Spring Fever

by Deborah Cooke

  “Thank you, dear,” Mrs. Foster said. Kade could hear the glee in her voice that she had gossip to share. He continued making the coffee, wishing he’d gotten dressed first.

  When Mrs. Foster left and Reyna shut the door, this time she turned the lock before leaning back against it to survey him.

  It was easy to guess that she also wished he’d gotten dressed first.

  Kade pushed the button for the coffee to start brewing then lifted his hands. “In self defense, I don’t think clearly with a lack of both sleep and coffee.”

  “This is a disaster,” Reyna said, as if she believed it.

  “No,” Kade argued. “It’s an opportunity.”

  “Honey Hill is a small town,” she said, flinging out a hand. “I don’t need a reputation!”

  “You don’t have one, at least not a bad one.” Kade came out from behind the counter. “And dating someone doesn’t give you a reputation either.”

  She gave him a lethal look. “We’re not dating.”

  “Then we should date.” He smiled at her, hoping he could be persuasive. “Dinner. Tonight at the lodge. It’ll be a date that everyone can see.”

  Reyna winced and shook her head. “I don’t want to date.”

  “Me or anyone?”

  “Both.” She shook a finger at him. “You’re trying to make this fling into a thing.”

  Kade grinned. “Guilty as charged.” He leaned closer. “It wasn’t my plan but I can work with it. Think about it. One dinner. One date. Then you can tell everyone you dumped me because I’m a jerk.”

  “No one is going to believe that.”

  “Thank you.” Kade turned to his discarded clothes. “I think.”

  The man was more dangerous than anyone guessed.

  There was no good way to avoid Kade’s suggestion that they have one date, because it was a good way to diffuse any gossip. Reyna didn’t believe for a minute that he’d let her dump him that easily, but she appreciated him trying to defend her reputation.

  She chewed her lip as she watched Kade dress, wishing she had the strength not to watch. She didn’t, especially as she was going to send him away for good. On the one hand, it hadn’t freaked her out to have him in her sanctuary, not when they did it in the shop or even when she discovered that he’d put her clothes in her bedroom. On the other hand, the fact that his presence didn’t bother her was a sign of trouble.

  She was letting down her guard.

  She was forgetting her rules.

  Next she’d be sharing her history with him.

  No, no, no. Reyna wasn’t going to be coaxed back into a relationship with anyone, not even for amazing sex.

  “Are you going to go back?” She asked when he was pulling on his second boot. Her tone was harder than would have been ideal. She wondered if that was why he looked up or if it was the question itself.

  “Back? To Portland?” He shrugged then stood up. “Probably. Eventually.”

  “No. I mean back to the police force.”

  He turned to stare at her, frozen in the act of picking up his jacket, but recovered pretty well. “So, you know about that.”

  “My friend recognized you at the club.” She shrugged and averted her gaze, knowing that he was watching her closely. “I looked it up. I looked you up.”

  There was a long moment of silence, then she heard him shrugging into the leather jacket. “And what do you think of what you learned?”

  She looked at him then, not surprised to find him watching her. “What difference does it make?”

  “It makes a lot of difference to me.”

  Reyna opened her mouth and closed it again, took a breath and frowned before she spoke. “I think there are men who are born to be cops and soldiers, men whose nature compels them to serve their community or their country. I think they’re good men and we’re lucky to have them. We probably could do with a few more.”

  This time it was Kade who folded his arms across his chest. He surveyed her with a little smile playing over his lips. “There’s an answer that’s not an answer.”

  “It’s an answer!”

  “What do you think of what I did?”

  “You were cleared.”

  “By a review board, yes. That doesn’t mean that everyone thinks the board was right.”

  He was more intense than usual and Reyna felt self-conscious as she seldom did. “I don’t live in Portland. My view of the police there isn’t relevant.”

  “It is to me.” He took a step closer and Reyna found the counter behind her. “Tell me, Reyna, what do you think of what I did?”

  She heard the doubt in his tone and knew that she could give him one gift.

  It was more than pleasure, more than sex.

  It might be a lot more important in the end.

  It might keep her from feeling guilty for dumping him.

  But that wasn’t the reason she would do it. She would do it because he was a good man and he deserved the truth.

  Reyna took a breath and met Kade’s solemn gaze. “I think you probably didn’t have much choice, or not any good choices anyway. You acted upon your observations and the information that you had and you did your best, because you’re the kind of man who always does his best. You didn’t act selfishly, but tried to choose for the greater good. Just because you didn’t know everything or see everything, just because the victim tried to trick you and succeeded, that doesn’t mean that you failed at your job.” She straightened, surprised by her own vehemence but unable to stop. “And if you’re here in Honey Hill because you think you’re a shit cop, that what you did means you should give it all up, you’re wrong. You took that shot because you should be a cop, because you pledged to serve and defend people. You did your best, which is all anybody can ever do. And when your best falls short, although I’m not sure yours did, the very best thing you can do is get back to it and do better.”

  He didn’t answer her for a moment and his voice was husky when he did. “Thank you, Reyna. I’m not sure, though.”

  “You should be sure. You should make yourself sure.” Her tone was fierce. “And you should go back to Portland and start being a cop again.”

  He considered her. “Is this just another way of telling me to get lost?”

  Reyna shook her head. “No. It’s just more proof that we have no future.”

  “Why not? Seems to me like we understand each other pretty well.”

  “Because I’ll never be with a cop or a soldier. We’re done.”

  “Another rule?”

  “A big one.”

  “And we were only together the first time because you didn’t know,” he guessed, and it didn’t sound like he was angry.

  She nodded agreement, wondering at that.

  Kade tilted his head to study her. “What about today?”

  Reyna didn’t have an answer for that so she turned away and poured him a coffee, to go.

  “You don’t like men who serve the community? It sounded like you had some admiration there.”

  “I don’t like men who might not come home alive,” she said vehemently. She saw her own hand shake as she put the lid on the cup. “I will not live with that uncertainty, ever.”

  “That rule doesn’t make any sense,” Kade protested. “First, you insist you won’t have a relationship at all, then you say that you’d only have one with someone who doesn’t have a dangerous job. Anybody can fail to come home, Reyna! There are no guarantees.” He pointed at her when she would have argued. “You could have an accident on the way to one of your deliveries and not come home alive. Delivering cupcakes, which isn’t generally considered to be a treacherous occupation.”

  Reyna folded her arms across her chest. “It’s not the same and you know it. It’s a lot more common for cops not to come home.”

  Kade looked exasperated. He seized his helmet and walked to the door, then came back to stand in front of her. “Okay, let’s ignore the cop thing for the moment because I’m not sure I’m going back.�
��

  “You should.”

  “Because it will give you the break from me that you want, nice and easy.” He shook his head and continued, looking a bit pissed off. “I know you like to be in charge, Reyna, and I’m not going to force anything on you, but I have the right to fight for what I want.” He glared at her. “I want to be with you. I think we’re good together. And I think it’s fair that I be given a chance to convince you of that.”

  “You won’t.”

  “Is that right? Well, here’s what I think. I think that my being a cop is only an issue because you’re already starting to think of us as having a relationship.”

  Reyna shook her head. “No. Wrong! I just wouldn’t have slept with you at all if I’d known.”

  “We haven’t slept together yet,” Kade corrected, his tone resolute. His gaze locked with hers and Reyna nodded reluctant agreement. When Kade continued, his tone had softened. “I respect your concern for your reputation. Come for dinner tonight, then dump me because I’m a cop.”

  “You don’t mean that.”

  “I would like to use that dinner as an opportunity to argue my case, but if you decide after dinner that we’re done, then we’re done. I can take no for an answer. By the end of the day, you can be rid of me forever.”

  “All I have to do is agree to dinner at the lodge.”

  He nodded, looking resolute.

  Reyna fought against the appeal of his suggestion. It would keep gossip from spreading and give her an easy way to end this fling. She had a suspicion that Kade would be very persuasive, but surely she could survive one dinner with him then break it off.

  She had to be that strong.

  “Deal,” she said, offering her hand.

  She tried to hide her shiver of pleasure when Kade’s hand closed over hers, so strong and protective that it was tempting to lean against him. He knew though, because he smiled a little, then tugged her closer. “You know we can’t just shake on this.”

  “I know you wouldn’t lose an opportunity to argue your side,” she whispered, knowing what he was going to do and more than ready for another kiss.

  “See how well we know each other already,” he murmured, then captured her mouth beneath his. Reyna sighed and closed her eyes, hating her own weakness but unable to resist one long taste of Kade.

  He was the one who pulled away, his eyes blazing, but she caught at his sleeve. “Don’t forget your coffee,” she reminded him.

  Chapter Five

  Reyna tied him up in knots.

  Yet Kade couldn’t get enough of her.

  She made no sense, yet she made perfect sense. She said she wanted him gone, but she melted against him when he touched her in a perfect echo of his own weakness for her. She might be pushing him away hard because she was afraid, but he knew there was a force between them that drew them closer all the same. Immediately after she gave a glowing endorsement of his character and his need to do what he was born to do, she threw him out.

  The contrast was enough to drive him crazy.

  Kade had been powerfully affected by her words about his character. Her faith in him was enough to make him want to work harder to overcome the challenge. He felt like she understood him intuitively, and that made him want to reciprocate and help her move beyond whatever had hurt her in the past. His instinct was that they could succeed together.

  But Reyna had to want to try.

  He had one chance to convince her. Kade knew he had to step carefully. He’d only just won the concession of a date for dinner, and he was going to make it count.

  Instead of going to his aunt and uncle’s house, he went to the bookstore next to Cupcake Heaven. Of course, Honey Hill Used Books was closed at nine on a Sunday morning. Kade knocked but there was no response. He shaded his hand and peered through the glass window in the front door at the darkened interior. He could see a silhouette moving in the back of the house.

  Clem was awake.

  Kade went down the lane to the kitchen door, guessing that Clem’s kitchen was behind the shop, and that the older house would have a similar layout to Reyna’s. He was right. The kitchen door was open, and he could smell coffee and bacon through the screen door. A calico cat was sitting in the sun on the back porch and grooming itself.

  Clem opened the door just as Kade reached the backyard, a mug of steaming brew in his hand, and stopped cold to stare at Kade. He was a wiry older man with silver hair and little round spectacles. He wore a wedding ring, even though Kade knew he lived alone.

  “You’re up early,” he said gruffly.

  “I need a book,” Kade said, because it was true.

  Clem took a sip of his coffee. “I feel that way pretty regularly. Careful you don’t end up with a few thousand of them. I don’t need the competition.”

  “I only need one. This is urgent.”

  Clem looked Kade up and down, apparently unconvinced that the situation was critical. “I’m not open today, on account of it being Sunday and all.” He sipped again, his relaxed manner reminding Kade of the cat. They both looked ready to spend the morning basking in the sun. “I might not be open tomorrow, either, on account of Reg Wilson telling me the trout are biting.”

  “This is an emergency,” Kade said. “I need a book and I need it today. I need it, in fact, as soon as possible.”

  Clem drank his coffee, studying Kade over the rim, taking his time. “You’re Sullivan’s nephew. From Portland.”

  “That’s right.”

  “The police officer.”

  “That’s right.” Kade braced himself for the next comment, the reference to the shooting incident, but it didn’t come.

  “It’s not very often that getting a book constitutes an emergency, at least not in these parts.”

  “Well, today’s the day that changes.” Kade climbed the steps of the porch, rubbed the cat behind the ears, and appealed to Clem. “I’ve got one chance to impress her, tonight, and so I need a book.”

  “Does Reyna know about your need to impress this woman?” Clem asked, showing that Mrs. Foster’s observations had already reached him.

  “No.” Kade glanced across the yard, then decided he needed all the help he could get. “I’m planning to surprise Reyna with the perfect gift so she gives me—us—a chance.”

  “She likes her solitude.”

  “I like her.” Kade took a deep breath. “But she threw me out this morning.”

  “Ah. What’d you do?”

  “She says nothing. She just doesn’t want a relationship. I do.” Kade was pretty sure he’d never confessed so much to a stranger before in his life, but it might help. He could see that Clem liked Reyna. And if not, it was more support for the story of her dumping him.

  Clem nodded and finished his coffee. “One book in particular or will any book do?”

  Kade smiled despite himself. “She collects books. I need your help to find the right one.”

  “Not just any books, not for our Reyna.”

  So, Clem did know about her collection. “You’ve seen it?”

  “I’ve supplied some of it.”

  “They’re all fairy tales and legends.”

  Clem nodded wisely. “That coffee of yours empty yet? Come on in and have another. I’ll show you what’s caught her eye, but be warned, it’s a collector’s edition.”

  “I don’t care.”

  Clem chuckled. “You might. If it weren’t for the price, she would have bought it already. Why don’t you leave your cup here in the kitchen while we go into the shop?”

  “You think I’m going to have sticker shock.”

  “I think a lot of people would.” Clem shook his head. “But this is very, very special. One thing about Reyna is that she has excellent taste and a good eye.” Clem gave Kade a look. “You sure you have a chance?”

  “Yes, and I think she knows it, too.” Just saying it aloud seemed to give power to Kade’s instinct. He followed Clem into the shadowy shop, glancing around when the older man turned on th
e lights. It was jammed full of books, everything from leather-bound books to hardcovers to paperbacks. But the old wooden counter that was the cash desk had a glass case, one that Kade would have expected more in a jewelry shop than a bookstore. There were four books in there and he could see the gold on their leather bindings.

  Clem pulled on a pair of gloves then removed the dark blue one. “1889,” he murmured with reverence. “A first edition, signed by the editor.”

  “Not the author?” Kade asked, stepping closer to see.

  “Andrew Lang compiled these collections of fairy stories and folk tales from all over the world. Some of them were translated and some edited more than others. The books are all illustrated with line drawings.” Clem was carefully turning the pages so Kade could see those illustrations. “There are twelve books in this series, starting with this one, The Blue Fairy Book. The Folio Society published a series of new editions, but with different illustrations, and there have been some paperback versions, too.” He closed the book, resting his hand gently upon it. “But these are where it started.”

  Kade was amazed. The book looked almost new. The leather was faded on the spine but when Clem opened it, the interior pages were bright. “Was it ever opened?”

  “Not often. Not owned by a smoker either. It’s in excellent condition.” He put the book in front of Kade, still on the counter, and handed him a pair of gloves. “So the oil from your hands doesn’t damage it.”

  Kade put on the gloves as he studied the book. On the navy leather, there was a witch riding a broomstick in gold, pointing ahead of herself, with a shrouded full moon at the top right. He opened the book with the same care Clem had shown and looked at the first line illustrations. Prince Darling transformed into the monster. The old man shows the fishes to the princess. Cinderella’s Flight. They were beautiful, fanciful and completely enchanting. He supposed they should be. They actually reminded him of Reyna’s tattoos. “And she wants this.”

  Clem nodded. “I don’t blame her.”

  Kade removed the gloves and took a deep breath. He knew the price had to be high, or Reyna would have bought it already. She solved things herself. That was an important rule.