“If you’re that easily distracted, I don’t know if you’ll be able to handle tomorrow night.”
“I won’t be trying to purchase bathroom cleaner tomorrow night.”
Anticipation over their upcoming adult-only date had teased her thoughts all day. A good roll in the hay with him—or any surface—was overdue. Mike’s weekend with the kids had come at a perfect time.
“Cute coat.” He fingered one of the large gold buttons on her square-shouldered navy coat. “Sophie Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band?”
The consignment shop purchase screamed the seventies but, worn with a below-the-knee wool skirt and leather riding-style boots, Sophie thought the garb looked trendy. “We gals call this vintage.”
He inspected her more closely. “You look cute.”
“Thank you. Any aches and pains from Sunday?”
He groaned. “Only several thousand. You omitted the side effects when you arm-twisted me into going.”
“Come on. You had fun.”
“I did. The best part was getting warm with you on the sofa afterward.” His lids hooded and his voice took on a low purr. “You’re almost making me like winter.”
“If you play your cards right, I might even give you a massage tomorrow for those sore muscles.” Her fingers itched to reach inside his unbuttoned wool coat and take a path on the strong muscles of his back.
Duncan’s gaze softened and he studied her with such deep longing she drew a breath. Regret over tonight’s interview about his family knotted her stomach, but evaporated the second he leaned close and parted his lips.
Sophie tilted her head upward but her peripheral vision caught a cart coming around the corner and she took a step back.
Jay plodded down the aisle, coming right at them. Heat rushed up her neck, and she hoped her expression didn’t scream the guilt she held inside.
“Hey, fancy running into you.” Sophie forced herself to relax and hoped he hadn’t seen anything.
Jay glanced back and forth, his silent stare filled with accusation.
“Nice to see you again, Jay.” Duncan placed the bathroom cleaner in the seat of his cart and extended his hand.
Jay put out his, too, but his jaw flexed while they shook. An awkward silence surrounded the group.
Duncan lifted two containers of cleaner. “Sophie was just about to give me some advice on these bathroom cleaners. Bleach or the regular.”
“Bleach,” Sophie piped in quickly, thankful for the diversion.
He tossed the can in the cart and shelved the other. “Bleach it is. I’d better run. Thanks for the help. See you soon, Jay.”
Jay’s stiff nod didn’t even make Duncan flinch. As he went past Sophie, he winked then whistled all the way to the end until he disappeared around the corner.
Jay reached for some dishwasher detergent and dropped the box into the cart with a bang. “Did you hear the zoning board has rescheduled the vote?”
“No. To when?”
“Next Thursday night.” His neck muscle flexed. “I’m getting tired of waiting for their decision.”
“Me too.”
“You and Jamieson seemed pretty chummy.” He crossed the aisle and picked up a can of Pledge. It clanged against the metal cart with his toss.
She lowered her voice. “Jay, Duncan’s son is a friend of Matt’s. They play basketball together. They live here too. Jeez, if he ends up building the resort, will you snarl every time you pass him in town?”
“No.” Jay gripped the shopping cart handle so tight his knuckles went white. “I’m still disappointed. Aren’t you?”
“If things are meant to be, they’ll happen.” She gave his arm a friendly tap even though shame over withholding Duncan’s offer from her brother tapped at her.
They hugged good-bye and Sophie continued to shop. A distant tune played through the store’s speakers, but did little to drown out the word “liar,” which now played in a constant loop inside her head.
She’d hid Duncan’s offer from Jay.
She was hiding their dating relationship too.
As a cherry to the sundae, she’d hid from Duncan the documents about his family. A foreboding wave rippled through her. A perfect storm of lies stood in her path, but she pushed her cart toward the registers and ignored the warning.
Chapter 26
I love you.
Duncan turned the words around in his mind as he pushed a hard butterscotch candy with his tongue. The idea of uttering them to any woman had always carried a greater risk factor for him than opening a resort along the Gaza Strip.
The Four Corners traffic light, close to the southern tip of Southbridge, switched to red. Blinding snow and daydreaming almost made him glide right through, but he tapped his brakes to slow down.
Should he slow down with Sophie too?
No. Their physical needs demanded time together. Duncan glanced at the bouquet of red and white long-stemmed roses on the passenger seat. When he’d asked the florist for roses, she’d said if they were for someone special, the color combination represented unity. He’d bought them without hesitation. Now the overt symbolism forced him to consider how fast things were moving emotionally between them. The car behind him beeped. He glanced up. The light had turned green.
As he accelerated, a tight clench strangled his gut, worse than the stage fright he used to have before project presentations at the start of his business. Admitting his heart’s desire for her was one of the scariest things he’d faced in a long time.
Fifteen minutes later, he turned into a combined gas station/convenience mart for a cup of coffee. While he stood at the counter to pay, a row of red, plastic heart key chains with smiley faces under a sign reading “Squeeze me” caught his attention. He squeezed one and the cheap object glowed. He tossed it on the counter along with some gum.
Once back in the car, he called Sophie.
After one ring, she answered. “Hey. Have you left the office yet?”
“On my way.”
“Are the roads bad?” She sounded worried. “Mike picked up the kids an hour ago and said they were getting slippery. At least he’s driving south to get home.”
“I’ll be fine. My car’s been handling them pretty well.” Duncan’s old BMW never could’ve handled this snow. His recent switch to a Mercedes SUV had been a smart move.
“What’s your ETA?”
“Are you in charge of Northbridge ground traffic control now?”
“One of my many hats.”
He almost heard the smile. “I’m about fifteen miles outside of Northbridge. With this snow, I’d say at least a half hour, maybe forty-five minutes.”
“Okay.” Her voice softened. “I’m so glad we’ll be together tonight.”
“Me too. Be there soon.” He hung up, strapped his seat belt on, and took a left out of the parking lot.
I’m so glad we’ll be together tonight. Her words floated in his mind and left him aroused for her touch.
From the first time he held her slender fingers at the kayak hut, he’d devoured their softness and played with thoughts of them on his body. He sometimes drifted off in work meetings, thinking of the times she’d taken his hand and rubbed the back of it against her soft cheek, like he was some kind of security blanket. Or her carefully placed kisses behind his earlobe, a spot that always made him moan and heightened his desire.
He neared Northbridge in good time. On the steep curve heading into town Duncan’s car swayed momentarily, but his trusty vehicle dug deep and kept him steady. He passed the street leading to Alan Moore’s tackle shop and was reminded of Jay’s lukewarm greeting at the store last night, only a slight improvement from the cold chill of their first introduction. If Jay was aware of Duncan’s offer and still carried that much hostility, then he’d prove to be the hardest nut to crack in this town.
A few minutes later, he reached Sophie’s street. He again glanced at the roses. Could he give himself com
pletely to a woman without letting fear block him this time?
* * * *
Sophie’s lies had finally reached their toppling point, leaving her with one question: how should she handle what she’d learned last night at the nursing home?
With patience and a lot of questions, Jack Carney revealed that none other than Trent Jamieson had been at Buzz’s house when the gunshot was fired. The elderly man drifted off and lost focus on the “whys” behind the visit, however what he shared connected the lone gunshot to the Jamiesons. To her relief, the facts showed no bearing to Duncan, RGI, or any kind of corruption as it related to the purchase of the Tates’ land.
Last evening also offered some relief from the aching work-related guilt of the past weeks. After thanking Sean and saying good-bye in the nursing home parking lot, Sophie had turned to Cliff. “We need to talk.”
“Oh?” He’d raised his eyebrows.
“Duncan found out about Henry’s connection to the property. He’s offered to remove his bid. I asked him not to, though.”
Cliff had nodded, his expression neutral.
“My point is I believe a man who’d hand over the land isn’t bribing anybody. What we learned tonight is weird, but doesn’t justify us poking around in old family business.”
“Anything else?” He’d cornered her with his fatherly eyes.
She’d been busted. “How long have you known I’ve been seeing Duncan?”
“Since the day you two were holding hands at Sunny Side Up. Two people called me.” Cliff’s soft smile had surprised her.
“This isn’t like what happened with that lawyer, you know.”
“I know. I never trusted that Malarkey guy, but I can tell Duncan’s different. Besides, I figured something pretty special is going on, given how quiet you’ve kept it.”
Her throat had grown thick and she’d avoided his eyes by staring at the side of a parked car. “I’m ashamed, Cliff. So many times, I wanted to tell you.” She’d looked up. “Are you mad?”
He’d shook his head. “Even if I was, how could I stay mad at my star reporter? I’m still curious about what happened back then, but you’re right. Let’s drop this search. I’ll have Gabby cover next week’s zoning board meeting.”
Cliff’s understanding meant everything. She could only hope Duncan would be so accepting if she told him what she’d learned about his family. Did he know Trent and his father had some history in Northbridge?
She went to the sliding glass doors looking out to the woods surrounding her house. The dark sky shook loose heavy snow that cleansed the ground’s imperfections, leaving a clean white covering everywhere. A part of her wanted to thoroughly cleanse her soul, admit to Duncan every little thing she’d hidden from him. He’d stormed from the studio when he learned she’d contacted Marcus, didn’t even listen to her explanation. What if he reacted like that again? Her aching libido politely suggested she keep her mouth shut.
After turning on several lights, she lit some candles and started a fire in the living room fireplace. At the mirror near the door, she fluffed her hair so it bounced nicely at her shoulders. A long silver necklace hung perfectly over the scooped neck of a simple black knitted dress and she adjusted her black tights. The aroma of roasting Cornish hens reminded her to baste them.
Ten minutes later, Bella barked. Sophie placed foil over the finished green beans and peeked out the kitchen window. Duncan’s silver SUV chugged forward and stopped beside the shed. She opened the front door and Bella ran outside, straight to Duncan’s car.
He stepped out, patted the dog’s head, and smiled at Sophie. Holding up a canvas overnight bag, he said. “Is it too presumptuous for me to bring my bag in?”
“Not at all. We’ve discussed this.”
The upper half of his body disappeared inside the car again. This time, he removed a bouquet of white and red roses.
“For you.” He walked inside and handed her the flowers. Bella shot in behind him.
Fast falling snowflakes had covered the arrangement like powdered sugar on a cake. “Beautiful. Red and white?” She buried her nose inside the flowers and inhaled the sweet fragrance. “Did you know these colors mean unity? I once read it in an article.”
He placed his bag to the side and shrugged. “I didn’t. I thought they’re pretty. Like you.”
Sophie stretched on tiptoes and pressed her lips gently to his. “Thank you. They’re lovely.”
Before she could ask for his coat, he pulled her into his arms, covering her mouth with a hungry, soul-melting kiss.
When he stopped, he murmured, “I’ve thought about kissing you for the last hour.”
“That’s all?” She neatened the collar of his soft, button-down shirt. “I’ve thought the same thing all day.”
He chuckled and removed his coat and snow-covered boots. They strolled into the kitchen, holding hands. “What smells so good?”
Sophie discussed the menu while she arranged the flowers. “Want a drink? I have some chardonnay chilling.”
“Sure.”
“Make yourself at home.” She pulled a bottle from the refrigerator. Duncan wandered into the living room area, still visible from the peninsula where she poured their drinks. She watched him study objects on the thick oak mantel over the stone fireplace.
He passed hand-painted candlesticks and a group of ceramic animal figurines. At a framed picture of all three of Sophie’s children, he stopped. She knew the special photo well. Christmas morning, surrounding by ripped piles of wrapping paper, tenth grader Henry sat cross-legged on the floor and held up the flight simulator game he’d literally begged for. Matt, a mere seven, stood behind him and proudly clutched a transformer robot above his head. Four-year-old Tia sat nestled in Henry’s lap and hugged an American Girl doll.
In the mirror above the mantel, Sophie caught the downward turn of Duncan’s lips while he took in the details.
She picked up their drinks and went to his side, just as he lifted a snow globe Bernadette had given her, one she always kept next to the photo. He studied the midnight blue base, dotted with antique gold stars and a large sun, similar in color to the stars and surrounded by snaking rays. He shook the globe. Sparkling white crystals danced like a blizzard around a brushed-gold crescent moon, where a single star dangled from the uppermost point.
“I used to love these when I was a kid. This looks like an antique.”
“It is. Bernadette gave me that one.” She took a second to remember the sad day. “For Christmas one year.”
He checked the bottom and motioned to a turnkey. “What song?”
“‘When you wish upon a star.’”
“May I?”
“Sure.”
About to turn the key, he paused and studied the bottom. “I like to think the moon is there, even if I’m not looking at it. Love, Bernadette.”
“That’s an Albert Einstein quote.”
“What’s it mean?”
“Back when we were in elementary school, we learned how the moon always hangs in the sky but during the day we sometimes don’t see it.” Her gaze shifted to the mantel, to Henry and the maturing face of the boy she loved so much that, even now, her heart wilted against her ribs. “On the first Christmas after Henry died, Bernadette gave me the globe as a gift.” She swallowed the wedge in the back of her throat and added quietly, “She said the quote was a reminder how Henry is still always with us.”
He nodded with a pensive stare then cranked the turnkey until it stopped. The hopeful song about wishes plucked in simple chimes, filling the quiet room. After replacing the snow globe on the mantel, he took the wineglasses out of her hands and left them up there too. He reached for her hand, kissed the top, then tucked their folded hands close to his heart. The gesture helped massage the ache in her chest, stirred by memories of her son. Their warm cheeks pressed together as they moved to the music and she allowed herself to melt against his chest, feel his support.
&nbs
p; He tipped his head back to see her. “You’re a lucky woman.”
“Me?” Sophie’s hand stroked his strong neck. The fire crackled and a spark popped. “You grew up with so much. Your business is a huge success and you’ve traveled all over the world. You’re lucky too.”
“Those are all very little compared to what you have here. Family and friends. The love.”
Duncan almost sounded sad. Maybe with all his money and success, his life wasn’t so great. The negative things she’d been uncovering might explain that some old wounds ran deep through his veins.
The music slowed then ended, leaving only silence. Sophie nestled in the crevice near his shoulder, lost in the peppery scent of cologne dusting his neck. She tenderly kissed a spot close to his Adam’s apple and continued to his sturdy jaw. By the time she reached his lips, he eagerly took over, covering her mouth with his. His lips caressed hers, a slow and deliberate dance, stirring fierce passion in her belly.
Duncan slid his large hands along her backside and a blast of heat shot straight to her core. He moaned into her mouth then cupped her face as they kissed. Hot, demanding kisses. Her hands wandered down the muscles of his back, slipped beneath his shirt, and caressed his warm skin. The piercing beep of the stove’s buzzer sounded, ignored by them both at first, but then Duncan pulled back.
“You’d better get it.” His breathy voice matched the hunger pouring from his gaze. “We don’t want the Northbridge Fire Department out here tonight. Might turn into front page news.”
She kept her hands on his skin, dizzy with her own desire. “Even my connections couldn’t stop that.” She slowly removed her hands and headed into the kitchen, shut off the oven, and took out the dinner.
Duncan came up from behind and circled her in his arms. He nibbled tenderly behind her ear. “Looks good.”
Heat surged through Sophie’s body. He pressed against her while his lips stroked her neck with tender kisses. The soft touch of his palm smoothed along her shoulder then took a slow path along her side until he reached her hip.
Duncan moaned and his warm breath bathed the base of her neck. “You’re in my head from the minute I wake up until I go to bed.” His low, husky voice made her clench between her thighs. A throaty gasp escaped from her mouth and he twirled her around.
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