by Beth Ciotta
Kylie frowned. “Yeah, but, is the spring because of the shoes or because she’s suddenly dating two men?” Kylie still couldn’t believe it. Then again, it had been one surprise after another for the past three weeks.
Her grandma shrugged. “I’m exploring my options.”
“With Max and Mr. Keystone?”
“Who knew they could be so charming?” she said as she two-stepped in her Cheetahs. “Although, Max is the better kisser.”
Kylie grimaced. “Too much information.”
Oblivious, the silver-haired woman glanced at her rhinestone watch. “Dance lessons at the firehall in twenty minutes. Thanks for the shoes!” she called as she shuffled out the door.
“Send some customers our way,” shouted Kylie’s mom.
“Ever since you two returned from the cruise, you’ve been getting along,” Kylie said. “It’s weird.”
“After learning about what happened while we were gone, we decided life’s too short.”
Her mom and grandma weren’t privy to everything that had happened, only the things Marshal Skully and Jack had deemed necessary. They’d branded details regarding Travis’s past and other mob-related issues as classified. Which was fine with Kylie. She didn’t want that stuff in her mom and grandma’s head. Not that they hadn’t gotten an earful. There’d been plenty of buzz about Frank Cortez and his multiple affairs, not to mention his death, which the locals attributed to his monstrous gambling debts.
Meanwhile, Jessica had started working at the store and she and Maddie were on the mend emotionally.
Faye had returned from Florida and she and Stan were on the mend, too.
Turk was looking at life in prison and Travis was looking forward to a new life in France, thanks to some fancy footwork by Noah Skully.
Dixie was currently in protective custody, though she’d nixed WITSEC, deciding instead to take her chances and relocate on her own when the trial was over. Kylie couldn’t decide if that was brave or stupid, but she’d promised to keep McGraw’s stocked with Bada-Bling!
The only fly in the ointment was Spenser, who’d been threatening to return home ever since he’d heard rumors about Kylie’s run-in with mobsters. He’d given her hell. He’d given Jack hell. She was still waiting for Spenser’s blessing regarding their relationship.
“Earth to Kylie.”
Kylie blinked out of her musings and saw her mom snagging her purse from under the cashier counter. “Sorry, Mom. What?”
“I said I’m going to run next door to J.J.’s for a chocolate Coke. Would you like one?”
The woman had been hooked on chocolate Coke since as long as Kylie could remember. Same ol’, same ol’. Kylie smiled. “Sounds great.”
Her mom left and Kylie busied herself rearranging the designer shoe display. As she’d hoped, the high-end merchandise had been a hit with the ladies of the Garden Club, teenagers and tourists had glommed on to the sneakers by Bada-Bling! and she’d even managed to entice more conservative shoppers with a line of quality but affordable work boots. Variety in pricing and stock had been key. She’d trusted her gut and her instincts had paid off.
Business during the week of the Apple Festival had tripled, keeping Kylie busy and distracted from the fallout of the Mancini mess. Her mom and grandma had returned from the cruise that weekend, and seeing Kylie and Jessie were overwhelmed, pitched in. She hadn’t been able to get rid of her mom yet, but honestly, she was a surprisingly decent saleswoman.
As for the renovations, the McGraw women as well as everyone else in Eden had been impressed. They all applauded Travis’s creativity, which made Kylie happy—knowing it had been a labor of passion for the man—but it made her sad because she couldn’t pass on the compliments. During their face-to-face goodbye, Travis had said that this time he wouldn’t come back, nor would he keep in touch. She’d been hurt, but then Jack had said, “Travis is a smart man. He knows the only way to protect his new life is by cutting all ties. Plus, he considers you a friend. He’s not going to risk reintroducing danger into your life. He’d want you to move on and engage in new adventures, like him.”
Logically, she knew Jack and Travis were right, but that didn’t stop her from sending positive thoughts her friend’s way. Other than that, she didn’t make waves. She’d sworn off shaking things up…for a while, anyway.
Once she had enough money saved up to buy out Spenser, she’d go another bout with breaking tradition. Until then, she’d sworn Jack to secrecy.
Jack didn’t see things her way—the man had a hard time separating family from business—but he’d agreed to respect her wishes. She liked that about him. The fact that they could agree to disagree and still be madly in love. Mostly because they seemed to disagree a lot.
The bell over the door tinkled and Kylie turned, expecting her mom with two chocolate Cokes. Instead, she saw Jack with one chocolate Coke. Shy trotted in and curled up on a pink shaggy rug.
“Ran into your mom in J.J.’s,” he said, passing Kylie the red-and-white-striped soda cup.
She sipped and smiled. Partially because the cola tasted so good. Partially because Jack looked so good. The most handsome man in the universe. Ever. Still in uniform, still on duty. “What were you doing in J.J.’s?”
He massaged the back of his neck and turned a little red.
“Oh, no,” she squeaked, lowering her voice to a whisper. “Don’t tell me you were buying condoms.”
“We’ve been a little active, Tiger. I needed a new box.” He rolled back his shoulders. “It gets worse. I ran into your grandma.”
“In J.J.’s?”
He nodded.
“What? Was she buying more lipstick?” She’d already been through four new shades since she started dating Max.
“Not exactly.”
She blanched. “Condoms?”
“She referred to them as love gloves.”
Kylie covered her ears. “La, la, la.”
Jack smiled. “Hey. I hope I can still get it up when I’m in my seventies.”
So did she, but that wasn’t the point. “We’re talking about my grandma. And Max. Or maybe Mr. Keystone.” Or maybe both. “Oh, God.”
“I know,” he said, still smiling. “Weird. But kind of sweet, too.”
“I knew it. A big marshmallow.”
“What?”
“Never mind.” She sipped more cola, then stashed the cup on a coaster under the counter. “Speaking of folks hooking up, I’ve been thinking about Noah Skully.”
“What about him?”
“He’s been dropping by Eden quite a bit.”
“Following up on Travis’s case,” Jack said.
“He’s bought three pairs of shoes in here over the past three weeks. From Jessie,” she said, then waggled her brows.
“Don’t go there, Tiger.”
“I know it’s too soon for her, but I think he’s interested and patient and…I’m just saying. I think he’d be good for her and she deserves a good man. Don’t you think?”
Jack bit back a smile and readjusted her new metallic red glasses. “You’ve got a heart of gold, Kylie McGraw.”
She quirked a cheeky grin. “Yes, I do. And you’re lucky to have me.”
“Smartass.”
“Someone’s got to keep you on your toes,” she teased.
“You do that and them some, Tiger.” He backed her against the wall, in between the counter and the gum ball stand. He kissed her dizzy, filled her head with erotic thoughts.
The bell above the door tinkled.
Jack eased back.
“We’re closed!” they called in tandem.
The door shut and Jack reached over and locked it.
Her body tingled with anticipation. “Are you going to take me here against the wall? Or carry me into my office and ravish me on the desk?”
His blue eyes glittered. “Are those my only choices?”
Her pulse skipped. “You have a better idea?”
He reached into the inner pocke
t of his EPD jacket.
She expected a condom. She got a ticket. No, two tickets. To Tokyo.
“We leave in two weeks. We’ll be gone for three.”
“But—”
“Jessie and your mom can run the store. They don’t mind. I already asked.”
“But—”
“Mayor Wilson was more than happy to give me the time off, and Deputy Ziffel is more than capable of leading the squad.”
“I—”
“Your savings are designated to the store. Mine are designated to family. That includes you.”
Tears burned her eyes. “You’ve thought of everything.”
He pulled her into his arms. “One more thing. Spenser will be filming at Mount Fuji. We’ll be meeting up with him.”
She wasn’t sure which shook her more. Anticipating the thrill of seeing Mount Fuji? Or the dread of her and Jack facing her brother for the first time as a couple. “Spenser hasn’t quite adjusted to the thought of you and me. I think he’s uncomfortable with the sex part.”
“Well, he’s about to get more uncomfortable.”
“Why?”
“I asked your mom and she told me to ask Spenser.”
“For what?”
“For your hand in marriage.”
Shy’s tail thumped wildly against the hardwood floor.
Kylie smiled down at the dog. “I…I guess she approves,” she rasped, her heart thumping as wildly as Shy’s tail.
Jack raised a brow. “Don’t you?”
She clutched the tickets to her fluttering chest. “I don’t know what to say.”
“Say you love me.”
She beamed. “I love you, Jack. Always have, always will.”
Jack kissed her sweetly, then deeply. “I love you, Kylie. Madly. Deeply. As for kids…definitely worth the risk.”
Overwhelmed, Kylie jumped up and wrapped her arms and legs around Eden’s chief of police, the boss of her heart. “I would have married you even if you hadn’t said that,” she said honestly.
Jack kissed her, then whisked her to the back of the shoe shop, away from Shy’s happy dog eyes. “Now I’m going to ravish you.”
EPILOGUE
Two and a half weeks later
JAPAN WAS MORE BEAUTIFUL than Kylie had ever dreamed. But she couldn’t imagine being here without Jack. Not just because they were madly, deeply in love, but because he appreciated the culture as much as she did. Because he wanted to sample new experiences and wasn’t afraid to take chances.
Jack was a fantastic travel buddy and an imaginative, attentive lover. It occurred to her that she would’ve been just as pleased if they’d taken a week’s vacation to Manhattan’s China Town. Out of Eden was out of Eden, and paradise was anywhere with Jack. But they were here, because Jack wanted her to have her dream trip. And today they were specifically at a small town near Mount Fuji because he wanted to ask Spenser for her hand in marriage.
Kylie hugged herself against the frigid air. Jack was right. She should’ve worn more layers under her parka. It was flipping freezing. “What if he punches you?”
“He won’t.”
“What if he says no?”
“He won’t.”
Kylie squinted at Jack through her prescription sunglasses. “How can you be so sure?”
“Because Spenser knows me.”
“Better than me?”
His sexy mouth twisted into an ornery smile. “Only in certain matters.” He gestured to the quaint bar where they were supposed to meet her brother. “Can we go inside now, Tiger? It’s fricking freezing.”
She peered up the snow-covered volcano. “That’s what we get for coming in the off season.”
“Are you complaining?”
“Are you kidding? It’s not like I wanted to climb Mount Fuji. I’m not crazy like Spenser. I just wanted to see it.”
“I bet it’s just as breathtaking when you’re looking at it through a window with a cup of hot chocolate in your hands.”
Kylie rolled her eyes. “All right. Let’s go inside.”
As soon as they entered the cozy establishment, Kylie started peeling off her parka. She had one arm out of her sleeve when she spied Spenser. Her heart raced and her stomach pitched. She’d never been so excited and scared to see him. She tried to remember where she was, to respect the more reserved culture of Japan, but when her big brother pulled her into his arms, she hugged him as tight and long as she could. It had been months. Way too long. She eased back and slapped his chest. “That’s from Grandma. She says it would be nice if you remembered where home is.” She stood on her tiptoes and kissed his cheek. “That’s from Mom. Same message.”
Spenser chuckled. “Duly chastised.” He smiled down at Kylie. “You look good, kitten. Considering you were nearly killed a half dozen different times last month.”
She rolled her eyes. “You’re exaggerating.”
“Not by much.” He frowned at Jack. “I hope you’re taking better care of her these days.”
“Good to see you, Spense.” They shook hands, then hugged.
No thrown punches, Kylie thought. So far, so good.
Jack helped Kylie out of her parka, then put his arm around her waist. Kylie noticed Spenser noticing and felt his unease. “This is weird,” she said.
“You have no idea,” Spenser said.
Uh-oh.
“I told myself to get over it, but I can’t,” he said to Jack. “I’m not comfortable with you and Kylie sleeping together, as in having sex. Out of wedlock,” he clarified.
“That was direct,” Jack said. “And old-fashioned.”
“And embarrassing,” Kylie whispered. “Jeez, Spenser.”
“Are you going to marry her?” Spenser asked Jack.
“Yes.”
“When?”
“We haven’t set a date. I haven’t even asked her yet,” Jack said. “Not officially. I wanted to ask you first.”
Spenser grunted. “What? You think I’d say, no?”
“No. But I wanted to do the right thing. Ask you face-to-face, and since you had no plans to come home anytime soon,” Jack said, “here I am.”
Kylie squirmed in the awkward silence that followed. “O-o-o-kay. Great!” she said a little too brightly. “So we’re all on the same page. Jack asked for your blessing, sort of, and you gave it—sort of. We’re getting married. Woo-hoo!” she whooped, hoping to break the tension. “All that’s left are the details.”
“Like setting the date,” said Spenser.
“The sooner the better,” said Jack.
“What about now?” Spenser raised a challenging brow. “I know this man.”
“What kind of man?”
“A spiritual man. There’s a temple not far from here.”
“Would it be legal?”
“It would be spiritual.”
Kylie gawked at the men. “What is this? Some bizarre game of chicken?”
“You could have a big church wedding later,” Spenser added. “Back in the States.”
Jack glanced at Kylie. She noted the twinkle in his blue eyes. He wasn’t opposed to the idea of a spontaneous wedding. Not one iota. “Because it would make my brother feel better about us sleeping together?” she asked.
He noted the breathtaking vista then, smiling, grasped her hand and kissed her palm. “Because it feels right.”
“Romantic.” She basked in the warmth of his loving gaze, reveled in his adventurous spirit. “Let’s do it.”
Spenser blinked. “Really?”
“Your sister the caretaker is also a risk taker,” Jack said.
“No risk in marrying the man I love.”
“Don’t get sappy on me,” Spenser said. “And no tongue kissing until after the ceremony.”
Kylie was basically tuning her brother out at this point. She was thinking about marrying Jack in a temple in Japan—a spiritual union. She could scarcely breathe.
Jack squeezed her hand and winked. “Let’s do it.”
He
art full, she leaned in for a kiss.
Spenser interceded, handing her and Jack cups of sake. “Here’s to a long and happy life together.”
They toasted and drank.
Kylie shuddered as the strong alcohol burned a path down her throat. At least it wasn’t a Cosmo.
“One last thing before we go,” Spenser said. He shoved an envelope across the table. “Your wedding present.”
Intrigued, Kylie opened the envelope and unfolded a long document. She read and frowned. “You signed the store over to me.”
“Should’ve done it a long time ago,” Spenser said as he refilled their glasses. “You love shoes. I don’t. You live in Eden. I don’t. I can go on,” he said when she continued to stare.
Kylie switched her focus to Jack.
“I didn’t say a word.”
She looked back to her brother. “I wanted to buy you out.”
“What? After all the sweat and blood you’ve put into McGraw’s over the years? And besides, you’re family, Kylie. I won’t take money from you.”
“But you expect me to take the store from you?”
“It’s a gift. A wedding gift. For you and Jack and your children.”
“What about your children?” Kylie asked. “What about tradition?”
“Time to shake things up, little sister. I recently invested in The Explorer Channel. That’s what I’ll pass on to my children. If I ever have any.”
“A wife would help,” Jack teased.
“Let’s not make this about me.” Spenser offered more sake and another toast. He uttered two clichés back to back and Kylie burst into tears.
“I’m sorry,” she blubbered. “It’s just that that’s so you, Spenser. So wonderful.”
Jack snatched the cup from her hand. “No more sake for you,” he said with a genuine smile. “Or you,” he said to Spenser. “Until after the spiritual event. Then we’ll get drunk and do something crazy together.”
More tears flowed—not because she was tipsy, but because she was with the two men who meant the most to her in the whole world. And because they both loved her so much “This is the best dream trip ever.”
“It’s been your only dream trip,” Jack teased.
“But the best.” She cradled Jack’s handsome face. “Look away Spenser.”