Her lips, her heart, her words drew him like an irresistible force. Maybe it was the strain of the day, maybe it was the intensity of his emotions, but he lowered his mouth to hers. His fingers slid to the back of her head, relishing the silkiness of her hair. Attempting to exhibit a morsel of control, he kissed her softly, gently.
She returned his efforts with fervor. Her fingertips pressed into the muscles of his back, her lips roving, probing, seeming to crave to know him more.
He had to stop this madness he’d started. Breathless, he pulled back. “Rivers, I’m falling in love with you—”
“I—”
“Wait.” He touched his index finger to her lips. “I know you have to go back to Memphis. I know we can’t be together for at least a dozen really good reasons. My past. My family. Your parents need you. Your job in Memphis. My job here.”
His heart raced with what he was about to suggest. “But could we just press pause on all those reasons and enjoy your last days in St. Simons? Together? I’ll help you clean out the cottage. We can work on the gala you had in mind. Then, when it’s time, I’ll let you go.”
Her blue gaze searched his face, worry carving a crease between her brows.
Letting her go would be harder than he wanted to think about, but he couldn’t allow his feelings to hold her back. He shook his head. “You don’t have to fret about me. I have a good support system. Better than good. Gabby, Kevin, and Davis know my feelings for you without me having to say a word.” He let his forehead rest against hers. “I’ve never loved a woman this way. Though it’ll be bittersweet, I want to be an adult and just love you one day at a time, while I can.”
He let his finger leave her mouth to caress her cheek. “Sorry. You can talk now.”
She drew his palm to her lips. “I think I’d like that.” Her lashes lifted with her gaze, revealing pent-up tears. “But I’d enjoy a few more of these.” Standing on her toes, she planted soft kisses on his forehead, his cheeks, his lips. “If that’s allowed in your plan?”
Plan? His eyes closed, and his mind went blank. All he knew was her touch.
“Cooper? Can you hear me?” Her voice held a laugh. “Maybe we should just sit in the sand and look at the stars.” She released him and plopped to the ground.
He sat beside her and took her hand in his. His brain buzzed with happiness. She’d said yes. Did she love him the way he loved her? He didn’t know. It didn’t matter. He’d enjoy the rest of the time he had with Rivers.
Then he’d let her go.
Chapter 34
THE WEEK WITH COOPER passed too quickly. Rivers clung to him beside the Jeep, unwilling to let go yet. Stars peeked out between the mossy branches of the trees, and the Atlantic breezes had turned cool as fall arrived in St. Simons.
She touched his cheekbones, brushed his nose, his chin, letting her fingers memorize his every feature. His breath quickened, but he didn’t move, just allowed her to continue her study of him. His dark hair, dark lashes...those eyes that held her captive. And oh, those lips. She’d miss their kisses when she went home.
Only one more week until the gala, and they’d be saying goodbye.
If nothing else, they’d both learned that they could love again.
She laid her head against his shoulder. Her heart wanted more of him, and her chest ached at the thought of leaving. She knew he was hurting, too, but he’d kept a smile on his face—kept their interactions positive.
They’d gotten the details of the gala nailed down. Other than the furniture and artwork, they’d finished cleaning out the cottage. Bitterness coated her tongue as she thought about the patio storage room filled with Cooper’s paintings, hidden away like outcasts after the accident. His talent, even from an early age, was something his mother should have been proud of. Why would she have wished that Cooper could be like Jordan? They were two very different men with their own special God-given talents.
If only his family could see that Cooper had changed. If only they could forgive him. Maybe their relationship could never be the same, but they could heal. Not so she could be with him, but so he wasn’t as guilt-ridden, and so he and his family could all move on in a new way.
“What’s going on in here?” Cooper brushed kisses across her forehead, then tipped her chin.
“I wish your family could know the man I’m holding.”
“I understand why they can’t.” His gaze dropped for a moment, then met hers. “I broke trust too many times. Let them down. Lied.”
“When I used to ask my dad how he still loved my mother after all she’d done, he had this quote he’d always recite. ‘Not forgiving someone is like drinking poison and expecting the other person to die.’” Her throat tightened. “I’ve been searching my own heart the past weeks and finding bitterness I’d stored up about Mom and the drunk driving accident.”
“And has that changed?” His dark eyes looked hopeful.
“I think I’ve given up the poison for a healing stream. I think my relationship with Mom will be better when I get home.” Though her eyes stung, she smiled.
He pulled her close and held tight, his hands caressing her back. “God knows how much I love you, Rivers. I’m so proud of you and all the hard stuff you’ve worked through. How you’ve grown close to Star and worked with the ladies by leading art therapy for Gabby.”
Her eyes shut as she melted into him. He’d told her he loved her a few times now, never waiting or expecting a response back. And she hadn’t given him one. Couldn’t say the words yet. Maybe she’d never be able to. Maybe because she felt she was betraying Jordan. Maybe those three words committed too much of her heart to another man she’d soon lose.
“We should say goodnight,” he whispered, voice husky.
“We should.” Rivers brushed his lips with light kisses.
When she stopped, he released a long breath. “You’re not making it easy on me.”
Guilt pricked her.
“It’s okay.” He rubbed his nose against hers. “I’m teasing.” Taking a step back, he held her at arm’s length. “Let’s take an afternoon off and do something. Get outdoors. Climb the lighthouse by the pier, rent bikes, walk through Christ Church... I don’t know. What would you like to do?”
So much. She’d barely toured the area, and there was a lot she wanted to experience here—with Cooper—but their time was fleeting. One question nagged her, though. “Why haven’t you taken me for another ride in your boat since that first day?”
His smile faltered. “I can. We can.” His Adam’s apple bobbed with a hard swallow. “I just worry that something would go wrong.”
Like with Savannah. As she suspected, he still carried that weight. “Can you let that go? It would be good if we could work through your lingering fears and guilt.”
He laughed and pulled her back against his chest. “Okay, Miss Therapist, but you’re wearing a life vest.”
“As soon as we can get an afternoon away, it’s a date.”
“TALK SOME SENSE INTO me, Gabby.” Rivers leaned against the white van in Priscilla’s driveway. An early morning chill still hung in the air.
Once Star had exited the vehicle and made her way into Priscilla’s house, Rivers had caught Gabby and spilled the details of the past week dating Cooper. Her mouth still tingled at the memory of his lips on hers, the genuine smile that lit his dark eyes each time they said goodnight.
Gabby shook her head and offered a compassionate smile. “Cooper is a good guy. There’s always a chance of relapse, but then again, no one is guaranteed anything in this life.” She shrugged and waved a hand around in her dramatic fashion. “I only wish if y’all care about each other, you could find a way to be together for all the days you have. In life. Not just the rest of your time here.”
“My dad needs me in Memphis to help with Mom. And Cooper’s got his work here that he doesn’t want to leave. Then there’s his family and the whole Jordan connection. Our relationship just can’t work long-term.” She imagined the
hurt their dating would cause to Jordan’s family, and the guilt that would put on her and Cooper. Too much pressure for a relationship to survive.
“I have one more question for you. You don’t have to answer. Just ponder.” Gabby’s brown eyes shone golden in the morning sun. “Are you sure you aren’t letting fear steal your happiness?”
The words rang truer than Rivers wanted to admit. What if she let herself love Cooper, and then she lost him? Especially if she lost him to addiction? She’d looked up the relapse statistics, and they weren’t encouraging. What if Cooper slipped? The sheer terror of stepping onto that roller coaster was enough to make her keep some distance with her heart. She knew too well the desperate days and sleepless nights her father had endured with her mother. She wouldn’t want to live her life wondering if or when that would happen.
“I forgot.” Gabby snapped her fingers. “I’ve had a great response to the gala invitations we sent to the community. I’ve got to head to the thrift store, but I’ll get the numbers to you.”
“That’ll help to give a headcount to the caterer. Cooper’s collecting gift cards to add to the door prizes and has rounded up speakers from your successful graduates.” Rivers checked the lists she’d created on her phone the night before in a vain effort to get her mind off Cooper’s kisses. “Oh, did you handle the music?”
“I have a guy.” Gabby smiled and raised one eyebrow. “It’s taken care of.”
“Wonderful. I’ll bring Star back to Re-Claimed tonight in time for dinner. See you then.” Everything was coming together.
Gabby drove away, reminding Rivers that she’d do the same soon. For good.
A lump formed in her throat. Saying goodbye wouldn’t be easy. At least when she returned to Memphis, she’d leave her new friends in good shape. They’d have the gallery, the funds, and she prayed, the goodwill of the community, despite the petition circulating.
Inside the cottage, she scanned the walls. Some of the paintings could be sold at the gala. She’d double check that Pearl or Brooklyn didn’t want them. After that she’d have to figure out the value, but her Memphis connections could help with that.
The yellow key to the storage unit caught her attention. She hadn’t had the chance to go there yet. Who knew what that place held. Maybe Shane.
Calling Shane was already on her to-do list anyway. She’d ask about the storage unit before she let him know he wouldn’t be making any hefty real estate commissions.
No time like the present. She pressed Shane’s contact.
Three rings later, he answered, breathless. “Shane, here.” A loud clatter banged in the background.
“This is Rivers. Is this a bad time?”
“Just lifting some weights.”
“I can call back.”
“It’s fine. What do you need, Rivers?” His tone seemed edgy.
Okay. “I’m almost finished in the cottage, and I thought I’d check out the storage unit. Do you know what’s in there?”
The banging stopped. “There’s nothing. No need to waste your time.”
“Why was Stella renting it?”
“She rented it for the gallery’s art overflow, then the family thought they might store the contents of the cottage, but no one ever came.”
“So they paid rent on an empty unit for five years?”
“Look. I just did what they asked.” Annoyance laced his voice.
“Right.” Now that he was already perturbed with her, she was about to make it worse. May as well blurt it all out. “I’m not selling the cottage or the gallery. I’m turning over the management to Gabriella and Kevin.”
The line went silent for a long moment. “I’ve got to go. Another call.” The connection ended.
RIVERS PUNCHED THE four numbers written on the back of the keyring into the keypad at the Reliable Storage driveway. The gates swung open to allow her entrance. Just because Shane said nothing was in the unit didn’t mean she shouldn’t check for herself. A quick computer search had given her the address, and after a few wrong turns, she’d found it. Not far from Shane’s office.
She parked near the overhang where people were supposed to unload. If the unit was empty she wouldn’t be blocking the entrance for long.
She’d spoken to someone from the office on the phone to find out where the climate-controlled spaces were located, but when she arrived, the clerks were on a break, according to the note taped to the glass doors. It would’ve been nice to have someone lead her directly to the right spot, given her trouble with navigation. The building was larger than she’d realized, too, rising up three floors. Fine, then. She’d locate the unit herself.
Inside, the overhead lights did little to brighten the dark structure. Rivers roamed the maze of halls, checking the numbers against the one on her key. Their organizational system made no sense to her at all.
She hadn’t found four-thirty-two on the first level, so she climbed a steep set of concrete stairs to the second floor. Creaking and rattling sounds echoed in the empty halls. Chills slid across her shoulders as she wound around the web of corridors. Her own footsteps seemed to boom in her ears.
Why was she getting freaked out? This was just a storage facility, and though it was dark inside this windowless building, the sun still shown outside. Being shot had really ramped up her paranoia. Her fingers went to that familiar indention on her shoulder. The place where the bullet had carved away flesh.
The numbers grew closer to the one she was searching for, and she slowed her steps. Four-thirty-nine, four-thirty-eight. Almost there.
Rattling and pounding reverberated from around the corner, and maybe footsteps. Heart racing, Rivers glanced back toward the hall that led to the staircase. Being alone in this building with a stranger suddenly seemed like a bad idea.
She jogged back the way she’d come. Yes, she was crazy, but she had to get out of there. Where was the staircase? Her palms began to sweat as she turned down the next hall. Was she having a panic attack?
Finally, the red exit sign came into view. Sprinting, she took the stairs and blasted out of the building. She didn’t stop running until she jumped into her car. Once inside, she hit the locks and sucked in a deep breath. Hopefully the unit was empty, because she wasn’t coming back alone. The place was too creepy, and she was still too paranoid.
She cranked the car and headed back toward the cottage to pick up Star at Priscilla’s.
Chapter 35
“GET DAVIS TO LOCK UP, Cooper.” Kevin practically burst through the front door of the gallery. “I need you to come with me.”
“What’s wrong?” Cooper’s heart jumped to his throat. Not something else.
“Dad wants to talk to us.”
“Okay.” What now? Cooper found Davis in the studio washing out the coffee pot. “Kev needs me. Can you take care of things? Lock up?”
“Everything okay?” Davis’s brows furrowed.
“He didn’t say.”
“I got this.”
Cooper checked his back pocket for his wallet, grabbed his keys, and headed outside with Kevin. Down the sidewalk, Sheriff Barnes stood near his patrol vehicle. Kevin’s dad was a tough lawman, but fair. Still, his stern appearance sent a wave of anxiety through Cooper.
When they reached the car, Cooper stopped and crossed his arms. “What’s going on? One of the guys in trouble?”
“We found Angelo.” The sheriff’s words were clipped.
There was something he wasn’t saying.
“Is he alive?” Lord, let him be alive. He didn’t want to lose another man, and he cared for Angelo, had invested in Angelo. He’d believed Angelo was on a good path.
“He’s down at the station.” Sheriff Barnes nodded.
Relief swept through Cooper. At least Angelo wasn’t lying on the coroner’s table.
Sheriff Barnes opened the back door of the SUV, and his mouth took a downward turn. “Would you mind riding to the station? I’d like to ask you some questions.”
In the bac
k of the vehicle? Was he going to handcuff him next? Cooper’s brain buzzed with questions, but he kept his mouth shut and took a seat. He trusted Kevin and his family. They’d been good to him.
Kevin got in the front passenger side, so maybe being in the backseat was more about space. Cooper prayed that was the case. The memory of the last time he’d been in the back of a police car flashed through his mind. Leaving the hospital in handcuffs. The grief. The depression.
Like now, no one said much on the way to the station. The sounds of the radio conversations and the road filled the ride.
When they reached the parking lot, Cooper waited until Sheriff Barnes opened his door, then followed him into booking, Kevin at his side.
Sheriff Barnes directed them to a small room with a small desk. Chair on either side. No window. Middle of the building. This was a room where they questioned suspects. “Have a seat.” He motioned to the chair in front of the desk. “Kevin, you wait outside.”
They may have just been asking him questions, but this felt way too real. His heart thudded, and he was careful to keep his clammy hands out in the open.
Kevin left, and a female deputy entered with Sheriff Barnes. The woman took the seat on the other side of the desk, and Sheriff Barnes remained standing. Cooper sank into the chair and waited.
“I’m Deputy Walden.” The young woman shuffled through a few papers, then settled on one and picked up a pen. “You’re not under arrest, but I’ll still read you the Miranda rights.”
“I know them. I waive them.” Cooper’s heart thudded against his ribs. “I don’t need an attorney.”
“If you’ll just sign this waiver then.” She scooted a paper and pen toward him.
Once he’d signed, she continued, “When is the last time you took your boat out?”
Cooper tried to pinpoint the day he’d gone out. With Blake’s death and with Rivers being in town, he’d neglected his practice of patrolling the sandbars. Oh Lord, he hoped no one had been lost to the sea. “It’s been two weeks.”
The Art of Rivers Page 20