on her finger, because marriage was a big deal. He wasn’t one of those guys who figured if things didn’t work out divorce was a fallback plan. No, when he’d proposed marriage, he’d planned on it being a forever thing. Now he knew better than to believe in some ridiculous notion.
“Let’s discuss what you need to get started. We want everything done and in place for the open house so people can see exactly what you will be offering.”
Cora leaned forward, placing her elbows on the tabletop. “You dodge the subject nicely, but I won’t make you discuss your ex. I’m happy to order the items needed. I already have an account set up at the online store I always order from. That might be the simplest way. I just need the address and I’ll have everything shipped to the resort.”
“That’s fine with me. I’ll keep the invoice and reimburse you.”
The waitress came back with their drinks. Braxton purposely didn’t glance in her direction.
Unfortunately, she leaned down and whispered, “I get off at six tonight if you want to meet me.”
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br /> “Yes, Braxton. Would you like to set up a booty call? I’m not able to meet your needs this evening since I’m still busy unpacking.”
Cora’s sweet tone delivered the bold question and it was all Braxton could do not to burst out laughing. And he couldn’t even get into the fact she’d mentioned meeting his needs. She had no idea just how much he’d like to take her up on that.
The waitress stood back up and glared over to Cora.
“Actually, I’ll pass,” he told her before she could say anything in response. “I’ve already got plans.”
Throwing a sultry look his way, the waitress replied, “If you change your mind—”
“I won’t.” Braxton was done playing games. “We’d like another waitress.”
With a huff, she turned and marched in the direction of the kitchen. She stopped by another waitress and pointed in their direction.
“Maybe we should go,” Cora suggested. “I have a bad feeling there will be spit on our burgers.”
Braxton laughed. “There won’t be. Excuse me just a second.”
He was going to find Beth, who he knew would be in the kitchen or back in her office. No way would he put up with the way Cora was treated and Beth needed to be aware of her employees. Had he been alone and the waitress had hit on him, that would’ve been one thing, but to be so blatant and so dismissive of his companion was something he wasn’t going to tolerate.
Once he settled this issue, he planned on making it up to Cora . . . somehow. The peacemaker in him couldn’t handle the friction, the turmoil that was instantly thrust against them. Although she’d not acted irritated, unless she was just a great actress. She’d been quick with her wit and hadn’t seemed hurt at all.
Regardless, he still found himself wanting to overcompensate for the attitude of a stranger. Even though he and Cora were . . . what the hell were they? Employee/employer relationships didn’t have scorching kisses like they’d shared.
Whatever the label, Braxton wanted this taken care of now.
Chapter Five
“That was amazing.”
Braxton pulled into Cora’s drive and killed the engine. She’d eaten every single bite that she had ordered. That was a rare experience, not just when he’d been engaged to Anna, but the women he’d been with since. They all picked at their food for various reasons—wouldn’t eat red meat, were vegan, didn’t do carbs, wouldn’t do fried foods—the list was endless. But Cora had eaten her greasy burger, her fries, and a high-octane, sugary pop, not the diet variety.
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