Red Wine and Roses

by SJ McCoy

  Cameron shrugged.

  “Well, does it, or not?”

  “Actually, it doesn’t. Not that it’s any of your business.” He pushed his sunglasses up and rested them on top of his head. “We hung out last night after you’d all left. We had fun. She’s amazing. We polished off a bottle of wine, and I thought about it. We both did, but for some reason, I’m holding back, and she is, too.”

  “Why?”

  Cameron shrugged. “Maybe it’s just because my big brother is so disapproving for some reason.”

  “Cam, I’m sorry, I—”

  Cameron smiled. “Don’t be. I shouldn’t be blaming you. I like her. She’s cool, and she’s hot all at the same time. But even if you hadn’t been warning me off this whole time, I’d have my reservations.”

  “Why?”

  Cameron sighed. “Because she’s not the kind of girl you just spend a night with and then forget. She’s not like that. It wouldn’t be right.” He’d realized that last night. She wasn’t a player. She’d flirted with him, and he’d enjoyed it, but there was something innocent about her. Maybe that was the wrong word, but he couldn’t think of another. “At the same time, she’s not the kind of girl who’d fit into my life in a longer term, dating kind of situation. And besides, she lives here, I don’t. And to complicate things further, I talked to Ben about renting one of the cabins for the weekends through the fall. This lake of yours has gotten to me. I’d like to keep coming back, even after the wedding. I don’t want to make that complicated or messy by sleeping with someone here.”

  Cole nodded.

  “What? I thought you’d approve.”

  “I do,” said Cole. “Every little shred of logic in me is agreeing with you and all your reasons to steer clear of her, but some small illogical part of me feels sad that you might be missing out on something.”

  Cameron laughed. “I never thought I’d see the day.”

  Cole laughed with him. “Me neither. There must be something in the water up here.”

  “So, what are you saying? That I should forget logic and give it a whirl?”

  Cole pursed his lips. “I don’t know. I think it’s best if I don’t say anything.”

  Cameron smirked at him. “That way, whatever goes down, it’s all my own doing, right?”

  “Yep, that’s about it.”

  “Fair enough. Where’s Laura?” It was time to change the subject. He was irrationally disappointed that Cole hadn’t come down on one side of the fence or the other. Part of him wished he’d given his blessing; part of him wished he’d warned him off. Either option would be better than leaving Cameron wavering between his desire and his conscience. He should just get over it. He’d either sleep with her or he wouldn’t. What was the big deal? He didn’t know, but it seemed like an important decision—and one that he’d have to make for himself.

  ~ ~ ~

  Piper wandered down Main Street. She knew everyone would be at the resort around about now. They were all meeting for lunch, and she didn’t want to join them. Well, that wasn’t true. She’d love to join Laura and Smoke and their friends. Laura’s mom was going to be there, too. She just didn’t want to run into Cameron. He was far too confusing. They’d had a great time last night. They chatted and laughed and finished off the bottle of wine. He’d told her about his life in Napa. It seemed he was an important guy—the CEO of a huge company—but he didn’t act like he was something special. He was fun and friendly and down to earth. And interested. He’d definitely been interested. They’d sat side by side. He’d touched her a couple of times. A hand on her shoulder, a tap on her arm as he made a point. He’d even rested his hand on her knee for a second. All the signs were there, and she’d given him the same signals. She’d flirted and leaned in when he talked; it had seemed like the inevitable was going to happen. Until he got a message on his phone. She had no idea who it was or what the message said. He’d apologized and said it was work. But it was like that text had flipped a switch in him. He was right back to being the polite, attentive friend. The flirting had stopped. Soon afterward, she’d called it a night. He’d walked her back to her room—it would have been weird not to since his was right next door. There hadn’t been so much as a goodnight kiss, not even on the cheek. He’d nodded and looked kind of uncomfortable and wished her goodnight.

  Even weirder than that was that he’d knocked on her door this morning and invited her to breakfast. She could hardly refuse, but she’d kind of wanted to. She’d enjoyed herself. He was good company, but there was nothing there. Nothing going on between them. She wished she could convince herself that she’d imagined any attraction between them. That’d be easier—to just think that she’d made it up. But she hadn’t. There was nothing imaginary about the chemistry between them—or about the way he’d been with her last night—until that text. Maybe he had a girlfriend? That didn’t make sense. Wouldn’t the girlfriend be here? And wouldn’t Laura know about her—and have warned Piper. She blew out a sigh and lifted her head. She’d been walking along staring at the sidewalk as she noodled it all through. That was dumb. She should be right here in this moment. Enjoying the beautiful day, and the lovely little town that was now her town—her home.

  She stopped when she reached the bakery. She’d heard that they made amazing pastries and sandwiches. She’d get her lunch here rather than going to hang out at the resort. She didn’t need any more confusion. She should probably just stay away from Cameron.

  The bell jingled when she opened the door. The girl behind the counter greeted her with a friendly smile.

  “Hey. Piper, isn’t it?”

  She nodded, trying to remember the girl’s name. “Yes. Hi, April.”

  “How are you? I heard you moved here?”

  “I’m great, thanks. I’m just getting the hang of the place, and I heard that this is the place to indulge my sweet tooth and maybe get some lunch.”

  April smiled. “We can help you with the pastries, but you might want to go to the Boathouse for lunch. I think everyone’s meeting there.”

  “I know. I thought I’d try something different today, though.”

  “Okay. Well, there are sandwiches and wraps, or I can make you whatever you want.”

  “Thanks.” Piper stared at the display case. Everything looked so good.

  “Are you excited about Laura’s bachelorette party next Friday?”

  “I am. Are you going?”

  “I wouldn’t miss it. I love Laura and Smoke, and besides who’d want to miss out on a night at Oscar Davenport’s new club with a chance to see some of the best acts in country music?”

  Piper smiled. Laura’s party was promising to be quite a night. “I know. It’ll be great.”

  She selected a sandwich from the case and put it on the counter, then eyed the doughnuts.

  April smiled at her. “Sorry for being nosey, but are you seeing Smoke’s brother?”

  She shook her head rapidly. “No. Why?”

  “Sorry. I just wondered. I mean, you were both here last weekend, and now he’s back this weekend. I thought you were, but … Sorry, I’m just being nosey. And you look like you’d make a great couple.”

  “No. He’s a nice guy, but …”

  “But what? You don’t like him?”

  Piper shrugged. “I do, but I don’t know.”

  “You can’t say he doesn’t like you. I’ve seen the way he looks at you.” She smiled. “And you’re the maid of honor, and he’s the best man next weekend. I bet you get together.”

  Piper made a face. She didn’t know what to say.

  “You want to, don’t you?”

  April was so sweet. They didn’t know each other, but it didn’t feel like she was being nosey, just that she cared and was being encouraging. Everyone seemed to be like that here. “Okay. I admit it. I like him. But it’s a weird situation. He doesn’t live here. I just moved here. We’re part of the wedding. Maybe you’re right. Maybe something will happen next weekend, but if it does, it�
�ll just be a one-night kind of thing.”

  April raised an eyebrow. “Are you a one-nighter kind of girl?”

  Piper laughed. “I’m not. I’m not an anything kind of girl these days, but that’s all that could happen with me and Cameron.”

  “Well, even if it is, I say, make the most of it.”

  “I guess. Anyway,” she pointed at the glazed doughnuts. “Can I take one of those?”

  April popped it into a bag for her.

  Once she’d paid, Piper smiled. “It was nice talking to you.”

  “You too. Here.” April scribbled her number on a piece of paper and handed it over. “I know what it’s like to be new here and not know many people yet. Give me a call anytime.”

  “Thanks.”

  “In fact, once you get settled, give me a call about going for lunch or something?”

  “I will. I’d like that.”

  Piper smiled to herself as she left the bakery. April was nice. She knew she’d run into her and all of Laura’s other friends around town, but it was nice to think they’d make plans to hang out too.

  She looked down at the bag with her lunch in it. Now she had to decide where she was going to eat it. If she went back to the resort, she’d no doubt run into everyone, unless she scurried up to her room and she really didn’t want to sit in there to eat. Instead, she followed the old road that led out by the river, where she and Cameron had walked last weekend. When she reached the bench she remembered, she sat down to enjoy the sunshine and the view while she ate. This was the first chance she’d had to just sit and be. It was good. She smiled as reality caught up with her. She’d just made a major life change. She’d made a career move, finally left the town where she’d lived her whole life. This was big. And she was doing great. She shouldn’t be concerning herself over whether or not some guy was interested in her. A guy was a tiny part of the big picture, and it wasn’t a part she’d ever spent much time worrying about. Maybe she and Cameron would get together next weekend—maybe they wouldn’t. If they did, it’d be a fun evening, and that was all. It’d be no different than taking a boat out or going horseback riding—it’d be an enjoyable few hours, but would have no bearing on the rest of her life. She smiled and took a bite of her sandwich. Looking at it like that felt better. Just because he was nice and good-looking and fun and everything else he might be, that didn’t mean anything. She needed to stop blowing it out of proportion. She should try to forget all about him until next weekend—until Laura and Smoke’s wedding. In the meantime, she had a new job to start and a new life to settle into.

  Chapter Six

  Cameron chuckled to himself while he waited for Cole to come back. He thought this kind of thing only happened in movies. It was Cole’s wedding day—just a few hours before they were supposed to be at the chapel—and the two of them were sitting stranded at the airport in Vegas.

  Cole had been right to be wary of holding his stag party the night before the wedding. Though, to be fair, they weren’t stuck here because of any crazy Vegas party antics. They’d only come here this morning to drop a guy off. The party had started out here in Vegas, but no one was really into it, and when Laura had called Smoke and asked if he and the guys wanted to go and join her party, they’d all flown to LA and had a great night with the girls at Oscar Davenport’s new nightclub. Everyone else had headed back to Summer Lake either last night or this morning, but Cameron and Cole had come here to drop off the pilot who’d flown one of the planes to LA for them. That was when things had gone off track. They’d gotten here no problem, but when they were ready to take off again, there was a problem with the plane. Cole said it’d take a mechanic to fix it—and of course, there wasn’t one of those around.

  Cole was calling around to see what he could figure out, but it wasn’t looking hopeful. Cameron smiled at him when he came back, then looked at his watch. “Are you sure you don’t want to ask Piper to come?”

  “No.”

  “No, you’re not sure, or no, you don’t want to?”

  Cole smiled through pursed lips. “Both.”

  “How long would it take us to drive?”

  “About four hours.”

  “Ah, too long.”

  “Yep. I either figure out a way to fly the plane out of here, or I have to admit that I fucked up and tell Laura.”

  “You didn’t fuck up! It’s hardly your fault.”

  “My plane, my maintenance schedule, my fuck-up.”

  “Or just one of those things?” Cameron smiled. He didn’t want Cole getting down on himself today—it was his wedding day, supposed to be the happiest day of his life.

  Cole chuckled. “Maybe. I’m going back to the front desk to see if they’ve heard from the mechanic on call yet.”

  “Okay, but if they haven’t, maybe it’s time to ask Piper to come get us.” Cameron smiled. “I have a feeling Laura won’t mind.”

  “So do I; I just don’t want to start our married life with her gloating that I couldn’t even get myself to the chapel. Do you think she’d ever let me live it down?”

  “Probably not,” said Cameron with a grin.

  Cole went back to the front desk, and Cameron could tell by the way they were talking that there was no good news. Cole came back and held up his hands. “Time to admit defeat, I guess.”

  He pulled his phone out of his pocket and dialed. Cameron wondered how Piper would react to having to fly back here to get them. There were only a couple of hours left before the wedding and Piper should be getting ready herself. He watched his brother’s face as he talked.

  “Nope. I hate doing this, but I’m going to have to ask you to come get me. Where’s Laura? … Okay. I’ll call her. I’m not going to leave you to explain it to her.”

  Cameron smiled to himself at that.

  “Yeah. We’re going to be cutting it fine.”

  Cole smiled. “No, I’m fine, thanks. Cameron made sure he brought everything we could need, just in case of an emergency, but I guess you’re going to have to fly in your bridesmaid’s dress … Thanks, Piper.” Smoke hung up and gave Cameron a rueful smile. “This is going to look great, isn’t it? We’re going to have to get changed now and go straight to the chapel when we land.”

  Cameron laughed. “I know it’s not ideal, but I love it!”

  Cole laughed with him. “See how much you love it when we’re standing here dressed up to the nines and a little blonde bridesmaid comes flying in to our rescue.”

  “I already like that idea.”

  Smoke shook his head. “I don’t get you with Piper. You blow hot and cold.”

  Cameron shook his head. “No. I’m blowing hot the whole time. I’m just blowing so damned hot, I’m scared—I don’t want to burn her.” The words surprised him; he hadn’t known they were true until he said them.

  “I don’t think you want to freeze her out, either, and it looks like that’s what you’re going to end up doing.”

  Cameron shrugged. It was true. Last night would have been the perfect time for Piper and him to get to know each other better. They’d had every opportunity at the club. They’d talked; they’d danced, but for some reason, he’d still held back—and she had, too. “It’s probably better that way. Anyway, stop worrying about Piper and me. Call Laura, and then we’d better get changed and wait for our bridesmaid in a pretty dress to come rescue us.”

  Cole chuckled and walked away to call Laura.

  ~ ~ ~

  Piper smiled to herself as the wheels touched down on the runway at McCarran.

  Laura looked across at her and smiled back. “Is this crazy or what?”

  Piper laughed. “Totally. If someone had told me when I first came to visit you that we’d be flying around on your wedding day—in our dresses, no less—there’s no way I would have believed them.” She taxied the plane off the runway and followed the controller’s instructions until she reached the general aviation building. She brought the plane to a halt on the line and went through the checklist to shu
t the engines down.

  Laura grinned at her. “This is it.”

  “Yep. Let’s go find that man of yours and get you both to the chapel.” She let herself out into the cabin and let the steps down. She could just imagine how this must look to anyone watching. She was all done up in her bridesmaid’s dress, and Laura was in full-on bride mode—dress on, makeup and hair done, everything! She looked at the FBO building wondering if Smoke and Cameron would be waiting outside. She didn’t see them, but she did see movement inside. She stepped aside to let Laura go down the steps ahead of her. Smoke would no doubt be watching out for them, and she’d love to see his face when he spotted his bride exiting the plane.

  A golf cart was waiting on the tarmac to take them inside. Piper smiled at the driver who was obviously curious what their story might be but was too well trained to ask. Smoke and Cameron were waiting just inside the doors from the ramp when they got inside.

  Smoke went straight to Laura and closed his hands around her waist.

  Piper looked away as they kissed. Cameron came toward her will a smile. “Thanks for coming to get us. You’re the hero; you saved the day.”

  Piper nodded. She could not figure the guy out. Anytime they had a chance to get together, he backed right off. The rest of the time he was so sweet—and seemed so interested. “I hear you helped out, too. I was worried I’d need to find Smoke’s clothes and everything and bring them to you, but you’d brought everything you might need, just in case.”

  “Yeah. I like to be prepared. I didn’t think we’d need anything; in fact, he laughed at me when I insisted on packing our suits and the rings and everything, but I’m glad I did.”

  “You’re not the only one. Can you imagine if we had to get back to the lake and take you both home to get changed? There’s no way we could do it all and still get to the church on time.”

  They both grinned as a round of applause broke out. Smoke lifted his head from the kiss finally, and he and Laura both smiled around at their well-wishers. “Thanks, everyone, I got the girl; now we just have to get to the chapel on time.”