Forever Love on Fireweed Island (Island County Book 4)

by Karice Bolton

  I smiled and nodded. “You have my word.”

  Jake’s eyes rested on mine, and I felt a twinge of guilt for messaging BlznBookie.

  “And that kiss did mean something to me. I don’t want you to think it didn’t. It was pretty wonderful. Wonderfully distracting.” His eyes stayed fastened on mine, and I took in a deep, slow breath, pushing away an enormous wave of relief.

  I didn’t want to get my hopes up. I didn’t want to feel relief that he might like me. I wasn’t ready to play these emotional games. I’d fallen on the wrong side of the game board one too many times with my ex, but Jake was giving me hope.

  “Do you have a piece of paper, so I can write down the directions to my house? GPS doesn’t actually do any good. It tends to lead every single one of my visitors off a cliff at the end of the road, rather than hanging a left.”

  “Now that would really suck,” I said, grabbing a small notepad and pen from the second shelf of the bookcase he was standing by.

  He placed the stack of books next to the lavender and began scribbling the directions down. The longer he stood there writing, the more I began quietly freaking out. Was I ready to go to his house for dinner? I’d just gotten done telling myself I wasn’t ready for anything with him.

  “I wrote to BlznBookie while I was busy being ignored by you,” I rattled off. “It was innocent. It always is, but I just felt I should tell you.”

  Jake’s grin deepened, and he handed me the directions.

  “I appreciate your honesty, but hopefully, I can make you forget about him and start texting me instead. See ya in a couple of hours.” He gave me a quick kiss on my cheek, but there was nothing innocent about it.

  I was suddenly terrified about how much of myself I might wind up giving to Jake Harlen.

  I entered the code Jake had written down into the keypad and waited for the wrought iron gate to open. I highly doubted he lived on a gated property surrounding a tent. This was getting more interesting by the second. I put the car back into drive and moved through the gate, letting the surroundings slowly unfold around me.

  Long sea grass shivered up to the windows of the car as I drove by, the trees became sparser, and my worries about going to Jake’s for dinner were taking over my mind.

  I wanted to get to know Jake, but I was afraid of losing everything I’d gained since my divorce. I’d started seeing things clearer now, and I was worried lust might cloud my vision.

  I’d admit it had been fun not knowing much about him and slowly discovering things. But I felt myself wanting more. The kiss told me I wanted more, and that was worrisome. My mind signaled I wasn’t ready for much of anything, but my heart kept falling for him.

  With every smile in my direction or glorious bit of laughter, I found myself wanting to escape into him instead of a book.

  The reason I was so annoyed I hadn’t heard from him since the night of our kiss was because I truly loved being kissed by him. I’d long since stopped dreaming about being held by a man—let alone kissed—and then Jake showed up and rocked my world.

  I left Fireweed a girl with wild ideas about life and what I wanted to do with mine, only to return a woman years later, broken and afraid to do much of anything beyond the pages of a good story. I thought I’d gotten over that little hurdle, but the fear of taking risks was only becoming more apparent as the days went by.

  It didn’t help to take a second look at Mrs. Coleville’s tree on the way over here. It really wasn’t as big as it felt.

  As I drove over a little knoll, a mammoth home came into view, and I nearly put the brakes on dinner.

  I knew he didn’t live in a tent, but I never expected this for a home. My car crawled toward his house as I took in the expansive grounds. I spotted what looked like two barns and another building of some sort off in the distance.

  The tall sea grass traded out for tiny silvery leaves with purple puffs of lavender bordering the long driveway. A short, rustic fence outlined empty pastures, but I spotted a tiny dark spot with four legs wandering off toward one of the barns. My curiosity was killing me.

  I sucked in a deep breath and drove toward his house. I had no idea what I expected, but this wasn’t it. A large portico built with old-growth timbers and slate extended from the front of his house. The garage sprawled to the left of the home, and I counted five garage stalls, and that was the small part of the house. As I slowed in front of the home, I saw one of the massive iron doors open, and out stepped Jake.

  He’d changed since stopping by my house, and he looked absolutely delicious wearing low-slung jeans and a black button-down shirt, which accentuated his broad shoulders. He waved me over to the portico and slowly came down the stairs.

  Once I parked, Jake walked over to my side of the car and opened the door, helping me out.

  “I suddenly feel underdressed.” I laughed, climbing out of my car. “This is the exact opposite of a tent.”

  “Probably as opposite as one could get.”

  “And this is all yours?” I asked. “I mean, you have all this for only you?”

  “So far.” He closed my car door and grabbed my hand.

  It felt like I was stepping into one of my novels. Usually, in the real world, a guy’s bag of tricks was just that—tricks. In my experience, when a guy started hiding something, it was because he lived on his mom’s couch or had a warrant out for his arrest.

  “You’re quiet.” His voice was low.

  We wandered toward the stairs in front of the double iron-scrolled doors leading into his home. They had to be ten feet tall.

  “I’ve been honest with you from the beginning,” I said softly.

  “I’d like to think so,” he said as we climbed the steps.

  “Well, I’m kind of in shock right now and a teensy bit uncomfortable.”

  “Shock?”

  “I knew you didn’t live in a tent, but I didn’t expect this.”

  “Does this change things?” He gestured toward the house.

  I laughed. “Well, it makes me wonder about the porn connection after all.”

  “Nothing like that at all. Just a lot of luck.”

  Jake pushed open the door, and my jaw literally fell to the expansive marble entry. The polished marble floors swept in all directions, and inlaid stone medallions anchored the center of the foyer where two iron spindle staircases wrapped around the two-story entrance.

  A large floral arrangement sat twisting toward the chandelier, and I literally needed a minute to regroup. There was wealth, and then there was this.

  “Should I take off my shoes?” I squeaked.

  “No. You’re fine.” He grinned, his eyes focusing on mine.

  “You’re sure you’re the only one living here?”

  “Technically, no. I have help, and they do live on the property.”

  “Which is why you’re never seen at the grocery store.”

  “We actually do grow a lot of our own food, so there’s another reason people don’t see me around often.” He tried to make me feel more comfortable, but the whole thing just threw me.

  Fireweed wasn’t known for mansions. One of the largest homes on the island had belonged to the Hill family—Cole and Anthony—and it would probably fit in the foyer of this one. Growing up, all the islanders thought their house was huge. It was huge by normal standards. This, however, was extraordinarily abnormal and completely puzzling. I ran my fingers across my brow and looked around, peeking down each of the halls. I counted three zipping off in opposite directions.

  “A tour?” he asked.

  “Sure, but I’d kind of like to know more about what got you here than anything.”

  He let go of my hand, and his eyes narrowed on mine. I got the distinct feeling that wasn’t the answer he was expecting.

  “A bit of luck and a lot of help from above.”

  “Huh-uh.” I shook my head. “I want details.”

  Jake’s smile turned in a wry grin. “Follow me.”

  “Fine, but I
better hear something that makes sense, and it had better not involve a video camera.”

  “Sometimes, life doesn’t always make sense, and video cameras are useful devices in the right hands.”

  I followed him down a long hall, the marble transitioning to a beautiful wood floor that led into a great room. The room was so large, it made the black grand piano in the corner look like a toy. Charcoal-colored silk drapes framed the room, and the walls had been washed in a pale grey. An ivory sectional stretched the entire length of the wall and extended to a large stone fireplace. A coffee table that could act as most people’s dining table anchored the room. I was so mesmerized by the room, I didn’t even see the view of the water until I turned to face Jake.

  “Where were you this week?” I asked, folding my arms.

  “At fire training.”

  My brow arched in disbelief.

  “It’s true. I took a course on wildland fire prep.”

  “Why?”

  “Every summer, the fires seem to be getting worse, and I wanted to be up-to-date on the latest techniques.”

  “That doesn’t explain this.”

  “No, it doesn’t,” he said simply.

  I wandered over to the couch and took a seat. It had to be one of the most comfortable couches my thighs had ever touched. This was insane. How could a couch give so much joy?

  But it did.

  Jake walked over and sat next to me, propping his elbows on his knees. “I got in on some tech stocks early.”

  I looked around the room. “That’s it? Stocks explain all this?”

  “Some of it.”

  “Well, I can tell you the amount I invest wouldn’t get me this.”

  “I’ve told you I have a bit of luck and a lot of interests.”

  “Why do you have so many barns? You’re not a grow operation, are you?”

  He laughed, his brow arching. “With a father who was with the government? I don’t think so.”

  “So what did your dad do for the agency? Was he a spy?”

  “Not that I could tell you if he was.” His smile widened.

  “Like you’d know if he was.”

  Jake laughed, and my heart filled with a happiness I couldn’t explain.

  “So you’re telling me you guessed some symbols right, and this is where it landed you?”

  He scooted back on the couch and rested his arm on the back cushion.

  “Partially.”

  “What’s the other part?” I asked. I knew he was keeping something from me.

  “There are a lot of parts. In fact, let me show you one of the main reasons I moved to Fireweed.” Without warning, he stood back up and nearly hauled me to my feet. I caught the excitement radiating from him.

  He glanced down at my shoes and smiled. “Those might make our trek more interesting, but we’ll see.”

  “What are you talking about?” I laughed nervously.

  He wrapped his arm around me and led us in the opposite direction I thought we were headed. Jake walked us down another hallway that led to a kitchen, which led to a mudroom, which eventually led us outside.

  “That’s a lot of halls.” I laughed.

  “You haven’t seen the half of them.” He shut the door behind us, and I was now standing in an outdoor living space, couches included. A complete outdoor kitchen centered the covered patio.

  “No wonder you never leave your house.” I was only half-joking.

  “We’re going out there.” He pointed toward the barns.

  “And you promise me there’s nothing illegal going on? I’m a public servant. I’ve got to uphold my standards,” I teased.

  “So am I, believe it or not. Remember, I fight fires and rescue people?” He squeezed me before we took off toward the pastures, and my heart rate slowly started to climb.

  Every so often, Jake would steer me in a different direction through a different gate until we were finally standing in front of the closest barn to the house.

  “In here?” I asked.

  “Go ahead. Poke your head inside.”

  “It’s not a barn full of seagulls, is it?” I asked, suddenly afraid of what I might find.

  “There’s only one way to find out. Go for it.”

  I wrapped my fingers around the iron handle and slowly slid the door to the side to find the most beautiful animals staring back at me. The soft sounds of humming filled the air, and I glanced nervously back at Jake.

  “Go ahead. It’s okay,” he prompted.

  I turned back to look at the graceful animals in front of me. It was like dozens of teddy bears were staring—except their shapes were all wrong—as their doe eyes blinked back at me, watching and waiting with their long lashes curling toward the barn’s ceiling.

  “These are your investment?”

  “Huacaya Alpacas,” he said, crossing his arms.

  “They look like teddy bears mixed with—”

  “Llamas?” he laughed.

  “Exactly.”

  “Dotty is coming over for pets,” he told me, pointing at one of the animals meandering over.

  The humming continued and provided an eerie backdrop as the long-necked dark brown teddy bear slowly wandered in my direction. I couldn’t wait to sink my fingers into her fur. She looked like my ideal version of a body pillow.

  “Surprised?” Jake asked softly.

  I nodded as Dotty stopped in front of me and nudged my hand. I sank my fingers into the softest fur in the world, and Jake came up behind me.

  “Dotty’s fur is so dense, but it’s like clouds. Or what I’d imagine a cloud to feel like. This is incredible.” I glanced behind me. “I never would’ve guessed you’d be into farm animals.”

  “Don’t put it that way.”

  He patted Dotty’s forehead as she began nuzzling me and sniffing and snorting. It tickled so much, I couldn’t stop laughing. “What’s she doing? Is she trying to kiss me?”

  “She’s sniffing you.” He laughed and squeezed my shoulder softly.

  “Do they always make that noise? All of them?” I asked. “That song?”

  “At different times.” Jake stood next to me.

  “It’s so haunting. So beautiful.”

  His smile widened.

  “Whenever you’re having a bad day, it’s pretty impossible to stay that way around these guys.”

  “I bet.”

  Another alpaca began making its way over.

  “Uh-oh,” Jake muttered nervously, and my heart sputtered to a stop. “Todd isn’t a happy camper.”

  “Who’s Todd?” I whispered, looking around the barn for a caretaker or somebody.

  “Todd is the male headed over. He’s the blond-looking one.”

  “You named an alpaca Todd?” I asked, trying to keep in my giggles. “No wonder he’s pissed.”

  “He looks like a Todd.” Jake argued, giving Dotty one last pat.

  “I don’t think he looks like a Todd at all. Maybe a Larry, but not a Todd.”

  Jake laughed and grabbed my hand. “We should probably head back.”

  “Are you telling me you’re afraid of Todd?” My brow arched.

  “I wouldn’t say afraid. I just respect his authority.”

  “Aren’t you the one who is supposed to have the authority?” I teased.

  “Not when it comes to Todd. This is his barn.”

  Todd’s teddy bear appearance made it nearly impossible to visualize him as anything but a graceful creature in need of love.

  “Yeah. It’s time to leave,” Jake said slowly.

  “Okay. Whatever you say, tough guy.” I began to follow Jake’s lead, but before we had a chance to get out, Todd scooted Dotty out of the way and blocked Jake, who let out a sigh.

  “What is he doing?” I asked.

  “You’ll see. I wish you wouldn’t, but you’ll see.”

  I stood mesmerized, watching Todd stretch his neck toward Jake. I tilted my head as I took in the scene unfolding before me. Todd appeared to be grinding his
teeth together, his lips puckering a little here and there, and then it happened.

  Todd flat-out spit on Jake, turned around, and slowly walked away with Dotty right behind.

  “Todd’s got game,” I said, giggling so hard, tears flooded down my face. “Total game. In fact, I kind of want to follow the cool kids now.”

  Jake wiped the lime green mess off his chin and neck and shook his head.

  “You do that. You go follow your Todd and live with him and Dotty happily ever after. Just don’t come cryin’ to me when it’s clipper time.” He chuckled, and I wrapped my arm around his waist. “I could’ve taken him.”

  “I’m glad you didn’t, but at least you’re keeping me on my toes,” I told him.

  “Glad you see it that way.”

  We walked outside, and he latched the door behind us. I was trying to piece the puzzle together, but it all seemed so bizarre, I decided not to worry about it too much and enjoy the evening.

  “They’re such beautiful animals.”

  “They are. It’s a pretty peaceful existence out here.” We started back toward the house, and I felt the warm summer air wash over my skin.

  “I can see why you don’t feel the need to leave this place very often.”

  He nodded. “I’ve got a great group of people to help take care of them. See that building out there?” Jake pointed toward the building I saw when driving in. Up close, it looked like a house, not a shed. “That’s where my farmhands live.”

  “Wow.”

  “I travel a lot, so I need help running things.”

  “Guess that makes sense.”

  “Does to me.” He laughed, guiding me back into the house.

  “Thanks for letting me meet Dotty and Todd. I really like Todd.”

  “You would.” He narrowed his eyes at me, and I grinned sheepishly.

  We wandered back into the kitchen and washed our hands, and the silence between us was natural and comforting.

  “Want anything to drink?” he asked.

  “I’d just love water, actually.”

  “I can handle that.” He grabbed a glass and filled it up from some sort of stainless steel contraption built in the wall. God forbid he uses the faucet like the rest of us.