by Ellie Hall
As a minute or more ticked by a thrill worked its way into Billie’s belly. She tried to ignore it and when that didn’t work, she tried to resist it. But it was insistent as it swirled around and around, like riding a roller coaster. It swooped and dove. Rose and fell. Her lips parted and she swallowed hard as the sensation grew in intensity as they continued to hold eye contact. She wasn’t lying when she said his voice did something to her, but it was also him looking at her, seeing her. She felt something big shifting inside, making room, opening up.
A slight tremble started on Rhodes’s lip as though he was going through a kind of alchemical shift as well. Soon, the corners of his lips lifted.
Billie fought against leaning in, looking more carefully at his mouth.
Another minute passed and what had seemed agonizing, softened into something else. Not quite comfort, but something warm, fuzzy, intimate.
She started to feel curious and wonder what Rhodes looked like when he woke up in the morning. Did he have any pets? What did he like to do on Friday nights? What amazing things had he done in his life that his grandmother had mentioned? What were his dreams and goals besides taking over Blue Bay Beach and replacing it with a replica?
More time passed and his grip on her hands suddenly tightened as though instead of wanting the moment to end, he held fast to it. Another shot of warmth rushed through Billie and her eyes felt wet. She blinked a few times.
Rhodes’s gaze softened and his eyes misted over.
It was like they stared into each other’s souls.
She swallowed hard, afraid of what was happening to her, to them. Everything around her faded.
It was just the two of them.
His strong jaw and stubble.
His lips.
His eyes.
His touch.
And all of that was focused solely on her. Rhodes plus Billie equaled something more.
We.
Us.
She felt a connection she’d never felt before, not to any man, not to anyone. She felt seen, safe, protected, adored.
Rhodes’s lashes were thick and his eyes were dark, but not shadowed. They were brown and full of depth and kindness that she hadn’t quite seen before.
She was drawn in and felt herself leaning forward toward him ever so slightly. If just looking at each other and holding hands was so intense, what would it be like to kiss him?
“Now, tell me how you feel about each other.” Memaw’s voice slammed Billie back to reality.
Rhodes dropped her hands.
Chapter 6
Rhodes
Neither Billie nor Rhodes answered Memaw’s question. The truth was he didn’t know how he felt other than overwhelmed by a sensation that threatened to burst out of his chest. It had a name, but he couldn’t speak it. He’d never felt it before and worried she didn’t feel the same. He’d heard about love at first sight. Maybe it was love at four minutes of intense, continued sight.
“You can start by saying, I feel. Go on. Give it a try,” Memaw said when neither Billie nor Rhodes came forward with their feelings.
“I feel less animosity,” Billie muttered.
“What was that dear? I couldn’t hear you.” Memaw cupped her hand around her ear.
“I feel animated,” she said, recovering quickly.
Rhodes had not foreseen his grandmother making the mistake that they were actually together and then meddling in what was hardly a relationship. He should’ve corrected her, but now that it had gone on, he wasn’t sure how to explain without letting her down. However, something had passed between him and Billie. Perhaps what she meant by less animosity was the same thing he felt for her, just phrased differently.
Or maybe the best way was just to be direct and explain before things got out of hand. When it came to business, he had no problem saying what he really thought, stating his desires and demands. But like the word love, an explanation didn’t pass his lips. Deep down, he wanted it to be true but wasn’t sure Billie shared his feelings or if he could ever risk revealing them.
“Memaw, there’s something you should know about Billie and me,” he said, forging ahead.
Billie swallowed as though relieved he was going to confess the truth.
“Billie and I,” Memaw said, correcting his grammar. “What I want to know is when you plan on getting married. I need a date. Have you set one? Please make sure it’s after July first, but before September twenty-first.”
“Why before the end of September?” he asked, thrown off.
“I’ll be lucky to live through another summer, Rhodes.” But she smiled warmly.
Deep furrows formed on his brow. “Please don’t talk like that.”
“I’m on gravy time as your grandfather used to say.” She gazed wistfully at the painting of the original Rhodes, the patriarch of the family.
The three of them had been close—Rhodes had basically been raised by his grandparents. That’s where he’d learned what his father refused to teach him even though he was a successful businessman.
Rhodes never understood it, but his own father had kept his distance after the divorce and wasn’t overly friendly or fatherly to him. Martin Bishop didn’t show him the ropes. He’d never placed his hand on Rhodes’s shoulder and said, Son, someday, this will all be yours. Even without his parents’ divorce, his father was distant and often cold.
“It’s set for August fourteenth. Six months after Valentine’s Day—when Rhodes proposed,” Billie blurted.
“Oh, that’s only a couple of weeks after the gala. Perfect,” Memaw said before he could correct either of them. “Billie, we’ll have to get you a gown for our premier, annual event.”
Rhodes ignored his confusion and what appeared to be Billie’s change of heart. “Yeah. We figured that it would be a small ceremony. Just a few people on my side and of course, Memaw you’re welcome to come. We don’t want to make a fuss,” he said, playing along.
“You only get married once, well, unless you’re Martin Bishop,” Memaw said. “You should make a big fuss. Listen, I want you to do whatever you kids like. Make it grand, lavish, memorable. It’s my treat.” She leaned closer to Billie. “I know your parents are gone so I’d like to do this for you. It would make me very happy.” She glanced at the ring on Billie’s hand then clapped hers together. “This is a wonderful day. What a surprise. My only grandson has been in town, hadn’t visited me because he was busy falling in love, and then shows up with the best news ever.” She hurried down the hall. “I will be right back,” she called.
“What are you doing?” Rhodes hissed at Billie when Memaw was out of earshot.
“I could ask you the same question. What kind of grandson doesn’t visit his grandmother while in the town that she clearly loves and he plans to demolish?”
The truth was he’d been avoiding visiting Memaw because he knew she wouldn’t like his latest venture.
“One question: August fourteenth? Valentine’s Day?”
“That was two questions. I thought you were going along with it,” she whisper-shouted.
Her breath danced over his cheek, reminding him of easily the most intimate moments of his life when they’d gazed into each other’s eyes. Whatever animosity was between them, the long-held stare had diffused it and gave way to a deep spark he’d never before felt for anyone. Rhodes was a single man, living his best life. Not someone to be tied down by marriage. Then why had their irritation with each other returned and why didn’t he correct Memaw?
Rhodes got to his feet but felt like he was on shaky, uncertain ground. He started pacing to find his stride, his strut, and the thing that made Rhodes Bishop a bigger man than most—other than his actual height.
“I didn’t mean to go along with it,” he finally answered.
“You hesitated. Just now. What took you so long to answer?” She got to her feet and met him in front of the fireplace, blocking his path.
“I did not hesitate.”
“Then why didn’t you
correct her?” Billie’s coconut scent forced him to take a steadying breath.
“Why didn’t you?” he asked.
“She’s not my Memaw.” Billie fought a smile as she said the family name aloud.
“If you must know, my younger sister started it. Memaw, like my ma. We were closer to our grandmother than our own mother when growing up.” He didn’t like his defensive tone. Why and how had Billie worked her way... into his life? Under his skin? Into his heart?
“How many of you are there?” she asked.
“There’s just one of me, sweetheart.”
Her hands flew to her hips. “Sweetheart?”
He flashed his cockiest smirk, returning to familiar territory where he had the upper hand. “Isn’t one of me enough or can you not handle me?”
“I meant how many Bishops, but I can certainly handle you, Rhodes.” She squared off in front of him, lifting onto her toes.
“I don’t think you can.”
Their eyes met.
“Is that a challenge?” Her voice raised over a whisper and he watched her lips as she punctuated each word with determination.
He bit back the desire that had swept through him periodically since they’d met and especially when they were gazing into each other’s eyes.
“I can certainly handle you, Rhodes. But can you handle me?”
He almost laughed. “All five feet of you?”
“Five feet five. Almost.”
He was right about her height.
She lifted higher on her toes as though stretching to meet him.
Oh, he could handle her for sure. His feelings for her were another matter. But he knew just how to disarm her too. He reached for her while wiggling his fingers then worked them across her neck then down by her ribs. She writhed away, giggling as he tickled her.
He chased after her as she circled the sofa. They were standing at opposite ends, sizing each other up, waiting for the other to show signs of movement left or right. He feinted right and he cut her off, but she was quick and she rounded to the back of the piece of furniture. Once more, they faced off.
“Your tactic is to tickle me?” she asked, out of breath.
“That’s just stage one.”
Her eyes went wide. “Well, you’ll have to catch me.” She started toward the door.
But he dove over the couch, capturing her and they both fell back onto the cushions.
He had her in his clutches and started tickling her again.
Laughter erupted from Billie and her smile reached her eyes. It was a cheap move to force her smile and laughter, but so was his grandmother’s attempt to force intimacy between them by insisting on a staring contest. But as he slowed his attack and she settled next to him, catching her breath, he rather liked the feel of her warmth so close, conforming to his side.
Maybe his grandmother’s ploy wasn’t cheap. Risky, intense, and unusual, but not at all cheap. Perhaps she saw something between them that they both refused to admit. It was something he knew, deep down, was true. Rhodes liked a stubborn, headstrong, beautiful woman named Billie Fisher and that was going to be a problem because actually, he feared it was more than like.
She must have felt it too because she didn’t move.
Leaning against the corner of the sofa, she was nestled alongside him in the crook of his arm. They were face to face. Her eyes floated to his. His dipped to her lips then back to her shining blue eyes. They stayed that way a long time, once more staring at each other as though they both knew words brought them conflict, but their other senses: sight, touch, smell brought them calm, accord, together.
His breathing slowed.
Hers fell into sync.
The corners of his lips lifted.
Hers followed to reveal her magnificent smile.
His grew even wider.
“This is unexpected,” she whispered.
“Definitely.”
But what this was, he wasn’t entirely sure other than that it had happened—a shift, a deepening. All he knew was that it felt good. It felt right. He didn’t want it to end.
“What are we going to do?” she asked.
“I have one idea.”
Then he leaned in. She smelled like summer. She was like sunshine. She was feisty and he liked it. She certainly could handle him. But could he handle her?
Just as his lips were about to brush hers, Memaw’s shoes clicked down the hall. “Found it,” she called. “I had to go into the safe and open years’ worth of old treasures, but this one is the best of all.”
Rather sheepishly, they both straightened on the sofa. Billie smoothed the loose pieces of her hair.
“I prayed and prayed and knew the good Lord would bless me during this lifetime to see you married, Rhodes.” She passed him a velvet box. “Now, this ring has a wonderful story.” Memaw settled on the chair opposite them.
Billie was seated close enough to Rhodes that the outsides of their thighs were touching. She didn’t shift away.
The small box burned in Rhodes’s hand. Sweat, and not from horsing around, dotted his brow as if he were nervous and was actually going to propose.
“Don’t get me wrong, the ring you got her was lovely, but you’re a Thorpe and we can do better.” Memaw winked.
“Oh, actually, this was just temporary.” Billie shook her head and slipped the thin ring from her finger. “I just wore it symbolically.”
He’d have to ask about that later.
Memaw pointed to the box in Rhodes’s hand. “That ring was the first one Rhodes Senior used to propose to me. We were in the south of France. It was a beautiful evening and we strolled along the Riviera. The air was scented with hyacinth and the buttery smell of pastries. A man was playing the violin and there was a group of Plein Art painters capturing the sunset.” She closed her eyes in reverie.
The picture she was painting brought a smile to Billie’s lips.
The sight drew him in more than his grandmother’s story though he was enjoying that too.
“I’ve never left Florida,” Billie said.
“Well, there’s a first for everything. Rhodes will do something about that, won’t you, dear? You guys get to plan your honeymoon. Although Blue Bay Beach is a paradise so I understand why you’d never want to leave.” An edge entered Memaw’s voice at her last sentence as though she knew what had brought Rhodes to town.
He nodded, but his thoughts were elsewhere. How had Billie never left Florida? He suddenly wanted to show her the world.
“Where was I?” Memaw asked absently. “Ah yes. We stopped by a beautiful vista to watch the sunset. His arm was on my shoulder and he turned to me and said, ‘I know we’ve only known each other for a week, but I feel like I’ve known you my entire life.’ I never forgot those words because of what he said next.” Tears pricked her eyes.
Rhodes reached for her hand.
“I’ll never forget. Your grandfather said, ‘If I make it out of here alive, I’d like to spend the rest of my life getting to know you.’ And he did. He kept that promise.”
Billie sniffled.
“You see, we were both overseas during the war. I was a nurse and he was in the Army. Anyway, I said yes and he slipped the ring on my finger. Then I threw my arms around him in a hug and—” Memaw’s hand flew over her mouth. “I still don’t know how it happened. The ring went flying into the ocean.”
“This ring?” Rhodes asked, pointing to the box.
Memaw nodded. “That very one. We were both stunned, shocked, and searched for it in the growing darkness.” She shook her head. “Not long after, we were both called back to our duties. A year and a month passed. The war was over. I didn’t know if he’d lived or died. But we’d made an agreement to meet at that same spot if and when the time came. Sure enough, he showed up one day. The day before I was to return to the States. We rushed into each other’s arms and he presented me with a second ring.” She pointed to the one on her finger. “I remember, I was shaking. I just couldn’t beli
eve it. We took a seat in the sand and talked for hours. It was a hot, sunny day so eventually, we waded into the water to cool off.”
Billie’s jaw lowered as though she knew what was coming.
“I saw something sparkling. Sure enough, the ring turned up too. When something is meant to be, it has a way of working out.” Memaw beamed.
“Wow. You never told me that story,” Rhodes said.
“You’ve never been engaged.”
Billie smiled. “That is better than any mini-series plotline. Thank you for sharing it.”
Memaw nodded. “Now, go ahead. I want you to do it properly.”
“Do what?” Rhodes asked.
“We’ll go to the garden. It’s probably safer than the beach. Wouldn’t want to lose that thing again.”
Billie’s eyes widened with alarm as Memaw swept to the large double French doors leading to her garden and ushered them outside.
Landscape lighting illuminated what by day he knew was her magnificent collection of blooms.
Rhodes stood there dumbly as Billie exited onto the slate terrace.
“It’s lovely back here.” She turned in a circle.
“Oh, just a little something I do in my spare time. You’ll have to come back during the day soon to see it in all its splendor. Now, I thought you kids had somewhere to be, keeping you from joining me for dinner. Let’s get on with it. I’m getting hungry.”
Rhodes stammered.
“Your grandfather didn’t get down on his knee the first time, but he did the second time when he pledged his life to me.”
Nerves exploded inside Rhodes. Was she really making him do it? Or was he willing and that’s why he hadn’t objected? Was Billie open to the crazy notion? Were they hypnotized by Memaw’s eye contact game and her magical story?
Whatever it was drew him over to Billie like a tractor beam. Or maybe it was her magnetism. There was likely some scientific explanation. Chemistry. Biology. Alchemy. Something.
He hadn’t been able to stop thinking about her since they’d met. He stepped closer to her, gripping the box. He took a deep breath, glanced through the window to the painting of his grandfather, to his grandmother, then back to Billie. It was strange, but there was something about that moment that felt more right, more certain, than any other in his life.