“It’s a good size. You want to keep it?” Bowie gripped the slimy fish and finessed the hook from its mouth. The poor thing didn’t even get to keep the worm that came out with the hook.
Her head shook before the words were out. “Nope. I’m happy just knowing I caught it.” She was so giddy with her accomplishment that as soon as Bowie tossed the fish back into the water, she threw her arms around his neck and kissed his scarred cheek. “Thanks so much for your help.”
He stood back and stared at her. “You’re easy, Duchess.”
“Yes, but I’m told I’m not cheap.” She giggled as she took a knee on the dock and packed up the tackle box.
“You’re funny, too.” He stood above her, throwing a shadow across the dock as she put everything away.
“Only on Saturdays.” She closed the container and stood. “I should get back to the bakery so your dad can have lunch, too.” She picked up the pole and box and started toward the house.
“How did you get him to work there?” Bowie followed her to the porch, where she dropped off the pole and tackle box, then continued on her way to her SUV.
“That was Sage. She got him started. He only stays because he gets free muffins.”
That wasn’t the truth. He stayed because, contrary to Katie’s desire to be independent, she needed him. One thing she’d learned about Ben was that he needed a purpose. Although things might change down the road, Katie provided him with one.
“Will you stay?”
Bowie looked around. His focus landed on the bed and breakfast. “There are just too many memories here for me.” He opened her car door. “I’ll stay for the summer. Cannon needs the help.” His eyes lit on her legs as she climbed into her car.
He’s a leg man. “You could make new memories,” she said in a hopeful tone. Even though she’d just met Bowie, there was a vulnerability that pulled her to him.
“There’s nothing left here for me.” He waited for her to put on her seat belt before shutting the door.
She backed out of the driveway. When she turned her car down Main Street, the only thought in her mind was, I’ll prove you wrong.
She couldn’t wait to get home and jot a new item on her list. Somehow, she’d make Bowie see Aspen Cove in a different light.
Chapter Five
“You want to help in the bar tonight?” Cannon asked. Both brothers were in the kitchen, raiding the refrigerator. Bowie pulled out the rotisserie chicken, while Cannon grabbed for the jelly.
“You need help at the bar?” He ripped a leg off the chicken and took a bite. He was a leg man through and through.
“It’s Saturday. I could use all the help I can get.”
After Katie left, Bowie had grabbed a piece of fruit and returned to the bait and tackle shop. He’d been busy with the influx of tourists. It started in the spring and didn’t die down until the first snow.
The smell of baked goods seeped through the walls from the bakery next door. It was a constant reminder of his past. He remembered how the smell of sweets meant Brandy was next door whipping up something delicious. It was a bittersweet reminder to inhale the perfect scent of his past and know she would never be in his future.
Over the years, he’d grown accustomed to the idea that his life would be a string of one-night stands. The best way to avoid a broken heart was not to expose his. Hell, after Brandy died, his heart had dried up and shriveled. It was a wasteland. Many a woman had tried to plant the seed of love in his heart, but it never took hold. Nothing could grow in barren land.
“Let me shower and clean up. I’ll meet you there.”
Cannon slathered peanut butter on bread and plopped a glob of jelly in the center before he pressed the two halves together. He took a bite. Muffled through the food in his mouth, he asked, “Did Katie catch a fish?”
Bowie smiled at the memory. How proud she looked when he held up the fish. “Yep, she caught a decent-sized trout the right way—with a worm.” He tossed the bone from his chicken leg into the trash can. “I can’t believe you let her use that crap bait.”
That mischievous look took over Cannon’s features again. When Cannon’s eyes grew wide and that glint lit him up, he was either doing something, hiding something, or guilty of something. Bowie had missed that look.
“I had other plans, and fishing wasn’t one of them.”
“You really love her, don’t you?”
It was a stupid question. Cannon couldn’t keep his hands off Sage. When he wasn’t with her, he talked about her nonstop. It reminded Bowie of what it felt like to be in love.
Better him than me.
“What do you think about Katie?” Cannon lifted a brow.
“Don’t go there. The Duchess seems like a nice enough girl, but I’m not interested.”
What he meant was, he wasn’t interested in her long term. There was plenty to be interested in for fun. She had legs that would wrap around his waist just right. He couldn’t help noticing she was toned and curved in all the right places. Despite her neck-high T-shirts, it was hard for her to hide her breasts. Breasts Bowie was certain would be the perfect size to fill his large hands.
“It wouldn’t hurt you to let someone in.”
“Advice coming from the guy who lost less and waited years to do the same. I’ll pass.”
“Whatever.” Cannon grabbed his keys and walked to the door. “Kind of a coward move if you ask me. You’re willing to dodge bullets but not risk the razor’s edge of a relationship.” Cannon walked out.
Bowie couldn’t argue with him. Bullets were easy unless they ended a career. He looked down at his knee. The scar started there and ran to his hip. He hated that his brother considered him a coward, but he had no idea how to change Cannon’s mind. He wasn’t about to fall in love again.
He entered his old bedroom. Nothing had changed. It was like he’d walked out yesterday. On his dresser was his collection of model planes—and obsession since he was a kid. Next to the B-1 Bomber was a ticket stub to a movie he’d seen the week before the accident. He and Brandy went to see Witch Mountain because she had a love for all things Disney.
He made his way into the shower and stood under the stream of hot water, trying to wash the memories away. As the water sluiced over his body, he closed his eyes and didn’t see Brandy; he saw Katie. He relived the moment when she said she was easy but not cheap.
His body reacted in the only way a man thinking about those long legs wrapped around his waist could. He grew and hardened until he had no choice but to relieve himself. Bowie had done a lot of self-gratification over the years but never had a release held so much power and deliver so much pleasure.
After that experience, what he really wanted was to crawl into bed and sleep, but his father was home, so he dressed and joined him in the living room.
“Hey, Pops.” Bowie took a seat on the sofa next to his dad.
Ben lowered the volume on the television and turned toward his son. “You made it past your first twenty-four hours. I’d say that’s the hardest.” He reached out and patted Bowie on the shoulder. “It won’t be easy, son.”
“You’re right, but you have to know now, I’m only staying long enough to figure out my next move.”
Whatever light Ben held in his eyes dimmed. He lowered his head. “I’m not a great role model for dealing with grief. We all have our own way. Mine was the numbness alcohol provided. I imagine yours is the shot of adrenaline that comes from running for your life.” He shook his head. “Neither are healthy options. Mine could have killed my liver. Yours could have flat out killed you. Haven’t we had enough death?”
“Yes, we have.”
Dad was right. Bowie’s life had been surrounded in death that started with his mom and Brandy. Then he joined the United States Army, became a Ranger, and experienced a regular dose of death. He’d become anesthetized to it. Bowie had felt little in years—until her. Something about Katie made him feel. The attraction was palpable, but more than that, something about
her got under his skin. He wasn’t sure if he liked it or hated it. All he knew was, he had nothing to offer her but a good time. If she was okay with that, then his short stay in Aspen Cove would be tolerable.
“You helping in the bar tonight?” Dad reached for his cup of coffee.
“Unless you need me to stay.”
Bowie prayed his dad would ask him to stay, but he knew he wouldn’t. The only time he’d known of his father being selfish was every day for the last several years, and he hadn’t even seen it firsthand. But the selfish man in him was gone, and back in his place was the father he’d always loved.
“You go help your brother. I wish I could help, but it’s not smart to put an alcoholic in a bar. The bakery closes early tomorrow. How about I help you out at the store?”
Bowie laughed. “Still can’t believe you’re a baker.”
“I had to put my energy somewhere else.” He patted his stomach. “Can’t say eating all those sweets are a better addiction, but at least I’m not waking up in strange places. Besides, that Katie … she’s a special one. Can’t put my finger on exactly why, but I think she needs help. Although, she’ll be the last one to ask for it. What do you think of her?”
“Too early to tell. She seems all right.”
He wouldn’t tell his dad his thoughts turned carnal each time he saw her. First, that would give him hope there was a chance for Bowie to love again, and that wasn’t an option. Second, something told him his father would warn him away if his intentions weren’t honorable.
Bowie had no desire to be dishonorable. He’d honor every inch of her body. He’d share every inch of his except for his heart.
“You better get going. There’s a crowd in town this weekend. Besides, I’m babysitting tonight.”
Bowie’s brows lifted. “First a baker, and now a babysitter. I can’t believe it.”
“It’s not what you think. I’m watching Sage’s dog, Otis. She should be bringing him over any minute.”
As soon as the last word was out, the door opened and Sage stuck her head in. “Ben, I’m here with Otis. Are you ready?”
Bowie wasn’t expecting to get attacked, but as soon as the furry beast cleared the door, he ran directly for the couch. When the dog leaped into the air, Bowie took a good look at his missing hind leg.
So Cannon isn’t the only stray she’s collected.
He moved his head from side to side, trying to avoid the dog’s wet tongue, but it was no use. Otis was intent on giving Bowie a kiss.
“Otis,” Sage scolded. “Stop.”
The dog looked back at her for a second, then went back to licking Bowie’s face. He laughed because no matter how hard Sage tried to make her voice, she could never instill the feeling of fear in others. The woman was like a tiny leprechaun, red hair and all.
Bowie lifted the dog and placed him in Ben’s lap. “You’re next.” Otis didn’t miss a beat. He wasn’t particular about whom he loved as long as he licked someone. He looked past the ball of fur to his father. “See you later, Pops.”
Through his laughter, Bowie said goodbye to his father and Sage.
Outside, he pulled his Harley out of the garage. He’d towed it behind his truck to Aspen Cove and had been dying to ride it. Tonight, the weather was perfect.
“Is that a Harley?” Sage laughed out the words.
He looked at her with curiosity. He didn’t understand what was funny. “You want a ride?”
“Oh, no. You’ve got the wrong girl. That would be Katie. She loves the bad boys on bikes.” Sage walked to her SUV and opened her door, while Bowie put on his helmet. “You don’t have an arrest record, do you?” She didn’t wait for him to respond. She laughed and closed her door.
Bowie had no idea what to think of that conversation. He didn’t have a prison record. He might look like a murderer, but he wasn’t that guy. He started his bike and throttled it until it growled. He could do bad boy. He could do Katie.
He took the short drive down Main Street and parked in front of the bar. The sun set low in the sky, and within minutes it would hide behind the peak, cloaking the town in darkness. He looked to the bakery’s darkened windows and wondered what Katie did with her evenings. It wasn’t like Aspen Cove was a mecca for entertainment. There was the bar, and that was about it.
He turned from the darkness and entered the light of the brewhouse. His question was answered when he glanced around and saw Katie playing pool with Dalton and his friends. Maybe he was too late to the game. Had Sage dropped a hint?
Looking at the curvaceous blonde, she looked more beauty queen than biker chick. If she liked the bad boys, Dalton wasn’t exactly dangerous. He was protective. If the rumors were true, he’d acted more like a protector than a predator when he killed that man. Bowie would have done the same. There were things a man should never tolerate, and abusing women, children, and animals fell into that category.
He walked by the group playing pool, but he knew Duchess’s eyes were on him. The heat of her stare burned through his leather jacket. She may have been physically standing with Dalton, but her sights were on him.
“It’s about time,” Cannon said. “I was thinking you bailed on me.” He nodded down toward the end of the bar, where the group of fishermen he’d sold poles to that morning were huddled. “Take their orders, and then change the keg to the lager.”
Bowie’s first instinct was to tell his brother to piss off. He’d never taken orders from Cannon. The brother he remembered wasn’t the man who stood in front of him. He’d grown up from a twenty-four-year-old kid into a man.
As soon as the front door opened again, he knew Sage had arrived because Cannon got that goofy, lovestruck look in his eyes. He also knew he’d be watching the bar solo.
As soon as they got the bar stocked, Cannon and Sage disappeared down the hallway to the storage room.
“Can I get a refill?” Katie put her glass on the counter.
“Jack and Coke?” Given the dark liquid at the bottom, it was his best guess.
“Yes, but I’ll take mine without the Jack. Never liked that man.”
She smiled, and his knees weakened. It was ridiculous how her mere presence had him feeling like a kid. He was far beyond adolescence.
“Coke, it is.” He looked past her to Dalton. “You and Dalton a thing?”
Her perfume rose to his nose when she turned to look at the man everyone described as a human oak tree. At six-foot-four, Bowie was big, but Dalton was even bigger. They grew them large in Aspen Cove.
“Me and Dalton?” She giggled. “No.” She shook her head. “He’s the older brother I wish I had.”
Bowie felt awful for him. Nothing shrank a man’s junk faster than a girl who played the brother card. It was as bad as the friend card.
“I heard you liked bad boys.” He set her soda on the counter.
She lifted the glass to her lips and took a sip. “I do, but Dalton’s no bad boy. He’s like Bambi with testosterone. What about you? Are you a bad boy?”
Bowie would like to show her how bad he could be. “I am the bad boy.”
“Braggart.” She turned and walked away.
Cannon showed back up an hour later. For the rest of the night, the brothers pulled beers and poured shots.
No matter where Katie was in the bar, Bowie knew her exact location. He couldn’t take his eyes off her. When she got ready to leave, Cannon asked him to walk her home.
“I don’t want her walking around the back of the building alone. There are too many strangers in town to risk it.”
It was a good argument, but Cannon had seen Bowie watch her all night. He’d commented on it a few times. Bowie knew his brother’s intentions were somewhere else.
“Matchmaking is not a hat that looks good on you,” Bowie said.
“If I left it up to you, nothing would happen. All talk, no action. Or as they say from Katie’s home state of Texas, all hat, no cattle.”
“Screw you.” Bowie grabbed his jacket and ran out the
door after Katie. “Wait up.” He reached her in three long strides. “You shouldn’t be walking out here alone. It’s dangerous.”
She looked up and down the deserted street. “I’m not seeing any danger.”
They walked around the back to the bakery. When he got her to the door that led to her upstairs apartment, he turned her around, leaned against the wall and caged her in-between his arms.
“Danger is standing right in front of you, Duchess, and you don’t even recognize it.” He leaned in and brushed his lips against hers. “I want to kiss you, but you need to know we’ll never be more than a good time.”
She ran her hands up his chest. “That’s all a girl can hope for.”
Bowie needed no other encouragement. He pressed his mouth against hers until she opened those beautiful lips and gave him access. When his tongue danced across the velvety softness of hers, a calm blanketed him. If he thought she’d gotten under his skin, the kiss firmly planted her in his system. Each cell he believed dead came to life. Katie Middleton would be a problem for him. Hell, how could she not? She felt like heaven, smelled like flowers, and tasted like trouble.
Chapter Six
The damn man kissed Katie like his life depended on it, and then he walked away. That was Saturday. He’d been missing in action since. Sure, she’d seen him in the bait and tackle shop. She passed by him in the bar, but now it was Wednesday. She hadn’t talked to him, much less kissed him again since that night.
It scared the heck out of her that she wanted to do both so badly. Was it because his kisses were superior to any she’d had? Or was it that she felt a connection to him that confirmed what she knew at first glance—he was the one? She felt the tug between them, an invisible string that pulled them together. Although impossible, she knew him somehow, like they were connected by something powerful.
One Hundred Heartbeats Page 4