Marry Me on Main Street

by LuAnn McLane

  He sucked in his bottom lip as if thinking. “Music. Wine … a well-written book,” he said, still looking out the window.

  Betsy waited for him to go on. She realized how much she enjoyed the rich timbre of his voice, with just a tiny hint of Southern twang that had stuck with him. He spoke slowly, giving each word meaning—or maybe she was just hanging on to every word.

  “Getting trapped in an ice storm with a beautiful woman on a cold winter’s night.” He looked down at her and her breath refused to leave her chest.

  “Smooth talker,” she said, but she was shaken to the core by her reaction. Her usually sturdy knees actually felt wobbly. She didn’t know that the weak-in-the-knees thing could really happen to a person … especially not her.

  John shrugged, still holding her gaze. “You asked a question and I answered honestly. And know I always will.”

  Betsy’s pulse fluttered and she had the wild urge to drag him into her arms and kiss him senseless. Lordy, she felt as if she needed to fan her face. “Honesty is a good thing,” she managed to say.

  “And you’ll always get it from me. By the way, thank you for inviting me to Christmas dinner. You didn’t have to.”

  “I wanted to,” she said. She didn’t want him to think her invitation was out of pity.

  “Good.”

  Betsy nodded, but she suddenly wondered if Aubrey would object to having John over to their little celebration that had always just been the three of them. But she couldn’t take the offer back, especially knowing he’d be all alone. No one should be alone on Christmas Day. Surely Aubrey would understand and approve.

  “So do you want to brave the elements and head over to the deli for dinner? Or if you’d rather I can bring dinner to you. I’m guessing you’re staying in Susan’s apartment tonight?”

  Betsy nodded. “I got her permission already.”

  “Good. At least you’re stranded somewhere with a bed.”

  Betsy nodded. “Oh … John, what are you going to do about sleeping?” she asked, and had a really hard time chasing away thoughts of him in bed with her.

  “Curl up in my office, I guess.” He gave her a look that said unless-you-have-a-better-suggestion, and of course she did. Several.

  “You could crash on Susan’s sofa, I guess. I’d have to ask her first, but I’m sure she’ll be fine with it. In fact, she’ll most likely insist.” Betsy gazed out the window. “From the looks of things, we’re going to be trapped in here for a couple of days if we get several inches,” she said, and then felt a hot blush. “Of snow,” she added quickly, but her thoughts took another erotic turn. Good Lord, if he could read her mind right now …

  “Okay, thanks,” he said quickly. “Hey, I’ll go bring dinner over so you don’t risk slipping. I nearly fell twice.”

  Betsy nodded.

  “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”

  “Be careful.” She nodded again, wondering what she’d just gotten herself into. She shot Susan another text message and got an immediate enthusiastic okay for John to stay in the loft and she added several emojis … hearts, fireworks, champagne. Betsy had to chuckle. “Not gonna happen,” she whispered, but then felt another spark of excitement that she just couldn’t completely squash, and maybe … just maybe, she didn’t really want to.

  23

  Don’t Worry, Be Happy

  John prepared enough food to feed a small army and then took silly, shuffling baby steps on the slick sidewalk toward Rhyme and Reason. He quickly realized that the heaviness of his shopping bag further hindered his precarious balance and he nearly landed on his ass twice. There was no easy way to maneuver on ice and there was more in the forecast. He noticed a wide-eyed Betsy watching his progress from the front door window and when he nearly went down again, she hurried—or rather slid—out to help him.

  “Betsy, no, get back inside!”

  “John, let me help you.”

  “I’m slipping well enough on my own. Seriously, get back to safety, sweetheart.”

  “I can steady you … whoa! No … I take that back. I can’t … ahhh.” She clutched at his free arm and they slid like Snoopy with his arms akimbo, creating a clumsy ice skating dance routine. They skidded right past the entrance to Rhyme and Reason since there wasn’t anything to grab on to but frosty air. “This is a total sheet of ice!” Betsy shrieked.

  “Tell me something I don’t know. You’re not even wearing a coat.”

  “I should be wearing a football helmet!”

  “Grab on to the lamppost! Anything!”

  “Okay!” Betsy managed to snag her arm around the lamppost and they came to a slippery stop.

  “What do you think you’re doing?” John asked when they managed to catch their breath.

  “You looked like you needed help.”

  “I don’t need help falling. I was doing a bang-up job on my own.”

  Betsy laughed, clinging to the pole. “Do you think we can make it back to the shop in one piece?”

  “Let’s give it a go,” he said, and they somehow managed to make it back to the entrance together.

  “We made it!” Betsy said with triumph. They huddled in the alcove for a moment.

  “By the skin of our teeth.”

  “I always thought that was a funny saying, since our teeth don’t have skin.”

  “True,” he said as she pushed the door open. “But I suppose I should be flattered that you risked life and limb to save me.”

  “Are you kidding? I was saving our dinner.”

  John laughed as they entered the shop. “I feel like kissing the ground,” he said, and carefully put the heavy shopping bag down.

  Betsy peeked inside. “My goodness, what all do you have in there anyway? The kitchen sink?”

  “No, only delectable edibles,” he said, thinking she looked delectable and kissable herself. “And a nice bottle of Merlot made it in there as well. I was worried about that more than the food.”

  “You keep wine at the deli?”

  “Helps my creativity when I’m working on a new sandwich combo, and more recently, my desserts. Hope you’re hungry.”

  “I’m always hungry. I’m a bottomless pit when it comes to food.”

  “You’d never know it by looking at you. I think a strong wind could blow you away.”

  “I’m afraid of storms so there’s no chance I’d be caught out in any kind of strong wind. And now I know to avoid ice at all cost. But anyway, I’ve always been that way. I’d actually like to gain weight but I’ve learned never to say that to another woman.”

  “It’s probably because of your feisty nature,” he said. “I bet you burn more calories standing still than most people do on an uphill treadmill.”

  Betsy laughed. “I do find it difficult to sit still. Being in a car teaching teenagers to drive all day long was just about the death of me, in more ways than one.”

  “You helped make the streets of Cricket Creek much safer.”

  Betsy laughed. “I sure hope so.”

  “Are you glad those days are over?”

  “Interesting question.” Betsy shrugged. “In some ways, yes, but in other ways, no. I enjoyed working with the kids and I have to say that I was a good teacher. But I was ready for a change. Working with Susan at Rhyme and Reason provided that for me. It’s fun giving old things new life.”

  “I would imagine so.”

  Betsy sighed. “I know my daughter grew up way too fast, though. Seems like yesterday she was still in diapers. But it’s fun to get to enjoy her as an adult … well nearly an adult anyway. I was lucky. She’s been pretty easy. Of course, I don’t even think about what she might be doing while she’s away at college.”

  “Sounds like she’s pretty responsible to me. You must have done a good job raising her.”

  “All I could do was my best with the hand I was dealt. And love her.”

  “She’s lucky to have you for a mother.”

  “Thank you. She will always be my greatest accompl
ishment. I’ve been struggling with the whole empty nest thing.”

  John nodded, wondering what it must feel like to have a child, and felt a pang of regret. But he also was relieved not to have a custody battle with his ex. He couldn’t go back and change his choices, so regret would just be a waste of energy. He’d also grown up being a worrier, but he’d realized that worry was also a worthless waste of his time. Little by little, he was learning to live in the moment. And as moments go, this was a good one.

  “I’ll lock the door and we can head upstairs. Susan insisted that you stay, by the way,” Betsy said over her shoulder. “She has a big comfy couch, or you can take the spare bedroom and I’ll take the couch.”

  “The couch will do nicely,” he said. He’d never take the bed … well, unless she was in it with him.

  “I’ve stayed over a few times when we’ve been working on crafts. She doesn’t have a problem with us being here without her, so just make yourself at home. That’s what Susan just texted me to tell you.”

  “She’s such a nice girl,” John said, and fell into step with Betsy. The light scent of her perfume found its way through the Christmassy smell of pine and cinnamon. He felt a little bit guilty that he was glad for the ice storm that had forced this rather intimate setting. The business over the next two weeks before Christmas meant a lot to the stores on Main Street, and yet he couldn’t hold back a smile as they walked up the narrow staircase to the loft apartment. But still, thank you, Mother Nature.

  Betsy flicked on the lights, illuminating the loft with overhead lighting. “The kitchen is this way. Isn’t her place really cool?”

  “Wow, I guess this is pretty much what I would expect Susan’s place to look like. It’s really amazing. I want to stop and look at everything. That rocking chair is exquisite.”

  “Susan bought it at an estate sale to sell but she just couldn’t part with it. She’d actually like to sell more furniture but quality pieces are hard to come by.”

  “Was it made locally?” John asked while he pulled a mountain of containers from the shopping bag.

  “I’m not sure,” Betsy replied. “Oh my, you really did pack a feast. Everything smells wonderful.”

  “Well, I got a weather update and we’re going to get socked with more than they even expected. I wanted to be prepared.”

  “Oh.” Betsy frowned and it saddened him that she didn’t seem too thrilled at the prospect of being shut in with him for any length of time.

  “Are you okay? Do you not want me to be here?” he asked hesitantly.

  “Oh no! I was just looking forward to spending the evening with my daughter. Lexington is just far enough away to make it difficult for me to visit. Next year I hope she can get out of the dorm and into an apartment, or maybe share a house with a couple of friends.”

  “Yeah, I wasn’t too fond of dorm living.”

  “I wouldn’t really know about that,” Betsy admitted and then ducked her head to put the whipped cream into the fridge.

  John couldn’t help himself and gently snagged Betsy around the waist. “Come here,” he said in a husky voice.

  “What are you doing, saving me from the pickles?” she asked with a breathy laugh.

  “No, I’m going to kiss you,” he said in her ear. “If you let me.”

  John felt her quick intake of breath and then she turned around in his arms, making his heart kick it up a notch. “I won’t let you,” she said, dashing his hopes, but when he would have turned away she put her palms on his cheeks. “I want you to. Big difference,” she said in a voice that slid over his skin like silk.

  John bent his head and captured her mouth in a kiss that could surely melt the ice outside. She felt so right pressed against him, and when her arms went around his neck he felt more than just desire. He liked her so much, and he realized the brightness he’d been missing all of his life. He could hear her laughter even when she wasn’t around. He thought of something she’d said or her singing “Blue Christmas” a little off-key, and he immediately smiled right in the middle of fixing a sandwich or baking a cake. While he’d learned that happiness came from within, he knew that Betsy Brock would enhance his life in ways he’d never experienced.

  And the woman could kiss …

  John threaded his fingers through her hair and tilted her head back, wanting more, needing more. She was pliant and sweet and kissed with unpracticed passion that felt real … and oh so very good. This kiss was even better than the one in the deli kitchen, making him imagine how passionate she would be in bed. Reluctantly, he sat her on the counter and put his forehead to hers, his heart racing like he’d just run a 5K. “Damn, where have you been all my life?”

  “Right here in Cricket Creek, Kentucky.”

  “Well, whatever you do, don’t go anywhere.”

  She tossed back her head and laughed. “Not a chance.”

  24

  Cabin Fever

  Danny walked into the great room and stopped in his tracks. He had to smile at the sight of Susan and Rusty sitting side by side looking out over the backyard. She cradled a giant coffee mug in her hands, taking a steamy sip here and there. She wore one of his Tshirts, which had been her wardrobe over the past two days—well, when she wore anything at all. Danny felt a hot shot of desire just thinking about their lusty lovemaking sessions, which had more than once lasted for hours. He didn’t know everything about his life, but he knew one thing for sure: he could never get enough of Susan Quincy. And not just the sex. He loved her laughter, her quirky sense of humor, her gentle kindness, her earnest insistence that he enjoy the holidays … he could go on and on about her and never stop finding new reasons to love her. Danny knew she was everything he’d ever wanted in a woman … everything. If he really thought about it, and he had, the whole thing had started with prom night. One night … and he’d never gotten over her.

  And now she was his.

  He stood there, smiling, not knowing that love could feel this strong, this damned good. Being with her made him realize that he’d never truly been in love before because nothing came close to feeling like … this. Just looking at her put a goofy smile on his face.

  Her riot of curls tumbled over her shoulders and down her back. Damn, he loved her hair. He loved the scent, the silky texture, and most of all he loved the curly locks trailing over his body while she kissed him everywhere. Danny was still amazed at how uninhibited she was with him, giving all of herself without holding back. But then again, he shouldn’t be surprised because she was open, honest, and sensual in a natural, unpracticed way. Part of him regretted not pursuing her harder in high school but then again, they were both so different now. This was their time, now and … forever.

  Forever.

  Danny swallowed hard and his heart thumped. So this is what it feels like. Loving her made him feel stronger, sure of himself, and so damned ready to get on with his life.

  He scrubbed a hand down his face. But just how was he going to do it? Show her … damn it, just take Susan out to the workshop. He thought of how satisfying woodworking felt to him and the pride of a finished piece. He knew working with wood was his calling, his talent, his passion … what he should be doing with his life.

  But how could he tell his father he no longer wanted to run the marina? The answer was that he simply couldn’t, could he? Perhaps he should at least approach the subject with him.

  Danny closed his eyes and swallowed hard. A vision of his father lying in a hospital bed with tubes shoved in him while machines whirred and beeped went through his head. No … he simply couldn’t do it.

  Susan took a sip of her coffee and put the mug down on the floor next to her so she could pet Rusty. He rolled over, wanting a belly rub. Susan chuckled and then obliged, while Rusty whimpered in ecstasy. When she stopped he lazily pawed at her hand for more.

  “Okay,” Susan said. “You know I’m a sucker for your sad eyes.”

  Danny shook his head, and fell a little bit more in love with her right then
and there. And he suddenly knew he had to show her the part of himself he’d kept hidden from her. He walked across the floor and sat down next to them.

  “Hey there,” Susan said with a slow smile. “Mmm, you smell good. Did you just shower?”

  “Yeah, and it’s not nearly as fun without you.” He noticed that Rusty stayed next to her instead of trotting over to sit next to him. Apparently Rusty was in love too.

  “You should have come to get me.”

  “I heard you puttering around in the kitchen and decided to let you make your coffee. You have to admit that you need your coffee before you face the world.”

  “Yeah, but not before I face you.”

  Danny leaned over and gave her a tender kiss. “So you love me more than coffee.”

  “I do. You should be totally flattered.”

  Danny laughed. “I am,” he said and then inhaled a breath.

  “You look ready to say something important.”

  “I want to show you something,” he said in a serious tone that had her frowning. He reached for her hand and brought it to his mouth for a kiss. “There’s no need to be alarmed,” he said, thinking that she showed all of her emotion on her lovely face.

  “Okay,” she said softly. “Can you give me a little hint?”

  Danny pressed his lips together but then shook his head. “Nope, just get bundled up.”

  “The roads are still impassable, right?”

  “We’re walking.” Mason had had the road through the marina plowed so she could get out today but he decided not to mention that little detail just yet. He wanted her captive in his cabin as long as he could before this vacation from reality had to end.

  “All right. I’ll get my jeans on and borrow one of your sweatshirts.” She handed him the coffee. “It’s my second, so you can have it if you like.”

  “Thanks, it smells good.” He loved waking up to the aroma of coffee that she’d made in his kitchen. The three days they’d been snowbound made him wish they could hibernate here in his cabin all winter long. He didn’t want reality to step in just yet.

  Susan gave him a quick kiss and stood up. “I’ll be back in a few minutes.”