The Bachelor

by Carly Phillips

  Apparently she had more creativity than he’d given her credit for, but she hadn’t done her research. Rick Chandler loved rescuing women but a bride of any kind rated last on his list. Last time he’d responded to a similar S.O.S., he’d been home from college and on the force about two years. One of his best friends and a girl he’d had deep feelings for, Jillian Frank, had dropped out of college because she’d gotten pregnant and her parents had thrown her out of the house. Rick had stepped in without thinking twice. He had those damn Chandler genes. Loyalty ran strong, the need to protect even stronger.

  He’d started by giving Jillian a place to live but ended up marrying her too. He’d planned to give the baby a name and he’d provided Jillian with a home. He thought they’d be a family. Considering he’d always been attracted to her before she went away to school, doing a good deed for a friend hadn’t been too much of a hardship.

  Falling in love had been a natural progression—for him. As they’d lived together during her pregnancy, he’d let down his guard and given his heart—only to have it trampled when the baby’s father returned a few weeks prior to her due date. His once-grateful wife walked out, leaving Rick with divorce papers and wiser for the experience.

  He’d decided then, he’d never again lose his heart, but he’d definitely have fun and enjoy his life. After all, he was a man who liked women. His brief marriage hadn’t changed that. Short of taking out a billboard to announce his intent to never wed again, he’d always made his feelings to the women he got involved with perfectly clear. This so-called bride might as well proposition a brick wall for all the response she’d get from Rick Chandler.

  One hand on his gun, the other on the open window, he leaned down. “Can I help you, miss?”

  The woman turned to face him. She had a unique shade of red hair and the hugest green eyes he’d ever seen. Maybe at one time her makeup had been bridal perfect but tears had smudged the mascara and streaked her blush.

  Something about her rang familiar, but Rick couldn’t say what. In a small town, he recognized most people, but every once in a while someone surprised him. “I take it you’re having car problems?”

  She nodded and sucked in a deep breath of air. “I don’t suppose you can tow me?” Her husky voice sounded like she’d just taken a sip of warm brandy.

  The desire to drink from her lips and see for himself took him off guard. Not only had he thought he’d steeled himself against this woman’s charms, but he hadn’t responded to any woman or seduction attempt since his mother’s marriage push had begun. Yet faced with this so-called blushing bride, he started to sweat, the heat internal and not caused by the blazing summer sun.

  He glanced at her warily. “I can’t tow you myself but I can call Ralph’s and he can send his truck over.” He focused on her car problem and not her delicious-looking mouth.

  “Do you think you can help me out of here first?” She extended her ringless hand. “I’d get out myself but I think I’m stuck.” Material rustled as she tried to maneuver out of the car.

  He still wasn’t sure whether he had a real woman in distress and he weighed the odds. A bride minus an engagement or wedding ring didn’t tip things in favor of a routine stop.

  None of which mattered. She had to get out of the damn car. He opened the door, then extended his hand. As she placed her smaller fingers into his grip, a jolt shook him hard. He couldn’t name the sensation, but when those shocked, vivid green eyes bore into his, he knew she felt it too.

  Shaking off the unnerving feeling, he pulled her toward him. She clasped his hand tighter but when she pushed up, she teetered forward, falling into his waiting arms. Her full breasts smashed against his chest, her sweet fragrance enveloped him in sizzling awareness, and his heart picked up a fast and furious rhythm.

  “Darn high heels,” she muttered in his ear.

  He couldn’t help but grin. “I’m a leg man myself.”

  She grabbed hold of his shoulders and stood up straight. Though she now stood far enough away for him to think more clearly, her scent was emblazoned on his memory—a fragrance made more pure by the fluffy white dress and tiara perched on the side of her head.

  “Thank you for your help, Officer.” She smiled and he realized she had dimples on either side of that mouth.

  “You’re welcome,” he said, but he lied. He wished he’d never answered her S.O.S.

  Rick had been exposed to many females in his lifetime and none had ever shaken him this badly. What he didn’t understand was why this woman?

  He let his gaze slide over her body in an attempt to figure out her allure. Okay, so her breasts pushed up enticingly beneath the fitted material of her dress. Big deal. He’d seen breasts before. Heck, all the women who’d tried to seduce him lately had made sure theirs were prominently on display, but none made him want to chuck all rational thought and drag the woman in question into the neighboring woods and make love until the sun went down—con-artist status be damned.

  Rick’s body shook in reaction to the mere thought and he forced himself to continue his perusal of her many assets. He took in her luscious mouth next. Her lips were coated with clear gloss and set in a naturally full pout that shouted kiss me. And he’d already confessed his weakness in wanting to.

  Chemistry was obviously working overtime and he had to admit she was damned attractive bait for a woman his mother had sent. If his mother had sent her. Had Raina run out of women in town and decided to import one instead? Maybe that was his explanation. Perhaps it was the fact that she was new to town, new to him, that intrigued him, setup or not.

  “What’s wrong?” She crinkled her nose. “You’re looking at me like you’ve never seen a woman in a wedding dress before.”

  “It’s something I’ve tried to avoid.”

  She grinned. “Confirmed bachelor, huh?”

  Unwilling to touch that statement, he decided it was time to find out the truth. “Need me to get you to the church on time?” he asked, acting like the cop he was and not the man she’d aroused.

  She swallowed. “No church, no wedding.”

  So if she had been a bride, she wasn’t now. In fact she’d probably left some poor schmuck sitting at the church waiting for her to show. “No wedding, huh? Now there’s a shock. Is the groom still at the altar?”

  Kendall Sutton met the hazel-eyed gaze of the sexy officer staring her down. She’d never seen a man with such thick lashes or beautiful eyes. Or more skeptical ones.

  The man standing beside her obviously thought she’d bolted minutes before saying “I do,” and he wasn’t impressed with her character. Not at all. She should be offended. Instead she was curious about this cynical streak he possessed. What would make such a good-looking man view women through jaded eyes? She didn’t know but for some inexplicable reason, she didn’t want him to view her the same negative way.

  She blinked into the glare of the afternoon sun, remembering how she’d ended up stranded here, when just hours earlier she’d stood in the bridal room of the church where she’d planned to get married. She’d attempted to convince herself that the waist of the dress was too tight and the fitted material cut off her oxygen supply. When that lie didn’t work, she tried to make herself believe she’d breathe just fine once nerves passed and she said “I do.” She’d been lying.

  Her impending marriage had been suffocating her. Clear, fresh air came easily once she and Brian had broken their engagement on their wedding day, but not either one of their hearts. She glanced at the policeman awaiting answers.

  She didn’t need to get long-winded with her reluctant savior, but she wanted to explain. “My fiancé and I amicably parted ways.” She chose the most positive aspects of the morning, hoping he’d see she hadn’t abandoned anyone or broken any vows.

  “Of course you did,” He ran a hand through his dark chocolate hair.

  The long strands fell over his forehead in a manner way too sexy for her peace of mind.

  “So why the tears?” he asked.


  She swiped at the moisture dampening her gaze. “They’re from the sun.”

  “Really?” He narrowed his gaze and studied her. “Then why the dried makeup stains?”

  Observant, intelligent, and sexy. A potent combination, Kendall thought. He saw beneath the surface and she shivered despite the heat.

  She sighed. “Okay, you caught me being a stereotypical female. I had a crying spell earlier.” And she still didn’t know if it was a delayed reaction to her aunt’s recent death or pure relief she hadn’t ended up trapped in marriage, or both. Either way, filled with relief, she’d jumped into her car and driven away. “I’m impulsive.” She laughed.

  He didn’t.

  Kendall knew she should have waited, then pulled herself together and headed west. Sedona, Arizona, was her dream, the place where she hoped to hone her craft and learn even more about creating jewelry designs. But while still in pain over her aunt’s death, she’d been drawn to Yorkshire Falls, her aunt’s old house and the memories there. The practical fact that she could settle her aunt’s estate was a plus, not a well-thought-out plan. She still should have gone home to change before hitting the road.

  When the officer remained silent, Kendall’s mouth went into overdrive, nerves compelling her to talk while he scrutinized her. “My aunt always said impulse won’t get you further than the next bus stop. Prophetic, huh?” She took in her situation—stranded in a wedding dress, no clothes other than honeymoon attire in the trunk, and little money in her pocket, headed to her deceased aunt’s house.

  “Your aunt sounds like a smart woman,” he said at last.

  “She is. I mean she was.” Kendall swallowed over the lump in her throat. Aunt Crystal had died a few weeks ago, in the nursing home Kendall had almost given up her freedom to pay for. Not that her aunt had asked Kendall for anything. She’d given willingly. There were only two people on this earth Kendall would do anything for—her aunt and her fourteen-year-old sister. Over the years Kendall had gone from resenting her sibling to loving her. Once Kendall finished with Crystal’s house and things, she’d visit with Hannah at school before moving west.

  The cop eyed her warily, squinting against the sun. Lines bracketed his hazel eyes, made more golden by the sun’s glimmering rays.

  “So.” He stepped closer. His masculine scent surrounded her, more potent than the heat of the sun. “Come on. Admit the real reason you’re out here and we can get on with things.”

  Get on with what things? “I don’t know what you’re talking about.” But her adrenaline started to flow hard and fast.

  “Come on, sweetheart. I’ve rescued you. What did you think would happen next?”

  “Well, gee. I don’t know. Sex in the back seat of your patrol car?”

  When his eyes darkened to a stormy hue, she recognized the sexual attraction and could have bitten her tongue in two for letting that sarcastic remark escape. Still honesty forced her to admit she felt the same way. Kendall was actually tempted to drag him into the woods and have her way with him herself. She still couldn’t believe it but the policeman turned her on. More than any man ever had, including Brian.

  “At least we’re getting somewhere. So you admit to entrapment?”

  “I admit to no such thing. As a matter of fact I have no idea what the hell you’re talking about.” She perched her hands on her hips. “So tell me, Officer. Is this how Yorkshire Falls’s finest greets all newcomers? With rudeness, sarcasm, and veiled accusations?” She didn’t wait for him to answer. “If so I can see why your population remains so small.”

  “We’re picky who we let settle.”

  “Well, good thing for both of us I don’t plan to remain long.”

  “Did I say I didn’t want you here?” His lips twitched with an obviously reluctant smile.

  Even when he was at his sarcastic, even accusatory best, he had a bedroom voice that dripped charisma. Sex. She trembled.

  Then she licked her dry lips. She had to get out of here. “Much as I hate to ask you for anything, can you please drive me to 105 Edgemont Street?” She had no choice but to trust in his badge, his integrity, and her own gut instinct about the man, despite his disposition.

  “105 Edgemont.” His body stiffened in obvious surprise.

  “That’s what I said. Drop me off there so you can see the last of me.”

  “That’s what you think,” he muttered.

  “Excuse me?”

  He shook his head and muttered beneath his breath, then he met her gaze. “You’re Crystal Sutton’s niece.”

  “Yes. I’m Kendall Sutton, but how …”

  “I’m Rick Chandler.” He started to extend his hand, then obviously thought better of them touching again and shoved his fist into his pants pocket.

  It took a minute for his words to penetrate, but when they did, Kendall’s gaze flew to his. “Rick Chandler?” Her Aunt Crystal had kept just one friend after Kendall had moved her from her home in Yorkshire Falls to the facility near New York City. Kendall stared at his handsome face. “Raina Chandler’s son?”

  “That’s me.” And he still didn’t look too pleased.

  “It’s been a long time. Forever, really.” Since she was ten and she’d lived her one happy summer with Aunt Crystal before the older woman’s arthritis had been diagnosed and Kendall forced to leave. She vaguely remembered meeting Rick Chandler or had it been one of his brothers? She shrugged. Having been there one summer and only ten years old, she hadn’t gotten close to the people in town nor had she kept in touch with any once she was gone.

  Moving on was the story of Kendall’s life. Her parents were archaeologists and traveled on expeditions to remote parts of the world. She’d rarely kept track of them as a child and took about as much interest in their specific whereabouts now as they took in hers.

  Kendall had lived with them abroad until she turned five, when they’d sent her back to the States to be shuffled between family members. She’d often wondered why her parents had a child they never planned to raise, but she’d rarely been with them long enough to ask— until Hannah had been born and her parents had returned stateside for five years. At twelve, almost thirteen, Kendall had moved back in with them but she hadn’t opened her heart to the people who’d essentially abandoned her, but came home for their newborn baby. The rift between Kendall and her parents had widened even though they no longer had oceans and continents between them, and remained until their departure. Kendall had then been eighteen and on her own.

  “You’ve grown up.” Rick’s voice brought her back to the present. A wide smile pitched his lips into a charming grin.

  No doubt about it, the man had a way about him. “So have you. Grown,” she sputtered stupidly. Into a spectacular man. One with roots to this town deeper than any tree. Roots were something she knew nothing about and a sexy man who had those spelled trouble for a woman destined to wander.

  “Did my mother know you were coming to town today?” Rick asked.

  She shook her head. “It was another impulsive decision.” Similar to her hair, she thought and lifted a hand to the pink-colored strands.

  He exhaled and seemed to relax a bit. “Spurred on by the nixed wedding?”

  She nodded. “By the mutual jilting.” She bit down on her lower lip. “Nothing has gone as planned today.”

  “Including your rescue?”

  She grinned. “It’s been an experience, Officer Chandler.”

  “That it has been.” He laughed.

  The deep, husky sound curled her insides into warm, coiled knots of need.

  “Look, I know this is going to sound bizarre but do you think we could keep the details of this first meeting between us?” An actual flush stained his cheeks, something she doubted Rick Chandler experienced too often.

  “Just get me out of this heat and into an air-conditioned house and I promise I won’t say a word.”

  He raised an eyebrow. “You haven’t been back to Crystal’s house in a while.” It wasn’t a
question, rather a statement of fact they both knew to be true.

  Only Kendall knew the reasons. She shook her head. “Not for years. Why?”

  He shrugged. “You’ll see for yourself. Do you have luggage in the trunk?” he asked.

  “A small carry-on and a suitcase.” Filled with bathing suits and other vacation clothing. She sighed. Nothing she could do about it now, so she’d have to go shopping for more practical clothing later.

  He retrieved her bags and stowed them in his car before returning to cup her elbow in a gentlemanly gesture—unlike the cynical behavior he’d exhibited so far today.

  A few minutes later they were on their way. Sweat trickled down Kendall’s back as the darn dress plastered to her wet skin. Despite the air-conditioning in the car, the cool blasts of air had done little to relieve the intense heat. Being in such close quarters with Rick Chandler made her body temperature soar, while he apparently remained oblivious to her charms.

  He’d become her tour guide, pointing out the sights, such as they were, in his small hometown. All the while, he maintained a respectable distance while he talked. Too respectable, she thought irritably.

  “We’re here.” Rick called her attention to Edgemont Street.

  She glanced up. From a distance, the old house was just as she remembered it, a huge Victorian with wraparound porch and large front lawn. A place where she’d shared tea parties and had her first taste of beading and jewelry design before her aunt’s arthritis changed things. It was also the place where Kendall had nurtured childish dreams of staying forever with the aunt she adored.

  But Crystal’s home had been temporary, just like every place prior or since. And once her aunt had been forced to send Kendall packing because of her health, Kendall had learned not to invest too much in the way of hopes and dreams in any one place or person. But if she’d learned that lesson well, then why the painful lump in her throat now, as she looked at the dilapidated house up close, through adult eyes? She let out a frustrated sigh.