by Darcy Burke
“Yes, that’s Gram,” Kelsey said.
“Are they an item?” Tori asked, her eyes lighting. “That would be so great.”
“I don’t know what they are, but they seem to be having a good time.”
Tori grinned. “That’s all that matters. We all just adore George. There’s nothing we’d like more than to see him find love.” She put her arm around Sean and snuggled close against him.
Suddenly, Luke wanted to find love. Or at least companionship. For the first time, he missed what he’d had with Paige. Not that exactly, but the promise of something…special.
He thought about what he and Kelsey had talked about on the way over, how when he thought of long-term relationships and settling down, he always assumed that would come later. But when was later?
They chatted for a few more minutes, and then he and Kelsey decided to grab some food. They finished their ale before heading out of the beer garden.
On the way out, they ran into Brooke and Cam, who were hand in hand. “Hey, bro!” Cam clapped Luke on the shoulder as Brooke and Kelsey exchanged a brief hug.
“We’re headed for some of Kyle’s killer fondue.” Another of the Archer sextuplets, Kyle was a celebrity chef and ran the restaurant up at The Alex hotel.
Brooke looked over at Cam. “Oh, that sounds so good. Can the beer wait?”
“Whatever my love wants is my fondest desire.” Cam took her hand and pressed a kiss to her palm.
“I think I might gag,” Luke said.
Kelsey nudged him in the arm. “Don’t say that. It’s cute.”
“He’s my brother. There’s a law that I have to give him crap. You have a brother, right?”
“Yes, but he’s ten, so it’s not remotely similar. Plus, I don’t think the dynamic between brothers and sisters is quite the same as just brothers.”
“Or just sisters,” Brooke put in. “I have two of those, and I can attest to taunting them as much as these yokels do.” She jabbed her thumb toward Luke and Cam.
They turned and headed toward the fondue booth. A space at a table opened up, so Brooke and Kelsey grabbed spots for them while Luke and Cam went to get the food.
Cam looked over at the ladies with their heads bent together. “You didn’t tell me you were coming with Kelsey tonight.” He speared Luke with an inquisitive stare.
Luke shrugged. “No big deal.”
“Tell that to Mom. If she sees that you’re on a date, she’ll have Kelsey over for dinner faster than you can say chicken potpie.”
Luke looked around. “Is she here?”
Cam stepped forward as the line moved. “Probably. She and Dad usually come on Saturday night.”
“Well, do me a favor and keep your mouth shut.”
“Is it a secret?” Cam asked.
Luke sent him an exasperated stare. “Obviously not, but as you pointed out, Mom will be all over this like ugly on a gorilla.”
“Eh, it’s not that bad. Brooke loves her.”
“Good for Brooke.” Luke didn’t want to scare Kelsey off. Mom could be intense.
It was their turn at the counter, and they ordered fondue, sausage, and pretzels. They had to wait nearly ten minutes for the food and then carted it back to the table.
Kelsey looked up at Luke as he sat down next to her. “So we just got a text from Crystal. She’s in California this weekend, but she set up an appointment with the archaeologist this Wednesday at eleven. Does that work for you guys?” She glanced over at Cam before returning her gaze to Luke.
“Works for me,” Cam said.
Luke broke off a piece of pretzel. “Yep, I can do that. Do you know what the meeting will entail?”
Brooke answered. “Crystal said the archaeologist will do a walk on the property and a cursory search. Apparently, there are things she might be able to see without even digging.”
Cam leaned his arm on the table. “Really? That’s fascinating. I’m really looking forward to this. And I know Jamie is too. Crap, he might be gone that day. I think he’s signed up for some accounting workshop or something.”
“We could probably reschedule,” Kelsey said.
Luke heard a hint of disappointment in her tone. “Nah, we can go ahead. I imagine the archaeologist will need to come back. Jamie will get a chance to nerd out.”
“Hey, archaeology isn’t nerdy,” Brooke said. “Look at Indiana Jones.” She sent a knowing glance at Kelsey, who nodded in agreement.
“Yeah, because all archaeologists look like that and have the opportunity to swashbuckle.”
Kelsey shook her head at Luke. “That’s not a verb. You’re trying to use that as a verb.”
“Why can’t it be? To swashbuckle. I like it.” He grinned at her, and she rolled her eyes.
“The point is,” Brooke said sternly but with a smile, “archaeology isn’t nerdy.”
“I didn’t mean that it was,” Luke said, holding up his hands in mock defense. “I only meant that it’s a subject about which Jamie is interested, or dare I even say excited. Maybe he’ll go back to school and get a fourth—or would it be his fifth?—degree in that field.”
“Hello!” Mom’s singsong greeting made the hair on Luke’s neck stand up. He swiveled his head around to see her quickly approaching the table with Dad. “How wonderful to run into my boys.”
“Hi, Mom,” Cam said.
Brooke jumped up and gave her a quick hug. “Do you want my seat?”
“No, no. We’re on our way out.” Her gaze was fixed on Kelsey.
Luke stood. “Mom, this is my friend Kelsey McDade. Kelsey, this is my mom, Angie. And my dad, Sam.”
Mom shook Kelsey’s hand and then Dad did the same. “Pleased to meet you,” Dad said, “though I feel as though we’ve met before.”
“I work at The Arch and Vine,” Kelsey said.
Dad smiled. “That’s it.”
“Is that right?” Mom asked. “So you’re a waitress?”
“And a librarian,” Luke answered. “She runs the new library in town.”
Mom cocked her head to the side. “I was in there last week, and I don’t think I saw you.”
Kelsey clasped her hands on the edge of the table in front of her. “If you came in on a Thursday or Friday, you probably met Marci. She’s my assistant. I was likely upstairs working on the Ribbon Ridge exhibit.”
Mom laughed the kind of laugh that came from anxiety or discomfort. “Oh yes, of course. How silly of me. Brooke’s told me all about that. I didn’t realize you were one of the women she mentioned was working with her.” She waved her hand. “My bad. It’s lovely to meet you finally. And you’re here with Luke?” Mom smiled expectantly as she glanced from Kelsey to Luke and back to Kelsey again.
“Uh, yes.” Kelsey flicked a look toward him. It wasn’t panic. No, nothing so dramatic, but there was a shadow of apprehension there.
Time to come to the rescue. “So you and Dad are headed home? Any booths we need to see?”
“Oh yes, make sure you head toward the play structure,” Mom said. “There’s a young man over there displaying his art, and it’s just fantastic.”
Luke sat back down, hoping they’d go on their way. He sent Dad a pleading look. “Thanks for the tip. We’ll check it out.”
Dad brushed his hand along Mom’s back. “Come on, dear. I’m beat after trimming the shrubs today.” He clapped Cam on the shoulder, since he was closer. “See you boys later. Good night, Brooke—and Kelsey.” He smiled warmly as he escorted Mom away.
“So who wants to go see art?” Brooke had sat back down but now got up again.
“Me,” Cam said, picking up their trash. He looked across the table at Luke and Kelsey. “You coming?”
Luke turned toward his date, and she nodded as she said, “Sure.”
After disposing of their trash, they made their way to the arts and crafts on display and for sale. The watercolorist was quite good. He’d done a rendering of a vineyard, which Luke couldn’t seem to tear his eyes from.
> Kelsey came to stand beside him. “You like that a lot.” She was close enough that he could smell her intoxicating honeysuckle scent.
“I do.”
“It’s gorgeous.”
He turned and whispered, “Not as pretty as you.”
“Now you’re just being corny.”
“Nope. I’m being honest.” He took her hand and squeezed it before turning to continue to the next booth.
When she didn’t withdraw her hand, his pulse quickened. The next booth was handmade jewelry—earrings and bracelets, mostly.
Kelsey picked up a silver bracelet from the display. A book charm dangled from the clasp. “Cute,” she murmured.
“You like that?”
She nodded. “I’m a sucker for silver. And books.” She smiled at the vendor as she set it back down.
They caught up with Brooke and Cam and had a good time touring the booths until Cam realized they’d never gone to the beer garden. Kelsey didn’t really want to go back, and Luke didn’t either. Instead, they made their way to the music area where the headlining act had just taken the stage. They were playing something in between a fast and slow song, and Luke asked Kelsey to dance.
“Seriously? I don’t remember the last time I danced.”
“Me neither.” He shrugged, smiling at her. “Sounds fun, though, right? And this is a good song.”
“I can’t argue with you there, but don’t laugh at me, okay?”
“Only if you promise not to laugh at me.”
He led her to the dance floor, which was basically an open area of grass currently populated by maybe a dozen people. They did their best to dance and twirl to the song, laughing as they collided more than once as they each tried to figure out what to do.
The song ended, and, still giggling, they traipsed back toward the periphery.
She looked up at him. “I’ve had a great time, but I’ve got a double shift tomorrow with the library and the pub.”
“But Cinderella, it’s nowhere near midnight.”
She pointed her toe. “And I’m not wearing glass slippers. Sorry to burst your fantasy.”
Yes, she was a fantasy, he realized. A living, breathing dream of what he wanted right now.
“Come on, I’ll walk you home.” He twined his fingers through hers, and they made their way out of the park.
She cast a sidelong glance his way. “You live near here, right?”
“Go a block west and then up three more blocks. Tiny rental. Okay, maybe not tiny, and it’s about to get bigger. Did I tell you that Jamie’s moving out?”
She looked at him askance as they crossed the street. “No, you didn’t. Is that a good thing?”
“Yes. I prefer to live alone.”
She mock-gasped and widened her eyes. “Me too.”
He grinned at her, enjoying her company so much. “Shocker.”
She laughed softly, the sound cascading over him like a cozy blanket. “Where’s he moving to?”
“Brooke’s old loft. He just managed to snag it right after she gave notice.”
“Damn.”
Luke stopped on the sidewalk. “What’s wrong?”
“She told me that she was moving and asked if I was interested in taking her loft. Stupidly, I said no.”
She was the person Cam had mentioned. That sucked. She looked so disappointed.
Maybe he could ask Jamie not to take it. Which, of course, meant that Luke would still have a roommate.
She narrowed her eyes at him. “Don’t you dare talk to Jamie. It’s his fair and square. Anyway, my initial response was to pass, and sometimes your gut just knows what to do. I’m going to trust that.”
“Are you sure?”
She nodded vigorously. “Absolutely. Jamie deserves it—and you deserve to have your own place. I can see how much it means to you.”
She was quite simply the best woman he’d ever met. “Can I kiss you?”
She stared at him, her lips parting slightly. He heard the small but distinctive intake of her breath.
He leaned forward.
She jerked away but didn’t let go of his hand. “Ask me again when we get to my place. Sorry, I need to…process.”
He forced himself to take a deep breath. His pulse was working overtime, and points south of his waistband were getting ahead of themselves.
“So your parents seem nice.”
Now he knew she was the best woman. His mother ought to have scared her off. “My mom didn’t make you cringe with the waitress comment? You have a freaking master’s degree, for crying out loud.”
She laughed. “I’m used to that. You should see how some customers treat waitstaff. It’s disgusting.”
He hated that she had to put up with that. They turned the corner and headed back toward The Arch and Vine. “But she’s my mother.”
“And I’m sure she’s lovely. I told you a bit about my mother, right? She would’ve asked how many dates we’d gone on and whether we planned to go out again. And our answers would’ve just spurred more questions. It’s always an interrogation with her.”
“Yikes, sorry.”
They crossed the street again, and he was torn between walking faster to see if he’d get to kiss her and slowing to a crawl because he didn’t want the evening to end. Although, if he kissed her and things progressed…maybe the evening wouldn’t end at all.
Whoa there, pal. Settle.
They got to her door, and she turned toward him. “And here we are.” She looked up at him, and her eyes were pale and gorgeous in the lamplight.
“About that kiss…”
She slid her hands up his shirtfront and clasped the sides of his jaw. Coming up on her toes, she pressed her lips against his. Her touch raced through him like electricity—hot and blinding. He grasped her waist and pulled her close until her hips grazed his.
She pulled her lips from his but didn’t retreat. Her eyes opened, and the vulnerability in their depths stole his breath. “I haven’t done that in years. I don’t…” She shook her head.
He lifted his hands and cupped her face. “Thank you.” He kissed her again, softly moving his mouth over hers, wanting more but afraid to take anything she didn’t want to offer.
Her hands slipped down his neck and clutched at his collar. She pulled him closer and twined her hands around his nape. Then she angled her head and opened her mouth. That was the invitation he’d been waiting for. The fantasy he’d been dreaming of.
He thrust his fingers into the sleek softness of her hair as her tongue danced against his. Sensations exploded—her scent filling his nostrils, the sound of his heartbeat thundering in his ears, the spark of heat igniting inside him, the feel of her body pressed along his.
He kissed her like he hadn’t been kissed in years. And he hadn’t—not like this. It was like unwrapping a present he hadn’t asked for. A gift he hadn’t known he wanted, and yet suddenly didn’t think he could live without.
She arched against him. Desire pulsed through his veins, heightening his arousal. He wanted to ask if he could take her upstairs when someone wolf-whistled from across the street.
She pulled away, bringing her hand to her mouth as she presented her back to the street. Her cheeks were flushed, her gaze fixed on her door.
“Can I walk you up?” His voice was deeper than normal. More primal.
“No.” She swallowed as she turned to face him, her eyes glazed and maybe a bit…wild. “I had a great time tonight. Truly. I…I like kissing you. I’m attracted to you. But—” She turned back toward the building and inhaled slowly before exhaling just as slowly. She did this two more times, as if it were some sort of breathing exercise.
Then she pivoted back again, looking slightly calmer—more serene—than she had a moment before. “I don’t think I can do this. I’m not ready.”
“Do what?” He wanted to be clear. “I have all the patience in the world.”
She shook her head. “It’s more than…that. It’s everything. I’m not r
eady for a relationship.”
“Then we’ll be friends for now. Or forever. If that’s what you want. I’m here to stay, Kelsey.”
“What if I don’t want you to?” The question was low and stark, and it sliced into him like the sharpest, most well-aimed knife.
He sensed she needed a very specific answer to that. An answer that would give her the freedom she needed. That she deserved. He could only imagine the hell she’d gone through, and damn it, he wanted to understand. But now wasn’t the time to ask for that—and it might never come. “Then I’ll go.”
She stared at him another moment, blinking, before turning to unlock the door and fleeing upstairs. He stood there and stared at the closed door.
And then he did what he said he’d do—he left.
Chapter Eight
Kelsey parked in the lot at West Arch Estate and shut off the car just before eleven on Wednesday. She sat there for a moment and took a deep breath. She hadn’t seen Luke since last Saturday night when she’d kissed him. They’d texted some, mostly about today’s meeting with the archaeologist, but she’d held back a little. She couldn’t help it.
Crystal pulled into the spot next to her and waved.
Kelsey stepped out of the car and pocketed her keys. The day was cool, with thick clouds overhead. The forecast called for rain, but hopefully it would hold off until they were finished. Just in case, she’d worn her rain boots.
Crystal had done the same. As she came around her car to meet Kelsey, she pointed at their boots. “Same pair!”
Kelsey wiggled her toes. “I love these.” Living in the Pacific Northwest her whole life, she knew the value of good rain boots.
“Me too. I didn’t realize how important and fabulous rain boots could be until I started spending more time here,” Crystal said.
They walked toward the winery. “Is it hard to travel so much?” Kelsey asked.
Crystal lifted a shoulder. “I’m used to it. Mostly it’s here to LA, so it’s not terrible. Flying back and forth to North Carolina gets old, so I only go a few times a year. And usually for Thanksgiving and Christmas. My family gives me such a hard time if I miss the holidays. I haven’t told them yet, but I’m actually thinking of staying here for Christmas this year.” She winced. “Maybe. I have to decide if I’m up for the battle.”