Before We Kiss

by Susan Mallery

  He stepped in front of her, then dropped to one knee. “Fayrene Hopkins, will you marry me?”

  She nodded. Her throat was tight and the tears were just so close. “Yes,” she managed. “I love you.”

  He rose and kissed her. “I love you, too.”

  He opened the box. She stared at the most beautiful round solitaire she’d ever seen. The ring was perfect. Simple and elegant. He slid it on her finger and kissed her again.

  After a couple of minutes, he drew back and picked up Caramel.

  “I’m thinking flower girl,” he said. “Can’t you see her in a little dress with lots of bows?”

  “I love it,” Fayrene said. “And you.”

  “I love you, too.” He glanced at the dog. “Ready to make us your family?”

  Caramel yipped once, then gave them both kisses. Ryan chuckled.

  “I have to make a call,” he said. “Then let’s get out of here.”

  “Where are we going?”

  “Anywhere we can be alone. I just have to phone Joe and tell him I won’t be available for the rest of the day.” Ryan chuckled. “And maybe not tomorrow, either.”

  CHAPTER EIGHTEEN

  “CAN I HELP YOU?” Sam asked as he glanced up and saw a little girl standing in the doorway to his office. She was thin, with bright red hair and pretty green eyes. He would guess she was seven or eight. He remembered he’d seen her before. About painting a box, maybe.

  “Chloe?” he asked.

  She nodded. “I’m looking for Kenny.”

  “Okay. I can take you to him.” Poor Kenny, dealing with a very young crush.

  “Thank you,” Chloe said politely. “My mom is Bailey Voss. She works for Mayor Marsha.” Chloe sounded proud of that fact. “I’m in the Future Warriors of the Máa-zib. Angel and Taryn are our grove leaders. Kenny helped me with knots and my friend’s jewelry box.”

  “I remember,” Sam said as he led her down the hall. “His office is this way.”

  Sam ushered Chloe inside. “You have a visitor.”

  Kenny looked up from his computer. His brows drew together. “What’s up?”

  Chloe smiled. “Hi, Kenny.”

  Kenny looked both pleased and terrified. “Uh, hi, Chloe. What’s up?”

  Sam was about to leave when Chloe spoke.

  “We’re having a barbecue this weekend and I want you to come.”

  Simple words. A common and uncomplicated invitation. Only it wouldn’t be that for Kenny, he thought. Not unless he and Bailey were friends and she had a clear understanding of how things were. Sam hesitated, not wanting to intrude, but needing to know if he had to protect his friend.

  “Do I know your mom?” Sam asked.

  Kenny answered. “She works for Mayor Marsha. Red hair, green eyes. Tall. Pretty.”

  “You know her,” Chloe said confidently. “And if you don’t, you can meet her at the barbecue. We’re going to have lots of people over. It’ll be really fun. Mom makes great cakes. Everybody likes cake.”

  “What about your dad?” Sam asked, wanting to help his friend. But as the words came out, he remembered what Allison had said the last time she’d been at Score.

  Chloe’s happy expression faded. “He was a soldier. He died last year.”

  “I’m sorry,” Sam said automatically, thinking while that was tragic, Kenny’s problem was more immediate.

  “Thank you.” Chloe looked at Kenny. “Can you make it?”

  Kenny was a big guy. Well over six feet with plenty of muscle. He could run like the wind and had magic hands that could catch anything thrown at him. But right now he looked incapable of moving. He was trapped by a seven-year-old girl who had no idea what she was asking.

  “Kenny’s not going to be in town this weekend,” Sam told her.

  “Oh. That’s too bad.”

  “Yeah, it is.” Sam motioned for her to follow him. “We need to let him get back to work.”

  Chloe sighed. “Maybe another time.”

  Kenny’s mouth formed a straight line. “It was nice to see you,” he told Chloe, rather than respond to the invitation.

  Sam saw the girl out, then returned to his friend’s office.

  “I’m sorry, man,” he said. “I didn’t know why she was here. She was here before and I figured it was a town thing.”

  “Yeah. That makes sense.” Kenny shifted in his seat. “No problem.”

  Sam hesitated, wanting to say more. But what? Kenny had his demons. All Sam could do was offer cover when possible.

  He returned to his office, still not sure why Chloe kept coming by. Was she looking for a substitute dad? If so, Kenny was the wrong guy. He might look like a good candidate on the surface, but it didn’t go further than that. The last thing he needed in his life was a woman with a kid that wasn’t his. That would be beyond cruel.

  * * *

  DELLINA VOWED SHE would not freak out. She’d done more with less, she reminded herself. The fact that she couldn’t remember when didn’t matter.

  “Over there,” she called out to the catering staff she’d hired to help with the event. “Stack the plates at the end of the buffet.”

  She turned and eyed the flowers on display. They were beautiful and fresh. Most important, they were practically fragrance free. Few things could destroy the desire to party faster than the overwhelming scent of too many fragrant flowers.

  The party was being held in the Condor Valley Winery. The main floor was perfect for entertaining. The rustic decor added charm, while the open area allowed for plenty of mingling. She’d set up the buffet along the wall opposite the tasting bar.

  Pulling together Fayrene and Ryan’s engagement party with less than forty-eight hours’ notice had been a challenge but the outcome was worth it. Word had gone out to all their friends. Dellina had arranged for the catering and serving staff. Ana Raquel and her husband took care of the food and the drinks were easy. Tonight the choices would be coffee, tea, soft drinks and Condor Valley wines.

  Ana Raquel came out with a large tray in her hands. It was covered with rows of tiny sandwiches. Dellina helped her place it on one of the buffet tables.

  “The puffs are ready to go in the oven,” her sister said. “We’re also doing mini quesadillas. Dessert is more complicated. I wanted to do a wedding cake, but there wasn’t time, so I called the bakery and they had several undecorated sheet cakes. They’re going to do two layers with a chocolate buttercream filling for each level. We should get about four layers in total.” She shrugged. “It’ll kind of look like a wedding cake. Square rather than round, which is okay. They’ll cover it with vanilla frosting, then drizzle chocolate ganache over it. Not exactly elegant, but it will work.”

  Dellina hugged her sister. “Thank you,” she said earnestly. “I couldn’t have pulled this together without you.”

  Ana Raquel grinned. “I know. I’m amazing.” She laughed. “Greg’s done most of the work. He’s brilliant in the kitchen.” She hugged Dellina back. “I love you, sis, but I gotta go.”

  She waved and raced back to help with the final preparations.

  Dellina made one more round to check on everything, then ducked into a nearby office to change. Normally she wasn’t concerned about what she was wearing. Her job was to disappear into the background. But this party was different.

  She pulled off her jeans and T-shirt, then slipped into the simple navy sheath she’d brought. She exchanged flats for strappy sandals and put on gold hoop earrings. There was a mirror on the wall and she used that to touch up her makeup. She carried her overflowing tote to her car and locked it inside, then went back into the winery. A quick check of her watch told her that guests would start arriving any second.

  She’d barely registered that fact when Fayrene and Ryan walked in. Her sist
er rushed over to her and showed off her beautiful engagement ring.

  “It’s perfect,” Dellina told her.

  “I know. I’m so happy. Isn’t Ryan wonderful?”

  “He is.”

  Ryan joined them and kissed Dellina’s cheek. “Thanks for all this,” he said. “I can’t believe you got an engagement party together so quickly.”

  “It’s what I do. I’m glad the engagement is official.”

  “Me, too,” Fayrene said, her expression impish. “It took me long enough to come to my senses and realize I had to ask for what I wanted.”

  Ryan took her hand in his and kissed her knuckles. “We’re together now, my sweet. That’s what matters.”

  Dellina smiled, happy for both of them. She glanced past them and saw several guests arriving.

  “Go mingle,” she said, shooing the young couple toward the front doors of the winery. “Accept congratulations and drink champagne. I have a designated driver for you, so not to worry.”

  Fayrene hugged her sister again. “Thank you,” she whispered. “For everything. I love you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  Dellina watched them go. Although she still had a million things to do, she gave herself a second to revel in her sisters’ happiness. They were both settled. Happy, successful and in love. When her parents had died, Dellina had been overwhelmed by the sudden responsibility of two younger siblings. They’d all gotten through it together. They’d stayed close and connected. She had a feeling her parents would be proud of all three of them.

  She turned toward the kitchen, prepared to tell Ana Raquel that the guests had started arriving, but her sister and Greg were already walking toward the buffet with large serving dishes. Dellina sighed. She loved it when a plan came together. When she had to—

  The back of her neck prickled. She glanced over her shoulder and saw Sam had arrived. In the few seconds before he saw her, she took in the sight of him. Her stomach did a little shimmy, her girl parts quivered in anticipation and her heart... Well, her heart was overflowing with love. Maybe falling for him was a mistake. Maybe she would regret it later. But right now loving Sam was the best part of her world.

  * * *

  SAM HADN’T BEEN to the Condor Valley Winery before. He liked the use of wood and high ceilings in the tasting room and looked forward to trying the wine.

  He still had trouble believing that only a couple of days ago Fayrene had been waffling about telling Ryan her true feelings, and now they were engaged and there was a party to celebrate the happy couple. Things moved fast in this town. Obviously Fayrene had come clean about wanting to move up the wedding. Sam wasn’t surprised Ryan had been enthused about getting engaged. He obviously loved Fayrene. But pulling a party together this fast?

  That was Dellina’s doing, he thought as he searched for her in a crowd. She knew how to make the magic happen.

  He spotted her talking to Josh Golden and his wife. Charity? Sam wasn’t sure. He knew she was the city planner and that they had a couple of kids.

  He let his gaze linger on Dellina. She was smiling as she talked. Moving her hands. She always listened intently, as if whoever was speaking was the most interesting person in the world. She had a way with people. And a way with him.

  He liked her. He liked being around her. Taryn and Jack hadn’t been subtle in their advice. It was just a matter of time until Kenny took him on. It wasn’t that he didn’t want a happy ending with a beautiful, funny, sexy, caring woman like Dellina. It was that he didn’t think it was possible. Their relationship was going to end badly. The trick was putting off that end as long as possible.

  He walked over to the wine bar, then moved to the edge of the room to watch what was going on. As he studied the growing crowd, he realized he knew most of them by name. Pia and Raoul. He’d met Heidi at the ranch a few weeks before. Heidi of the goats. The guy with her was her husband and his name was Rafe.

  “Are you being antisocial?” Taryn asked as she walked over to him.

  “Observing. There’s a difference.”

  “Maybe on the inside, but on the outside, they look the same.” She linked arms with him and drew him toward the center of the room. “Angel is back so my world is restored,” she told him. “You see before you a happy woman.”

  “I’m glad.”

  “He won’t say what he was doing, which is a little annoying.”

  “I’m sure you have ways of making him talk.”

  “I do, as a matter of fact.” She smiled.

  Mayor Marsha walked up to them. “How are you two?”

  “Great,” Taryn said with a sigh. “Did you have something to do with Angel and Ford disappearing?”

  Sam expected the older woman to be confused by the question. Instead she nodded.

  “Yes, they were helping me. A young woman was in trouble and they went to make sure she was safe.”

  Taryn’s eyes widened. “Seriously?”

  “Of course. Her name is Shelby and she was trapped at home with an abusive father. He’s been arrested and charged with multiple crimes. Shelby will be receiving some counseling to deal with the trauma of all she’s been through. Even worse, her mother is dying of cancer.”

  “How do you know her?” Sam asked.

  “I don’t. I know her brother. I suspect they’ll both be moving to town in the next few months.” She turned her attention to him. “I heard your business finance talk went over very well. Thank you so much for doing that. The business community needs strong leadership. I’m hoping you can fill that role.”

  “I, ah...” Sam cleared his throat. The mayor continued to stare at him until he found himself saying, “Yes. Of course. Happy to.”

  “Good.”

  Taryn squeezed his arm. “So, how was your trip to New Zealand? Meet any handsome men?”

  “At my age?” Mayor Marsha smiled. “Don’t be silly. Now if you’ll excuse me, I want to congratulate the happy couple.”

  She walked away.

  Taryn watched her go. “I think she has supernatural powers.”

  “Not possible.”

  “You’re about to be a leader in the business community, Sam. You’re more than capable, but you do your best to never get involved. So why did you say yes?”

  He shrugged, not sure of the answer.

  “See,” Taryn told him. “She used mind control.”

  He got Taryn a glass of wine, then spoke to more people he now somehow knew. All the while, he watched Dellina manage the party. She smiled at him, but before he could join her, she was pulled into the kitchen. There was plenty of time, he reminded himself. He would find her by the end of the evening. Find her and take her home. He smiled. It was going to be a very good night.

  * * *

  “THERE YOU ARE.”

  Dellina turned and saw Sam approaching. Her heart rate immediately increased and she felt herself smiling.

  “I could say the same thing,” she told him. “You’ve been quite the social butterfly this evening.”

  He grinned. “Hardly.”

  “Every time I spotted you, you were chitchatting with someone else. Careful, Sam. People will think you’re a native.”

  “I’m getting there.” He put his arm around her waist and drew her close. “I’ve missed you.”

  Words to make her already in-love self sigh. “I know. This party has taken every second.”

  “But you pulled it together in forty-eight hours. Impressive.”

  His dark gaze was possessive, his hand firm on her back. He drew her into a corner and she didn’t resist. Not when she was pretty sure of the outcome.

  Sure enough, as soon as they were in a relatively private space, he wrapped his arms around her and kissed her deeply. She relaxed into his embrace and let her body melt ag
ainst his.

  She let herself get lost in the feel of his tongue against hers before reluctantly drawing back.

  “I know,” he said before she could speak. “You’re still on duty.”

  “Until the party is over.”

  He kissed her lightly. “I’ll wait. Want to go back to my place?”

  She put her hands on his chest. “Really?”

  “Why are you surprised?”

  “I’ve never been to your place.”

  “You have.”

  She shook her head. “Nope. I’ve never seen where you live.” Something she was sure was deliberate. Or had been at first.

  “Then it’s past time.”

  * * *

  DELLINA FOUND HERSELF oddly nervous as Sam pulled into his driveway. He’d followed her to her place first. She’d dropped off her car and grabbed a few things so she could stay the night, then had gotten into his car. Now as he parked in front of the ranch-style home, she felt fluttering in her stomach and it had little to do with how good-looking he was.

  It was close to nine and the sun had set over an hour ago. Lights spilled from most of the houses around them. The sound from TVs and kids playing could be heard. An ordinary neighborhood in an ordinary town, she thought, although she wasn’t totally convinced by her words.

  She got out before Sam could open the door, but let him carry her small bag. He led the way up to the front door and opened it, then flipped on lights.

  The house might have been built in the sixties, but it had been extensively remodeled. The whole middle section had been opened up. There was a kitchen to the far left and a huge great room large enough to support two sofas and nearly half a dozen chairs. Big windows would let in light during the day.

  Sam flipped on a few lamps. She saw a fireplace with an old-fashioned brick hearth. The mid-century touch suited the room.

  “Nice,” she said as she glanced around.

  “Want to see the rest of the place?”

  “Sure.”

  They went into the eat-in kitchen. It was open, with plenty of counter space and lots of cupboards. There were plenty of gadgets, including a complex-looking espresso machine and massive stove with a built-in grill.