Trixie followed me through the back door and immediately became Terri.
“That pain in the ass is getting on my last nerve.”
“The woman or the cat?”
“Both.” She slipped on the bathrobe hanging by the back door.
“So what really happened?”
“Same as always. That devil cat came over here with his fur straight up, his ears back, and hissed and swiped at Trixie. I tried to ignore him, but he kept getting in Trixie’s face. She finally barked and he took off through the fence crying like he’d been shot with the water hose. Which I’d like to do, by the way.”
“Please don’t. As much as I’d like to see that, we have enough problems now.” Like my novel, for instance.
Terri sat in one of the kitchen chairs. “So what’s up with your writing?”
Oh great, now she was psychic. “What do you mean?”
“Something’s been going on for a while now. Every time you sit down at your laptop, you look like somebody stole your cookies.”
I looked into eyes filled with true concern and dropped into the chair across the little kitchen table. “It’s just something I have to figure out.”
She leaned across the table and grabbed my arm. “I know you, and something isn’t right. Please tell me what’s going on.”
“I’ve written contemporary romance for almost three years, and I’ve loved it.”
“But now?”
“I’m having an awful time trying to finish my contracted book.” I studied the flowery tablecloth. “I have this idea for a romantic suspense that just won’t let go.”
“I could see you writing romantic suspense.”
That took me by surprise. “You can?”
She laughed. “Sure. You love CSI and Criminal Minds and you read Brenda Novak and Allison Brennan all the time. So how much more do you need for the contracted book?”
“About twenty thousand words.”
“Do you have another contemporary contracted?”
“No. Just this one.”
“I’ll cook breakfast.”
She must have seen my expression.
“Okay, I’ll get dressed, then I’ll cook. While we eat, we can brainstorm ideas to finish your current novel. Then please call your agent and let her know you want to change subgenres.”
I groaned. “It’s such a big change.”
“Chicken.”
“Oh all right, the worst she can do is tell me I’m crazy.”
“Um, Shay, she already knows that.”
I tried to smack her arm but she moved too fast.
I went to get my computer and a notebook for brainstorming. Sometimes having a cousin wasn’t a bad thing.
****
I actually wrote two thousand words before it was time to get ready for my date with Ace. That was why I was so excited. Yep, writing was the reason I changed my outfit six times and spent extra time on my makeup. None of that had anything to do with a dog rescuer who irritates my neighbor. Nope.
I looked into the mirror. “Lying to yourself is probably not a good thing.”
“Ace is here,” Terri yelled.
I rushed to open the door, but Terri beat me there.
“Hello, Ace.” Terri’s big grin was annoying.
He gave her a quick smile before he looked behind her to meet my gaze. I shoved Terri aside. Ace’s smile widened and my heart beat a little faster.
He was dressed in black jeans and an orange shirt that brought out the emerald color of his eyes. “Are you ready?”
“Absolutely,” I said. I turned to grab my purse, and Terri gave me a knowing look. I ignored her and went out the door.
As we pulled out of the driveway, I caught a glimpse of Miz Carlisle peeking around her living room curtains. I leaned back in the seat and decided I didn’t care; I planned to enjoy the evening. Ace smiled my way, and I knew enjoying would be easy.
The restaurant was beautifully decorated. The entrance and a small lobby-like area were the same shades of red, white, and green as the flag of Italy. Through an arched entryway was a family-friendly area with soft green walls with highlights of red and white. We followed the hostess toward the back and through another arched entryway where we were seated in an adults only area. Here the walls were a richer shade of green, and the lighting was dimmer.
“This is nice, thank you.”
He leaned forward and rested his arms on the table. “I owe you an apology.”
Huh? “For what?”
“For writing you off as a shallow, spoiled brat.”
I let out a quick nervous laugh. “Don’t be afraid to open up and tell it like it is.”
He took my hand in his. “I reacted to your beauty by believing there couldn’t be depth under that adorable face.”
Adorable? Was he serious? My face heated. “I don’t think I’m shallow.”
He grinned. “You’re anything but. And you are beautiful.”
The waiter brought us our drinks, saving me from trying to say something sensible.
When he left, I took a sip of my iced tea before I said, “I underestimated you too, Ace.”
“Oh really?” There was that cute grin again.
I nodded. “I thought you only cared about dogs, not people. Now I know you care about both.”
He poked his straw against the ice cubes in his tea. “I trust dogs more. Animals don’t hurt you the way humans do.”
With those words, several things made sense. “Who hurt you, Ace?”
An expression of agony crossed his face, and for a moment I thought he wasn’t going to answer. Then he met my gaze. “You know part of it.”
“Your brother?”
He nodded. “Mom and Dad weren’t the same after he died.” He poked at his drink some more. “Dad said they couldn’t look at Bear anymore. I begged them to keep the dog, to let me take care of him. But one day I came home from school, and he was gone.” His lips tightened as he looked down. “I begged and cried and screamed. I had one major temper tantrum.” A sheepish smile pulled at his face. “Normally I’d have been in big trouble, but they must have realized how hard it was for me, so they never said a word about my behavior.”
“But you didn’t get the dog back?”
“No.”
“I’m so sorry.”
He shrugged. “It was a long time ago.”
“I would have liked to have had a pet,” I blurted.
He frowned, but the waiter came with our food before he could ask, so I had a few minutes to wonder what had possessed me to open Shay’s Box and let the crap fly out.
As soon as the food was served and the waiter left, Ace caught my gaze.
“Didn’t you say you had a cat?”
I poked at my chicken alfredo for a minute while I considered what to tell him. I considered fudging the truth, but he’d been open with me, and he deserved the same. I sipped my tea to moisten my dry throat. “I had the cat when I was little, long before Daddy died. After he got sick, pets weren’t really a priority. After he…” I swallowed. “Things were complicated.”
He squeezed my hand.
“How old were you when your dad died?”
“Thirteen.” My throat filled and I looked down at the table.
“That had to be hard.”
“It was, especially when Mom pretty much just gave up.” I took a moment to wipe at my eyes and gather my thoughts. “I know depression is an illness, that she couldn’t help the way she was, but it was a nightmare.” I shook my head, as if the movement would help me let go of the guilt my words provoked. “I know it was hard for her. She suffered a lot.”
“So did you.”
Tears I’d held inside for years threatened to let loose like a fire hose. I swallowed, determined to keep them in check. “When she finally found a medication combination that worked, I was thrilled. Still am. But I can’t help but wonder if—or when—it’s going to start all over again.”
“Oh honey, I’m so sorry.”
>
It was like being booted out of a dream. I sat up and pulled my hand loose from his. “I’m sorry, I didn’t mean to get so emotional.”
“Shay.”
I looked up as he took both my hands in his.
“Don’t do this to yourself,” he said.
“This is a date, not my personal pity party.” I managed what was probably a pathetic smile.
“Didn’t sound like a pity party. To me it sounded more like a woman who doesn’t talk about her feelings. That’s not healthy, you know.”
“Says a man.” I smiled for real.
He rolled his eyes. “Eat your dinner before I lecture you about stereotypes.”
“It’s not a stereotype.” I leaned toward him. “You know it’s true, men don’t like to talk about feelings.”
“All right already. You got me.”
He squeezed my hands.
“Let’s eat. I’m starving.”
We spent two hours talking. Just talking. Food, music, movies, how we both hate reality shows, photography, writing, just life in general.
By the time we left, we were laughing together like old friends. When we turned to walk down the sidewalk and Ace put his hand against my waist, I felt safe and cared for. Silly, maybe, but I hadn’t experienced a lot of that sort of feeling. So I simply enjoyed it.
We arrived at his SUV, and turned to each other. Our gazes met, and I realized his green eyes were almost black. The way he was looking at me sent heat billowing through my body. He leaned in, pulling me toward him and kissing me with a passion that made my knees weak.
“Maybe we’d better go,” he murmured near my ear.
I knew he was right, we were standing on the street. Still, I felt cold when he moved back and opened the door for me. I slid into his car and he got in the driver’s seat. He smiled and squeezed my hand, then put his SUV in gear and pulled out of the parking space.
I was surprised when Ace took a side road, but even more so when he pulled into a picnic area at the edge of the woods.
He turned off the engine and looked at me. “I’m not trying to do some teenage parking thing.” He grinned. “Unless, of course, you attack me.”
“Ha-ha.”
“The truth is I just want some time with you without dogs or nosy neighbors.”
“Or Terri.”
He chuckled. “Or Terri.”
The realization that I trusted him was a shock, but a nice one. It felt good to feel safe. And I did with him.
“You realize, that except for going to Zapata’s and the transport, we haven’t had any time alone together.”
He took my hand.
“I’d like a chance to get to know you.”
I swallowed. “I guess the guy is supposed to say this, but I’m not interested in a relationship. I’ve spent my entire adult life taking care of my mom. I’d like to get to know me.”
“There isn’t any room in my life for a relationship either. You intrigue me though. I’d like to get to know what makes that cute, spunky woman the person she is.”
My face heated again, and I did my best to ignore it. “Okay, so we’re clear. I will admit you intrigue me too.”
“Really?”
“Oh yeah.”
He touched his fingertips to my cheek.
“And what is it that you find intriguing about me?”
I looked into those bright eyes that reminded me of sunshine bouncing off a freshly cut lawn. “Your eyes intrigue me,” I said.
He chuckled. “What is it about my eyes that interest you?”
“They change shade.” I touched his temple near one of those chameleon eyes. “Sometimes they even seem to change colors.”
“Do they?”
I nodded. “Green, blue, light brown. The colors are flaked in there, and sometimes the light, or reflection from your clothes, or your mood makes one stronger than the other. At least that’s what it seems like to me.”
“I love that hair.” He wrapped an auburn strand around one finger. “Not only is it a gorgeous color, it’s soft and smells like apples.”
“My shampoo,” I told him.
“It’s your personality that really interests me,” he said.
“Personality, huh? How’s that?”
“You’re a little spitfire, but you’ve been deeply hurt.”
He took my hand in his again.
“I got a taste tonight of what that pain is all about, but I’d love to know more. I want to find out what makes you so skeptical of everybody you meet.”
“I’m not skeptical.”
He raised his eyebrow at me, and I glared at him. “Just because I was skeptical of you, doesn’t mean I am with everybody.”
“You still don’t completely trust me.”
I wanted to deny it, but he was right. “I don’t really know you.”
“Will you trust me in ten or twenty years?”
My laugh was pathetic. “I’ll probably have forgotten all about you by then.”
“I’ll never forget you,” he whispered, as he leaned in to kiss me.
I knew one thing, I’d never forget his kisses. Gentle but strong, he captured my mouth and set the rest of me on fire. I slipped my arms around his neck and held on tight. His tongue found mine, and I wanted the moment to never end.
He slid his hand down my back to my waist while my fingers explored his thick, silky hair. He shifted a little so he was kissing my cheek, my ear, my neck. Oh my goodness, this was incredible.
I opened my eyes for a second as we shifted, and realized we weren’t alone. “Ace.”
“Sweet,” he murmured into my neck.
“Ace, we’re being watched.”
He raised his head. “Watched?”
I pointed to the furry creature half-hiding behind a tree. I couldn’t swear it was the same one I’d seen before, but it was definitely a Bigfoot.
“Abukcheech.”
Ace sighed and moved away from me.
“He’s curious about humans. He’s just a kid, you know.”
“Kid?” I looked at the furry critter that was as tall as Ace and half as tall as the tree he was almost hiding behind. “My God, how big are the adults?”
“Nine, ten feet.” He put the SUV in gear and backed up.
“Wow.”
“Tell me about it. It took a while to take it all in, that’s for sure.”
Something about the way he said that caught my interest. “What do you mean, all?”
He grinned. “Ugly Creek isn’t your average little town.”
“Just what else should I be watching out for?”
“You’ll find out.”
Surprise, and a touch of anger had me narrowing my eyes at him. “You aren’t going to tell me?”
He reached over to take my hand in his.
“You wouldn’t believe me if I did.”
“Ace—”
“Please trust me, honey. It really is better if you find out for yourself. Besides, after three years I doubt I’ve even begun to find out the secrets of Ugly Creek.”
I sighed in frustration, but his hand was warm and I had a feeling he was telling me the truth. Good grief, since when did I trust my feelings?
He pulled in my driveway, and kept his hand at my waist as we walked up the steps to the darkened front porch. “I had a great time, Ace.”
One hand at my hip and one against my face, he looked into my eyes.
“I’d like to do it again. Soon.”
“Anytime”
He held me gently as he kissed me. I felt feminine, protected, cherished, weird. Not like me to want anybody to take care of me. I was strong, stubborn, a caregiver—not the other way around. So what was going on in my head?
And then I didn’t care. All that mattered was that he was holding me and I was holding him.
Finally he pulled away. “I’d better get home.”
“Okay.” It was all I could think to say.
“Bye, sweetheart.”
He turned an
d walked away, smiling once over his shoulder and giving a little wave as he pulled out.
I smiled back, as relaxed and happy as I’d ever been. I opened the front door.
I was barely in the house when Terri came bouncing out of her bedroom.
“How did it go?”
“Shouldn’t you be in bed?”
“Well?”
“It was fun.” I knew, even in the dimly lit living room, my smile was giving away more than I would have liked.
Her smile was mischievous. “He must be a good kisser, as long as you two stayed on the porch.”
I narrowed my eyes at her. “How do you know we were kissing? Maybe we were just talking.”
“Oh, you were kissing.”
Something in her expression made me suspicious. “What, did you smell us kissing?”
“No, silly, I heard you.”
I groaned. “This is why I don’t like dogs.”
She kept grinning. “You like dogs.”
“No. I do not like dogs.”
“You like Trixie.”
“That’s debatable.”
“You like Hugh.”
She had me there. “Yeah, I do kinda like that mutt.”
“Well, all right then.” She did a graceful little twirl to face her bedroom and all but danced through the door.
I headed for bed, and a nice, long, relaxing night.
Of course that couldn’t happen.
Chapter 11
Pounding woke me from an interesting dream where Ace and I reenacted the beach scene in From Here to Eternity. I pulled on my bathrobe and stumbled into the living room. “Somebody better be on fire,” I muttered.
Terri was dressed and answered the door just as I got there. When I saw the uniformed officer, all the clichés flew through my head: toothpick, string bean, Barney Fife. To me, though, he mostly looked like an almost melted snowman, sort of bent forward and looking like his head might fall off his scrawny neck.
“We got a report your dog was outside barking for almost an hour,” the melting man said.
“Trixie was in the house all night,” Terri told him.
“Are you sure about that?”
“Yes, I am.” I saw the irritation in her face. “Plus, I’ve been awake since three writing.”
“What about you,” he asked.
“Trixie was inside, and definitely not barking.”
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