by A. C. Arthur
Ava smiled as she digested that tidbit of hopeful information. “I’m sure you’re happy they came back. Especially Garrek.”
Harper’s smile was quick and brilliant. It touched every part of her face from the rise of her high cheekbones to the little light that appeared in her eyes.
“I wasn’t looking for love,” she told Ava. “I was just trying to do a good job for Gray and Morgan, and then he appeared. It’s been a roller-coaster ride, believe me, but one I’d take over and over again.”
Ava tilted her head and resisted the urge to say, “Awww.” She wasn’t a romantic—far from it, if truth be told. Grand gestures like candlelit dinners, flowers and frilly words didn’t mean much to her. Maybe because her parents didn’t have that type of relationship. Or it could be that she’d watched too many girls in high school and college falling for one guy after another who gave them the words, the gestures, even the gifts, only to have the relationship ultimately break apart in the end. Either way, Ava had known all along that happy-ever-after was not for her. Tops on her agenda was professional success. After that, well, she’d settle at some point with a happy-for-now ending.
“I wish I could have met him,” she said instead. “Gray seems like a nice man. He’s definitely devoted to Morgan and the children.”
“Oh, there’s no doubt about that. They all have his heart and soul completely. I love being with them at the house because that love just radiates throughout the walls. And I’m glad that Gray’s move back here seems to be bringing the other siblings back to Temptation one by one.”
“Really? Do you expect the sisters to return to town soon?” Ava asked.
That would be perfect for her.
Harper had just begun to shake her head when her gaze drifted over Ava’s shoulder and her smile spread once more.
“I’m not sure,” she said. “Morgan’s definitely trying for that big Christmas gathering. But for now, I think the whole town is just curious about his return,” Harper said.
Before Ava could ask who she was referring to, or even turn to look in the direction of Harper’s gaze, he was there. Standing at the table, staring down at them with dark brown eyes and that sexy-as-hell smile.
“Good morning, ladies,” Gage said.
“Good morning,” Harper said. “I thought you and Gray were having breakfast at the hospital this morning.”
“We were,” he answered. “But trust me, I’ve had enough hospital cafeteria food. Thought I’d try to find some real sustenance here.”
Harper and Ava both chuckled.
“Well, Ms. Pearl makes the best waffles. I can’t eat them on mornings when I have to work because I get so full and they put me right to sleep. But you should definitely try them.”
Gage was nodding his agreement when Harper began to stand.
“I have to get going to another site now, but, Ava, if you want to continue talking about the tiny house, just give me a call.”
“I will,” Ava answered while ignoring the questioning rise of Gage’s brow. “Thanks so much for taking the time to talk to me about it.”
“No problem. I’d love to work with you on the project. Just keep me posted. And, you, I guess I’ll see around,” Harper said to Gage. “Maybe tonight at the wine festival?”
“There’s a wine festival tonight?” Ava asked.
Harper smiled as she moved out of the booth and Gage took her seat. “There’s always a festival or celebration or some type of event going on in Temptation. We’re heading into our fall festivities now. So tonight’s the wine festival, and then in a few weeks we’ll have the fall festival and pumpkin-carving contest. After that we’re full swing into the holidays, and believe me you haven’t seen anything until you’ve seen Temptation all lit up and ready to celebrate Thanksgiving and Christmas.”
Again, Ava wanted to sigh with contentment. She’d never lived in a small town and so had never experienced festivals or pumpkin-carving contests. Her childhood had consisted of boarding schools, summer camps, etiquette classes, ballet lessons and formal dinner parties.
“Well, I love wine, so I’m definitely there,” she immediately replied.
“Then I guess I’m going, too,” Gage said cheerfully.
“Great!” Harper said, excitement clear in her voice. “See you both later.”
It was that excitement that put Ava on edge. Who was she kidding? Gage was putting her on edge. Again.
“So you love wine,” Gage said immediately when they were alone.
Ava was saved from providing an answer when the waitress came over to ask what he wanted. He ordered the waffles and orange juice, and Ava thought the woman’s face might actually crack, she was grinning at him so broadly. She shook her head at the obvious infatuation and wondered if Gage dealt with this all the time. And if he liked it.
“I need to get back to my writing,” she said, suddenly irritated.
Gage reached a hand out quickly to touch her wrist. “Keep me company while I have breakfast,” he said. “Otherwise that waitress is going to keep coming back, and I’m really not in the mood for that type of attention right now.”
“So that not-so-subtle flirtation happens to you all the time?”
He shrugged. “Sometimes.”
“And you normally like it, but not today. I see. Well, what makes today so different?”
Damn. She sounded testy and hated it.
Gage sat back, resting his hands in his lap now. “I don’t know what’s different,” he told her. “I’m still trying to figure it out. But, maybe it’s you.”
No. It couldn’t be her.
“That’s ridiculous. We’re not committed to each other in any way,” she stated. But inside she wondered if that should actually be a question.
The thought was totally foolish. This was Gage Taylor, an employee and the subject of her new project.
“No. We’re not,” he told her. “But we are sleeping together.”
“It was just for one ni—” she started to say.
Gage arched a brow again as her lips snapped shut.
“Look, I’m not in the market for a relationship any more than you are. But I like honesty. So I try to be as honest with myself as possible.”
Ava tried to ignore the sting she felt when he said “honesty.”
When he continued, she took a sip from her glass.
“We’ve been together twice now. That doesn’t make us a couple, but it certainly classifies us as sleeping together.”
She couldn’t argue the logic.
He nodded and thanked the waitress when his food and juice were delivered.
The offer to get him anything he wanted and yet another bright smile had Ava’s fingers fisting at her sides. She forced herself to breathe and relax because she was being ridiculous.
“Well, I can work while you eat,” she said and then looked down to her iPad once more.
“Or you can tell me why you’re talking about building a house here in Temptation if you just came for a writing retreat,” he said.
Right, Ava thought as she took another drink from her glass. She could tell Gage why she was lying about her real reason for being here. That was sure to go over well.
Chapter 5
“I’m still waiting for a call back on that rain check.”
Ava turned at the statement and found herself staring up at Craig Presley.
It was a little after seven in the evening, and since daylight saving time hadn’t occurred yet, the sun was just waning in preparation to set. The Fall Wine Festival was being held at Treetop Park, which was just down the street from Temptation’s town hall.
After spending her day walking around the town and talking to the wide array of citizens, Ava had headed back to the B and B, where she’d showered, checked emails and dressed for the festival. When she’d stepped outside again
, it was to learn that the evening weather had shifted to a more comfortable temperature than earlier, so her decision to wear the navy blue ankle pants and beige sleeveless blouse with nude-colored sandals was a smart one. She’d driven the fuel-efficient hybrid rental car and parked on the street across from the park. The one with all the colorful houses.
“Oh, hi, Craig. I’m sorry. I’ve just been busy writing and stuff.”
He smiled, a really nice smile. Craig was a good-looking guy who probably had women smiling at him the same way Gage did. She shook her head in an attempt to get Gage out of her mind.
“It’s cool,” he said. “I understand. We just finished up a big project, so I’m glad to have the festival to unwind a little.”
“It looks like a good crowd,” she said turning her attention toward the stalls and tents where people were lined up.
“Come on, let’s start tasting,” Craig told her and took her hand before she could respond.
They walked past two stalls with super long lines and when Craig joked about people in Temptation not being afraid to get drunk in public, Ava laughed.
“What’s so funny?” a woman who had just stepped in front of them asked.
She wore gray dress pants with a purple blouse. Her hair was feathered back from her carefully made-up face, and her lips pursed as her eyes assessed every part of Ava.
“Hi, Ms. Millie,” Craig said, gripping Ava’s hand a little tighter.
“Craig,” the woman—Millie—replied. “You have manners, son, I know your daddy taught them to you. So make the introductions.”
Rude didn’t quite seem to describe this woman.
“I’m Ava Cannon,” she said because she was a grown woman and did not need Craig to make introductions for her. “I’m visiting Temptation on a writing retreat.”
She was losing track of how many times she told that lie, but didn’t want to think about that at the moment.
“Ava Cannon,” Millie said and continued to look as if Ava had body odor or food stuck in her teeth.
“I’m Millie Randall. Chairperson of the chamber of commerce. We usually like to welcome the visitors to Temptation personally. But I didn’t know you were here. Not until this morning at least when I saw you coming out of the diner with Gage Taylor.”
“Yes. I had a breakfast meeting with Harper this morning, and then Gage showed up.” For whatever reason, Ava felt like she needed to explain.
“And now you’re here with Craig. Well, it seems you’re certainly getting around. Are you writing about the men of Temptation?” Millie asked.
“I hope not,” Gage said from behind Ava.
Her heart skipped a beat at the sound of his voice, but she did not turn to look at him. This situation had gone from strange to uncomfortable in record time.
“Hey, Gage,” Craig said. “Glad you could make it to your first wine festival in Temptation.”
Gage had come to stand next to Millie, across from Craig and Ava.
“I thought Ava and I would enjoy our first festival together,” Gage said.
“Hmmmm.” Millie made the sound and looked skeptically from Gage to Ava, letting her gaze linger there.
Ava wanted to scream. Or turn and run back to her car and drive all the way back to LA. Anything to not be in the middle of something she didn’t even understand herself.
This was silly. She wasn’t doing anything wrong. Gage had said so himself—they weren’t a couple.
“I just got here and ran into Craig,” she said.
“And then we ran into Ms. Millie,” Craig said.
Millie nodded. “And now we’re all here together.”
Ava remained silent.
“Why don’t you come with me, Craig? I have something in my car for your father. You can take it to him.”
Craig looked at Ava.
“She’ll be fine with me,” Gage said in a stiff voice.
“Come, Craig,” Millie commanded and turned around to start walking away.
With an audible sigh, Craig released Ava’s hand. “I’ll be back,” he said to her.
“Oh, don’t worry about it,” she told him. “I’ll probably leave in a few minutes anyway. I still have work to do.”
He gave her a quick smile as he back-walked in the direction Millie was heading. “That’s fine, but my rain check still holds.”
Ava smiled. “No problem.”
But there was a problem. When they were alone, Ava felt it. She couldn’t explain it, but she felt it in the way Gage was staring at her.
“So,” she said finally because she was tired of standing there feeling ridiculous. “I’m going to just grab one drink, and then I’ll be going.”
He wasn’t frowning, but he didn’t look happy either. “I think we both need a drink.”
That was an understatement, and the first booth they made it to, Ava eagerly accepted one of the red wines they were offering. It went down smooth and had a sweet taste, so she took another. She didn’t know if Gage was trying the white or the red wine, but she finished her second and was just swallowing the third, when he stopped her.
“Slow down there. You have to pace yourself when you come to these things. Otherwise I’ll have to carry you back to the B and B.”
Gage’s voice was deep, and rubbed against all of her nerve endings with quick and potent efficiency. The fact that she was still undeniably attracted to him after their two hookups was not nearly as surprising as the low hum of guilt she’d been carrying with her since answering his question about her tiny house quest this morning.
“Oh, no worries about that,” she replied. “I can hold my liquor.”
“Really? Spending your evenings in bars putting back a few is how you roll?”
His tone was lighter than just moments ago, but Ava didn’t feel like laughing.
She shrugged. “Boarding school wasn’t nearly as prim and proper as my mother thought it would be.”
He nodded. “So you were that girl, huh? Boarding schools, fancy cars, Ivy League college.”
“You attended Columbia for undergrad and medical school,” she said.
“Checked up on me, did you?”
“I did my research,” she said. “As I do with all the people I work with.”
“That makes sense,” he replied.
He took the empty glass from her, their fingers brushing with the action. She was just about to pull her hand away when Gage reached for it.
“I’m not a holding-hand type of guy,” he said, staring down at her fingers.
Ava was about to say that she wasn’t either, but that would have been silly since Craig had been holding her hand when Gage joined them.
After a few seconds more, he released her hand and returned her cup to the stall.
Okay, she was being foolish, there was no reason this should feel awkward. She wasn’t committed to Gage, and she hadn’t been doing anything wrong with Craig.
So when Gage turned to her again she started to walk, and he joined her.
“I know this is your first wine tasting in Temptation, but have you been to one of these before?” she asked after they’d passed a few stalls decorated with plastic vines and grapes.
“I’ve been to wine and cheese receptions in the city, and I have a friend who lives in the Hamptons who has an annual get-together to showcase his family’s vineyard, but this is different.”
“I agree,” Ava replied. “This is different.”
He may have thought she was referring to the wine festival, but she wasn’t. Her thoughts were circling more around the fact that she was actually thinking about everything she’d said to Gage in the last two days, versus the two times they’d spent in each other’s arms, and the truth of why she was here. It was complicated, and while she could simply tell him everything right here and right now, she didn’t.
/> What Ava did do, however—and to her utter embarrassment—was trip over some power cords that had been stretched across the grass from one booth to another. With her arms flailing forward, she prayed she wouldn’t fall flat on her face, but her feet were already doing some type of clumsy dance that almost assured that fate.
“Whoa, there,” Gage said.
His arms went around her waist, and pulled her back against him as his words whispered into her ear.
A few choice curse words and a deep breath later, Ava’s feet were once again solidly on the ground while her cheeks fused with heat. “These cords should probably be stretched behind the tents. Instead of across the path where people have to walk.”
“That’s very true,” Gage replied.
His lips were close to her ear so that his words were warm and...oddly sexy. The arm he still had wrapped around her waist felt almost possessive, and her blouse rode up her back at their close proximity.
“I’m okay now,” Ava said nervously and attempted to move out of his grasp. But he held on.
“You sure? How many glasses of wine did you have before I showed up?” he asked with a chuckle.
Ava managed a smile even though she was beginning to feel pretty warm in the cool autumn evening air.
“I’m not drunk, Gage. Just a little clumsy, I guess.”
Even though she’d never been known to be clumsy before. Nor had she considered herself easily flustered by some guy.
Pulling down her shirt, she looked at Gage and tried to keep her smile in place. “The cords are a hazard and could incite a lawsuit.”
“Say that a little louder, and I’m sure by night’s end, everyone in town will fall over themselves trying to make your visit here as safe and enjoyable as possible. That’s how threats tend to work here,” Gage said.
“I didn’t,” she replied. “I mean, I wouldn’t. I was just saying that someone else might. And how do you even know how people here would act? This is your first time back in Temptation since you were a kid.”
For a few seconds Gage looked at her oddly, like maybe she shouldn’t know that about him. Or maybe he just didn’t like hearing that little bit of truth.