by Candis Terry
What the hell had gotten into him?
He’d purposely waited until near closing time to stop by Fiona’s when he should have gone this morning right after his shift ended, then hauled his unable-to-commit self back home.
But no, he’d gotten some demented idea that he wanted to be able to spend a few minutes alone with her. To share in the celebration of her opening day without actually sharing her. To get to know her just a little bit better.
For what purpose?
The move only proved what a dumb-ass he really was.
Fiona was sweet, and funny, and she seemed as solid as they came. She handled being a single mom with love and devotion. And somehow she managed not to let a divorce faze her friendship with Jackson or intrude on his future with Abby. She’d weathered a pretty bad car accident like she’d simply stubbed her toe. And she did it all with a smile. Although there was enough fire in her that he could imagine if she got passionate about something, everyone plus God would know.
Yes. Fiona was sexy. And solid. And admirable. And inspiring.
He, on the other hand, was like a fucking rubber band that couldn’t figure out which direction to snap. He didn’t know what the hell he wanted. He only knew he was drawn to her. And as wrong as it was for him to feel that way, he couldn’t stop.
As he’d stood there listening to her catalog what she wanted in a relationship, the demons in his head had about climbed the walls of his brain to get away. Her expectations were tremendous, and he didn’t know if any man–especially him–could live up to them. So he’d bailed out of there about as fast as he could go.
He’d told her he couldn’t be the man she wanted.
Yet something inside him disagreed.
Something inside him desperately wanted to be the man she looked at like she couldn’t wait to see him again. Like she couldn’t wait for him to wrap his arms around her. Like she couldn’t breathe without him.
In his lifetime, he’d let a lot of people down—himself included. He didn’t want to add one more. But as his brilliant baby sister Camila continued to remind him, the time had come for him to let go of the past. Maybe Camila was right. Or maybe the time had just come for him to admit himself to the loony bin.
Maybe he’d just been balancing on the knife-edge for too long.
Why else, like a freaking stalker, would he have waited until Fiona finished her workday to drop by? Why else, when he was fully aware she was his best friend’s ex-wife and he had no business stepping in this pile of trouble, would he go against all the warnings in his head?
What was it about her that called out to him like a siren in the night?
He wasn’t looking to be rescued.
He wasn’t looking to fall in love.
Hell, he didn’t even know how.
But for all that logic, all he knew now was he’d just gotten off the highway, turned around, and was headed back to Sweet.
Chapter 9
Cupcakes were done. The shop was clean and ready for what Fiona hoped would be another successful day when she opened in the morning. While she’d frosted and topped tomorrow’s fluffy confections, she’d tried not to think about Mike. But every time she looked at the huge bouquet of flowers atop her display case, he snuck back into her mind.
Obviously, he was an honest and considerate man, and she really needed to thank him for not leading her down a dead-end road. Most likely that thank-you would have to be via e-mail or social media, as she doubted she’d ever see much of him again. Which, in hindsight, was a relief. Hard to continually see someone for whom you’d had such high hopes.
She wondered which tragedy had frozen his heart—his sister’s death or his divorce. While she could understand the devastation for both, he didn’t seem like he’d completely bought into his own isolation. How did a man who said he’d locked down his heart instinctively know what she’d needed to complete her shop? Or drive thirty miles just to attend her grand opening? Or offer himself up at a charity auction to benefit a place that would give medical aid to thousands of people?
She had a sneaky suspicion there was something far more special to Mike Halsey than he’d ever admit.
Too bad she’d never get to find out.
After hanging up her apron, she flipped the light switch by the back door, then turned to take another look at her darkened shop. Accomplishment fluttered like a million happy butterflies in her chest. She was finally on track with her life. From now on, she definitely planned to color within the lines. It was just too bad she’d be doing it alone.
On the way home, Fiona turned up her radio when a Michael Bublé song about hope being given, then hope being taken away came on. Life might never quite go as planned, but she had to admit that she wasn’t exactly opposed to the roller-coaster ride. Everything had to be counted as a lesson. Hopefully, from now on, whatever she found on the other side of that breath-stealing drop would prove to be well worth the price of admission.
While Mr. Bublé told her she was everything, her Katy Perry ringtone went off and told her she was a firework. Life—at least according to recorded voices—looked good.
She pushed ACCEPT and answered the phone. “Hey, Foof. What’s up?”
“I was just about to dive into a dry martini and thought I’d call before my lips got fuzzy and I started to slur my words.”
“Ah. I’m jealous. I’m just now heading home, and I am so ready to jump in the tub and get up to my neck in bubbles and a glass of chardonnay.”
“That sounds even better. How are your feet?”
“Aching in an amazing ‘I freaking did it’ way.”
“Congrats on your successful grand opening, chica. I’m very honored to have been a part of it.” Sabrina audibly slurped her martini, and Fiona pictured the plastic cocktail sword holding Sabrina’s customary three olives. “I’m lifting my glass in a toast to many prosperous years for you and your cute little cupcakes.”
“Here’s to expanding into the catering and wedding business.” Fiona lifted an imaginary glass. “And to the possibility of being so successful I can convince you to move to Sweet and become my partner.”
“What?” The surprise in Sabrina’s voice told Fiona her friend had never even considered the one thing Fiona had been considering all along.
Sabrina was a true friend. One who would hold your head when you were praying to the porcelain gods and kick you in the butt when you wandered off life’s complicated path. Though Sabrina and Gma G had never met, Fiona knew her grandmother would approve.
“Come on,” Fiona said. “Don’t tell me the thought hasn’t ever entered your pretty head.”
“No! I was too busy being happy for you.”
“Well, when I leased the shop, I spoke with the landlord about the space next door. It’s currently being used by a tax accountant, but the landlord said the owner was thinking of a home business instead. They could possibly move out early next year. Gives us plenty of time to talk about an expansion.”
“Oh, my gosh. That sounds amazing. What did you have in mind?”
Fiona turned onto the street that led to her neighborhood. “What goes great with cake?”
“Ice cream?”
“And frozen yogurt. And a nice little area to display your notecards and some other local artisan work. So what do you think?”
“I think Sweet might look like the exact kind of place I’d want to settle in for the long run. And I think you’re the most amazing friend ever.”
Fiona laughed. “Well, it’s all just a bunch of jumbled thoughts in my head right now. But over the next couple of months, I’d like for us to sit down and talk it over.”
“It’s a date.”
“Of course, if the whole cupcake thing flops, my ideas are in trouble. But at least I have the skills to add cakes, breads, or muffins to my menu to try and keep the doors open.”
“Hmmm. I’m sure that old Casanova Chester would love your muffins.”
“Awww, that’s such a nice and repulsive thi
ng for you to say.”
“So . . .” On the other end of the line Sabrina sighed. “He didn’t show?”
Fiona didn’t need to ask who Sabrina meant. And she was too tired to go over the details of the whole episode after he did show up. She kept her mouth shut.
“Fi, I’m sorry I set you up for disappointment. But you know how I am. When I think something needs to be done, I’m like a dog with a bone. I just can’t let go. I’ve seen the way you two look at each other, and I thought he might be the one.”
“I’m not sure there is the one out there for me. But if there is, he needs to get in line. I’ve got my hands full with a kid and a new business. I’ve got to stay focused so I don’t fail at being a mom or a business owner. I don’t have time for—”
“Hot, sweaty sex with a gorgeous hunk of a man?”
Fiona pulled onto her street and saw an SUV parked in front of her house. “Ummm . . . I’ve . . . got to go.”
“What’s wrong?”
“There’s someone parked in front of my house.”
“Maybe it’s Mr. Hottie McFireman.”
“Maybe you need to go find a better pastime than trying to get me laid.”
“Wouldn’t be as much fun.” Sabrina chuckled. “Be careful it’s not the boogeyman. Or Chester the molester.”
“Right.” Fiona shook her head and pressed END CALL.
When she pulled into her driveway, she tried to get a good look inside the SUV, but it was dark, and there were no streetlights to give her any help. She debated on whether to actually get out and go in the house or back up and come back later when the car was gone.
The trusty can of pepper spray in her purse declared she had every right to go inside her home without being harassed. But that didn’t stop anxiety from sending a shiver up her spine. She rolled the tension from her neck and slipped into Sarah Connor Terminator badass mode. Pepper spray and keys in hand, she opened the car door and got out.
The door of the SUV opened at the same time.
She held her breath and waited for the person to get out and reveal themselves. In the meantime, she stayed more than running distance away.
When a big, tall body unfolded from of the SUV she clapped a hand to her chest. “Mike! You scared the heck out of me.”
“Sorry.” He ambled toward her, looking every bit as delicious as he had when he’d stood inside her shop.
“What are you doing here?”
A solitary dark brow lifted with his smile. “Waiting for you to put away the pepper spray.”
“Yeah. Guess I won’t need that.” Then she looked up at him. “Will I?”
He chuckled and held up his hands. “I swear I have only good intentions.”
“Okay. If you’re sure.” She dropped the can in her purse and wondered again why he was there. Her mind grasped the only logical answer. Earlier he’d left so abruptly, they hadn’t had a chance to square away business. Not that business had actually been on her mind at that point, unless it was monkey business.
“I guess you came back because you probably need me to pay you. I’m sorry, with everything else going on, I forgot.” She dipped into her purse and her fingers searched for the vinyl check register. “I can write you a check right now.”
“I don’t need your money.” He stepped forward and his hand stilled her search. “I don’t even want your money.”
“What?” She looked down at the big hand encircling her wrist. “Then . . . I’m confused.”
“Look. What I said earlier?” He pulled back and stuck both hands in the front pockets of his jeans. “I’m not very good at explaining myself.”
“Ha. You and the entire male population.”
“I guess somewhere in the creation of man we missed the great-communicator gene.” His lips curved in a wry smile even as his dark eyes remained cautious.
“An understatement, I’m sure. However, I’d have to disagree. You made yourself perfectly clear. So you needn’t have come all the way back to explain yourself further.”
“Fiona?” The terseness in his voice snapped her head up.
“I haven’t been sitting in front of your house waiting for you to come home just to tell you I’ve never been able to find the right words to express myself.”
“Then what?” He might not be good at explaining himself, but he was doing a hell of a job confusing her.
“I’m here because . . .”
He turned his head and uttered everybody’s favorite four-letter word. When his head came back around, the frustration in his eyes had been replaced with determination.
Well, now maybe they’d at least get somewhere.
“I’m here because the minute I walked out your door tonight I knew I’d made a huge mistake. I got halfway home before I realized I couldn’t go another mile trying to ignore what was pounding in my chest. I couldn’t ignore what had grabbed hold of me and wouldn’t let go.”
He glanced away again, then brought that gaze back full force. “I came back because . . . I’d like a chance.”
“A chance?” Perplexed, she shook her head. “What exactly are we talking about here?”
“I’d like a chance with you,” he explained. “To be the man you’re looking for.”
“Oh.” For a breathless moment, she studied his face and the sincerity in his eyes. He wasn’t playing games. He meant it. A short while ago, he’d told her he didn’t have what it took because he’d locked down his heart. Now he’d changed his mind? He was a walking contradiction. Or, at the very least, maybe he’d just been holding himself back so long, he didn’t know how to let go.
What wonderful and miraculous things might happen if he did?
Rarely did she meet a man who appeared to have such heart and soul. What would happen if he found someone he could trust, someone who could help him channel all that wonderfulness in the right direction?
What if that someone could be her?
He’d told her he wanted a chance to be the man she was looking for.
Could he?
Apparently, her silence went on long enough to make him think she’d made up her mind.
“Well, that’s all I wanted to say. Thanks, at least, for hearing me out.” He turned and walked back toward his SUV.
“Hold it right there.” She walked out to where he stood with the moonlight shining down on his ebony hair. “I’ve thought it over.”
“That was quick.”
“Let it be known that on my end it felt like an eternity.”
He laughed.
“My answer is . . . yes, I’d like you to take a chance.”
His head tilted. “You said take a chance.”
She nodded. “If not for me, then for yourself. I think you have too much to offer to lock yourself up behind the past.”
“And that . . .” He pointed. “Is just one of the reasons I came back. You’re not like any other woman I’ve ever met. I’m not sure I can live up to your expectations, but I’m sure as hell going to try.” Then he smiled.
“What?”
He shrugged. “Just feels good to have someone believe in you.”
“It helps if you believe in yourself first.”
“Duly noted.”
They both visibly took a breath.
“If you don’t mind, I’d like to keep this just between us for now,” she said.
“You mean like undercover agents?”
A chuckle tickled her chest. “Maybe without the whole chance of getting killed thing. There are just so many gossips in this town, and I have to be careful because of Izzy.”
“I can respect that.” His killer smile flashed again. No wonder he’d melted her reservations. “I was about to suggest the same thing. A chance to get to know each other without outside interference.”
“Exactly.” At that moment, Fiona wished she could reverse the order of things because she very much wanted to wrap her arms around his neck, press her body against his, and kiss him.
Like he could read her
mind, for a moment his gaze fell to her mouth and lingered. A flurry of hot tingles started at the top of her head and worked their way down to all those places that wished he’d stop looking and jump into action.
Instead, in the most gentlemanly manner, he lifted her hand to his lips and pressed a kiss to the backs of her fingers. “I look forward to winning you over. And I’ll try my best to take things slow.”
The corners of his mouth lifted as he leaned in close and sent a blast of sensual awareness right through her heart.
“But I won’t make any promises.”
Chapter 10
With no brothers to know how the whole male-sibling-rivalry thing went, Mike sat back and watched three of the four Wilder brothers compete for who had the better plan. The competition had become entertaining as hell.
“I want to move it to the garden at our house after the wedding,” Jackson protested. “So I don’t want to anchor it into the ground here.”
The “it” in question was the arbor currently being constructed for Jackson and Abby’s wedding ceremony, which was to take place right there at Wilder Ranch.
“You have to,” Reno argued. “You need the stability in case of wind.”
“It’s not going to be windy,” Jackson insisted.
“Bullshit,” Reno countered. “You’re as big a blowhard as a Texas storm.”
Jackson flipped his oldest brother the bird.
“Allison says you always have to prepare for some kind of disaster to come up that day. Reno, you know that better than anyone.” This from Jesse, the Wilder’s newest newlywed, who escaped to Lake Tahoe to exchange his vows instead of the big shindig his family normally threw. Of course, with his bride a previous wedding planner, he probably made a good point.
“Dude. She’s not a wedding planner anymore,” Jackson said, obviously grasping at straws to maintain his edge. “She’s a psych student. So she doesn’t get a say.”
“She gets a say in my house,” Jesse argued.
“Right.” Jackson nodded. “Or you don’t get laid.”
Mike looked at the stack of rough-hewn lumber and grapevines scattered on the ground and figured by the time the brothers quit arguing, they’d be surrounded by darkness, and the assembly would have to wait for another day.